Singapore layover

Q: Hello! I have a three-day stopover in Singapore on the way to Australia and am wondering how to best spend my time. I'll be staying in a hotel near Orchard Road surrounded by all those glorious stores but have no idea where I should head first. Could you guide me to any interesting places for good dining, as well as some off-the-beaten track places that are worth a visit? Thanks, Gene

A: With three days in hand, you can do a lot of sightseeing and there's lot to visit if you are a first-timer, including the Night Safari, Ancient Civilisations Museum and the Singapore Flyer.

You should also stop off in Little India where you'll find lots of little shops selling flowers, spices, textile, trinkets and heaps of Bollywood DVDs. Check out the Mustafa Centre for prices before hitting the streets. The food is terrific in Little India with both southern and northern cuisines represented. Komala Vilas has a well-earned reputation as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Singapore.

Not far away is Sim Lim Complex, a great source of bargains for IT products. Also take time to visit Bugis Village where you'll find lots of stalls selling bargain clothes and accessories.

Get off the tourist trail and head to the new town of Toa Payoh to see how the Singaporeans live. This district is in Singapore's Central Region and was one of the earliest satellite public housing estates in Singapore.

Toa Payoh boasts the first air-conditioner bus interchange so board a double-decker bus to enjoy Singapore scenery. Try taking bus 143, which starts from Toa Payoh Bus Interchange and passes Orchard Road and Chinatown.

Orchard Road and its environs offer plenty of good dining options but you can also check out Newton Hawker Centre, which offers a great selection of local dishes for lunch and dinner.

Newton Circus is rather big and being near Orchard Road is considered a tourist attraction in its own right, with

Balestier Road is another good food haunt and home to a new market too.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Singapore!

Q: I'm planning a trip in Cambodia and would like advice on the best way to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. I don't want fly so what are my options? Thanks for your help. Sumet

A: Bus is the best way. With the road now well paved, it only takes about five hours and there's plenty to see along the way. Most buses make at least two stops - at Skun and Kampong Thom - for a snack or lunch.

Bus is also cheaper and faster than taking the boat. There are many bus companies from which to choose with several offering comfortable airconditioned rides.

Some companies run deluxe buses, which are more expensive, but are in newer and better condition and come with tour guide, snacks, onboard toilet and other amenities. You can buy bus tickets through your guesthouse or a travel agency in town as well as directly from the bus company office.

If you are interested in travelling by boat, local ferries operate along the Tonle Sap. Though generally safe, these ferries do experience breakdowns, grounding and other difficulties. Travel by ferry is best from June to November when the water is high. During the dry season when the water is low, the ferry stops short of the dock and passengers must transfer to smaller boats to traverse the final few hundred meters.