Singlish La

So this was an impromptu trip. M was being sent by her company to work in Singapore for 2 weeks so I tagged along for a week. I had to pay for expensive flight tickets because M was only informed three weeks time before her travel dates were finalised. I flew Singapore Airlines too nothing special about it just a bit pricey.

As SG is near the Philippines, I also invited mom to come along with us. Australia to Singapore flight time is 8 hours similar to PH flight time to Sydney, while PH to SG is only 4 hours.

Arriving at Changi airport, I have a short story about my luggage dilemma. I arrived at terminal 3, and my mom arrived an hour early and is waiting at terminal 1. I told her to wait for me as I need to pick up my luggage. I didn't notice any announcements on where our luggage will be claimed, so I assumed it would be in terminal 3 as well. So I passed through immigration and noticed all the luggage conveyor belts do not contain our flight's! I inquired to the officers there and they are all telling me different stories. First guy told me to go back to immigration and check which terminal our luggage were, but immi told me that once I got out I can't go back in. So I had to walk again and if you've been to Changi airport, you know it's huge! Anyway finally after talking and running around they told me to go to terminal 2, lost and found. And there was my luggage! Surprisingly not sure how it got placed in terminal 2 when we landed at 3! Seriously covid messed up air travel. Anyway mom had to wait for me for 3 more hours because of this mishap.

Mom at the Jewel, artificial waterfall inside Changi airport. Pretty neat huh?

We stayed at Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel, we were near the shopping area at Orchard road! I like our free buffet breakfast here is the link if you want to book too - https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/singapore/grand-copthorne-waterfront/

Grand Copthorne entrance, our home for a week

I remember the first time I came here, I found everything more expensive but now I live in Sydney, food and transportation is cheaper here. I appreciate my SGD1-2 bus/ train trips and $20 uber rides. Train rides in Sydney is a rip off, it costs me AUD 11 to travel from office to home. My uber ride to Sydney airport cost me AUD 100! 

Anyway enough ranting, here are some places we went to! We went to Universal studios although Water world was out and some rides/restos were closed due to covid,  regardless we had fun!

I love dinosaurs!

My first time at Jurassic Park, I was 25 yrs old! It was like a dream come true, I always wanted to come when I was a kid. Now I'm in my 30s, still love it!

Universal at night!

M's niece!

Can you believe mom rode the Transformers ride and found it cool too? :P

We also went night safari, the funny thing is it was too dark we didn't see anything so.. I don't recommend going but here is the link if you want to try - https://www.mandai.com/en/night-safari.html

Night out this was straight after my flight, felt a bit groggy

Night safari bus, too dark to see!

I also took my mom to Sentosa. I had such a good deal with the cable car ride, they had a promo and I only paid SGD3 each! M paid a lot more because she didn't check the deals online! (She went with her niece on a different day). Actually the promo was for Singaporeans and permanent residents but I booked it and they didn't ask for identification so I con'd my way in! *evil grin

Mom at $3 cable car ride!

Fort Siloso, it was my first time here. My last visit to SG was 2014, we only watched F1 and usual Universal and luge ride.

Cool rock at Siloso beach

Super love SG food, even their Jollibee's!

I ate Jollibee a lot here, I always order chicken burger with fries and Fanta grape!

Off course we went all touristy and went to Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park and the rad Art science museum.

Perfect timing, the light show was on at Gardens by the Bay

We went to the top of Marina Bay sands, I wanted to stay here even for a night but decided to save money instead. Maybe next time if I have more money I wouldn't hesitate!

Very cool light art, follows my hand

Some sculptures on the way

yep we also paid to see Attack on Titan exhibit! We were lucky as this was their last week.

Cloud forest 

Spring flowers love the hydrangeas

cool light strips!

Mandatory shot whenever in SG

If you want to dine Harry Potter style, I recommend trying Platform 1094! It's not as grand as the Harry Potter themed park in Orlando or Osaka but they have cool illuminated drinks and butter beer!

https://thesmartlocal.com/read/platform-1094/

M ordered butter beer!

I had a green soda!

Caught up with J! We used to be team mates in Macquarie Manila office!

Found this cool art studio, I purchased chopper from One Piece anime (although I haven't seen that anime, it was just cute.)

Similar to Hozier lane in Melbourne, SG has Haji lane version

The week flew by quickly, I wish I could stay more. I bought a lot of my Final Fantasy 7 Kai play arts. I also missed the active night life! Sydney is dead at night, also the shopping malls close at 6pm unless it's thursday. I love the malls, food, walking under the sun. (Sydney has been raining and gloomy lately, La Nina weather.) I just love I was able to escape winter for a week last July. 

My next travel is in Queenstown, NZ. I've been here with my mom and aunties before but this time, M and I are going to glacier hike. I'm so looking forward to that and is my sole reason for coming back! Please La Nina not this December too.