The Singapore Forum

Thinking of taking a short break over the national day holiday weekend. Need to keep the costs down due to my vastly reduced salary.
Any ideas? needs to be romantic setting as its also my 1st wedding anniversary.

was maybe thinking the Sea Gypsy on Pulau Sibu.

Pasir Ris beach bungalow

baloo wrote:Pasir Ris beach bungalow

thanks baloo but would like to get off island and also find somewhere with clear blue water. Hopefully with the chance to get my diving gear wet for the first time since I moved here

Or a little blue tent on East Coast parkway.

Actually, I'd be up for that. It'd be fun. But I'm strange.

but then we'd be able to see our apartment. that would be no fun!

Yes it would. You could look at it and go, "Look there's nobody home! We must be on holiday!"

I went to Sea Gypsy quite a few years ago. It was fine - simple beach bunglaows, food was a bit expensive as I remember, but that may be because I still had a teenage son with me back then.

Diving season in Tioman, Redang, but you may want to book now. Coach journey up there is not always the best, but hey, you said cheap.

Next options are Bali, Lombok or Manado. Not sure what flights are available this close to National Day, for Manado if you are willing to take the whole week thurs-thurs, then $300/pp plus your hotel. If you've got a shorter trip planned then you may be in trouble finding something this close.

Decided on the Sea Gypsy. 3 nights for 2 with all meals and transfers to and from Singapore for less than S$900. not too bad.
plan to get my first dives in since arriving in Singapore. was so much easier in Dubai when I just had 1.5 hours drive to the Indian Ocean

Lucky you. Because of severe cost-cutting measures my company is requiring all staff to clear outstanding leave before August. I was just 'alloted' my balance of 7 days starting next week. I have no time to plan anything so it looks like a week or so spent at Villa De La Telok Blangah for me.

I just got paid for the two weeks I was away. I've never worked anywhere before where you get more money when you're on holiday. Aussies are weird.

You got leave loading? I thought that was abolished a few years ago? I used to love getting an extra bonus with my holiday pay. After all it was the only bonus most people got for a long time.

I did.

Oh, I wondered what leave loading was.

Scummy Mummy wrote:Oh, I wondered what leave loading was.

In May 1974 the leave loading was granted to those under the Metal Industry Award in addition to them winning a claim for four weeks annual leave. The theory was that workers were entitled to the loading; because they were on holidays they wouldn't get their normal pay which included extra for working on shifts and weekends. The leave loading made it's way into most awards, but nowadays, with collective wage agreements and AWAs, is the exception rather than the rule.

Pinklepurr wrote:You got leave loading? I thought that was abolished a few years ago? I used to love getting an extra bonus with my holiday pay. After all it was the only bonus most people got for a long time.

I miss getting an extra month salary at christmas and 1/2 month in the summer like i did i France. was quite nice

When I first came to Singapore I got 15th month pay.

with my change of job I'm now effectively getting 6 months pay. Bugger!

You are lucky that you are not going to sea gypsy this weekend

BoD wrote:When I first came to Singapore I got 15th month pay.

and now you get 0th month pay.

had very relaxing long weekend on Sibu. Its not luxurious, the food is not great and there are too many ankle-bighters.

but the island was beautiful, the weather cool (after singapore heat) and we both really enjoyed the weekend. We would go back but will probably try Rawa next. any other suggestions?

I saw on another forum that AirAsia are doing some very cheap deals right now. I think you have to book this week but flights valid Jan to Jun 2010. I might have dates slightly wrong here and cant check as I gotta rush out. But maybe worth checking out.

Nice places to go close to Singapore:

1. Phuket Nice n empty now - peaceful(!) but don't come Sep/Oct - heaviest rainfall.

2. Langkawi. Fabulous island for a short relaxing break and "duty free" island.

decided to go to Rimba on Sibu next month.
just less hassle getting there