Singapore Chronicle: Day 2

November 15, 2010

Universal Studios

Singapore Flyer

Merlion

We booked our Universal Studios tickets online. The Filipino hotel receptionist gave us a tip on how to get to Universal Studios for free. At the pick up area which is right outside our hotel, we just have to show our printed tickets to the bus driver and just hop on the bus... it's that simple!

We arrived very early and had an hour or so to roam around the vicinity. We took pictures of the signage, mandatory hehe And the stores near the entrance. To view more pictures with the characters, click here. 

Universal Studios logo at the entrance

Compulsory photo op at the entrance hehe

Singapore Chronicle: Peach Garden Chinese Restaurant

My visit: November 16, 2010

Peach Garden Chinese Restaurant

301 Upper Thomson Road 

Thomson Plaza

Singapore

(65) 64513233

On our last day, we were all so lucky because the relatives of AC drove us to Chinatown, IKEA and Junction 8 Mall to shop and eat! I slept in between travel time. My bad, I shouldn't have. I got headache after that and you all know what happened, right?

Before we left for Manila, they treated us for dinner in this wonderful Chinese restaurant called Peach Garden. 

The photos below were plated and served to us individually.  

 appetizer

Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice

My visit: November 16, 2010

Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice

Stall 20

ION Orchard Turn

Singapore

I went to Singapore with eating Hainanese chicken in mind. My first day was no luck. The following day- Universal Studios Day- was tougher to search for Hainanese chicken amidst international food available. I didn't know that my quest for a Singaporean food like Hainanese chicken would be this tiring.

hainanese chicken S$5

I asked AC's relative for some advice on where to get an authentic hainanese chicken. I had researched about Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice in Maxwell Food Center but as I have already said in my previous post, I found out that it's in Chinatown. And I was there after we took our lunch in Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice waaaaaaaaaaaah!

So, after asking the question, I was given a strange look. Maybe because I am asking for an authentic Hainanese cooking when I am already in Singapore. In Singapore everything is authentic lol

When we were in ION Orchard, alas! I saw Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice and decided to eat there!

Maybe it's my high expectation but I was kind of disappointed. I was thinking that I will salivate whilst looking at my plate hehe But nothing like that happened. It tasted just like the one I cooked here with the Hainanese flavored sachet I bought in SM supermarket lol

Maybe I should drop by Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice on my next trip. This time with DH in tow!

Singapore Flyer took my breath away!

My visit: November 15, 2010

Singapore Flyer 

30 Raffles Avenue

Singapore

Day 2

I have my reliable Canon Ixus 860IS throughout my Singapore trip. I am so glad I brought it with me. I took the photo below while my capsule was on the topmost part of the Singapore Flyer. The view was exhilarating! 

 view from the top

I am afraid of heights. When AC and I were in Taipei a couple of years ago, I couldn't even ride Miramar Ferris Wheel which is 70 meters tall. Taller than London Eye (135 meters), Singapore Flyer stands 165 meters and can accommodate 786 people at a time. A capsule as big as a bus has a capacity of 28 pax. A cycle is approximately 30 minutes.

Universal Studios Singapore Characters Photo Ops

My visit: November 15, 2010

Universal Studios Singapore

8 Sentosa Gateway

Sentosa Island, 

Singapore 098269

Day 2

with Woody Woodpecker

Universal Studios Singapore presents... Woody and me hehe

Singapore Chronicle: Summer View Hotel and Night Safari

Summer View Hotel

173 Bencoolen Street

Singapore

+65-63381122

Day 1

Although we were in Singapore from November 14-17, we only booked two nights at Summer View Hotel. Why? Because our flight back PAL PR 506 ($189.20 round trip airfare) was on the 17th of November at 12:15am. 

Summer View Hotel Singapore

There were three of us who stayed in one room. The room was cramped with just a tiny space to walk in between the beds. But that was just fine with us because we only stay there to sleep and freshen up hehe Plus, we only paid PhP4449.55 per pax for our two nights' stay.

MOS Burger Singapore

My visit: November 17, 2010

Mos Burger

Bugis Junction

Singapore

Before leaving for Singapore's Night Safari on our first day, Jo and I grab a bite at Mos Burger. Mos stands for Mountain, Ocean and Sun. Originated in Japan, I first saw this brand in Taipei several years back. I got excited when I saw it in Singapore. It brings back the good food memories of Taiwan. 

unagi rice burger S$3.70

Imagine a fist, that's how tiny my order of unagi rice burger, the price... S$3.70! But I love unagi and I heart Mos hehe And in spite of eating a lot in Wong Kok, I still got hungry haha 

It's a good thing I ate a merienda, the rice made me feel full throughout the night.  We had our dinner a little late that night. 

The past few posts were just from our first day, stay tuned for Day 2!

Singapore Chronicle: Rockery Singapore

My visit: November 17, 2010

Rockery

Bugis Junction

Singapore

pearl milk tea 

Even when I am in Singapore, pearl milk tea is such a craze! I think Rockery is one of the big players in bubble tea category in Singapore because I often see it in malls and sometimes on the side walk. I just have to try their milk tea! I forgot how much it cost.

View Singapore's Universal Studios here.

Singapore Chronicle: Wong Kok Restaurant

My visit: November 14, 2010

Singapore Day 1

PAL flight PR503 7am

round trip airfare $189.20

My friend, AC and I have agreed to be picked up by their car around 4am. But I overslept, yes, I overslept and my freaking alarm didn't work. And don't ask me why, ok? When I got her text that she, and her family were on their way, I panicked. She lives just a block away from my home. I replied by texting her I'll be down in 5 minutes. That's how fast I washed my face, brushed my teeth and changed clothes. Yes, shower is not on the list! *shmelly*

 Jo, AC and I on board flight PR503

We arrived in Singapore after 3 hours. AC's relatives picked us up from the airport. We left our bag at the hotel lobby because of the 2pm check in time.

Glass Pendant

dragon fly glass pendant in green and black

I went to Chinatown district in Singapore on my last day of vacation. And I shop till I drop lol This is also the reason behind my horrific experience on the plane. 

Universal Studios Singapore keychain

It was during my second day in Singapore when I was able to visit Universal Studios. Now I don't really plan on going to Universal Studios because I am not fond of thrill seeking rides... think Revenge of the Mummy. Plus, I have already been to Universal Studios Hollywood. But DH insisted that I have to go with my friends. On the bright side, I did shop for a Betty Boop gray shirt and 2 keychains lol And had so much fun, lining up to have my picture taken with Universal Studios mascots! S$66 was not such a waste at all lol

Betty Boop in soft enamel keychain S$ 7.90

I remember during elementary days, Betty Boop became such a huge hit among the girls in my school. My mom got me a Betty Boop metal lunch box from Hong Kong. I have to take a picture of it because I know I still have it somewhere hehe

I bought this Betty Boop keychain in Silver Screen Collectibles! There are so many designs to choose from and I settled for this. AC and I have exactly the same keychain.

Home Improvement: IKEA CHOSIGT grater with container

IKEA 

317 Alexandra Road

Singapore

A trip abroad would not be complete without a visit to IKEA. I don't go there to shop for furniture. I go their to look for some quirky stuff to add to my home improvement. 

CHOSIGT grater with container S$4.90

And I fell in love at first sight with this CHOSIGT grater with container not because of its blue color which is my favorite but because it has 2 graters. One with smaller hole and one with larger hole. It is the size of a leche flan container. It has a lid container where you can store your grated cheese or whatever it is that you grated inside for future use. Plus the lid keeps it fresh and ready for next use. 

Bee Cheng Hiang

Bee Cheng Hiang

1359 Serangoon Road

Singapore

On my first day in Singapore, I saw Bee Cheng Hiang store located just a few minutes walk from my hotel. But it was only on my third and last day that I was able to buy homemade bak kwa. 

sliced pork barbecue meat S$27.60/600 gram 

I bought other stuff like their chicken and pork sausages (S$13.20/ 2 pieces per pack) plus their famous sliced pork barbecue. 

Belgian Mint Truffines

I know I have been depriving you of food post for the longest time. I can't help that beauty products keep coming my way. Not that I am complaining hehe So, I dedicate this post to all those foodie  readers out there.  I hope this post can satisfy your hunger pangs.

mint truffines 60gm S$4.60

I have to share with you about my good find in Singapore, it's Belgian famous chocolates Mint Truffines! I bought this in The Cocoa Trees inside the Duty Free Singapore Changi Airport. 

OKA b. Shoes That Love You

OKA b. 

2 Orchard Turn #B3-11

ION Orchard Singapore

65098552

Even after two days of Night Safari, Universal Studios and Singapore Flyer, I was not happy until our last day which was shopping day! Shopping is synonymous to Orchard Road. And ff we go from my hotel, it's only S$4.60 or if you get on a freaking know nothing driver, you get a S$8.90 bill for the taxi. 

My friends and I rode Comfort Transportation SHA7114J. We didn't exactly feel the comfort in riding his taxi cab because the driver kept on making the wrong turn. We even passed by the highway, so we have to pay for ERP which I think is their version of toll fee. The driver gave me a receipt to prove that he didn't deceive us. 

OKA b. Marion Platinum with Clear Crystals S$39.95; US$30

You can't buy a thing in Orchard Road lol Everything seems expensive! 

I was lucky, I went in the basement part of the mall to go and find a toilet. The first thing I saw was the word Sale 50% off on the store of OKA b. (OKA bee) I often see the brand in upscale shoe stores here in the Philippines but I was not prepared to shell out money, not if its on sale.

Blogger Event: Ya Kun Kaya Toast Coffeestall since 1944

My event: March 29, 2010

Ya Kun Kaya Toast

G/F FERN Bldg., 

(right beside Astoria Plaza)

Escriva Drive cor.

General Araneta St., 

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

4704285

Since I have not been to Singapore, I didn't know that Ya Kun Kaya Toast is such a big hit in that country! Good thing, I don't have to fly to Singapore to taste the famous Kaya toast. Singapore's favorite coffee chain is now here! Opened just last December 10, 2009, Ya Kun Kaya has been visited by several bloggers already and some have even become loyal customers!

I was fortunate enough to be invited today by the owner of Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Richard Benson Co, to try out their delicious Kaya toast!

I dreaded that parking would be a problem since the location is in Ortigas Center but its not. There are a total of six parking spaces fronting the cafe. Customers from various offices in adjacent buildings usually walks in and take their orders to go. And they offer delivery too!

The small cafe matches the no-nonsense personality of the owner. There are several table outside for smokers. While outside is hot and humid, you can chill and relax inside browsing the internet. The cafe offers free wi-fi. 

Ya Kun Kaya Toast even adapted a menu for local consumption. Their set menu comprises of half and full set. The half set includes 1 slice of bread and 1 soft-boiled egg with hot coffee or tea while their full menu includes 2 slices of bread and 2 soft boiled eggs with your choice of hot coffee or tea.

I have requested for a demo on how their coffee/ tea is prepared- tarik (pulling).