Advertisement
Published: August 24th 2007
Edit Blog Post
Last March 16, my friend Froila and I headed to Singapore. My other friend Nhuj from China followed us to Singapore the next day.
Singapore is a very small country maybe just as big as Quezon City (one city of metro manila) with a population of only 4.8 million people making it very manageable. Singapore also had several ethnic groups of Indian, Malay and Chinese.
What I love about this country:
1. Transportation system - Singapore has a very nice transport system. Taking the MRT is very convenient. It has a link to all places and shopping malls in Singapore without getting lost. Our EZ link card which we put a credit of $20 lasted in our almost five days stay just for taking the ride in MRT and the bus. This card can also be used for paying purchases in 711 and meals in Mcdonalds.
Our favorite stops are Orchard road and Bugis. Orchard road coz it’s the main street for shopping and nice restaurants. Bugis as my friend nhuj love the way the operator speak the word Bugis. This is also were the night market is (though closes at 10pm unlike in HK which is
really a night market) and where I tasted the best noodles.
2. Food - It is in Raffles city where I tasted the best thai cuisine. Anyway, food in Singapore is just great. That’s what I really miss in Singapore. Indian, thai, western, Chinese foods..really really great.
3. Shopping - It is best to buy perfumes, cosmetics and electronics in Singapore as these are tax free and you can buy these almost half of the price as compared to Manila.
4. Places to see in Singapore.
a. A day to spend in Sentosa is enough. Taking the cable car in Mt. Faber is exciting to me especially that I don’t like heights. The luge and skyride is fun as well especially when the kids are overtaking us while driving the luge. The Underwater world is also a must see. This is where different water creatures can be seen. I really enjoyed here. The dolphin show is also a hit. Watching the magical / musical fountain show in Sentosa should also not be missed especially the evening show.
b. Little India - Going to this place can be a little scary when we first visited the
Orchard
Way out from MRT going to Orchard Road, where the shopping centers are place. It was Sunday night when we first went here. All the streets were full of men Indians. We don’t understand at first why it seems there is no women in this place. It was later we learned that it was the day where they flock together for a gathering. And most of their wives are in their respective countries. It is advisable to go there during the day. It is very much different during the day. The place where so much relaxed and people are friendlier. I got my henna tattoo here that I love it that I also bought henna ink so I can do it on my own when I get back to manila. Different authentic Indian spices can also be bought here, like the one I bought- the Garam Masala.
c. Esplanade, clark quay, are also the places to see.
5. Security - Its very safe to go around in the city center. Though in the suburbs can be little dangerous (but I guess its only our perception its dangerous though its really not).
6. Honesty - The taxi drivers give receipts and give the change up to the last cent
What’s not cool in this country
1. People in Singapore are unfriendly. Hard to find people to ask some information. I suggest better to ask the hotel attendants before going out.
2. Singapore is just like Makati- Greenbelt and Glorietta area. There are modern facades but when you stay longer, it becomes dry and boring.
3. There’s not so much night life in Singapore unlike Manila. Not so many people are around the street here even on weekends... even its only 10pm. Many hot pot restaurants but not good bars for a night out.
4. Hard to go home late in the evening. Taxi is expensive and much more expensive in the evening. It has different rate in the evening. MRT is until 11:40pm only and buses are until 12 midnight only.
5. The country is clean but is smelly especially in the MRT’s much more if “someone” smelly is beside you.
6. The weather is hot and humid.
7. No nice beach. Palawan beach and Siloso beach of Singapore is nothing compared to the Philippine beaches.
Our almost 5 days holiday here was enjoyable especially am with my super cool friends. We had fun and strolled the city like real locals of Singapore.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.066s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 9; qc: 45; dbt: 0.0437s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb