Tempting discounts, rock-bottom prices and an amazing travel destination...I'm back home from an incredible Asian shopping fiesta- the Great Singapore Sale!!

If you are looking out for that 'must-have' bag, latest laptop or the hottest mobile phone and are planning to take a break in the near future, then take my word- the trip to Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale is the place to be! For this year's mega sale, from 26th May to 23rd July, you can expect slashed prices from 20-30% upto 70% that include all the big shops across the island.

I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the shopping madness that spills out from the central shopping belt of downtown Orchard Road and Marina Bay to the city fringes and neighbourhood centres like Marine Parade and Toa Payoh, till the point you leave the country, at the Changi Airport.

As I found out myself, the discounts at the ongoing Great Singapore Sale are even more tempting this year with the Singapore Tourism Board launching massive promotions for the Indian tourists, with special airfares and attractive tourist packages during the Sale; including the added lure of a privilege card for the Indian shoppers entitles us to further discounts at the mammoth Suntec City mall.

If you want to be at the heart of the shopping excitement, I suggest you stay at the Oriental hotel or the Marina Mandarin- an arm's throw from the Marina Square and the Suntec city mall. You can try the Fortuna or Claremont Hotel in Little India, for those slightly budget-conscious.

Delight in a bargain off the street-side shop, pick up a curio or two as you walk through colourful ethnic quarters, or cocoon yourself in one of the 12 air-conditioned shopping malls across the island that will take turns to extend shopping hours as far back as 12 midnight each weekend.

Bossini, Esprit, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger... or trendiest in electronics, jewellery, watches and cosmetics; to IT gear and techno-gizmos, in this sale you'll find it all.

Simply flash your Visa or American Express credit cards and you'll find some amazing bargains, not just from select shops but also from a variety of food outlets. Be sure to do your homework to take the maximum advantage of these on-going credit card promotions.

If you want to stay connected, but dread the colossal roaming bill when you come back, just buy a local simcard from any of the 7/11 shops. With simcards starting from 10 Singapore$ denominations and refills available easily, I think its the cheapest way to get connected.

What bugged me at times though, were the huge queues was getting a taxi, especially when you are lugging your armful of shopping bags. The only way to avoid this is to dial for a taxi (65221111), which would charge you about 10% more than the actual tariff, but it's a real convenience for those willing to pay a little extra.

And if you are weary from the hours of shopping, don't worry, you can even enjoy a free body and foot massage at the tourism board's visitor lounge in downtown Orchard Road along with some free entertainment and lucky draws!

For me, the best way to take a break from shopping was to enjoy a delicious Indian meal served on banana leaf at Sammy's Curry at the Marina Square Food court around the Suntec area (priced at max 8 SD, it's a must-have treat) or a sit back and relax with a classy Indian dinner at the Ras Restaurant on the Clarke's Quay.

When you are finally through with shopping, don't forget to walk through plexiglass underwater tunnel aquarium or take the night-safari at the Singapore Zoo. With a backdrop of colourful ethnic Asian community, tall gleaming skyscrapers of downtown Singapore, excitement of the Sentosa Island and the wilderness of the Jurong Bird Park, Singapore offers you a spectacular value for money.

And for the hardcore shopping enthusiasts there's always some last minute duty-free shopping at the Changi Airport with the refund of the 5 percent sales tax on receipts of purchase of more than 100 Singapore$ during the Sale.

So arm yourself with sturdy shoes, recharged mobile phones and Credit cards, and get ready to fill your shopping bags with unbeatable bargains at the sale of the year. Indulge in 60 days of shopping carnival, shop-till-you-drop at the Great Singapore Sale!

Copyright (C) Manoj Gursahani