Trading Places

Elizabeth Magsaysay is director of network distribution in Southeast Asia for Turner international Asia Pacific Ltd. She goes to Singapore about every six weeks.

singapore Time difference: None.

Visa details: Not required for Hong Kong residents paying a short visit.

Peak hours: 7.30 am - 9.30 am; 4 pm - 6 pm.

Shopping hours: 10 am - 9 pm weekdays, close at 10 pm at weekends.

What's the best way to get there? There are about a dozen flights a day, but I usually go with Singapore Airlines. Changi Airport is a dream! What is your favourite hotel? The Duxton near Chinatown. it's a quaint, boutique hotel which blends perfectly with the renovated shophouses in the area. It's elegant, has an excellent French restaurant and great personal service. And as you walk around you discover unexpected little nooks and crannies as you would in an old house.

Where do you go to: Put your feet up? The Botanical Gardens. It's a lush, cool sanctuary from the heat and a great place to relax, daydream and ponder.

Grab a snack? Three choices: the Empire Cafe in Raffles, which is casual and has a good range of local and international food; Olio Dome beside the Museum of Art; and Spinelli's at Hereen Plaza for the coffee.

Do last-minute shopping? Changi Airport Duty Free.

Let off steam? Early morning run on the east coast or along one of the many tree-lined streets.

How do you get around? There's a limousine bus service from the airport or you can take a taxi to Orchard Road for about S$20 (HK$92). The MRT is very good for getting around too.

Where's your favourite place for: Breakfast? I like the local fare - nazi lemak or kaya bread (local coconut jam on bread) at Le Meridien Coffeeshop. They only cost a couple of dollars.

Lunch? Hainanese chicken rice at Chatterbox Cafe in the Marina Mandarin Hotel or maybe the Telok Aver Hawker Centre, where you can eat for less than S$10.

Dinner? Prego's for Italian at Westin Plaza, or Doc Chen at Raffles which serves fusion cuisine. Boat Quay if I'm feeling indecisive as there is such a huge choice.

How much do you tip: Taxis? Just give them the spare change.

Bellboys? S$1-2 per bag.

Waiters? Not really expected, so it's up to you.

Hairdressers? 15 to 20 per cent.

Communications? Your mobile will work if you have GSM. E-mail access is easy as there are jacks on the phones in hotels and there are a few Internet Cafes around too.

What gifts/corporate giveaways do you take? You have to make sure the design and quality are good, and it should be a bit trendy. Perhaps a silver-plated cigar cutter.

What do you wear: A business suit or dress for work, and smart casual after hours. As it's so hot, it's summer wardrobe all year round.

Business etiquette? Avoid making controversial comments about the Singaporean Government or specific Singaporean ethnic groups. They like it if you display some sensitivity to the republic's multicultural society.

Can you recommend: An unusual sight? Hang out at Charlie's Bar in Changi Village which is run by an eccentric local. It's open from Monday to Friday, unless Charlie goes fishing. You don't see many expats there and it's a rendezvous for transvestites.

A pick-up joint? Not my scene but I hear that there's a lot of action at Brannigan's at the Hyatt, Top 10 and Club 392.

A book? The Singapore Party Girl and The Revenge Of The Singapore Party Girl which are very funny pastiches of a particular type.

How would you sum up doing business in Singapore? 'Everything works (in the Singapore way).'