startled cat: Friends and Lovers

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” - Pat Conroy

So even for a person of limited means, I find a way to do just that. There's nothing more exhilarating than learning and experiencing new things: food, places and people.

You get all that in one blow when you travel.

So, the idea of going on an out-of-the-country trip with my high school friends was doubly exciting. After all, it did not figure in any of our conversations under the shade of Caimito trees when we were still unassuming high school students in then far-flung Parang, Marikina.

We chose Singapore as the first of the many destinations we want to explore together. Although two of us have been there before, this would be our first as a group.

Waiting to board.

So there!

And we wasted no time. As soon as we touched down, we squeezed Singapore to the hilt!

Buying the 3-day Singapore Tourist Pass that can be used for unlimited ride in buses and trains @ SGD24 plus 10 for deposit refundable on the third day. We kept ours for souvenir. Taxis abound but if you truly want to experience the city, the bus and train systems are the most efficient, convenient and most of all cost effective way to move around. Walking is also not a bad alternative because there's much to see, except the weather may be unforgiving.

Of course, we had to make sure that the cameras were working.

First stop, the high-tech Singapore National Museum. It's best that we know about the city-state first to better understand everything we would experience from then on. Unfortunately, the main gallery was already closed so we settled with the special galleries at the moment and just went back the following day.

We were pleasantly surprised that the Philippines was on exhibit that time.

The Singapore Art Museum.

The Orchard Road where the most luxurious malls are.

Hindi sila galit sa ilaw!!!

Again, we were surprised to see a street named after our capital city Manila!

The Chijmes that houses some of the most happening bars, restaurants and shops.

Exterior of the Sultan's Mosque.

I swear, the interior of the mosque is awesome! Unfortunately, only one of us was able to have a picture in there because they were very strict as it was supposed to be closed to the public that hour.

Time for some Malay cuisine!

How we wish buses in Manila were this empty!

Posey, posey at the Merlion Park! We were so trying not to faint because of the extremely hot weather!

What?!? Bubble gum in Singapore?!?

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, catch the Merlion by the toe! The Singapore Eye and the Marina Bay Sands. We chose the latter to get a bird's eye view of the city-state @ SGD20.00 per person. And yeah, those were us, we reserved the entire area for the pictorial, LOL!

Lunch at Lau Pa Sat. It used to be a government office but was converted into this very busy food court where practically the whole of SG eat! Be very patient finding a table.

I am so not eating Indian food ever again!

Little India...

While waiting for the Hindu Temple to open, we found this chic Indian restaurant across the street where we had a pretty good dessert! I ate Indian food again. :-O

Sri Veeramakaliamman Hindu Temple, what a mouthful!

Amazing details inside!

And not to be outshone, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in China Town...

and shine it does!

After all that "visita iglesia", time for some fine dining at Chijmes with Mikee Lee of Pinoy Big Brother who was in Singapore for some OJT.

Our sumptuous dinner!

Working the attitude to get ready for some partying at...

Zouk Club, the supposed number one party place in Singapore. As for us, it is so overrated!

Universal Lovers!

Yeah, it could be that crowded so make you sure you book way ahead of time as I heard they limit entry to the theme park.

It was book week parade all over again! So high school!

Souvenir shopping before going to...

China Town for the...

best meal we had in Singapore!

Back(less) to the museum, LOL...

that greets visitors with a big bang, a 360-degree audio-visual hall! Upon entry, you will be handed a digital tour guide which gives you control on what you want to see and know about as you go around the museum.

A primer on Singapore's colorful history. After that, it was...

gallery after gallery after gallery showcasing the city-state's rise and fall and perpetual rise as one of the richest countries in the world!

Cleopatra hooked up with her Anthony!

The Helix Bridge, it is more awesome at night, though!

The Marina Bay Sands up close.

Another future attraction!

We thought going way up there would at least mitigate the scorching heat of Singapore. So wrong! It was hotter because we were nearer the freaking Sun!

We wanted to take the plunge into the infinity pool!

The quiet Singapore skyline!

Dinner at Suntec City Mall courtesy of Anthony and Cleopatra!

Ahmmm, where's the fountain of youth? Just asking! :-)

Because someone's old age was catching up on him!

This is a timed spectacle so be sure to be there around 8 to 9pm!

It was a very long day and everyone was drained to the last drop. But Goddess and I were not about to give up the last night in Singapore. So we hopped on a double-decker to...

the Riverside Quay and Clarke Quay...

Where practically all expats and tourists in Singapore converge for some overnight booze. I swear, again, that it was the United Nations over there, ready to be zapped out of the planet by that spaceship-ish canopy! Eksena sa Independence Day!

A few bottles of beer to cap the night! So glad we dragged our firm sleepy asses to go there, they would not have had the privilege to be in our presence! Hehehe!