CAPTIVATED BY SINGAPORE

Modern metropolis with skyscrapers, glitzy shopping malls, museums, and contemporary entertainment, multicultural heritage, revealed in the timeless elegance of colonial architecture, Chinatown’s shop houses, and the uniquely juxtaposed temples, mosques, and churches, Singapore can be best described.

Singapore is an island city-state and the smallest country in Southeast Asia. It is located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, south of the Malaysian state of Johor, and north of the Indonesian Riau Islands. It has a population of 5,535,000 (2015 est.) and has a per capita income of $82,762.00 (or about P2,800,000). An average Singaporean earns as much as P233,000 a month.

 Inside Changi Airport

Changi airport's terminal are connected by a free Skytrain service at both the transit and public areas. It takes approximately four minutes to travel between terminals by Skytrain, with an average waiting time of two minutes. In going to the MRT East-West Line, you have to take the Skytrain.
 

At the waiting lounge of the Changi airport

Singapore is a major aviation hub and an important stopover point between Australasia and Europe. Singapore Changi Airport has a network of 81 airlines connecting Singapore to 179 cities in 57 countries (2005). It is one of the top five airports in Asia in terms of passengers handled, with 30 million passengers passing through in 2004. It has been consistently rated as one of the best international airports by numerous international travel magazines. It was also rated as the world's best airport in year 2006 by Skytrax, defeating its long time rival, Hong Kong International Airport.

 Airport Walkalator

Queuing for the Singapore Tourist Pass. The EZ-Link system allows contactless smartcards to serve as stored value tickets for use in the public transport systems (MRT, LRT and buses) You can buy for up to 3-day unlimited Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) for S$20 (about P680) and enjoy limited rides within Singapore public transport (MRT, LRT and public buses).

The easiest way to get to the city from Changi Airport is by the MRT, taxi, or the airport shuttle bus, which stops larger hotels. For the MRT, to get to the city, the Changi Airport station is accessible by Skytrain from Terminal 2 or 3, then transfer to the westbound train (East-West Line) at Tanah Merah Station. For buses, take the public bus service 36/36A to the city. Bus stops are located at the basement bus bays in Terminal 1, 2 and 3. A single fare costs below S$2.50 (P85) and the ride takes about an hour. Taxis are available at the taxi stands at the Arrival levels of each Terminal. A ride to the city takes about 30 minutes and costs between S$20 (P680) and S$40 (P1,360). Fares are metered and there is an additional Airport surcharge for all trips originating from the Airport of S$3 (P102).

Upon exiting Changi airport, we immediately went to our hotel in Queensway area, in Jalan Bukit Merah. It took us a good one hour away from the airport via MRT (East-West Line).
 

Hotel Lobby

At the hotel room in 16th floor overlooking condos near IKEA

Alexandra Road corner Jalan Bukit Merah

The Park Hotel Alexandra in a sleek, contemporary black-and-white building is a 12-minute walk from the nearest MRT Queenstown (East-West Line) station and 5 kms. from Chinatown. The modern, elegant rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with city or pool views. All feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screens and minibars, plus tea and coffee making facilities. Top-floor club rooms add access to a lounge with free breakfast, snacks and cocktails; suites add separate living rooms. Room service is available. Amenities include a chic restaurant, stylish poolside bar and casual coffee shop. The outdoor pool has an infinity edge and the gym is open 24-hours. There's a shopping mall in the hotel. It is located at 323 Alexandra Road, Singapore.

The backbone of domestic transport infrastructure is the road transport system which includes a network of expressways that form the arteries between distinct towns and regional centers as laid out in Singapore's urban planning. Since 1987, the heavy rail MRT metro system has been in operation.  

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)

The efficient and cheap Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network operates five (5) lines that run from 6am to midnight. The 5 MRT lines are: (1) North-South Line runs from Jurong East to Marina South Pier, (2) East-West Line shuttles from Pasir Ris and Changi Airport to Joo Koon, (3) North-East Line operates from Punggol to HarbourFront, (4) Circle Line from Telok Blangah to Dhoby Ghaut, and (5) Downtown Line operates from Bugis to Chinatown. 

Aside from MRT, visitors could avail taxis and public buses. Taxis are normally inexpensive. Singapore has a comprehensive network of buses. Routes are more complicated to understand than the MRT for short-term visitors.

In going to Gardens by the Bay, you take MRT Downtown Line and exit at Bayfront station. Take exit B and cross the Dragonfly Bridge

Gardens by the Bay is a huge, colorful, futuristic park in the bay area of Singapore; and has been crowned World Building of the year at the world Architecture Festival 2012. The famous Supertree structures offer an impressive skywalk over the gardens, over-sized seashell-shaped greenhouses recreate chilly mountain climates and there are hundreds of trees and plants to discover, making this destination great fun for both kids and adults.

Shop till you drop! Join the jostling crowds and do what young and trendy Singaporeans do best - shop, catwalk and flaunt their latest buys in Orchard. Swanky malls and charming boutiques dot Singapore's prime shopping belt from end to end, while chic alfresco eateries make great spots for watching the fashion parade go by. Mammoth shopping arcade Ngee Ann City for its posh boutiques and the anchor tenant, Takashimaya. Take the MRT North-South Line and exit at Orchard station.

If you're still in the middle of the city, go to Suntec City. That's where all the major events are, including the famous Garden Festival and some of the best and biggest gadget fairs. What makes Suntec such a draw though is the Fountain of Wealth, the largest fountain in the world. During the day, you can walk around the central portion and make a wish.  

This is the very origin of Singapore's prosperity, with the Merlion (the city's tourism icon) steadfastly standing guard at the mouth of the Singapore river. Half-fish and half-lion, the iconic Merlion resides at the waterfront Merlion Park. Take the MRT North-South Line/East-West Line and exit at Raffles Place.

Clarke Quay (pronounced "key"), an excellent reincarnation of Peranakan shophouses and godowns, is a pleasant place to dine alfresco, with its long slew of chic cafes, restaurants and pubs. This delightful riverside development is packed full of bustling bars and restaurants, boutique shops and pumping nightclubs, attracting a steady stream of tourists alongside Singapore’s party animals. Clarke Quay’s location takes full advantage of the picturesque body of water that emerges from the city’s main river, with alfresco-style dining to be had in an endless number of eateries set around the water’s edge. Take the MRT North-East Line and exit at Clarke Quay.

Esplanade Drive going to the Merlion Park in Marina Bay Area, where you could enjoy a stress-free driving.

 

The Merlion is more than just a statue. It’s a mythical symbol of Singapore, a place to take in some incredible views, and of course, is the city’s most sought after photo-op. The term ‘must see’ will forever be used to describe the Merlion, with the iconic statue attracting over a million visitors per year. Although the 70-tonne, water-spouting Merlion is the main focal point, you can also relax on the terraced seating area, which boasts some great views across the water to Marina Bay Sands.

At Raffles Place near the Marina Park

Marina Bay Sands at the mouth of the Singapore river

Singapore's famed Marina Bay is the place to go to see the city's most spectacular side. With the fast development of this cosmopolitan city-state, the whole Marina Bay area has undergone a transformation of epic proportions. The S$5.5 billion Marina Bay Sands (MBS) complex is the focal point of the bay, and many of the great things to do and see in the area revolve around this epic building and resort, such as the Science Museum, Casino and various shopping, dining and nightlife options. Most popular in Marina Bay are the Esplanade, Gardens by the Bay, CE LA VI Rooftop Bar on the 57^th floor of the Marina Bay Sands, Marina Bay Sands Skypark, Three Great Lights Shows and ArtScience Museum.

You can actually admire Marina Bay Sands from a distance and try to figure out just what that enormous thing is above the three towers. That’s where the infinity pool is, exclusive to hotel guests only. Imagine swimming with the whole Singapore skyline beneath you. There’s a lot of shopping to be had in the MBS. It provides, not only a hotel, but a mall right across the street. Just go underground, from the mall, you get the opposite view of the bay.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Sheares Avenue in Marina Bay at night

The Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest observation wheel. A one-of-a-kind experience and built over a three-story terminal building, the Flyer is 150 meters in diameter, 165 meters high, and travels at 0.21m per second (it is some 30 meters taller than the famous London Eye!) With breathtaking panorama views that are so radically different during the day and at night, it’s hard to choose the best time to take a ride. Passengers will get to see such city sights as the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Empress Place and the Padang. 

The Esplanade, at right is the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Hotel

You can’t miss the Esplanade. The Esplanade Theaters on the Bay was built at a cost of S$600 million (P20B). It opened in 2002 amid debate over its aesthetic worth. The aluminum shades encasing its domes inspires locals to call it “the Durian,” after the spiky local fruit. Its rather unique roof reminds Singaporeans of the durian, that fruit some people love to hate due to its prominent smell.