50 in Singapore

April 30, 2021

Way before the pandemic hit the world, travel to beautiful places and other countries has been easy. There are lots of airfare promos to choose from. Many has taken advantage of such promos. Travel in groups has been the trend in those days as you can save when you travel by groups. Free times were used in searching for the cheapest airfare.

 My family is no different. It has been our annual activity to take a few days vacation in other places, may it be just within our province, which is Cebu or travel to other parts of the Philippines. It could also be just an overnight stay in a certain hotel.

 Early 2019, an airfare promo was announced by Cebu Pacific. So me and the kids checked on what Philippines destination that are included in the promo. We were thinking then of going to Boracay for the summer.

 In our search for the best promo price we saw a seat sale for to and from Singapore. It was around four thousand pesos each for a round trip ticket. That was quite cheap. The kids were already very excited. I sent a chat message to my husband asking if it is okay with him and we got his approval. We then check the available dates for travel and found out that there was an open date around my birthdate, which is November 16. This is then my golden birthday. I too was excited. I will be 50 IN SINGAPORE.

 We then booked the tickets for November 15 – 17, 2019.

 Since the travel schedule was still at the last quarter of 2019, we still have a lot of time to process what needs to be done.

First off is the problem about the passports. All the kids have no passports. Only me has. So we search again online for an open schedule with the DFA or the Department of Foreign Affairs. This is the government office that issues the passports. We were very glad that there were open schedules available. In a month’s time their passports were released.

 Next is the problem of accommodation. We search again online for B&B and hotels in Singapore. We also asked our friends who once have travelled to Singapore if they can recommend places to stay in Singapore. In the end we settled for Heritage 81 Hotel. We chose this as it is cheap and within the city. It was only a few minutes walk to the train station and the bus stations.

 We also searched for what places to visit.  After several online searches and deliberation, we finally made an itinerary.

Here below is our itinerary.

 SINGAPORE TRIP 2019

November 15 – 17, 2019

November 15, 2019 – 8:30 – arrival @ Singapore

                                             8:30 – 9:00 pm check in @ Hotel 81

                                                                           MRT to Marina Bay

                                             9:00pm – 12:00am Marina Bay Sands and Gardens By the Bay

November 16, 2019 – Cable Car, Sentosa, Madam Tussauds, Universal Studios, Merlion Plaza

 November 17, 2019 – 6:00 – 9:00am Chinatown

                                             Everton Park

                                             9:00 – 1:00pm Singapore Botanic Gardens

                                             1:00pm – 4:00 pm Orchard Road

                                             4:00 pm Return to Hotel to pick up bags

                                             5:00pm Airport

 And like other itineraries… let’s see if these were followed during our stay there.

 November 15, we arrived on time at Singapore airport. We successfully passed thru immigration. We were met by one of my staff who resigned in order to work in Singapore. I have contacted her earlier to inform her of our travel. She was so glad to meet us at the airport.

 Oh, before I forget, we booked our tickets and taxi fares ahead thru Klook. So when we arrive, a car was already there to pick us up. He brought us straight to the hotel.

 It was just a small hotel but it is clean. We went straight to our room after clearing with the hotel reception. We drop our bags and went out straight away to start exploring. But first we have to take our dinner. We just walked around the corner and there was a Chinese restaurant that is not so full yet. We settle for that restaurant and ordered fried rice, chicken and pasta. Their fried rice was the best so far that I have tasted in my whole life. Even the children were so happy with it.

 After dinner, we took a bus going to Clarke Quay. It was night time and the shops were closed. Only the bars and resto were open but the lights were amazing. We just stroll around the area and went to Merlion Park. There, we can see from afar the Marina Bay Sands Skypark. It was midnight already when we went back to the hotel.

 All the while, my friend has been teaching my eldest on how to check on the bus schedules and where they were going. I am so glad that she did just that as we were on our own the following days until our time to leave Singapore.

 On my birthday the following day, we went strolling along Bugis street to look for breakfast. Got a picture of the mosque and some wall art. We then hop on a bus that will take us to where we can clear our tickets for Sentosa. I opt for the cable ride so that the kids will have an experience in riding one. They were really thrilled. The happiness they have is also my happiness. I can really feel their appreciation as they keep on telling me “thank you” from time to time.

 We slowly descend the stairs going to Universal Studio and had a great time there. Going back up is another story. It really took us a while to reach the top.

 From Sentosa we went back to our hotel for a short rest and change of attire. We then took the train going to Gardens by the Bay.  We explored the place, went inside the Flower Dome (heaven for me), the Cloud Forest, saw the large art sculptures and finally at night, witnessed the spectacular lights dancing to the music at Supertree Grove. What a show to end my golden birthday night.

 We went back to the hotel, tired but happy.

 The following day, our last day, is shopping day. The kids were given a hundred dollars each by their dad for shopping. We went to China town where there were plenty of shops are located. I met plenty of kababayans there, tending stores.

 We also went to Orchard road and shop for more.

 Then it was time to go home. Earlier, before we start going out that day, we checked out from the hotel, but we just left our luggage at their lobby. When we arrive at the hotel from shopping, our driver was already there waiting for us. We intentionally asked him to pick us up early so that we can explore Changi Airport before we board our plane in going home.

We hurriedly picked up our luggage, bid goodbye to the hotel receptionist and went our way.

 At the airport, we first checked in our luggage so that we will be free to roam around. We have more than an hour to spare. We had dinner at Changi Airport and again more shopping as there are plenty of shops there.

 Then it is time to leave. We left Singapore with a happy heart.  I celebrated my 50 in Singapore.

 Now, we are saving for Korea or Japan…

 Thanks for dropping by.

🧡🧡🧡