Angel’s Travel Diary

(Okay, after a celebrity filled type of post - with all those cam whoring, etc), let me do a serious travel article on Singapore - just a simple summary and a travelogue type for reading pleasure.

Located in the southern region of the Southeast Asia continent and surrounded by the wide oceans, Singapore is today an international port and the major stopover of various travellers by air or sea. The size of this unique island is not outstanding nor extravagant but yet, it boasts of a huge reputation as one of the busiest ports in the entire Asia; and has well-established her name among the foreign counterparts.

Today, Singapore or fondly known as the Lion City, is not just a portal for international trade but also a place for tourism and development. Being an island, land is definitely scarce but yet, this did not deter the tourists from paying a visit to the well-acclaimed island for its natural resources and of course, the local attractions which stands out uniquely among its other Asian counterparts despite the cross cultural influences and similarity. Singaporeans have been frequently associated with their Malaysian counterparts; being neighboring countries in their similarity in lifestyles and culture and also the racial integration in both countries. In fact, Singapore was at one point adopted as part of Malaysia and was to be a state in Malaysia. However, in 1969, this changed when Singapore detached from Malaysia and declared her own independence.

Despite the influnce and close assimilation of both countries’ cultures, Singapore still proudly proclaims her own differences and locality in certain aspects. One would often associate the fast-paced and quick determination with Singaporeans; thus the famous "Kiasu" terms for the Singaporeans. Furthermore, the blooming of the high rise buildings in the region has also linked the city to fast development and modernized and tech-savvy society; with a higher standard of living which gained Singapore the status of one the fastest growing cities in the Asia region and also the world.

The Land of Sang Nila Utama, a prince who first found this piece of land as legend says, this is also associated with the world of magic and myth as the prince was said to have stumbled upon a lion which bowed to his graces despite its natural feline and ferocious will. Thus, the name of Singapura came about; which also marks the name as the Lion City and therefore, the Lion and its mighty stature is the symbol of Singapore today and one who visits Singapore will not miss the symbolic Merlion structure in the centre of the city which happens to be one of Singapore’s most popular tourist spot as well.

The famous Merlion figure in the famous Esplanade area is not to be missed and one can also have a nice stroll on the overhead bridge overlooking the Singapore river or even take a boat ride to enjoy the view of the Lion City.

Finally, my last day in Singapore…I am not dreading the trip…just wanted to finish posting on this as soon as possible

Went to Chinatown; People’s Park for breakfast…no pics on food in this blog as I have them posted in my Pickyeater’s blog: http://yumyumbites.blogspot.com/

People Park’s Centre

And a gal who wants to take pic of nowhere….

Then for a quick shopping spree….in Takashimaya-  the biggest mall in the Lion City…..it’s like twin buildings…gigantic…fun but it reminds me of our Timesquare in KL…although this layout is definitely better

Now, where am I? Hahaha…isn’t it obvious….airport lor…the famous Changi Airport…

Ready to go home….

Goodbye Singapore!!!

Okay, one of my ending posts on the Sentosa day trip. After the wonderful and remarkable performance by the dolphins, we headed over to the Palawan Beach area (I think)for the next show (or should I say there are only 2 shows). It was the Songs of the Sea performance; at about 6pm. Previously there was this Musical Fountains show which was for free; also starts at about 6.30p.m or so (there is a reason as they need the darker skies for the laser light show). I watched this on my first trip to Singapore BUT how unfortunate of this to be taken off this round, and guess what, it was only exempted like a week before my trip!!! Else, I am sure, this will be a memorable and nostalgic trip as I revive those memories during my childhood days and my first "overseas" trip with my family.

Anyway, sometimes changes are not such a bad thing except that this Songs of the Sea now impose an entrance fee of SGD$6 or SGD$8 I think…sighs, Musical Fountains used to be free of charge.

But anyway, I didn’t manage to take pics as I was recording the video and my camera had to die on my at that time…out of battery; must be exhausted for the long day.

Here are the couple of pics I have from the "stadium" where we watched this

Will try to upload the videos…when I have the time…hehehe

Nice beach…..while heading out after the touching and remarkable dolphin performance, we made our way aimlessly; wondering where to go next. It was way too early for the Songs of the Sea performance and we decided to stroll along the beach, etc…

Silhoutte in the sunset…waiting for the bus can be boring you know

Took the redline bus and here we are, getting off at the Siloso Beach…unique name; need to google it up to see what’s it all about.

Interesting leaping fountains again

Natural and a picture of genuine laughter and joy:)

Took a stroll along the beach

And this, is the bridge to Terabithia…

Haha, no, it was the part of the most southern edge of the Asia continent….

I am at the southernmost point of South East Asia now!!!~

Nice view of the sunset

Telescope time

Here I am ….just to prove that I was at Sentosa Island!!

After the Underwater World, our next stop was the Dolphin Lagoon to watch a dolphin performance or dolphin show as you call it. It was really freaking hot and I felt so weak in the knees as we made our way to the shuttle station and took the red line bus to head to Dolphin Lagoon…sighs, everything is so far apart from each other…this is a big island huh?

We reached there early; for the 2.30p.m. show and was sweating ourselves in our seats which had this canopy above it; assuming it’s really gonna help when this is like, almost 40 degrees to me!! Aiks…so hot hot hot…Thank God for the souvenir from the Merlion, I had this fan which I used to fan myself vigorously and still did not help!

Look at the lagoon…that’s the stage…so hot!

And me….sweating "profusely" but still look cool huh?

Here comes the dolphins..couldn’t remember their names but one was Han

They were really adorable…though they were really far from my view; but I must admit, they came in an impressive style whereby they just came swimming in with accordance with the tune played and then they leaped up in the air…so nice….

The trainers….with the dolphins

More of the impressive stunts from the dear dolphins; which include through the hoop

Balancing the ball on their nose

Laying back on their back…haha, time to relax…dolphins do need a break too, you know

Volunteers from the spectators to join the dolphins…not for me….too hot!!

The final show …

Dolphins back at the stage for a farewell presentation

The commentator made me shed a tear when she mentioned about the dolphins and how pollution and also the causes to the extinction and suffering of the water creatures. It is so true and I really emphatize with the sea folks; look at how people today are taking things for granted; channeling their chemical wastes to the sea, throwing rubbish into the monsoon drains, rivers, lakes, etc which will eventually flow to the big sea. Not just that, there were some who even fished and also development itself; you know about all those reclaiming of the sea into land and thus this has stripped the sea beings off their homes…leaving them homeless and thus forcing them to the edge of their lives…a sign of extinction.

So, do your part, stop the pollution, don’t say that you are only one person…a little goes a long way…if everyone plays their tiny part, it will be a county pretty soon!

I love those dolphins so much…goodbye Han!!!