SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 3 (Around Singapore)

December 1, 2012 (Saturday)

Today, we woke up late since we've been waking up early the last 2 days. Since we were going to Chinatown, we decided to have breakfast there. Walking along Orchard Road, we took a bus at a stop near the Orchard Hotel. As we didn't know the fare, we had to ask the driver and fumble with our coin purse to have the exact change as the drivers do not give change.

We got off at a bus stop which is one more stop farther from Chinatown. As we walked towards Pagoda Street, we passed by a Bakkwa store and decided to buy some as gifts when we get home.

Further on, we passed by a Chinese pharmacy and again we went inside to buy some medicine which were requested by my wife's office mates.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 2 (Universal Studios and Orchard Hotel)

November 30, 2012 (Friday)

We had to wake up a little early because we were to transfer to another hotel a few blocks from Marriott. 

We decided to check-in early at the Orchard Hotel because the complimentary shuttle bus going to Universal Studio Singapore (USS) stops there to pick up foreign tourists. Take note that you should have your passport as well as embarcation card ready to show the bus driver or you he won't let you in. Also, since this is the last stop along the route, it's almost full when it gets there so be early. The first trip is at 9:35 and every 30 minutes thereafter.

We got to bus station in Sentosa Island, where we were to take the escalator going up to the USS. We had a photo taken first at the revolving  globe infront of USS.

When we got to the entrance, I realized that I did not bring my pre-printed voucher. I was advised by the attendant to go to the guest relations office. There I just presented my credit card, which I used to purchase my vouchers, and they printed our tickets which we then presented at the entrance.

The theme park was not that big. In fact, where it not for the long lines, where you have to wait between 15 to 45 minutes, it would not take the whole day to finish all the rides in the park. I will just let the pictures talk about the park.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 1 (Bound for SG)

November 29, 2012 (Thursday)

Our trip to Singapore and Malaysia had finally ended as quicky as it had started. What took about a year to plan was through after a 6 day tour of Singapore, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur. Our first day started with us waking up early even though our flight was still at around 12 noon. Since it was our first time to use the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Pampanga, we decided to leave Manila early.

We took a bus at the Victory Liner bus terminal in Pasay and was told to take the Dagupan bound bus as this will pass by the Dau Terminal. From there, one has to walk out of the terminal and turn left. There is a queue of air-conditioned jeepneys waiting for passengers bound for the airport. I think it costs P100 each for 25 minute trip.

Upon arrival at the airport and x-ray of the luggages, we went to a counter and paid for our travel tax. It's P1,620 per adults and slightly lower for kids. Since the check-in counter was still closed, we get copies of the immigration cards and filled it up while waiting. 

Upon checking-in, we proceeded to the gate and paid for the terminal fee and then queued to have our passport and immigration card checked by the immigration officer. If you are a government employee, make sure you have a travel authority to avoid the hassle of explaining to the officer. Upon stamping of the passport, we were at last free to go inside and wait for our boarding call.

How to Save When Buying a Universal Studios Singapore Pass

Since we are planning to visit the Universal Studios Singapore (USS) when we visit Singapore next month, I was trying to look for a way to get a discounted ticket. That's when I found in the Resorts World Singapore website that I can get a discount if I use my MasterCard/ The regular one-day peak pass costs S$74 and $54 for adult and kids, respectively. By using the MasterCard, you can buy the same pass at S60 and $45 each.

The USS one-day Pass comes with a free entrance to the Maritime Experiential Museum. I don't know how much the entrance fee to the Museum is but just the USS pass, you easily get about 20% discount.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip: Everything is Falling into Place. I Think.

Since my last post about our planned trip, the only thing firm was our flight from KL to Manila. Now, some developments have come up which makes this trip seem to be more exciting.

First, I was able to get a promo fare to Singapore from Cebu Pacific which costs P2,720 for the three of us. The only downsides were 1) we have to catch our flight from DMIA - Clark, and 2) we had to take another day off from work as the departure date is 29 November, one day earlier than our original plan. With this, our return flights are confirmed.

Secondly, a couple of bloggers (Lakwatserang Bayong) had earlier visited Melaka and we're considering the accommodation that they stayed in: Oriental Residence Riverside Guesthouse. They had given me the email address of Asri, the owner/manager of the guesthouse. Will contact him soon.

Thirdly, I found websites, such as this and this, which gives the bus  and fare schedules for trips plying the Singapore-Melaka and Melaka-KL routes.

Lastly, Millenium and Copthorne had finally emailed and informed me that my request for extension of our two-day complimentary stay at Orchard Hotel - Singapore from June 2012 to December 2012 had finally been approved and will be receiving the new voucher within 2 weeks.

To make the planning more fun, my wife, daughter and I regularly discuss the itinerary for our trip and make sure that things we will see will be within our budget.

Suggestions on what to include in our itinerary for Singapore, Melaka and KL are most welcome. Remember, though, that we are on a shoestring budget.

Planning Our Singapore-Melaka-KL Trip

Our plan of doing the Singapore-Melaka-Kuala Lumpur trip started when I was able to book a one-way flight from KL to Manila for my wife, daughter and me on the 5th of December this year for less than P4,700 (I inadvertently did not remove the 20 kg allowance for the 3 of us, which I don't think we will be able to use the 60 kg baggage allowance). Since it was only a one-way trip, we decided to wait for another promo fare to Singapore. That way, we get to see two countries in one trip. Since Melaka is between the two cities, we also included it in our plan, which is to stay three days in Singapore, a day in Melaka and two days in KL. Our target date for the flight to Singapore is on the 30th of November.

photos courtesy of http://www.streetdirectory.com, http://www.petronastwintowers.com.my, http://www.malacca.ws

We chose that month because it is a Friday as well as a holiday in the Philippines making it a three-day weekend.  Coupled with the following events: it's my daughter's birthday on the 29th and my 50th birthday on the 13th of the same month. It will also give us a year to save for this travel. The first and last time I set foot in Singapore was about 20 years ago and this would be the first time for my wife and daughter. I am sure that a lot has changed since then.