[SINGAPORE] Budget and Itinerary (4)

TUESDAY: 10 January 2016

Travel Tax (NAIA 3) - 1,620.00

Cebu Pacific (Manila - Singapore) - 5,688.00

PHP7,308.00

[SINGAPORE] What's Up, Sam?

I’m not a big fan of museums, but I don’t dislike them either. Those focusing on either history or anthropology are cool. Art museums, on the other hand, don’t really tickle my fancy. It’s just that art is a very subjective field. Unless I’m in the mood, I don’t really prefer any kind of mental stimulation. Some art pieces are straightforward while some need some imagination and interpretation to make sense. And so what happened when I found myself at the Singapore Art Museum? I actually kind of enjoyed it.

[SINGAPORE] Budget and Itinerary (3)

FRIDAY: 20 February 2015

Travel Tax (NAIA 3) - 1,620.00

Cebu Pacific (Manila - Singapore) - 2,494.50

PHP4,114.50

[SINGAPORE] The Hanging Gardens of Singapura

The name of the place is actually Gardens by the Bay. Why so straightforward, Singaporeans? We are Southeast Asians. We are expected to beat around the bush. They could have also referred to it as “Those Gardens across the Three Buildings with a Surfboard on Top” if they wanted to be really descriptive. It does not get any less creative than that. What about something that sounds gimmicky like “Merly the Merlion’s Gardens” or something epic like “The Hanging Gardens of Singapore”?

[SINGAPORE] Budget and Itinerary (2)

SATURDAY: 8 June 2013

Taxi (Makati - NAIA 3) - 151.00

Travel Tax (NAIA 3) - 1,620.00

Terminal Fee (NAIA 3) - 550.00

Cebu Pacific (Manila - Singapore) - 1,912.40

PHP4,233.40

[SINGAPORE] Unfinished Business with GMAX

With no Melaka in my itinerary, I really did not want to go all the way down to Johor Bahru from KL. It does not make sense when you can simply land in Singapore and cross the border and voilà! Legoland! Legoland was the main destination. Singapore was really jut the stopover, but I had to do something, otherwise my budget and itinerary post for Johor would be too bloated if I charge all the transit expenses there. Fine. There is this one unfinished business I had with Singapore, and that is the GMAX.

[SINGAPORE] Budget and Itinerary

FRIDAY: January 27, 2012

Toll (Skyway) - 35.00

Taxi (Makati - NAIA) - 138.00

Travel Tax (NAIA) - 1,620.00

Terminal Fee (NAIA) - 750.00

Cebu Pacific (Manila - Singapore - Manila) - 4,770.43

Cebu Pacific (Hot Choco/Grilled Chicken Sandwich/Piattos) - 230.00

PhP7,543.43

[SINGAPORE] Marina Bay Sands + Universal Studios

My first full day of gallivanting ended at Marina Bay Sands, but not after a quick run to Chinatown to grab dinner. I ate mixed meat for lunch so I tried mixed duck this time. It wasn't bad but I guess I just prefer meat. After a quick shower at the hostel I explored the MRT routes and ended up at Tanjong Pagar station which apparently was not that far from the guesthouse. I have to warn you, though, that I love walking. What I consider to be walking distance for me might not be the case for you. Anyway, I think I had to transfer four times to get to Marina Bay Sands. There are additions to the MRT line not yet shown on the free Singapore map I had with me. Thus, I had to pay extra because the light on the turnstile thingy turned red and what followed was a wild siren followed by loud chanting to the tune of, "Hindi siya nagbayad ng ticket! Hindi siya nagbayad ng ticket!" Joke. It was simply rejecting my card. No need to panic if this happens to you, just approach the counter and pay some extra centavos.

[SINGAPORE] Chinatown + Orchard + Clark Quay

No questions asked at NAIA immigration. They did not even ask for my company ID which sort of disappointed me because now I finally have one to show and then they do not ask for it. Like, what the hell is your glitch, Immigration people? Fast forward to the plane ride, I forgot that Singapore was actually far, like, over three hours kind of far. Aside from the occasional turbulence that felt like a teaser for Battlestar Galactica, one more thing bugged me: my right ear. During the first half of the trip my nose was blocked due to colds that would not come out. On the second half that ear would not stop buzzing and my eardrums were threatening me of a possible explosion. In my ears, not in the plane. I might look like one, but I am not a member of the Abu Sayyaf. I only regained my hearing on that side when I was already at one of the immigration counters of Changi’s budget terminal.