January 9, 2011
My flight to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur via Air Asia arrived 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled arrival which is 7AM. The plane landed at the budget terminal. I made a call to my uncle Ramil while waiting at the arrival hall. The night before, I had contacted him about my flight details. Lucky me since it was his day off so he got to tour me around.
At the Changi budget terminal, we rode a train leading to the other terminal where we boarded a bus going to Pasir Ris. Arriving at their house, my lola Mary welcomed me. His wife, tita Bebe was out for work. The kids were still asleep. We had breakfast at their house while catching up. I have not seen them for a long time so we had lots of stories. I had seen also TFC that day on their TV. Going to their house gave me a glimpse of what was like to be an expat.
I only had a day in Singapore before flying back to Manila. So to maximize my time, after breakfast we left for Sentosa. Uncle Ramil gave me this card that to use at the bus and at the train. I later learned that it is the E-Z Link card. It is loaded with credits that will be use in paying your fare. You just have to tap it on the card reader upon boarding the bus and tap it again upon stepping out of the bus. Now that was an easy way of paying. The same thing applies to the train. You just have to tap the card on the card scanner on top of the gates. The gate will open when it reads the card. The remaining credits will be displayed after you tap the card on the scanner on leaving the bus or train. Moving on. I had my first ride of a double decker bus in Singapore. I knew these kind of buses are common in Hong Kong. We got our seats on the upper front deck to give me a nice view of the scenery. While at the bus, I asked my uncle what it is like to be living in Singapore not limited to immigration requirements.
So I had the double decker bus ride, then the train ride. I was surprised that every train station has a mall. Okay, first stop of my Singaporean trip was at Vivo City in Harbour Front. It is one of the largest malls in Singapore with an view deck showing the world's busiest port and the island resort of Sentosa. I learned also that the monorail train going to Sentosa starts at Vivo City. Three stations where strategically built at Sentosa Island. One is the Waterfront station catering to the passengers of Resorts World and Universal Studios. Another one is the Imbiah station serving the passengers at the Sentosa's merlion and Imbiah Hill. The last station being the Beach station serving the passengers at the beach side. Sun Cruises, the cruise lines serving Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand route, had their docks nearby at Harbour Front.
So I had the double decker bus ride, then the train ride. I was surprised that every train station has a mall. Okay, first stop of my Singaporean trip was at Vivo City in Harbour Front. It is one of the largest malls in Singapore with an view deck showing the world's busiest port and the island resort of Sentosa. I learned also that the monorail train going to Sentosa starts at Vivo City. Three stations where strategically built at Sentosa Island. One is the Waterfront station catering to the passengers of Resorts World and Universal Studios. Another one is the Imbiah station serving the passengers at the Sentosa's merlion and Imbiah Hill. The last station being the Beach station serving the passengers at the beach side. Sun Cruises, the cruise lines serving Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand route, had their docks nearby at Harbour Front.
Sentosa
From Vivo City, we dropped by Resorts World. We no longer went to Universal Studios due to limited time. I made a promise then that I will be back in Singapore. I just bought some stuffs at their shop outside the theme park. Then we went at the water front. From there, I got a view of the other side seeing Vivo City, Harbour Front, a cruise ship and the port. We then walked around the high end shops at Resorts World including the Casino area before exiting to the Thinker leading to Imbiah Hill.
At Imbiah Hill, I saw the merlion. My uncle said that it is larger than the one in marina. We were supposed to take the walk up the hill to check the other attractions but then it started to rain so we had to take the train going to the beach side.
The rain shifted to drizzle until it stopped. Beach station is not that far from Imbiah station. The I-Fly, an indoor skydiving facility was still on construction. Beside it is the Luge. We entered the Wavehouse Sentosa where one can do surfing from pressurized water forming the "break" or waves. We passed by Siloso beach where I saw some action: beach volley ball, zipline, trapeze.
We had late lunch at Vivo City food court where I had a taste of Singaporean cuisine. Their food is a fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indian taste. Out of curiosity, something in the menu of the stall we queued caught my attention so we ordered one of that. The dish comes with a flaming "cracker" underneath, somewhat to keep the soup hot or to cook further. You just have to be careful not to get burned both by the flame and the hot soup.
Clarke Quay
After lunch, we took the train and alighted ourselves at Clarke Quay. This is one of the places in Singapore that I use to see in travel shows. Clarke Quay is just one of the party places in Singapore. From where I stood, I got a good vantage point of the Marina Bay Sands. Several river cruise boats passed by during that time. GMAX is also located there in Clarke Quay for those seeking adrenaline rush for this one is a reverse bungy. Not so far are the Fort Canning Park, The Central Fire Station and the Funan DigitaLife Mall where in they sell cheap electronics and gadgets.
At Clarke Quay, I saw a cart selling ice cream sandwich for SG$1. (SG$1= PhP33). Quite expensive but worth the taste. Another thing I learned during my travel abroad is that do not convert every expenses you had. You will just feel remorse after. Just pay it like that. Besides the trip you had was already budgeted.
City Center and Marina Area
We crossed the bridge, headed north and took a bus going to Orchard Road. We walked the lengths of the road passing by Ngee Ann City and Lucky Plaza where a lot of Pinoys work. It's as if it is not Singapore. Even in the bus going to Marina area, I over heard some kababayans talking in Tagalog. I felt like I was just in EDSA. We were caught in a traffic jam so my uncle decided that we just walked going to the Esplanade. We passed by Bras Basah Road then walked through several underpasses.
Then came before me the famous landmarks of Singapore. The durian theater, the Esplanade, stood great with its architecture. A few meters south passing by the bridge is the Merlion constantly spewing water on its mouth. Across the marina is the towering Marina Bay Sands with the Skypark. The Singapore Flyer is also seen on the skyline. Skycrapers of the financial district like up the southern skyline.
Unknowingly, my uncle had texted my other uncle ins Singapore. I knew that they are residing there too but what I did not know was we will have an early dinner with them at a hawker center just near the Esplanade. We just walked back to the Esplanade area until we met my uncle Roel and his family. We went to Makansutra Gluttons Bay. It is an open dining area similar to a turo turo. It's just that food is served fresh. They will cook once ordered.
After dinner, we crossed the street then went to the Marina Square where the nearest train station is. We rode the same train, it's just that uncle Roel house is closer to the city. Uncle Ramil and I had to step out of the train at the last station. From there we took a bus going to their house.
I rested for a while and had a coversation with tita Bebe and lola Mary upon coming back from the city center. It had been an exhausting day touring around. By 10PM, I gave my thanks and hugged them goodbye. It might had been a day with my relatives but it was priceless. After all, I don't get to see them often even whey get home in the Philippines due to my work location.
A 1230AM (Janaury 10, 2011) Cebu Pacific flight brought me back to NAIA3 inManila. I just have to transfer to NAIA3 and waited four more hours before my flight back to Palawan. I bet, it had been a connecting flight since my KL flight. It seemed like amazing race to me. By 830AM, I boarded the PAL flight bound to Palawan. A graveyard shift awaits me as soon as I got back in Palawan. What a trip!
A 1230AM (Janaury 10, 2011) Cebu Pacific flight brought me back to NAIA3 inManila. I just have to transfer to NAIA3 and waited four more hours before my flight back to Palawan. I bet, it had been a connecting flight since my KL flight. It seemed like amazing race to me. By 830AM, I boarded the PAL flight bound to Palawan. A graveyard shift awaits me as soon as I got back in Palawan. What a trip!
Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living. - Mary Ritter Beard