2010 August Travel: Singapore Day 1 – City Tour

We got a promo fare from Cebu Pacific that cost us around Php 4500 plus travel tax Php 1620 and terminal fee of Php 750. Reg and I availed the GoLite promo since we want to budget our shopping expense in Singapore but Roocie had her bags checked-in.

We were in the airport 2hours before the flight. We had our dinner first since our flight is at 9.40pm. We checked in at once and was surprised to see their new boarding pass! It is very similar to SM’s grocery store receipts. No wonder why CebuPac fares are cheap.

I was a little bit disappointed with Cebu Pacific. Why? Imagine at 11:30pm, they still do their “Show Me/Bring Me” game! Most of us were already sleeping and then their crew facilitated the game. It was hard going back to sleep afterwards.

We arrived in Singapore Budget Terminal at 12:30am. I never saw their famous Changi Airport. Maybe next time I’ll try to book a flight to Singapore in a different airline. They also have a Fox’s candy compliments in the immigration area. One thing we noticed is that they don’t have cubicles unlike to other airports I’ve been to.

We stayed in our friend’s place in Haig Road. The nearest station is Paya Lebar, green line! We were lucky that it is near the airport. There is a surcharge fee of $3 if you came from the airport and additional 50% of your fare since it’s past midnight. We were welcomed by Darwin, Kim’s boyfriend since she has colds when we arrived.

We unpacked some of our things, settled down and rest in a real bed. It was really tiring flying on the wee hours of the night.

CITY TOUR

Itinerary for the day: Merlion, Esplanade, Suntec City and Glutton’s Bay

We woke up past 8am already since all of us were tired from the trip. Kim didn’t join us because she needs to rest so that she can join us in Universal Studios Singapore the next day. We had our maps, money and ourselves, and all set. Since we’re doing it on our own, we need to be aware of the Bus # to get to the nearest train station. We memorized the numbers so that it would be easier the next time. We can take bus #s: 43, 76 and 135.

We bought an EZLink card worth $12 with $7.50 load and $5 refundable fee. We use this card in going places in Singapore. You just have to tap it before you enter the train station or the bus and tap out afterwards. It’s such a convenience for everyone. I hope Manila can also have something like this in the future.

First Stop: Raffles Place
We walked from here to go to the Merlion. Along the road we saw different sculptures and the Fullerton Hotel. There is also a bay along the way where you can have a cruise too if you want. We just walked our way to the Merlion.

We didn’t expect that it was the opening of the 1st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore that’s why we saw a lot of delegates and volunteers of the event. Also, because of this, the main roads are closed. We took our lunch first in Marina Square and saw some delegates of the YOG.

Second Stop: Esplanade

We didn’t get a chance to tour the insides of the esplanade since there were events happening when we arrived. My cousin Thea Ang is working there too that’s why we visited the place. Since we can’t do anything there, we decided to go to our next place. We’re off to Suntec City Mall.

Third Stop: Suntec City Mall – Fountain of Wealth
The famous Suntec City mall is our next stop. However, we were a little bit lost that’s why we stopped for a while to check the map.

We of course found our way to the mall and you can see there the Fountain of Wealth. There is also an instruction on what to do with the fountain’s water.

We wished to be wealthy after that. Hahaha! Hopefully in a few months, we all go back and thank the Fountain of Wealth.

There was also an event in the mall, similar to that of Glorietta’s event center. There were costumes around the world and we saw our National Wear. It’s nice to see that Philippines is cooperating in those kinds of events. At least, people will know that there is an island such as the Philippines.

Since we had a tiring walk to Suntec City, we decided to have our snacks in Swensen’s!!! It was an ice cream parlor! Reg and I got the 5 colors where we are to choose 5 flavors from the list. It was such a sweet delight. ^__^

Third Stop: Marina Bay Sands
This was the most tiring stop! We had to walk a kilometer or so just to reach this place where in fact, we can reach the place from Suntec to Marina Sands in just a few minutes. We took another route and then the shuttle going to Sands is not available too since the roads are closed from 2pm until 12mn!!! It was stressful.

Good thing everything was worth it. We payed SGD 20 for us to be able to access the sky park and the north garden. The hotel also has an infinity pool on top that was breathtaking. At least our tiring day tour ended well.

Last Stop: Gluttons Bay, Makansutra
Reunion with College Friends. Since this place is like the Banchettos in Emerald Ave., we had a wide range of food choices. We’re exhausted with our day’s tour so we let them decide what to eat. 3 of our college friends: Darwin, Kim and Wally are already working there and Diane is having her business trip that week. Rizza, who is also working there can’t make it that night because of prior commitments.

They ordered the best food we ate that day! We even tried the Sting Ray that Roocie ordered. We ate a lot that night. Maybe that’s why it was called Glutton’s bay?

We walked by the bay after eating and listened to the band playing at the back of Esplanade. It was such a lively place with lots of music and lights.

Reaching the Train Station, Wally introduced to us the 1 SGD ice cream! It was like a dirty ice cream but it was Wall’s (Selecta in the Philippines). It was like a soap bar then sandwiched by a wafer. It was not bad for a 1 SGD. Reg and I tasted it since we can’t finish our meal without desserts. Hahaha! ^_^

First day was great and we’re looking forward to our next days in Singapore. This trip is going to be FUN FUN FUN!!! ^___^

For a complete IT of Singapore travel, click here: August 2010 Travel:  Singapore