I can still remember my first time in Singapore four years ago.I was 19 years old when I accompanied my youngest sister in NTU for the entrance examination. I immediately fell in love with the place especially their system of transportation. (Who wouldn’t?) I had an amazing time back then and I told myself that if given the chance I would really want to go back and explore Singapore much deeper.
Luckily last Nov 30, me and my whole family went for a long weekend vacation in Singapore. Since my father agreed to let me and my youngest sister take charge for the whole itinerary including finding the best flight and all, we were able to maximize enough our budget and handle booking the best deal we could possibly find. I guess we’ve learned enough from the last time. Usually parents just book and book whatever they find in the sites or so most of them are lazy in finding the “sulit” (best deal as possible) ones.
6:30 am Via Seair we flew from DMIA in Clark, Pampanga.
I think It was the cheapest flight ever to Singapore. I was asleep the whole time but I just wanna react in behalf of the other passengers who have been disturbed by the inconsiderate and super noisy other passengers. I could hear them even during my REM. (deep sleep) lol . that was all true and I think, that was the opportunity cost of a budget flight. So, I don’t wanna give bad feedback on the airline anymore, just for the co-passengers who are inconsiderate to the other passengers. Anyway, looking at the bright side of everything, we were all safe and sound so Kudos to budget flights! YAY!
Arriving in Singapore at 10:30 AM, we were all hungry so we ate first in the airport. From Changi Airport, we went to Bugis by train using the 3 day tourist pass which is available in the terminal. The tourist pass can be use in Mrt, LRT and buses so I recommend you get one if you are going to roam around Singapore for 3 days.
So, let me just tour you through the photos.
I think the fun way to explore certain places is to walk around, ride a bus or a train and talk to people. That way you learn more about the locales, the place and the culture.
First on the list in the itinerary: Sentosa
To Sentosa:
It is pretty much the same as the Cable car in Ocean Park Hongkong the only difference is the Angry birds theme printed on its body and now I’m wondering, can we have a version of these here in the Philippines? I remember a time when my mom mentioned about a cable car in Tagaytay, I just haven’t seen it. So, is it real?. Or if there is, is it safe? Ok fine.I used to wish for one a long time ago. I could imagine one crossing the hilly part of Montalban and QC, yeahh I kinda wished for one before, you know. T-days and all. (Selfish motive but also innovative right? lol) (sorry for the use of fragments)
Moving on, we didn’t have a strict itinerary to follow for the day so we just walked around, found ourselves lost in the isle and of course ate a lot of pizza. (Cheat day it is) We were hoping to spend the whole day in Universal Studios which was also in Sentosa but I’m afraid we lacked time and my parents were tired already since our flight was early. While my sister Em was very disappointed because Universal Studios was one thing she’s been looking forward to, I believe there is still another chance for us to go there in the future. I wanna say: Better luck next time sister. Kidding.
Instead of whining, she insisted on going inside the “Image of Singapore” which is an award winning historical museum that exhibits culture and history of Singapore using multi-media displays. Funny thing is – we enjoy a lot of the history-culture bondings. We do a lot of History-culture-medicine-diseases-movie conversation bondings at home. Most of the time when the subject turns into medicine my sister and my mom debates. You know who wins and you know who gets defeated and gets mad in the end. always. (Mom) Hehe.
It was already 7 pm and there is still a sight of Mr. Sun. Honestly, I was already tired and I wanna get some sleep and recharge for tomorrows activity. Unfortunately, we got lost somewhere in Alexandra Rd , thus every thing planned for the evening changed. 🙂
FOOD
We tried Singapore ZAMZAM. It is located at the North Bridge road.
It offers authentic Indian-Muslim and a little Malaysian cuisine. Something new to my palate but definitely worth it. It’s my first time to eat Indian food although I’ve always wanted to try it especially after reading an issue of Rustan’s Sansrival magazine stating how flavorful Indian cuisine is. I will talk about Indian food further on my next blog. Hopefully the soonest. 🙂 But for now, let me just tell you how much I loved it. Try the teh tarik and the Murtabak. No regrets.
Peach Garden Noodle House
Inside the Gardens by the Bay you will find a line of different restaurants. Since we were already starving from the long walk inside the huge garden we chose the nearest restaurant that we could sit and eat comfortably. The menu was quite limited with “noodles” yeahh because It is a noodle restaurant. Anyway, they serve big bowls of noodles with an average price of SGD 6.59. Oh, and they also serve dimsum and dumplings so my tummy is very happy.
Albert Hawker Center
Hawker center or cooked food center in Singapore are pretty much the best place to eat local dishes at a very low price. The food stalls offers a wide range of Chinese , Malaysian cuisines and etc. First on my list-to-eat was the Cereal Prawns, I’ve been dying to eat one since the last time I tried it. Unfortunately, it is not available in Albert Hawker Center and if I only have enough time, I’d go back to Lau Pasat and eat plenty. LOL.
The carrot cake doesn’t look like a cake, right? My sisters ordered our food so me and my parents took the liberty of eating whatever was served at the table. It was a hawker so I didn’t expect any thing much about the plating and presentation or how enticing the food will be. I also think you need to be a little picky in choosing the stall to buy your food, you should look for the stall which line is the longest- that will confirm if the food they serve is delicious or not, lol that was my way of thinking I’m sorry. hahaha So far, what I loved about the food we ordered was the Rice noodles that is similarly cooked like the Pad thai and the Bread with a spread of kaya with the two pouched eggs on the side. I also like the home made watercress and home made barley drinks, it is refreshing.
Sometimes, new food, different type of dish, herby-spicy delicacies or other country cuisines makes us skeptic on what we want to eat, lest we wouldn’t like the taste. We all have our reasons that is why when you feel like your stomach won’t tolerate new found foodie or when in doubt you can always go for the safe ones, fast food foodies such as Mc Donalds, Burger King and the like. We did. On our second night. We were very hungry and it was late. Thanks to McDonalds -_-
“MY” Must visit Places
At the Marina Bay Sands stood a big lotus flower inspired building beside a body of water, the Art and Science Museum. Its architectural design was inspired by the human hand, mangrove tree and a lotus flower.
Luckily One of CNN’s Top 10 must see exhibit the, ART OF THE BRICK by NATHAN SAWAYA was in the art and Science museum at the moment.
Nathan Sawaya – was a New York based artist. He was a lawyer-turned-artist who create large scales of inspirational sculptures out of Lego Bricks.
Some of Nathan Sawaya’s masterpieces are:
GARDENS BY THE BAY
Environmental Sustainability and a concept of a City in the Garden. Gardens by the Bay is definitely a must see. Inside the vicinity of the Gardens by the Bay are two domes.The Flower dome and the Cloud Forest dome.
We went to see first the Flower dome. It showcases different flowers and plants. It has an awesome and innovative design that replicates cool-dry climate of the Mediterranean regions like South Africa,California and other parts like Spain and Italy. I think I just found my haven because as you all know I love flowers and plants. Read my Hue Missed me section and you would know that I am pretty much an enthusiast of gardening.
Such a beautiful place. If ever I’d live in Singapore in the future, (Which I really wish) I swear I’d spend my relaxation days here. My new found haven. The flower dome will be my favorite spot. 🙂 ok, foine. Enough with the wishywishwish.
Upon exiting the Flower dome you’ll see a big souvenir shop with different Singapore trinkets you may wanna buy some for “pasalubong”. I didn’t, but I was able to buy Ice creams- Lavender and Orchid Vanilla. Don’t worry it doesn’t taste “leafy” or “flowery”. The movie “It’s complicated” starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin introduced me to Lavender Ice cream and it made me delighted to try one.
On the other hand, The Cloud Forest – the second dome in the Gardens by the Bay is also known as the Cool moist conservatory where you can learn more of the rare plants found in the high mountains and jungles. The cloud forest is totally different from the Flower dome with its big water falls that welcomes you as you enter the moist-y misty cold jungle like forest. It is a 35 metre tall mountain covered with lush of greens. The cloud forest showcases plant life from tropical highlands up to 2000 metre above sea level.
The tall-tree like with branches are built for sustainability and have these photovoltaic cells on their canopies to harvest solar energy for lighting and we call them the Supertrees, while others are integrated with the Conservatories and serve as air exhaust receptacles.
For more information about the Gardens by the Bay you may visit http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html
SINGAPORE FLYER
Tired from walking? you may wanna ride a 30 minute 150 Meter high Singapore Flyer to rest your feet at the same time see the beauty of City lights and magnificent structures of Singapore.
NIGHT SAFARI
Last minute run at the Night Safari. We were very lucky to catch the last tram at 9:30 pm at the Night Safari. As much I wanted to take photographs of the amazing rare animals I didn’t had the chance to get any decent photo of them besides camera flashes are not allowed. I really enjoyed the tram ride and seeing Chawang, an Asian elephant at the Night Safari who’s dancing and swaying while we were passing. So cuteeee 🙂 I look for any picture of Chawang in the internet. He’s so cute! He’s like a cartoon character as he dances and sways in the spot light.
Oh by the way, I had the chance to meet up with one of my best friends in Highschool. 🙂 MIIIIIIKKKKKKAAAAA
We reserved our last day for shopping. Yes, I bought shoes in Charles and Keith because it is way cheaper here and some clothes in Cotton on. You wouldn’t imagine the price difference. Yesterday, I went to Cotton on in SM the Block and guess what, the pants I bought in Singapore is 1000 peso less. The dress is 500 peso less. GOOD FIND right? Also, some skincare products in Sasa. I think it is practical to take advantage for the low price and by the way when you shop around tell the store that you want a tax refund for your items, just show them your passport and voila you are entitled for a refund once you get to the airport.
So, that concludes my sulit-sudden-vacation in Singapore! Merry Christmas everyone.
Note to self: Next time wear comfy shoes. Walking is fun in Singapore! Yay! 🙂
One Step At A Time 