Travels – Page 7 – Neyziellewanders

In Singapore | What to Do & Subway Guide

Published on April 26, 2017December 17, 2019 by Neyzielle Ronnicque3 Comments

For two consecutive months.

I am not complaining, though, but if someone asks me today or for the next months to bring them there, I would gladly give that offer to anyone. Unless it is an all-expenses paid trip. *winks*

The first time I went to Singapore was with my equally amazing friends turned support group who I was also with in Hongkong/China last August 2016. However, we missed Agla. Our hearts were broken but we still had to push through even though it was just the three of us. Anytime soon, we’ll be complete again, exploring other Asian countries.

We were so tourist-y that we went to places and attractions with lots of people. BUT it is Singapore, right?

So just like my blog post about Korea subway navigation, first thing’s first, buy an EZ-Link card. The card is for your unlimited travel access to Singapore’s public bus services, MRT and LRT trains. The deposit is also refundable and you can use the balance to buy your food on certain convenience stores, of course, 7/11!

We reserved a room in a hostel that, coincidentally, is managed by a Filipina.

Fernloft^® is a hostel chain founded in 2004 located strategically in heritage areas.

That, being said, the hostel is located in Chinatown, Singapore and is near Chinatown MRT station. It is not really a very cozy hostel but it is good and very cheap if you are only there to take a bath, sleep, and leave your bags.

HOW TO GET THERE from the Airport:

Take MRT from Changi Airport to Chinatown (Green line from airport) until Bugis Station. Then transfer to Blue line going to Chinatown Station. It is very easy to navigate. Walk along Maxwell Road till you come to a cross junction. It just across the road; located at block 5 level 2 (#02-92).

17799445_10154675813557983_6586643843334727715_n — For two days, we took the wrong exit so we had to walk longer, not knowing that there is a nearer subway exit from the hostel. This photo, though, Filipinos, need I say more?

What to do and where to go in Singapore: MRT Guide

Watch lights show at Marina Bay Sands from Merlion Park

(Duration: 15 minutes; Showtime schedule is 20:00, 21:30 and 23:00)

Watch lights show at Gardens by the bay

(Schedule: 19:45 and 20:45)

How to get to both: Take MRT from Chinatown (or anywhere you are in SG) to Bayfront Station. Take the Blue Line, use Exit B and follow the underground linkway. Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay. Both attractions are free of charge.

The exits for the two places are different, though, but it is in the same MRT station. Read the exit signs, okay? *winks* It will lead you to what place you want to go first.

Go to Universal Studios Singapore (So much fun in here especially the Transformers ride)

We bought our USS ticket in Klook (book your tickets here for discounted prices. Right now, they only offer attractions and packages for Asia) for only PhP 2,190 instead of the regular price of USD 76 = Php 3776.59.

How to get there: Take the MRT Station to Harbourfront (Take Violet Line). Walk to the other side of the Harbourfront. The Sentosa sign is so big, you won’t miss it.

Go to the famous Gardens by the Bay where you would find the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest

We bought our tickets for a discounted price (Php 790) again in Klook. You should also purchase one for OCBC Skyway [Skytrees!!!] (should also be in Klook but I can’t seem to find it now).

How to get there: Take the MRT from Chinatown to Bayfront Station. Take the Blue Line, use Exit B and follow the underground linkway. Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay.

Try the Faber Peak Singapore (Cable Cars)

We again bought our discounted tickets in Klook. It was PhP 790 or PhP 1,221 (if with lunch buffet). Of course, we availed of the buffet lunch. The food is good and the view in the restaurant is beautiful! It is managed by Spuds and Aprons.

How to get there: Take the MRT from Chinatown (or anywhere) to Harbourfront (Violet line), take Exit B at Harbourfront Centre, cross the link bridge and follow directions to Singapore Cable Car.

There are two cable car lines (Mount Faber Line and Sentosa Line). Each stop offers tourist attractions so be ready for a lot of walking marathon. The greatest news of all is that you can ride both lines. We alighted on all stops! Talk about dedication. HAHA!

HARRY POTTER fans, DO NOT FORGET TO SPARE SOME EXTRA TIME FOR Platform 1094: First Wizard Themed Bistro In Singapore For All You Muggles!

I must warn you, though, for those who are in tight budget, the food there is quite expensive. However, the Potterhead feels do not dismay. You can order the Goblet of Fire ($15) to spice things up. Promise, you will be in for a magical moment, albeit momentarily.

The Goblet of Fire came as a big cup of Blue Curacao Liquer and lime juice. The staff then torched a spoonful of Bacardi 151 rum before pouring it into the blue mixture.

With cinnamon powder sprinkled for effect, the flames will catch onto the trails of flammable powder in the air, and you’ll get a flaming Goblet of Fire that any wizarding headmaster would be proud of.

The Goblet of Fire was quite a simple cocktail with a hint of bitterness from the curacao, slightly aromatic and balanced with the addition of sour lime juice. The accompanying theatrics is what really made this drink a winner.
Read more here.

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Address: Platform 1094: 1094 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328192 | Opening Hours: (Tues to Fri) 11AM-10PM, (Sat and Sun) 10AM-10PM.

How to get there by MRT: Alight at Serangoon station and let the wonders of Waze of Google Map do the navigation for you.

Go on a side trip to Legoland Malaysia! (I’m saving another post for this because the second time I went to Singapore, I also went to Kuala Lumpur. Might as well write about the two separate trips to Malaysia there. *winks*

The second time I went to Singapore was exactly a month after the trip above. I was with my aunt and we practically went to the same places except Universal Studios and Platform 1094. I only have photos as proof, though. HAHA~

We were originally set to go to the Night Safari for our last night in SG but something unexpected came up. *coughs the traffic from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore is so bad and the Batu Caves was not what we were expecting of*

My aunt (who is just two years older than me, btw) already paid for the entrance fee but sometimes you just need to let some things go and be frustrated the night before leaving a place so beautiful like Singapore.

Also, everything I know about navigation, I’ve learned it from these two amazing people. Always my favorites!

Singapore offers superb architecture. I will definitely go back but please not this year again. *laughs*

Photos were taken using my GoPro Hero4 Silver and my friend’s iPhone 6s and GoPro Hero4 Silver.

My coin banks made me travel to 5 local and 4 int’l destinations in 1 month

Published on April 26, 2017May 5, 2017 by Neyzielle RonnicqueLeave a comment

“You’re so Ilocana,” says a friend when I showed her the photos of my coin banks. I am not any near of ashamed though, if I may say.

Technically, my coin banks did not cover [for] all my expenses because I booked my flights way beforehand. We can never thank seatsales enough, yes? But my alkansyas sure helped me pushed through with my travels, even that goes without saying.

When I say travels, I meant going to Iloilo–Antique-back to my province in Ilocos Norte- South Korea – Singapore – Thailand – Malaysia – Bacolod – Cadiz City (Lakawon Island) – Guimaras in one month. Yes, you read it right!

DCIM102GOPROGOPR0485. — Antique (Tibiao and Culasi) | March 6-7

DCIM102GOPROGOPR0791. — Iloilo (City and Gigantes) March 8-11

2017_0318_21593500 — South Korea – March 16-21

DCIM103GOPROGOPR1766. — Two consecutive months in Singapore – February 16-21 & March 21 & 26

DCIM103GOPROGOPR1900. — Thailand (Hat Yai and Phuket) March 23-25

DCIM103GOPROGOPR1978. — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – March 25-26

DCIM104GOPROGOPR2144. — Bacolod City – March 26 – March 29

DCIM104GOPROGOPR2054. — Lakawon Island, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental – March 27

DCIM104GOPROGOPR2076. — Guimaras – March 28

Five coinbanks strategically placed in:
– My tita’s house in Novaliches (two of them) which I started filling in when I was still living with them, and every weekends thereafter.
– Two on my bedside table and on top of my cabinet in the room I am currently renting
– One on my office table

HOW DID I DO THAT? Well, I:
– Deliberately put 100, 200, and 500 bills in there just to find myself whining and ranting that I don’t have any money left after.
– Put my “extra” money in there, too. When I mean extra, I programmed my Ilocano self that I need to spend just 100 pesos for a day (on work days). Whatever extra money I can spare, I deposit it on my office coinbank.
– Put other extras, too. I am not really that much of a spender (okay, I spend a lot on food..and travels!), so whatever extra coins or bills I have from satisfying my cravings and beach/mountain longings, I put it on my boarding house alkansya.
– Saved the 40% of my monthly salary for personal and school use (which sufficiently covers [my] two weeks). The 10% is for my tithes while the 50% goes to my saving accounts (I have three!) where my insurance policies payment are automatically debited monthly. Whatever money I feel like saving from the 30%, I put it in wherever of the five. It depends on my mood, though. Sometimes I put 500/300/200 bills, but I put my extra 20 and 50 peso bills which, to be honest, is most of the times.

Most importantly, I (somehow) deprived myself of gadgets and unnecessary temporary pleasures (*coughs luxury bags, clothes, and shoes.. coughs*).. or those are just not really my things.

Because of my coinbanks, I spent too little of my savings. I used my last payment from my previous project/job to add up to my travel expenses. The good thing is, I haven’t even opened two of my coinbanks yet!

What I just want to say here is that save those coins, that extra 20-peso change from whatever you bought, that two hundred bill that you think you will not need for the next days, or even that 500 peso bill you may want to take off from your salary on every payday.

Buy that cute coinbank in the mall, I bought mine in Papelmerotti with all those inspiring quotes that made me want to save more.

I went to the destinations above with a minimum amount of pocket money. Check my previous and next posts on how much I used in each trip.. just like how an Ilocana should ambitiously spend. *winks*

I have said this earlier but adding my savings from my previous job, I only opened two out of my five coinbanks for all my trips! 🙂 I still have my emergency fund! *exits with flying colors*

So it is Korea | Travel Guide

Published on April 24, 2017December 17, 2019 by Neyzielle Ronnicque5 Comments

It is every fan girl’s dream, they say, but for me, it was fulfilling that high school promise to bring myself to Korea when I get a [better] job. Well, perhaps it was my fan girl side, after all.

A flight was booked because of that “I think Korea is calling us” message from my super amazing friend. That night and most of the days thereafter, I never stopped thinking that finally, it is Korea.

We always knew where to go, but our itinerary was never finalized until an equally-amazing friend booked the same flight as ours.

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