You will need to ask about Dubai on the Africa/Middle East forum.
Re the other possibilities if you are looking for safety and plenty of shopping you may like Singapore. Plenty to do. When are you thinking of going? Have a search through this forum for the info already on all 3 places. Get a feel for all of them and then get back to us with specific questions.

I would say Singapore or Hong Kong. Singapore is very manicured, modern city, a somewhat watered down taste of the Far East, got good shopping and hotels and excellent transport system. The same can be said for Hong Kong although I felt it was a tad more exotic.

Bangkok is a bit more in your face...I'd still regard it as a safe city and its transport system has improved greatly with Underground and Skytrain. Its more exotic and I do know some people find it somewhat over powering. Might be a bit wet in October as well. Having said that its my favourite Far East city, although I quite like Kuala Lumpur as well which is a mix of modernity and the traditional Far Eastern city.

All these cities have great shopping and great hotels to choose from. We've walked the streets of all these cities and not felt threatened, indeed feel safer than in Britain.

hello myvot,

I agree with all that Sunbear has said - but my preference for a first visit would be Singapore. Whilst it may be a little 'clinical' for the far East, the diversity of the cultures makes it an interesting and exciting place.

There are modern facilities and a mass of shops (in Orchard Road in particular) - although shopping is shopping is shopping!

The greatest bit about Singapore, for me, is the rich diversity of food and culture. Litle India, as its name suggests has the best sights, smells and food outside of India itself! Chinatown has a rich Chinese flavour, and there is a vibrant Arab feel to the area around Kampong Glam.

All cultures mix readily and it feels safe - but still 'foreign'.

With regard to hotels, these are relatively reasonably priced and of a high standard. My personal preference is to stay near Raffles (staying IN Raffles is a pure indulgence - although a visit is worthwhile). The reason for this location is that the area is convenient for walking (yes walking) to Chinatown, Bugis Junction, Little India and Kampong Glam. There is an excellent MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) system - indeed all transport there is fast, efficient and clean! http://www.transitlink.com.sg/images/eguide/mrt_sys_map.htm

Orchard Road has a large number of hotels but the area, to me, is too Westernised and it is just too far out from the old centre - Boat Quay and the other areas mentioned.

I will freely admit that, of the three places you mention, Bangkok is my favourite - although as Sunbear points out, it may be a little too much 'in your face' for a first visit.

Get a good guide book, enjoy the planning and enjoy your trip (whether it is to Singapore, Hong Kong or Bangkok).

Enjoy!

Peter

Thanks for all your help.

When you say "in your face" what do you mean??

My favourite place ( have I mentioned this before? ) is Bangkok. I have been twice to Hong Kong- loved it both times but feel I have done what I want to there. Singapore- probably I have done everything I want to there as well but I would return as a stopover. I don't think I would ever tire of sitting sipping a cool drink in the middle of China town and watching the world go by.
Bangkok- take me there now!! I don't think I could ever tire of it!
I'm sure Pete will get back to you- my interpretation of "in your face" is hectic. It's busy, busy, busy! Not everyone likes Bangkok and some can't wait to leave it!
Singapore is "safer"- you can get busy and you can also find a quiet spot down at one of the Quays and watch the river and its traffic. It is more western than Bangkok.
You have a great problem there- which to choose?

I think it was me who first used the expression "in your face". Its not meant in any negative way...its just I feel you get a rush of experiences in Bangkok, more so than in the other cities mentioned. Most of these are positive..some like the traffic maybe not so positive.

Its more exotic, even the writing is in different script - all the other cities mentioned were former British colonies so there is a certain famliarity to them...heck they all use three pin plugs like ours for example. Like Fiona says Bangkok is busy busy busy...but there are also places of great beauty and tranquility..wonderful temples and palaces...most people I know who've been love Bangkok...but just a few have found it slightly overwhelming.

I find the biggest problem with the Far East is the sheer amount of choice of destinations...where to go next....I must hit Vietnam and Cambodia sometime soon.

myvot -hi again,

Yes it was Sunbear who described Bangkok as "in your face".

I particularly like Fiona's interpretation:

my interpretation of "in your face" is hectic. It's busy, busy, busy! Not everyone likes Bangkok and some can't wait to leave it!

It's hot, the sidewalks can be jammed, it can be ovewhelming. BUT........ it is also a place of great beauty, (The Grand Palace etc), great food (see other sections of this forum) and, as Sunbear points out :

Its more exotic, even the writing is in different script - all the other cities mentioned were former British colonies so there is a certain famliarity to them

Have a great time!

Peter

The more times I go to KL the more I like it. In the past I have always used Singapore as my stop over city when going to places further afield but because Malaysia and Thai are my favourite airlines I expect I will be visiting KL and Bangkok quite a few more times in the future.

I currently live in Johor Bahru and have visited all the major cities mentioned in this post. Singapore is the one I would recommend for an introduction to the Far East and hopefully the traveller will enjoy it enough to venture to one of the others in the future. My reasons for Singapore are that it is the place that can offers the least diversity from a western city. Don't get me wrong it is entirely different but it is much cleaner and safer than any of the other listed places. Every one of them though has it's own things to offer and I would encourage the traveller to visit them all.

I would agree with an earlier answer and suggest a hotel in the Raffles City / City Hall area which is the older part of Singapore and very central. I have stayed at he Carlton, Allson's and the Plaza in that area and they are all very good hotels.

Transport in Singapore is excellent and very cheap. A journey on the underground train system costs about $1 but if there are more than 2 of you I would recommend using a taxi. Also very cheap and a trip from the airport al the way into the centre of the city should cost no more than $18.

If you decide on Singapore then take a trip across to Johor Bahru for the day as the shopping is a lot cheaper and the food half the price. You can ge a taxi from Queen Street taxi terminus and a return trip will cost about $75. The change in infrastructure between Singapore and Malaysia as you travel across the Causeway is very noticeable.

Tours in Singapore that I would recommend are to Sentosa (Singapore's resort island) and to the zoo. There is a heritage centre in China own that is also very highly rated and interesting. Of course these are not the only things to do in Singapore but ones I feel should not be missed.

Enjoy the trip wherever you decide to go.

Tam
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