The PolyHobbyist

This year, is the year I felt so lost.

Maybe not a good opening statement for a year-end review. But I guess I should start with the not-so-good details first.

I had set brave goals for myself this year - brave, concrete goals. So brave and concrete that they frightened and knocked me off. I ended up lying in bed, netflix-ing my weekends away, being counterproductive. I lost my focus and motivation for the passing projects I've started. I stopped bullet journaling last March. No regular contents on my blog even though I have a mountain of backlog for it - so sorry. And no regular posts on my handlettering IG account.

Sadly, I had to say with a heavy heart, that I'm letting go of my domain.

But I'm still keeping this blog. I know one day, the love I had for writing before, will find its way back. And this time, there would be no pressure to produce content, and no limitations of what I wanted to put out as blog posts. Yes, I've let go of my dreams to make this blog a profitable one, because it made me lose my writing style.

Looking back, I am clueless on when I started to lose my drive. There were more excuses made than tasks done. I neglected my goals. I just kept scrolling on social media posts thinking I could also do it. But instead of acting on it and creating something, I became insecured and scared to try. I'm producing no output.

And I'm far from the girl that I wanted to be.

When Christmas break started, I joined The Purposeful Creative's Finish 2018 Brave and Organized challenge. I didn't know what to expect honestly. But it helped me know where I was at the moment when it comes to reaching my goals. It made me reflect on how my year went. And I was able to create action points - fingers crossed that I will be able to do them consistently for 2019.

In those 3 weeks that I've been doing the challenge, I found myself motivated and ready to start again. And so I encourage you guys to do the same challenge too.

It motivated me to write this.

On the brighter side, there are still a lot of good things that happened to me this year. I declared on the first of 2018 that I'm gonna learn how to swim. And hell yeah I did!

I even caught myself swimming lifevest-less and feeling comfortable on the waters of the best island in the world, Siargao. It was one of my highlights this year.

I also found a new family from my new team at work. I missed my previous team, of course. But then, it felt better to have them both. Being on a new team, I also became happier with the kind of work that I do. I'm coding again and it feels great to be doing what you really love everyday.

I got sick twice this year. And that's when I felt my family's love the most.

We received a lot of blessings this year, and to that, I'm very thankful.

Lastly, I'm happy with the relationship Chad and I have. We celebrated our anniversary at home with my family while I'm still sick. Then when I recovered, we had a wonderful time in San Rafael River Adventure(I hope I would be able to still share this here). We had fun riding an ATV and spending time with nature. It's the break I've always wanted.

My relationship with him is the one I won't ever take for granted. I feel blessed that I am welcoming 2019 still with the same person from 2014.

I started this post feeling sad with what I had to let go of and leave. But for the same reason, I am ending it feeling lighter and more ready to face 2019 positively. Mixed emotions as they say.

Goodbye 2018, and I'm ready 2019!

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It's been 6 months ever since I stepped foot on the beautiful island of Siargao, and I can still remember my initial reaction of seeing a lot of coconut trees from the plane window. I knew I would get that island vibes I've been longing to have. Up to now, I still daydream of going back there. The island life it offers is just irresistible to me. We went there with no itinerary. But it turned out to be the best decision we had because we experienced it in a whole different way. It's the most relaxing trip I had. Here are 6 reasons why Siargao became my favorite island like those people who voted for it as Asia's Best Island by the Conde Nast Traveler:

1. Those Starry Nights

A sky full of stars >>>> Night Parties

If you go around social media travel sites, you'll know that Siargao is a good place for stargazing and capturing the Milky Way. There is less light pollution around so you can just lie on the beach and watch stars and meteors fall. The place where we stayed is just a minute away from the beach front. And each night, instead of looking for parties, we just stay by the beach and watch the dark sky full of stars. It's the first time I've seen this many stars in my whole life. I somehow regret not bringing my tripod with me in Siargao. That way, I could have taken more beautiful night sky photos and even the Milky Way if I'm lucky. When we went back to the city, I longed for this same sky to show up every night I go out of the office but I guess it would never happen.

2. Safely Roaming Around on Bikes

On days that we don't feel like doing island tours(perks of having no itinerary), we roam around General Luna on bikes. Bike rentals cost 150 pesos per day. As much as we want to rent a motorbike, none of us really know how to drive so we settled for just bikes. I'm not saying that Siargao has bike lanes, but because cars are not their primary mode of transportation(at least in my observation), we could bike on the roads without worrying so much of reckless drivers. Plus, the air is so clean, I won't really mind biking around the whole day.

Our bikes brought us to this beach in front of a cemetery. We didn't bike on the sand though.

While on our bikes, we can go everywhere we wanted to. Cloud 9 and the market is just a few kilometers away so bikes are really convenient. We even passed by a small cemetery which is near the beach.

3. Kermit's Pizza

Looks simple but is really delicious!

Kermit Restaurant is one of the famous food places you could find in the Internet if you're looking for where to eat in Siargao. And it's not just a hype. Their pizza is so good! I've been a lover of pizza ever since I could remember and their pizza is one of the best pizzas I've tasted. The pizza smells like it's cooked in brick oven or pugon. I still miss it up to this day honestly. I wish they could have more branches in Manila. I heard they already have one in the south.

4. Sugba Lagoon

Awkward Darna Jump LOL

Sugba Lagoon is my favorite of all the tourist sites that we visited in Siargao. And I would still go back here if given the chance. It is situated right passed the biggest Mangrove Forest in the Philippines. As much as I love beach waves, there's just security in lagoons. I feel safer since I won't be carried away by waves and that there are boundaries.

Who says you can't sit down?

Sugba Lagoon provides water activities like Stand Up Paddling, Kayaking, Board jumping, and just swimming on the clean, wide water form.

5. Siargao Dogs

A sweet dog in Daku Island

I have a deep love for dogs. And seeing dogs running towards the beach or just merely hanging out there is a bliss to me. They are just so cute! And I'm quite surprised that there are a number of breeds of dogs in Siargao. There are times that I wished life could be as simple as those dogs playing by the beach but nah, not gonna happen.

6. Their Fight Against Plastics and Garbage

I admire the people of Siargao for their efforts to reduce plastic consumption and garbage in their wonderful island. It is what sets them apart from other tourist spots in the Philippines. They love their island so much, they hated plastic and banned it in most establishments. Some establishments don't have take outs so they won't have to use plastic. But some establishments do have take outs but they find alternatives for plastics. Their straws there are either metal or bamboo. Utensils are metal. On our second day, we went to an island off the coast of Siargao. Our tour guides brought lunch and water bottles because we'll be hiking. Guess what, not much disposable plastic to be found in any of the containers, utensils, and bottles that they brought. That is how dedicated they were. And I salute them for it. They also have regular beach cleanups being held and tourists can become a part of it.

No plastics in sight.

Siargao deserved all the compliments and praise they are getting right now as the Best Island in Asia. I just wish that as tourists, we do our part on preserving the beauty of the island. Take part in beach cleanups and participate in their fight against plastic. That way, we could always go back to the same amazing Siargao we love.

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If I would be making a list of those restaurants that I would always go back to, Cafe Mary Grace will always be on that list. Chad and I have dined here thrice already, all during special occasions, and there was never a time that we got disappointed with their food and service. Their cakes are one of the biggest reasons why we always come back. But it was never a bad idea to order their pasta and pizza because they also taste delicious.

The ambiance and interiors of the restaurant looked quite intimidating at first you'll think that the food served here will burn holes in your pockets. But to me, the prices are quite reasonable for the kind of food they fill in our tummies.

I always felt like dining at home every time we visit. Although the Gateway Cubao branch is quite small and the space is quite narrow, we always had a good time. The budget for two, based on experience, is around 1000 - 1200 pesos - the reason why we eat here only in special occasions. It's quite pricey, but I promise you, you won't get disappointed.

Our third visit was to celebrate Chad's 25th birthday. Here's what we ate:

Spanish Sardines & Olives(P320)

I've always been a fan of red sauce pastas when I was a kid. When I got older, oil-based pastas became my instant favorite! I find them healthier and more delicious. I had Cafe Mary Grace's Spanish Sardines and Olives Pasta. Chad recommended I have this because he knows how much I'm craving for it. It did not disappoint! My cravings for this pasta are fully satisfied! The taste is not that salty, and there's a right amount of kick in the dish. It tastes like homemade pasta. Felt like home.

Smoked Salmon & Cream(P330)

The birthday boy had Smoked Salmon & Cream. I tasted it and as much as I love the pasta dish that I ate, this dish doesn't taste bad at all. I'm not a fan of Salmon but it tastes good. The cream blends with the Salmon quite well. The cream eliminates the fishy taste of the Salmon in a good way. I wasn't able to taste the caviar though.

And now, for some dessert! The reason why I suggested such a budget if you would dine here is because I don't want you guys to miss their super yummy cakes!

Mango Bene(P198 per slice)

If you haven't heard of Cafe Mary Grace's Mango Bene before, then now's the time you should know about it. It's the best Mango Cake I have ever tasted! The mangoes are in every layer of the cake and they are always sweet! I also love the meringue which adds a different texture in the cake. You shouldn't miss this slice of heaven if you'll dine here. It's quite pricey, but you won't feel any guilt about it.

Chocolate Truffle(P170 per Slice)

If Mango Bene's my favorite cake, this one is Chad's. The cake is creamy chocolate-y but never too sweet. The chocolate cream in between those chocolate layers tasted like Cadbury chocolate for me. It just melts in your mouth! According to Cafe Mary Grace's website, it is Callebaut Truffle in between those chocolate cake layers. The cake is soft and I think it is best eaten when chilled.

I've always wanted to order a different flavor of cake every time we dine here but we always end up with our favorites LOL.

We always had a satisfied dining experience at Cafe Mary Grace that's why we always choose to dine here to celebrate life milestones. Belated Happy birthday, Love!

Have you ever dined here? If not, go na!:D

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Shawarma is one of the popular Middle Eastern dishes to hit the Philippines. I'm not quite surprised why since judging on its appearance, it has resemblances to our favorite staple foods like burgers. It is meat in between bread. But unlike burgers and sandwiches, the dish uses Pita bread and the sauce has a stronger middle eastern flavor. Most of the shawarma that I've tasted uses beef as their meat. I like it that way because I assume that it's tastier and stronger in flavor. But never did I expect I'd love Chicken Shawarma more. And it's only in Meshwe that I found love with Chicken Shawarma. <3

Meshwe has two branches that I know of. One in Fairview and one in Malingap. We had our Meshwe Experience in Z Compound, which is the very first food park in existence, according to an Uber driver and a person I shared a ride with. This is an al fresco food park so I suggest you bring something to keep you away from sweating in case the weather tends to be uncomfortable.

Meshwe is just located on the front left of the food park and is difficult to miss. When we went there, there are lots of customers waiting to be served their favorite Shawarma. Serving time depends on the number of customers and most of the time, there are many so be patient. The Shawarma is worth the wait, I promise.

Beef Shawarma Rice

During our first visit(we went there twice), we tried their Beef Shawarma Rice(P135). It is Beef Shawarma served with Parsley and Tomato on top of the Bukkhari Rice with Harissa(chilli pepper paste) and yogurt on the side. It's the first time that I had shawarma rice that was not overpoured with mayonnaise and hot sauce and at the same time not so oily. I love their Shawarma because it looks healthier but it does not taste bland. The meat has its middle eastern taste unlike most of the Shawarma stalls out there that is sweet. Also, the meat is lean unlike others that were fatty. Definitely choosing this over others. The Harissa is a bit spicy for me so if you're not a fan of spicy, better not put too much. The yogurt is fine but I did not put too much also. Even their rice is cooked perfectly with Middle Eastern spices. I'm not familiar of the spices though. The aroma just smells like it.

Join the Meshwe Squad!

It was during our second visit(just weeks after because Chad really love this place), that I got to taste the Shawarma that changed my life LOL. Chad ordered Farouj Meshwe with Rice(P175) which is Roasted Chicken Leg along with same rice and sides as the Shawarma rice. The only addition is the coleslaw. We also bought Arabic Fries and softdrinks to remove the "umay" feeling just in case.

Farouj Meshwe with Rice

Everything that Chad ordered in Meshwe had one verdict: MALINAMNAM(delicious!). He loves the place so much, he returns here with or without me LOL. He said there's always that different taste that only Meshwe can offer. The roasted chicken leg has a distinct taste maybe out of the spices again. It is not dry and is well cooked.

Chicken Shawarma is love.

And nooow, for the holy grail of Meshwe for me, their Chicken Shawarma(P95). <3 I didn't have a hard time eating the dish because it is intact. The chicken inside is delicious it is even accompanied with fries inside! Despite the meat being chicken, it is not bland. I think there's also yogurt in there. It is very far from the commercially available oily and fatty Shawarma that was served in mall stalls. I just only wish they would add a little bit more of veggies to a have a more diverse taste and to take the "umay" feeling out of the picture.

Meshwe is the best Shawarma place for me as of the moment! The prices are very affordable and the servings are enough to satisfy us. Everytime I'd crave for Shawarma, Meshwe will be the place I'll visit. Don't be left out! Try their best selling Shawarma too!

Meshwe: Z Compound, 33A Malingap Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City

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Singapore will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's my first out of the country trip which came from my impulsive self. I was so giddy to visit Singapore that one afternoon, I thought, "~~Screw~~ waiting for seat sales. I'm going.". And so a few months after, we're there! Mas okay talaga pag biglaan. Because when you plan too much, it ends up to be just a plan.

I didn't regret booking a flight to this amazing city. And I know, so will you guys, so here it is! Our itinerary and some of the things I learned that will help you explore Singapore to its gems.

Here's what you can expect from this guide:

All our expenses(except for accommodation since we stayed at a friend's house)
Immigration stories(Philippine, Singaporean, and Malaysian)
Modes of Transportation in SG
Full Itinerary
How to Cross Borders from SG to MY

The Famous Merlion

Airfare

We booked a direct flight to Singapore through Cebu Pacific. Other airlines that offer flights to Singapore from Philippines are Air Asia, Philippine Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and Jetstar. We found Cebu Pacific to be the cheapest during that time so we booked our flights there. The airfare cost us 5718 pesos per person RT (that is already with 15 kilos baggage allowance every flight). I highly suggest you book with a baggage allowance if you plan to shop on dollar stores because cheap prices there are REALLY CHEAP! You can score flights to Singapore for as low as 2000 pesos RT. You just have to be patient with waiting for promos(~~Pero walang tyaga ang lola nyo at atat na magSG kaya ayan~~).

So kiss me and smile for me. Tell me that you'll wait for me, Singapore

Philippine Immigration Story

Right after paying for the travel tax, which costs 1620 pesos by the way, we checked in our baggage and went to the Philippine immigration. There's no Visa needed for Philippine passport holders to Singapore so the immigration is a bit strict. We first grabbed the departure cards and filled out the necessary information. Then, the time has come, we fell in line to the immigration officers. We were all nervous because most of us were first timers to going out of the country so the risk of being offloaded is a bit higher. I brought our itinerary, my company ID, and Certificate of Employment(which includes info about my salary) as evidences that I don't have any intention of going to SG to work. My sister's friend also brought a travel permit since she works as a nurse in a public hospital.

My sister's friend went first. She was asked for the travel permit automatically upon knowing that she's a government employee. Afterwards, the next question was, "Who's she travelling with?", then she looked at us and told the immigration that we're her company. Luckily, she passed! One down!

I was next in line and the immigration officer just asked me where I work. I think at first he's not convinced so he asked me where is my exact workplace. To my relief, after answering his question, he let me pass. And that's the only time that I got my normal breathing back.

Singapore Immigration Story

As the plane were about to arrive in Singapore, we were handed Embarkation cards by the flight attendant. The embarkation card looks like the one in HERE.

Tip: Make sure to fill out every field in full detail especially your would be address in Singapore(where you'll be staying).

As soon as we arrived in Singapore Immigration, we were asked not to take photos of the place. To be honest, the Singapore Immigration is even less strict than the Philippine Immigration. We did not have any interrogations at all. The only problem we encountered is that the address that we wrote on the embarkation card is incomplete. But when we got to fill it out correctly, they let us through.

WELCOME TO SINGAPORE!!!!

Changi Airport Singapore

Singapore is such a nice place. The moment we arrived there, I already noticed a big difference between our country to theirs. Their airport is huge and so pretty. We arrived there at already 12:30 AM(thanks to air traffic) so public transport is no longer available. We just took a private vehicle to our hosts' place which is in Khatib(This is far from the tourist spots).

Modes of Transportation

No risk of falling on the train tracks here.

Some of the very big differences that I noticed in Singapore are its modes of transport. While in the Philippines, we have lots of ways to go around places when commuting, in Singapore I only knew 4 ways:

Via MRT - Singapore has waaaaay more efficient trains than the Philippines. We navigated the city most of the time via train. If you'll be staying at a hotel near all the tourist spots, I suggest you estimate your transportation expenses first before deciding to buy the Singapore Tourist Pass(STP) or not. STP allows you to go on unlimited rides on Singapore's public transport for at most 3 days depending on how much did you avail. You can check how much we spent on transportation on the latter part of this guide. We didn't buy STP. Tip: If you're planning out your expenses for transportation, you can check the actual rates HERE.

Via Bus - This is a bit more complicated than using the train. But there are times that the bus station is closer than the MRT station where the tourist spot is located. So you may want to check it out if you don't want to walk further.Tip: You can check the actual buses that can take you to your destinations in Singapore HERE. Plus, they also have a calculator for the fares! Very efficient SG! Click HERE.

Via Taxi - We're not really able to try this one out but taxis are available there.
Via Uber/Grab - We booked Uber/Grab I think thrice during our trip especially when we went to Malaysia.

Related Article: 7 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Singapore

Itinerary

We stayed in Singapore for 6 Days(July 8 to July 13). Our flight to SG was July 7 at 8:20 PM. We were expected to arrive by 11:55 PM but due to air traffic, we already arrived at around 12:30 AM. For this itinerary, we used buses and trains to navigate the city. Also, this itinerary is for people with lots of energy and can take very long walks. Be sure to bring a lot of water!

Day 1 - LAKARAN DAY!

Somewhere in Orchard Road

8:00 AM - Travel from Khatib to Orchard Road via train(exchange Peso to SGD + gala) - SGD1.53
8:30 AM - Orchard Road

9:30 AM - Travel to Little India via train - SGD0.77

9:45 AM - Little India

**Little India MRT Station in Violet

Things to See in Little India:

There's a map just outside the Little India MRT Station that you can use to check the Heritage Trail.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (141 Serangoon Rd, Singapore) - This is a temple so please dress properly and take off your shoes if you plan to enter. - Free Entrance
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (397 Serangoon Road, Singapore) - This is a bit far from the other spots so only go here if you have lots of energy! - Free Entrance
House of Tan Teng Niah (37 Kerbau Road, Little India, Singapore) - The most colorful house I have ever seen! (Photo on the left)
More colorful houses! - Just by walking along the streets of Little India, you can find lots of artsy, colorful houses <3

11:45 AM - Enroute to Chinatown via train - 0.77 SGD

11:55 AM - Chinatown

12:00 PM - Lunch(Roasted Duck with Pineapple Drink) at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre - 5 SGD

Other Hawker Centres near Chinatown MRT Station:

**Chinatown MRT Station in Violet

1:00 PM - Chinatown Trail

Things to see in Chinatown:

Chinatown Street Market

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple(288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840)
Sri Mariamman Temple (244 S Bridge Road, Singapore 058793)
Chinatown Street Market (Pagoda Street and surrounding roads) - where you can buy keychains and other pasalubong

Photos from left: Sri Mariamman Temple, Somewhere in Chinatown, Chinatown Food Street

3:00 PM - Travel to Haji Lane via Bus(arrival of bus depends kindly check app) You can ride bus numbers 2, 33, and 61 then alight at Bugis Station - SGD0.77

4:00 PM - Haji Lane + Arab Lane

6:00 PM - Travel from Bugis Station to Khatib Station via Train - SGD1.57

Photos from left: Piedra Negra, Hokkaido Ice Cream Puff(SGD5)

DAY 2 - SWIMMING DAY!

8:00 AM - Travel to HarbourFront(NorthEast Line) - SGD1.75

8:50 AM - Travel to Resorts World Sentosa via Sentosa Station(Vivocity Shopping Mall Level 3) - SGD4

9:00 AM - Roam around Resorts World Sentosa

10:00 AM - Adventure Cove - SGD78 (Adventure Cove + USS Package(with free meal voucher in USS) bought from Carousell)

Must Try Attractions in Adventure Cove:

Rainbow Reef

RIPtide Rocket - hihiwalay ang kaluluwa mo pag sumakay ka dito. The first ever water-themed rollercoaster I ever experienced. Nakasalbabida ka lang besh. Kapit ka mabuti. No photos for this kasi bawal magdala ng go pro.
Rainbow Reef - Feel like a mermaid and swim with 20,000 colorful fishes!
Big Bucket Tree House - this one is mostly for kids but we had fun waiting for the big bucket to pour in all the water stored.
Dueling Racer - It's a straight and steep slide and you'll be grabbing a mat only to plunge down to the finish line. Do this with a friend for more fun!
Adventure River - It's a lazy river with showers and a small oceanarium! You'll see fishes and sting rays!

For more information, you can check HERE.

6:00 PM - Ride free bus ride exitting Sentosa. Travel from HarbourFront to Khatib - SGD1.75

Photos from the left: Wet Maze, Big Bucket Tree House, Blu Bay, Sting Ray at Adventure River, What We Ate, Mini Oceanarium

DAY 3 - MARINA BAY DAY!

8:00 AM - Travel to Raffles Place Station - SGD1.65
8:40 AM - Visit Spots in Marina Bay

**Raffles Place MRT Station in Violet

Free Things to See in Marina Bay:
Cavenagh Bridge, Fullerton Hotel, Merlion Park, Esplanade Bridge, Helix Bridge, Makansutra Gluttons Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Flyer

For some info about these places: Lurking Around Marina Bay Sands

Lunch - Gardens by the Bay - SGD16

No Rice :(

Afternoon - Flower Dome + Cloud Forest - SGD28

**Note: We're not able to visit Cloud Forest due to schedule conflict(Cloud Forest is undergoing maintenance. :( Be sure to check your date of visit so you won't get disappointed that it is closed.)

For more photos of Flower Dome: SHOOT: Flower Dome

Dinner - Makansutra Gluttons Bay - SGD21

**Note: We treated our hosts for dinner and lunch as a thank you for letting us stay in their home and touring us around.

Related Article: Makansutra Gluttons Bay Experience

Evening - Marina Bay Sands Light Show (check their schedules) - free
SuperTree Grove Lights Show(check their schedules) - free

10:00 PM - Travel from The Esplanade Bus Station to Khatib(Bus no. 857) - SGD1.69

Never miss this

DAY 4 - UNIVERSAL STUDIOS DAY!

9:00 AM - Travel to HarbourFront - SGD1.75

10:00 AM - USS!! - SGD78 (For USS and Adventure Cove)

7:00 PM - Ride free bus ride exitting Sentosa. Travel from HarbourFront to Khatib - SGD1.75

Related Article: My Top 6 Best Attractions in Universal Studios Singapore + Tips

We went to Geylang Road to see my sister's friend and stayed there for the night.

DAY 5 - LEGOLAND MALAYSIA!

Crossing Borders

9:00 AM - Travel to Kranji MRT Station from Aljunied Station - SGD1.89

10:00 AM - Take the SBS Transit (Bus No. 170) from Kranji Station then alight at Woodlands Train Checkpoint - SGD0.77
- There’s a bus station upon exitting SG Immigration. You can ride the same bus number and head to Johor Bahru Checkpoint for Malaysia Immigration - SGD0.77

Malaysian Immigration Story

Again, photography is not allowed inside the immigration premises. Our experience with the Malaysia Immigration is quite smooth. I'm just asked what I plan to do in Malaysia and I just said that we'll just be visiting Legoland then the officer stamped on my passport and we pushed through.

HELLO MALAYSIA!!

11:00 AM - Exchange money to RM currency. Take Uber/Cab to get to Legoland Malaysia

Lunch - Legoland Malaysia - RM28

Afternoon - Enjoy Legoland Malaysia! - RM195

6:00 PM - Take LM1 Bus from Legoland to get to JB Sentral and clear immigration - RM5.40 Head down to the bus bay and board any Causeway bus. They will stop at woodlands checkpoint for SG immigration.

6:30 PM - Singapore Immigration

7 PM - Ride bus to Kranji Station - SGD0.77

7:30 PM - Ride train from Kranji to Aljunied - SGD1.89

6:30 PM - Singapore Immigration

SINGAPORE IMMIGRATION STORY

This time, the immigration officer is a little bit strict. We were all nervous. We're currently staying at an AirBnb that my sister's friend rented in Singapore. My sister's friend was asked to show the booking of the airbnb. Thank God she came first. After her, we're all allowed to pass without any interrogation.

DAY 6 - REST + SHOPPING DAY!

Morning - Travel to Changi City Point via Train from Aljunied - SGD1.25

Shop! Shop! Shop!

Lunch - Changi City Point - SGD5

Afternoon - Travel to Changi Airport via Train - SGD0.97

BYE SG :(

Summary of Expenses

All in all I've spent around 20,000 pesos for this trip including the airfare, travel tax, food, transportation, attraction fees, and souvenirs. Since we did not pay for accommodation, we made it up to our hosts by treating them lunch and dinner as much as we can. There are a lot of ways to cut down the costs. So if I were to redo this trip in a more cost efficient way, here's what I'll do:

Buy Attraction tickets from either Carousell or Klook

We bought our Adventure Cove and USS tickets from Carousell which I think is already a good deal considering we got both for less than SGD 80 with free meal voucher for USS. As for the other attractions, I wish we could have bought them via Klook. It's way cheaper there.

Eat out only at hawker centers

You can already have decent meals for less than SGD 5 so if I'm on a tight budget, I won't really go dining on fancy restaurants. Eat like a local! Also, Makansutra Gluttons Bay is a more expensive hawker centre than others but there are meals there for less than SGD 10.

Wait for seat sales LOL

We didn't wait for any seat sale so the airfare that we got is obviously more expensive. Plan your Singapore trip wisely and be on a look out for seat sales!

Stay closer to the tourist attractions

I am grateful for the hospitality and warm welcome of the couple that let us stay in their home for about 5 days. Our trip would not be possible without them. However, if you have an option to choose where you're staying, as much as possible, opt for hotels close to the attractions that you'll be visiting.

Don't avail the STP

This is one of the best decisions we made while in SG. As you can see, my transportation expenses for 6 Days and 5 Nights are less than SGD 30. Unli 3-Day Pass for STP costs SGD 20 so if I bought two to cover my 6-Day stay, it would cost SGD 40. So before you buy one, try to estimate your transportation expenses first.

F.A.Q.s

It's even more magical at night <3

Where did you exchange your Peso to SGD?

We exchanged our Peso to SGD at a mall in Orchard Road. If I remember it correctly, exchange rate there is 35 Pesos for 1 SGD.

Where did you buy pasalubong?

At Changi City Point! There are 2 dollar stores there and most of the shops are outlets. You can check at my post here: The PolyHobbyist|Changi City Point

What can we expect when we visit Singapore?

That's a lot to discuss. But you can read my post about that here: 7 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Singapore

How much did you bring?

I brought Php30,000 for this trip.

What websites or apps did you use to plan this trip?

I didn't really use any apps. I just used the following sites:

MRT Fare - https://mrt.sg/fare

SG Bus Fare - https://www.mytransport.sg/content/mytransport/home/commuting/busservices.html#Fare_Calculator

SG Bus Routes - https://busrouter.sg/

Causeway bus sched - https://www.causewaylink.com.my/view-local.php?route=LM1&iframe=true&width=720&height=470

Can I have a softcopy of your Itinerary?

Sure! You can see it here: SG - MY 6D5N Itinerary

I think that sums up every info I know about planning your trip to Singapore. :) Of course you can alter some parts of this itinerary to suit your travel needs. I hope this post helps. If you have more questions regarding our trip to Singapore, just drop them all on the comments box below or contact me through my email. Bye! :)

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