After going through several mishaps on our way to Singapore, finally we arrived safe and sound at exactly 1.35 PM as promised by our confirmation e-mail. We were actually bracing ourselves for a set of strict interviews once we come face to face with SG’s immigration officers. However, no questions were asked at all. Just a few flip of our papers, several clicks on the computer and we were now smiling as we breezed through the process.
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| Changi Airport. Singapore |
Armed with our free map, Chie and I started our tour. We captured photos of our tired selves at the airport grounds before proceeding to the MRT station off to the city.
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| InterContinental Hotel standing tall right across the street |
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| Our first and last meal of the day: Roasted Chicken with Cola at 4.90 SGD per person. |
We were to stay in Cozy Corner Backpacker’s Guesthouse in Bugis Junction. This hostel is cheap in Singapore’s sense and is easily accessible It is just about a five-minute walk from Bugis MRT station and right across InterContinental Singapore.
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| Hawkers’ stands/cheap restaurants are abound at the street adjacent to this hotel and at the ground floor of this building. Some are open 24 hours daily. Meals (drinks not included) start for as low as 3.50 SGD per person |
Cozy Corner Backpacker’s Guesthouse is one of the cheapest hostels in the area. Since the cost of living allowance in this tiny country is a bit expensive for her Peso counterpart, we opted to stay in their 6-bed dormitory (double decks), air-conditioned room, with big lockers free of charge for guests to use located inside the room. We paid 72 SGD in advance for two nights for both of us.
Contact information:
Website: www.cozycornerguest.com
E:mail: happyjohn@cozycornerguest.com
Dormitory Rates:
6-bed dormitory (mixed): 18 SGD per night per person
They offer free use of Internet from morning (I forgot the actual time) until 1 AM. There are three stations guests can use. Just be patient in falling in line as guests wait patiently for their turn specially at night. The hostel also offers complimentary breakfast. Though please do not expect a hearty meal. Free breakfast consist of toasted bread, spread (margarine or jam) and coffee. Breakfast is not served restaurant-style. You have to fend for yourself.
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| This is my favorite candid shot of the day! |
After checking in and freshening up, we wasted no time and of we went to Merlion Park where we also had a great view of Singapore Kris Flyer, Marina Sands Bay etc. and the surrounding city scape.
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| Singapore National Library |
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| Merlion Statue with several skyscrapers at the background |
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| Singapore skyline at night |
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| Marina Sands Bay |
We spent the rest of our afternoon until early evening in this area. We relaxed by people-watching and sitting on the sidelines. We chatted a bit and I often went silent as I watched those people from different walks of life. I would muse what sent them to Singapore. Where are they off to next? What caught our interest the most was this couple seeming to have their engagement session right there at the park! My friend was able to take a shot of them. 🙂
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| This couple were having their engagement session shoot right at the park photo by Chie |
We waited until dusk settled around us. We headed back to Raffles Place to take the MRT ride back to the hostel. We capped the day by spending some time with our dorm mates before calling it a night.
Due to our earlier mishaps, we were unable to take our breakfast as planned at the airport. We arrived at the hostel at around 4 PM, had our heavy lunch at past 4 PM. One meal on our first day. Yay! We no longer took our dinner.
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On the way to NAIA 3
P 58 – Bus fare from Balibago Complex, Sta. Rosa to LRT Buendia
P 110 – Taxi fare per person (base fare, tip and Skyway Toll Fee P20)
P 1620 – Travel tax
P 550 – Terminal feeSub-total: P 2338
Checked in at Cozy Corner Guesthouse
SGD 36 – Two persons, 3 days 2 nights, mixed-bed airconditioned dormitory
SGD 4.90 – Lunch
SGD 1.10 – Bugis MRT STation to Raffles Place StationBack to Hostel
SGD 1.10 – Raffles Place Station to Bugis MRT STation
Sub-total: SGD 41.10 or P 1387.19
Total: P 3725.19
Hey, taga-Sta. Rosa ka rin? Meet up! hehehe
Hey Kat! Oo taga dito lang din! sige I'll PM you when we can meet! Small world huh!
am so excited to see SG again after so many years. the difference this time is i am with my family. can't wait for the rest of your posts so i will have an idea on where to go and what to see in so little time.
Hey Batangala! ^_^, you will have a blast there I'm sure you will enjoy SG more since you have more time and it will be more meaningful since it will be your family.
Sure! I'll be posting the next parts in the coming weeks! 🙂
Wow may engagement shoot! Hehe…dalaw ka ulit next year pag diyan na ko naka-base. Gala tayo.:)
oo may engagement session ang cute nga eh! Dyan ka ba titira after the wedding??? 🙂 Sige pag may time at least meron nako pagstayan…hehehe! libre ha! Mwah!
wow ganda 🙂 nakakalula ang mga building
Hi Manong Unyol…salamat…ganda nga ng ibang mga building sa SG. 🙂
Singapore is a dream destination for me. I want to see the Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands for myself, soon. 🙂
And you will I see Sir Ephraim.
Then why not include this in your bucket list next year. SEA trip 2.0 eh!
Sarap mag people-watch dyan sa may Marina Bay Area. Ganda rin ng lights show pag gabi. Singapore is really a nice place!
Tama ka dyan Che..yung nga lang ginawa namin before umuwi..hehe
Exited for my Malayan Peninsula Series next year! Thanks for this post it can help me build my it =) cheers
Good luck Jherson enjoy your trip! 🙂
Great details Pao! I love your DIY stuff and the night shots 🙂
Wow Thanks for the compliments Edmar! ^_^
Wow, Paula invades Singapore! I love your new hair. It's awesome. Lakas maka-Mikay sa Princess and I. I've been wanting to go to Singapore ever since but … baka 2014 pa. Haha. I'm broke as fuck. 🙁
Anyway, after 34673 decades, I finished part 1 of our Donsol trip na. HAHAHA. I got busy with loads of stuff kasi. -___- HAHAHA. Miss you.
Hello Toshi at nagka-comment ka rin sa site ko for the first time! hehe…
I'll check out your post sometime!
Miss our group too!
🙂
Must have been a unnerving experience at the immigration earlier. Nice photos!
Hello Johnny! Yes it was for my friend! We didn't have any problems while we were in the three countries though. 🙂
Thanks for the compliment! 😀
I think the image of immigration officers being so strict in Singapore is mostly a misconception. All of them just doing their job. Ergo, us travelers must do our job as well and if we have nothing hide, we have nothing to be scared of either.
Ang ganda sa SG ano? When I was there few months ago, minemake-over yung Merlion statue and was totally covered. So I never really got to see that mutant up close. Buti ka pa haha!
Yes it is Drew!