En Route To Singapore Part I

"The self-imposed travel ban for me this 2015 to focus on myself." did not happen.

The Merlion is the national personification of Singapore. (wikipedia)

A SHORT PROLOGUE

Mom and I attended an event where she cashed in her calling card for a raffle. Eventually, she's lucky enough to be the one chosen for a trip for two to SINGAPORE!

DAY 1: DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL IN SINGAPORE

Honestly speaking, I never planned to go on international travel for as long as I X'd marked the cities I wanted to go here in the Philippines. Pressing our luck during the raffle, it made me realize that even though you fall for how many times, you should double the number to get up. It was all a dream then, but dreams do come true. I was thinking of working abroad in the past few years, I think God inserted me for the "immersion", to know how difficult to be away from your comfort zone.

It was 2:00 AM midnight when we proceed to NAIA 2 Centennial Airport. Flight is at 6:15 AM and the rule for international travelers is to be within the airport premises 3 hours before time of departure. Since we arrived around 3:00 AM, we opted to check-in, sign those immigration cards, proceed to immigration, then off to the lobby area. We slept for a couple of minutes while waiting for boarding time.

Inside NAIA Centennial Airport

We board the plane around 5:20-ish -- without delay. Sat on our designated seats, relaxed, gazed the shining morning sun -- excited. Then we're off.

My first international flight has finally commenced.. A dream come true.

Estimated travel time to Singapore via plane is 3 hours. During the flight, Philippine Airlines (PAL) also serves delicious set of breakfast. Since I'm very hungry that time, I took the food which I think would satisfy my hunger. So I took this.

PAL crew members requested us to sign a document. I'm not sure what it is called but, it's like a visitor tracker to be passed in the immigration desk once landed.

We disembarked on the plane, thanking the crews. We stepped foot inside Changi Airport, globally known as one of the best airports in the world. Needless to say, the physical appearance itself -- is quite fascinating. It's too BIG, spacious. Carpeted, neat, overly clean.

Picture habang nawawala sa Changi

Mom and I shocked -- the people, mostly mixed races. Talking different tongues -- everywhere. The signs are up the ceiling, several of them. Can't see arrival sign. So we asked a couple of pinoys who disembarked the same flight as ours to guide us out of the situation. We saw a Pinay, whom she described herself as to meet her boyfriend in Singapore which is halfway of their locations. We took a lot of walking, then gone downstairs and saw the immigration. Then off we go to belt 16 to fetch our luggage.

We got outside of the airport and being met by one of the representatives of Chariot travel to bring us to the hotel. We got a glimpse of Singapore by land as we cruise along their neat highway on the way to Hotel Elizabeth.

The position of car drivers here are in the right side. Keeping left is basic.

We arrived in Hotel Elizabeth fascinated by the neat looks of the streets of Singapore. We entered the hotel which the attendants welcomed us with warm smiles. There we saw Modesto's (restaurant inside the hotel) and four (4) front receptionists. By chance, we talked to a Pinay front receptionist. How we'd know? When asked for our passports, she then said "Po" while giving instructions. So I asked her directly, "Pinay ka noh, teh?" She then replied with a big smile; "Opo, sir Daniel". Gladly, the culture shock we experienced decreased while conversing with her. She then prepared our room, then my kuya arrived in time. (He happen to go first in Singapore the day before our arrival).

We then relaxed on our room a bit, took showers, took some time to eat as well. Temperature in Singapore is way much hotter than Philippines. Luckily, they have lots of establishments where air conditioning is fully functional with lots of coldness stored in it.

We're set to walk to Orchard road, but first passing by Lucky Plaza. Lucky Plaza reminds of our very own Farmer's Plaza in Cubao. The interior looks the same. The kiosks looks the same. Even the stores looks the same! So we're off to eat some late lunch and big bro took us at a local Filipino restaurant named Kabayan.

After lunch, we're ready to set foot Orchard road. And saw gigantic, branded stores all along the road. Here are some photos.

Singapore Dollars! $_$

I know you're thinking. Yes, It's legal here.

Jollibean. HAHA

Passed by a Hawker House. 

Lee Kuan Yew's funeral

The famous McCann Worldgroup Singapore

The Cathay. Structure that houses several cinemas.

As we conclude our day, we get to eat at the Food Avenue of Takashimaya FC, one of the popular shopping areas in Orchard road.

Stay tuned for part 2 of our Singapore trip!

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