Hello everyone, this review will take you on a dizzying and confusing journey through the country of Singapore. Let's go!

A Serendipitous Journey to Singapore: From Nature Lover to Urban Explorer

While Singapore wasn't initially on my travel itinerary due to my preference for natural landscapes over towering buildings and bustling cityscapes, a compelling narrative emerged that piqued my curiosity. The image of a meticulously developed nation, adorned with lush greenery, boasting cleanliness, safety, and vibrant nightlife, proved irresistible. The allure of free-flowing water and the promise of a captivating experience ultimately swayed my decision, leading me to embark on an unexpected adventure to the Lion City.

--> Travel time

May 12-15, 2017 (Traveled back on the 12th and slept at the airport for one night because I arrived at the airport almost at 2 am.)

Travel on Scoot Airlines, which recently released a promotion, with a round-trip price of 2,500 (not full service).

--> Accommodation for 2 nights

Hotel 81 Premier Star (Geylang 18)

This hotel is located near the Aljunied MRT station and offers rooms starting at 1,600 baht per night.

--> Travel expenses

Top up your EZ-link card with 20 SGD (excluding the 5 SGD card fee). 20 SGD is sufficient for 3 days of travel.

--> Food cost

Approximately SGD 10 per meal, SGD 30 per day (around SGD 90 for 3 days, but in reality, I spend less than SGD 6 per meal, so I have money left over).

--> Exchange Rate

1 SGD = 24.65 THB

Rough Plan:

• Day 0: Sleep at the airport.
• Day 1: Visit the Merlion, Marina Bay, and Gardens by the Bay.
• Day 2: Explore Universal Studios Singapore, take a Singapore River cruise, admire the Helix Bridge, and visit the Fountain of Wealth.
• Day 3: Discover Fort Canning Park, explore Chinatown, visit the Red Dot Design Museum, and wander through Haji Lane.

Day 0 ............

Scoot is a large and comfortable aircraft. After filling out the immigration form, we took a short nap. After a little over two hours, we arrived at Chiang Mai Airport. It was around 2:00 AM. After going through immigration, we found a place to sleep. ^^

(After clearing immigration, follow the signs for "Train to city". This will lead you to the escalator that goes down to the Changi Airport MRT station. However, it was closed when I arrived late at night and was scheduled to reopen around 5:00 AM. I decided to sleep near the escalator, where I saw about four other people sleeping. It was quiet and not crowded, but very cold. The escalator opened around 5:00 AM, and I woke up then.)

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Day 1

Morning at Changi Airport, we washed our faces, brushed our teeth, and prepared for our journey. Starting at the airport, we bought EZ-link cards and topped them up. Then, we went to the MRT Changi Airport station to head into the city. We decided to sightsee first and then check into our accommodation later, as it was too early to check in. So, we set off with our backpacks.

1. Merlion, Marina Bay

Directions:

• Changi Airport Station to Tanah Merah
• Tanah Merah to Raffles Place (Exit H)

To reach the city center from Changi Airport, transfer at Tanah Merah Station and follow the signs for Joo Koon. Upon exiting the station, walk straight towards the river and the Fullerton Hotel to reach the Merlion. Alternatively, walking in the opposite direction will lead you to Clarke Quay.

This image shows a view of Clark Quay from the river.

This image shows a view towards the Fullerton Hotel, with the Cavenagh Bridge visible in the foreground.

As you walk past the Fullerton Hotel, cross the road and you will find a path leading down to the Merlion.

As it was very early in the morning, there were not many tourists around. We only saw a few photographers setting up their cameras to capture the sunrise.

After checking in and taking photos at the ceremony, we weren't sure where to go next. Our original plan was to spend half a day exploring the bay area. However, the places we had planned to visit were all located close together in the same vicinity. As a result, we finished exploring them in less than an hour. Unsure of where to go next, we decided to retrace our steps. We passed by the Fullerton Hotel and headed back towards Clark Quay, which wasn't part of our original plan. Our only hope was to find a restaurant where we could grab a bite to eat. However, it was still early in the morning, and none of the restaurants were open. We continued walking aimlessly.

Walk straight ahead and you will see colorful buildings. This is Clark Quay. Walk down the underpass under the bridge to take pictures of the beautiful buildings.

Following the original plan, I set off without a specific destination. Now, I'm unsure of where to go. I checked the map and saw that I could walk to Chinatown station, but I'm too hungry to walk. I'll take the MRT instead, just one station. My plan is to find something to eat there and take the opportunity to buy USS tickets at People's Park Complex.

2. People Park: SEA WHEEL TRAVEL

• Clark Quay Station (Exit D) to China Town

The highly acclaimed store with incredibly cheap tickets, as mentioned in various sources, is located on the 3rd floor of People's Park Complex. It has a prominent green sign and Thai staff. We purchased USS tickets for 62 SGD, Singapore River Cruise tickets for 18 SGD, and OCBC Skyway tickets for 6 SGD.

After having lunch at the food court on the lower floor of the mall, I decided to take a break to rest my tired legs. Around 11 am, I decided to head to my accommodation and wait for the 2 pm check-in.

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3. Hotel 81 Premier Star
* From China Town Station, take the Green Line to Outram Park Station. Then, transfer to the Purple Line and travel to Aljunied Station.

Our accommodation is located at Khlong Soi 18, approximately 700 meters from the station. It's an easy walk, and the hotel is easily visible. There are many restaurants along the way. The hotel is clean, and the service is excellent. When we arrived to check in around noon, the staff informed us that check-in was typically at 2 pm. However, they allowed us to check in and access our room immediately, for which we were very grateful. We were eager to rest before our afternoon outing. We highly recommend this accommodation.

The room and bathroom were clean, not too small but not too big, and the price was reasonable.

After resting and taking a refreshing shower (as I hadn't showered since leaving Thailand), I prepared to explore the remaining places on my itinerary for the day.

4. Garden by the Bay

• Aljunied. -----> Transfer to the Blue Line at Bugis -----> Bayfront (Exit B)

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Take the escalator to level 4 (if I remember correctly). Follow the signs for Garden by the Bay. There will be a walkway connecting the mall and the garden.

There are spots for taking pictures of the Supertrees from a distance.

As the sun began to set, casting a beautiful glow, we took a walk on the OCBC Skyway to capture the scenery both during daylight and after dark.

The light show at the Supertree Grove will begin around 7:45 PM, featuring a dazzling display of lights and colors synchronized to the iconic Star Wars theme music.

The performance lasted approximately 15 minutes. After completing the plan for the day, we returned to our accommodation to prepare for the next day.

• Bayfront. -----> Bugis Change to the green line -----> Aljunied

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Day 2

We woke up a little late today, but no worries, we're taking it easy at the amusement park. It's already past 10 am as we leave our accommodation. Let's go, Universal Studios Singapore awaits!

1. Universal Studios Singapore

• Aljunied. -----> Outram Park (transfer to purple line) -----> HarbourFront (Exit B)

Follow the signs for vivo city or Sentosa Express. Sentosa Express is located on the 3rd floor of Vivo city mall, next to Food Republic. We will have breakfast there and then buy tickets to ride the Sentosa Express, which costs around 4 SGD. If you have an EZ-link card, you can tap your card to pass through the gate.

After a hearty breakfast, we set off for Sentosa Island.

Upon exiting the train at the first stop, Water Front, head towards USS. After exiting the station, walk a short distance to find the iconic Universal globe. Get ready for some fun and excitement!

Arriving late has its advantages. The queue is not long, or maybe it's always short here. I don't know. When I went to USJ, the queue was very, very long. I was secretly happy when I arrived, checked my ticket, and was able to enter right away. Hehe.

In brief, USS is divided into 7 themed zones (a map is provided upon ticket purchase). Upon entering, you will encounter a fork in the path, leading right or left. We started on the right side, opting for the milder, family-friendly rides first. As we progressed, the rides gradually became more thrilling. (Those who prefer thrilling rides might head straight to the left side first, as it tends to be more crowded and require longer wait times.) We took our time and enjoyed the rides at a leisurely pace.

In reality, we did not play all the rides. We only played the rides that were suitable for children (after making sure there were children present). This review only covers the rides we played.

Some rides that might seem a little scary to some people might not be scary to others. Personally, I can't handle intense rides. My heart would probably give out! 555

Most of the photos will be from the outside, as photography is not allowed inside.

1. Madagascar Zone: Madagascar: A Crate Adventure

Embark on a voyage with the beloved characters from Madagascar in this relaxing and child-friendly experience.

2. Far Far Away Zone

- The Enchanted Airway roller coaster is a fun ride, not too scary. I saw little foreign children running to play it twice. I thought to myself, "Well, if children can play it, it can't be that scary." But when I actually played it, hmm, I was the only one screaming. These kids are really something!

- Shrek 4D Adventure: While others enjoyed the 4D cartoon, we found it underwhelming. It was crowded with parents and young children.

- Puss In Boots' Giant Journey: A thrilling roller coaster ride that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

3. The Lost World Zone

- Canopy Flyer: A hanging roller coaster with seats facing backwards, offering a thrilling experience with moderate height and swinging motion.

- Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure: Embark on a thrilling whitewater rafting experience, navigating through cascading rapids and exhilarating drops. Be prepared for a refreshing splash as you descend from the heights.

4. Ancient Egypt Zone

- **Revenge of the Mummy: A thrilling roller coaster in the dark with twists, turns, backwards drops, and flames. It was incredibly scary, more than I expected. I decided to ride it because I saw children riding it, and everyone recommended it. However, if you ask me if I would ride it again, I would have to think about it. It was terrifying.**

5. Sci-Fi City Zone

- Battlestar Galactica: Human VS Cylon: An intense, thrilling roller coaster ride. Fun for others, but not for me. It wasn't on my plan from the beginning. Pass. (But if you enjoy thrill rides, this is a must-try. Many people have recommended it.)

- **Transformers The Ride 3D: A thrilling 3D roller coaster adventure set in the world of Transformers. This ride was a personal favorite, reminiscent of the Spiderman ride at USJ.**

6. New York Zone

- Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase: A thrilling space adventure with adorable characters amidst the stars (that's the way we do it).

7. Hollywood Zone: This is just a photo spot.

After spending time at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) until around 4 pm, we went for a walk to find the large water-spouting lion at Imbah Station. Exiting USS and climbing the stairs towards Imbah Station, you will find it.

If you have extra time, you can continue walking along the beach at Beach Front Station. There are Palawan Beach and Siloso Beach. As for us, we are on a tight schedule because we don't want to return to our accommodation too late. Our feet are starting to get a little tired. We plan to take a boat ride on the Singapore River next. We will board the boat at the Clark Quay boarding point (there are multiple boarding points, the ticket seller will inform you). We chose to board at Clark Quay and disembark at Bay Front.

• Sentosa Express from Water Front Station -----> HarbourFront -----> Clark Quay (Exit C)

The boat landing is easy to find, located right at the Clark Quay sign. Look for the cluster of docked boats. The river cruise takes you along the Singapore River, narrating the history of the river and various landmarks along the way. It's a relaxing experience with beautiful evening views.

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The boat will dock at Bayfront Station, which is another stop where passengers can disembark and board. We disembarked here to walk to the nearby Helix Bridge. We walked past The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and the bridge was located at the end of the mall.

After walking down the bridge, I continued to the MRT Promenade to see the Fountain of Wealth before returning to the hotel.

I arrived too late for the show. I was busy cruising around the central area of the fountain. You can walk down to make a wish by touching the center area and walking around it 3 times. They have a time when they turn off the fountain so you can walk down. We went late, so we ended up just taking pictures and then went back to our accommodation. End of day 2

• Promenade -----> Bugis -----> Aljunied

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Day 3 ........

Today, it's time to head back home. I'm sad to leave, I wish I could stay longer, but I'm running out of money. 😭😭😭

However, we still have the whole day to explore since our flight isn't until after 4pm.

Unfortunately, it's raining all day, and most of the places we wanted to visit are outdoors. So, we braved the rain and ended up with very few photos because we were mostly just trying to avoid getting soaked.

After checking out of the hotel, we shouldered our backpacks and headed to our first destination: Fort Canning Park.

1. Fort Canning Park

• Aljunied. -----> City Hall (Change to Red Line) -----> Dhoby Ghuat (Exit B)

A World War II bunker. I read reviews and saw people taking beautiful pictures, so I came here myself. But it was raining, so I didn't get very good pictures. I planned to walk around the entire park, but in the end, I only got a picture of the spiral staircase. I was hiding from the rain in a tunnel.

In reality, we could have walked through the park all the way to Clark Quay Station. However, due to the rain, we were unable to go anywhere and had to return the same way to take the MRT to Chinatown.

2. Sri Mariamman Temple

• Dhoby Ghaut to Chinatown (Exit A)

Upon exiting the station, proceed straight ahead until you reach Wat Sri Mariamman, conveniently located at the bend in the road.

I didn't go inside, just took a picture outside as a formality (the side alley is the alley we walked out of when we left China Town station).

3. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

• Walking from Wat Sri Mariamman, you will see the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew standing prominently by the road.

4. Red Dot Design Museum

Opposite the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a short walk will lead you to Maxwell Food Centre. Upon exiting the food centre, you will encounter a red building, the Red Dot Design Museum. Take the MRT from Tanjong Pagar station to Bugis station to explore the street art at Haji Lane.

5. Haji Lane

• Tanjong Pagar ------> Bugis (Exit B)

This place is a bit difficult to find. It's best to use Google Maps to navigate. I stumbled upon this colorful staircase while wandering around. As I mentioned, it has been raining heavily all day. I managed to take a few photos with my umbrella during a brief break in the rain.

That's enough for today. I'm exhausted. Both my luggage and the rain are too much. I'd better head to the airport. I'll walk back to Bugis Station and take the train directly to the airport. The train will stop at Terminal 2. Scoot Airlines check-in is at Terminal 2, Row 11.

This concludes our visit to the water-spraying lion. We will definitely be back for more, as there were many other places we couldn't visit due to the rain. We were a little disappointed, but we're already on our way back. We were also impressed with the airline. The plane was large and comfortable, and there were no delays. Please offer more promotional fares often, we're waiting!

In conclusion...

• The food I randomly tried was all delicious, especially the ice cream sandwiches, which can be found everywhere along the roadside and bridges. They are truly delicious and cost between 1.20 and 1.50 SGD.

• Kaya toast (Singapore's famous breakfast) is a toast filled with kaya, a coconut jam, and cheese, served with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of tea. It's delicious! We had it at Fun Toast, located at Bugis MRT station. *Highly recommended

• For those staying in the area, be sure to try the Tom Yum Noodles at Xin Ban Mian in Soi Klang 23. It's incredibly delicious! (No picture available.)
• Another must-try is Hawker Chan, a Michelin-starred establishment offering generous portions, delicious food, and long queues. Located near Exit A of the China Town MRT station, it's easily accessible on Smith Street.

• The rest are just regular chicken rice. Whether it's a famous restaurant or a roadside stall, they should be pretty much the same. I ate chicken rice about 3 times on this trip, each time at a different restaurant, but it was still delicious. Even though some people say that the dipping sauce in Thailand is tastier, the chicken and rice seem to be more carefully prepared here. I like it.

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