I just saw this draft in my laptop's files. It's a sign that I need to update my blog site! So here.. Now updating.. :)
As I am writing this draft for my blogpost, we are currently dominating the family of clouds underneath us. As much as I would like to sleep, I am not able to because of the inconvenience of this airplane's seats. Well, I guess seats are always non-friendly for economy planes.
Today is September 17, 2012. We are going back to Philippines from a 6 day-vacation from Singapore. I am writing just because I would like to share the experience I had during my stay in the land where wonders bloom.
I've set aside the stress I had from work. This was really a good timing to relax, enjoy, have fun and bond with my family. Because I need to take a long term leave during my probationary period, I always crack a joke to my friends that I'm scared to lose my job, but deep inside I'm not. It would be a bad and embarrassing thing to be dismissed because of absences, but the bonding experience with my family is priceless, that no single cent can ever replace the memories I have with them. I am still young and could always find another job anyway. But my parents are already aging and I could not afford to let this opportunity be deferred.
So here it is. Sharing with you what Singapore has to offer when you visit the place.
First Day.
We arrived at Changi Airport at around 11 in the morning. We've experienced a bit problem when we were in the immigration because my Kuya Charles wasn't able to give us the exact unit/number of room of their building. So the immigration people slightly held us on their bay saying we should know the number of the room. But Nanay suggested to give my Kuya's contact number since we were not able to give the complete address.
We rode a taxi from Changi Airport to Commonwealth. We wouldn't fit one taxi so we had to rent two. Their taxis have seat belts at the back! The driver told us to use them, or else he would be fined.
After around 20 or 30 minutes, we reached Kuya's place. By the way, If I remember it right, Kuya spent around $30 (each taxi) for the fare.
Here we are! At the Tanglin Halt street and inside the building where Kuya lives.
We rested for a while after we fixed our belongings and went straight to our first destination – Orchard Road.
We rode Singapore's MRT for the first time! Kuya gave us these EZ-Link Cards and had it reloaded with $10. This card will be used for our MRT and bus rides :)
So we alighted at Orchard Station and walked through its streets.
Our first ever family picture outside the country!
My parents and my Kuya :)
Of course, I wouldn't miss a jump shot!
After taking pictures around the shops and streets of Orchard, we rode another MRT and alighted at Bras Basah station. We explored its streets and passed by the Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of Singapore.
We went to Hawker center/Kopitiam for late merienda slash early dinner. My parents, Kuya, Ninong Eric and Ate Jek ordered the famous Chicken Rice of Singapore and mine was Porridge (the lugaw version of PH)
Jump shot along the corridor of Singapore Art Museum!
It's getting tiring so we decided to go home after passing by the Singapore Management University. This school's kinda weird because the buildings were literally away from each other - that you need to cross one street or another to get through the other building. Heehee! Rode a bus in going home.
Ninong Eric in front of one of the buildings of SMU and our group picture along a street
Bus ride picture with family
Day 2.
Destination: Sentosa Island
We took a bus in going to Sentosa. The bus stop where we alighted was accross Vivo City.
Photo op in front of Vivo City!
Walked inside the mall until we reached the the Sentosa Express.
The Sentosa Express is different from the usual MRT so we had to buy new tickets/passes in going to Resorts World.
We alighted at the Waterfront Station and walked through the entrance of Resorts World where the giant globe of Universal Studies Singapore is at. Too bad we weren't able to go inside USS :(
But I'll go inside on my next visit! Promise!
But I'll go inside on my next visit! Promise!
We had a long walk from RWS to get through Imbiah where outdoor activities are in place.
Picture with the Merlion
Tried to use a telescope for a minute view of Sentosa from a high place for $1 but I couldn't see anything! Fail telescope.
Kuya, Tatay and I experienced the luge and sky ride!
A luge is like a small cart where you have full control in driving. You just have to pull the handle bar at the middle so it will start moving.
Right after taking the luge, we boarded the sky ride. All we had to do was sit on a wooden bench of a ferris-wheel-like giant structure. And from above, we could already see some parts of Sentosa Island. It was breathtaking at first but Tatay and I bravely managed the heights!
After that, we walked again going to the Beach station.
When we reached the entrance of the beach, we rode a tram in going to Siloso beach. Use of tram is free.
Took pictures with these giant letters!
The view of the beach.
I wouldn't swim on this beach because the water's dirty. :(
We rode back using a tram and bought tickets for the Songs of the Sea
The show was great. It's similar to the musical fountain show in Manila Ocean Park.
We were starving so we went through another food market near Vivo City.
I ordered a Ramen bowl which I wasn't able to consume all. (not a fan of noodles! and the bowl was super big for one person)
Not to show the tired faces, we flushed big smiles instead!
Day 3.
Destination: Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, One Fullerton, Merlion Park, Esplanade, Makansutra
We rode a bus in going to Marina Bay Sands. It's quite a long travel from Commonwealth to Bayfront.
Kuya's place has a bust stop in front of their building. So while waiting for the bus, we took a picture!
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Picture at the ground level of Marina Bay Sands Hotel |
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We used elevator to go through the middle part of the hotel. Look at my mom's face, she tried to smile but she couldn't open her eyes because she's really scared of heights! Hahaha! |
Photo op!
The Gardens by the Bay is just in front of the hotel. So we just had to go through a short walk. There were also elevators in between the hotel and garden.
My Kuya told me that Gardens by the Bay is more beautiful at night because the giant tree groves have lights on it.
I will have to check it on my next visit!
Inside the forest-sized garden are flower dome, cloud forest, supertree grove, heritage gardens, dragonfly and kingfisher lakes, world of plants and lot more tree/nature related stuff ;)
Jump shot! When you're in Gardens by the Bay, you would see the pretty structure of Marina Bay Sands.
After having explored the whole garden, we rode MRT to go through Raffles Place.
During our walk through the MRT, we passed by on this place where the walls are colored with different hues. They're really relaxing on the eyes.
When we reached the Raffles Place, we went to the nearest Mcdo branch and ate chicken burger. I liked how they asked us if our orders were to be taken out or eaten inside - "Having here or to go?"
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Kuya and I at the bay.. |
After the sun has set, we had a walkathon to reach the Merlion Park.
We passed by the famous Fullerton Hotel and a musuem for Islam.
We reached the Merlion Park and watched the show.
It's the Merlion's birthday that night!
After the show, we went to Esplanade for dinner. Near the place is a food market called Makansutra.
It's Kuya and Ate Joan's treat! They ordered seafood rice, chilli crabs, satay, and a bread I forgot the name.
Destination: Singapore Zoo and Bugis
Jurong East was quite far from our place. We had to ride MRT and bus to get through the zoo.
Breakfast with Ate Raissa and Kuya Mags who joined us all throughout the day.
After the MRT ride, we queued for a shuttle bus going to the zoo.
In front of the Singapore Zoo!
We then started our journey inside the zoo.
Ninong Eric had a map on his hands.
To start our day, we decided to try the Elephant Ride. The fee for this ride was different from the entrance fee in the zoo so we had to shell out another $8 each for a 3-minute ride!
We rode a tram inside the zoo. This was free and included in the entrance fee.
When you purchased a ticket in the zoo, you are entitled to watch the shows inside. During our visit, we were able to watch the marine life show, bird show and elephant show. They were all entertaining!!! :)
Marine Life and Bird Show
I was able to bravely held a snake after the show :)
Elephant Show
Some pictures inside the zoo
We were all tired from whole day's adventure!
Nice one, Ate Raissa and Kuya Mags! Hahaha!
We dropped by Bugis to buy pasalubongs for our relatives and friends. Bugis is like Divisoria of PH.
Destination: St Teresa's Church, China Town, Lucky Plaza, Takashimaya, Ikea
To start our day, we attended mass at St Teresa's.
I took these to see the view from the second floor of the bus
Chinatown is like the chinatown in Binondo, PH. Chinatown in SG was just cleaner than in PH
We had our lunch in a Chinese restaurant
After buying some stuff and exploring Chinatown, we went to Takishamaya and Lucky Plaza via bus to buy shirts, key chains and chocolates
At the back of these pics was a bazaar. We tried different mooncake flavors because they had free taste for everyone! ;)
We went home and rested for a while. Late in the afternoon, we decided to go to IKEA.
In IKEA, we were allowed to use all of the things inside the shop. So we sat down on the chairs and benches, crawled and laid on the beds, and used their kitchen utensils.
Ending our day, we had our dinner at IKEA. The meals were sumptuous, I must say!
Changi to Clark
Going back to Philippines
Our flight was around 11am so we had to be there around 9am.
At Changi International Airport
Waiting...
Good bye Singapura!
Thank you to Kuya Les for the opportunity in bringing us in Singapore. Thank you also to Ate Joan! We really had fun during our stay there. We will be back there soon!!!!
