Category: SIngapore

[SINGAPORE] Jewel Changi

jepoisadventure

It’s been 2 years since the Jewel at Changi Airport opened and while having to work at the airport is an easy access for me, to be honest, this seemed my first time to be on this side.

I can’t remember if there were times I passed by here, so I just thought it’s good to frame one of the best, if not the best, spots.

Do you agree or are there other parts of Jewel which are #igworthy? Definitely, there’s a lot.

[SG Video Blog] Weekend Walk at Hort Park and Telok Blangah Hill

[SG Video Blog] Weekend Walk at Hort Park and Telok Blangah Hill

jepoisadventure

Singapore, being a technology and business hub, is definitely not moving away from living with nature. Home of several nature parks and gardens, Singapore indeed envisions the combination of urban living and the natural habitat.

Last weekend, we went to one of the preserved forested areas in the city to breathe some fresh air (despite the slow-paced movement brought by this “new normal”). A little walk in the park to appreciate the green surroundings of this urban jungle.

Ok! Enough of the intro… I’m trying to make the description longer as “no one would really care about”. 

Actually, we just went out last weekend to unwind from being stuck to working from home. We got nowhere to go so we decided to take some canopy walk in a forest park and Whoalah!, I got some beautiful phone shots of nature’s colors combined with few concrete lines.

SENTOSA ISLAND (Asia’s Favorite Playground)- Day 2

SENTOSA ISLAND (Asia’s Favorite Playground)- Day 2

When you talk about Singapore, Sentosa has always been with the name. Located about 15minutes (Sing$2.10 MRT fare from Boon Keng to HarbourFront and Sing$3.00 Sentosa Express fare) away from Singapore City center, this reclaimed island is the home of the inimitable combination of exciting themed attractions. As people say, in Sentosa you’ll experience fun in all different ways such as entertainment, extreme sports adventure, educational tours, shopping, nature tripping, etc.
I was not able to visit all themed attractions in Sentosa since one day is not enough to do it. But let me tell you something about the places I got to stop by and experience the fun that Singaporeans have been telling the world.
By the way, the food at Sentosa is a bit costly but you can still find stores that offer budget meals like the pantry shop at The Forum. My lunch only cost Sing$5.20. We had our dinner back to a Hawker center at the top level of VivoCity. In there, I spent Sing$7.20.
                             
 

 

Universal Studios Singapore
Resorts World Sentosa

 

 
Experience movie magic at Singapore’s newest theme park, with a myriad of rides and attractions that bring the joys of the silver screen to life.

                             
Immerse yourselves in the world of dinosaurs at The Lost World and even meet the talking donkey of Far Far Away.
Here you get to take the concept of storytelling to a whole new dimension. Don’t miss the Lake Hollywood Spectacular show which occurs after sunset, and witness fireworks and musical performances that are bound to take your breath away.
One Day Weekday Pass:               Sing$66.00
One-Day Weekend Pass:              Sing$72.00
Sentosa Luge and Skyride
Imbiah Lookout
Speed demons will love this part toboggan, part go-cart adventure, which takes drivers on a fun-filled race down a 650-meter-long paved track. The adrenaline rush is so addictive that you’ll want another go as soon as you’ve finished. And to do just that, continue your thrills as you hop on to the open-air chairlift of the Skyride and enjoy breathtaking views of the South China Sea as you travel back to the top of the hill.
Luge and Skyride:         Sing$12.00
Skyride:                           Sing$8.00
Sentosa Songs of the Sea
Siloso Beach

 

Get ready to fall under the spell of Singapore’s award-winning nightly extravaganza set in the sea. Songs of the Sea brings you a mesmerizing show with a live cast and dramatic effects like pyrotechnics, water jets, brilliant lasers, special computer imaging, stunning flame bursts, and captivating music.
Ticket price:        Sing$10.00 per person
                           Sing$15.00 per person (premium seats)
Sentosa Merlion Park

 

Have a larger-than-life encounter with Singapore’s national icon- standing at 37 meters tall, The Merlion lets you dive right into the myths and legends of the deep!
Admission: Adult Sing$8.00/ Child Sing$5.00
iFly Singapore
Siloso Beach Walk

 

 

photo from http://www.overseassingaporean.sg
Experience one of life’s greatest thrills in a controlled environment. Offering a safer and cheaper alternative to skydiving and located conveniently on Sentosa, iFly Singapore is a skydiving simulator that works by placing visitors into a vertical wind tunnel that recreates a freefall. iFly has packages all ages and experience levels, which means taking the plunge has never been easier.
Admission:          Sing$70.00/try
The second day was an adventure at the climax and I got exhausted with all the stopovers we had at Sentosa. I was able to spend Sing$175.6 just for the admission fees and meals. Nonetheless, it was our best day in Singapore.

 

Singapore Shopping Centers (Day 1)

Singapore Shopping Centers (Day 1)

 
Night 1
2000HRS- Check-in at NAIA 3
 
                Don’t forget to prepare Php 1625.00 (Sing$ 46.43) for the airport tax. I really don’t know how our airport terminal management computed for this amount, but based on the essential info I got, Singapore charges only Sing$ 21.00 per passenger. Anyway, aside from the airport tax, you also have to prepare Php 750.00 (Sing$ 21.43) as the airport user’s charge (a.k.a. terminal fee).
0040HRS- Arrival at Singapore Budget Terminal
                MRT stations and Buses operate until 12 midnight and since we arrived in Singapore beyond 12:00AM, we rented a taxi going to The Hive Backpackers’ Hostel. That charged us Sing$ 24.60 from Changi to Serangoon Road. By the way, have your cash changed into Singaporean Dollars at the Budget Terminal. Their buying rate is 5% cheaper than that of NAIA’s, thus, you’ll have 5% more Sing$ cash.
0100HRS- Check-in at The Hive Backpackers’ Hostel
 

 

 
                We rented for a dormitory type room, so as expected, we have roommates aside from the 4 of us. The dorm rate is Sing$20.00 per head per night, inclusive of one breakfast meal per day.

 

Day 1
0900HRS- Breakfast/ Prepare for shopping/tour at Orchard Road
1000HRS- Ride a train going to Orchard Central Station
 
 
                The best way to go to any part of the city is to ride an MRT train, and likewise, always bring with you your map because it is of big help. Boon Keng Station is the nearest MRT station to The Hive. The ticket going to Orchard Road costs Sing$2.10. Be careful though, during the stopover at Dhoby Ghaut you need to change coaster. Three routes are connecting in the said station so, for first-timers, you have to be careful in reading the signs on where to go to avoid forfeiture of tickets. Once you swipe your ticket in the wrong gate, it will be void and you have to purchase for another one. Dhoby Ghaut station is big and as described by my friends, it’s a-MAZE-ing.. (“,)
 
1000HRS- 1400HRS – An exploration to Orchard Road (the shopping district)

 

 

 

 
                I won’t tell you how much I spent shopping during our tour around the district (“,). Just prepare enough for your shopping needs. Anyway, we went inside Dempsey, an idyllic wining and dining enclave, to have our lunch. This is a hawker hotspot and I was able to spend Sing$5.80 for a delicious Thai cuisine.
 
 
1400HRS- 1600HRS – An exploration to Raffles Boulevard (Techno shopping district)  

 

When we went to Singapore, it’s just in time that the country was celebrating the month-long Great Sale. Every store offers discounts to as low as 70% off the original price. But since, we are not after shopping let me just push forward to what is in Raffles other than the malls, the Fountain of Wealth- the World’s Largest Fountain.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1700HRS- 2000HRS – An exploration at the Marina Bay

 

 

 

The famous Marina Bay nestles the world-renowned architectures in Singapore such as Fullerton’s Merlion, the Sky Flyer, the Esplanade-theaters on the Bay, the Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum and the Helix Bridge. At night, you’ll get to witness a free laser show operated by Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
 
 
2100HRS- 2130HRS – Go back Home to Barracks (the Hive)
                Because we’re a bit tired, we rode a taxi back to our place which cost us Sing$6.20. But before relaxing from a first long day tour, we looked for another Hawker’s Hotspot and found Chomp Chomp Food Center. In here, I spent Sing$6.10 for dinner. We then went back to our hostel and rest ourselves in preparation for the next day. 
 
 
…So that was our first night and day in Singapore and I was able to spend a total of Sing$101.60. I won’t disclose my shopping expenses, though… Ching! Ching! 

 

All about Singapore (a Budget Travel Tip)

All about Singapore (a Budget Travel Tip)

 

As promised I will give you the itinerary of our 4-nights, 3-days stay in Singapore. But first, let me tell you some tips with regards to purchasing your airfare tickets, choosing the place to stay, where to have your meals and how to get around the city.

Airfare:  I’m the type of person who grabs the opportunity of having to pay less in the transportation fee, especially talking about airfare. Fortunately, people as I am can have the luxury of internet browsing because there are a lot of budget fares airlines do offer nowadays. Just be patient enough to wait and check for these promos frequently. It pays when you’re online. Our Cebu Pacific plane ticket going to and fro Singapore via NAIA 3 airport was only worth Php 2,900.00 (Sing$ 88.00).

 
Hotel: It is essential that you have to have a reservation of your accommodation prior to your arrival date in any place, especially for an out of the country trip. And in Singapore, hostels are the cheapest but comfortable places to stay in. One of which is The Hive Backpackers’ Hostel in 624 Serangoon Road. Their dorm rate is as low as Sing$20.00 per head per night. What’s best about The Hive is that they’re straight with their aim to make guests feel at home away from home. “Feel at home. Consider everyone your peer.” Two carpeted lounge areas with cable TV’s, sets of computers and a billiard pool are always ready for those who want to relax after a long day of touring around Singapore. They offer free breakfast, but guests should prepare it themselves. The whole building is also wi-fi ready.
To contact The Hive Backpackers’ Hostel:
Phone/ Fax:       +65-6 341 5041
Snail Mail:            624 Serangoon Road
                            Singapore 218223
Website:              http://www.thehivebackpackers.com
E-mail:                 housekeeper@thehivebackpackers.com
Meal: There’s a huge number of dining choices in Singapore, from fancy restaurants and fine dining to “down-to-earth” hawker centres. As expressed, Singapore is a nation of foodies, so the wealth of dining experiences offered should come as no surprise. And since I am talking about a budget trip, I recommend the Hawker Hotspots. For a taste of the dishes Singaporeans enjoy on a daily basis, you must visit a hawker centre. Delicious street foods are offered in these places which serve up just one or a few dishes hawkers perfected over many years. Prices here range from Sing$3.00 up to Sing$ 8.00 per serve. Just a friendly tourist advice from Laagan Adventures, do not convert your expenses when it comes to buying your meals, unless you want to get hungry the whole trip. Just give a budget of Sing$20.00 for your meals per day.

 

Getting Around the City: There’s even no problem when it comes to the transportation around the city. For you to be able to go to Singapore’s most visited tourists’ destinations, public buses, the MRT and taxis are much available. You can also apply for tickets in various tour agencies if you want to have an established itinerary. But for adventure budget seekers, a map will be a perfect tour guide already.

Public buses can bring you to practically every corner of the island and this is a cheap way to get around. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is more comfortable, clean and runs punctually from 6am until midnight. Fares start from Sing$1.00 and tickets can be purchased at all MRT stations. If you think you have to ride the train or bus every time you go from one spot to another, a tourist’s ticket is recommended which only cost Sing$ 8.00 per day with a ride-all-you-can access. This ticket can be purchased in selected stations like Orchard and Dhoby Ghaut.

So here’s our itinerary, with the corresponding expenses I spent.

Day 3 (post Under Construction)
Singapore Budget Trip and Tips

Singapore Budget Trip and Tips

To be featured soon on http://www.laaganadventures.com…
Laagan’s Sing$650.00 (Php23,000) way to Singapore (4nights, 3days)…
including Air Fare, Accomodations, Meals, Amusement Parks Passes and Mall-strolls…
please click here to read the article
What best way could a traveller enjoy? Well, that’s having fun in a lesser expense…

 Singapore has never failed to excite their tourists. That’s why it is the most visited country in South East Asia. After all, Singapore is a vibrant, exciting city that has seen its fair share of breathtaking new developments in the past years. And the future promise even more dynamic new venues and events in this hi-tech, low-stress metropolis.

However, some are hesitant to visit this city because of it’s high costs of living. Well, that’s true. The prices at Singapore are a bit of a heartache, but, if you’re good in looking for much lower rates and discounts you’ll probably say it’s fun and relaxing to be in Singapore. (For the rich and “can afford”, you may not need to anticipate. You’ll still enjoy even if you spend more anyway.)