By Angela V. Ignacio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Last updated 15:23:00 05/20/2008
SINGAPORE Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana. these brand names peppering Orchard Road are enough to make your nose bleed and your wallet cry.
It is true that Singapore may not be the best place to shop if you are on a tight budget. But as we intrepid shoppers always say, no country is too expensive for bargain hunting. That is, if you know where and how to look.
Armed with a shopaholic humongous appetite but with a student humble budget, 2bU! prowled the pristine streets of the Lion City in search of the best deals and rare steals.
Given our tight schedule, it was a race against time and rapidly closing steel shutters, but we did manage to discover some fabulous finds and quirky food items below S$20 (about P600) at nearby shopping strips. Here is our shortlist of bookmarked haunts:
Bugis Street
The counterpart of our very own Greenhills and Bangkok Chatuchak Market (albeit less oven-hot), Bugis Street elevates night market street shopping into an art form. With over 600 stalls, ithome to the hottest local fashion boutiques and the trendiest street wear. Most shops start closing by 9 p.m., so better get there early if you want to explore to your heart content.
Kinokuniya
Nestled in the heart of swanky Ngee Ann City in Orchard Road, Kinokuniya is the largest bookstore on this side of the world. Here, you will find every manga title ever printed, available in Chinese, Japanese and English versions. Ask the salespeople where the older volumes are, since theye probably discounted already. Or, pick up a copy of those inexpensive phone book mangas. Just make sure you actually know how to read Japanese first.
Lucky Plaza
Watches, watches and more watches. Oh, and did I mention watches? If you are into fancy, funky timepieces, this is your stop. You can also find some silk pajamas and kimonos as well as little purses that make great pasalubong for your girly loved ones.
Kopitiam
What would a shopping spree be without a food trip? The original Kopitiam is actually a food court where you can choose from smoked duck to pig innards to Indian fare. Drop by any of its 70 outlets for a taste of Singaporemulticultural cuisine, fast-food style.
Wisma Atria food court
This is what we love (or hate, take your pick) about Orchard Road. You may run out of places to shop, but you will never run out of places to eat. If you are tired of ogling the goods in nearby Topshop and Warehouse, go have some food therapy and drown your sorrows in a bowl of curry or fried noodles. Oh, and donot forget to try that Magnolia ice cream wafer sandwich that is being peddled outside every few paces. Such a huge block of ice cream at only S$1 will definitely make you feel better in a jiffy.
The Food Cellar
Never mind that stores like Gucci are a few floors up; the finger foodies and local goodies at the bottom of Paragon Shopping Centre, Orchard Road are worth checking out. Get a humongous scoop or two of that scrumptious brand of gelato called Bravissimo, or you are wasted half your trip. Yup, it is that good.
Changi International Airport
Waiting for boarding time doesnot get any more pleasant than this. If you are pressed for time, you can just browse through the endless strip of shops at the beautiful airport and grab some discounted souvenirs before you leave. If you are lucky, you might catch one or two shops on sale. Charles & Keith is on every Filipina watchlist.
*Getting around:
Some areas are just within walking distance from each other, but if you are not much of a trekker, the bus and the MRT are the cheaper (if not only) alternatives to cabs. It might be a little tricky at first to try to decipher the bus routes, but if you read the route maps at every bus stop, you will get the hang of it in no time.
Other must-raid hotspots
PARTING is such sweet sorrow, but at least we made a quick mental note of the places we need to check out next time. So if ever you find yourself in Singapore, donot forget to drop by these areas:
Little India. This is an exotic melting pot of ornate jewelry, heady scents and every conceivable little trinket there is. Haggle, people, haggle!
Chinatown. Again, it like drifting into another part of the world. Hand-painted masks, potions, dried delicacies, practically anything and everything Oriental is hawked and peddled here at jaw-dropping prices.
Arab Street. Gorgeous fabrics and authentic batik are the main attractions of this Aladdincove of hidden treasures. Check out Mustafa Centre, the country only 24-hour shopping area, for a real bazaar experience.
Suntec City Mall. Undisputedly the ultimate electronics hub in the region, make a beeline for this mall if you have a bit more cash to spare for quality gadgets. Enjoy the other shops and stock up on local junk food at the hypermarket while you are at it.
Clarke Quay. Okay, so maybe it is not a place for bargain hunting, but if you want to check out what Singapore鈥檚 nightlife is all about, take a stroll along this bustling festival village. At least it is free.
The rest of Orchard Road. What we saw was just the tip of a very big iceberg. The Centrepoint, Meridien Shopping Centre, Midpoint Orchard, The Heeren... the list just goes on and on. Happy hunting! | 
