Singapore revisited

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The trip took place in March 2007, and I was writing about it halfway when Travelblog faced the big problem, and my unpublished but saved entry was gone...so here I am now, working on it once again 😊

I made my way to Singapore in March this year. The last time I was there, it was 16 years ago... other than getting a break, the other reason was to meet my sister Angie - hadnt seen her for 2 years!

5 hours bus journey from KL, I reached JB at 6pm. Ray was waiting for me and I overnight in JB at her place. The next day, I took the causeway bus to Singapore for only seventy cents. I crossed over to Kranji MRT, waited for an hour before Angie came. It was good to meet her again! 😊

First Day: 16th March

1. I visited the Singapore Bible College - Angie studies there. It was bigger than expected. They have students from all over the world, therefore you can't stay put with a small compound. Imagine lecture halls, music rooms, performance theaters, studios, libraries, hostel rooms, and and outdoor dining hall with big kitchen... As there are too many students , only fulltime students are given the campus housing, with international ones given the priority.

2. From Vivo City (Singapore current largest shopping mall), we took the express over to Sentosa Island, at $3 per adult. This was the Sentosa pass which entitled you to Island Admission (by Sentosa bus, Sentosa Express, taxi and for walk-in only. It was valid for one time entry on the same day of issue. Personally, I kinda forgot how Sentosa Island was like when I last visited. I went to the Siloso Beach, but didnt enter Fort Siloso. Was rather impressed with the huge Merlion (recent built) and the Musical Fountain with its Magical Sentosa Show. It wasnt the previous music-only performance, nowadays they project laser beams onto the fountain, using the water as the screen. Something fresh. Other than all these, I would like to comment that Sentosa Island did a great job in preparing the buses which transfer you to different destination on the island - free of charge.

I bunked in with Fifi that night since I'm not allowed to overnite at the SBC.

Second Day: 17th March

3. After an early breakfast, Fifi and I made our way to Suntec Towers. Was thinking of trying the Singapore River Cruise, but we ended up with the Ducktours. I've came across something similar in Goldcoast, but didn't try it then. The Ducktours offered a combined City (land) and Harbour (sea) on a monstrous Boat-on-Wheels. The journey took us first on land, a short drive and later into Singapore river. Had the chance to view the Marina Bay, Esplanade, Merlion and Theatre on Bay (which was in construction) from the river. The tour went back on land after passing under the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. We passed the Marina Park and were driven around the city: passing significant landmarks such as the Cenotaph, Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, Supreme Court, Singapore Cricket Club and the War Memorial which looks like 2 pairs of chopsticks pointing towards the sky 😊 I would recommend the Ducktours to those who are interested to see major attractions of Singapore in a short time. During this tour, we weren't allow to go off the vehicle though, therefore if you wish to stop at certain landmarks in the list, it is not advisable to take the Ducktours. Instead you can hop on-hop off using the HiPPO Doubledecker bus. The tour ended back at Suntec City.

4. From Suntec City, we crossed to the other side, and decided to walk around the city. First stop was the Esplanade - the durian-house. Crossing the Esplanade Bridge, the Merlion is right infront with the famous Fullerton Hotel at the back. Basically there's nothing to do at the Merlion other than taking photos (hahaha). You could also catch a view of the Theatre on Bay here. It was a hot day, and the two of us going around by foot were rather dehydrated. However, we managed to cover quite a few places: mainly the Victoria Theatre & Memorial Hall, Raffles Landing Site, Parliament House, Supreme Court, Swissotel The Stamford, Raffles Hotel, St Andrew Cathedral as well as the Recreation Park.

5. Next stop was the Chinatown, traditionally referred to as 'Niu Che Shui' (bullock carts' water) for its reliance on bullock carts for water, it was famous for its street side hawkers, fortune-tellers, story-tellers, buskers and opera singers. We walked the Food Street and night market. It was rather similar to Petaling St in KL (but much cleaner of course!) with goods on sale ranging from clothings, accessories, gadgets, and rows and rows of restaurants. I bargained for a Tshirt which I havent wore yet till today... it's somewhere in my wadrobe, hahaha~~ :P Took some time to view the old shop houses around. They gave me nostalgic feeling - a little of a 'old-meets-new' look. A great place for photography I think.

6. Orchard Road was next for dinner. Planned to meet Angie since I'll be leaving the next day. I don't have to say more about Orchard, it's the place where nightlife is abundant - like Bintang Walk in KL. And that was when I was hit by the fact that there are indeed alot of expats in Singapore. We had dinner at Food Republic - a huge foodcourt with lotsa choices to choose from. Angie said the hawkers here were a selected bunch, meaning they were upon invitation or approval to have their business here. Not simply any 'ah beng' or 'ah lian' could do so 😊

The next day I took a bus back to KL. Another 6 hours journey, but it didnt matter because I had a great weekend in Singapore 😊

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Photos

Dancing bird house
No joke, the hs will move from side to side :)

Eye on Singapore
In construction then.

Theatre on Bay
In construction

Comments

[vicky]

The Esplanade
Singapore - The Esplanade. Does it look like durian ?