A Day in Singapore

2023 Spring Asia Cruises I - Holland America Westerdam Singapore to Yokohama, Japan

February 26, 2023 (Saturday) 

With the leg cramps the night before, we all got up a little later this morning. As most in our group are seniors, we have to know our limits and take it as it is. Our day started with a Singapore style breakfast at a popular eatery called Ya Kun. They have branches all over the city and it happens that there is one right in the next building across from our hotel. 

Just had to cross this street to get to the next building.

Our hotel.

Pretty fancy on the outside.

Ya Kun

We had breakfast at Ya Kun before, at the other branch, and liked their Singapore style breakfast of Kaya toast and almost raw eggs. Now they have something we've never tried before, their steamed kaya toast. Naturally, we had to try some.

Eggs, almost raw, and the steamed toasts. I think I like the regular toasts better though. Coffee was strong and good as usual.

This Ya Kun is on the first floor of this building, kind of like a food court type. A very busy place.

Yes, I like this toast better!

Chinatown

Our hotel is about an 8-minute walk to Chinatown, so, after breakfast we just strolled along and see what we could find in Chinatown.

Decorations on the main street near Chinatown.

Our hotel can be seen at the pedestrian overpass at Chinatown.

The overpass lead us to the heart of Chinatown.

So many vendors and stores to captured our attention.

Walking over to Maxwell Center where we would find the very popular Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice.

Maxwell Center is right across from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

They now have an entrance at the main road where a new subway station is being built, so it is not necessary to make the hike up on this side street. But we went up anyway, since this is more familiar to us and where we found the end of the long line. If you want to see the long line for Tian Tian on this Saturday, click below on the video for a peek. It was insane!

We got our food!

One whole Hainanese Chicken to share, and two plates of veggies. Worth the wait!

Maxwell is a huge food court serving food from different ethnic groups. It was very crowded though on this Saturday.

Outside Maxwell on South Bridge Road and Neil Road.

After Maxwell Center, we walked back over to Chinatown Complex to check out this huge food court. It was absolutely chaotic with too many people there for us to handle. We made our way through and got out fast. Maybe next time when we come to Singapore we will try again. 

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh

Back at the hotel for a little nap before heading out for dinner later in the day. There is another place we must go--Song Fa Bak Kut Teh in China Point Shopping Mall which is just across the street from our hotel. I like their Bak Kut Teh better than the dark-colored one because it is more peppery and less medicinally in taste.

To accompany the soup we had some yu-teo (fried dough)...

peanuts, preserved cabbage,

a pot of braised pork (very good!),

bottomless pork rib soup (refills of soup only, not the meat)

some of us had their mein shein, some had rice,

fried chicken pieces

fried fish cake

Everything was delicious and we were satisfied!

Merlion

When in Singapore, one must see the Merlion, right? Well, that was where we headed after dinner. 

The walk was pleasant, passing through the downtown office buildings and along the Singapore River. We did not know how far we could go but at least to the Merlion.

Near the Anderson Bridge and Fullerton.

Boat Quay

Fullerton

Finally arrived at the Merlion Park with a magnificent view of Marina Bay Sands.

Merlion from another angle. It was very crowded and I did not want to get to the other side where most people had their pictures.

Beautiful!

Last shot before we leave. We were too tired to walk across to the Marina Bay Sands and agreed that it was enough for the day. Good thing we walked back to the hotel before the rain started. We did not do much but we accomplished what we wanted to do and eat on this short day. One day, we shall be back for more. As of now, we've got to get ready for our cruise tomorrow, with a self-administered test done 24-hour before boarding. All of us passed the tests and ready to go!

For video of this day in Singapore, please click here.

"As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it."   -- Job 4:8

 

Los Angeles to Singapore A 24-Hour Ordeal

2023 Spring Asia Cruises I - Holland America Westerdam Singapore to Yokohama, Japan

February 24-25, 2023 (Thursday/Friday) Ontario Aiport-Taoyuan Airport-Changi Airport

(I am so behind in posting on the blog with three other cruises still waiting but I figured it is time to move on and post our most recent travel here. I will continue with where I left off later if God willing.)

After three years of staying put without major overseas travel, it was time for us to head out. This time it will be a month-long trip including two cruises and then about 10 days visiting family in Taiwan. It was quite surreal that we were actually flying long distance after three years but we were very excited and ready for the new adventure.

Upon arriving at Ontario International Airport, which is the closest airport to us, we checked in without any problems other than they forgot to print the TSA Pre-Check status on son's ticket. That caused him having to go through the whole security check thoroughly. What a pain! Next time we have to make sure the TSA Pre-Check stamp is on every single ticket to avoid the problem.

Flight was quite on time with just about 10 minutes late as we settled into our seats on this China Airlines Airbus jet. A full plane with many passengers. It was past 11:00 PM, so evidently we were tired and anxious to get the long flight over with. 

Ready for the long flight.

A full plane.

First meal, dinner which was very good!

Second meal, two hours before landing in Taiwan.

We arrived Taiwan Taoyuan Airport at close to 6:00AM when the airport was already busy. We had to find our way from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 (the older part of the airport) to make this transfer. Quite a long walk for our tired legs. Then we had to wait for our next flight to Singapore, which won't happened until 8:30. As we went into the waiting area at the boarding gate, we found the family members who will be traveling with us on this trip. It is becoming more real now.

Waiting at the boarding gate at Taoyuan Airport.

Still quiet at this time.

It turned out that we had two female pilots taking charge of out flight this morning.

Ready for take off!

Another full plane.

We were served a decent delicious lunch on this flight.

Arriving at Terminal 3 at Changi Airport in Singapore and went through immigration process without a hitch. Then we had to decide on how to get to the airport. I have heard that Grab is similar to Uber in Southeast Asia and had downloaded their App but had not used them apparently. We were successful in finding a 9-person van through Grab for $68 SD. I suppose it was reasonable and we were happy that we did not have to drag our luggage on the metro system and walk to the hotel. The drive was quite long from the airport to our hotel in downtown, so to me it was worth it.

Taking our ride on the van to the hotel.

Furama City Center, Singapore

Hotel rates are quite expensive in Singapore but we managed to book a hotel for an acceptable price and at a great location near Clarke Quay and Chinatown. An older hotel with nothing fancy. We were pleasantly surprised by the wonderful view we got outside our window on the 18th floor. 

What a view!

Room was good.

Clean bathroom

Good enough for the three of us.

Jumbo Seafood

We were all very tired so we decided to go out for an early dinner and then call it a day. One place we would like to try on this trip is the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant which is a famous restaurant in Singapore for their chili crab. It's a 7-minute walk from the hotel which is manageable. Without reservation we were not sure if we would be successful in getting a table at this popular eatery. Fortunately, because it was early enough, we had to wait just about 10 minutes for a table on their 2nd flood dining room.

Checking in at the restaurant entrance with a short line.

Got a good table upstairs.

Bring on the food!

This was recommended by the waitress, a veggie dish with sambal (chili sauce).

I wanted to try this drink, Lo Han Guo which is suppose to be good for health.

Our order

Scallops wrapped in taro ring.

Prawns with Golden Salted Eggs. Yum!

Chili Mud Crab, the main dish.

Excellent!

Entrance to the dining area on 2nd floor.

Always a line.

This restaurant is right by the Singapore River at Clarke Quay.

A popular place frequent by both tourists and locals.

Singapore River

After walking along the river a bit, we took the short walk back to the hotel and called it a day. A good first day of our travel. The problem was, out of all 6 of us, four had painful leg cramps during the night, not sure why but figured it might be the result of sitting too long on the plane rides. After soaking our legs in a tub of hot water, we were able to sleep through the night. We will explore some more of Singapore tomorrow!

Video of our first day in Singapore here.

"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work."   --  John 9:4