Note: I’ve written a comprehensive itinerary about the whole trip in the post 3 Asian Countries, 28 Days, and a P48K Budget All In.
My sister and I, being in Malaysia for five days, were shocked with the prices in Singapore. Maybe it was an overstatement but we laughed at ourselves for not restraining from eating too much in Malaysia. We were a bit downhearted when we realized we will not have that much liberty in tasting Singaporean food because we think they’re too expensive.
***This thought was because we first set foot at Arab Street where we stayed at a hostel for one night. We discovered some cheap finds somehow after settling in.
If you missed the first part, click this link to read about the Malaysia leg of our trip. If you want to skip to my overall 28-day expenses, follow this link.
So! On to the #PAMILYAgoals part of my trip in Singapore.
Summary: One day exploration with my sister, then three days with our parents (no, they don’t work in Singapore), and three days alone time before heading back to Kuala Lumpur for my Bali flight.
One of our goals was to do border crossing, to have a first-hand experience on how it is. Aside from airport immigration, I’ve cringed at this part of the journey, too, since I was afraid about some horror stories online, about long queues and all that.
I especially booked a hostel near Larkin Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru so that it wouldn’t be an additional worry for us crossing borders. Honestly, it was all very smooth. We didn’t book ahead but went to the terminal that day and asked for the bus to Singapore. Different buses drop you at different areas in Singapore. It was a good thing we asked around the day before which paved the way for me to look for a cheap hostel last minute which was luckily enough walking distance from Queen Street Terminal.
We chose the Singapore Johor Express which is a nonstop ride except for immigration formalities for RM 3.30 (P40) per person, one-way. Basically, from Larkin Bus Terminal, we were taken to the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ Complex (Malaysia checkpoint). From there, we got off the bus with our bags. I asked the driver what to do and he was kind to instruct us to follow our co-passengers (yeah, right, that simple) and that the bus will wait at bus bay number something. So that’s what we did. We followed the throng of people, fell in line, had our exit stamps, followed our co-passengers again and lined up at the bus bay as told.
Riding the bus to Singapore was an entirely different feeling. I was so damn happy about my very first hassle-free cross border experience! Of course, there’s this certain excitement that I had that looking outside the bus window, I was definitely at a different country.
Shophouse The Social Hostel
From Queen Street Terminal, we walked to the hostel located at Arab Street. Perfect decision, we thought, as the street is full of concept stores and Instagrammable spots. There was a busy restaurant on the first floor and no one in the reception when we arrived. We were hungry and tired and we waited for a few minutes before a very jolly receptionist entertained our booking.
We learned that their reception is open only at certain times so you might want to consider that when booking. Well, the receptionist seemed delightful to have us and she accepted Malaysian ringgit for the key deposit because WTH, we didn’t exchange money before going to Singapore so, forgiven.
Price: SGD 15.75 / P 591.35 per person (there was a small charge for credit card use)
What We Got: Dorm type bed, lockers, common bathroom
Socialization: Definitely. It has a great rooftop! We met a Filipino couple who were backpacking Indochina plus Malaysia and Singapore.
Booking.com
Wandering around Haji Lane, Bugis and Little India
Remember we were hungry when we arrived? This was the first food we tasted in Singapore:
Bugis Street
One of our picks for places to find souvenirs and cheap food. We found metallic Singapore keychains at 18 for SGD10. There were also pens, T-shirts, bags, and etc. We were also looking for a SIM card when we were walking along here and found some stores selling but we eventually bought one at a 7-11 store for $15 (internet good for 5 days).
It is also here that ended Yoel’s search for the Coyoro Dragon’s breath. It costs a bit expensive for a snack (SGD 6.50 / P 240+) but it’s all about the experience.
Little India
We also found some cheap finds here especially if you’re looking for the very travel-efficient “Asian” pants here. The least we could haggle, though, was SGD 10 for one pair of pants. Even though Yoel really wanted that one style, she didn’t buy it ’cause we thought we’ll find one somewhere else at a cheaper price.
Note: We didn’t find a cheaper one anywhere else. One point is, would you expect an Indian-styled pants in Chinatown? Nope.
We especially loved the ABC 1 dollar store in Little India as well as the long road beautifully lit that night. I’m not sure if it’s because of the Deepavali or it’s just really that luminated normally.
Vivo City and Sentosa at Night
The next day, from our hostel, my sister and I fetch our parents at Changi airport. We took the MRT from Bugis straight to Changi for SGD 2.4 per person (less if you use the EZ link card). No hassle at all.
We commuted again from Changi MRT to Harbourfront and ate our lunch at Vivo City since we’re starving. The set meals were around SGD 5.5 – 6.5 and drinks were SGD 1.7 – 2.5+ although there were some drinks you can buy for SGD 1 as a combo with the set meal.
After lunch, while looking around for the monorail to Sentosa, we found ourselves lost in Vivo City so we just took pictures and tricked our parents to pose for the camera. They had amazing pics, perks of having creative, syn. maarte kids *cough, cough*.
We checked in at our hotel Costa Sands Resort which I think has the cheapest accommodation within the island. I realized it was best that I chose to book within the island since I’m with my parents and they don’t really like the hassles of commuting. Also, it allowed us time to really explore the island.
Price: P 5,000+ for 2 nights at the Kampong Huts
What we got: 4 bunk beds at an airconditioned hut, shared bathroom and toilet outside of the hut
Amenities: Pool, barbecue grill and table for a fee, free shuttle to Harbourfront station and other points of the island
Unfortunately, the nearest part of the beach was not for swimming and me go like:
My mother was able to contact a friend in Singapore and she asked us out to dinner. We were worried about having to pay again the entry to Sentosa Island but we were taught a hack:
Since Tita Nanette’s husband is a Malaysian, he let us taste this Rojak which is a Malaysian dessert. It’s made of sliced fruits, croutons (I think), and a sweet-spicy sauce.
Universal Studios Singapore
Since we were already on the island, we really enjoyed our Universal Studios day. We never stressed about waking up early nor hurried to make it to some transportation deadline. Also, we booked ahead our tickets online through Klook. I didn’t even print our ticket at all. I just presented the PDF copy of our voucher in my phone and have it scanned. Also, the food voucher saved us SGD 10 when we had our lunch.
FYI: The USS was the only paid activity we did in Sentosa. There were others like Wings of Time, Madame Tussauds, etc. but we didn’t avail of any of that because it was enough for us to take photos and roam around the island.
Klook.com
Being thrill-seeking sissums, my sister and I headed straight to the Battlestar Galactica rollercoaster and fell in line with our guts full of butterflies. When we rode it, although we’re scared, we were disappointed. We asked, “Why is there no 360?” We saw from the ground earlier that there’s a 360 degree part.
Turns out there were two kinds, the Human, which we just rode and wherein you just sit and you go up and down the rails. We lined up, then, on the other side, the Cylon, the part wherein your feet are dangling, the rails above you, and in which there is a 360 degree turn. M-I-N-D-B-L-O-W-I-N-G! After the first 360 degree turn and gut-wrenching drop, heading to another 360 degree turn, I heard myself screaming, “When is this going to end?”
I guess we’re masochists like that. You can see that in our faces.
Since our parents waited, and it was a long wait, we asked them where they want to ride (their turn) and we ended up parent-sitting them here:
And walkin’ and picture takin’…
Apparently, this was the rollercoaster that our parents think would be heart-friendly:
And this particular show we loved, but especially Tatay because of all the featured movies in USS, this was what he actually watched. I also did because I was brought up by an aunt who introduced me to Hollywood movies when I was young. I actually had a raincoat with me because it’s attached to my belt bag and I originally wanted to sit at the splash zone but then I didn’t want to go there alone. The amazement in finding that Tatay kept on talking about the film was already enough for me.
We were walking around then ’cause it’s already late in the afternoon but then I heard crowd noises and it hit me, the ROCKEFELLER STREETBOYS show! *All caps for attention*
It was funny, without even looking back at my parents and sister, I ran to where the show was, like really run. After the show, my parents told me they looked for me for a while ’cause suddenly, I wasn’t around anymore. Gone girl.
I was up in stage with a French girl, an Indian guy, and a Korean guy. At first we did the handwave thing then the solos. So I was pretty nervous because I’m not really good with spontaneous dance steps unless I’m at a club. The French girl showcased first and damn, she’s a great dancer. Then the Indian guy, whew, he wasn’t a great dancer but he’s cool. The Korean guy then asked me if I’m a dancer. I told him not so much. Then he was B-boying beside me and that caught the attention of the Streetboys so he was next.
Kuya then came to me and gave me shades and asked me to wear them. He said, “Ate, Gangnam lang tayo ha.” And I replied with nods, “Ah, kaya!” Charot lang. With that confidence level, and with the Gentleman steps in mind, I stepped forward. A little interview, and I was introduced as from the Philippines and I heard a lot of Pinoys around present. This is what Filipino pride feels like, I thought. Charot ulit. The song played and in my head I went, “Shit, wrong song. Gangnam gali, Gangnam!” I panicked a little ’cause I blocked out but eventually, I caught up naman. Haha! So that was the tale of my few minutes of fame.
Klook.com
City Tour, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion
The next day, we checked out and we went to Serangoon to meet our cousin and also to leave our bags in her place. She had work so we just agreed to meet for dinner. We first went to Little India and brought them to our favorite store, the ABC 1 dollar store and Mother bought some pasalubong.
Next, we went to Chinatown where we met my Couchsurfing friend Patrick. He stayed in our boarding house year/s before when he went to Iloilo as part of his trip in the Philippines. He toured us around Chinatown, took us at Hong Lim hawker center for lunch, and treated us dessert.
This was where we found the cheapest souvenirs. Rubber Singapore keychains, 36 pieces for SGD 10 and if I’m not mistaken, the katsa bags with I love Singapore prints for SGD 10/3-4 pcs. There were also plenty of one SG dollar souvenirs.
Patrick eventually had to go somewhere but he taught us to get off Bayfront instead of Marina Bay stop if we’re aiming to see the light show, the merlion and Gardens by the Bay. It was a life saver ’cause I didn’t know, considering my parents would kill me if we had to commute back again since they were already tired walking around. There were still some walking involved but hey, Marina Bay on one side, pass by the Helix bridge, merlion on the other side, we couldn’t complain.
Finally, we reached the merlion and we took our own twist on the mandatory merlion photo op:
Booking.com
We didn’t see the light shows and the Gardens by the Bay because they had to catch their flight. Bye bye Singapore (for them)!
My cousin and I dropped them at the airport at the new Terminal 4. We were all amazed at how it looked like. I personally thought it was some casino lobby.
And my sister took a liking on the seats:
That’s the end of my parents’ Singapore trip and the end of The Travelling Sissums trip. Then, it’s the beginning of my solo trip.
GOING SOLO IN SINGAPORE
My flight to Bali wasn’t until four days after my parents and sister went home to the Philippines. This part was where the stress of going solo plus making decisions DURING traveling came into play.
One decision I had been contemplating, should I go back to Malaysia and stay there ’cause it’s cheaper or stay in Singapore and just couchsurf? After a few couch requests and couch declines, I ended up staying in my cousin’s friend’s apartment in Serangoon. My cousin would have been willing to let me stay in her posh place in Sengkang but she just moved in there and there’s a visitor policy something.
Anyway, that day Patrick toured us around Chinatown, he invited me to have lunch with his CS friend and to go to a tea place if I have no plans the day after. Having no plans around that time, I agreed, and tea place sounds like music to my ears. But maybe he somehow sensed I was thinking about a milk tea or cold tea place, he informed me that where he and his friend are going will be a traditional tea place. My excitement died down a bit but looked forward to a unique experience.
Afternoon Tea at Pek Sin Choon
So that day, I met Patrick and his friend Darren at Chinatown. We had lunch at Hong Lim hawker center. I let Patrick order for me. I didn’t know what’s the name but it’s noodles. I struggled eating it, I don’t know how to use chopsticks. They also somehow struggled looking around for a fork. One thing I realized, they don’t have forks in Hong Lim hawker center, only chopsticks and spoon for soup. I just improvised.
We talked, or mostly they talked and I listened, about Michelin-star hawker stalls, the hawker center culture, Singapore’s progress and stuff like that. They mentioned about the market on the ground floor selling live toads, turtles and some other animals which were not usually cooked for food. We just went there and looked around. I forgot how much but the toad was cheap. I didn’t buy.
Before going to the tea shop, they bought some snacks. We then walked to a temple that was apparently a tourist destination but I didn’t take note of the name. But somewhere there was Pek Sin Choon, one of Singapore’s oldest tea merchants. I entered the small shop and saw shelves of tin cans of tea leaves at the right and a wooden table with tea sets on top. There was a burner and kettle for hot water on the side.
We immediately settled down. It seemed like Patrick and Darren were regulars here or they were just close with the owner because they appeared to be at home. Darren started brewing tea. Patrick told me Darren owns a tea set and usually brews tea for his CS guests. If there’s such thing as being tea-drunk, that was what I could have called it. My tea cup was never empty.
We ate the snacks they bought: almond, peanut butter, and sesame soup, and something I didn’t know the name of.
It was an afternoon rich of stories. You may click the link for the stories on the road part of my trip because I think those stories deserve a separate post. This kind of moment was what made me fall in love with traveling in the first place, experiences that make you not only physically present in a certain country but almost being a part of it.
Eventually, that afternoon we made friends with a French guy who went with us to see the light shows at Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay because I told them I wasn’t able to see those the day before. I wasn’t able to take any photos because my phone cam’s bad when in the dark. But I managed to video call with my family and showed them the light show.
Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Botanic Gardens and Haw Par Villa
It was a Sunday so I decided to go to mass. I searched online and found this very helpful website about Catholic churches in Singapore. So I found that the nearest church from where I was staying was in Kovan and it’s called Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I’ve always had a thing about finding catholic churches out of the country especially in a place where Catholicism is a minority.
It was quite a distance but I just walked. I then took the train from Kovan to Botanic Gardens. On the way, I bought store-made sushi (SGD 3) and juice (SGD 2) for lunch. I arrived at the Botanic Gardens (free entrance) and seeing that there were people eating there, I also looked for a place. I found many Filipinos forming a few groups here and there.
It was a big place and the heat of the midday sun took a toll on me. I learned there’s a gate leading to Orchard Road but I got tired of walking and just went back to the gate where I entered. I then proceeded to Haw Par Villa since they were both on the yellow line.
Haw Par Villa might be a little creepy to some maybe because of the Ten Courts of Hell or some arguably disturbing and gruesome statues. I found it educational because I like learning stories and myths and that’s what the park gave me. I wasn’t able to take photos because right after taking a photo of the scene before the Ten Courts of Hell, my phone died. What an irony. Free entrance by the way.
Chilling with the Cousin and Friend
Pretty much a lazy day overall, just walked around NEX mall in Serangoon. Later that the afternoon, my cousin invited me for dinner and to swim at her place together with Ate JRose. We had dinner at Kopitiam in Sengkang and we ate satay and mala hotpot.
We then went to my cousin’s condo and chilled at the swimming pool and jacuzzi.
Before catching a bus to Ate JRose’s apartment, we snacked at My Briyani House.
Back to KL
With my cousin’s tip, I was able to book a bus from Golden Mile Complex to TBS for SGD 10 only. I went to the mall hours early so I eventually hanged out at the bus operator’s lounge and made friends with a cute kid who told me she wanted to get married. I wasn’t able to take a photo with her.
I went border crossing again and I found a friend on the bus, Lena, a Malaysian. She was on vacation in Singapore to meet friends because she used to work there. She guided me throughout the border crossing and one tip she told me is to never fall in line behind Chinese tourists.
I just slept for a night in KL and woke up early the next morning. I had my last Malaysian food, actually it was a Chinese cuisine, but you know my feelings and the relationship I built (wow.) towards food in Malaysia. I looked for chicken with rice but the one I found doesn’t serve it until 10 AM so I ended up ordering hokkien mee (prawn). It didn’t disappoint me, best noodles I tasted so far! Though, I struggled again with the chopsticks and I think one staff saw the hell I’m going through so he offered me a fork. Halleluia!
So that’s it for Singapore. I returned anyway for my connecting flight back to the Philippines. You might want to check that out on my next post about my next destination, Bali, up to my flight home.
Unlike Malaysia, Singapore mostly offered me more stories and unique experiences. Just like I mentioned above, these, I think, deserve to be told. Share my experiences with me through my post Stories on the Road. I would also love to hear your stories about traveling with feelings a.k.a. your attachment towards these experiences by commenting here or on my Instagram or Facebook.