Itchy Toes - a Travel blog

Sentosa is a unique place indeed. Young and old, girls and boys will have fun exploring the island. Explorations are made easy with trains and buses regularly plying the entire island route. For S$2 each person paid at the entrance to the island, you get a whole day pass around the island and map to guide you where to go: there’s something for everyone.

To maximize your visit to Sentosa Island, plan your stops by referring to this map. It clearly indicates facilities, restaurants, not-to-miss attractions, transportation, information kiosks, etc.

Crossing this suspension bridge connecting the main island to one of the smaller outposts is an exciting activity. Those with vertigo or motion sickness problems might have to think twice before crossing it. I sure did feel a little whoozy after i crossed it.

If you can’t bring yourself to actually take a dip in the sea, it’s not illegal to take a dip in this fountain. I have witnessed children and adults enjoying the refreshing water in this pool of water. Plus you have a pirate posing as a lifeguard!

This is skyride: the first half of a great ride. You get on one of these and go high up the mountain. Again, not for the faint at heart. You can see everything underneath you and a slight blow of the wind rocks your seat. But when you get to the top, the most exciting ride of your life is waiting: THE LUGE. (Sorry, I couldn’t get any pictures.) You ride a bike-cum-go-kart down the slopes at high speeds. It was amazing!

As night falls on Singapore, a relaxing coffee or beer at the base of the Carlsberg Tower is perfect. One cannot help but marvel at this small country with humble beginnings grow into an industrial shipping and manufacturing giant.

But your Sentosa adventure doesn’t have to end here. You can ride the cable car back to Mt. Faber on the main island. The view of the city from high above is amazing!

Note: The S$2 entrance fee is only for day pass around Sentosa Island. All transportation around the island is free, but the rides and other attractions are available for a fee. Check out the Uniquely Singapore website for attractions and rates.

Now here’s a place where man (as in the human race) rules!

There has been talk lately of sustainable tourism that looks at the (natural) environment as the host and not just merely a backdrop where any man-made structure can be planted on. The issue is still raging. But Singapore is a classic example of a society that does not let itself be intimidated by (or lack of) a natural environment that exists around it.

When they set their minds to creating a natural theme park, they will stop at nothing to do just that…even if the “natural” part is not there. They succeed in transforming the sea into a tourist attraction and successfully create an island theme park too!

But try as they may, a tourist will always be reminded that Sentosa is indeed man-made, set in an industrially booming backdrop.

The Palawan beach (left). Looks pristine, with fine sand, warm water. But look into the horizon (right) and all you see are cargo ships and barges. The fine line that separates the pristine beach and the oils from the ships is that fine mesh that serves as filter. Better not open your mouth when you’re in the water.

Murphy’s Law does work! It goes “if anything can go wrong, it will.” Well, one Friday, everything that can go wrong, did.

I was to attend a funeral on a Saturday, so I decided to fly the day before. Got my ticket  the previous week, planned and packed everything I needed to take with me. Made some appointments to see friends while I was there. I had my schedule all sorted out.

The day didn’t start out right. I was way behind schedule of every possible plan I made for that day. Misplaced my house keys. Left my money at the house. No cab would take me to the airport. In the end, it was traffic and plain stupidity, and of course Murphy, that were to blame.

I have gotten so used to always being late for my flight, but never actually missing it. Since I bought my ticket a week before, I got them cheap. And boy, now I know why they’re cheap. Airlines nowadays overbook their flights, and if one stupid passenger like me dilly-dallies, then one is toast.

Moral of the story: follow the instructions your airline or travel agent gives you. Be at the airport plenty of time before departure time. I learned the hard and costly way.

Hotdog stand in NY. Creperia in Paris. Chestnuts stand in Beijing. Freddo’s ice cream (the best in the world, in my opinion) in Buenos Aires. Fried orange eggs in Manila. Food stalls, food kiosks, food courts…anywhere in the world, they exist.

Singapore is not exempt of course. But like anything in Singapore, these stalls are well organized and clean. Not along all the streets of the city, there are these food stands that sell dimsum (fried or steamed or skewered), sticky buns, chicken feet, and a lot more.

For sit-down dining of a not too formal or casual kind, Singapore, on almost every street corner, offers well-lit, clean food courts. They are usually inhabited by several independent food vendors. Staple types of food served include Indian (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), rice dishes, noodles and steaks. For under S$6, 2 people can feast on chicken curry, 2 pieces of roti, omelet, and 750ml of beer!

Night life in Singapore is definitely alive. The hottest spots are either on Orchard Road or along the river that runs through Singapore.

I haven’t gone around all the spots, but I can’t be in Singapore and not go to Boat Quay. I just love the ambience, the breeze, the beer. Food could be pricey, so I go there when I’m just about ready to drink. And mind you, you have to be careful where you “park”. Although the establishments—Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Malay, name it, they have it—are side by side, their prices could be staggeringly different from each other.

For example, a pitcher of beer would be S$12 in one and S$30 in the next just a few steps away! I don’t get it. You have competition, make your price competitive! Oh well, I know better. (Sorry, I’m bad with names, so I don’t remember which restaurant we actually sat in. But they had a big screen TV with the Moto GP on.)

We sat as close to the river as possible, with only a chain railing preventing us from falling into the river. Good thing this particular river doesn’t stink like other rivers in other parts of Asia. What I especially like about Boat Quay is the breeze and the view. You can see the skyline and the neon lights all around (but not too close that it’s blinding).

It’s a romantic place to bring a date to. Just pick the restaurant/cafe that has the least amount of light (some of them could actually be annoying). Cuddle up, enjoy the view, and get intoxicated.

The Bugis Street Market claims itself to be the largest and cheapest street market in Singapore. Like in Little India, one can get food delicacies, fruits, clothing, mobile phones, trinkets and leather. Its well-organized shops provide for easy and comfortable shopping.

Finding my way to Bugis Street Market from the Strand Hotel was not difficult. From Bencoolen Street, it just took me a couple of turns and immediately found a familiar array of kiosks. But first, incense had to fill my senses because on my way to the market, I passed by a Chinese temple. Colorful artificial flowers and incense sold on the cobblestone pedestrian street, the faithful on their knees at the entrance to the temple, waving their lit incense sticks, and the aroma of food kiosks waft into the air.

A right turn…and there it was. Shopping nirvana.

What I got:

• Battery-operated LED miniature flashlights: S$1.90 each
• AAA batteries (pack of 24): S$1.90
• Sweets, cookies, nuts: S$10.00
• Beach slippers (very light and comfy!): S$3.90

I got there so early, a lot of the shops were not open yet.

Next: Boat Quay

Little India is the heart of Singapore’s Indian community. The smells and glitter beckoned me to step into their world, starting from the corner of Sungei and Serangoon Roads. From my hotel, I took Bus #147, which cost me 90 cents. I dropped in S$1, but the driver didn’t give me change.

Tip #1: Come prepared with coins.

Tekka Mall was the starting point of my Indian experience on foot. Serangoon Road is filled with jewelry and crafts, textile, flowers, fruits and vegetables, and spices. For the adventurous, there are also astrologers and henna tattoo shops. And, of course, authentic Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants.

Tip #2: Comb every street. They’re all safe anyway and you’ll be surprised what you’d find in the smaller alleys and stores.

In the middle of the long Serangoon Road is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, where Indians pray and tourists take a respite by taking pictures. It was filled with people, lights and glitter, and incense.

Tip #3: If you plan to get into the temple for a closer look, don’t forget to take off your footwear.

After the temple, I turned around and went back to my starting point, only on the other side of the road. More shops invited me to step in, take a look, and hopefully make my purchase. Prices are reasonable and you can always haggle. But be careful when haggling, the storekeepers might actually refuse to sell you their wares if you insult them by bidding too low.

These are what I got from my Little India shopping:

• Children’s t-shirts: 3 for S$10
• A bag of dried red chili peppers: S$1
• Butterfly silver ring with a garnet stone in the middle: S$25
• Keychains and mobile phone straps: any 5 items for S$10
• Kristha Cookie (Indian snack): S$1 each
• Bag of chocolates: S$8

Not bad, where 1 USD = 1.52 SGD.

I could have gone on to the end of the stretch, at Mustafa Centre, where they offer 24-hour shopping. But my legs can’t carry me anymore and I had a movie to catch.

Next: Bugis Street Market

Singapore is tourist-friendly. A wide range of accommodation is available. The transportation system is very efficient. Diverse cultures abound. Shopping is amazing. For any tourist planning to visit Singapore, I recommend that you visit their website, www.visitsingapore.com, for all the information you need to prepare for your trip. It makes a world of difference to come prepared.

Accommodation in Singapore is pretty easy to arrange. You can use a variety of ways:

• Internet—you can get good rates, too!
• Telephone
• Through your travel agent
• Upon arrival—you can ask at the airport or your taxi driver

Accommodation prices range from as low as S$39 to as high as S$700.

My visit to Singapore this time was problematic in terms of accommodations, with several international events happening at the same time. All of the good hotels were booked, so we ended up enlisting our taxi driver to drive around while we hopped in and out to ask hotels for rooms. We got lucky and got a room at The Strand Hotel. Decent, big enough rooms at reasonable prices, with a kinky bathroom setup that would have a voyeurism fetish satisfied. (I will leave that to your imagination.)

You can get around Singapore via the MRT, bus or taxi. Of course, you always stretch your legs and walk. Mind you, though, Singapore is near the equator and therefore could be hot and humid. Their MRT and buses are efficient, always on time, clean and cozy. There are station attendants ready to help you if you look lost (trust me, they know when you don’t know where you’re going). They’re quick and very helpful. The ticket machines are pretty easy to use, too. At the end of your visit to Singapore, you can even return your MRT card/ticket through the machine and you’ll get your S$1 back!

Next: Little India

Traveling is always so much more than the destination itself. The trip actually begins at the airport.

In the Philippines, the journey begins…

1. Curb – passport and ticket (for security to know that you are a legitimate passenger)

2. Airport door – passport, ticket and a valid ID

3. X-ray and body search (and I mean groping!)

4. Check-in counter – passport and ticket

5. Airport and security taxes counter – ticket and boarding pass

6. Immigration counter – passport and boarding pass

7. Departure lounge entrance – X-ray and more groping (you take off your footwear, belts, bangles and anything that might sound the alarm)

8. Departure lounge entrance – individual carry-on bag inspection – they actually confiscate anything in liquid form, including lotions, deodorant, eye drops, etc.

9. Boarding gate – boarding pass

Whew! I haven’t even started my journey and I’m exhausted!

What is it with indecision and travel? Why do they always go together? Well, at least for me, they do.

I didn’t have plenty of time to really mull it over. My boyfriend called me up this morning and asked me if I wanted to meet him in Singapore on Monday. Wow. Hang on. That’s three days away. Well…okay!

Before i realized the impact that decision will have on my wallet, i was looking up flight options on the internet, and I mean all the airlines that go through Singapore, and I was calling my travel agent. (My travel agent is the best! She always manages to get me the flights i really, really want for the cheapest fare.)

Waiting for a call from my travel agent the whole day (she already gave me a preview of how much the fare would be…definitely much cheaper than online tickets), my fingers never stopped tapping on the table, unless i’m biting my nails off. Lo and behold! She came through.

So, off I go to Singapore on Monday, leaving my kids with the nanny again, to see my gorgeous boyfriend. The story on that trip will come to you next week. Catch you on the flipside!

Ooh, by the way, do you have any must-see suggestions for me in Singapore? Quick, give me tips!