amazing quick journey of a budget DIY 1st-timer / solo backpacker
January 19 to 22, 2011
objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to conquer the G-MAX reverse bungee jump and witness thaipusam festival
January 19 to 22, 2011
objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SINGAPORE
1. You can find the national anthem in microtext on the back of the $1000 note.
2. Singapore has the biggest Yakult bottles in Southeast Asia
3. There were no lions in this Lion City
4. Singapore is one of three surviving city-states in the world
5. Singapore has changed our timezone 6 times since 1905
6. Apart from Monaco, Singapore is the most densely populated country in the world, with 6,430 people per square kilometre.
REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
timezone - +0800H UTC capital - Singapore
currency - Singapore Dollar (SGD), 1SGD = 35PHP, 1USD = 1.23SGD
basic phrases - Terima Kasih (thank you), Selamat Datang (welcome)
visa (for filipino) - tourist visa-free at 30-days
budget pocket money allocated |
http://wikitravel.org/en/Singapore
I booked via promo fare last September 2010 and finished itinerary researching last December compressing all tourist spots that I'd like to see in just 2 days. This is one of my major requirement so that upon arriving there i know where will i head next though I do not understand fully what I did especially MRT stations and bus destinations. Together with this firm itinerary, I printed Malaysia mrt map, because Singapore maps are free in the arrival area of Changi International Terminal 2.
planning in Mcdo Changi Terminal 2 branch |
inside Changi terminal |
first exit going to downtown |
I bought Singaporean dollar 20sgd + 150usd that totals php13,600 (total estimated amount of alloted budget for the entire 2 days). I brought also extra pocket money just in case but its in php. i don't own any credit cards by the way. I have my favorite snacks and water inside my backpack so that while on travel I have something to eat. For sure, my appetite will drop due to hurrying for the next trips. This is like an amazing race, to fulfill every items I want at a limited time.
I verified all my needed documents like e-ticket, passport, and itinerary copy. I have printed extra copy of e-ticket and itinerary for emergency. This is a must especially if your destination is outside the country with only yourself as your comrade.
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Skypark at 6am |
our beloved national hero in Singapore park infront of the river |
In NAIA Inernational Terminal 3:
I paid php1,620 for travel tax + php750 terminal fee = php2,370 (addt'l on php13,600 above, total of php16,000). this is it, our super friendly pinoy immigration officer (IO). They asked when will I go back, I was suddenly at mental block that time, delayed but correctly replied. And since i have my tripod inside my handcarry backpack, I was nervous when it reaches the x-ray machine. Guess what, yippee, they did not noticed it, hehehe ! if you are in Singapore Airport it is really ok to hand-carry a tripod even if you put it on your shoulder. Terminal rules are very sensitive in our own beloved airport. I also bring with me my Canon Powershot A3100 digicam.
Records set for this event: this will be my 1st time...
1. to go abroad alone on 2 countries
2. to have a very jampack itinerary squeeze into 2 days only
I paid php1,620 for travel tax + php750 terminal fee = php2,370 (addt'l on php13,600 above, total of php16,000). this is it, our super friendly pinoy immigration officer (IO). They asked when will I go back, I was suddenly at mental block that time, delayed but correctly replied. And since i have my tripod inside my handcarry backpack, I was nervous when it reaches the x-ray machine. Guess what, yippee, they did not noticed it, hehehe ! if you are in Singapore Airport it is really ok to hand-carry a tripod even if you put it on your shoulder. Terminal rules are very sensitive in our own beloved airport. I also bring with me my Canon Powershot A3100 digicam.
Records set for this event: this will be my 1st time...
1. to go abroad alone on 2 countries
2. to have a very jampack itinerary squeeze into 2 days only
Merlion, Singapore's signature icon |
Marina Bay overlooking MBS Skypark, Merlion Park and Arts & Science Museum |
Anyways, I divided this wonderful journey into different set of posts to be more specific on its content;
Singapore Morning Rush last part (MBS Skypark)
Singapore Afternoon Adventure 1st part (USS)
Singapore Afternoon Adventure last part (G-Max)
Malaysia Day Tour 1st part (Petronas Twin Towers)
Malaysia Day Tour last part (KL Tower & Batu Cave)
From Malaysia in Haste (Going back to SG)
sir bilib ako sa inyo, in 2 days nacover nyo sa itinerary ang mga must see places ng sg at kl. sa 4 days namin dun, medyo kinapos kami at marami kaming hindi napuntahan.
ReplyDeletethanks big time for sharing this blog..sg-kl kami by june 14-16..kaya pala ng 2days!..panalo
ReplyDeletewow! nice blog! been to singapore 2008. ang laki ng pagbabago super! tnk u for sharing :-D
ReplyDeletewow. thanks so much for this very detailed IT. we'll be there by June. God bless travel bloggers like you! Ü
ReplyDeletewhere did you stay in SG? ayoko ko na ma back read sa iba pages ng PEX hehe ill follow ur itinerary..
ReplyDeletewow, visiting major tourist attractions of 2 countries in just 2 days, am impressed! :)
ReplyDeletenakakatuwa basahin. very informative lalo na sa costs at expenses. unbelievable how you managed with only php13,600 for 2 days in SG. a well planed itinerary indeed! keep it up and we follow :)
ReplyDelete