We took the first Odyssey shuttle bus from Tune Hotel towards Resort World Sentosa at 7am (return ticket @RM25 / RM18 when purchased online. The seats are upon first come first serve basis. You'll need to register first at the Odyssey counter located in Tune Hotel itself.) The bus took the second link route into Singapore. It was a quick scan on the Malaysia border, but there was a long que on the Singapore border.
It was almost 9am when we reached Sentosa Island Resort. As we hopped off the bus, we went to the first stop, which is the Universal Studio rotating globe. Took plenty of photos here. The were about eight ticket counters but unfortunately, all were closed with sign saying "todays ticket entrance into Universal Studio were sold out". Advised to buy those tickets way ahead online. All of us decided not to enter Universal Studio Singapore (USS) few weeks ago, when we get to know that the roller coaster ride was closed due to maintenance (undergoing till late Sept'10). Besides the Madagascar & Transformers were not yet open for public. Next year, we will definitely give USS another visit once all attractions are open.
We were left lingering around Sentosa Island. Took the free monorail service from Waterfront station to Imbiah station (it was less than two minutes ride though!). Drop off here and we took the free blue line bus towards Underwater World from Imbiah just in time for the dolphin show @ 11am. The tickets into Waterworld was SGD22.90. Since I printed the Great Singapore Sale (GSS) card, all of us got a 15% discount on entrace fee. (One GSS card can purchased max of 4 tickets).
Head straight to the dolphin pool to get our best seat in the house, somewhere under the shades away from the hot sun(still it was hot!). The dolphins entertain us for 15 minutes. It was a good show. We spent the next 30-minutes inside the waterworld looking at various fish, crabs & squids.
It time to surfaced and enjoy the walk along Siloso Beach (still very hot sunny day). Beautiful white sandy beach, but the view was spoil with all big ships docking nearby the Sentosa Island. I would't dare myself to take a swim here. From Siloso Beach, we took the free beach tram towards Palawan Beach for lunch at one of the foodcourt located there. (from Siloso to Palawan, you'll need to change trams at Beach station) Based on the Sentosa Island map, there is a halal food stalls in Palawan, but sadly enough only vegetarian food were available. (the halal food by choice is only Coffee Bean & Delifrance) Had our so called lunch and next stop is Vivo city.
As we walked in Vivo city, the only thought that came into my mind is "should have lunch here instead!". Found Ben & Jerry's outlet and straight away ordered the double belgian waffle for $14.90!!! (thats even expensive than the one I usually bought in UK for £3.90.. damned Singapore! over price dessert) Cant remember which flavour I choose.
After wondering around in Vivo City, we took the train into Sentosa Island for $3.00. Stop at the waterfront station and we just linger around while waiting for Song of the Sea (SOS) performance (two shows a day @7.40pm & 8.40pm) The entrance fee is $10.00 for SOS. The best popcorn I've ever eaten was the one purchased from Garret Popcorn shop. There is Hershey's outlet as well. Universal Studio souvenir shop are located just in front of the USS main entrance. My energy level is very low, so I decided to skip SOS and head back to Danga Bay, alone. Took the 1930hours shuttle and reached Danga Bay in an hour.
The next day, we took the public transport no.170 from Larkin bus station to Queen Street (RM2.10). This time we used the Tambak Johor gateway into Woodlands checkpoint. It was 39km ride to reached Queenstreet which located near to Bugis Street.
Bugis Street, which more like Petaling Street in KL. Souvenirs are cheap here (4 magnet for $10, 5pack of keychain for $10, and much more cheap stuff) You can find almost everything here. Here in Bugis Junction MRT station, you can purchase the visitor daily pass. Unlimited ride for $8 + $10 deposit. (Advice : these card can only be return at certain MRT station in order to get back your $10 deposit - changi airport, orchard, chinatown, city hall, raffles place, ang mo kio, harbourfront and bugis)
From Bugis junction, we take a stop at the Russel Place. Stroll along the Singapore river, pass by Maybank Tower, Asian Civilization Museum & Fullerton hotel towards the Merlion situated just across from Esplanade. Plenty of tourist flocking the Merlion, taking pictures of different styles. We decided to go behind the merlion where less tourist and start to have fun on our own.
The latest 'gah' attraction of Singapore can be seen from here, the Marina Bay Sands. The highest swimming pool recorded in the world. The even have a look out point to see the entire Singapore up to Bartam Island. Of course all this won't come in FOC. Pay $20 just to be on top of the building. Currently not everything up there is accessible, just like their USS.
There is a connected underpass near the merlion, where starbuck open a franchise there. We took a break from the heat and quenched our thirst with White Chocolate Mocha frappucino (not sold in Malaysia, by the way).
Next stop is the most famous shopping street in Singapore, the Orchard Road. From Russel Place, we take a stop at Orchard station which is inside of ION Orchard. We walked from ION Orchard to Orchard Central (about 500m walk) just to find out the North Face outlet has closed down and were told that the nearest one located inside ION Orchard!! To go back towards ION, we decided to get the MRT at Sommerset (one stop away - dont forget Im holding a day pass).
There is another Hard Rock Cafe here on Orchard Road, besides Hard Rock Cafe in Sentosa Island. We had to ask our way to go to HRC. It was located beside the Four Season hotel & Hilton hotel. As we looked at the time, it was 6pm! Time to go back to Danga Bay. From Orchard we head towards Jurong East and stop by Ang Mo Kio to return the tourist daily pass and get back our $10 deposit. Bought a one way ticket towards Kranji ($2.90 with $1 deposit) and took the 170 bus to Woodlands checkpoint. We took the wrong 170 and ended in Kotaraya instead of Larkin (apparently there is blue & red 170 which go to either Kotaraya or Larkin). Taxi is the only mood of transport that we knew to go Danga Bay.
Overall budget :
RM200 petrol + toll
RM28 two night in Tune Hotel + return shuttle transfer into Sentosa Island
$19.50 Underwater World Sentosa
$10.00 Song of the Sea
$3.00 Vivo city into Sentosa
$8.00 tourist daily pass unlimited ride
As for me, it was another enjoyable short break with awesome friends. Still, Singapore to me its more like "indah khabar dari rupa"...
2 comments:
hi..is it just rm28 for two night stay in tune hotel+ shuttle bus?
that price was during early promotion of Tune Hotel Danga Bay. Now days, u can get around RM55++ for one night stay.
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