Saturday, October 25, 2008

Dreaming of Going Back To Sentosa

I went to Sentosa last September and fell in love with it. It’s so perfect for a self-imposed retreat or a lover’s get away or friend’s fun and scorching night out. The water is inviting with facilities that truly answer you’re every requirement of comfort and leisure. It’s perfect for at least a day or two stay at the island. It will make you forget a bit of the world you left behind. You won’t even get bored coz there can be a lot of activities you can do in the island. And it’s all worth your time and money.



The island has an entrance fee inclusive of all kinds of transportation inside the island may it be the monorail, the bus or the tram. It’s already inclusive in the fare you pay in whatever ride you prefer in going there that is, thru the bus or the monorail or the cable car. When we went there, we chose the cable car transfer to and from Sentosa. It was a charming and enchanting ride having to gracefully glide above the sea going to Sentosa. The view is breathtaking. I wish it’s a little bit higher and longer like that of the jewel box going to mount faber. But anyway, the cable car ride was good enough. At the end of the cable line is Imbiah. It’s the part of the island where most of the fun activities are located. There’s the sky tower, the theater, the sky ride and the luge, the merlion walk, etc. We went picture taking and ride the tram going to Siloso beach. The beach is wonderful with good accommodation and restaurants in it. There are also rides going to palawan beach and the other one I forgot the name. But I’m sure there are only 3 beach resorts in Sentosa. But we only stayed at Siloso Beach. It was so nice that I fell in love with it instantly. Too bad we weren’t able to witness the Songs of the Sea. They say it’s a must see but we weren’t able to watch it because they only show it at evening and that evening itself we’re going back to the Philippines so we don’t have much time to stay longer in Sentosa. So reluctantly, we went back to Singapore and went strolling in it’s largest mall Vivo City. Tried one of the Chinese food chain there and enjoyed the noodles, the dumplings and the chopsticks. After that we went straight to Bugis Junction and went shopping to bring something back home. Too bad I wasn’t able to truly stay longer on that wonderful island. That’s may be why I’m dreaming of going back. The next time I go to Singapore, Id’ truly spend a night or two at my beloved Sentosa.



Siloso Beach

The Merlion Walk

My favorite Sentosa pic :D Thanks for this sistah! Mwah!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Uniquely Singapore

I love the lion city! It’s quiet, organized, yet so metropolitan. It’s clean yet fast-paced. It’s a small country but obviously prosperous and I was never got stuck in a traffic! It has a very good transportation system that you don’t have to worry about traffic. It’s very visitor-friendly too. Everything is labeled and if you have a map, you can never go wrong. We never find it difficult to explore the city. Aside from the fact that it is a small country, it is so organized and well labeled and crime rate is low that made it simple for visitors to relax and have fun.

There is so much to visit in Singapore. There’s the famous Sentosa Island, the largest observation wheel in the world, that is, the Singapore flyer, night safari, the hot air balloon in Bugis, the famous Merlion Park, gardens, museums, library, historical sites, Chinatown, Malay villages, little India, Clarke Quay, different kinds of food, shopping centers, night fun, etc. and I relly enjoyed my trip there.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Travel Thrill










I remember when I was there in NAIA airport waiting patiently for the nearing Sing-Malaysia escapade. I can't help to get excited over my flight to Singapore 4 hours from that moment. I was far from getting bored, I was anticipating instead :) It's because this is my first ever international travel hehe As they say, nothing beats the first time. I even documented the start of our travel from the Davao International Airport until reaching NAIA. I've always wondered what it feels like to finally step down from the plane on a foreign land, seeing different people and things, and speaking a foreign language. And these "wonderings" (I think I made up this word hehe) will be answered a few hours from that moment.

To entertain myself, I brought food and books. Read a little and eat o lot hahaha I texted family and honey updating them of our nearing flight. I wish honey was there but he can't go with us. But anyway, I was too excited to even entertain that thought hehe At that time, I was so happy I get myself a vacation :D

Thursday, October 2, 2008

I Love Genting Highlands











Asian travel is definitely a different kind of experience. I’m from an Asian country myself from Philippines but still, neighboring countries fascinate me. One of these Asian countries I love is Malaysia. Have been to Kuala Lumpur and loved it. But there is one place I really love in Malaysia and would really want to go back to – The Genting Highlands! It’s a city of entertainment at the top of a mountain. It’s a very nice place for any ages. Perfect for families and any other leisure trips.

The place is full of fun-filled activities. You can even stay on it for days because they have hotels to accommodate
you. Our trip to Genting was only for a day but we truly enjoy the experience. Not just that, it was so convenient to go there. We booked our trip at KL Sentral and waited for our Genting bus there. They already have several packages to enjoy Genting according to your budget and your purpose of going there. All of their packages include entrance, bus transfer to and from Genting Highlands and the oh-so-i-love-it cable car transfer. It was a 15-minute cable car ride over vast mountain scenery. It’s the only sky ride over the mountains I have ever done except from the airplane of course.

I know what to expect in Genting as I know what they have through browsing the net. But the moment I stepped out of the cable car, I was filled with excitement. The weather and temperature is great. Being from a tropical country, I really like the Genting breeze. It was sunny but cold. When we finally entered the place, I was surprised of how many people go there. It’s like an independent city with lots of people buzzing around. There are hotels, casino, theme parks inside and outside, restaurants, etc. Other things like bazaars and snow world are also available inside. Kids would really love the place including the kids at heart. There’s a lot of fun and excitement in Genting for a not so high budget. It’s definitely a good value for your money. If I do have the chance to go back to Malaysia, I’d like to visit Genting Highlands once again.

Night Out in Clarke Quay











It was our second night in Singapore just in time with the World’s 1st Formula One Night Race. The streets were full and every corner in Suntec City was filled with people from different parts of the world. You can see people of different races trying to take part in the world’s first ever night race. As curious as they are, we went straight to gate 3 to know what’s going on only to find out that the entrance fee is 300USD. We only brought enough money for the trip and the F1 race wasn’t included in the budget too bad. We really don’t know that our trip was in time with the famous race at least not to us hehehe That’s maybe why we’re having difficulty in booking for our hotel. And so we took our pic at the event banner, did some peeking by standing at a higher level building around the venue then went to find Clarke Quay. It took us several minutes to reach the place. Though we have the map, we weren’t able to reach there easily I guess we’re a bit dull with directions hehehe We chose to locate it through walking so at the same time we can stroll the city. It was a very nice walking journey to Clarke Quay seeing Singapore closely as we walk. One Singaporean we asked said it’s just a 20-minute walk giving us directions instructing us that when we find an unusually beautiful lighted place, it’s definitely Clarke Quay. So we went on walking for almost an hour when we finally found what we’re looking for – the beautiful and chic Clarke Quay.

At far, Clarke Quay looks so lively and young. The lights are beautifully nestled in Singapore River. One thing that catches my eyes was the way Clarke Quay was styled. It’s so nice beside the river. It was arranged handsomely with lots of bars, restaurants and chic hang outs. During that night, there was a festival. There’s a program at the center atrium with lots of visitors squatting on the floor. It was so full of people and lively sound that we went joining them. We waited for the program to start and about 30 minutes later it started. We witness a unique mask presentation with the dancers playing drum-like wooden instruments at the same time. I don’t remember what they’re celebrating at that time but all I know is that, I like it. As you look around, you can see a lot of beautiful looking Caucasians. In fact most of the visitors there are white and black people. I seldom see Asians like us except of course the Chinese and some Koreans. It was as if I visited a different world and that I was so far away from Asia.

After the program we went out to see the boats to cruise along the Singapore River. But went to GMAX instead coz the ride will bring us to Esplanade and we haven’t get over Clarke Quay yet. While here in the Philippines, I was determined to ride the extreme GMAX but when I saw it, I couldn’t get the courage to try it especially when no one in my group would like to go with me. Maybe I could do it if I can have a support with friends by joining me go up the sky. Courage somehow went somewhere else. It was so frightful but definitely an adventure a very good way to experience fear and exhilaration. Aside from the GMAX, there’s also the extreme swing but a little less frightful from GMAX itself. I hope when I do come back, I will have the courage to try it and bring someone who would also like to try it. Too bad I wasn’t too courageous.

All in all, the visit to Clarke Quay was a very nice experience. I love the place, the people I see and the activities in it. When we finally decided to go back to our hotel we met fellow Filipinos speaking the same dialect we do and so we were able to easily locate them and we realized, we’re still in Asia.