OH SINGAPORE, YOU HAD ME AT LAH! =)

It all started with a small talk--

Aunt Veron: Neng attend ako ng wedding sa Singapore (I will attend a wedding in Singapore)

Me: Oo nga daw, sosyal! (So I heard, how posh!)

Aunt Veron: Gusto mong sumama? (Wanna go?)

Me: Ha? (Huh?)

Silence…

Me: Kelan ba? (When is it?)

Aunt Veron: Next month

Me: Ano? Nye! (What? Yay!!! ~@#$%^&*()+_+)

And then, the next thing I knew I booked my first flight out of the Philippines!!! Not sure if my aunt used some sort of a spell for me to have decided that quick!

This is me four hours before leaving for the airport. Gah, I am not used to last minute packing and do not scold me. All those Christmas parties and get-togethers took up too much of my time. I even worked the day before our departure. :P

The truth is I really have no problem traveling. I love travels – long or short! Thank God I have my passport ready (and my credit card as well). But did you know I had to convince myself real hard to give in because airline tickets tend to go up in price the closer to travel date and see, we have exactly one month to leave. So think, think, think! And voila! I thought my upcoming birthday is a good excuse to treat myself for an out of the country trip! Hahaha, what a reason to justify overspending, right?!

Since the main purpose of this is to accompany my aunt slash godmother to a wedding, we had no itinerary. In short, I didn’t know what to expect.

And before this post gets dragging, let me share with you my quote unquote accidental vacation which turned out to be one of a kind!!! =)

Some of you might have seen photos from families and friends who have visited Singapore. You have heard, I have heard their stories, too. Similar pictures from Universal Studios, Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa, and the like. Sometimes it becomes boring. Of course, I promised to see them myself. But my experience is different. I am blessed to have stayed with a local family and I tell you, this is the best way to immerse yourself to what the place has in store.

FIRST DAY

After three hours of travel, we have finally arrived! Wow I immediately fell in love in Singapore from the moment I set foot on Changi Airport. We were instructed to take 858 SMRT bus to Yishun. We were confident to step in right away since we have Sing dollars in our pockets. When we’re about to place our money at the fare box, the driver said, “Pay only the exact fare as no change will be given.”  My initial reaction was, “I’m sorry?” Then one passenger slowly restated what the driver said. I thought, thank you for letting us know. We step out of the bus and had our money break (don’t laugh, we were all noobs once haha). My aunt actually lived in Singapore for almost five years but that was couple of decades ago. So much have changed she said. Hmm excuses. :P

From what I remember, we got off the bus at Khatib MRT station and walk along Yishun sidewalk until we reached our host family’s home. I didn’t mind the long walk and hot weather because I was savoring the clean, fresh air! I’m wondering how they did that, with all those cars and buses passing, I felt like I’m having a beach walk.

Btw, you might be asking, how my Aunt is related with the Singaporean family we are staying at. I’ve mentioned earlier that she worked here. She worked as a “nana” to their youngest kid who’s getting married and luckily she was invited and I was tagged along – that made me luckier =)

Uncle Robert (the dad) and Daryl (the son) were cleaning their house when we got there. Imagine the looks in their faces when they met my aunt again. It was like first love reunited after twenty years! It was so pleasing to watch. They talked for over an hour, catching up, laughing, and reminiscing the past. English is one of their native languages so we had no problem with communication at all. Aunt Julie (the mom) showed us photo albums of my aunt and her family. I was very surprised that my aunt’s wedding and even her kids have spaced on their photo albums. Right then and there, I knew, she wasn’t treated merely as a maid, but a family.

Did you know, they do not wear slippers inside their home? Did you know it was that time I first tasted their cranberry bread and is now my favorite bread in the world? Now I’m craving for one.

After unpacking our stuff and helping out in putting stickers on the oranges to be given at the wedding I think, Aunt Ju said we can surprise May (the daughter) who’s having her nails done in a shopping mall few meters away from their home called Northpoint. Their home was about a 10 minute walk distance or maybe less, depends on how fast you walk. Aunt Ju walks pretty fast but we were able to cope up LOL. Aunt Ju left us for some errands. We walked around the mall while waiting for May to finish. Afterwards, the three of us went back home by taxi. =)

I was too exhausted and fell asleep on their couch while my aunt and the kids “catch up”.

At dinner, the family was complete.  They served us steamed fish and noodles prepared by Uncle Robert and cooked by Daryl. I forgot what it’s called, sorry I had to ask Google. It matches har meen or hae mee. Google could be wrong haha. But all I remember is that it tasted so good and had a lot of prawns on it. My aunt and I were laughing because they served it in a BIIIIG bowl, maybe good for three persons already. The glass of iced tea was also tall, thought I'll drown haha kidding! I asked, is this my last day on earth? Until now I smile in remembrance of it. And tell you, they don’t get fat. So where are they storing the food?!?! I definitely have no idea! We had a variety of fruits for dessert. I ate persimmon fruit for a change – nah, I just took the opportunity since they are too expensive here!

Over dinner, they kept saying awkward stories and kept embarrassing each other. Very Pinoys when we have guests, right?!  

I also learned that 4D is very popular in their place. 4D is not the type of film you get to watch on theaters and feel like you are part of the movie. At first that’s what I thought. Well, it is a lottery played in Singapore. The funny thing is they kept on teasing Aunt Ju because she doesn’t bet on the winning numbers and then regret later. Hahaha!         

We also talked about the cost of living difference between the Philippines and Singapore. Man, theirs is way too high. For example, it is very expensive to drive a car in Singapore. You need to pay for COE costing around 90,000 SGD good for ten years (PHP 270,000/year) and a year’s payment can give you a descent second hand car already!! In our country I paid for 10 SGD for my student license and I think you pay around 30 SGD yearly to renew non-pro license. Now you know how easy it is to drive a car in the Philippines. Can we blame that for all the heavy traffic we experience everyday!?

Did you know Singapore uses a Type G plug? I didn’t that’s why my chargers are useless. Next time this is something I’ll check on Google first when traveling abroad. Fortunately Daryl’s phone charger is the same with mine even though our phone brands differ.

For me, I might not have explored many places on the first day but it was already something special lah. =)

SECOND DAY / THE WEDDING

How about an Audi ride going to the Church!? Sorry I was too shy for a photo op but what a thrilling experience indeed lol!

The ceremony was at ten o’clock in the morning but we were there at eight. The groom and the entourage were even earlier. Filipino time is a big NO! Although like us, they used to tell "7 something, 8 something" when asked of time schedule haha!

It was held in The Church of the Sacred Heart, near Teochew Building and Fort Canning Park. The members of the entourage had time to rehearse their walks. It was like a Christian and Catholic wedding combined. It didn't feel strange; Who would have thought I knew all the hymns sung. Everyone's favorite song, A thousand years was played as the bride walked down the aisle, awww it was so lovely! <3>

Here are some of my takeaways from the sermon:

• Love is a decision made every day; it’s not just feelings because feelings come and go.
• Communicate! We are not mind readers.
• Action and words must come hand in hand.

Although, the ceremony is almost the same, they differ in such a way that the wedding is a whole day affair. Right after the ceremony, the guests were invited to have a brunch. Then they conduct a Tea Ceremony probably at groom and bride’s place. I am not sure because we did not join the tea ceremony anymore but attended the dinner party instead.

Since we still have a lot of time before the dinner party, we opted to see the sights within the vicinity and went to Marina Bay Sands. I hope I still remember the sequence right. We took a bus going to Orchard.

We went to Lucky Plaza and bought some souvenirs and pasalubongs. After taking some photos, we looked for the nearest MRT station. It was out first! Thanks Aunt Julie for giving us this amazing thing haha. Just tap the card (bus or train and many more to mention, just check their site) and you're done! =)

We eventually reached Marina Bay Sands. We were hungry so we went straight to MBS food court. It doesn't seem like one though. Very elegant but the price is right. They offer a lot of Asian cuisines including Filipino's. For lunch we had Chinese specialties. That was the only time I used spoon and fork in my whole stay hahaha! And the only time I ate rice :P

We couldn't miss MBS Sky Park which is 57 storeys high! The view from the top was indescribable! I can't help but be mesmerized by what my eyes see! From the top, you can view CBD skyline, City Hall, and Esplanade, and Singapore Flyer. It was worth visiting! 

After our breath-taking experience, we went back to Yishun to change clothes for the Wedding Dinner Party.

AMARA HOTEL

From Yishun, we took two trains. The first one I think passed by Raffle’s Place and from that station we took another going to Tanjong Pagar. The hotel is walking distance from the MRT station. There were already plenty of guests having cocktails when we arrived. The number of people we greater compared with the number who attended the church ceremony. I got to meet other members of the family. They were all sweet! 

It was my first time to attend a Chinese wedding banquet. I would like to believe that I am the most surprised guest that night. At first, it was the typical showing AVP's of the groom and bride. The entourage danced. The couple gave gifts to their in-laws. There were speeches and wine toasting. Oh, I find their toast cute as they scream at the top of their lungs and hold their breath as much as they can. Then they say a Chinese word at the end, not sure about that but it was new to me.

What was very extraordinary that night was how food was served. Really, I didn't have time to research and be prepared at least. Unlike in our setting, we line up for food. In their setting, dishes are served in the middle of the table one at a time. But wait, imagine, ten or more courses were served! Without exaggeration, I think we were eating for more than two hours. I remember I told my aunt, I'm full and she answered, we're just eating the appetizers. What? Seriously? She was serious hahaha! But wait again, did you know our plates, bowls, utensils are taken away between meals. And the hotel staff replaces them with clean ones, waaah how diligent! =) And last, the ginkgo dessert is heart!

Photo ops:

After the reception, we went back home to Yishun. Thank God we were able to catch the last trip and maybe five minutes after entering the house, rain poured. 

Lazy girl on a La z boy :P

THIRD DAY

It was raining all night! I'm starting to hear these words in my dreams, "Please mind the platform gap" haha!

This was our last chance to explore the city and yet the rain wouldn't stop. I felt really bad but there are things you have no control of. 

We went to Orchard and bought more shirts (I heart SG shirt haha) then went straight to Amara Hotel and met with Uncle Robert and Aunt Julie. Aunt Veron and I had a stupid experience at the elevator which I would rather not disclose! We had some chitchats in their room, talked about how the wedding went. How a price of a gown or one table can send me back to Singapore four times lol!

The rain can't stop us. Aunt Julie went with us. She brought us to Vivo City, a huge mall! I don't know which is bigger, our Mall of Asia or that. But she told me that isn't the biggest mall in SG. 

She treated us to lunch in Crystal Jade. We had, ok I can't remember the names. Of course we had Jasmine Tea. The food I remember was porridge, super tasty. Then I'm so delighted Aunt Julie ordered what we call Hakaw in the Philippines. Hakaw is steamed prawns and my favorite whenever we dine in Chinese restos. It was my first time to eat bachang. It's like a pao but the pork is inside glutinous rice. I loved the sweet taste of it. We had more dishes I can't describe. I'll just ask Aunt Veron when I see her.

Thanks Aunt Julie.

Our next activity, I mean Aunt Ju's activity was shopping! Haha!

Our last stop is Sentosa. There's really not much to say except it's also Aunt Julie's first time. OMG haha! Actually, not one of the family has seen it yet :P

As much as we wanted to stay longer, it was hard because of the rain. 

That pretty ends our day. That's what I thought! We headed home and Aunt Julie gave us old and new stuff. You'd think she has a hidden mall inside her room. It was like the old days. Well just a bit of a story. When I was a kid, I knew about them already because I'm one of those who receives hand-me-down goodies. Here's a picture of me wearing May's clothes hahaha!

As I've said I was wrong thinking our day ends already. Uncle Robert and Aunt Julie brought us to Chong Pang Market and Food Centre. Took us only one bus ride and maybe five to ten minutes of travel. It's like night markets in the Philippines. We had pork sate served with peanut sauce. Ok, the rest I forgot again. Oh I remember I had chilled soya yummy! I'm sure my aunt veron knows the food. I'll just update this post for the food names. :P

We strolled around the market and below are some more photos.

FOURTH DAY

Good bye Singapore...

But wait, there's more. Before we left for the airport, Aunt Julie dragged us to a nearby grocery store called Fair Price. Since Chinese New Year is fast approaching, you'll see Chinese decors all around.

The saddest part of a vacation is when you realized it has come to an end. 

At the bus going to Changi Airport

Obviously our stay was not enough. This is the only vacation where packing is awful. Few days and I was attached. What I missed most are not the places nor the fresh air but the faces of people who treated us as a family and took care of us unconditionally.

To the Quah Family, thank you so much! I look back and all I think of are good memories. I shall return =)

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I'll have other photos uploaded in Facebook. I'm adding more trivia's there :)