Today is the most anticipated day of trip. We're going to Universal Studios! We got up at 8:00am and prepared for a very long day at the USS. I purposely didn't visit USS during my first trip to Singapore. It would be boring to explore the "happyland" by myself.
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| the obligatory photo with the globe |
But for people who prefers walking, you may walk all the way to Sentosa. Just look for the Sentosa Boardwalk outside Vivo City mall. Entrance fee is SGD1 but it is waived until December 31, 2016.
There are so many things to do in Sentosa. If you're short of budget, you can just get on the free shuttle buses, explore the island, lounge in the beach, and take a lot of photos.
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| Hey! Let go of my foot! |
Universal Studios Singapore is just of the many destinations in Sentosa. Admission fee will cost you SGD74. But if you have more budget, you can get the universal express ticket. With this ticket, you no longer have to worry about the long lines at every ride. Mind you, waiting time can be as long as 4 hours for just one ride!
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| The 'Hollywood Walk of Fame' |
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| Welcome to New York?! |
For thrill-seekers, USS got the ride for you. You must try the Galactica roller-coaster--it's one hell of a ride! The transformer's ride is also a must-ride. I say, it is the best ride in USS.
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| This is gonna be the best ride of your life! |
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Souvenir shops are located in almost every corner of the park. You can choose from a lot of variety of items. Get the bundled ones and you can save a little bit more.
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| In a land far, far away.... |
By the way, make sure to get a map and a schedule of the meet-and-greets! This will come handy if you have characters that you want to get a picture with or if you have a show you want to catch.
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| Have you met my friend Bumblebee? |
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| Oh! Hello there Optimus! |
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| Our first family picture! |
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| The globe at night |
Below is a summary of expenses or your budgeting reference:
The second day was dedicated solely for our visit to the Zoo and Night Safari. This is was one of the highlights of our trip. We got up as early as 7:00am since we wanted to be there early and spend as much time as possible. Unfortunately, we were caught up in an unexpected event--toilet cleaning! I didn't think that the hostel would do their cleaning as early as 9:00am! And worse, there was only one common toilets (for men and women) at the ground floor--and it was closed for more than an hour! Horrifying!
11:30am. We left the hostel and made our way to the Zoo. There was no time to stop for lunch. We were so eager to get there and just decided that we'll have our lunch in one of the stalls at the zoo. Then again, we didn't think that the travel time from our hostel to the Zoo could be quite long. So we we're there, at the bus, trying to compose ourselves, and hide the fact that we were very hungry.
How to get to the Zoo: At Dhoby Ghaut Interchange, take the North South Line (red) to Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange. Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT, look for the Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange sign. Walk to the farthest end of the bus terminal and queue for Bus 138. It will take you directly to Singapore Zoo.
1:00pm. We finally arrived at Singapore Zoo, grabbed lunch, and geared up for the long day ahead. We started off with our walking trail. Our energy and excitement was high up the ceiling haha! It was definitely the best zoo visit ever. No wonder SG Zoo is considered as one of the best (if not the best) zoo's not only in Asia, but in the world. It was packed with a lot of different species--most I haven't seen yet. I specifically loved the elephant show! It was very fun and entertaining. I also loved the fact that the zoo doesn't feel like a prison to the animals. It looks like they are still in their natural habitat--but a smaller one, and with people observing at them.
Tips: Buy your admission tickets in advance. Not only do you save time in queuing at the ticketing counters, you get a 10% discount. And that is aside from the the Park Hopper bundled promo. Lines at the ticketing counters can be quite long especially at the night safari. Also, make it a point to get the unlimited ride tram tickets. I tell you, you would really need that ride at some point. Bring a water tumbler. There's a lot of free drinking water fountains in the zoo--you don't have to buy bottled water everytime. If you're with a child, there are trolley's for rent. If you have big bags, they have lockers for rent. Just ask any of the staff.
6:30pm. Singapore Zoo's closing time is at 6. So we went out, had our snacks, rest a little, then headed out to queue for the Night Safari. We were quite disappointed at how people can be disorderly. They don't care about the lines. They cut into the line. =( Night Safari is really a must-see attraction in Singapore. It was different. Imagine roaming in a forest-like zoo at night? So cool.
Tips: Be on queue for the entrance as early as possible. Being early means you get to ride the earliest tram (although trams come every 10 minutes), see the Creatures of the Night Show, and do a little walking.
9:30pm. We're on our way back to the hostel to get a much needed rest. We were walking for almost 8 hours! And tomorrow, we'll do much more walking at Universal Studios Singapore. We just had our dinner at one of the small stalls at the MRT station.
10:30pm. Lights out!
Here's a summation of today's itinerary:
Now, here's a list of expenses for your planning references:
11:30am. We left the hostel and made our way to the Zoo. There was no time to stop for lunch. We were so eager to get there and just decided that we'll have our lunch in one of the stalls at the zoo. Then again, we didn't think that the travel time from our hostel to the Zoo could be quite long. So we we're there, at the bus, trying to compose ourselves, and hide the fact that we were very hungry.
How to get to the Zoo: At Dhoby Ghaut Interchange, take the North South Line (red) to Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange. Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT, look for the Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange sign. Walk to the farthest end of the bus terminal and queue for Bus 138. It will take you directly to Singapore Zoo.
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| Elephant Show |
1:00pm. We finally arrived at Singapore Zoo, grabbed lunch, and geared up for the long day ahead. We started off with our walking trail. Our energy and excitement was high up the ceiling haha! It was definitely the best zoo visit ever. No wonder SG Zoo is considered as one of the best (if not the best) zoo's not only in Asia, but in the world. It was packed with a lot of different species--most I haven't seen yet. I specifically loved the elephant show! It was very fun and entertaining. I also loved the fact that the zoo doesn't feel like a prison to the animals. It looks like they are still in their natural habitat--but a smaller one, and with people observing at them.
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| White Tiger |
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| What else? It's a snake. And a big one. |
Tips: Buy your admission tickets in advance. Not only do you save time in queuing at the ticketing counters, you get a 10% discount. And that is aside from the the Park Hopper bundled promo. Lines at the ticketing counters can be quite long especially at the night safari. Also, make it a point to get the unlimited ride tram tickets. I tell you, you would really need that ride at some point. Bring a water tumbler. There's a lot of free drinking water fountains in the zoo--you don't have to buy bottled water everytime. If you're with a child, there are trolley's for rent. If you have big bags, they have lockers for rent. Just ask any of the staff.
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| This--on our way out. |
6:30pm. Singapore Zoo's closing time is at 6. So we went out, had our snacks, rest a little, then headed out to queue for the Night Safari. We were quite disappointed at how people can be disorderly. They don't care about the lines. They cut into the line. =( Night Safari is really a must-see attraction in Singapore. It was different. Imagine roaming in a forest-like zoo at night? So cool.
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| One of the few photos taken at the Night Safari |
9:30pm. We're on our way back to the hostel to get a much needed rest. We were walking for almost 8 hours! And tomorrow, we'll do much more walking at Universal Studios Singapore. We just had our dinner at one of the small stalls at the MRT station.
10:30pm. Lights out!
Here's a summation of today's itinerary:
Now, here's a list of expenses for your planning references:
I never thought that I would choose to go back to Singapore
and spend my week-long vacation there. I used to think that Singapore is just a
bustling city filled with towering buildings and busy people—I was wrong. There
is definitely so many fun (and free!) things to enjoy while in Singapore.
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| Finally. A good look at the Marina. |
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| Singapore's icon. The Merlion. |
So here I am, on my way back to the sunny island, ready to explore and see more of it. This time, I took my brother with me. I figured that with the kind of touristy things I’m ready to do in SG, might as well bring someone who can take photos of me (haha!).
4:30am. I woke up to the sound of my alarm. There’s really
nothing much to prepare since I have been packing and repacking a week before
our flight. That’s how prepared and organized I can be. I arrived at the airport at 6:45am. No delay
on my domestic flight. I arrived in Manila Terminal 4 at 10am.
10:00am. It took quite a long while to get our bags—and we
were anxious of the time. Our flight leaves at 1:30pm and we still have to
transfer to Terminal 3. Until I saw a bright light (hehe!). There it is. A free
terminal transfer service for all passengers with connecting flights. Now, you
don’t have to go out of the terminal, take a cab, be stuck in traffic, and pray
that you don’t miss your flight.
10:30am. Long queues in the check-in counter. What a
nightmare!
12:30pm. We just got through the immigration and gearing up
for the flight. The flight was quite delayed though. We left Manila at 2:00pm.
6:30pm. Welcome to Singapore! We’ve got our bags, changed
currencies, bought EZ-Link Cards, waiting for the train. If it’s your first
time to visit SG, I suggest you get a Singapore Tourist Pass. It’s cheaper,
especially if you plan to hop-on, hop-off the train or bus. You’ll get to save
a little bit more. Maximum unlimited use is 3 days, but you can top it off and
use it a regular EZ-link card. Plus, you’d get a 10SGD refund when you
surrender your STP card. Good deal!
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| The towering buildings of SG. A view from the Jubilee Bridge. |
8:00pm. We arrived at Bunc Hostel. The hostel as really nice
plus, it’s easy to locate. We checked in, rest a little, and then went out to
have dinner. We were already very hungry that we decided to enter the first
restaurant that we saw—it was serving Indian food. Dinner was a struggle. I
didn’t know what to order. They had pictures of the menu, but I was doubtful.
We ended up ordering a very spicy goreng ayam and garlic chicken.
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| Well, hello there! We meet again. |
9:00pm. We were already at the esplanade waiting for the
9:30 pm Wonderfull Show. Last time I was in SG, it was very hazy. I wasn’t even
able to see the Marina bay Sands. We took a lot of pictures with the
picturesque view of the Marina and a couple of poses with the Merlion. We went
back to the hostel at 10:30pm.
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| Wonderfull Lights and Sounds Show. |
Here is a summation of today's itinerary:
Now, here is a list expenses for your planning reference:
