Claustrophobia

[x9200]

One more place, but not for completely adhoc actions is St john's Island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_John%27s_Island
http://www.islandcruise.com.sg/ferry-schedule.html

Weekdays, practically deserted (at least the accessible areas).
You would need to spent there +4h.

[Strong Eagle]

Also Pulau Ubin... 20- minute boat ride... rent bicycles, also relatively deserted during the week.

[QRM]

Funny I am the opposite, after a few days in open spaces, I crave for the buzz and dynamics of a city! This morning I was just looking at the house we are in now (which is big), and realised its so much better to live in an efficient compact place. That way you have ditch all the junk, nick knacks and luggage, in a big space no matter how big you end up filling it up.

[Hannieroo]

Thank you, Strong Eagle.

Don't get me wrong, I love cities. I like the convenience and having stuff to do. But nearly everywhere else in the world you can get in the car, drive for a bit and hit big open sky. I'm sure it's more the idea that I can't do that that's getting to me. In Scotland digging my car out and driving through snowy hills to get to the supermarket peed me right off 99% of the time but every so often you'd get a beautiful day and no other cars and the drive made you feel free.

[the lynx]

One more place, but not for completely adhoc actions is St john's Island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_John%27s_Island
http://www.islandcruise.com.sg/ferry-schedule.html

Weekdays, practically deserted (at least the accessible areas).
You would need to spent there +4h.

Very very deserted...

The only bunch of people you will cross path, if ever, are researchers working on the other side of the island.

Pro-tip: Bring hammock if you own one.

[zzm9980]

If you like openness, Singapore and Hong Kong are certainly not the places to be.

You've not been to Hong Kong, or spent time outside of Kowloon or HK Island.

Hong Kong is loaded with giant amounts of open space, which is one of the reasons I like it so much more than Singapore. 30 minute MTR ride and you can be hiking up a mountain and not see more than a handful of other people for hours. Keep in mind HKSAR is significantly larger than Singapore: 1100km2 vs Singapore's 700km2 (and that includes all of Singapore's unused portions in the middle, the north west, and the islands).

Google image search for "Hong kong hiking trails":

https://www.google.com.sg/search?q=hong ... iAewjYHYDA

And the humidity and heat is only suffocating like Singapore's half of the year

[QRM]

If you like openness, Singapore and Hong Kong are certainly not the places to be.

You've not been to Hong Kong, or spent time outside of Kowloon or HK Island.

Hong Kong is loaded with giant amounts of open space, which is one of the reasons I like it so much more than Singapore. 30 minute MTR ride and you can be hiking up a mountain and not see more than a handful of other people for hours. Keep in mind HKSAR is significantly larger than Singapore: 1100km2 vs Singapore's 700km2 (and that includes all of Singapore's unused portions in the middle, the north west, and the islands).

Google image search for "Hong kong hiking trails":

https://www.google.com.sg/search?q=hong ... iAewjYHYDA

And the humidity and heat is only suffocating like Singapore's half of the year

Agree I do miss the hiking trails, and mountains ( you can get a coating of frost on them in winter) a 30 min walk from the HK city and you could be in the middle of nowhere. A chum just sent a photo, he found an island while boating, from the photo looks like he could be in Thailand on a deserted beach!

[zzm9980]

If you like openness, Singapore and Hong Kong are certainly not the places to be.

You've not been to Hong Kong, or spent time outside of Kowloon or HK Island.

Hong Kong is loaded with giant amounts of open space, which is one of the reasons I like it so much more than Singapore. 30 minute MTR ride and you can be hiking up a mountain and not see more than a handful of other people for hours. Keep in mind HKSAR is significantly larger than Singapore: 1100km2 vs Singapore's 700km2 (and that includes all of Singapore's unused portions in the middle, the north west, and the islands).

Google image search for "Hong kong hiking trails":

https://www.google.com.sg/search?q=hong ... iAewjYHYDA

And the humidity and heat is only suffocating like Singapore's half of the year

Agree I do miss the hiking trails, and mountains ( you can get a coating of frost on them in winter) a 30 min walk from the HK city and you could be in the middle of nowhere. A chum just sent a photo, he found an island while boating, from the photo looks like he could be in Thailand on a deserted beach!

Yep. Nothing like spending a sunday afternoon on a boat out amongst the random islands!

[QRM]

You've not been to Hong Kong, or spent time outside of Kowloon or HK Island.

Hong Kong is loaded with giant amounts of open space, which is one of the reasons I like it so much more than Singapore. 30 minute MTR ride and you can be hiking up a mountain and not see more than a handful of other people for hours. Keep in mind HKSAR is significantly larger than Singapore: 1100km2 vs Singapore's 700km2 (and that includes all of Singapore's unused portions in the middle, the north west, and the islands).

Google image search for "Hong kong hiking trails":

https://www.google.com.sg/search?q=hong ... iAewjYHYDA

And the humidity and heat is only suffocating like Singapore's half of the year

Agree I do miss the hiking trails, and mountains ( you can get a coating of frost on them in winter) a 30 min walk from the HK city and you could be in the middle of nowhere. A chum just sent a photo, he found an island while boating, from the photo looks like he could be in Thailand on a deserted beach!

Yep. Nothing like spending a sunday afternoon on a boat out amongst the random islands!

Which is where SG fails miserably the island hoping options are non existent, not worth getting a boat here. Which is a shame with the cost of cars a nice boat would be a great alternative ( i assume there is no crazy taxes on them,) but no where to go.

Maybe some enterprising folks should set up artificial islands, nice restaurants, spas, hotels etc on them, then maybe boating might take off here.

[katbh]

You can sail up the river to fun places in Malaysia but it is just such a hassle getting visas etc so you really need to do it as a group - eg Changi Sailing Club have group boat sails over to Malaysia.

[QRM]

You can sail up the river to fun places in Malaysia but it is just such a hassle getting visas etc.....

Exactly takes away the spontaneity of just hopping on a boat and sailing to a beach for the day.

[katbh]

You can sail to a beach....
But it is a Singapore beach.... not many waves
You can sail around the Island and study oil patterns!

[movingtospore]

If you like openness, Singapore and Hong Kong are certainly not the places to be.

Several of my friends have relocated to New Zealand and many of them to the city of Dunedin. From the pictures and from what they describe, it seems a lovely place.

If you have a choice move out.

You can get out in HK though...to the outer Islands etc - there are lots of beaches, hikes - many more options than Sing (except for the weeks on end when it's smogged in, I guess). Though the city itself is very crowded.

Yes, Hannie this place makes you mad after a bit. The monotonous buildings, never-ending construction, and overly controlled atmosphere can make one want to snap.

Must get out - a quick beach fix can help - at least some space, open water and fresh air helps clear the head.

[morenangpinay]

i kinda had a moment when I said to myself "this is what it feels like to be in a pigeonhole" while looking out from the window of the hdb

[Wd40]

If you like openness, Singapore and Hong Kong are certainly not the places to be.

You've not been to Hong Kong, or spent time outside of Kowloon or HK Island.

Hong Kong is loaded with giant amounts of open space, which is one of the reasons I like it so much more than Singapore. 30 minute MTR ride and you can be hiking up a mountain and not see more than a handful of other people for hours. Keep in mind HKSAR is significantly larger than Singapore: 1100km2 vs Singapore's 700km2 (and that includes all of Singapore's unused portions in the middle, the north west, and the islands).

Google image search for "Hong kong hiking trails":

https://www.google.com.sg/search?q=hong ... iAewjYHYDA

And the humidity and heat is only suffocating like Singapore's half of the year

Yeah, I haven't been to HK. But I have heard couple of things about it. One, there is too much lighting in the nights and the city has one of the highest levels of light pollution in the world.

Two, space constraints, I have heard some people live in boats because living on the land is too expensive.
Another thing, I heard not sure, if it is true, the rooms in HK are so small and cots are so small, that if you are taller the average oriental height, you need to put a stool adjoining to the cot to stretch your legs.