Marina Bay Sands Singapore Part 1

Feeling under pressured for more than two years not be able to travel overseas, now that the pandemic has eased down and more and more countries are slowly opening back their border.  Yayyy!!!  That means time for us to travel the world again.  The traveling procedures are slightly different from pre-pandemic, however it is not that complicated though.  Basically, there are a few more documents that we need to prepare before flying.  Also, mask should be on at all time during the flight.  The first country we've chosen to visit is Singapore.  As it will be my daughter first time overseas too. so we pick somewhere near and a place that is family-friendly.  

Each country, sometime has different entry requirements.  Therefore, you must check into the country-you-will-visit's government website to ensure you tick all the conditions.  For Singapore as at June 2022, these are pre-departure checklists we need to obtain:

• Obtain proof of vaccination (or in Thailand is called Vaccine Passport)
• Purchase a return ticket to Singapore
• Download the TraceTogether app and register your profile
• This is A-MUST do and should be done online: 3 days before departure, you need to submit SG Arrival Card and e-health declaration on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website. 

For the rest of the process from check-in at the airport to board the plane are pretty much the same with the past.  So, off we go....

We booked a private airport transfer from Changi airport to our hotel.  We will be staying at Singapore's most iconic hotel, Marina Bay Sands, for a night.  The service includes helping us with clearing custom until leading us to the limousine car and taking us to our hotel.  It took arond 25 minutes from airport to hotel and it costs 120SGD.
 

Not only that, with this VIP transfer, we don't need to actually queueing at the hotel reception for check-in.  There was this one lady of hotel representative, took us straight to our room for the night and clearing all the check-in process in our room.  Super convenient and feeling privileged. 

As this stay was also part of our anniversary, the hotel nicely decorated our room with ballons (which made my kids totally gone over the moon) and gave us a yummy chocolate cake as well.

Another worthy reason staying here is that all drinks and snacks in our mini bar, they all there for us to enjoy for FREE.  Sweettttt....

Something to remember for sure

What a stunning view from our balcony!!!

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

10 Bayfront Avenue

Ph: +65 6688 8888

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Marina Bay Sands:

Marina Bay Sands Singapore Part 2

Singapore Part 5: Marina Mandarin Hotel

Previously:
Singapore Part 4: River Safari

This hotel maybe old but they have their own charm.  The room is newly refurbished.  Their location is pretty top spot.  The best part is that there is live classical musics in every evening serenade in the middle of hotel lounge.  Imagine that enjoying your late afternoon sweets and cocktail while pinning your ears back to some conventional songs.  Great choice in spending your late arvo.  By the way, their breakfast options are widely spread and delicious.

However, after all the positive side, there are also some off-putting piece.  Where the hotel is really huge containing a huge number of rooms, therefore, so many group tourists stay in this hotel. That is why when breakfast time comes around especially around the peak hour, the food run out very quickly and seems that the cooks cannot catch up with the high demand.  Expect some long queue too in some favorite breakfast sections.

Singapore sling served with kaya

This is one tasty noodle dish.  Mix of BBQ pork, some stir-fried minced pork and deep fried wonton on egg noodle.  It comes with abalone soup too.  Put a dash of chilli sauce and it will bring them to the next level.  However, abalone is not necessary to be in that soup.  Quite tasteless for such a expensive ingredient.

Durian McFlurry

The best breakfast set of my creation

Marina Mandarin Hotel
Marina Square, 6 Raffles Blvd
Singapore
Ph: +65 6845 1000

Jia Xiang Sarawak Kuching Kolo Mee - Marina Square
Ph: +65 6339 4409
(other branches: Redhill Food Centre, Vivo City and 18 Tai Seng street)

Singapore Part 4: River Safari

Previously:
Singapore Part 3: Universal Studios Singapore

Huevos rancheros

Today we were going to visit another theme park in Singapore.  After fueled up our body with healthy yet delicious breakfast from Inter Continental Hotel, we geared out to River Safari for a day of adventure with water animals and many more.

Not much pictures taken today, too much enjoying cutie animals.  This place could bring so much fun if you love animals and definitely be one of the place to visit with kids.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Singapore:
Singapore Part 5: Marina Mandarin Hotel

Singapore Part 3: Universal Studios Singapore

Previously:
Singapore Part 2: Mao Shan Wang and Maxwell Hawker Centre

This was the great breakfast from InterContinental I mentioned earlier.  It is a buffet breakfast with some ala carte breakie menus available to order as well.  They serve healthy and delicious options to boost up our morning.  The choices such as avocado on toast, pancakes with fresh berries, granolas and more.  Their buffet ranges are impressive and their bread selections, especially those chocolate croissants are absolutely mouth watering.  Their coffee is freshly brewed too, so unlike any other hotel breakfast where they use the instant coffee machine.

Very fresh and vibrant mashed avocado on sourdough served with beetroot spread, roasted paprikas and rocket salad

Pancake and berries

Although the pancake itself was pretty mediocre but as it accompanied with fresh chopped berries, some crumbles and maple syrup, this dish turned out to be rather good.

Today our plan was to spend the whole full day in Universal Studios.  With an express pass in our hand, we believed we could cover most of the rides and attractions.  The pass was actually cheaper than the fast pass or express pass. But I can tell you guys, it is definitely worth it.  However, the express pass price could be differ base on how much the demand on that specific day, but apparently I have seen in some website that you can actually purchase this pass in advance and lock the price as well.

You can enjoy one-time or unlimited fast track to most of the attractions.  While only about three or four rides and attractions that are unavailable with this pass. So, basically we saved hours and hours of waiting time on that day.  We were feeling absolutely blissful yet pity of those who were standing on the regular line.  Sorry guys, I totally understand how you feel because I've been there, done that.

This is the regular line

This is the express line

There were only around less than ten people ahead us and not more than ten minutes waiting for Puss in Boots Giant Journey.  Compared to the regular line that sometimes could take less or more than one hour waiting.  Skipping the sline is so satisfying.

We could do so much in a day.  But travelling with kid is quite tiring too.  Therefore, we left just before dinner time.  And spent the rest of our evening in our comfy hotel while enjoying some late night snacks and sweets.

Nasi padang at some random food court

Fries with truffle dipping sauce, tiramisu and fresh fruits for late night snack from the hotel restaurant

InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
1 Nanson Road, Singapore
Ph: +65 6826 5000


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Singapore:
Singapore Part 4: River Safari