That Singapore Trip.

Blogging this while in my room in Philippines, killing time off.  I ain’t got no out-of-town on the duration of my vacation, simply because I got no company. Poor me.. It’s ok though.. I still have the Singapore hangover with me so I could live with it for a few more weeks.

Yes, everything went perfectly well that weekend.  No doubt about that.  As my SO would say, it was our happiest weekend ever for 2007.  I couldn’t agree more.  

Here are some highlights:
 

The Transport

Five-hour ride to SG was surprisingly comfortable — thanks to the bus.  It was a double-decker bus – economic class at the upper deck and business class in the lower.  Mind, it was better than my seat in CebuPacific haha!  What’s more, the busline is providing breakfast or dinner meals (depends on your trip schedule). 

The trip to SG has a total of 3 stops - toilet stop, Malaysian immigration stop, and Singapore immigration stop.  From the Malaysian immigration at Johor Bahru, we then cross this long bridge that separates Singapore from mainland Malaysia Peninsula and near its end is an arc with a digital display with a message welcoming travellers to Singapore.  Their immigration is right at the end of the bridge.

The Hotel

We picked our accommodation in near random, and thank goodness it turned out to be fabulous!  It is located at the heart of Clark Quay — SG’s very own parteeeh district.  Also, right underneath it is the Clark Quay MRT station, and it is just beside a brand new shopping center called Central Mall.  Its location is so strategic that I am sure to book there on my next visit!  And their buffet breakfast is to-die-for.. catering almost everything you could possibly imagine for your morning meal.. sarap talaga!

The Sentosa Visit

Barely a couple of hours upon our arrival we are already on board the train going to Harbour Front, where the cable car to Sentosa is stationed.  Unlike the cable car going to Genting Highlands where we are crossing the forest hills of Bukit Tinggi for 20 minutes, this one is a 5-minute ride that will cross the sea to get to the Sentosa Island.  While on board, one will see a vast number of cargo boats going in and out of their ports.

The whole of Sentosa trip consumed our afternoon up to almost 9 in the evening.. Of course not missing Carlsberg Sky Tower, Dolphin Lagoon, Underwater World, Siloso Beach and Merlion Walk.  It was a Saturday and the park was pretty busy with so many people.  Heck, one herd of them visitors are students from Philippines, loud pack they are.  We took the cable car return trip as soon as we’re done on our souvenir shopping… Dying to get our first decent meal at the mall and planning our next stop for the night.

The Hooters Parteeeh

My original plan is to visit Night Safari after Sentosa… but was changed due to the fact that the zoo apparently was a long trip from the city.  We are too tired from our walks around Sentosa that we decided to drop the plan and instead take the very short walk from our hotel to the saturday night crowd gathering at the bars lined along Clark Quay.  Also, that weekend marked the end of their celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival adding lanterns and masquerade displays in the riverside making the party more lively.  Wasn’t our visit so timely? What a coincidence hehe!

Upon entering the party district… we saw people of all ages, races and graces getting drunk, jabbering with each other.. just having pure fun.  It was like a typical Friday night at Greenbelt in Makati… only livelier and crowdier and louder.  It was just the kind of crowd that we need to be in after all those months of none-nightlife in Malaysia. Wee!

While at a loss on which bar to try, we opted to go around the whole area first and have a good look at what each of them has to offer.  At one end there was this Reverse Bungy station where quite a crowd was building up to watch those who were brave enough to try.  I really think it is much scarier than a conventional Bungy Jump.. Then turning a certain street there was high-end party going on… did not dare enter though.  The crowd looked too hardcore for us.  On the other end there was a midnight market selling accessories, clothes, bags… you name it.  I managed to buy a couple of items with good discounts.

What can I say?  Jun got starstrucked with the girls at Hooters so we zeroed everything else out.  And so were in the Hooters’ happy hour.  I have to admit I got a bit starstrucked myself haha!  Them girls are really fit to work there (read: SEXY!).  And the food was great, not minding the cholesterol..

The Encounter

Close-encounter is more likely haha!  Right there in Clark Quay, at the short bridge near Merchant Hotel,  was our super biggie boss and his then fiance strolling just like us.  Wasn’t he supposed to be in Prague??  Or in KL??  Argh!?!  It’s a very small world!

The River Tour

The next morning, right after bfast, we wasted no time and took a quick tour of Singapore River to Marina Bay.  That was around 10:30 in the morning and we are in the mood for more sight-seeing… 

The breeze in the Marina Bay was just perfect, and not far from the Merlion Fountain we could see the Singapore Flyer towering (I don’t think it is open for public yet though).  The 40-minute, 12SGD tour per head was worth it!

The Shopping Spree

The rest of the afternoon was spent roaming along Orchard Road.  We stumbled upon a sale of Birkenstocks and had myself a new pair, powder blue this time.  I also bought a pair of silver slip-ons from Charles and Keith.  Yes, I shoe-shopped in SG!  But they are on sale!!  No guilt feeling hehe..

We stayed close to the mall where our bus will pick us up en route to KL.  Slept the whole trip back..