Night 1
2000HRS- Check-in at NAIA 3
Don’t forget to prepare Php 1625.00 (Sing$ 46.43) for the airport tax. I really don’t know how our airport terminal management computed for this amount, but based on the essential info I got, Singapore charges only Sing$ 21.00 per passenger. Anyway, aside from the airport tax, you also have to prepare Php 750.00 (Sing$ 21.43) as airport user’s charge (a.k.a. terminal fee).
0040HRS- Arrival at Singapore Budget Terminal
MRT stations and Buses operate until 12 midnight and since we arrived in Singapore beyond 12:00AM, we rented a taxi going to The Hive Backpackers’ Hostel. That charged us Sing$ 24.60 from Changi to Serangoon Road. By the way, have your cash changed into Singaporean Dollars at the Budget Terminal. Their buying rate is 5% cheaper than that of NAIA’s, thus, you’ll have 5% more Sing$ cash.
0100HRS- Check-in at The Hive Backpackers’ Hostel
We rented for a dormitory type room, so as expected, we have roommates aside from the 4 of us. The dorm rate is Sing$20.00 per head per night, inclusive of one breakfast meal per day.
Day 1
0900HRS- Breakfast/ Prepare for shopping/tour at Orchard Road
1000HRS- Ride a train going to Orchard Central Station
The best way to go to any part of the city is to ride an MRT train, and likewise, always bring with you your map because it is of big help. Boon Keng Station is the nearest MRT station to The Hive. The ticket going to Orchard Road costs Sing$2.10. Be careful though, during the stopover at Dhoby Ghaut you need to change coaster. Three routes are connecting in the said station so, for first timers, you have to be careful in reading the signs on where to go to avoid forfeiture of tickets. Once you swipe your ticket in a wrong gate, it will be void and you have to purchase for another one. Dhoby Ghaut station is big and as described by my friends, it’s a-MAZE-ing.. (",)
1000HRS- 1400HRS – An exploration to Orchard Road (the shopping district)
I won’t tell you how much I spent shopping during our tour around the district (“,). Just prepare enough for your shopping needs. Anyway, we went inside Dempsey, an idyllic wining and dining enclave, to have our lunch. This is a hawker hotspot and I was able to spend Sing$5.80 for a delicious Thai cuisine.
1400HRS- 1600HRS – An exploration to Raffles Boulevard (Techno shopping district)
When we went to Singapore, it's just in time that the country was celebrating the month-long Great Sale. Every store offers discounts to as low as 70% off the original price. But since, we are not after shopping let me just push forward to what is in Raffles other than the malls, the Fountain of Wealth- the World’s Largest Fountain.
1700HRS- 2000HRS – An exploration at the Marina Bay
The famous Marina Bay nestles the world renowned architectures in Singapore such as Fullerton’s Merlion, the Sky Flyer, the Esplanade-theaters on the Bay, the Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum and the Helix Bridge. At night, you’ll get to witness a free laser show operated by Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
2100HRS- 2130HRS – Go back Home to Barracks (the Hive)
Because we’re a bit tired, we rode a taxi back to our place which cost us Sing$6.20. But before relaxing from a first long day tour, we looked for another Hawkers Hotspot and found Chomp Chomp Food Center. In here, I spent Sing$6.10 for dinner. We then went back to our hostel and rest ourselves in preparation for the next day.
...So that was our first night and day in Singapore and I was able to spend a total of Sing$101.60. I won't disclose my shopping expenses, though... Ching! Ching!
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