Universal Studios – Singapore

         On our second day in Singapore, we were firmly determined to visit the world-famous Universal Studios in Sentosa Island resort. Nowadays, it has been a travel trend for tourists to pay a visit to this theme park. Your trip to Singapore would not be authentic without a visit to this amusement park. Spreading over an area of 20 hectares within the Resorts World Sentosa on the southern island Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore (USS) is the second Universal Studios in Asia after Japan, and it is the first one in Southeast Asia. As part of the US$ 4.5 billion Resorts World Sentosa development (with the owner Genting Singapore), the park began its construction on 19 April 2008 and was completed on 18 March 2010. Officially opened on May 28, 2011, within nine months from the first day of its opening, the USS has attracted over 2 million visitors. The park reputes itself as a one-of-its-kind theme park in Asia and will continue to be so in Southeast Asia for the next 30 years. Universal Studios Singapore accommodates 24 attractions, of which 18 are original. Besides that, there are also shows that can be enjoyed with family and friends. The park is largely divided into seven subthemes based on TV shows or blockbuster movies, with each features their own unique attractions, character appearances, dining and shopping areas. Those seven themed attractions encircle a picturesque central lagoon; they are Hollywood, Madagascar, Far Far Away, the Lost World, Ancient Egypt, Sci-Fi City and New York City. Let’s join me embark on the journey and explore each zone.

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Marina Bay – Singapore

        Singapore city has progressed tremendously since the last time I visited it in 2004. Once again the Singaporeans came up with brilliant ideas to attract tourists to come to this small country. The idea is manifested by the opening of Marina Bay, an integrated business, shopping and entertainment area. The present Marina Bay used to be a fishing village and swampy coastline at the mouth of the Singapore River. Motivated by the envisioning of the rich potential growth around the CBD (Central Business Development), in 1970s the local government decided to reclaim the 360 hectares-land near the CBD (the present Marina Bay) to be transformed into a vibrant round clock. During the reclamation process, Telok Ayer Basin was removed and the Singapore River no longer flew to the sea but to the bay instead. Marina Bay is blocked off from the sea by the Marina Barrage. Located near Central area in the southern part of Singapore, Marina Bay is a bay that aims to promote the 3 premises of Explore, Exchange and Entertain. It has become the leading business, leisure and entertainment destination in Southeast Asia. Marina Bay is seen as a vibrant environmentally-friendly place where people live, work, and play. Tourists can encounter many attractions within this one area such as the beautiful waterfront promenade, the resplendent Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the magnificent Art Science Museum, the iconic Merlion statue, the unique Esplanade Theatres and the latest Garden by the Bay. 

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Bugis Junction - Singapore

        Before we went to Marina Bay, we decided to have our lunch at Bugis junction. The foods here are known for their delicious taste and cheap price. We were sitting in one of the coffee shops in that area. While enjoying our meal, we watched people passing by. Bugis Junction is a famous pedestrian shopping mall that consists of three streets: Malabar Street, Malay Street and Hylam Street. Those streets are the first air-conditioned and glass-covered streets in Singapore and called “indoor streets”. Bugis Junction is an integrated area of shopping, business and culinary that belongs to Keppel Land and finished its development in 1995. It was opened on 8 September 1995 and managed by a Japanese company, Parco. Sidewalk cafes and shophouses are found along the street. Pricey restaurants and cheap eateries in this area attract a large number of visitors to come to this place to have various dining experiences.

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Chinatown – Singapore

        On our honeymoon last January 2013, we bought cheap flight tickets to Vietnam. The good news was the tickets were not direct ones but had transfers in Kuala Lumpur. Although we had four days before we flew to Vietnam, we chose to spend the most days in Singapore for we thought it was more fun in Singapore than Kuala Lumpur. We were right. I personally have visited Singapore in 2003 but I almost forgot how the country looked like. I was curious to know the present Singapore so I decided to visit it again. We departed from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by train. As soon as we arrived in Singapore, we headed to Chinatown to find the cheapest lodging where we would stay for the next two nights. Chinatown is famous for its cheap lodgings, foods and stuffs!!! Since we had not booked any inn, we totally had no idea where we would stay. Praise the Lord, God brought us to meet two grandfather and grandmother who escorted us to their lodging. There was still an empty room so we just checked in. The room was very clean and comfortable.

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