We finally made it back to where we started our journey 2 weeks prior–Singapore.

I had already been to Singapore in 2003 (that time we also did side-trips to Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands in Malaysia, and Batam, Indonesia). The island city-state of Singapore is very highly-developed. It currently has one of the strongest economies in Asia, and it also is one of the most expensive cities to live in. Its beautiful landscape makes it even more desirable.

We arrived in SG also at past 4am. Our friends met us at some bus stop, and they took us to their lovely apartment. After passing time, we walked to the nearby subway station to make our way to Vivo City (SG’s largest shopping mall) where we would be taking our booked resort’s shuttle bus. Btw, taking the metro in SG at rush hour is a “survival of the fittest” type-a thing! haha After checking in at Costa Sands Resorts in Sentosa, breakfast, and settling down, we started touring the beach and the neighboring resorts. It was a nice way to get to know the more laid-back side, paradise vibe of SG via the Siloso beach. No doubt, they have a fine beach. But it was weird, because there was no movement at all. No even tiny ripples or anything.

Having known how expensive it is in SG, we didn’t intend to stay long, as we’ve already seen and have been to most of the attractions there. Like I said in my previous blog entries, our itinerary had been messed up in between, so we just thought we’d spend our days in SG meeting friends and relatives. We had a list of people who were supposed to meet us on certain days, but life just kept messing with us and some plans just had to be changed.

On this trip, we revisited the places we had already been to the first time we went to SG. And of course, we made sure to visit the new attractions as well, such as Universal Studios, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens By The Bay, and the Singapore Flyer. Also, we’ve missed SG’s distinctive hawker food, so we took time to try them once again at Makansutra Gluttons Bay.

Like Lebua in Bangkok,  Marina Bay Sands is ultra pricey. It costs $23SG just to go up to the observatory deck! But here’s a simple tactic to be able to experience the same view, for a lower price. We asked to go to one of the restaurants in the top floors, Ku De Ta (as of today, I heard it had been renovated and its name had been changed. I’m not quite sure). There you can have some cocktails and maybe dinner, if you have a more loose budget. You also have to be dressed well to be admitted. Dress code is preferably smart casual, or semi-formal. So to save money, we only ordered some drinks. To give you an idea of the price range, a glass of soda water costs $8SG. Yep. Insane!

Anyway, after having taken enough photos, we then made our way to Clarke Quay, where you can find a lot of restaurants and bars. We were in town in time for Halloween, and the revelry was just crazy! It was like our very own Sinulog. Suffice it to say, it was so chaotic. I didn’t think there were that many people in SG. Many drunk people were already in the streets, Most of the people were in awesome costumes, so it somehow made the view a little…funnier? haha

Our visit to SG was made even more special, when we met up with our handsome, former college professor who was already working there. He treated us to some drinks in some bar on Orchard Road the next day. Of course, we would never miss on the chance to perform on foreign soil. So my brother, John Walt, and I, jammed to Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours, with the playing band. I was just so glad the Singaporean crowd loved it. After, our professor friend then took us back to Clarke Quay, and made us experience more of Singaporean nightlife, where a Filipino band was playing, The Highland Bar & Restaurant. Since it was Halloween, they had special music that night. The Filipino band plays, and then a DJ takes over in-between sets. It was so pumped up, I felt like I was watching a concert. And I just can’t help but be so proud that these Filipinos are performing so excellently on foreign land, where they probably are much more appreciated. They were so good! I applaud them.

We thought our adventure was over, and was just relaxing the whole time in SG. Because of the change in our schedule, we didn’t expect to have been staying in SG for 4 days already. We were already losing much of our travel budget to our hotel bill. But since our flight was still at dawn the next day, we just decided to check out of the hotel, get on our very last adventure–stay the night at the airport! I’ve already given you an overview of how it is to spend a night at an airport in a previous article, so check that out.

Well, I guess that wrapped up our 2-week, adventure filled trip. I finally had my taste of the Amazing Race hustle. That was definitely one of the best experiences of my life, and I would gladly do it again and again. I tell you, traveling is way more worth while to celebrate a life event than just spending it all in a lavish banquet, not so many will remember, or some wouldn’t even enjoy. For me, traveling creates lasting memories and makes you see life in another perspective, and the experience living it is priceless.

What run that was! 7 major cities and 5 countries in 2 weeks.