many things have changed after my first visit to singapore thirteen years ago.. it was already ahead of manila that time in terms of progress.. it is more evident now.. what i like about it is its the first world version of manila
day 1.. we checked in the hotel after an afternoon flight to singapore.. later after freshening up in the rooms we headed to long beach restaurant.. it is one of the popular restaurants in the area along the east coast parkway.. dining in this area would remind manilans of dampa where one can buy fresh seafood and have it prepared the way he likes it.. in the picture kids sitting on the edge of water while waiting to be called for dinner
a meal of various seafood choices lah
day 2.. a walk around the area of the hotel along orchard road.. in the picture a red cross volunteer entertains boy and girl who is picking her nose lah
a shot of the exterior of the hotel.. traffic can be bad at times lah
while walking towards the lucky plaza.. i got a chocolate ice cream sandwich.. lucky plaza is a place for electronic items near the hotel.. buyers beware though many shops prey on tourists to get their money lah
the vendor prepares the ice cream sandwich by slicing a piece from a block of ice cream.. then tucking it between a folded slice of bread or wafers lah
in the afternoon we went to singapore flyer.. which is a giant wheel.. it offers an unobstructed view of the city.. on a clear day parts of malaysia and indonesia are visible
this shot of the singapore flyer capsule was taken to show capacity.. a group of 20 is easily accomodated inside lah
singapore river cruise boat.. it is worth the time to take this cruise.. everywhere you turn your head there is an opportunity to point and shoot your camera
river cruise.. rows of restaurants line the riverbank.. manila officials should get a cue from singapore on how to develop waterfronts like this lah
the esplanade.. the durian inspired designed center
singapores most famous landmark.. the merlion lah
nice looking multi colored window shutters.. it is difficult to ignore and not admire how they renovated colonial buildings for modern use
it was a busy second night.. after singapore flyer and the river cruise we proceeded to the night safari.. where you get to a night time tram ride around their zoo
shows like this take place regularly before the start of the tour of the safari
i wonder what these men put in the occupation space when they have to fill out forms.. they managed to pull off a convincing islanders act though
a wooden sculpture of their ancestor inside the mens room of the night safari.. it is notable how many establishments in singapore maintain high level of cleanliness of their toilets lah
one can have fish spa before exiting the park.. small fishes nibble on dead skin cells on the feet of this tourist.. the small fishes were then later caught and fried crispy in a restaurant nearby for hungry customers.. yak
day 3.. while taking a morning walk in the vicinity of the hotel.. i spotted a branch of my favorite fish and chip joint in the u.s.
the newly opened universal studios.. they are currently on soft opening.. so expect some little snags along the way.. the park is not that big but nevertheless impressive.. in the picture the entrance to the mummy attraction.. an exciting roller coaster ride in the dark lah
the shrek movie castle
day 4.. after getting off my first mrt ride i saw the marina bay sands hotel building in the distance which seem to be jutting out of the line of trees.. parang district 9 lah
asian civilizations museum.. or to them asian civilisations museum
moorish window
another moorish window lah
cavenagh bridge.. a pedestrian bridge that crosses singapore river.. and connects fullerton hotel and the asian civilizations museum
day 5.. a trip to singapore would not be complete without trying their hainanese chicken rice.. if my source is correct this particular chicken being served in mandarin hotel is the best in singapore.. its also a good way of purging my stomach with all the laksa food taken the last two days
day 6.. marina bay sands hotel.. the boat shaped structure sitting on top of the three buildings features an infinity pool.. gardens.. observation deck.. and the marina bay club lah
hotel entry.. beside the hotel is the casino.. no picture taken inside the casino because cameras are not allowed.. i lost my hardearned 50singapore dollars there.. a sleepless night followed because of that
hotel front desk.. those patterns are there to hypnotize their guests so they would not realize they are paying exhorbitant room rates
diorama of the entire complex lah
a cathedral ceiling like structure leading to the casino area of the resorts world casino in sentosa island.. i lost a whopping 10singapore dollars to a cursed slot machine there.. shet.. another sleepless night.. i promised myself not to go back to that machine again
