A Singapore Holiday

Literally it was a holiday in Singapore for us because we were there just after christmas and even during the first few hours of the new year. Here are some pics:

Singapore Here We Come!

As always, you must forgive me for not having written here for a long time. I have a number of reasons but the latest one is because I am preparing for our trip to Singapore by the end of the month. Yipppeeee!!!

Actually, we had originally planned to go back to HK but I couldn't get a flight that's cheap enough for us. Thus we opted to go to Singapore via the Diosdado Macapagal Airport (aka Clark) in Pampanga. It might be 2 hours away from here but the difference of more than 15 thousand pesos makes up for the trouble. Besides, I also want to experience flying out of that airport since I had been hearing good things about it. Another factor for our decision was that I couldn't find an available hotel or hostel for us.

Anyhow, it's been a while since our first trip to the Lion City and we're all eager to go back anyway. Ikee was in the 5th Grade when we went and she's been wanting to go spend a day at the Singapore Science Center since then. So, when I suggested the alternative to Hongkong, the family readily said yes.

So I finally got the tickets, via Cebu Pacific too. Yes, them. We have to keep the budget low. That leads me to my 2nd problem. For weeks, I had been surfing for a place to stay. Yesterday, though, my husband told me that he had been in touch with his cousin Rowie to ask for suggestions. Instead, she offered for us to stay with them for the duration of our trip. Is that good or what? ;)

Now that I'm free of the 2 most head-aching, mind boggling portion of our preparations, I'm spending time to prepare our itinerary. So far I have Singapore Science Center and the Night Safari on the list. Any suggestions?

If You Love Science - Kids at Singapore Science Center

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.

The Land the Merlion Protects - family trip to Singapore

I love Singapore among other things. I love how the city is kept clean and how the people are disciplined. You can't buy a chewing gum there because you'll get caught. No kidding. Also, don't try to bring gum nor cigarettes into Singapore because you'll be made to pay dearly. There are many job opportunities for my husband and I. And, not to mention, that it has one of the best educational system in the world.

We were there in October of 2006 and had only 3 days stay . Like the other trips, it was a treat for my daughter. But, we were on a tight budget unlike when we went to the US and to Bangkok. The hotel we booked with was the YWCA Fort Canning Lodge. My husband's cousin, Rowie, who is based there, suggested it. It had a small room but it was clean and we were comfy. The location is great because it is very near the Raffles and very close to the malls. What more could I ask for?

For the 3 days stay we only got to visit 3 places: The Sentosa Island, the Singapore Science Center and the Snow City which is at the back of the SSC. Ikee enjoyed it best at the SSC. I think most kids would. It's an interactive museum which features all kinds of science exhibits and has a 3d movie house. The Snow city is a place to play in a very cold place. It simulates the feeling of a snowland (which is why it's called snow city in the first place... hehehe). We liked it there too because we were able to frolick. It was just soooo cold!

Sentosa is an island. We rode the cable car to get there. And there's a bus that goes around the island if you just want to see it first. There was an aquarium in the likes of the Aquarium of the Pacific but smaller. It was a shame that we didn't get to see the lights show but there's always a next time. Just not sure when though. Great for a family trip too.

The best way, to travel around singapore is via the MRT. It's cheap, fast and you'd get a bird's eyeview of what Singapore really has to offer. There are interconnections almost everywhere that it is impossible to miss it.

Many of the Singaporeans speak english. Not the kind that you'd expect from a Filipino but they're quite good. We did not have a single problem communicating with them. The resto I can recommend is the "a place with no name" or something that sounds like that. it's near the channel where they have the Merlion. Their seafood is to die for!

Shopping in Singapore isn't really that good with the exception of electronic goods. But if you buy electronic goods, you'd have to be a regular traveller to Singapore or know someone who does since the warranty that they give is only applicable in Singapore. I'd buy my goods in my home counry if I were you. The rest are just as much as what we have in the Philippines. Shopping is a lot better in Thailand.

The weather is pretty much like the Philippines. It has two seasons - summer and rain. It gets really hot during the summer and is humid throughout the year.

Well, that's it for now. Ciao!