Singapore Quickie

Since this has been turning into a travel blog, I figured I should write about my quick Singapore getaway.  Last March, I went to Singapore with my Annaliza family.  It was my 4th time in Singapore and I'm happy to note that it has remained the country where I feel the safest.  Everything was still clean and orderly.  I should say it's the perfect country to bring the whole family for vacation.

This time we stayed in a backpackers inn in Chinatown.  It's called Rucksack Inn.  We had a pleasant stay there because the receptionist was Filipina and she helped us a lot especially with the discounted tours.  We were also in the heart of Chinatown where food was aplenty and souvenirs are cheap.  I would dare say that Singapore has the cleanest Chinatown in the whole wide world.  If I go back to Singapore, I would have no second thoughts staying again in Chinatown.

Team Annaliza in front of RuckSack Inn

I made our travel itinerary for this trip and since it was the first time in Singapore for most of my company, I included all the touristy spots in it.  We went to Merlion Park, Sentosa, and Universal Studios where I got to ride again the fun Transformers: The Ride.  My most favorite, though, would be getting to enter Steven Spielberg's Lights Camera Action studio where we saw how Hollywood does special effects in movies.

Team Annaliza in front of Lights Camera Action studio

Another Universal Studios highlight would be having my picture taken with Sesame Street's Ernie.

Ted and Ernie

We also went to Gardens By The Bay where I noticed this very unique artwork about travelers literally leaving a piece of themselves in Singapore because they love their stay in the country so much.

It took me awhile analyzing how they were able to install this piece.

In my fourth time in Singapore, I was also finally able to go to the top of Marina Bay Sands for a bird's-eye view of Singapore.  My tip would be to go to the Sky on 57 bar, order a drink and be amazed with the view.  It would cost cheaper than booking a tour or staying in the expensive hotel.

Feel free to post in the comments section if you have questions or want a sample travel itinerary of Singapore. :)

Singapore Round 3

Last April, I went to Singapore for the 3rd time, my 1st as a tourist.  It was also my 2nd out-of-country trip with my family.  I know I dismissed Singapore last year as too clean (read: boring) and while it's not as "colorful" as the other countries I've been to, I think I was too harsh with my judgment.  I did enjoy Singapore this time, to think that we only went to the tourist spots.  I guess it has something to do with the fact that I was with my family and it was a perfect breather from the strenuous shoot of my new soap.

Here are a few photos from my 3-day Singapore getaway.

We went to Sentosa and entered Images of Singapore museum.  It's a visual museum that chronicles Singapore's history, a perfect start for our Singapore vacation.

We went to Universal Studios for the first time.  This was taken after we rode Transformers The Ride.  Yes, my 67-year-old Nanay conquered Transformers!

My sister and I all wet from Jurassic Park's Rapids Adventure.

We also watched Songs of the Sea in Sentosa.  It's a musical about socialism hidden under flashy lights and water exhibition.

We also rode the Singapore Flyer to get a birds eye-view of Singapore. 

We ate lunch at Maxwell Food Center and loved Anthony Bourdain's favorite Hainanese chicken.

We went to the Night Safari. I'm not really into animals so funny as it may sound, it was scary for me. LOL!

We went inside Flower Dome in Gardens By The Bay where my Nanay was having a blast!

For some reason, the artificial Cloud Forest in Gardens By The Bay reminds me of apocalyptic movies!

Got reunited with my college friend Gen in her posh Singapore crib.

My sister's take on that classic Merlion pose in Merlion Park.

We watched a drums show in Esplanade.  After I took this pic, I was repimanded by the guard because taking pictures while the show is ongoing is not allowed! Haha!

Indian food and buko juice for dinner in Glutton's Bay.  Surprised to see Gerry's Grill there!

Our Cebu Pacific flight back to Manila was 12 hours delayed!  Good thing Changi Airport is like a big mall...

... my mother and sister got to rest their feet in a free foot massage...

... I was able to hold a butterfly in its Butterfly garden...

... and in the TV Lounge, got to watch TLC and daydreamed about my next travel!

The rest of the pictures are in my Facebook album.

Flying a Kite

I am not sure if it's normal to have post-travel blues because I just came from an amazing Seoul vacation and now I'm feeling low.  Is it?

I can't wait to photoblog my Seoul trip, maybe after I finish shooting the soap.   For now, I'm sharing with you a happy memory during my last trip in Singapore.  I flew a kite for the first time!

Singapore Trip 2012

I realized I haven't blogged about this yet.  Last July, I went to Singapore to shoot a few scenes for Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto pilot.  Before the actual shoot, Rose and I did an ocular inspection of our shooting locations.  We used the time to be tourists as well.  Here are the pictures.

At the Singapore Flyer with Marina Bay Sands in the background

Down the Flyer, after food tripping

Got lost finding Marina Barrage and found our way to the new Garden By The Bay.  Great landscape architecture!

Food tripping at Glutton's Bay

Flying a kite for the first time at Marina Barrage

At the Promenade with a view of Marina Bay Sands at night

You cannot leave Singapore without taking your picture with the famous Merlion

Sentosa!

Scary ride at Sentosa (well, for me :D)

In front of Universal Studios (wasn't able to go inside)

 
My first out-of-country trip is actually in Singapore.  Back then, I was in awe of the country because of its modern infrastructure and cleanliness.  It's still the same but after having been to other Asian countries like China (Hongkong) & Japan,  Singapore now seems, I don't know, bland?  I might have to take a 3rd visit, without working, to be able to judge.  I feel safe in Singapore, though.  Perfect for vacation with family.

The last time I was in Singapore, I was also working.  We were shooting the box-office film All My Life.  I have two blog entries about our out-of-country shoot.  If you're curious, you can click here.

Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto cast and crew at the airport

At the rooftop of Marina Barrage after shooting

Picture taking during shoot break in Sentosa

I already miss traveling. Universe, please conspire to make Seoul in November a reality!