“Goodbye Indonesia and Hello Singapore! What else would I encounter?” that was my primary thought upon arriving back to the airport to check myself in at counter. Its been a very nice experience to do some backpacking across Indonesia. People are so nice to me, the weather has been good, time was perfect and inevitably a great time concise all together. I was just hoping back then that somehow, this trip to Singapore will also be exceptional.
My first @ KLM Cabin.
My immediate connection I’ve had was for KLM (it’s actually a hidden stop to/from Amsterdam air route). It is my very first time seeing their cabin and having their in-flight service. The service is extra-ordinary. Friendly, cautious and very helpful flight attendants. Their cabin food was not the usual like the one Ive on a Qatar Airways flight. The servings of their meal is too generous and I cant even complain the headrest, a big legroom and a nice comfortable seat. The fare I paid for this connection is not bad at all. Hoping to ride and see your cabin again. AND. Thank you! I am a now a Flying blue Member~ woohoo!
It all starts at waiting and a big quick nap (at the airport)… Upon my arrival to Changi Airport, I readily had an exchange a little of my pocket money just to use for my cab fare going to my host’s place (which is not that much). Their airport was astonishingly clean and orderly. I even noticed that their airport was well, neatly carpeted. And because I was so tired rounding up and about, I had a quick nap at the waiting area. Since it was just me having to wait for that day break, I had no qualms or any second thoughts on doing it. After a brief while, I called my host that I’ll be arriving at that very hour. I head out, grab a cab, and off I go to his place.
Singapore’s landscape is strictly planted with all the orderliness.. Their roads are well paved; parks and big towering trees are everywhere and very lit up corners and lots of waiting sheds. After a quick drive, I arrived at the apartment of host, that’s Benaga Virgantara~ shortly for Ben. Ben happens to be Indonesian, so I really had an edge to think what to talk about and how to interact. Together with his friends, they accommodated me. They are as well very welcoming people, kind and down-to-earth guys. My first day turned really fast, another day to jot on my notes on my adventure across South East Asia.
Singapore at a quick glance
The land of Merlion was enveloped with so much progress, a rich country that I think is powerful when it comes to its Human Resources and trade. The country has always been devoted to nurture its locals and expats alike. Ive been so delighted to see so many Singaporean Elderlys who are all working down at Cafes, restaurant, shops and some well known establishment in the country. Places in Singapore is magnified as well thru their love of nature and landscaping. So many wonderful parks and every corner was really engineered with cleanliness and greenness. Singapore was also a haven for shoppers (well for those who have lots to spend), malls, shops and little stores are like mushrooms that just grew everywhere. Talking about shopping, don’t forget about the buzzle and hassle in Chinatown, bazaars, hawkers and all. I think youll never run out of something to do.
My morning with the Ben and his friends
After I woke that very morning, Ben insisted me to take something to eat, he prefer my choice but I suggest why not to take something they usually take for their early rising hours. I don’t know this is called but the food is nice, egg rice & a spicy fillet of meat which is packed in a banana leaf. After few hours of playing X-box and a chitchat how , why and the hows of their Singapore life, Ben hinted to go somewhere around the city since it is my very first time. We all went to the Lucky Plaza to take a good lunch out. Little did I know that Lucky Plaza was a haven for Filipinos too! Who shop around, eat around or just plainly stroll and “window-shop”. Prices of their food are quite cheap (for Singaporean standards) because for a sgd5.00, you can get a complete meal for one. Nevertheless, the arrays of food is good and the wide selection of the menus from stalls that are varied from Thai, Singaporean, Indian, Filipino, Western and European dishes. We took reservations as well for some time to try some colorful coolers which is by the way treated by Ben (or one of his friends). It was such a nice time to catch those guys and have a little conversation about living somewhere foreign and keeping up with time.
After our lunch, Ben and me separated our ways from his friends and decided to go city-scaping. We visited the famous Orchard Road, skipped inside some stores, bought nibbles and a great walkathon along the busy, crowded street of Orchard. I even tried their infamous Ice cream sandwich by the sidewalk which cost as I remember a dollar and a cent. We even visited the Singaporean visitor’s center which offers people some good discounts on hotels, Universal studio vouchers, tailored tours and concert tickets and else.
Much to this, I stayed an hour and a half to draw myself a quick relaxation on their massage chairs for FREE. It is really a tiring day going about the city but its fun and I had a really great time! Before we cap our day off, Ben invited me over to have a dinner in a Hawkers place near the area, a spicy prawn stew and tempuras. Everything is so good and I thank my host, Ben for a wonderful 1st day out in Singapore. Back in his place to sleep, & tomorrow will be a blast again.
Seeing a good friend & a bond @ Universal studios
I’ve been practically late that day when I was trying to see Erika, a good friend of mine. My day started so early. But since Im still new to the place, I had a hard time figuring out the bus stops and the train stations I needed to hop out from. It was quite a funny experience too since we I don’t have any phone my friend should be contacting to in case she wants to check where Im at. Luckily we did. Erika, a good friend of mine since we were college is a brilliant, friendly and one of the thoughtful women I know. Shes one of those few people whom I see and make-up some time to snack out and have some conversations on everything. Anyway, we hop in to that train station bound to USS which took us just a couple of minutes to the gate. The ride was too fast and very convenient. I swear, this lad is very kind too, Erika treated me for a whole-day-ride-all-you-can pass which roughly 75SGD. It was such a start of a turnover of good times. We took a sec to have a break at a USS café and ate our way along with gigantic burgers, fries and monster drinks.
We thought of overloading ourselves since it was my first time to have a Universal Studios experience, well it’s the first of Erika too! We started from having some bleep photos from look-alikes of Manilyn Monroe, Woody woodpecker, Charlie Chaplin, Shrek, Betty Boob, and across every character we saw. We also took a trip on trying that Transformers ride which is obviously their first 4D around Sci-Fi City. it was massive and a brilliant ride though. We also had some time to try that death-defying ride~ Cyclone! Man, I will tell you, Ive had like 4 turns to trip on that blowing ride. It was mind-blowing and I admit, I nearly had some stomach aches and nearly puking out while lagging myself off of that seat.
Erika, next we try to go Universal, you should try it as well. Alright? Whats a ride though without any company? Rofl. That was just a brief thing that happened to us, but along side, we also took some time to absorb the excitement of the place, to see people~ young and old smile, laughed and bond together. We also visited the Jurassic Parks, the Ancient Ruins and even saw Backstreet boys ( a popular all-male dance crew in the Philippines) perform the streets of World Premiere booth. Erika treated me out as well w/ that ice cream dots before heading out of the themed Park and catch our way to the famous Merlion site in Sentosa thru a fast tracked train ride again. The night was too bliss, and its just to perfect to cruise the busy city of Singapura w/ a good friend. Upon doing our quick way, head to Makansutra, a famous hawkers in Sentosa. You were right, Ive been treated again by Erika w/ a spicy, sumptuous dinner that dropped us out. It was my first time to try a grilled spicy sting-ray and a Prawns in Cereal. We also did try stir-fried water spinach (famously called Kangkong) and clams.
Thanks a lot to my friend, Erika for a brief time hanging out with you and treating me ALL out in Singapore. It was simply the best time of my city tour in SG. Thanks a lot for the time you’ve allotted to also guide me around Singapura. See you soon and hopefully to return all the favor. One great day is capped.
A day out w/ Tito Albert, Tita Che2x, Tita Amy and their minion
My day out w/ the Salvador family came in just such a short notice. I hurled my way going thru their address since I am still unfamiliar with the bus routes and stations to drop-by. Seeing these people closely and opening things up really gave me a good rush. Seeing them, a sweet family who love each other and take good of each other just like my very own family. After a quick talk at their living room and chats w/ Tita Amy about her experience, we waited for Tita Leonith and Tito Albert to come home from work. They also invited me to do a quick mall trip around Vevo City and we took a great dinner (spicy prawns for me!) and a sweet conversation. It was such a short hangout with them. Hopefully we can do that again once I came back to Singapore Again. Thank you so much Tita Leonith and Tito Albert for having me at your humble place and as well as the time to hang around with you guys. Thanks for the treats and see you soon.
My way back
Every journey starts and ends on the same endless routine. Mine is closing and I have to bid my good byes to those people I came to share such happy times and adventures here in Singapore. I cant thank those guys enough for lending a time and helping all throughout my relentless trip across the city of the lion. From the deepest, most heartfelt farewell and thank yous. to Ben for being such a great host (you still owe me a reference), to Tito Albert, Tita Leonith and their ever loving daughter as well as to Tita Amy who welcomed me warmly to their home and as well as to wave my heartfelt thanks as well to Erika who always try to surprised me. My highest regards to you all and cant wait to see you guys again. My flight on Cebu pacific approaches and going to the shuttle from the terminal is a bit too exhausting, the waiting seems a bit longer and I cant wait to feel myself higher than the clouds again, cant wait to see the slightest curve of the horizon one more time. To be home and be with my family again. Until then. #goodLIFE
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