Book Description
Have your fortune told by a psychic parrot, then dig into dosa in Singapore's Little India p561. Trek in the footsteps of tribal war parties on the Headhunters' Trail in Gunung Mulu National Park p337. Travel the length of Peninsular Malaysia, through the world's oldest rainforest, on the Jungle Railway p330. Give the turtles plenty of space as they haul their 750kg-bodies up the beaches of Cherating p280. Top adventure activity coverage - the best hiking, snorkelling, caving, diving or bird-watching info. Five authors and 2731 hours in-country researching this edition More listings of sustainable businesses, to help you make the right choices for the environment.
Customer Reviews:
my opinion.......2007-08-29
Only gave a very brief overview,not enough information for someone who has not travelled to that part of the world.
Always a good travel guide brand.......2007-06-07
It was Lonely Planet Vietnam that got me hooked on their series, and after traveling throughout Southeast Asia, I maintain Lonely Planet are the best travel advisor books, with the Rough Guide series a close second. I like that I can find what I need as a backpacker, but know where, when and on what to splurge. This particular one is not quite as strong as their Vietnam one, but I think will improve in the next version.
A Good Guide to the Major Destinations.......2007-03-17
Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei are the most developed countries in Southeast Asia, and tourism is a long-established business in the first two. English is widely spoken and travel is easy. More than anywhere in the region, you could even get by without a guidebook - local tourist offices are pretty good for info.
That said, if you do want a guide, this is probably the most reliable one for practical details. The 10th edition, published in January 2007, actually seems to have been more thoroughly updated than some previous ones, with some new attractions and accomodation options added - unlike in certain other LP guides, where only prices are changed from edition to edition. Of course practical details may change even by the time the book is published (remember it was researched in early 2006), but in general these 3 countries are pretty stable and inflation is low. Sure, the odd errorous/outdated info did slip in, but is far outweighed by all the useful stuff.
My only complaint about this book might be that it still pretty much concentrates on established, popular tourist attractions and major cities/towns. Don't expect to find many tips on locating hidden gems or exploring remote corners of the country, particularly Borneo. For that kind of info, I found the Rough Guide to these countries better than LP, though RG's practical info is often more dated. Decide what's more important to you!
If you are going to these countries for the first time, and only have a few weeks on hand to spend there, you will probably find the information provided by this guide both sufficient and largely accurate.
Very Few Info on KL.......2006-06-03
This is not a recommended book if you have only some days in KL. Lack of information. Too many detail about points of interest, restaurants and hotels were uncovered.
The Singapore should have to be improved as well. Better to buy the LP Singapore separately rather than buying this book.
Probably the worst LP guide that I ever read...
Even has good food picks!.......2005-12-15
Went to Penang with this last month. Typical quality LP job in describing the country and how to get around. What made this one a cut above is that it actually had useful restaurant recommendations, as opposed to the typical LP approach (i.e.: Here's the address of a place that serves food; hope you don't get hepatitis). Hotel recommendations were spot-on as well.
As always with LP, my one regret is they aren't opinionated enough about which sights are worth your time and which ones aren't.
Book Description
Includes: Colonial Core and Fort Canning, Chinatown, the Financial District, Kampong Glam, Little India, Orchard Road, and the outer areas.
Customer Reviews:
Eyewitness Guides.......2007-06-27
In my opinion, the "Eyewitness Guides" are a must reading whenever my wife and I travel to a location we've never been before.
In addition to the usual tourist information they present great background on the history and culture of the area. This particular guide was no exception.
Well worth the money by adding immeasurably to the trip.
A must-bring.......2007-06-17
If you ever go to Singapore, don't forget to bring this book. Even if you have been there many times (I have), you will always find new and interesting sights to visit and new information you didn't know about. What I like most is the detailed map section that covers most of the central city, that is the part you would want to visit as a tourist anyway. The street-by-street pictorial maps are excellent, but not always true to detail. The general index (for looking up things) is very good. However, on the downside, I would have liked to see more budget options in the "where to stay"-chapter. Nevertheless, probably the best guidebook to buy.
Excellent Travel Guide.......2007-02-22
I needed a travel guide to help me with my first trip to Singapore. The Eyewitness guides have consistently been the best for me. They contain a good mix of historical information and practical guidance, and the graphics are excellent (I keep my Eyewitness travel guides as souveniers so I can remember all the things I did on my trips and their pictures are usually better than mine). The writing is interesting and informative - not too technical and not too "touristy". For the Singapore edition, the mapping, directions and information were particularly helpful and accurate. Singapore is not a large place but it has a mountain of things to do and see, so it is important to have an accurate guide that breaks things down into specific geographic sections as well as into subject matter. This book does just that. I highly recommend this guide to any traveller heading to Singapore.
Singapore Brought to Life.......2004-01-29
Seduced as I am by the highly glossy, supremely compact and wonderfuly illustrated DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, I suppose I am somewhat biased as a reviewer. The combination of succinct text, numerous useful details, spectacular photographs, eyecatching 3-D graphical images, and user-friendly maps make the Eyewitness Travel Guides uniquely useful, distinctive and even collectable. The new Singapore book is no exception to these considerations, so much so, I wish I had it my disposal when I visited there last year, if only for the invaluable details it provides. Now shortly before leaving for Singapore once again, I have recently acquired this book, and it has whetted my appetite, by reminding me of the places, the colors, the smells, the greenery, the heat, and the vibrancy I had already experienced. It has also made it quite clear, exactly how much I missed last time, particularly in terms of wildlife reserves, museums, and galleries. The book contains a brief, but informative overview of the history and multi-cultural nature of this exciting island country. As with other titles in the series, the guide enables the user-traveler to gain maximum benefit from his or her visit, by highlighting THE places to visit, and what to expect from these experiences. If I have any criticisms of this, and indeed with many other Eyewitness Travel Guides, it is a shade small, with tiny text font, and it is a tad too short for my liking. But I guess they have to fit comfortably into your pocket, and, in any case, you cannot have too much of a good thing, otherwise you may just stay at home and gloat over the marvellous pictures.
Customer Reviews:
Very good reccomendations and overview.......2007-02-19
We are planning a short trip to Singapore and I found this book to be very good at pointing out things that were a must-do and what was a waste of time. Also had very good lists of things such as indeginous foods (and what was in them), language barriers (very amusing section), things to watch out for etc. Also had a great overview on food, where to eat and what was not worth it. It was good at listing things that were a one-day trip must do and a 3-4 day trip must do.
I definately liked this book over some of the other travel books I have read. It has a very personal touch (some amusing anicdotes) and a good perspective on things.
Book Description
Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.
Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include
* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken
"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel
"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel
"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer
"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine
"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times
Customer Reviews:
No help for the woman business traveler, otherwise very good........2007-07-08
I gave this four stars instead of five since the section on business custom does not describe how business women should dress and behave in Singapore. There's the passing remark that women should only initiate handshakes when one is introduced to a (presumably male) colleague; otherwise, there is nothing about how to dress or behave when working in Singapore. Can we wear pants? or must we wear skirts?
The chapter about dining etiquette and entertaining was fascinating. I'll keep this around for my upcoming trip but only wish that it was a bit more helpful on the distaff side.
Book Description
Come along with Frommer's and discover two of Asia's most intriguing destinations. Our author has scoured every inch of this region, and she'll share her cultural insights and favorite discoveries with you. Her guide is much more complete and in-depth than its major competitor.
In Singapore, you'll find the best places to stay, from high-tech business hotels to affordable finds, plus an amazing array of dining choices. Follow our author's fantastic walking tours, which introduce you to hidden gems in each ethnic neighborhood you'll find Hindu and Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques mixed in with modern high-rises, colonial architecture, and even a real-live rain forest still growing at the edge of the urban area.
In Malaysia, we'll take you beyond bustling Kuala Lumpur to discover beach resorts; the colonial architecture and amazing dining scene in Penang; idyllic islands; traditional villages; and great opportunities to shop for Malaysian handcrafts. We'll even visit Borneo, where rivers meander through dense tropical rain forests, beaches stretch for miles, and caves snake on for miles. In the many national parks that protect this spectacular jungle, you'll meet tiny deer, tinier owls, monkeys, and the increasingly rare orangutan. Experience all the adventure with Frommer's in hand, knowing you can rely on us for accurate information, practical advice, and useful maps.
Customer Reviews:
Mostly Useless.......2007-07-14
As most other reviewers have noted, this book's title is completely misleading. It is a mediocre travel guide to Singapore with a small subsection on Malaysia. To put this into perspective, Kuala Lumpur's metro area has a population of 6.9 million yet gets 15 pages of coverage in this book. Singapore, with a population of 4.5 million, gets 167 pages. Most of the Malaysian island sections only have hotel reviews which cover large all-encompassing resort hotels.
I got the feeling from reading this book that it is targeted to tourists whose primary priority is finding a large hotel room just like back home. No walks are included. Many unhelpful comments are included like "The [train] lines don't seem to connect in any logical way" (KL Rail) without suggesting solutions. We ended up barely touching the book and cribbing from another traveler's Lonely Planet guide, which was more helpful overall.
Luckily, we did have The Rough Guide to Singapore which was much more useful for the Singapore leg of our trip and had better maps and suggested agendas. Eating recommendations were hit or miss, of the places we tried in Singapore many were nothing special or seemed to be catering to timid palates.
Mayalsia? Look Elsewhere!.......2006-01-13
Although the title of this book would make one think that both the CITY-STATE of Singapore & the COUNTRY of Malaysia would receive coverage equal to their size, think again. Two-thirds of the book is devoted to tiny Singapore and the rest to huge (in comparison) Malaysia. I guess it's not so surprising when you learn that the author lives in Singapore and is married to a Singaporian! Frommer should be ashamed of their title. It should more accurately be "Singapore with a Section on Malaysia"!
Disappointed in Scanty Info on Malaysia.......2004-04-05
I just purchased this book in anticipation of a trip to Malaysia....so my review is written without having yet been on the trip.
However, this book lacks some basic information on Malaysia that I expect in a travel guide in order to plan a trip, for example, more fleshed out information on safety, health, exercise (and more) that is usually found in Frommer's guides and is found in the section on Singapore.
The *ONE* map of Kuala Lumpur is inadequate to even find the things mentioned in the accompanying text.
And when trying to figure out what to do with a few extra days from Kuala Lumpur, there is no information on how to get to the sites suggested, nor how long it takes! No web sites or email addresses listed for the outfitters mentioned - perhaps they don't exist, but I doubt it.
There were other inadequacies I noted in the section on Malaysia as well, but these suffice as examples of why I find this book of poor quality compared to most Frommer's books.
For the first time ever, I have to say I am very disappointed in a Frommer's guide.
Worth every dollar!.......2000-08-15
I just spent a month on business in Singapore and couldn't have made it without this book. Everything was right on, from restaurant reviews to prices for hotels. Jennifer has a great sense of humor and is right on with her recommendations and insights. I travel a lot and will buy Frommers from now on.
This book has too much info on Singapore and none on Borneo.......1999-07-08
Frommer's info is well-written and clear but 228 out of 299 pages deal only with Singapore and this book has no information at all about Sarawak and Sabah, the best places in Malaysia in my opinion.The info on Taman Negara Park and it's activities, such as rafting were scanty and there was no info on the islands of the eastern peninsula.
Book Description
The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei is the definitive guide to these three fascinating Southeast Asian countries. ThereÂ's detailed coverage of MalaysiaÂ's superb natural attractions, including Taman Negara Â- the PeninsulaÂ's main national park, with its four gateways Â- and, in Sabah and Sarawak, Mount Kinabalu and the limestone pinnacles at Mulu. Great beaches and islands also get full attention, including the islands of Langkawi, the Perhentians and the dive mecca of Sipidan. ThereÂ's plenty on the indigenous tribes of Borneo too, including how to make upriver trips to traditional longhouses. The book also provides the lowdown on SingaporeÂ's burgeoning entertainment scene Â- from alternative gigs to cutting-edge theatre Â- and uncovers the secret charms of secluded Brunei. All the background you need to get the best out of these multicultural nations is here, including a food vocabulary to help you order the best Malay, Chinese and Indian fare, and insights into local etiquette.
Book Description
This new pilot covers Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Singapore & the Malacca Strait to Phuket. Stephen Davies and Elaine Morgan's detailed text provides cruise planning information, an extensive discussion on climate, technical data concerning radio and weather forecasting services and general background commentary on each country. Each region is then treated in detail and pilotage information is given for key harbours. This pilot is a unique source of information for cruise planning and also will be an essential reference for yachtsmen on passage.
Customer Reviews:
Good, but not great.......2007-08-27
The reality is there is little information for this part of the world. This is good information, but its not great and it does lack in certain areas, I don't know of a better book so I'd reccomend it, but do lots of homework before you go the information changes quickly.
Book Description
25 MUST-SEE SIGHTS in Singapore PLUS A FULL-COLOR FOLDOUT MAP and the best of the rest including:
Best colonial architecture • Best museums and galleries • Best ethnic enclaves • Best shopping districts • Best Pan-Asian eateries • Best amusement parks
Everything you need to explore this vibrant gateway to the East
• Top lodging and dining picks for every budget
• Nature in the city at the Botanic Gardens, Night Safari, Singapore Zoo, Jurong BirdPark, Mandai Orchid Gardens, and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
• The best of Singapore after hours
• Mall shopping for designer clothes; market shopping for rugs, batik, rattan, jade
• Side trips to Changi Prison, Pulau Ubin, Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, and Johor Bahru
Customer Reviews:
useful addition to the conventional guidebooks.......2006-01-06
On our recent first trip to Singapore, we found the list of the top 25 to be a great guideline in constructing our own daily itinerary...it was a good source of ideas and helped us to prioritize our time. The additional "best" lists were also helpful. The book is very light and thin, making it convenient to take with you. I would definitely buy the equivalent book for visiting any big city that was new to me. Although it was well worth the price, it is also too light on content to be the only guidebook and it didn't provide the accurate detail necessary to get the most out of the places recommended.
The map that was included was fine and detailed, but the ones the hotels give away that include markings of the sights was more useful.
Book Description
Wallpaper* City Guides are an exciting, stylish new concept in travel guides published by Phaidon Press and Wallpaper* magazine. Glamorous, global and affordable, the new travel guides can be acquired for only $8.95 and feature the world's greatest cities, from Barcelona to Buenos Aires, Istanbul to Sydney, London to Los Angeles. Aimed at the design conscious traveller, the guides offer just the right amount of insider knowledge on the world's most popular cities, from where to stay and what to visit, to where you should eat, shop and be seen. Ideal for a weekend break or business travel, their discreet, pocket sized format tells you everything you need to know, giving you the inside track on what can not be found anywhere else. The guides have been compiled by Wallpaper* magazine's international editors and travel writers who have lived in the featured cities. They provide up-to-the-minute information and authoritative advice on the hottest of venues in the coolest of cities. Each guide will be updated annually to ensure they remain the authoritative last word' on the city concerned. The guides are divided into sections on Landmarks, Hotels, 24 Hours, Urban Life, Architour, Shopping, Sports and Spas, and Escapes. In addition, each one features a local resident recommending their own favourite places to visit in that city and sharing their insider knowledge. Maps and aerial photography are included for easy navigation and orientation and there is even a notebook to record personal discoveries and recommendations. Each section is subtly tabbed with a different color to make it easy for you to find the information you need. Wallpaper* City Guides are the result of a dynamic, joint publishing partnership between Wallpaper* magazine and Phaidon Press. Whether you are indulging in long weekend and want to know which room to book in which hotel, or have a free afternoon on a business trip and would love to escape and explore, the Wallpaper* City Guides offer a stylish and original alternative. The complete list of launch cities includes Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Istanbul, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, New York, Paris, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney and Tokyo.
Book Description
Travel to three lands in one, and enjoy the cultures of the Chinese, Indians and Malays in delicious colour. It's all about the food: nurture an endless appetite for hawker-stall snacks and sublime dining. Make some time for modern art, traditional temples and some of the best shopping in Asia, then swap the urban scene for a sojourn into pockets of rainforest.
Books:
- Lonely Planet New Zealand
- Lonely Planet Tramping in New Zealand
- Lonely Planet West Africa
- Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy
- Meeting the Fox: The Allied Invasion of Africa, from Operation Torch to Kasserine Pass to Victory in Tunisia
- MiMo: Miami Modern Revealed
- Moon Handbooks Panama (Moon Handbooks)
- Moon Handbooks Yosemite (Moon Handbooks)
- Naples at Table : Cooking in Campania
- Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa (A New Republic Book)
Books Index
Books Home
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- The Concise Oxford English-Arabic Dictionary of Current Usage
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- Saving Social Security: A Balanced Approach
- The Bingo Palace
General
| Asia
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Indonesia (Lonely Planet Travel Guides)
Lonely Planet Thailand
Lonely Planet Cambodia
Lonely Planet Vietnam
Bali & Lombok (Lonely Planet Travel Guide)
