16-Feb-2014
This side trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a long debate, to go or not to go...but of course judging on the pictures we ended up going.
Our trip to KL, Malaysia starts at Highway Nicoll, Singapore via Starmast Express Bus Liner , this 4-5 hours drive cost us SG$ 30/person. (x 33.50 you do the math).
The bus is so not like Philippine Busses, their busses were very comfortable, only few passengers with very big declining chairs where you can actually sleep, that was a first for me.
TIP: if you have plans to have SG-KL trip, then don't throw away the remainder of the disembarkation card you filled up during immigration at SG , you will surely need this if you go out SG to KL and vice versa (if your end point is SG).
Travelling via Bus from SG to Malaysia is rather not that exciting, if you don't have sleep from your SG trip, then this is the time to sleep all the way to your next destination, as there is nothing to see in the rural Malaysia, all I can see were trees and hills and more trees not even a house in sight or people not until you reach very near KL.
So we arrived at Berjaya Tiimes Square in KL and to my surprise, i feel like home, i feel like im in downtown Manila.
Street foods, people rushing to Monorail, shopping to this tall mall, eating on the streets, vendors on skywalk and even grilled maize on the sidewalks.. i thought only in the Philippines but also in Malaysia.
The highlights of this trip is the PETRONAS Tower with all its glory...This twin tower is so amazing you can lie down on the park and watch its unique structure like a married couple.
Truly its a beautiful sight.
Although this is only an overnight trip, we manage to go to the Public Market to buy some souvenirs, visit the malls and the likes and that it no time to go outside town since we need to come back to SG for the late flight.
TIP: if your travelling on a Sunday, make sure you book a bus going back to avoid fully booked busses since most of Malasyian go back to SG to work, also be prepared at the Immigration as its full of people.
See our pics.
Singapore is always a place to visit be it first timer or old timer...for me I have been to this place sometime in 2006 and now I have come back.
This time its exciting since back then there were no Universal Studios but now...that is one I look forward to.
13-Feb-2014
But before we go to the meat of this adventure...we have to face challenges from our very own Cebu Immigration Personnel. Though I understand its part of their job to hold doubtful tourist, but c'mon...we have been travelling many times ( by many times i mean more than 2) and our records shows we always comes back to our country Philippines where else should we go...but then again its their "job".
TIP: if you have encountered similar situation as in hold by the Immigration, fight for it, its every Filipino's right to travel, so long as you have all the document, you paid the ticket and hotel accommodation and you have money...FIGHT FOR IT... and one thing more...don't leave in the immigration area until you see the airplane leave coz..normally they will allow you up to the last minute...
Well, anyways finally we are granted to board our flight to Singapore via Cebu Pacific at around 7:55pm, this flight is the cheapest, if you check on their website this time is always cheap. Its a 2hours and 45 mins flight from Cebu to Singapore..very smooth, the staff were very nice the food (waste of money) Php 700 for chicken adobo so small it didn't reach my stomach I have to push with a juice which is very small...I have to buy water for that. But no room to complain after all its a budget flight.
Finally, we arrive at Changi International Airport, upon arrival we don't have time to look around as we are in a rush to go straight to the Hotel. We stayed at The Metropolitan Y Hotel (YMCA) cheap but worth it.
14-Feb-2014
The Next Day, Its Universal Studio SG time, I read from a blogger also prior to my visit to US-SG that first thing you should do once entered in the studios is to look for the rides the big ones (1. Transformer 2. The Mummy 3. Jurassic Park (bring extra shirt, you will be wet or soaked) 4. The roller coaster (which was not working during this time) so that's what we did...and we save a lot of time.
For me aside from the rides, one of the highlights of this trip was meeting the streetboys in action. finally I got to see them in action I have been and always a fan since college days.. I have the evidence I have some pics.
Then we stretch to Sentosa Park which is right across the UN-SG, visit the sentosa merlion, sight seeing , picture taking and finally the one Im scared of riding...we have to ride the cable car...its like more thatn 30 mins of agony being on top and not to mention the occasional swaying of the cable car but I have survived (the 2nd time around)
Later towards the evening...No Filipino Tourist (I know) would come to SG without visiting the Filipino Hub...The Lucky Plaza at Orchard Road, the place were most of the Filipino in SG meet.
TIP: check on google maps for the location and pin the Universal Studios, google maps give u the bus no. time or departure from your current location to your destination and it really helps.
Cost of Universal Studios SG$ 74 whole day pass, bring extra for the souvenir and of course food.
15-Feb-2014
This day is scheduled for Marina Bay and the surrounding areas.
From my place we ride Bus going to Dhoby Gaut Metro Station, from there take yellow line to Esplanade then a little walk you can see the famous landmark of Singapore ...The Merlion Park.
In the marina bay area you will find the following:
1. The Merlion Park (famous area) struggle to take a nice view for picture taking so many people.
2. The Esplanade - SG famous theater
3. The Marina Bay Hotel
4. Garden's at the Bay
5. The SG flyer..
We only stayed here up to 2 pm...as we are going to face a new adventure..we ride a bus going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
