Inithing

Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios, delicious Chinese food, disciplined, and expensive – these are probably the most famous places and adjectives we usually hear about Singapore… but there’s more than that.

For such a small country with very few natural resources, I can’t help but notice how Singapore manages to utilize their strengths in electronics, chemicals, and engineering in order to cope up with what their country lacks in. Starting from the airport and up to any other street you’d get yourself into, green is everywhere. I can’t even remember covering my nose just to avoid inhaling smoke from vehicles because almost all of their vehicles do not have tailpipes. Singapore is so clean and organized that from the very moment you step into this country you’d automatically fall in love with it.

Before going to Singapore, here are some helpful tips we would like to share with you:

• Book a hotel in advance. There are chances that hotels can be fully booked pretty fast. Besides, there’s a huge difference with the price if you book early;
• Purchase a Singapore Prepaid 4G SIM a few days or a day before your flight. This is extremely helpful for keeping you connected to the Internet especially to Singapore’s online maps. Here is the link to purchase the SIM;
• If you would like to visit Universal Studios, book early on Klook;
• If you would like to avail a Sentosa FUN Pass instead to visit popular attractions such as Adventure Cove Waterpark, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Wings of Time, book early on Klook;
•  There are other places to visit and activities to do in Sentosa such as the beach, wax museum, and more. However, this requires a longer number of days to stay and budget to break;
• Better to perform the currency exchange while you are still in the Philippines than when you are in Singapore;
• They have USB and Type B electric sockets; 
• Buses in Singapore do not give any change. Make sure to pay the exact amount;
• Only bring light cotton clothes with you; 
• Make sure you bring extra cash. If not, at least a debit/credit card to save your ass; and
• Prepare yourself to walk, walk, and walk!

1st day:

It was August in 2019 when we went to Singapore. Upon arrival in Changi Airport, we immediately searched for the store where we would pick up the SIM card we ordered online. Right after that, we approached the Information Desk to ask for transportation going to our hotel which is an hour away from the airport. The staff was very helpful and assisted us to pay for the airport shuttle fare which is more expensive (around 9 SGD) compared to taking a bus or train but convenience wise, this would be the best option. Note: This is the first where your card would be useful. The only way to pay for the airport bus fare is by using a debit or credit card.

We did not actually feel that the hotel is 1 hour away from the airport because there was no traffic and we enjoyed sightseeing. When we arrived in the hotel room, we rested for a while and went out to explore Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands. To get to these locations, take the bus and alight at Opp S’pore Cricket Club and walk for approximately 3 minutes.

After taking some pictures, we went to eat dinner. Merlion Park has several restaurants to choose from. 

2nd day:

With enough rest, we went out for breakfast at a Chinese restaurant near where we were staying. By the way, I enjoyed their pork belly with noodles.

We then walked for about 10 minutes to the MRT station and bought train tickets to explore Gardens by the Bay (you can also purchase tickets in advance here). At the station, we bought the Tourist Pass, a pass for unlimited rides on public transport for 30 SGD for 3 consecutive days wherein 10 SGD will be refunded upon return of the Tourist Pass.

Gardens by the Bay is a huge park that consists of Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Supertree Grove, Floral Fantasy, Serene Garden, Far East Organization Children’s Garden, Outdoor Gardens, Art Sculptures, Dragonfly and Kingfisher lakes, Bay East Garden, Sun Pavilion, and Heritage Gardens. All of these will surely make you say: “Wow!” 

Flower Dome, Floral Fantasy, Serene Garden, and Cloud Forest showcases different types of flora and trees inside a huge air-conditioned dome. You read it right, it’s air-conditioned. 🙂 In case you’d get hungry in the middle of your trip, do not worry as there are restaurants in the Gardens by the Bay, and McDonalds too! 

Others are already outdoor and at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM, be sure to watch the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show which is a free admission at Supertree Grove. Right after the show, you might want to watch another light and water show, the Spectra-A Light and Water Show at the Marina Bay Sands which is just a 10-15 minute walk from Gardens by the Bay. Show is every night at 8 PM and 9:30 PM, and it is free.

3rd day:

This is probably one of the best – a visit to Sentosa’s Universal Studios (USS). Ride a bus going to VivoCity and purchase an express train ticket which solely goes in and out of Sentosa for around 4 SGD. You can purchase here. USS opens from 10 AM and closes at 6 PM so be sure to be there early to make the most out of it since most of their attractions can take an hour or more before you could experience it. Try to bring few belongings as possible and a cap (so you don’t carry an umbrella). But in any case, there are lockers offered within the vicinity should you wish to leave your things, as some attractions require you to leave your things for free (for the first 3 hours). Be sure to try these that we personally enjoyed: Battlestar Galactica, Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy, and Waterworld. 

After the USS, there is a Crane Dance light and sound show at 8 PM.

4th day:

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One of my many favorites. A trip to China Town, Little India, and Arab Street. 

Here you can buy pasalubongs for a cheaper price, and also try their cuisine. You may also want to visit their heritage centers to gain knowledge and understanding on how Chinese and Indian people started in Singapore.

5th day:

Time to go home. 😦 Since our flight was early, we did not get any chance to spend that day to roam around. Should we have, probably we’d go back to China Town. 

Once you’ve visited Singapore, or if you already did, share more destinations and tips. We’d be glad to acknowledge and add them to our blog. 🙂

Note: We did not put price for transportation as it may differ depending on where you will stay or come from. All in all, for a 5D4N stay in SG, we spent approximately 20000 PHP per head (airfare excluded). If you avoid eating in expensive restaurants and buy fewer pasalubongs, you can still lessen the budget around 12000 PHP to 15000 PHP.