Our 265th entry in this blog is our trip to Singapore. Yay! This is Ate Rei and Sai’s first time to visit Singapore. And this is Ate Rei’s Graduation Gift as she just graduated in elementary level. 🙂

We are so excited for this trip as this will be our first time to ride a fancy airplane. haha. The Singapore Airlines. Rei and Sai are so surprised about the individual entertainment (the mini TVs) amenities and wondered why other planes don’t have such. They are so happy to use it, watching animes and movies.

We finally arrived at Singapore after a short trip of 3.5 hours (or was it 4 hours) and we are so happy to see the famous waterfall at Changi Airport.

Singapore Changi Airport is a major international airport that serves Singapore, and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. More than 100 airlines operate from the airport. It is really huge! Unfortunately, we arrived past 7pm and some of the attractions are about to close. There are some still open but we are also excited to check in our hotel to rest and be ready for the days ahead.

We rode a train going to where we booked a hotel, the Hotel Mi Bencoolen, just beside the Bencoolen train station. It is just one ride from the airport. 🙂 We got some fancy meals in the airplane so we are still not hungry, so we just bought some bread and chips from the nearby convenient store.

For the next day, actually our first day of the trip, we immediately headed out to where else, Singapore’s Merlion. 🙂 And we are so amazed by the buildings and structures that we only see in magazines and advertisements.

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country’s territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is a major aviation, financial, and maritime shipping hub and has consistently been ranked as one of the most expensive cities to live in for expatriates and foreign workers.

Singapore means Lion City. The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore. It is depicted as a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. No one goes to Singapore without ever seeing this Merlion statue, no one! haha.

Singapore’s weather is like in the Philippines, hot and humid. So we always make sure to hydrate ourselves and buy drinks and snacks along the way.

Merlion Park is a famous Singapore landmark and a major tourist attraction, located at One Fullerton, Singapore, near the Central Business District (CBD). Two Merlion statues are located at the park. The original Merlion structure measures 8.6 meters tall and spouts water from its mouth. It has subsequently been joined by a Merlion cub, which is located near the original statue and measures just 2 metres tall.

We crossed the Esplanade Bridge to reach the other the boat building thingy – according to Sai. The Esplanade Bridge is a 261-metre-long road bridge that spans across the mouth of the Singapore River. Construction of the bridge began in early 1994 and was completed in March 1997. Just look at the view while crossing the bridge! 🙂

We then reached the famous Helix Bridge. The Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge linking Marina Centre with Marina South in the Marina Bay area in Singapore. It was officially opened on 24 April 2010. Canopies (made of fritted-glass and perforated steel mesh) are incorporated along parts of the inner spiral to provide shade for pedestrians. The bridge has four viewing platforms sited at strategic locations which provide views of the Singapore skyline and events taking place within Marina Bay.

At the end of the Helix Bridge is the amazing mall of Marina Bay Sands. We are really in awe upon entering it. It is so huge we thought we are back at the airport! haha 🙂 We did have some mini snacks before going to The Gardens By The Bay.

While walking our way to the Gardens, we took photos of us from the mirrors as there is no one else around. Are we on the right path? Is this area supposed to be closed? haha. Are we too early when it is already 11am? We just continued and finally arrived at Gardens By The Bay!

We went up the SuperTree Observatory and got ourselves some ice cream while looking at the view of Singapore. 🙂

We then went inside Flower Dome and it is really cold in here. Full aircon blast! It was actually relaxing and the flower displays are all amazing.

We then had our lunch at Jurassic Nest food hall. It’s a Michelin-rated cuisine in a lush Jurassic setting. Meal is so delicious and the designs are all so fun. Then we went to SkyPark Observation Deck, the boat stuck on top of the three buildings. hehe. 🙂

We posed for a photo by the entrance of the observatory and we were given 5 designs and maybe our only decent photo in this area. haha 🙂 Huge thanks for that.

After the observatory, we went back to the amazing mall for another set of snacks. We also toured around the area of the mall reaching the ArtScience Museum. Why did I not have a picture of the entire museum building? It was actually amazing. My photo there is only at the base of the museum. The ArtScience Museum is anchored by a round base in the middle, with ten extensions referred to as “fingers”.

We then went back to the Gardens By The Bay to watch the light show and of course to eat at Satay by the Bay with Tito Eng. 🙂 And that concludes our first day in Singapore. On to the next which is going to Sentosa Island. Wee!

Our first stop in Sentosa Island is Madame Tussaud’s wax museum. I think this is the first time Ate Rei and Sai went in to a Madame Tussaud’s museum. They enjoyed it and even knows some of the celebrities in it.

Next stop is the S.E.A Aquarium. It was quite crowded in this time, mainly because people wants to stay longer for the air-conditioning. hehe. But it was really a big aquarium and so much fishes and other creatures to see in just one place.

Next stop is the Luge ride. Sai’s favorite activity for the day. We tried all the routes and, of course, Sai gets to pose for the 1st winner podium. haha! 🙂

Next stop is the Sentosa Sensoryscape. The area is really nice and amazing. We went there around sunset time to see it in day light and we went back around night time to experience its illumination lights and interactive light displays.

Our last activity for the day is to watch the Wings Of Time show. The weather was perfect on that day that all the water and light images were very clear. We also had our dinner while watching the show til night time. And that was our jam packed second day in Singapore. We then went back to our hotel and slept well for tomorrow’s full day activity.

And of course, it is Universal Studios Singapore! Who would have guessed? haha 🙂 As always, themed parks is what these kids are keeping them alive! We spent the entire day here that sums up our third day in Singapore. Went back again the our hotel, slept, and ready again for our last day of tour!

For our last tour day, we went to Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Mandai Wildlife Group is a self-funded organisation based in Singapore which manages the Mandai Wildlife Reserve which includes the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and the soon to open Rainforest Wild. We only chose 3 attractions as we only get to visit here for a day.

Our first stop is the Singapore Zoo. It really is very wide that it already drained us from walking! haha. But I think this is one of the best zoo we have ever visited. The number of animals you see and the spacious areas they are kept are really amazing.

Our second stop for the day is the River Wonders. We are so happy with the boat ride as it was unique for us. The entire boat went up an elevator! Imagine that. haha 🙂

And our last stop for the day is the Night Safari. It was scary seeing these wild animals in the dark. We are hoping that they are not hungry enough to attack us. lol 🙂 We did not have time to do the Bird Paradise and we don’t think our feet can still do the walking. haha. But it will be a good excuse for us to visit this place again. Neh?

Our last day in Singapore is the going-back-home day. Our flight is 10am so we checked out early, went to the airport, and had our breakfast at McDonald’s before boarding our plane.

And that was our 6-day adventure in Singapore. We thank God for a safe trip and perfect weather. 🙂 We had 4 whole days of fun and 2 days of safe plane travels with Ate Rei’s now favorite fancy airplane, the Singapore Airlines. haha. 🙂 Until next time Singapore! Thank you la!