1) driving: did you guys apply for the Internationa Driving Permit in Singapore?
i didnt apply for any permit, the car rental company only require singapore driving license.
2) gas refuelling: i heard all cars there run by gas...so is it just as expensive as petrol in Singapore? As a practice, is a gas station easily available? I am goging to self drive in Big Island instead of Oahu though.
umm...most cars use petrol like in singapore. just fill up in petrol stations as per normal. a bit cheaper than singapore. i think u will have no prob finding petrol stations.
3) Tipping: On average, how much is required? Any rule of thumb? Say 3% of bill? And for those services such as portering, drivers, how much is appropriate? What about buying things at shops? Also need to tip the shop assistants?
tipping is minimum 10% for restaurant. when buying takeaway or from food court, no need to tip. drivers n porters about $1 per bag. tourguides....about $5 per tour. don't need to tip shop assistants.
4) also, what is the time difference between Sg and Hawaii? How did you manage around the jet lag factor? Didnt sleep for a nite before you board the plane in Singapore?
i cant remember the exact time diff.. but its almost opposite. morning here is night there. vice versa. we didnt sleep the night b4 n slept on the plane on the way there.
5) In Hawaii, what are some of the value buys over there...what souvenir shd i bring back to Singapore?
honestly, everything is expensive there. not much value buys, maybe stuff like Coach/polo..etc. is cheaper. american brands are definitely cheaper there. but other than that, nothing much. even 99% of hawaiin souvenirs r made in china. u can see the label! u can buy macadamia nuts/ kona coffee...local produce.
cash is not a prob, alot of places accept credit. just bring enough for food, n small change for tips.