Do the Hustle in SG

In each of these out of the country kinds of trips, the day that we would most likely be excited about would be the day of arrival, while we dread the day that we leave and say good-bye to such a wonderful place. Our final day in SG was dedicated to last minute shopping, roaming around un-toured parts, and of course, taking endless photos from everyone's cameras. Our plan was to do the hustle and we started our day off in Marina Bay Sands. We took the MRT from Lavender, then switched lines from East West line to North South line at City Hall interchange. Then from there, to Marina Bay. We walked from the MRT station to Marina Bay Sands past SG's 1st dragon boat international competition, Marina Regatta, where we got to see Team Pilipinas compete for a round.

Team Philippines

Marina Regatta - SG

The Bay was teeming with tourists, both international and local. It was actually quite a sight, since from where we were standing, I could see a lot of tourist destinations such as the Merlion on my left, the Marina Bay Sands on my right, and the Helix Bridge and Singapore Flyer straight ahead just past the Marina Bay Sands. It's a jackpot if you think about it, you can actually take photos of all these from one vantage point such as ours, or any point within the Bay for that matter. So if you're up for fast-paced touring, doing the hustle around the Bay would be perfect.

Marina Bay Sands as my backdrop

After taking some photos, we then headed inside Marina Bay Sands malls. The plan was just to pass through the mall, but then, we spotted some pastry shops and delighted with the sight of macaroons! Some shops were on sale during that time, so I indulged on shopping, and bought one box of macaroons each from 2 shops: TWG Tea, and High Society; so that I can taste different flavors from different shops.

However, we ended up spending too much time buying macaroons, so we had to find a place to have lunch. We chose to eat in the food court where I decided to have my last chicken rice meal before I leave SG.

SG Chicken rice

After lunch, we hurried outside Marina Bay Sands to the Helix Bridge. The view was quite amazing; you can actually capture the Marina Bay Sands along with other infrastructures as shown in the picture below.

At the Helix Bridge

Team OT with at Marina Bay

Just beyond the Helix Bridge is a spot where you can take a photo of yourself with the Singapore Flyer far behind.

With the SG Flyer

Then walk a little towards Esplanade, where you can take a photo of yourself with the Merlion statue behind. We opted not to go nearer since we were running out of time, and we had to hurry back to V hotel for check-out. We also had a plane to catch.

With SG Merlion

From V hotel, we then went straight to the airport still via train. And from there, home.

NAIA Terminal 3

From the moment this trip was conceived to the moment that we landed back on Philippine soil, I can say that I learned a lot from this trip; about life, about friendship, about chances, and about Occupational Therapy. And among these learnings I've gained, one thing that I'm positive I'll never forget is related to the phrase:

Ships on harbor are safe, but that's not the reason why ships are made.

If you think about it, never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined myself going on an out of the country trip during my internship year. From a fresh OT intern's point of view, it is only but a hassle to be pulled out of the centers just to spend money on a trip like this. Furthermore, being pulled out would mean less number of thesis half-days. Not to mention that it would be energy consuming as well. But after the trip, none of these ever mattered. All of the things that we worried about, before saying yes to this trip, did not matter for even a bit. I learned, that it is indeed not within the confines of our comfort zone are we able to learn about the world; we could read about it all we want from the books, magazine pages, or articles, but we can only be able to fully understand such once we're in it --- this means stepping out of our comfort zones, exploring and discovering the marvels of the world. Sure we're not always going to find pots'o gold at the end of the rainbow, but even in such travels, one is still able to learn.

In life, there are times when we are faced with difficult decisions; on whether or not we should grab a chance. In such instances, reasoning is our best friend; we weigh the pros and cons of each decision, and then we decide. Other times though, reasoning isn't the one that we should turn to, for there are decisions that aren't made with the mind, but with the heart. And these are the decisions that make each and everyone of us unique. For it is in difficult crossroads in life are we able to define who we are. When we decide to take on the safe road, sometimes, we do the right thing, and sometimes we don't, and we'll only be able to find these out at the end of the road. But another thing that I'm certain is that during these difficult times that we have to choose between roads and when we think that 'there's still next time', we should also keep in mind that 'next time' is always too long before it comes again.

So that's it for my SG adventure. Thank you for bearing with me as I recounted one unexpected journey. Join me again on my next adventure.

XO.

- Keso

A Killing Spree

Our first day on Singapore was actually quite exhausting. It was actually a killing spree in so much more ways than one. First and foremost, the meet up time at the airport hours before our touch down at Changi International Airport was quite a killer. We were up and running by 3 o'clock in the morning. I really hate waking up so early, so you could just imagine how difficult it was for me to do so. And this is coming from someone who's not a morning person, really. And since I finished packing so late the night before, I was late by around 15 minutes because of the long lines at the NAIA gates.

Team White OTs at Changi International Airport

So anyway, we arrived at Changi Budget Terminal around lunch time. I was quite disappointed with the budget terminal. But when I got to ride the airport's bus to the main airport, I changed my mind. The airport was nothing but ordinary. It was a killer. Just how it is connected to the city through an LRT amazes me. The airport even had tactile strips (those markers on the floor), although I'm not sure if they cater to the blind or the deaf, or both. At the entrance to the station, there were machines where you can get to load credits to an EZ Link Card used for transportation, kind of like the LRT/MRT cards here in Pinas but way cooler since you get to use it for bus rides or paying purchases too.

We first dropped off our luggage at the V Hotel and then ate lunch at Bugis Junction where I had my first taste of authentic SG chicken rice. And boy, it was the bomb! It was such a simple meal but with so much taste that I actually wanted to order another round. But since we were on a tight schedule, I had to stop myself.

Authentic SG Chicken Rice

We headed towards some of the shops and then went back to our hotel to meet up with our professor. Our first day was dedicated to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital as I mentioned on my post, OT Ala Singapura, which is a different story, so you would just have to read that post.

LRT Stations

After half a day of touring at the hospital, we went to Ion Orchard to have our first blood of shopping spree at SG. To be honest, I didn't really know what to expect from SG since I'm really not the kind of person who's very into knowing the different places of the world. However, I do love learning culture as I travel.

Tori Q

We first bought snacks at Tory Q. I bought 2 sticks of chicken skin for 2 SGD. It was actually quite tasty but since it's kind of bitin, you're gonna want to buy more sticks.

Then we went to go 'shopping'. But there were just too many shops at Ion Orchard that my feet were practically begging me to kill them. Really, though, all you can actually do there is go window-shop or buy things (if you do have money). But, hey, since I'm not really a shopaholic and also for the fact that I didn't go to SG to do just that, me and my buddy, Gia, just practically walked around and tried to search for good finds --- which failed, though.

Team OT

Ion Orchard

When we all got tired of doing just that, we met up and took shots in front of the mall. 

Quick OOTD in front of the mall

Then walked towards H&M, which was just around 2 blocks away. While we were walking, we saw this ice cream cart, and Gia said that we all had to try that kind of ice cream since it's actually one of the must-try's of SG. So we each bought, I think, a 5-dollar worth of ice cream. And mind you, they're really delicious and big that you'll actually get full. My ice cream was mint flavored with chocolate chips.

Eating SG Ice Cream Sandwich

It was really just a short walk to H&M, which was actually a 3 floors! The place was jam-packed, especially since it was having a sale. After 15 minutes of window-shopping, I finished touring the place and just spent the whole hour dedicated to just sitting on one of the chairs and watching people. There were lots of Filipino shoppers, and it never fails to make me smile whenever I hear them converse in Filipino. It makes me think that we're conquering the world, one shopping capital at a time.

Dinner at Makansutra

Anyhoo, after an hour of rummaging through clothes, we went to Esplanade to eat at a place called Makansutra, which was actually a small square of shops by the bay where you could eat, drink, and have fun while being spoiled by the beautiful view of Marina Bay Sands, SG Skyline, and the Merlion statue.

I already forgot what we ordered, but it was actually a very hearty and satisfyingly large meal that we were all busog-to-the-bones after eating.

So here's a shot of what we ordered:

Too Tired to Function except when going to eat

Makansutra Dinner

And the aftermath:

What food?

Mind you though, water is actually a gold mine of SG --- so expensive! Then of course, we went to take in the view of the Bay before we got to go and look for our way home.

Marina Bay Sands as the background! woot woot

SG Skyline

It was a really nice spot from which you could appreciate such a beautiful landscape a full 360 degrees. It kind of made me think of my own country and realize how different it is from SG, which makes me sad and happy at the same time.

When the night got too cold, we decided to head back to the V hotel via a bus in front of Makansutra. We were in a hurry since we all have to be home by 12 midnight or else DMs (demerits) according to our professor. So when we got to V hotel on time, we had to take shots of our proof that all 7 Cinderellas made it home before curfew. 

Right before the clock strikes twelve! - V Hotel

It was a wonderful killer day --- a complete package of killed feet, killer walks, killer views, killed wallets, killed appetites, but definitely not killed fun.

Inside the Fancy Elevator (LOL)

Til SG day 2!

- Keso