We witnessed our first international trip on Jan 22nd, 2010. Though it was planned for years, implementing it took only few weeks. Right from the day when Sidharth said that the fares to Singapore are less in tiger airways till the last minute Visa stamp, everything happened within two weeks. It was really a great feel to go on a holiday motto to a foreign land. Sometimes made me think am I crossing my limits on spending? But, it was one of the best things I have done so far.
Day 1:
We kept our foot at Changi Airport,Singapore and we started taking photographs from that point onwards. Everyone got Singapore dollars from possible ways(exchange, ATM, through friends) and we did our first purchase in Singapore – Easy link cards which can be used in buses and MRT. We reached our A/C Dormitory in “RED light area” of Little India by 1. With small problems initially, we got settled and the first search was towards a hotel. We found “Shakunthalas”. We ate dosas, meals, Biriyani there too! Then we roamed around the streets in and around our hotel and planned to go to Jurong bird sanctuary the next day and dozed off.
Day 2:
Once again to Shakunthalas for a unlimited(6 times sambhar, 5 apalams, unlimited kootu,poriyals) south Indian meals this time! From there, we reached Boon lay MRT station. On the way to board the bus to Bird sanctuary, we saw the Traditional Chinese lion dance and stunts performance. That was the first stunning experience for us at Singapore. After a splendid sight there, we boarded the bus and reached Jurong Bird Sanctuary! It was from there where we felt, our country has lots to do as improvements right from our Vandaloor Zoo. Well maintained and organized bird park, varieties of birds at closest distance possible, Ambience of the park and not to miss the special shows! The Birds your buddies show and the Birds of Prey show stole the attraction of everyone. Really lots of hardwork done was visible to us. We enjoyed a lot there and from there we moved to night safari. It was a all new experience going amidst thick forest in night time. But since we couldn’t take snaps, we missed some fun. But the gals always kept us entertaining with smooches, hugs and kisses etc(lots hidden in this etc) throughout the trip. The BEST of the day award or infact one of the best moments of Singapore trip award goes to JUDY akka(from AP, India), who presented the Animals of night show. It was midnight again when we reached the hotel and we ate at Rahmania where we got most economical package for food in Singapore.
Day 3:
Though we had entry ticket for zoo, we didn’t go there. Few people got tired of wildlife observations the previous day itself. So we decided to roam with a impromptu plan. Raja suggested Marina bay which was like parrys corner in Chennai. All official buildings and altogether a Attu area. So we moved to Raffles Place. It was there we saw beautiful riverside and boating, asian culture museum, Starbucks coffee, Mc.D burger, Supreme court and not to forget the MERLION. We randomly keep walking and took snaps wherever possible experimenting with panoramic shots and aperture settings. We came across two lamborgini which was fit enough for a guy and gal in each adding fuel to our envious stomach fires. Then we went to Esplande mall and then finally landed at China town!
China town is ranganathan street of Singapore! People have microphones like MTV Vjs and they sell products like “3 for 10S$”(that too in chinese). The mariamman temple which is under construction there is the only chinese-free place there. We browsed almost every shop there and found all things there were damn cheap and duplicate for sure. I bought a chinese type fan for 3S$ and spent more on rice cakes, thailand coconuts, ice creams. The ice creamwala was the center of attraction in the market. He had a separate group of audience to look at his tricks when giving the ice creams especially to kids. Sid and Sriram purchased a lot and thiruvalluvar(a.k.a arun) also bought some commodities. We reached little india and charged inside Shakunthalas to have our unlimited meals. We settled at hotel hours after midnight after settling the accounts.(this was a daily activity before hitting the sack).
Day 4:
Sentosa Island was the agenda for the day and we booked a 9-seater cab for that. That was the first Singapore settled Indian involved in our travel plan and he was the first person to cheat us taking almost 35S$ commission from each for sentosa package. All is fair in a new place and to ensure enjoyment. So we had a great time in sentosa watching 4D movie, enjoying the dolphin and sea lions show, underwater world, butterfly park, sky tower view of singapore, swimming in singapore beach and Songs of the Sea. Altogether it was a perfect package in Sentosa and when we came back we had tiffin in Chennai Arya bhavan hotel. Few of them started again to mustafa for purchase and few of us remained in hotel watching twilight movie.
Day 5:
Impromptu trip day. Each one went in each possible direction and we chose to go Singapore Art Museum which came on our way. Worth watching place where they had special displays on egyptian concept of immortality. We got a student pass for 5 S$ and the photography section was awesome too. We were to start to the airport by 6. But we started by 7.15 and boarded the flight in the last call. Arun provided the entertainment when coming back. Still we are surprised how he spoke for 4 complete hours. So finally we were back to Singara Chennai.
Few of the best happenings of the trip:
1.Arun and I being called by the call girls in our street
2.Raja getting caught in customs for the non alcoholic drinks which he bought. (Later we bought alcoholic drinks for his friends, that’s different)
3.Arun getting tensed for that Sentosa driver cheating us and the next second changing the reactions.
4.Sadesh suffering for food in China town. He was so hungry that he left without seeing many places.
5. Arun talking for 4 hours continuously during the return journey
6.Being very good boys though we stayed in red light area for four days
7.Me and raja going in search of sadesh,sriram and sid in sentosa thinking that they are waiting for us. But, we found them coming back after bathing in beach. When we came back to samba and co, they were also enjoying in the beach. We cooled ourselves by dipping in the beach and witnessing few Kingfisher calendar snaps around.
8.In MRTs, you could see people smooching and hugging everywhere. No one would be concerned except for 12 or 15 of them. 9 of us and other 6 also Indians. So it was very easy identifying our people there!
9.Sidharth had a vegetable biriyani for 10S$ when we were flying to singapore. He was so vexed seeing the quality and quantity that he was saying that even after coming back. He will remember that 10S$ for lifetime for sure!
10.Everyone had a unique, crazy happiness and smile in their face once the passports were stamped for the first time.
Before this trip, we were Thanjavur pugazh Enna koduma saravanan or valparai pugazh Enna koduma saravanan. But now we are Singapore pugazh Enna koduma saravanan team!!
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02 21st, 2010| 