Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Singapore Moments: Look Back… Start a New


Singapore Moments: Look Back… Start a New

            My first day of the year was all about looking back. “Looking back” in the sense of learning about history and other past highlights by visiting different museums. I don’t know with you, but studying different histories excites me. The thrill of seeing old clothes and furniture, learning about past cultures and norms, and imagining life before seems so interesting to me. So on the January 1, 2013 my family and I went to five different museums and numerous historical spots and tourist places. We did most of this travelling by walking. (Yes, its that easy! All you need is a map, an umbrella, and a bottle of water.) Since it was the first day of the year, most museums were open to the public… meaning no entrance fee J [tip: try visiting on National Holidays, perhaps entrance to museums would be free].

            We started at Singapore’s National Museum. I don’t think I have blogged about Philippine’s National Museum… anyways, Singapore’s National Museum was so beautiful and interactive. I expected a look-only type of museum but it wasn’t. The layout of the museum was so great. It had different sections that all-in-all showed what Singapore is. My favorite exhibits were the food part and the fashion part.

National Museum

old cola bottles
movie posters


smell me :)

don't miss the pendulum chandeliers

vintage clothes
   
            The next museum we went to was the Pernakan Museum. It’s about the people of Singapore. It described the origins of some of its citizens. It was more of a hardcore history museum but it was fun knowing about Singaporeans’ history.




            We then decided to go to Asian Civilisation Museum, but before reaching the museum we were able to pass by the Armenian Church (one of the oldest churches in Singapore) and the Civil Defense Heritage Museum. Going to the Civil Defense Heritage Museum was a beautiful accident. We weren’t really aware that it was there. It just so happened that we passed by it and the visit there was exceptional. I haven’t been to a civil defense museum before so it was very interesting that there was a museum about Singapore’s firemen and fire equipment and other disaster responding team. It was a very interactive museum. There were a lot of buttons and knobs that allow you to experience what these professional life-savers do. I learned a lot. Surely, children will have fun here. J

The Armenian Church


old fire trucks :D

i thought some of the mannequins were real :)

            We walked towards the Asian Civilisation Museum and passed by different unique looking buildings and bridges… then at last, we have arrived. We decided to go here because I read somewhere that there was a Rizal (Philippine National Hero) section in the museum (which I needed for my homework). Upon arriving, I saw different exhibits that showcased the neighboring Asian countries of Singapore. It was interesting to see that there were a lot of similarities and slight differences among the different countries. After going back and forth to the different exhibits, I realized that the exhibit of Rizal was already finish, but nonetheless I enjoyed learning about different countries.

scenic views while walking

at the Asian Civilisation Museum


money money money

more scenic views <3

            After the Asian Civilisation Museum, we had lunch then it was back to Museum hopping. We went next to the Mint Museum. At the Mint Museum, we paid an entrance fee. This museum is a go-to if you are a toy lover, toy collector, or a kid at heart. In this museum you would be able to see toys, figurines, and collectibles from the past. After going through different exhibits, we had coffee at the cafĂ© below the museum. It was a delightful ending to the day.

Mint Museum


do you remember these?

Hey Mickey!

remember them? :)

:)



“If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.”  ~Pearl Buck

-DOT-
Photos are personally owned by writer, if you would like to use it kindly inform or at least cite the source thank you! J

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Singapore Moments: Lights, Camera, Action


Singapore Moments: Lights, Camera, Action

No, I did not shoot a movie while in Singapore (though I wish I did) and no I did not see any famous people there. But I am such a movie and television show fan. Thus, my trip to Universal Studios Singapore was a treat!


welcome!


My family and I decided to go to Universal Studios on the day before the New Year. We arrived at around 12 noon.  It was a sunny morning which turned to a wet afternoon. (Travel tip: bring a raincoat especially during rainy seasons, unless you’d like to buy at Universal and look like walking plastic bags :D ) My heart jumped for joy upon entering because the streets/ walkways looked like movie sets. I saw signs and mascots from movies I have enjoyed and loved.

At the entrance

PO <3



Universal Studios Singapore divided it’s 20 rides (accdg. Wikipedia) into 7 themes namely: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar.  Since it was pouring hard, we opted to try indoor rides. We first tried rides at the New York part. We were also able to see street performances and shows. We continued to Sci-Fi City were we rode one of our favorite rides, the Transformers: The Ride. It was so awesome!!!!! It’s as if you were really there fighting with Optimus Prime. I highly recommend this ride.  Also at Sci-Fi City, my brother rode the Battlestar Gallactica roller coaster while I rode the Accelerator (Universal Studio’s version of the Spinning Teacups J ).

"snowing" 

New York! New York!
Lights! Camera! Action! Hosted by Steven Speilberg (indoor movie set)

Sci-Fi City

Accelerator

Awesome souvenirs

After this, we headed back to Hollywood area and ate lunch at Mel’s Drive-In. The food was great and so was the 50’s atmosphere. The rain didn’t stop so we ran towards the Madagascar area and tried the Madagascar: Crate Adventure. This ride is for all ages since it is like riding throughout the movie Madagascar. Surely, you’ll be singing “I like to move it, move it” after riding this. We then tried the Shrek 4-D Adventure. Our experience there was a funny one. In this ride you are to wear 3D glasses while seated on chairs that allow you to have 4D experience. Well, as the ride began we noticed that our seats weren’t moving unlike the others, so we moved to other seats… but still not much movement. But nonetheless, the experience was fun because it showed another Shrek story.

Far far Away


It was raining hard and we didn’t have any umbrellas or raincoats so we decided to head back because we were trying to catch the bus back to the city. (We wanted to celebrate the New Year in the city).
It was a fun day at Universal Studios though I wish it didn’t rain because some rides had to be closed. Some tips:
1) Buy wisely. There are a lot of wonderful souvenir shops inside Universal Studios so before buying try to think of something that would remind you of fun filled memories.
2)  Try to visit all the areas. Each area provides a unique fun experience.
3) Avoid bringing to much stuff and valuables for maximum enjoyment.
4) Be prepared to be wet. Wet= fun J.
5) DO TAKE PICTURES!! There are a lot of photographic and iconic places and people there.

For more information you may visit this website http://www.rwsentosa.com/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore. Final Singapore moments entry soon.

-DOT-

Photos are personally owned by writer, if you would like to use it kindly inform or at least cite the source thank you! J