College classmates and former housemates and officemates (in KPMG) Chu and Zenie, OFWs based in Thailand and Jersey Island, decided to have a short vacation in Singapore. With Rodel, Tyne, Cate and I working here, it resulted to a college reunion in Singapore. Who would’ve ever thought this would happen?
Chu flew in first on the 13th and since everyone else had work, I was the only one who could join him in touring Little India and Chinatown. In India we had an amusing incident of miscommunication at the gold stall and discovered that gold is sold by the gram here.
We tried some nan (yum!) and masala.
yummy Indian food – nan and masala
In Chinatown, we were shocked to see a girl in just her panties (or so it seems).
We walked the length of the hawkers center and tried a little bit of this and that. Our last stop was our favorite Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf coz wala daw ganon sa Thailand.
in Chinatown
a little culture shock in the outfit department
Then we met with former KPMG officemate Stella in Vivo mall, where she treated us to Hokkien Mee.
Stella introduces me to Hokkien mee
We then met Cate in Compass Point, near our place, where Chu treated us to ice cream in Swensens.
Then Cate and I went home and changed before heading to Tyne’s for an overnight. Chu then gave his pasalubong for Cate and birthday gift for me – books 1 and 4 of the Twilight series! Oh happy day!!
Chu’s birthday gifts for me
The next day, we fetched Zenie at the airport. Then since Chu missed lechon kawali, we headed over to Gelle’s group’s place where Joey cooked it for us for lunch. After we left their place, I was off to Tanjong Pagar to get my employment pass from my employer, then I met them in Orchard road where they shopped for Pinoy goodies in Lucky Plaza. Jam, our new Pinoy friend here, also met us there, and guided us to Suntec City Mall, where we made a wish on the waters of the Fountain of Wealth (the largest fountain in the world) and waited for the light show.
lechon kawali ala Sabolbora
outside Ngee Ann City
at the Orchard MRT station
at the Fountain of Wealth
Then we visited the Pinoy restaurant mentioned by Stella, 7107 Flavors, located in Marina Square. Zenie and Chu treated us to a scrumptious Pinoy food feast, their birthday gift for me. Awww.
The place was really great. There was an acoustic duo who serenaded us up front, and the food, especially the sisig and liempo, was worth every dollar. Too bad lechon de leche, which was what Chu was after here, had to be ordered a day in advance, so we couldn’t have any.
Then we walked to Esplanade so we could have a view of Singapore’s staples at night – Esplanade (the durian-inspired mall), the Singapore Flyer (largest ferris wheel in the world), and of course, the original Merlion, the icon of Singapore.
7107 Flavors – excellent Filipino food and ambiance
the Esplanade and the Singapore Flyer in the background
College reunion at the Merlion
Then we had to meet Rodel & Tyne at Clarke Quay, and we thought we needed to take the MRT but Jam walked us there before he left to catch the last MRT home. We should have followed his example; later Cate and I discovered the price you have to pay for going home late in Singapore.
We looked around Clarke Quay and saw the reverse bungy ride, the hospital-inspired bar (the tables were hospital beds), and finally settled at Coffee Club for dessert and drinks – Tyne’s treat.
College block OFWs having coffee
The college reunion continued at Sentosa Island the next day. Zenie and I were scared half to death at the cable car, I had the time of my life riding the luge (once is not enough!), got scared once again at the sky ride and 3D log ride (it really felt like a real roller coaster!), got struck speechless by the Songs of the Sea, and had fun projecting at Siloso beach.
the scary cable car
wearing our Luge helmets
pointing at the Sky ride
at the Sky ride
the seat at the 3D log ride
the famous Siloso beach letters
inside the cable car
At their last day, Zenie wanted to taste real Singapore food, so we had some Hokkien mee, fried carrot cake, oyster eggs & fried rice at kopitiam before bringing Chu to the airport (when we had a very funny and eventful moment looking for cabs). After he was off, we looked around terminal 3 and agreed that first world airports are a definite far cry from third world ones. Then we had Zenie’s despedida in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
Chu and Zenie saying goodbye at the airport (don’t ask)
first world airport
It was a wonderful tour indeed, not just for the real tourists, but also for us, who are still new here.