SINGAPORE + JOHUR BAHRU, MALAYSIA SIDE TRIP

Singapore like any other progressive country is one of the most visited and most expensive tourist destinations in Asia. Survey also reveals that the country is known to be the home of the billionaires. The map may show us how tiny Singapore is, yet, many people love to spend their vacation there.
Having a thought travelling to Singapore due to a very limited budget? Here are some tips on how to save your money while you wander the beautiful city of Singapore plus a side trip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
When travelling to Singapore, it is just as easy as travelling to Hong Kong, Malaysia or Thailand and other Asian countries because it does not require you for a visa. Before the trip, it is beneficial and highly suggested to do some research about the country's culture, policies and norm's to avoid future circumstances. Below should also be included in your research;

*Most visited sites
*Places where you can get best to eat
*How to take public transportation
*cheapest but has quality shopping centers and
*Economical hotel/hostels nearby downtown

Above all else, we must take note of the following requirements needed at the immigration
-Passport
-Round trip ticket
-Hotel booking (details are needed in the disembarkation form)
-Invitation Letter (If you ate living with your family or friends)
-Travel tax of Php 1,620.00
-Terminal Fee of Php 550.00

When I travel, I always ensure that everything is detailed and well-organized. I used to prepare my itinerary a month before my flight like what I did when I went to Japan, Hong Kong and Macau alone. This time, I did not travel alone, I have been planning this trip together with Karen since this is gonna be her first time to travel abroad. And here's what happened during our trip.

Changi International Airport

Day 1

I accompanied Karen to terminal 1 since she'll be taking the tiger airways at 05:00 in the morning while I will be taking the 05:40 Cebu Pacific flight at Terminal 3. It was 45 minutes past the hour of 9:00 when my plane landed in Singapore and I was expecting that she was the first one to arrive but when I went to the arrival hall I found out that her flight has been moved to 7 in the evening. I was so worried with Karen because she was really new to this thing(traveling abroad). On the other hand, Karen was actually holding other plane ticket, the 2 o'clock Cebu Pacific flight(her original round trip ticket) and because we really just want to arrive in Singapore at the same time, we purchased the new one (which a bit cheaper than Cebu Pacific's early flight). Taking the 7PM flight would be a waste of time so I told her to fetch the Cebu Pacific flight so she could be in Singapore as early as 5 and she did. I went to the hotel to checked in first and wander around the city while waiting for her to arrive.

Tip: Purchase a valued ticket at Changi MRT station for S$20.00 an additional deposit of S$10.00. This card can be use unlimited for SBS Bus, MRT and LRT valid for 3 days only.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Tip:Book your hotel online in for a free of charge at www.booking.com. You have either 3-4 days to cancel your reservation from the date of your stay if you opt to choose other hotels but expect for a 7% service charge and 10% VAT when you purchase online..

You may also book your hotel at:

www.hostelworld.com
www.agoda.com
www.hostelbooker.com

CLARKE QUAY

How to get there: Clarke Quay can be access by North East or the Purple MRT Line

Our first stop was to meet my friend before wandering Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay is famous because of its colorful buildings, this is also Singapore's best choice for dining and entertainment clubbing, river cruising, cafes, restaurants and even amusement park. Do not be fooled with this majestic place if you are in a low budget for these establishments are very costly but if you think and you just want to experience how to live luxuriously then this is a must try. 

Karen with her Luggage :)

MARINA BAY I GARDENS BY THE BAY at night

How to get there: Take the Circle (Yellow) Line or the North South (Red) Line 

DAY 2

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

How to get there: Take the Circle Line to HarbourFront Station proceed to Level 3 of Vivo City Mall before taking the Sentosa Rail Transit to Resorts World and Universal Studios. Train ticket is S$4.00.

I was a bit curious of what Universal Studios Singapore has to offer compare to Universal Studios in Japan. My friends says that you will be wandering the whole day in order for you to finish the entire park but they are just too exaggerated I guess. If I were to compare between the two, USJ was exceptionally beautiful than USS, USJ has Harry Potter, Superman, Jaw and a lot more. They also have performances which is the main highlight of Universal Studios Japan and your one day tour is really not enough to wander around the park, On the other hand, I am pretty excited for Karen since it's her first time to visit such huge theme park as this.

Tickets:
Do not buy any tickets at Universal Studios outlet if it is included in your itinerary because they are giving much higher rates than in travel agencies. You may purchase your tickets at Lucky Plaza Mall located outside  Orchard MRT station and you can save S$8.00 per ticket.
(Travel Agencies S$66.00 while Universal Studios Outlet -S$74.00)

SENTOSA CABLE CAR

You have two option when taking the cable car. A one way ticket from Merlion Station to Siloso Point Station can be purchase for S$13.00 or a round trip ticket to Mount Faber Station for only S$29.00.

We've been looking the Merlion Statue in our first day but we couldn't find his image so we decided to find him again on the following day but we were surprised because he was covered by tool bars and green nets. Unfortunately he was under construction when we went there.

CLARKE QUAY 

Liquor Prices

Hard drinks- S$16.00 and above per shots

Beers- S$15.00/bottle (or 502.50 in Philippine money)I had 6 bottles and a glass of vodka  that night

There were no other modes of transportation heading back to our hotel so taking cab is our only option since the MRT and buses were already closes their operations at 12 midnight, Fare rates start at S$3.20.

DAY 3 

JOHUR BAHRU, MALAYSIA

How to get there: Take the North South or the Red Line and drop off at Kranji Station before taking the Causeway Link Bus to Johor for a fare of S$1.00 or the SBS Bus if you do have the valued card. If you are taking with Causeway Link just keep your tickets so you can hop on to the next Bus since they don't really wait the passengers when passing thru the Singapore Immigration. Also, make sure that you bring your passports and disembarkation card to avoid the delay at the check point.

Upon entering the checkpoint we were hold by the immigration officers. They asked us about, Why are you here? What are you going to do here in Malaysia? Did you bring your plane tickets and any possible documents? Do you have any luggage's with you? All I have was our itinerary and we didn't bring anything except our SLR camera.They took us to the Immigration Kiosk and they asked the same thing. They took us again to their office, we couldn't provide them our plane tickets and hotel bookings since I don't have any internet connection (I have learned my mistakes when I went to Japan of using the internet, my local carrier billed thousands of pesos when I get back to the Philippines). They ask us nicely if how much money do we have for the tour, which hotel are we checking in Singapore, What is our purpose and how many days are we going to spend in Johor. And told them that we were just there for a day tour and we are just planning to go to Legoland. It was a bit terrifying when you're interrogated by an immigration officer and it was my first to be in that office and so as Karen.

Reminder: Taking photos at the immigration is prohibited.

Tip: Money changers are located at the JB Center to exchange your SGD to Malaysian Ringgit.

LEGOLAND

How to get there: Take the bus at the lower level of JB center bound to Hello Kitty and Legoland for a fare of MR 4.10/way.

It was a long drive going to Lego and all we did was just taking photos when we get there since the whole theme park were made just for kiddos.

Johor Bahru Food streets

...headed back to Singapore

Dined at Hotspot Cafe and Restaurant located at Bugis Street. To get there, take the East West or Green MRT  Line and explore the busy streets with lots of shopping centers, food streets, bars and restaurants.

SINGAPORE SUGGESTED ITINERARY

DAY 1

05:40               ETD to Singapore

09:05               ETA Singapore

09:30               Check in at Amrise Hotel (112 Sims Avenue, Singapore, Tel. No. +656-745-6656)

                        Take Tana Merah train–then To Joo Kon- drop at AlJunied station

10:00               St. Andrew Cathedral

10:20               Chijmes or Chimes

11:00               Asian Civilization

13:00               Art Museum

14:00               Lau Pa Sat Festival

16:00               Merlion Park / Fountain of Wealth / Esplanade

17:00               Marina Bay Sands / Gardens by the Bay

18:30               Singapore Flyers

19:30               Night Safari

DAY 2

06:00               ETA Sentosa Island/Universal Studios

21:00               Vivo City

DAY 3

05:30               ETD to Johur Bahru Malaysia (optional)

                        Via Causway Link Bus at Kranji MRT $2.50 round trip

08:00               ETA Johor Bahru

08:30               Start the journey by exploring Janlan Tan Hiok Nee (Jalan=Road) or City Square. 

                        You can walk into JB City Square Shopping Mall throught the bridge linked between JB City square and CIQ Building

01:00               Lego Land 

05:00               Return to SG

07:00               Bugis Street

09:00               Clark Quay

DAY 4 BACK TO MANILA

BUROT BEACH, BATANGAS

Planning for a holiday trip and don't have enough fund to splurge in Boracay nor Palawan? Don't push yourself too much as these places will costs you thousands pesos for your 2 or 3 days trip instead try searching for a place nearby the Metro.  You don't either need to stay in a luxurious hotels or dine in an expensive restaurant just to inform your Instagram and Facebook followers that you can afford all those things. A Summer vacations doesn't require of how classy and lavish your trip would be but the important thing is that you are having fun with it. If you are looking for a striking white sand beach and on a friendly budget trip like less than a thousand then Burot Beach is right for you. Burot Beach is privately owned by the SM Group of Companies located in Calatagan Batangas but this is open publicly for now. This beach becomes a popular destination for weekend travellers since it is accessible from its neighbouring towns and cities. 

How to get there:

If you're setting up for a day tour, I suggest take the 4AM van at the Back of Kabayan Hotel, fare is hundred eighty (P180.00) for one way  but they need to fill all the vacant seats before leaving the terminal  to Calatagan. From there, take tricycle to Burot beach for a fare of 200.00(group of 4). You may also take a bus at the back of Sogo Hotel in Pasay Rotonda bound to Lian before taking a jeepney to Calatagan.

It was 8:00 in the morning when we arrived but it was already jam-packed with campers all over the place. And since it was a first come first serve basis in finding a spot, we stayed at the end point of the beach.

There were only few huts and picnic tables available for lease ranging from 450.00 and up. Also, an entrance fee of 65.00 for the day tour is being asked while 130.00 for those who are staying overnight.

Rio, Wilma and Emie's jump shot 

Burot Beach offers magnificent blue waters, fine to golden sand and peaceful spot for those who wants to clear their minds from a very exhausting work week.

Just in case you want something extra fun activity, there are lots of rental boats available with in the vicinity for P100.00 for the Island hopping, that, if you are in a group of 6-8 person but you can also hire for a fee of P650.00 and considered as "special charter". The fee includes the Naked White Sandbar, Starfish and coral Island as they calls it. You'd surely love soaking in these areas for it has crystal blue and cool waters. But I didn't really enjoyed our so called Island hopping hence the boatman took us just a few meters away from the main beach of Burot and I was expecting more from it.

Naked Island

Nevertheless, the trip was filled with fun and excitement.

Starfish Island

Coral Island facing the Main beach of Burot

Also, there are two separate wash rooms available for free but expect a massive queue especially on the weekends. 

Expenses:

Manila to Lian (bus)        152.00

Lian to Calatagan (jeep)   38.00

Bus Terminal to Burot      50.00 (200.00 group of 4)

Environment Fee              20.00

Entrance Fee                   65.00

Boat Rental                    162.50(650.00 group of 4)

Food Contribution        225.00

Calatagan to Manila    180.00 (Van)

Total Expenses            892.50

Suggested Itinerary

04:00     ETD Pasay –Calatagan

08:45     ETA Calatagan Market (buy food)

09:30     ETD Burot Beach

09:50     ETA Burot Beach

10:00     Smimming / Picture taking

12:00     Lunch

01:00     Island hopping (optional)

03:00     Back to Burot Beach

03:15     Wash up

03:40     ETD Burot Beach to Calatagan

04:00     ETD Calatagan-Manila

07:00     ETA Manila

Thanks for reading!

TOYAMA, JAPAN

We are living in a tropical country which we only have experiencing summer and mostly rainy day seasons through out the year. People who lives in these country such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam including Philippines would definitely dreaming to go to their nearest country which has snowfall. A place that you'd surely love to see especially on the winter time but not all of us are lucky enough to travel in a cold place like Japan and Korea due to financial difficulties. I have spent my 5 days in Tokyo already and my journey would not be complete without seeing the snow. So I decided to take a trip to Toyama which is the nearest place for snow experience.

People may think that travelling alone is the most boring thing that a man could do but I'd certainly disagree though you can experience a moment of loneliness sometimes. But travelling alone is a unique experience, in this way you will be able to meet new friends, a traveller in hostels, in a bar or in any place. You have more space entirely on your own and being a solo traveller can be a great opportunity for reflection as an individual.

How to get there:  (Php1.00 - 0.3682)

Toyama is located in south western part of Japan, a  hundreds of miles away from Tokyo. Riding a bus will take you 9-10 hours while taking shinkansen or the bullet train is the easiest and comfortable way to get there but it is pretty much expensive than the bus for it costs you roughly 11,000 yen for the one way ticket. 

Omiya JR Station, Tokyo

It was my first time riding in a good looking bullet train and it was really huge and very rapid. I was mesmerized of how beautiful the transit was and wishing that the Philippines could somehow bought such high speed train as this.  While on my way to Toyama I was having a hard time reading the map since I took the Japanese one and I was a bit worried to get lost which is really normal for a solo traveller but it was totally different since I was heading up to a far place from the City of Tokyo and it  would costs me more yen if I might step on the wrong place. 

As I was reading the Japanese map, a young man approched and asked me if he could lend his hand for a help  and I said Yes since I can't read the Kanji. Then  we talked a lot of things inside  the moving train. His name is Hiro and he just came from Australia to visit his family in Takaoka. One thing I can't forget about this little guy was he is using a scratched and damaged screen iPhone and I don't know why he still keeps it but all I can say is he's very kind and has sense of humor.😀 

 at the Kanazawa JR Station

I have been dreaming that someday I will spend my white Christmas in a place packed with snow when I was little and yes it was a dream come true.  I couldn't help but to be wowed with these huge glaciers up from the mountains and like crashed ice outside the bullet train, it really looks very fine and so soft to stroke. It's like a dream come true to see this thing and I can't even imagine of how did this happen. 

Around lunch time when I arrived the Province of Toyama, the weather is freezing and my childhood friend together with her family are waiting inside the Train station (they bought a ticket just to get in, how thoughtful they were). We haven't seen for ages and the last time was when we were on our 6th  grade and now she is happily married with her 2 cute kiddos. 

After we had our sumptuous and fresh unlimited sushi's for lunch we headed to the Ski mountains and I was like a kid playing the snow, rolled it like a ping-pong and giant balls. 

This is the skiing field and all I can see was white, from the ground, to the trees, to the mountains, all was filled with snow.

Everyone was playing slides and skiing including me and I wouldn't miss without trying this thing. To tell you it was very difficult and heavy at first but once you get used to it, you'd probably love doing it for hours. I had an exhausting yet lunatic experience with these weighty equipments. I even made a snow man it's not as perfect as others but at least I've tried to build one.

Entrance Fee: Free
Equipment Rental: 1,500 Yen

After an hour or two of playing at the mountains, we went to Tomaya Bay, titled as one of the most beautiful bay in the world and yes it was exceptionally magnificent!

The Kaiwo Maru Ship

The Kaiwo Maru Ship was launched to follow her only one month older sister ship Nippon Maru in Yokohama, both as training facilities for 11 public mercantile marine school in Japan. The ship was given the name Kaiwo which means "King of the Seas" with great expectation for its future success.  

It was a long and a freezing day for all of us, so we went to the public hot spring which a bit near from Mount Tateyama. The tub was surrounded with snow whilst dipping at nearly 45 degree running water and it was perfectly beautiful!

On our way home that night I asked them if they can help me find a hostel but they offered me to stay at their house instead. I couldn't resist but to accept it.

Day 2 TAKAOKA

My friends husband woke up so early to take me to another trip. I have my own itinerary but I didn't pay much attention to it and it will be more expensive if I will follow my route. There are only few public transportation routing in the City and given that they have their own car our trip was very relaxing. This time we're heading to Takaoka City. Takaoka City is just an half hour drive away from Toyama City. One of the main attraction in this place is the huge Buddha and the park. Unfortunately, This is the only photo left which I posted on my Instagram while others were vanished since my phone got busted.

Entrance Fee: Free

ZUIRYUJI TAKAOKA TEMPLE

Zuiryuji was known as the national treasure temple of Japan, designed with massive lead roof is considered as the most calmest temples in Japan.
Entrance Fee: 300Yen

Thank you so much Maniwa family for the warmed welcome and for the goodness you've shared while I was in Toyama. Thank you for the free lodging, for the free drinks at the bar, for the free tour nearby the provinces and for the limitless lavish foods. Arigatou Gozaimasu!



Indeed my snow experience was totally unforgettable and astounding!