Singapore: Universal Studios Singapore

In my recent trip to Singapore I included Universal Studios Singapore in my itinerary as I wanted to see what the fuss was about. A lot of people seemed to talk about the Transformers 3D ride, and I had never been to a theme park before, at least not outside Genting Highlands in Malaysia. So I planned to spend at least half a day in Universal Studios Singapore (USS) on the last day of my trip to Singapore.

Since the school holidays in Singapore was starting during the time of my trip, the price of my ticket was SGD 74. Usually during week day, it is SGD 68, but that was OK. There's nothing much I can do about it in this case, as the school holidays is not something I can control!

I made my way to USS via the MRT. I took the MRT from Novena (I was staying at Value Nice hotel in Balestier) and took it to Harbourfront MRT. There I followed the directions in the MRT station/Mall up to about the 3rd floor where I took the Sentosa Express for SGD 3 all the way to Beachfront stop where I got down. The SGD 3 price included the a return Sentosa Express ticket and the entrance fee to Sentosa Island.

It was easy to locate the spinning globe which was the logo of USS. I bought my ticket at the ticket booth and went inside. I targeted to do the Transformers ride, the Jurassic Park rapids water ride and the Shrek 4D show, walk around and have some tea time snacks.

Based on the reports of long queus, I quickly made a beeline towards the Sci-Fi city where Transformers 3D was at. Thankfully there was a Single Rider line, and I quickly went to it and managed to get on the 1st car available on the ride. If you were on the other lines, it will take at least 20 minutes. Of course, I was very greatful I was there on my own today as it made things very quick for me - I also managed to go on the ride a 2nd time. You will pick up your 3D glasses during the line.

After you get strapped on to the car on the Transformers Ride 3D, you are automatically transported into this virtual reality world where big Transformers fight it out. *Spoiler Alert* You will experience things being thrown at you, hurtling down tall buildings, and large robot creatures coming at you full force. The car seat you are in will rock to simulate the 3D experience. It is most definitely enjoyable and recommended and worth all the fuss.

After the Transformers ride, I went for the Jurassic Park Water Rapids ride thing which was just ok. You sit in a boat and experience a very minor rapids with dinosaurs from Jurassic Park around you. I didnt think this was for adults as it was mostly animatronic dinosaurs moving around and roaring. You WILL get wet so please bring a raincoat to USS or you will have to buy it for SGD 3. Lockers are available for rent to keep your things at a hideously expensive price - SGD 4 per hour.

The Shrek 4D Movie was a lot more fun - we sat in a chairs and they showed a nice 15 minute movie featuring Shrek, the Donkey, Fiona and the rest of the usual Shrek cast, only there are 4D effects! To explain what the 4D experience is, it means that you actually get to feel some of the scenes in the movie for e.g. wind blowing at you, water being sprinkled on you, the chairs rocking to simulate horse riding etc. It was certainly my first 4D experience and was very fun.

I went on the Madagascar Crate Barrel water adventure but it was kind of boring to me and it was just the same as the Jurassic Park Water ride. Super boring, and it was meant for kids below 12 I think. Animatronic statues of the characters just moving about. To kill time I also went for the Lights Camera Action by Steven Spielberg show that demonstrates how special effects are done in studios. That was quite interesting and I think I would recommend it if you have 15 minutes to kill.

Drinking fountains are available everywhere to refill your water bottles and you ARE allowed to go out of the park to eat decent food outside at Resorts World and come back. I guess comparatively speaking the food in the park is not that expensive - SGD 9 per sandwhich, SGD 6 a cappucinno as it is about the same price outside in a shopping mall, but I usually eat at hawkerstalls so it was a bit pricey for me. My usual meal will come up to about SGD 6 in total, so to spend SGD 9 on a sandwich without drinks is kind of pricey for me.

All in all it was an OK experience. I've never been to "branded' theme park before, and I wanted to check it out so it was fine for 1 time. I don't think I will be making another visit though. In total I only spent 2.5 hours there. I left and watched a hollywood movie at the cinema in Vivocity!

To read more about other attractions in Singapore, click here

Attraction Details: Universal Studios Singapore

Singapore: Singapore Zoo

I have always wanted to visit the Singapore Zoo ever since I saw that series/show on Animal Planet showcasing the zoo. All other guidebooks I've read have raved about this "award winning" zoo and as a person who loves animals and being around animals, I knew I had to include this into my trip.

Of course, the highlight of this trip for me was to see the white tiger and the polar bear, but unfortunately the polar bear exhibit was closed when I visited at the tail end of May 2012. Nevertheless, it was still a good trip as I got to see free-ranging orangutans, Malayan sunbears, white tigers, meerkats (the type you see on Animal Planet), pygmy hippos, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, lions and other fun animals.

This was the white tiger exhibit. A clever river barrier has been formed between the tiger and the zoo visitors. I was fortunate enough to see the white tiger swim in the mock river. The fact that there are no enclosures here made it very fun for me. This white tiger paced back and forth before jumping and swimming in the mock river. This is definitely one of the more popular animals in the zoo.

Although I have seen many hippos in Kenya, I've never seen pygmy hippos and not through clear glass like this. Usually you only get to see the top of the heads, but with this glass enclosure you get to see what they do underneath the water. Which just bumping into each other mostly.

Love the meerkats on display at the Wild Africa section of the zoo. Again as you can see there are no enclosures and a clever barrier has been formed between the animals and the spectators.

Ok enough about the animals and more on the practical stuff. While I enjoyed the zoo very much as an animal lover, I realise that some of the most important things people look for in blogs and the internet are the practical stuff.

So here goes:

1. There are lockers available to keep small items near the entrance of the zoo.

2. They have the Ah Meng's restaurant inside the zoo but before you enter the zoo there are coffee houses, ice cream cafes and some snack shops as well.

3. A tram goes around the zoo at 4 points where you can hop and hop off as you like. It costs SGD 5 to ride the tram. Once you purchase the ticket, you can ride the tram as much as you like. You can also just walk the zoo, but I wouldnt advise it as it is a big zoo. I had the tram ticket and I still didn't get to see the Outback and Ethiopian exhibits as I was too tired.

4. I spent about 2.5 hours there - it was enough for me to see the animals I liked and get a feel for the place.

5. I bought outside food and just ate it at the bench parks around the zoo as I predicted the food in the zoo to be pretty unappetizing and expensive. I think I was right, judging by the looks of things. A meal could cost up to SGD 10 ++

6. An ice cool slushie is about SGD 5.90.

To get here:

Take the MRT  to Ang Mo Kio and take the 138 bus from the Ang Mo Kio bus interchange. It will take about 40 minutes to get here from the bus interchange.

Attraction Website: www.zoo.com.sg

Singapore: Value Hotel Nice

I found this hotel via Tripadvisor or Agoda after browsing numerous weeks for the best value deal there was in Singapore. See, I am on a budget but I do not want to share my room with backpackers or sleep in a dorm. Thankfully, I managed to find this Value Hotel Nice on Balestier, which was a godsend.

Through online booking about 2 weeks before, I managed to get a rate of about SGD 86 (tax inclusive) a night which was cheap by Singaporean standard for a room. The last time I stayed at Hotel 1929 in Chintown, it was SGD 145 (tax not inclusive) for a Single Room with a Single bed, which was a lot smaller than the room I got at Value Hotel Nice - (Standard Room). Booking by the hotel website was a breeze. They will only charge the card when you get there, not on the time of booking.

The room was located on the second floor and did not have a window, being the cheapest room available. It had a double bed, a TV with only selected channels (2 sports channel, a movie channel, and a new channel), a phone, a bathroom, coffee making machine, hairdryer, toiletries and towels. Most important thing for me is privacy and I ran around Macritchie Reservoir Park for about 2.5 hours and had no mood to share a bathroom. Was extremely happy I booked the place that I booked.

The food at Whampoa Food centre was only so-so for me. The food seemed a little bland for me - that's the only downside of staying here. It is open fror Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. There was a 'zhang' rice dumping shop that opens 24 hours downstairs of the hotel, and it had a few 7-Eleven nearby. I also spotted a Mcdonalds about 500m away. There is no restaurant attached to the hotel itself.

The staff was friendly and helpful with any questions. Wifi was free with any online booking. Technically, Novena MRT is the closest to Balestier Road, but it has no busses that serves Balestier. I dont think you would want to walk from Novena to Balestier Road as it is quite far.

To get to Value Hotel Nice:

To get to the hotel, take the MRT from wherever you are and stop at Newton MRT (not Novena MRT) and exit via exit A. Take bus 124 and stop at Balestier Road. You'll know you've arrived when the bus makes a sharp left turn and you see Quality Hotel Marlow on your left. Press the button and get down at the first stop near Quality Hotel Marlow.

You are now opposite Value Hotel Balestier. Not Value Hotel Nice.

Now cross the street towards Value Hotel Balestier, turn left, and walk about 500m. You will then see Value Hotel Nice and the hotel's signboard soon. Along the way you will pass an Animal Recovery Hospital and Whampoa Drive (that leads to Whampoa Food Court).

To get to the MRT from Value Hotel Nice

Bus 124 stops right outside the hotel heading towards the Newton MRT. It doesnt stop here from the MRT. It will pick you up from the Hotel, go straight about 500m, passing Value Hotel Balestier, and make a sharp right at the traffic light. Then it goes straight about 20 minutes to Newton MRT.

The bus fare costs SGD 1.10 using cash but you can also get the Singapore Tourist Pass at selected MRT stations.

In summary I will most definitely stay here again simply because I cannot find a better deal for a private room than Value Hotel Nice. If I can get an equivalent rate at Value Hotel Balestier, I might stay there just because it is nearer to the bus stop from the MRT. I would say Value Hotel Nice was better value than the' uber-cool' 1929 at Chinatown.

Hotel: Value Hotel - Nice

Hotel website: http://www.valuehotel.com.sg/index.php

Singapore: Marina Mandarin

This is definitely one of the nicer hotel buildings I've stayed at (as opposed to a resort) that's right smack in the centre of the Financial District. It has a huge atrium in the middle of the building, with skylight pouring through from the top. The reception is on the 4th floor, and as you take the elevator up, you get to see the expanse of the building and the lobby. I was most definitely overwhelmed by the sophistication of the hotel. They had a decorative piece hanging down in the middle of the building at the atrium section and it hung down like a necklace - very sophisticated.

As the hotel was located near my event, I booked a Deluxe room via Agoda in order to get a reasonable rate of RM 600 (without breakfast). I added an extra bed on the day of check in for SGD 80++ without breakfast. The reception was friendly and efficient - I managed to check in at 1pm. Please be aware though that you have to park your car at Marina Square and they provide free 24 hour parking per night's stay if you are a guest at Marina Mandarin. You will need this complimentary season ticket from the hotel concierge in order to get the free night's parking.

The room was huge by Singaporean standards and we managed to put in the extra bed without any issues. Certainly one of hour highlights was the pillow menu where we got to choose soft, medium, hard or contour comfort without any additional price. The housekeeping will send up the chosen pillows once you have made your requests through the phone. The room came with the standard amenities - tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, shower (no bath - as we had extra bed, we chose a slightly bigger room but we forfeited the bath), bathrobes and a safe. However, as per all 5 star hotels, you have to pay for internet and wifi. Please note that they do not provide creamer for your coffee, but little milk sachets - and they are in the fridge!! (Complimentary)

There was nothing much special about the rooms - just that it met expectations and it was bigger by Singaporean standards. You might want to request for rooms facing the Bay and not the CBD - we got the City view and face Suntec City.

I didn't manage to check out the gym or the pool as I did not have enough time but its safe to say that this hotel is well located - it is next to a mall (Marina Square), it has a 7-Eleven next door, it has plenty of eateries, Hong Kong restaurants round the back and Suntec City Food Court is open early for breakfasts. If you are in town for the OCBC Cycle Singapore events, you may rest assured that Marina Mandarin has a huge storage rooms where bicycles can be kept. I've even seen cyclists bringing up their bicycles to their room on the lifts.

Overall I would stay here again for the bicycle storage reasons, proximity to my event location (F1 pit building), the price (it is the cheapest around this area) and the availability of food. I dont believe we need to pay for breakfasts in the hotel when there are plenty of eateries outside the hotel for a reasonable price. Do note that the night performances in the lounge can be noisy till up t0 midnight.

Singapore: Singapore Flyer

I recently made a visit to Singapore recently for the OCBC Cycle Singapore - because I had to take my bicycle down I decided to drive. I've been recently visiting Singapore a lot lately as there has been some new attractions popping up around Singapore - Marina Bay Sands, Musical Theatre, The Singapore Flyer, International Events such as the ones I was attending, and also the famed Night Safari and Singapore Zoo.

Although staying there is expensive in terms of cost of living and hotel expenses, travelling there itself is not too bad in terms of air flights, train tickets, bus tickets or even driving there. If you are willing to save some money WHILE you are there, such as on food and hotel, Singapore is do-able, even for Malaysians. Some of the things in Singapore you just can't get in Malaysia - good organisation of OCBC Cycle Singapore, and the Wicked Musical for one!

So on this trip, I visited the Singapore Flyer as it was right next to the OCBC Cycle Singapore 2012 Registration Site. Since we had time to spare, we bought SGD 29 (approximately tickets). One entire circle on the Singapore Flyer takes approximately 30 minutes. There is a great Singapore Food Heritage Food Court at the Singapore Flyer site. It is something like Hutong in Lot 10, but I felt the food there was just so-so. Again I'm not a foodie or a food blogger so I will not elaborate about this here. However, just be aware that there are plenty of eateries here so no worries about going hungry.

After looking around for a while we managed to find the escalators going up to the "Flight Entrance". After you go up, you will see another sign asking you to turn left directly into the entrance. As usual, once you hand in the ticket, you will be brought through a "gallery" or some sort to show case the "Biggest Observation Wheel in the World", the history of its making, the mechanics and so on. I suppose its just something to occupy our minds in Air Conditioning while we queue to enter the platform.




After a 15 minute queue, we boarded our little capsule. It should fit about 8-12 people in 1 capsule and its fully closed (no open window or anything). While the view was nice, it moved kinda slow (one whole rotation in 30 minutes). You will be able to view the open seas with industrial ships passing, part of the Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion and The Fullerton Hotel area, the F1 pit and the areas surrounding the Singapore Flyer.


I felt the overall experience was OK - but a bit pricey considering its SGD 30-ish. I'd rather have gone up to the Skypark on Marina Bay Sands with a cocktail to enjoy the same view. But it was a good one-time experience nevertheless. After you get down, you are of course, brought through a souvenir gallery where you can also access the toilet as well. In conclusion, Im happy that I came here once but I probably won't do this again. There is parking next to the building but I have to say that it is pretty expensive for Malaysian pricing - approximately SGD 1.05 for every 30 minutes.

Singapore: Marina Bay Sands

I visited Singapore as part of my 30th birthday celebrations this year in 2011. Ive been to Singapore a few times since my college days, but I was never a big fan. I always stayed around the Orchard road area and went to Sentosa and from what I have seen, it really seemed very plasticky, commercialised and in summary, Singapore appeared to me like a web of underground, air conditioned walkways connecting malls and subways. This time round, I really had a good time in Singapore, more so than in Ho Chi Minh. I would not have expected it. I went to Singapore for a few reasons 1) The Lion King 2) Marina Bay Sands 3) Singapore Night Safari.

Also, I think what made a difference was HOW I travelled. After you have more experience travelling, you sort of know what suits you. What suits me ? Tonnes of activities, left right and centre. Nature and Culture. No staring into space at a cafe, people watching, 'mere sightseeing' or sunbathing on the beach/by the pool for Lavy81 please.

So during my weekend in Singapore it was packed jamed full of cycling at Tampinese and Bedok at their Cycling Routes, followed by dinner and Night Safari (which was awesome btw), and then by The Lion King, dinner with a friend at the Singapore Skypark at the Marina Bay Sands and gambliing at the casinos. And to think that this wasn't even all the activities I planned for for 2 days. I actually had to cut 2 activities cause I was so exhausted.

The Marina Bay Sands was fine. It wasnt as ritzy or as glamarous as I thought it would be but the Skypark was definitely worth going up. Here's a tip, instead of purchasing a ticket for the Skypark, why not get a drink at Ku De Ta (the bar at the Skypark) and enjoy the ride up for free, without a ticket? You need to inform the Ku De Ta staff at the ground floor and tell him/her you intend to have drinks and she will give you a Ku De Ta card for you to head up without a ticket.I had an ok cocktail but the views were lovely to justify the price. We ordered a fish and vegetable with 2 rice and split 2 drinks and it came up to be about SGD 90. Its chinese style, not western style so you need to order a dish and rice to follow. Its steep, but it was my birthday so whatever :) After that we went down to the casinos where I earned back my SGD 50 to pay for my dinner and took a short walk back to the MRT station. On the way back we managed to get this beautiful picture of Marina Sands Bay at night, next to the museum and the Esplanade.

All in all, I had a pretty good trip in Singapore. The Lion King was awesome (reminded me of Kenya, where I was based for 4 months in 2011), The Night Safari was awesome (reminded me of Kenya) and Marina Bay was pretty good (Skypark, won some money). I stayed at 1929 Hotel in Chinatown but that's a whole different story all together.
Attraction Details:

http://www.marinabaysands.com/