The North Capital: Beijing, China

Happy Sunday!

Just a month after solo backpacking flashpacking to Singapore, I packed my bag and my yellow minion Lojel luggage heading to Beijing. Why so impulsive? It’s not. I had missed my best friends who currently reside there. And I thought, early summer was the best time to go. So, I checked my travel app and booked return tickets from China Southern Airlines. For I stayed in my friends’ apartment, I did not prepare to book any hotels.

Itinerary

The one I did not think through was that in between my 10 days visit, there were 3 days celebration of Dragon Boat Festival. It was long holiday in China, not a smart move to visit several popular sites. And so, in those 3 days, I practically went nowhere, except nearby mall and park. Ahahahaa…

Singapore: Gardens By The Bay – Supertree Grove – OCBC Skyway

Monday, 24 April 2017

I was having a great time inside the Cloud Forest. Around 5.30 PM, my tummy started to sing. Hahaha.. So, I decided to try the most famous dish in Gardens By The Bay, Satay By The Bay. Yummy!

The canteen was rather far from the conservatories. I walked under the Supertree Grove to follow the sign. Lucky for me that the weather was nice for a walk. The rain had stopped, people were very few, birds were chirping along my way. For 15 minutes passing lakes and giant bird statues, I found the cafeteria.

Supertree Grove

There were various choices of food and beverages. Nasi lemak, briyani, seafoods, hainam, ice creams, juices even beers. I directly approached one of the satay stalls, in the back side of the canteen and ordered a plate of 6 mixed satay (pork, chicken, mutton, beef) for only $4.2 ($0.7 each). I sat in one of the park benches facing the lake. The ambiance was comforting. 

Singapore: Flower Dome and Cloud Forest

Monday, 24 April 2017

Early morning, I directly went for Merlion Park and Universal Studio to see if it’s less crowded compared to Sunday. I was completely wrong, there were so many people I could only stay for a while to take photographs, found a lunch and then came back to hotel.

The sky was cloudy. When I arrived at hotel, it was raining. It turned out to be a great thing because in the afternoon, at around 3 PM, the rain stopped. Leaving only cool and fresh atmosphere. Perfect for a stroll to Gardens By The Bay!

Gardens by the Bay is a nature park spanning 101 hectares (250 acres) of reclaimed land in central Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. The largest of the gardens is Bay South Garden at 54 hectares (130 acres).

Inside the conservatory

The one that I visited was Bay South Garden. It comprises two cooled conservatories – the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest and the most famous Supertree Grove which I saw from height the night before, Sands SkyPark. While the Gardens By The Bay itself was free, to enter the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, the ticket was $28. I bought mine only for $23 from the hotel.

Singapore: Sands SkyPark Observation Deck

Splendid view of Singapore from Sands SkyPark

Sunday, 23 April 2017

I was supposed to ride Singapore Flyer when Desmond recommended me to go to Marina Bay Sands instead. To the huge “ship” on top of three tall skyscrapers. I had no idea there was this superb place to see Singapore from 56th floor of the most famous building in the country. I knew there was Infinity Pool but not the Observation Deck. The Sands SkyPark was open for public. We may visit it for as long as we want with only $23, $10 less than Singapore Flyer.

This was the best decision I made during my visit to Singapore.

You haven’t seen Singapore until you’ve seen it from Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, soaring 57 levels above the heart of the city.

– Marina Bay Sands website

To visit Singapore, you have to measure the time, for you want to be in the right place at the right time. I came at 6 PM to Marina Bay Sands, an hour before the Sunset. This was the best time in which I could enjoy the daylight, Sunset and night light of the city, with a bonus of Garden Rhapsody Light Show at 7.45 PM.

Singapore: Chinatown

Thian Hock Keng Temple Entrance

Sunday, 23 April 2017

The weather was so humid and hot by the time I finished wandering around Colonial District. I decided it’s no good if I continue sightseeing. I was also starving, needed a plate of hainan chicken rice. The most popular cuisine in Chinatown. Thus, I went back to Chic Otel to have lunch and a nap. LOL.

At around 3 PM, I was ready to go again. My next destination was Chinatown area. As one of the best tourist spots in Singapore, I wouldn’t miss this cultural neighborhood, though only for a walking by.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

This place was remarkable. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a four-story temple. The temple is built in a style based on the Buddhist mandala and integrated with the Buddhism of the Tang dynasty.

Singapore: Colonial District

Sunday, 23 April 2017

Colonial District was an area I prioritized during my visit to Singapore. I have always been fascinated by European architecture and design. And this area depicts the British colonization of Singapore.

Refer to History of Singapore, the written history of Singapore dates back to the third century. Evidence suggest a significant trading settlement existed in Singapore during the 14th century. In the late 14th century, Kingdom of Singapura was under the rule of Parameswara until he was expelled by the Majapahit or the Siamese. It then came under the Malacca Sultanate and then the Johor Sultanate. Modern Singapore was founded in 1819, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles negotiated a treaty whereby Johor allowed the British to found a trading port on the island.

I went there right away after Haji Lane. The Sun light was way too shiny than I expected and it was only 9 AM. Though, I felt so grateful it’s not raining. I took MRT from Bugis Station to City Hall and walked, again. Hahaha.. this was exactly the reason why I brought my Nike Roshe shoes instead of my loafer. I walked all the time.

St. Andrew’s Cathedral

Singapore: Haji Lane, Kampong Glam

Sunday, 23 April 2017

Early in the morning, I woke up and got ready to explore Singapore. I was super excited and anxious at the same time. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to find my destinations or worst, lost. Hahaha.. My plan was simple, took as many mural pictures as possible in Haji Lane, Kampong Glam.

I was informed by Desmond, the helpful receptionist, that it’s better to go as early as possible before the Sun caught you. It’s gonna be way too humid and hot after 10 AM. And so I did. I left at around 8 AM right after breakfast.

 

8 AM Mosque St, Chinatown

After managed to took empty Mosque Street, I jump in the train from Chinatown Station to Bugis Station. Then walked along the way to Haji Lane with Google Map as my guide. I enjoy every steps because the path was clean, the view was nothing to be found back home. I met pigeons gathering in the pavement. Held myself to try to scare them off ahahahaa..