Ikee had wanted to visit Singapore again this year. If not because I told her that we should be able to go to a new place every year or at least when we travel abroad, she would have opted to be in Singapore for only one reason - to visit the Singapore Science Center again.
Yes, you read it right. Again. We went there in October of 2006. I, being the family's tour director, had prepared our itinerary before getting there. Little did I know that she already contemplated on going to the SSC because she had surfed the web and found it. Hah, that's what the internet does to kids these days. They know a lot!
The moment we got to the hotel and unpacked, I told them where we should be going the following day. But she suggested going to the SSC because she had also seen a brochure at the hotel. We didn't really have much of a choice did we? After all, the real reason we travel is so that Ikee would get her exposure.
Off we went the following day. Ikee had the time of her life! The museum had lots of exhibits that showed the science in almost everything you could imagine. There was a show that day and it looked more like a magical show featuring electricity. There was a physics garden that had illusions and other things showing off the wonders of physics. There were funny things too. Like there was one where Ikee went looking for her dad's body because we only saw his head on top of a table. We got to watch an omnimax show just like the one we watched at the Universal Studios. Now for a kid who's into science, it was heaven. Not that I am one but I did enjoy it there too. For science teachers, the SSC would be like a treasure trove.
I believe all kids visiting Singapore should see the Singapore Science Center. They'd love it. They'd learn from it. While parents would love to bring them there because well, it's cheap. They spend hours and hours there and while they see their kids have the time of their lives without even wanting to eat without prodding or blackmailing. Actually, if there's just one adult left with the kids, the others can already go on with the shopping or go to another place they'd be more interested in. But you know what, even the adults will like seeing the place too. I'm pretty sure the whole family will want to return after a trip.
Getting there is relatively easy. take the MRT and alight at Jurong East Station on the East West Line. Then walk - Singapore Science Centre is just an 8-minute walk from the Jurong East Bus Interchange/MRT Station. You can take a cab but why not enjoy the sights? Anyway, the SSC opens at 10 am.
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Showing posts with label MRT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MRT. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Bargain hunting in the Philippines - Divisoria
When bargain hunting in the Philippines, you have a choice of going to specific towns to get a really good price if you intend to sell them (like to find a barong in Bulacan, Paete for carved items, Cebu for guitars) or go to centers in the city which we call are "bagsakan".
The best among these centers is Divisoria. There, you can find practically everything - shoes, bags, tees, native items, etc., furniture, appliances, fruits - name it! Many come from different countries but most items are locally made. I personally don't like buying clothes there. That's because these clothes are hurriedly done perhaps to keep the labor cost down ultimately keep the prices low too. I normally buy the imported ones or those that are made to order. But the other things are ok.
The items come in really cheap and attractive prices. What's more is that you can actually bargain with the vendors for a price that you can both agree on. The technique is pretty much like you would bargain in any asian city: First, ask for the price. Then, estimate about 50% and ask the vendor to give it to you at that price. next, when the vendor does not agree, you may do two things - walk away or haggle some more. I would haggle further. Chances are that you'd get it close to the rate you like.
The best way to get to divisoria is to ride the LRT or MRT. Go down at Recto station. Once in recto, take a jeep marked divisoria. You have a choice of going to 168 mall, Tutuban Mall or the infamous Ylaya which is the old divisoria. I enjoy going to 168 because it's cleaner and the airconditioning is really good.
A word to the wise: keep your wallets and your bags close to you and where you an see it. There are many pickpockets there and they've trained well for it. Also, Divisoria is a very polluted place. The streets are dirty, the air is a mixture of the the smell of fish, musk, and sewer. Now, if you don't mind the tight and polluted part of city and would like to go find really good buys, Divisoria should be at the top of your list. Otherwise, drop the idea and go somewhere else like Tiendesitas and Market Market which sell practically the same items but are priced higher.
The best among these centers is Divisoria. There, you can find practically everything - shoes, bags, tees, native items, etc., furniture, appliances, fruits - name it! Many come from different countries but most items are locally made. I personally don't like buying clothes there. That's because these clothes are hurriedly done perhaps to keep the labor cost down ultimately keep the prices low too. I normally buy the imported ones or those that are made to order. But the other things are ok.
The items come in really cheap and attractive prices. What's more is that you can actually bargain with the vendors for a price that you can both agree on. The technique is pretty much like you would bargain in any asian city: First, ask for the price. Then, estimate about 50% and ask the vendor to give it to you at that price. next, when the vendor does not agree, you may do two things - walk away or haggle some more. I would haggle further. Chances are that you'd get it close to the rate you like.
The best way to get to divisoria is to ride the LRT or MRT. Go down at Recto station. Once in recto, take a jeep marked divisoria. You have a choice of going to 168 mall, Tutuban Mall or the infamous Ylaya which is the old divisoria. I enjoy going to 168 because it's cleaner and the airconditioning is really good.
A word to the wise: keep your wallets and your bags close to you and where you an see it. There are many pickpockets there and they've trained well for it. Also, Divisoria is a very polluted place. The streets are dirty, the air is a mixture of the the smell of fish, musk, and sewer. Now, if you don't mind the tight and polluted part of city and would like to go find really good buys, Divisoria should be at the top of your list. Otherwise, drop the idea and go somewhere else like Tiendesitas and Market Market which sell practically the same items but are priced higher.
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