Singapore

AHHHHH Singapore... Singapura! It is indeed one of the most beautiful countries in the whole wide world. Well how could it not be that beautiful? The place is strict when it comes to cleanliness (they don’t allow people to chew bubble gum over there. I haven’t really seen a sign that says so but I didn’t even dare try just to be cautious.)

I was glad that my sister, my bestfriend, my boyfriend and I, together with two of our friends from HK (Olga and her sister) visited Singapore during Holy Week of this year.

My vacation buddies :)

I would like to share a few tips if ever you get the chance to visit this amazing country as I also give you a picture walkthrough of my fun trip :)

Arrival at Changi Airport (the best airport in the whole wide world) – go through customs, get baggage (if you checked in any); if you wish to use the MRT lines of SG, go to the basement level of the airport. You will see signs leading to the MRT. If not, you can always ask any airport staff (they are very friendly and accommodating.)

Oh, and don’t forget to buy EZLINK cards. I don’t know if they accept credit cards though. But my friend paid 24 SGD for an ezlink card and it included I think 15 SGD. Just top up the cards at any MRT if the loaded value is almost used up. Minimum amount for top-up is 10 SGD so make sure you have 10 SGD bills.

From Changi Airport, stop at Tanah Merah. Then from Tanah Merah, check the map and choose the best lines to reach the place where you are staying. It’s not really that hard to figure out the map of the MRT. If you’ve been to Hong Kong, they basically are the same.

We first went to our Hostel. We stayed at Green Kiwi Backpackers Hostel in Lavender and Kallang Street. I love this place! The staff were so friendly and they helped us check in smoothly. When we arrived, our room wasn't available yet but they let us lend their lockers. Another plus for us was two of the staff there are Filipino and one of them even goes to the same College as we did. Nesty is her name and she is just an angel. :)

After changing our clothes, we decided to explore Orchard Road first.

We rode BUS no. 147 from Lavender to go to Orchard Road. It was a cool 30 minute ride.

If you plan to go to Orchard Road, the ONE DOLLAR ICE CREAM is a must try. The Singaporean counterpart of Selecta is called “WALLS” and you can find its RED CART everywhere in Orchard Road. Upon ordering, never forget to call them “UNCLE” as a sign of respect. You can have the icecream in between wafers or bread. I chose wafer. And I chose the sweetcorn flavor for the icecream.

One Dollar Ice Cream Sandwiches at Orchard Road. MUST TRY! 

Ice Cream stalls everywhere called WALLS. I pretty much have a feeling that this is the Singaporean counterpart of Selecta in the Philippines.

We had our snacks at this Persian Food Stall. Love the food! SHIRRAZ MAZZEH

Orchard Road

Chasing pigeons while this little boy is feeding them. Hahahaha

Orchard Road is the belt of Designer Boutiques in Singapore. If shopping is your thing then this is definitely the place for you. As for us, we just wanted to check the place out.

Next on our Itinerary, MERLION, Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay.

To go to the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, we went to Raffles station. The problem was we got lost. But fortunately we made it to these places. Merlion is in Fullerton area. Alight at Raffles station and it’s just a 15 minute walk from there. We got lost but thank goodness my boyfriend brought a map (maps are indeed helpful!). But if you have kids, maybe a taxi is the best option in order to go there.

At Gardens by the bay, we took a 2 dollar shuttle tour ride inside which lasted around 10 mins. You can stop for picture taking inside but you have to be done before 5 in the afternoon as that is the last trip of the shuttle back to the entrance. So go there early if you wish so that you could really explore the place and take lots of pictures.

Marina Bay Sands in the background.

Hello Merlion. Nice to meet you!

Another view of Marina Bay Sands. Too bad we were not able to go up close.

After Merlion, we went to Gardens by the Bay, which is located just near Marina Bay Sands.

Our breakfast at Green Kiwi. My personal favorite would have to be the Pandan Kaya (best partnered with toasted bread).

Universal Studios and Sentosa – USS is definitely a must go both for Kids and Adults. Mark and I made a mistake as we booked USS tix on the internet 4 months prior our scheduled arrival. Hence, we bought a much expensive ticket and it did not include Sentosa activities yet. So I strongly suggest you buy a two-day pass there – this includes USS entrance valid for one day, and 16 activities in Sentosa.

One day is enough to spend in USS. And another day in Sentosa. Hence, the two day pass. Don’t jampack the two places in one day.

Going to USS and Sentosa is easy. Both are in Resorts World Sentosa. Both have the same pathway and entrance. Getting there the second day won’t be a problem.

Get up and early guys! To get there, go to HARBOURFRONT (if I’m not mistaken, this is the last stop of the PURPLE LINE). You will arrive at VIVO City (great mall, by the way. More on that later). Then go two or three floors up, then you will find an exit leading to Sentosa Boardwalk. According to Mark, there is an Express train leading to sentosa that will cost 5 sgd. Though we have no idea where we could find this. We opted to use the boardwalk instead (for exercise) plus it only costs 1 sgd using ezlink. It’s around 10 mins walk. There are walkalators like around three of them so it’s not entirely pure walking.

Before the entrance, you will see a Malaysian Food Stall on the left (I suggest you take your dinner here when you are done at Universal Studios. The Chicken Rice is a must. And it only costs 5 sgd. Though there are a lot of food stalls inside. But I strongly suggest you find the one that sells Chicken Rice. Drinks are around 3sgd or less).

Also before the entrance, you will find the cashier that sells the two day pass for Universal and Sentosa. It costs approximately 130sgd as far as I could remember. The two day pass already includes 16 Sentosa Attractions. There is a list there so you will have an idea what activities to try. If you only want to try 4 attractions like us, we paid for the 44.90 sgd pass (4 sentosa activities). We tried the cable car, luge plus skyride, tiger sky something and segway.

After buying the tickets, proceed to the entrance, tap your ezlink card. Continue walking until you see the ever so big Universal Globe. Entrance is on the left. Make sure you go early. As well as going to Sentosa the following day.

I also suggest you try the TRANSFORMERS ride first as the cue for the line will take longer if you come before lunch time. This is what we did. Since we went there during Holy Week, we expected that there would be a lot of people in USS. We were absolutely right! If you want to make things easier, you can always avail an EXPRESS ticket but you have to add 50sgd per person. Having an express ticket entitles you to a separate line that is being prioritized by the staff. We didn’t buy express passes because it’s too expensive. It’s like buying another ticket in Universal. So we chose to be patient.

Universal Studios has a lot of food carts lying around. But expect it to be oh so expensive. A decent meal cost us 17 SGD each. That included drinks though. The cheapest Ice Cream we saw was 2 SGD. Turkey leg was around 10 SGD. Water was around 3 SGD or 2.80 SGD. It’s quite expensive. If you have space in your bags, I suggest you bring a small water bottle coz there are a few drinking fountains around Universal Studios. Or another option would be to buy water in 7/11 coz it’s cheaper. And keep the water bottle – just refill it when necessary.

You know you've arrived in USS and SENTOSA when you see this great big Universal Studios Globe :)

SCI FI CITY - where the Transformers ride is located. Gotta get here first before any of the rides.

Rockefeller Streetboys in the house yow! And they're Filipino! :)

mmmmm Gingerbread house

Same with sentosa, there are food carts everywhere. There is also Mcdonalds in the Beach Station. In order to go to Sentosa, you will ride an express train (it’s for free). The riding point is not that far from the Universal Studios entrance. Just ask any of the staff and they’ll be happy to direct you there.

Also in Sentosa – SONGS of the SEA – 18SGD for premium seats. 15 sgd for standard seats. I suggest you get the premium seats. Excellent view! I’m sure the kids will love it.  There are two schedules sa show. 7:40 and 8:40. What Mark and I did was we watched songs of the sea after Universal Studios. We ate dinner at the Malaysian food stall and went to Beach Station, Sentosa around 6 in the evening to wait for the show to start. Don’t forget to buy drinks or junk foods. The kids might get bored while waiting. Eating helps.

Keep your Songs of the Sea tickets. After the show, go to Oscar and Co., which is almost in front of the Songs of the Sea entrance, line up, show your tickets and you get a free Oscar plush toy – excellent souvenir.

Although I heard from my friend who went to Singapore three weeks after our trip that Songs of the Sea was closed for Renovation. Rumor has it that another show will open there. I have no news about this yet. Sad.

Sign to SONGS OF THE SEA

The crowd waiting for the show to start.

Sentosa won’t be a problem. Just refer to the map or ask around. Singaporeans are friendly. Lots of Filipinos there too.

At Sentosa, we were able to try four activities only. (Cable Car, Tiger Sky Tower, Luge and Segway). Cable Car was pretty scary. But it was a great way to see Singapore all the way from the top. Same with Tiger Sky Tower. Luge was definitely the best! Too bad taking pictures during the ride was not allowed. Segway was a short ride along the area. It was a good experience but I think this could be done away with.

Cable Car

View from the top - Cable Car

View from the top - Tiger Sky Tower

We're ready to LUGE!

I made a new friend 0_0 Trust me, I was scared! hahahaha

After Universal and Sentosa, you can also drop by at Vivo Mall. There is a food court on the rooftop floor. Try the nasi lemak (yummy!). If you get the chance to go to the grocery, buy pandan kaya. It’s 1.35 SGD and it’s sort of a pandan jam. Best partnered with toasted bread. Great partners!

Bugis is definitely the place to buy pasalubong. Alight at Bugis Station (I think Green Line ni sya) then BUGIS is right in front of the station. Cross the pedestrian lane and you are there. Prices (So that you will have an idea of what to expect there) – Bags (4 for 10 SGD. You will see 3 for 10 dollars. Don’t settle for that price. Walk a little further and you will see 4 for 10SGD and they sell the same bags. Keychains 24 pieces for 10 dollars. Ref magnets 5 for 10 SGD. Shot glass 3 for 10 SGD. Tshirts that are made of fair material… 4 for 10 SGD, for tshirts with the best quality, they cost around 15 to 20 SGD each.

Yummy Thirst Quenchers at Bugis.

For money changers, I suggest you go to Lucky Plaza aka little Philippines. They say the rates are good there. Lucky Plaza is also in Orchard Road. Expect long walks around this area.

Before going home, I suggest you make time to explore Changi Airport. Be at the airport three to four hours from the scheduled flight. This is the best airport in the world and there are lots of activities you can do while waiting for your flight such as watch a movie, check out their fish pond, play games and a whole lot more (all of these for FREE!) There are foot massage chairs everywhere, free game rooms, free cinema, etc. To get free wifi, go to any information counter, show your passport and the receptionist will give you a numerical password. One number per passport holder and one gadget only.

Fish pond.

Game time!

Love the massage chairs lying around Changi.

I'm definitely coming back, SINGAPORE :)


XOXO,

AVI