Marina Bay
Singapore
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| The magnificent view of Marina Bay atop the Singapore Flyer. |
Before we visit
Singapore, Balong and I been to several discussion whether to spend our anniversary slash his 25th birthday in the
Philippines or Singapore. If we have to do it in the
Philippines, our destination would be in Palawan
as we plan it way way back; however, when we received an invitation from our dearest friend Lemwuel who is based in
Singapore to visit them, then we made a 360 turn around (ahahaha!). Without a do we said a huge ‘YES!’ and so
darrnnnn excited to be in this small yet amazing country of Singapore.
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| Marina Bay Sands, Double Helix Bridge, Art Science Museum and the Central Business District. |
It’s our first trip abroad together but we've been traveling in separate ways. I only have 30 days vacation per
annum and we must maximize each day in order not to waste as days runs so fast. This ‘travel’ thing is our priority so that we both have a ‘we-time’ (selfish mode ~ ahahaha!). If given a chance, we would like to do it annually to celebrate
our anniversary, preferably out of the country (ahahaha!).
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| View of Central Business District from the crown of the Merlion in Sentosa Island. |
Singapore
is a stellar city when it comes to attraction. There are lots of spots
that is worth to visit and explore with fascinating attractions and
destinations which truly perfect for families and friends get away. You
can find almost everything as varieties of astounding
places to enjoy will easily spoil your mind on which to visit first and
then latter. To name a few, they have lots of parks engulfs with lush
greeneries, museums filled with artifacts, historical monuments and
landmarks, hostel to 6 stars hotels, stunning
manmade beaches, panoramic views of the surrounding islands, diverse
culture, rich heritage, religious shrines of different congregations,
vibrant night life, restaurants here and there, and lot more that makes
this place a paradise made on earth for the visitors.
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| From left: BFF Lemwuel, Balong, me, and Llowel during our visit to Merlion Park, the enduring icon of Singapore. |
One thing that really excite us before we made a final decision is when we saw the enduring icon of
Merlion facing the Marina Bay. It has a
unique beauty in itself that is hard to resist, ayt? It's a trademark
that in ourselves we would like to visit firsthand than to see just in
pictures and movies. As what other would say, you
never been to Singapore if you have no picture with the Merlion, that's why when we made the long list of itineraries that we would like to visit;
Marina Bay is the first district that comes to our mind.
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| View of the Gardens by the Bay. |
Our first day covers mostly in
Bon Lay and Mandai Lake as we visited the Chinese Garden,
Japanese Garden, Singapore’s Jurong Birdpark and Singapore Zoo.
They are quite far from the city center but there is no problem
locating these places as brochure and pamphlets around MRT stations,
hotels, restaurants,
and Changi Airport to learn about these spot is absolutely FREE!!!! (lav it! ~ ahahaha!)
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| Balong showing me the LRT/MRT route around Singapore. Ok baby, i get it (hehehe!). |
The second day is the highlight of our journey as we devote whole day exploring
Marina Bay where the signature skyline of Singapore can be found (truly AMAZING!).
We may spent one whole day in here but yet there are still some
attractions that we haven’t been too because of time constraints (too bad!)
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| May i know what you're looking for? We are going to Marina Bay, ayt? (ahahaha!) |
Marina Bay is the most popular tourist attractions in
Singapore, located in the southern part that serves as a
pendant of this beautiful country. It is a major business and financial
center of
Asia and offers the panoramic landscape of modern
civilization. Some of the attractions in here requires lots of cash to
indulge but it also abounds with so many freebies for budget traveler.
We may spend few bucks during our flight with
The Flyer and our visit to Sand Skypark but it was the best experience ever!!!!!
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| Nope, you're not in MRT to Katipunan it is from Kallang Station to City Hall. |
Moving around
Singapore is very much accessible by any means of
transportation. The island nation has one of the world’s efficient
public transportation system, if not the best.
Metro Railway Train (MRT) is what we fond of using because wherever we go, the train will direct us straight to our destination effortlessly.
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| Wherever you go in Singapore each subway is filled with arts for you to enjoy... whew!!!! |
Marina Bay is just around 20 minutes from Changi International Airport and is widely connected via MRT underground tunnels that surrounds the bay via underground links: 1)
Marina Bay Station (CE2, NS27), 2) Bayfrount Station (CE1), 3)
Promenade Station (CC4) 4) Raffles Place Station (EW14, NS26) 5)
City Hall Station (EW13, NS25), 6) Esplanade Station (CC3).
Bus and taxi are the least of your worries as you can find them almost
everywhere or else be with the locals, don’t hesitate to ask question
pretty sure they help you out along the way. Don’t worry with regards
to language barriers because 70% of
Singaporeans do speak English, just tell them to explain slowly as they sometimes speak fast (hehehe!).
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| We supposed to visit Marina Barrage right after Singapore Flyer but we shifted to Marina Bay Sands (hehehe!). |
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| The unique design of Supertrees inside Gardens by the Bay. |
There are countless things to do and see while in
Marina Bay. Singapore may appear
insignificantly tiny on the world map but don’t be fooled by its size as
this country has something huge and wide to offer to its visitor. Here
are the list of attractions and destination that we’ve
been too in Marina Bay, we may feel a bit exhausted because of the whole day of walking but it was a blast!!!! So here it goes:
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| Believe that you're wish will come true by following the steps above (wink wink hehehe!) |
1)
Fountain of Wealth ~ is located in the centre of Suntec City just a few walks from
Esplanade MRT Station (Circle Line). We were laughing locating the spot because at some point BFF Lemwuel forgot the way to this attraction (ahahaha!). We did a lot of u-turns before we reached the area; if I am not mistaken we already
wandered each corner of Suntec City (ahahaha!).
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| Am i too excited to spell my wish? ahahahahaha |
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| The beauty of Fountain of Wealth situated at the heart of Suntec City. |
It was built according to
Feng Shui principles. What is more interesting, the
buildings that surrounds the fountain was built to form as a finger, and
the fountain is considered as the palm (really awesome!). The perfect ring in the center was designed based on
the Hindu Mandala meaning universe and is symbolic representation of the oneness in spirit, unity and harmony of all races and religions in
Singaporean culture. It was supported by 4 large slanted
columns and the inward flowing water of the fountain symbolizes wealth
and good luck. When the fountain is turned off, visitors are invited to
walk around a bubble jet located at the centre
which is open to the public. To receive good luck, put one hand into
the water at all times, walk around three times in a clockwise direction
while thinking about your secret wish.
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| The facade of Singapore Flyer. |
2)
Singapore Flyer ~ is the best 30-minute flight experience we have to witness the breathtaking and stunning panoramic view of
Singapore's skyscraper in different vantage point. We waited a year for this and at last it came to reality (ahahaha ~ poor Balong and I!). It’s the first time I used my credit card abroad and when I checked it after a month, the exchange
rate is staggeringly HIGH!!!! (ammmmppp ~ ahahaha!). However, it’s one awesome trip to treasure forever.
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| Balong and BFF Lemwuel during our take off in Singapore Flyer. |
The Flyers stands at a stunning 165m, reaching 42-storey
building, built over a three-story terminal building. Each of the 28
air-conditioned capsules is capable of holding 28 passengers but that is
too compressed I guess. We’ve never been to
United Kingdom yet but this is the answer to the famed London Eye; it's just that
The Flyer is 30 meters higher, thus it is considered as the 'World Largest Observation Wheel'.
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| Manmade waterfall inside the rainforest discovery. |
3)
Rainforest Discovery ~ is
a built-in tropical rainforest occupying the entire central atrium of
the main terminal building just underneath the wheel. From
the garden, visitors can view the rotating Flyer's capsule and the beam
that support the wheel. The garden is surrounded by shops, hawkers and
souvenir items for visitors to enjoy. I persuade Balong and Lemwuel to
go along with me checking the place but they
prefer to stay in the ‘Singapore’s 1960’s-themed food street’ situated just in the entrance.
The garden is not really that huge, unlike
Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden located near to
Bon lay MRT Station; however, the ambiance is
very soothing especially if you are tired of walking or just merely
passing time to unwind. There are plenty of chairs around and one can
sit to enjoy the surroundings. The garden is composed
of tropical trees and bushes, man-made waterfalls, streams, rocky
outcrops, pond and access path fuse together naturally to offer a
picturesque landscape for relaxing.
Just wish to have this kind of garden at home (ahahaha!!!)
4)
Youth Olympic Park ~ is located in the junction of Raffles Avenue and the
Bayfront Bridge. It's Singapore’s first art park
which visitors can enjoy an enriching and interactive art experience.
All the Youth Olympians of the world who joined the commemoration has
its own name written in a granite
slab posted in a replica of 3 obelisk design forming a triangle. I was
searching for the list of
Philippine representatives; however, I can’t find it anywhere. Where would they be? (ahahaha!)
There are so many artworks
in the vicinity that I fond the most like the series of framed
collection of pictures by the participants on the wall just underneath
the huge ‘Youth Olympic Park’ signage. Even I wasn’t able to witness the event personally but seeing all of their ‘Kodak moments’ is good enough as if I was in there too.
5)
Double Helix Bridge ~ is considered as one of the architectural marvel and named as the ‘world’s first double helix bridge’. If you are an engineer, an architect or just mere visitors like us, you will be amazed how beautiful the
bridge really is. Starting from the entrance you will be transported to an iconic wonder that only
Singapore have so far. In order for you to learn about the
history and what is the purpose of the pedestrian bridge, have a minute
in the opening of the bridge just after the ‘Youth Olympic Park’ as there is a signage that specifies
in details what is ‘helix bridge’ all about.
I can’t say much with regards to engineering or architectural
terminology as am not one of them; however, to express my opinion on how
stunning the bridge, is way more than words can say. Just prepare
yourself to be awed once you have any plan to visit the
place as the design itself is incredibly intricate, really AWESOME!
The canopies are connected with thousands of screws (really!!! ~ ahahaha!). It is a landmark that helps complete the circulation around the
Marina Bay, alongside the vehicular Benjamin Sheares Bridge. From here, you’ll see the impeccable beauty of
Singapore’s signature skyline that lurk within Marina Bay
from 5 observation deck of the bridge.
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