Port80's Guide to Singapore (part 3)

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SINGAPORE

This is the final leg of our Singapore-Malacca-Singapore trip from October 30, 2005 to November 4, 2005. For the first 2 portions, please check my Singapore (part2) blog and Malacca blog.

Friday

1. Having nowhere to go to except Orchard, we had a late breakfast, checked-out early and deposited our luggages again.

2. We went around Orchard from 11AM to past 2PM. Had lunch at the new food court at the 4th floor of Wisma Atria (unfortunately for me, it still wasn’t open the time I was there last June. We were staying at nearby Hilton and had little source of food.). After a little shopping at Wisma Atria and the Heeren for the 2006 collection of Havaianas (I went crazy!), we went back to YWCA, got our luggages and hailed a cab going to the airport ($14).

3. At the airport, having checked-in via phone earlier in the morning, check-in was a mere deposit of luggage and pick-up of boarding passes. We checked out the shops (expensive) and I had a snack at Burger King where I was surprised to see that the regular servings are equivalent to our local upsize servings! At that size, they even had upsize options! No wonder Americans are obese! 😊

4. Our Singapore Airline 5:10PM flight was delayed for about 15 minutes because of some stupid guy who insisted on bringing his big luggage aboard. He was forced to check it in and all the other passengers onboard to wait for him to settle his problem. Grrr. It was a turbulent flight but we arrived safely in Manila with only a slight delay.

NOTES

All in all, it was a tiring but wonderful trip. Singapore was lovely as ever with its many facets and corners waiting to be discovered. Malacca was overrated although I don’t know if I would’ve appreciated it more if the museums were open. I figured that if you’re mobile and have lots of energy, you don’t even need to spend overnight there - you can just do a day trip from Singapore.

Hotel Puri was very nice and the location superb but service was lousy so I can’t decide if it’s worth staying at Malacca for. I would recommend it only if you have already decided to stay overnight. Amongst all the other hotels there, I think this is the best. Most of the bigger hotels like Renaissance and Century Makhota are far from the attractions so I wouldn’t recommend it. If you have the funds and energy to travel further, you may explore other areas of Malaysia while you are there.

Don't forget the foldable umbrella! And the bottled water! These are your essentials in both countries 😊

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Photos

Singapore 2005
It's Christmas at Takashimaya!

Singapore 2005
With a golden santa, this time at Paragon

Singapore 2005
Christmas at Paragon!