By Lambe Lamis 
With 3 days off from work, I finally have the possibility to journey to neighboring international locations. Having said that, due to the fact I have restricted means, I have selected the two countries accessible by bus transportation from Malaysia – Thailand and Singapore.
With time thing to consider, I listened to from a community colleague that a bus experience to Thailand will acquire me 8 hrs to Hatyai (but not yet Bangkok – only on the border of Malaysia-Thailand) and only 4-5 hours to Singapore.
Whilst Thailand has a noticeably reduced cost of living than Singapore, I did some exploration and uncovered out that there are infinite approaches to travel luxurious metropolitan areas like Singapore in spending plan. Because it has exceptional transportation routes and a good deal of fascinating vacationer places, I chose to go Singapore, even if I have to eat Hen Rice for one particular total 7 days.
TRANSPORTATION:
Departure: Kuala Lumpur, TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) -> Singapore, Small India (Fare: RM45 = P517.50)
Arrival: Singapore, Katong V Mall -> Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown KL 5 Factors Lodge (Fare: RM72 = P828)
Total Transportation Fare: RM 117 (P1345.50)
From all the a few offered transportation to Singapore – airplane, bus and train – bus is the most inexpensive and cost-effective to pick given that you can get the midnight tickets and sleep in the course of the vacation.
The bus journey is close to 5.5 hrs from Malaysia to Singapore. Observe that you might have to be awake in the course of the final hour because intercity travels will call for you to cross two immigration buildings – one particular exiting Malaysia and one more one particular entering Singapore.
Rapid Strategies:
- If you can guide online, do it so you can be reserved on the shuttle coach in advance of time. I booked mine at easybook.com. They also have a lot of promotions which includes discounts and travel vouchers every single month.
- As encouraged, pick the midnight plan (12 AM) so you can arrive early in Singapore and utilize the saved time in roaming nearby vacationer spots just before examining in to your hostel.
- Ensure that you have respectable visa and passport specifics as you will find a likelihood that immigration officials in Woodlands Singapore could halt and carry you into demanding interrogation if you have the completely wrong paperwork.
Accommodation:
On line Booking Cost: RM 205 (P2357.50)
Period of Remain: 5 Days – 4 Nights
On the internet Service provider: Agoda
I largely selected Prince of Wales for the reason that this is a single of the most inexpensive hostels with no bedbugs from the Agoda critiques which was a constructive signal that it can be perfectly preserved. Accurate plenty of, I was given a bedsheet, pillow and blanket just after verify-in. There ended up also five lower price coupons with a single free of charge complementary Heineken/Jam Jar from the hostel. The management said they will discontinue the totally free Heineken/Jam Jar shifting ahead and that I was the previous one who received the purple coupon. Blessed me!
The mixed dormitory I stayed has 4 bunk beds, in which most of the time occupants ended up Western foreigners. Aircon runs 9 PM – 9 AM only. Showers on the floor floor has heater and wi-fi speed is great. On one particular Saturday evening, I arrived home to observe audio bands performing laid back again new music.
In general, this is a advisable hostel if you want a affordable backpacker lodging with great excellent support and right upkeep.
Day 1: Minor INDIA + BUGIS: RM 102 / SGD 34 / PHP 1173
Contemplating the significant transportation price tag for 5 days in Singapore, I planned to avail the Singapore Tourist Move (STP) for SGD 20 (3-working day Pass) which allows me to have unlimited journey on MRTs, LRTs and community buses. Then I’ll use the STP for Working day 2-4 so for Working day 1, I only visited the vacationer places around my hostel – Prince of Wales.
As a result, it is essential to decide on a strategic spot in which you will e book your hostel. For me, I recommend Tiny India due to the fact:
- Its MRT is an interchange involving North East Line (prepare likely to Sentosa, Clarke Quay or Chinatown) and Downtown Line (educate heading to Botanic Gardens or Bugis)
- It has plenty of close by temples and mosques (see under) with the cultural ‘feel’ that immerses your internal Indian.
- It has obtain to low cost hawker stalls for as low as SGD 5 per food – like Tekka Centre – which is home to an exquisite selection of Singapore cuisine.
- You can also store for souvenirs on Mustafa Buying Centre for affordable perfumes or jewelries.
Bugis is also going for walks distance from Tiny India so you can buy your STP there, discover the shops on Bugis Avenue and pray on the close by temple for blessings.
Itineraries:
- Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
- Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
- Mustafa Shopping Centre
- Indian Heritage Centre (SGD 4 for Entrance, Absolutely free English Tour)
- Masjid Abdul Gafoor Mosque
- Haji Lane
- Bugis Street
- Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
Day 2: SENTOSA + MERLION + GARDENS BY THE BAY: RM 126 / SGD 42 / PHP 1449
By Working day 2, I experienced unrestricted transportation many thanks to the STP card so I can roam everywhere in Singapore. Sadly, it does not address the charge for Sentosa Express which I compensated for SGD 4 (P140). I did not go any more to the Universal Studios Singapore due to the fact I’ve gone there already but for all those who are wanting to know, the entrance charge is SGD 74 (P2590).
In the afternoon, I went to Gardens by the Bay by strolling on the Raffles Location area, on to the Helix Bridge, and by way of the walkway on Marina Bay Sands. It was one particular of the most wonderful vacationer place I have ever found in Singapore and the one I’ll recommend specially when you avail the entrance price to the Cooled Conservatories – Cloud Forest and Flower Dome – for SGD 28 (P966). I also obtained lucky because there was an occasion identified as Backyard Rhapsody – Retro Fever on the Supertree Grove wherever there had been vibrant lights dancing to the 80’s tune and it was definitely superb.
Marina Bay in the vicinity of the Merlion statue was quite attractive during the night. As I was going for walks on the Jubilee Wander Path, I can see the splendid Marina Bay Sands shining by the serene waters. With the spot nevertheless entire of visitors, I quickly remembered the track “The Evening is Nonetheless Young.”
Itineraries:
- Vivo City, HarbourFront
- Sentosa – Waterfront, Imbiah and Seashore Stations
- Marina Bay at Raffles Place
- Esplanade Theatres and Marina Bay Sands
- Helix Bridge and Jubilee Stroll Trail
- Gardens by the Bay – Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, Supertree Grove
- Makansutra
- Singapore Flyer
Working day 3-4: BOTANIC GARDENS + ORCHARD + CLARKE QUAY + CHINATOWN: RM 60 / SGD 20 / PHP 690
From Tiny India, I went to the Singapore Botanic Gardens for my early morning jogging. The habitat was incredibly enormous with loads of interactive trails these as Healing and Evolution Gardens. Due to the fact it belonged to one of the UNESCO Earth Heritage Web site, the spot was also adequately maintained with some region (around the Ginger Backyard) however renovated. It was also in the vicinity of to some of the buildings of the National University of Singapore (NUS).
When I took the Orchard exit from the Botanic Gardens, I rode the bus working with my STP to the sightly Orchard Highway. Foreigners were being bustling with branded paper luggage from buying malls these as Ion, Wisma Atria, Tangs, Takashimaya and Lucky Plaza. As a significant tourist attraction whole of retail and amusement hubs, it was one particular of those spots the millennial will commonly coin as ‘Instagrammable.’
To compensate from the tiring walk escapades, I decided to loosen up in close proximity to the historic riverside they get in touch with as Clarke Quay. With various dining places and nightclubs these types of as Hooters and Zouk (however closed for renovation), it may possibly well be viewed as the bash capital of Singapore.
Tourists can additional love their keep in the dazzling quay with G-Max Reverse Bungee (SGD 45 = P1575), Singapore River Cruise (SGD 22 = P770) or most likely just chill on the Examine Bridge with an ice cold beer while listening to some road performers.
The future working day, I went to the vibrant Chinese enclave in Singapore, the ethnic Chinatown. Starting from Pagoda avenue, I saw unique form of shops ranging from incredibly hot tiger balms to massive ruby dragon statues. There have been also Chinese and Indian temples in the vicinity of the place alongside with the Chinese Heritage Centre (with an admission cost of SGD 15 = P525).
I also went to two well-known hawker centres along the vicinity, the Chinatown Food Road and the Maxwell Meals Centre, primarily the Tian Tian Hainanese Rooster Rice which gained level of popularity from that includes of Anthony Bourdain on just one of his No Reservations system.
Throughout the Maxwell Food items Centre, there were museums these types of as ‘Red Dot Structure Museum and the Singapore Metropolis Gallery (previously URA Gallery). Entrance is free of charge of charge and the entire gallery aims to present the bodily transformation in the final 40 decades which are each instructional and fascinating. It also exhibited the town diorama of Singapore with correct representations from structures all about the country.
At evening of Day 4, I fulfilled some of my pals in Singapore to have evening meal on 1 of the eating places located along Robertson’s Quay. We walked from Clarke Quay and onto the pedestrian footpath positioned near the contour of the riverside. Suffice to say, the food was really tasty.
Itineraries:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens – Foliage, Therapeutic, Evolution, Countrywide Orchid
- Orchard Road Browsing Malls
- Clarke Quay – Singapore River Cruise and G-Max Reverse Bungee
- Chinatown – People’s Park Complex and Centre
- Masjid Jamae (Chulia)
- Sri Mariamman Temple
- Chinatown Foods Road and Maxwell Meals Centre
- Singapore Town Gallery
- Robertson’s Quay
Working day 5: KATONG + EAST Coast: RM 63 / SGD 21 / PHP 724.50
Early morning, I checked out from my hostel, ate lunch at Geylang Street and surrendered my STP to get the SGD 10 deposit. Then I went to Katong V Shopping mall which is bus pickup stage heading back again to Malaysia. The shortest route was by Paya Lebar station and to the no cost shuttle pickup from Paya Lebar Sq. to Katong V.
Since I nevertheless have 2 hours to departure, I walked along the streets until finally I hit the serene waters of Singapore, the seashore side of East Coastline Park. It was styled as an urban getaway exactly where households and mates can play volleyball, experience bicycles, rejoice fun occasions, fry barbeques and waddle in the waters. Over-all, it can be a perfect position to rest and minimize stress.
Itineraries:
- Geylang Highway
- Paya Lebar Square
- Katong V Mall and nearby Searching Malls
- East Coastline Park