Singapore

Since our firm sent us to attend a Tax Conference & Training in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I together with one of my fellow Tax Managers decided to have a side trip to Singapore before we officially go to KL.

On another note, I initially had reservations in going to Singapore at that time, because my wife and I already had plans of going to Singapore, crossing the border to Malaysia, and spending a day in KL. Worse is that we booked our tickets months before I was informed about the training in KL.

But the idea of having firsthand knowledge of the itinerary and knowing the intangibles to make the trip less taxing made me decide to go. It meant that I will be in Singapore twice and cross its border to and from Malaysia thrice, all in a period of two weeks.

For this reason, I will just write about general topics for my first trip. And since I also expect to again visit some, if not all of these places, a week from now, I will then right about more specific topics and helpful tips for you my valued followers.

We arrived at Changi International Airport aboard Philippine Air Lines at about 10:30. Since we still have not finalized our accommodations in Singapore at that time, we decided to go to Diendo’s friend in Tampines. Without any luck in trying to book through phone calls, we decided to go around town in search for a hostel where we can spend the night.

Singapore Changi Airport

Limo Cab at the airport

We first tried Rucksack Inn near Clarke Quay Station, one if the most recommend backpacker's hostel in Singapore, but to no avail. We continued walking through Hongkong St. until we accidentally came upon City Center Backpacker’s Hostel. Fortunately, they still have available beds for two persons. While we rejoiced for the S$18.00 that the receptionist asked us to pay for an overnight stay in their 10-bed room, we had the bargain of the day since she informed us that the amount that she was asking from us is already for two beds. Wow! S$9.00 is really a bargain. Maybe that is just one of the perks of trying your luck and not relying too much on the Net I think, ha ha. But I will not recommend this to you since it is best that you prepare for any of your trips in advance.

Free internet and wifi at CCBH

TV at the lounge

After enjoying a brief rest and settling our things at the CCB, we decided to explore Singapore and have our Do-It-Yourself walking tour

Our first stop is the Singapore Parliament House, which as the name indicates, houses the Parliament of Singapore. Thereby making the building one of the most famous landmarks in Singapore. Elgin Bridge and the restaurants and bars along Boat Quay also had our attention for some time.

River Cruise

Still heading east by the Singapore River, our next stop is the Raffles Landing Site where the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles may be found. He is regarded as the “Father of Singapore”. We then came to see the Asian Civilization Museum, the City Hall, Cavenagh Bridge and The Fullerton Hotel.

Boat Quay as viewed from the Singapore Parliament

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles

Marker at the Raffles landing site

Diendo acting as a merchant

Cavenagh Bridge, the oldest and the only suspension bridge across Singapore River, is named after Major General William Orfeur Cavenagh, the last Governor of the Straits Settlements. Police notices proscribing vehicles, including cattle and horses, from crossing the bridge still stand today on both ends of the bridge.

Cavenagh Bridge and The Fullerton Hotel

For pedestrians only please...

Asian Civilization Museum

among the lights used in F1's only night race

under the bridge (i really like this shot)

really find this amusing...

We continued walking until we reached the Merlion, the famous mythical symbol of Singapura. Here, one shall be treated to a panoramic view of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the Singapore Flyer, the Singapore River and the surrounding Singapore Skyline.

finally...Merlion Park

Merlion

Mini-Merlion

Youth Olympic Park

From there we decided to walk further to the Marina Bay Sands and go to the Sands Skypark, which to our disappointment was closed at that time for a private function. Too bad, we really wanted to go up the towers and we have reserved our final day in Singapore to fully enjoy the Universal Studios in Sentosa.

ArtScience Museum

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Still smarting from such disappointment, we decided to try the Singapore Flyer instead. For S$30.00, I think it is one of the best ways of viewing Singapore in a different way.

Singapore Flyer

Though we were dead tired at the end of the day, we really enjoyed everything about Singapore. For now, I leave you with snapshots that I was able to take on my way back to CCB from the Singapore Flyer.

Majulah Singapura


St. Andrew's Cathedral

Singapore Parliament at night

Underpass



Elgin Bridge at night

Gmax Bungee Ride on Clarke Quay

Riverside Point opposite Clarke Quay



Clubbing on Clarke Quay

Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts Building

La Virginia Hotel & Resort

Our division had its Annual Strategic Planning at the La Virginia Hotel & Resort in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas. Since our Bosses decided to make it a whole division affair, it also served as our team-building activity.

Hotel

Aside from offering an overlooking view of the Taal Lake and of Mount Maculot, this seven-hectare resort offers a lot of amenities which visitors of all ages may enjoy. Different cottages and huts are strategically located near the pools. The tree house will also get your attention. Numerous animal statues may also be found around the resort.

Infinity Pool


Froggy Slide at the Kiddie Pool

Thrillseekers may try the zipline for just P300.00. The resort also has a wall-climbing facility, a covered basketball court, and a camping area which is still undergoing construction when we were there.

The Tree House

One will surely not miss the signs leading to the resort. From Manila, just take the Lipa Exit at the Star Tollway, turn left towards Lipa City proper, and then turn right to the road just after Fernando Air Base, then go straight until you reach the town of Mataas na Kahoy.

Chapel

La Virginia Resort & Hotel
Brgy. Manggahan, Mataas na Kahoy,
Batangas

http://www.lavirginiaresort.com/

Taal Volcano

An island within a lake within an island within a lake...

Serene Taal Lake

Rustic Feeling

Snackaroo

T-Bone or Porterhouse?

As certified food-lovers, we usually go food tripping around the Metro. We have tried everything from posh restaurants to simple eateries along the road, and of course, the ubiquitous streetfood which even sometimes border on the hilarious.

Nevertheless, with everything that we have tried so far, one of our hands-down favorites is Snackaroo.

I discovered Snackaroo when it was featured on a TV show years back. I really took the time to look for it, and as they say, the rest is history.

The bestsellers of Snackaroo are their Porterhouse and T-Bone Steaks, which are comparable to the steaks offered by many fancy restaurants. The good thing is, you can have it at a very affordable price of P130.00…yes that’s right…only P130.00. While there are other lower-priced steaks around, Snackaroo's is way thicker, much less, tastier. No wonder, even popular TV and movie personalities dine at Snackaroo.

Anyway, there are also other viands that Snackaroo offers, which includes papaitan, caldereta, laing, barbeque, and crispy tenga.

While there is much to be desired from the service of their waitstaff, especially during peak hours, the food is what really makes us come back. Besides, the owner is so accommodating when we chanced upon him in one of our foodtrips.

Snackaroo has two branches both located in Quezon City. The branch that we frequently dine in is found in Kamuning District, QC. The other is located along Matalino St. in Diliman Area, also in QC



* From Timog Avenue, turn at Scout Ybardolaza St., (“left turn if you are coming from EDSA and right turn if you came from Tomas Morato...your landmark here is the Shell gasoline station”) go straight towards Kamuning. From this intersection, go straight towards E. Rodriguez Sr., Ave., passing by Kamuning and you will find Snackaroo on the left-side corner of Judge Jimenez and K3rd St.

* If you are coming from E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., turn at Judge Jimenez St., (turn left if you are coming from Tomas Morato or St. Luke’s going to EDSA. On the other hand, you need to turn right if you are coming from the Cubao Area. (“there is also a Shell Gas Station in the corner of Judge Jimenez St. and E. Rodriguez Ave.”) go straight and you will find Snackaroo on the right side of the road, more or less a hundred meters after the bridge.