It was three years ago when I first stepped into the country that prohibits chewing gums. That time, I felt nothing but a cold and heartless city that watches your every move, making sure you get penalized if you committed any form of crime, like picking flowers. This time around, I found the warmth of Singapore that I never thought it had. Truly, one visit is not enough to fully experience the essence of a certain place.
 |
| Singapore's skyline viewed from the National Museum of Singapore's rooftop bar |
 |
| Concrete jungle |
 |
| Singapore's nightscape |
Cactus
Land
My
mom asked me to go to a certain place and buy some cactuses to add to her
growing collection. She gave an exact location through GPS (I didn’t know she can be this techie). My buddy found a way to get there
through the MRT and then another local bus. We found ourselves in the middle of
a road and just figured out where the plant shops were.
To
cut it short, we ended up on a flowering plant garden, with no cactuses in
sight. We were then directed to other shops but failed once more. We walked
further and then saw a lady who was tending a small
garden. We asked her if she got some cactuses and then she said that everything
on her shop is a private collection. She then allowed us to enter and was amazed
on the vast collection she had.
We
had a mini tour as she explained to us where she got each piece and other
stuff. We graciously asked her if she could spare some for me to buy,
after I explained that it was for my mom, she gladly chose the ones she could
sell and I was more than happy. She gave us some cold teas afterwards and even let
us hitch all the way to the next bus stop; such a kind soul.
Marina Bay
Staying
at Beary Best Hostel, it was an ease roaming around the city as the nearest
train stop was just across the road. My buddy was interested in seeing the
giant trees that glows at night, I had no clue on what he was talking about at
that time.
We passed by Marina Bay Sands Resort and then walked towards the Gardens
by the Bay. It was almost sundown and the solar-powered supertrees started to
glow. I found a spot where I lied on my back and enjoyed the view from there.
The interchanging colors of the lights accompanied by chill music were
fascinating and relaxing at the same time.
 |
| The famous Marina Bay Sands Resort |
 |
| The solar-powered supertrees glows at night |
 |
| The Helix Bridge at night |
 |
| Singapore's icon |
The
next day, we met up with two of our Singapore-based friends (Ron and Rodel) for
a day of cultured experience, as they
call it. We went to the National Museum of Singapore for a day of history and
culture (SGD15 entrance fee per person). We first joined a free group tour where we understood how the museum
came to be and the history of the building itself, and then roamed around on
our own.
 |
| The old City Hall and former Supre Court buildings were joined by glass and metal reinforcements |
 |
| Beyond Declarations and Dreams exhibition showcases Filipino works |
 |
| Famous works of Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo (to name a few) are featured on a special section for modern art in Southeast Asia. |
 |
| Pablo Picasso's work on an special exhibition |
 |
| We passed by on this old bridge, retracing Jose Rizal's steps when he was in Singapore. |
 |
| Sundown |
We woke up earlier than usual and explored the neighborhood of Chinatown. We went to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, passed by a Hindu temple and then checked out the morning goings-on at the rows of shophouses around.
 |
| Sri Mariamman Temple |
 |
| Buddha Tooth Relic Temple |
 |
| Early morning stroll in Chinatown |
Sentosa
On
our last day, we headed to the famed Sentosa Island. No, we’re not
after the theme park, we just wanna chill out on the beach.
We
found Palawan Beach (well, not the same as the Palawan we have in the Philippines) and noticed the almost deserted
beach if not for a few who were swimming and some who were having picnics by
the shore. A far cry from the crowded Universal Studios we passed along a few
minutes back.
 |
| Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island |
I
got the buzz early on and grooved with the music that echoed throughout the
area. It was totally the coolest way to cap off not just the Singapore leg of our
trip but our two-month backpacking trip.
It was may be that I was with my favorite travel buddy that I regarded this second visit a better one. Or maybe the endless chitchats while we visited a museum and park with some old chummies added life into what I thought was a life size model of a progressive country. Or maybe, I miss the Philippines that’s why I’m longing for warmth and found it easily as I try to connect the similarities of the lives they have there. Or probably, Singapore is a friendly country, period.
Check out for discounted hotels in Singapore
Post a Comment