More From Singapore

As said in the previous story, I came to Singapore from Phuket and needed to stay overnight for some meetings and kitakits I had to do. And though I have been describing notable places that I've been to on this island, there were those that I think I didn't previously have pictures of. Here are some of them.

Let's start with the always-crowded original (pioneer) branch of Jollibee Singapore (6F Lucky Plaza)..,

I swung by to surprise-greet someone having a birthday bash. Oh yes, they also have 'functions' here! I just walked as this is near HIE, probably just about 200 to 300 meters along Orchard Road mismo. Ah, I mean the Jollibee branch at Level 6. Not that one at the basement (foodcourt), also of Lucky Plaza.

Meron lang akong hinihiling.., sana magbago na ang branch na ito ng kanilang soft drinks hehehe..,

I think it's not in all branches (in Singapore) that they have pepsi-only. Parang ang naaalala ko nga eh originally, even this branch started with Coke yata eh. Or namamalik-mata lang ako dahil sa kulay red?

Anyway, that was in the afternoon, immediately pagka-dating ko from Phuket.

When dinnertime came, lucky that I was in the vicinity of Boat Quay as one of my favorites is there!

Yes, yung Tian Tian Fisherman's Pier Seafood Restaurant, although what I like most is their duck hehe! This is the Dampa-style 'point and paluto' restaurant row by the river. Meron din mga Pinay waitresses.

Something was hatched. While I kept glancing at those windows above the restaurant, we were on the topic of budget inns that our kababayans can stay at, while visiting Singapore. And those windows up there are incidentally already part of "5 Foot Way Inn". So I thought, masubukan yan one of these days!

So my plan was hatched, next time I'll stay at backpacker hotels here or the China Town area.

Here's another thing I mentioned in previous stories but haven't yet gotten a picture of. Got it now!

A nightly show, I think about 9 or 10PM. Dancing laser lights emanating from the Marina Bay Sands.

Ah ito, let me show you a very rare picture, this might even become a collector's item years from now!

That is The Merlion - the half fish and half lion that is Singapore's official mascot - one of (if not THE) most visited tourist spot of Singapore. Nasaan dyan? Ayun, yung nakabalot na parang kahon hahaha!

That's why I said it's a "very rare picture" since it is only 'once-in-a-sometimes' that you'll see such an important emblem of this island-country being boarded up. Probably being cleaned, shower daw eh!

There were still a lot of visitors coming to this place, apparently uninformed that their Merlion was not viewable. Well, the area is still picturesque anyway. But I told some Pinoy visitors to check-out instead the 'Baby Merlion' at the back of those trees. One of my companions (yes I had companions this time) said "ang bait mo naman". I said I just feel them. Nagbiyahe'ng malayo tas wala pala ang pupuntahan?

Masakit sa puso at sa bulsa yun, di ba? So, dun nalang sila ke cute "Merlionette" muna mag-kodakan!

Here's another picture that I feel utang ko sa mga readers, since I haven't been mentioning it before..,

Pointed by the red arrow is the Singapore Flyer. Yes, the humungous ferris wheel that moves slowly so you get good views of the city. It appeared a number of times in my pics, but I haven't described it yet!

So ayun! But the other arrows, you already know from my previous stories, right? Blue arrow, the Helix Bridge, and green arrow, 'the lotus' or Singapore Art Science Museum at the foot of Marina Bay Sands.

Kanina morning 'til noon, walking from eyeball to eyeball, I saw other interesting sights too. Like this:

That's at one of the malls along Orcard Road.., monks on a shopping spree? Andaming shopping bags ah! Well, wala namang masama na nagsa-shopping sila, right? They also have their basic needs, diba?

'Wag lang sana galing pa ng Thailand o Cambodia ang mga iyan, nag-abroad to Singapore para bilihin ang kanilang 'basic necessities', aba, ibang kasosyalan na yan haha! Anyway, walang basagan ng trip!

The other titillating thing that made me grin in amusement was that, I caught sight of them while they were walking along an aisle where displays were of women's under garments! See the red bra at right!

Ah, the things we see when we travel 'no? They open our eyes to 'realities'!

Here's another that really fascinated me - since I haven't seen anything like this in the Philippines..,

A painting studio and tea room rolled into one activity called 'Social Painting and Tea Sipping'. It's just a stall in a mall, but instead of being the normal coffee shop, for a fee, you are provided with canvass and painting paraphernalia, plus your favorite brew of tea or other beverages! An interesting concept!

By the way, when roaming Singapore - which I said is easiest and cheapest done with buying the STP or Singapore Tourist Pass you have to know (or at least be conscious) about MRT (train) connections. Chances are, where you will be staying, and the many places you will want to visit, won't be covered by just 1 MRT line, so you'll need to "connect" on at least 2 MRT lines (parang sa LRT1, LRT2, MRT natin).

'Somerset' and 'Orchard' are the nearest MRT Stations (walk) to HIE Orchard Road. I prefer Somerset Station over Orchard Station, although the walking distance to HIE is probably just the same (I think).

But, Somerset lang yata ang station na 'di obvious, or hindi marami ang signage out on the street (kasi naman, puro malalaking malls ang kapaligiran at ang daming tao sa kalsada), so you need patience in looking for it. Discipline na rin, kasi andaming interesting things along the way mauubos ang oras mo! Believe me, nangyari na sa akin yan - window shopping ng window shopping.., ayun na-late sa airport!

On the other hand, sa experience ko, sa Somerset Station madalas konti ang sumasakay ng MRT!

Mahinahon hindi umaatikabo ang tao pag nasa loob ka na. Baka nagkakataon lang na hindi rush hour! O baka rin karamihan ng tao doon sa nearby stations (Orchard, Dhoby Ghaut) bumababa/sumasakay.

Okay, nakarating ako ng airport, and this one is a final notable thing I saw during this overnight visit.

Toddlers! Feeling ko ni hindi pa kinder ang mga 'yan. I just got out of the MRT (at right) going up to the airport via the escalators when I chanced upon this cute "caucus" hehehe! I listened-in a bit.., that man in white uniform was explaining the significance of the connection between the Airport and the MRT!

And I looked around, walang mga asungot na nanay o yaya. Sila lang talaga! Wow! Yan ang field trip!

Inggit much! Tara let's go home na!

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