Memories on My shoestring : Singapore : Weekend Getaway

Have you ever made an ad-hoc trip to go to a place? I did. Since Singapore was our neighbouring country, I decided (on a Thursday) to make an ad-hoc weekend trip there. After much persuasion from my friend. Okay, I am cheating in this travel. I stayed with my friend. That is another tip in a shoestring travel. If you have a friend which lets you bunk together, that is great. But if you don't, you got to find a budget hostel, which I eventually did for my second trip in Singapore in 2011.

This is my first trip to Singapore in 2009. I took a 5-hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur. Reached Singapore close to midnight. Since my friend stayed near Clarke Quay, I venture the area at night. It was so full of life.

Some of the boats that had the sign - Uniquely Singapore.

I did walk around the pubs in Clarke Quay and saw people slump outside the bars, next to their vomit. It was so gross. People were walking in circles, slurring words, posing a danger to the people around them.

My adventure in Singapore started the next day when I left my friend's accommodation at 7am to have my breakfast at Lau Pa Sat. This was recommended by a fellow friend in my bus ride. And we talked for close to 5 hours in the bus. Yeah, that's me. I talk non-stop. The place was just starting to open when I reached there. No one around. When I tasted the food, I thought it could use some flavour. I had fried noodles, by the way.

After breakfast, I went on the HSBC Treetop Walk. I tried to incorporate some nature activity in my short holiday. The best thing about Singapore is you can walk around without getting lost. The MRT and bus destinations are so accurate. Or ask the bus driver and he will point you to the right bus. I got to this place - Macritchie Reservoir Park quite easily.

The Treetop Walk. I was disappointed when I walked on it. It was sturdy and low. I thought it would be sort of shaky and made of wood.

After the morning walk, it was another bus ride to Haw Par Villa. Are you familiar with the Tiger Balm? This balm soothes any itchiness. Anyway, the founder of the Tiger Balm built this Villa. It tells of the good actions to be done. It tells a lot of moral stories. Haw Par are actually the names of 2 brothers - Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par.

In the afternoon, it was a walk and a MRT ride to the Padang (field in Malay Language). This is where Independence was declared.

Walk further and see the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore.

It was during this walk, where I encountered my first ice-cream bread. It costs SGD1 then. When I visited the area again in 2011, it cost SGD1.20. Inflation. How unfortunate.

The taste of the ice-cream was heaven. Especially after the long walk.

Saw famous bronzed statues across Singapore River.

Walked to Merlion Park. Just take note that all of this are within walking distance.

At night, it is a trip to Chinatown.

The famous temple in Chinatown. It houses the Buddha's Tooth. I didn't manage to see it as it closes in the evening by 4pm. But I managed to see it in 2011. Though it was closed, I walked around the Ground Floor.

In Chinatown, I stopped at some foodstalls and had this. Fishball noodles, which is also unfortunately, tasteless.

The next morning (Sunday), I walked out to see Clarke Quay. It was so quiet. And lifeless. But I love the colours in Clarke Quay. The buildings are so bright!

That day, I planned to see Changi Chapel and Museum. It was a long bus ride. There were not many visitors to the Chapel and Museum. The Museum tells the stories of war heroes who participated in World War 2.

I read about Johore Battery and wanted to visit it. I asked the caretaker of Changi Chapel and Museum and the caretaker pointed it's just a 5 minutes' walk away. I went to Johore Battery to see the replica of the Monster Gun and its bullet. The Guns were used during World War 2 to protect the Singapore coast of the British Empire. The place was kind of eerie because there was no one around. Although it is quite safe because it's just next to the Police K-9 Unit. I know, I mean, which tourist would actually visit this?

As the place was secluded, I thought I would be waiting for the bus for quite sometime. But they came really quick. After 15 minutes' wait. And back to town I went. To the nearest MRT station.