Our youngest is working in Singapore and her 21st birthday is tomorrow. She was not able to come home to celebrate it with us because of her work commitment so yesterday we went to be with her and celebrated her 21st birthday in Singapore.
Our trip was partially paid for by one of the casino and theme park operator in Singapore. They contracted a travel company in Malacca to ferry people to their casino and theme park daily for free on week days and a very minimal amount on weekends. This is not made know publicly but just spread by word of mouth and my wife managed to catch it.
Yesterday I was up at 5:00am, still very sleepy together with my wife and eldest daughter we made our way to the pickup point to wait for the bus. We were early and luckily it was not raining.
About 6:00am ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
We were at the second pick up point and after a short while the bus arrived. I was surprised that the bus was already almost full when we got in and it made another stop to pick up the last few passengers which filled up the last few seats.
I was back in dreamland soon after that and was awakened when the bus stopped. Another pickup? Peering out the window I noticed that there was another bus just beside us, hmm "where are we? Already 7:30am and looks like we had stopped somewhere in the middle of nowhere!" I thought to myself.
Bus "Stop" ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Reluctantly I got up and followed the crowd with Becky and my daughter following behind. Once out of the bus I realized that we were at a rest place like a truck stop in the United States, the different is that only tour buses stop here and the tour guides and bus drivers get to eat free...I think!
Tourist standard food court! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
We did not eat here because we already had breakfast before we left our home and the food was not appetizing ... tourist grade I would say!!! We just wandered around a little to stretch our legs. Soon we were on our journey again with lots of chattering after the passengers had recharged themselves from a hearty breakfast I guess.
About two hours later we arrived at the Malaysian side of the border and after having our passport checked we proceed on to Singapore.
Border Crossing ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Singapore's Immigration and Custom complex. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
In Singapore ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
You know you are in Singapore when the signs are in understandable English. Not having been to Singapore for more than 10 years, it felt pleasant to be in Singapore again.
After having done the formalities we were on our way to our destination which took us about 20~30 minutes. Upon arrival we have to go through a head count before we were being allowed to go where we want and do what we want. Most of them made a beeline to the casino and we met up with the birthday girl.
Money eating place! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Concourse outside the casino ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Had a quick discussion, decided where we wanted to go and we were off to the city using the Mass Rapid Transport.
Leaving Sentosa Island ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
A Cruise Ship ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Orchard Road ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
As usual Orchard Road it is, I guess almost all if not all tourist to Singapore will definitely visit Orchard Road.
Crowded. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
As usual there were people everywhere.
Lunch time ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Garlic Toast ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Onion Soup ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Beef Carpaccio ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Yummie!!! My very first time and loving it!!!
Some kind of Pork Burger ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Funghi Risotto ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Some kind ofCheese Ravioli ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Birthday Girl ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
The desert is on the house for the birthday girl only!
Christmas sales? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Christmas Shoppers??? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Most Photographed Decoration ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
I think this is the most photographed decoration because everytime I passed it there were some people posing and having their photos taken.
Ice cream man ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
Haven't seen this in ages!!!
Santa here too??? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
More Christmas decoration ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
It was Christmasy everywhere in Orchard road because it was already decorated for Christmas and I wished that it would snow instead of rain!!!
Soon it was time to head back to Sentosa Island where the casino and theme park is to catch our ride home. Even though the time was short, we were all glad to have had spent this precious time with our birthday girl.
On the way home. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden )
We know we were back in Malaysia when the signboards cannot be understood!!!
