Today, Vivien asked me if I would like to take her friends from Sydney, Australia out for a day. And I said yes, sure! Haha. Like I'm so totally experienced at this already.

It was fun today. Again, I explored my own country. Chinatown + Gardens By The Bay this time.

I've never been to the Gardens and honestly, I'm freakin impressed. I was stunned! I ser-wearrrr. It was nice talking to them too, hearing their tourist perspective of our country~

Shall share with you later, but for now pictures!


Chinatown

I've visited this place the most number of times coz of Maxwell food court. Kept going there. And I'm heading there AGAIN this Saturday with Yuanyun. And ONE MORE TIME with my mom hahaha. Year of the Chinatown before heading to NZ.





Yeappp, if you were thinking Angmohs, nope, they're Asianssss : ) Born and bred Down Under.
Can pass off as Singaporeans rightt.
But the 4 of them are really nice girls!!! I like em.





Tasting Sotongs, which looked pretty good btw.
Walking with them, we realised there was actually a lot of food around. Like Vivien and I just walked right past all of them without realising, while the 4 of them would stop and buy these little treats. Interesting.


Like these potted plants. I'd just freakin walk past without stopping hahaha.




Then...

MAXWELL FOOD CENTRE!!!

This is my umpteenth time there already.



FOOOD FOOOD OH GLORIOUS FOOOODDDD

Nugget, I've been eating A LOT these few days. Like my god... I think I'm eating like I'm pregnant I swear.

Anyway, they LOVEDDDDD all the food here. Like wow, freaking praising it like hell. Coz they said it's cheap, and good. Like freakin cheap to them. In Australia, you get chicken rice for $4. I was like hmm... that's still ok no? $4? Then one of them told me, Oh, just the RICE is $4. WTF!? . For us add rice only 50 cents. And their rice is only a small portion. Like half the bowl. Then she said chicken rice WITH the chicken would probably come up to $8-10. Wow. No wonder they loved everything.

They were reallleh full by the end of it and they wished they weren't so full so they could eat somemore hahaha. Plus, it was their last day here so they were wistful and wishing they could have all the food over there in Australia and stuff.

Btw Fish soup is damn awesome at Maxwell, please try it. Even them and Vivien liked it. Local + Foreign.

They went to New Zealand before and they were very excited about me heading there for exchange and told me all about their trip there. Got me so freakin excited to head over there already!!!!! They told me to eat ALLL the Asian food here before going coz there's completely no good food over there HAHAHA.

Anyway, this is Jo trying some awesome.... guess what it's a Singapore fruit.


DURIAN!!!!!





1) I'm gonna try some durian!!!
2) UGH EW
3) I think the taste is growing on me.

SEEEE, you gotta give the durian a chance hahaha. She sorta accepted it. But in the end, they all didn't really wanna carry on with eating it. Vivien carried the remaining in her bag and the smell was just PUNGENT. Everytime she opened her bag, homg, zee Chanel 101 fragrance was just... wow. We now realised why the govt banned durians on public transport. It really DOES pack a punch when you air it in the open.


Some awesome $1 ice creammm.

A Must-Eat, Duh. Haha.


Then, it was time for me to be a Tourist.






This Bayfront Mrt Station looked pretty awesome... like it was spacious and.. nice. Haha. I sound stoned, but really, it is.


When we walked outta the mrt station,
What greeted us was this...



OH MY LORDDDDD. Did Man build this? Coz boy oh boy, he make'em reallll high.

I'll never stop getting amazed by this MBS. Really ah. Too much leh this one.

And then...








Gaspp!! So pretty!!!!!!
The structures looked damn unreal. Like sci-fi or Avatar. I think you can't just look at the pictures. You gotta be there to actually feel the enormity of these structures. Woah.

Sorry, but here are some whoring photos of the thing. It is pretty shameless I have to say.








I really liked marvelling at it.
Love that track thing btw. Helps put a focus to the photos.

PLUS we got to go up on that "track"!!! It's called a skytree grove btw haha. Costs 5 bucks to go up. They considered it really cheap so they went right up.

And it was really quite awesome up there.

Had to take a picture ya know.


Nyahahhaa






SO NICE RIGHTTTTT?!??!!
Le sighhh. I swear I was damn bloody impressed. That much until one of the girls was like, "Ahh, I can see even you are amazed"

Yeap, even I was.

You could see MBS, the Singapore Flyer, Marina Barrage, alllll up there and it was a nice feeling coz the wind was blowing in your hair and face. Wow. And the sun's glow.... omg..


Heh. LOL AT VIVIEN'S FACE.
I believe sunset's the nicest time of the day to be up there.


Top half's the skyline. Bottom half's the gardens. The walkabout through the gardens is ok only. I wasn't jumping around looking at all the greens and gardens.



But this thing is some pretty awesome thingum man.


Look at the suspension lines.


More Tourist Photos~~





Luvvin it.



Can't wait to see the vines growing out of these things soon, in the near future... Vivien said the plans for this gardens is to walk through the gardens and then supposedly enter a "jungle". She worked here as an intern before. So I guess these plants have a lot more growing to do haha. See you in maybe 5 years' time.

I've seen pictures of these things lit up at night. Wow... magnificent. Maybe I'll get to see them on my next trip.



I had to take this picture coz it's pretty amazing that something this magnificent greets you at the end of the escalator...



The road view was pretty awesome from up here. The bridge that connects MBS and Gardens.

They were wondering what ERP stood for.
"Is it Eat, Rest, Play?"
We wish!!! Hahahaha.


Interior of MBS. They were impressed by the architecture haha.



Just one final picture of MBS.
I think it's magnificent! I still can't believe man-made structures could be that big. Country bumpkin max.


Anyway, it was a really nice outing with them. I feel like once again, I peeled my eyes open to my own country. I saw things I normally wouldn't, as a local resident. I stopped to see things I would usually float by. I saw NEW things today as well, places meant for tourists.

What's more, they're such friendlyyyyy Australians. Like it makes me feel less anxious about going there on my own, because there'll always be nice people around. Be they Asian or not. And I'm really comforted... they got me damn pumped up for NZ. Omg I can't waitttt already ARGH AHHH. They told me to go to Rotorua for hot springs, skiing at Queenstown and of course extreme sports like bungey and wow, everything. I'm excited! They're really nice people.

Besides that, both Vivien and I could really tell that they enjoyed Singapore very much. We felt immense pride to be Singaporeans, showing them around our beautiful, albeit man-made, little city. They're not trying to be polite or anything but sincerely, they were telling us things that we never thought possible. For them, food is superrrr expensive at Australia. So to them, everything here was cheap. Like I mentioned earlier, a plate of chicken rice was WOAH cheap-as. Sugarcane juice at 1.50 was so cheap to them, they bought 3 cups yesterday and wanted to bring the machine back today hahah.

They also told us, they loved our public transport. Something we Singaporeans complain about all day every day. I complain about it too. How it's getting so crowded and shit. But we overlooked something... the frequency of our trains. They kept telling us how damn fast our trains arrive. And how accurate the system tells us when the next train arrives. Coz for them, they could be told 4 mins but end up having to wait for 20 mins. Sometimes, the train breaks down because their trains are run on tracks.. So they're railways and the rails expand in the heat and can't be ridden on.

Furthermore, taxis are apparently cheap here as well. I was surprised because to me, taxis are damn ex here. The revision of prices can just keep going. But for them, once again, they're super expensive in Sydney. One of them told me they've only taken a taxi ONCE IN HER LIFE. Like womg. She says the taxi fare can come up to $80. Omfg. The taxi meter increases 10 cents per second lol lol that's crazy.

After returning from 6 months' of study so far in Brisbane, Australia, Vivien really appreciates Singapore much more... that's what she told me.

So looking at what they're telling us... what we overlook in Singapore are really some of the things that you can't find overseas. Or are worse there. We complain here, thinking the "grass is greener on the other side". Well, literally it must be coz they have nature and all haha. But we'd always think else where is better. And that's not necessarily the case. If you think about it, everywhere experiences the same problems as us. We'd think it's a Singapore problem but in actual fact, it happens around the globe. Countries all over are thinking of minimising the same problems and coming up with solutions to deal with a burgeoning population. Problems are everywhere. I guess it's how we look at it in a different light.

Maybe... From a Tourist's. ;D

HERE IS THE MUCH ANTICIPATED SINGAPORE TOUR POST!!!!

Well at least, I was anticipating it. Hahahha.

Yeap that's the video on "How to be a Singapore Tourist" coz as much as we wanted to be mistaken as tourists, we really were. Like people thought we were from China, sigh. Oh and upon understanding what we were doing, the Banmian aunty thought we "吃饱没事做" HAHAHAHA. Literal translation, Eat finish already nothing to do. Which is kinda true... hahah.

Ok, watch the video to look at what we did and ate and EVERYTHING.. Here's the blog post to go along with it : ) And I can tell you where we had our food too! Btw, because of this mini-tour, I kinda feel like staying put in Singapore HAHHA. NZ can wait.. for now, I'm missing lepaking here.

Alright, so we met up at Changi Airport coz well, we really did just arrive from Changi Airport as tourists. Then we took Bus 36 from the Airport and zoomed to Parkway Parade, Roxy Square to have our first meal of the day... (I was practically starving, couldn't wait to gobble anything)




BAN MIANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!

Qiu Rong Ban Mian
50 East Coast Road
Roxy Square II Foodcourt
B1-14 Roxy Square Shopping Centre
Singapore 428769

I am a lover of Ban Mian and all noodles Hand made. I can't stand it. Just givvit to me and I'll drool. So to me, ban mian must hit the target of "awesomeness" to satisfy ma belly. This is pretty good. I mean, I eat ban mian every week and have tasted good ban mian. I can't say it's the best but it is good! I especially like the fact that the noodles are soft.

We had guo tie to go with it ;D


Mmmmm...

Apparently students go there and queue to eat, everyday. It's not my first time, I believe I've been there before.


Next up, TIONG BAHRU!!!!
Ever since my dad introduced me to the world of Tiong Bahru last year, I sincerely believe it is one of the must-sees in Singapore. It really is a different world there!!

The wet market, the food centre and TIONG BAHRU BAKERY!!!! Heard of it but never been there before so I can safely say Been There Done That!! It was pretty crowded but a table was there for us. The food centre was crowded as well. That said, it means Tiong Bahru really is a place to visit!!! Coz everyone's there!!!!!! hahah.








Old flats, old postboxes, old staircases, old everything. I likkit. And yeah, no wonder people thought we were tourists, taking pictures like never see before.


Found the food centre and had these...





Lormee; Egg tart, Tausarpau, Charsiupau; Pig's Organs Soup

Tiong Bahru Food Market & Hawker Centre
30 Seng Poh road

These were just SOMEEE of the food we ate. There is a whole ARRAYYYY of Singapore food to try over there. Like, I think all of them are good so you don't have to wonder which one to go to. Just try all. There are 2 lor mee stalls and 2 pau stalls but I went to those that my dad said were good. All tasted good lah, no need to ask! HAHA.

That's one thing about Singapore. Finding CHEAP and GOOD food is so EASYYYY. We have convenient food EVERYWHEREEEE in the form of hawker centres like these. Angmohs find food in Singapore so affordable and convenient. That's what makes us special.

JUST being in Tiong Bahru itself makes you feel good.


Next, Tiong Bahru Bakery!

I love this place, truly. Even though we said we were damn full after the food centre.... we couldn't help but taste what the bakery had to offer.............................










EVERYTHING LOOKS GOODDDD AHHHHH!!! Transported to Europe I swear.

Tiong Bahru Bakery
56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-70 Singapore 160056
Daily: 8am – 8pm (closed on Tue)

We had Chocolate Almond Croissant and Chocolate Muffin. I didn't realise we had that much chocolate. Anyway, it was good! Duh. How many times will I have to say that throughout this post man. I mean, I guess the atmosphere helped as well. And those were just 2 of the many other stuff out there displayed. Apparently, people thought it was gonna be quite ex, the food there, but I think it's priced reasonably leh!? The croissant's not too ex? Maybe the muffin at 2/3 bucks? But I think it's worth the experience. I can sit there all day long just talking to a friend. SWEAR.

Ok just went to ladyironchef's blog and oh my, I didn't know we just tasted one of their highlights, the almond croissant. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently the stall's opened in collaboration with the French dude whose name is plastered below the logo.

Plz do go there! I'd definitely make a second trip down. Sianpei and I are already making plans HAHA.


We decided to give our stomachs a rest. Wow, like that's even possible!
So...

HAW PAR VILLA!!!!







Haw Par Villa
262 Pasir Panjang Road
118628

I say, definitely one of the places to visit in Singapore, AS A SINGAPOREAN. All 3 of us had been there before when we were weeee little kids. I sitll have pictures of it. And the "Ten Courts of Hell" is the main attraction. It was creepy but not scary I have to say. Bottom line, everyone just goes to hell lah ahha. Taoist beliefs are incredible!

We wanted to revisit it. I know that Haw Par Villa used to be a VERY popular place. People would go there every Chinese New Year and I remember how it was damnnn crowded when I went there as a kid. But now it's decrepit and under maintained. Which is quite sad lah coz this place has so much heritage. A Burmese man who started the Tiger Balm ointment once lived here in a mansion and he handed it over to his younger brother. All of them are dead, but he wanted to give back to society for them to learn about the Taoist heritage so he set up this Haw Par Villa. He's Chinese, originated from China and went to Burma to do business and lived there. Pretty awesome history all over at Haw Par Villa.

Aw Boon Haw. Now I see people with the surname "Aw" in a different light. I suspect they must all be rich nyahahah. "Eh your grandfather started tiger balm one ah?"

Admission was free since it began. Until one time, they started charging $16 per entry. Boy, who'd be willing to pay that amount man? And so, it resulted in the dwindling of visitors... and thus, today. Admission is now FREE again!! SO DO VISIT IT!!! Esp when you're on a budget ;D

Bring a cap coz it was damn hot and we sweated like mad.

Anyway, once again, after Haw Par Villa, we were yearning for more food..... Walking about really helped with digestion.


Now we visit the different heritages of Singapore!!!! WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE.

LITTLE INDIA!!!






Tekka Market.

By the time we reached Little India, I was freakin DRAINEDD. I was damn tired. I slept for like a few minutes on the mrt. This tour was indeed taking a toll on our mental state hahaha coz I was totally zoning out while walking around Little India. SO HOTTTT.

Singapore is indeed a sunny island.

Had to rest and EAT to replenish our energy.





Naan, Butter Chicken, Briyani

Usman Restaurant
238 Serangoon Road
Singapore 218085

The food was okkkk.. so-so. Deyong heard reviews on the restaurant. But it was ok only lah, not like WOAH MUST TRY.

After eating all that Indian spices and food... I was totally awake again. Like, I felt... alive. Hahah. 3 of us sat there and talked and rested. I think we were all pretty tired and zoned. It was a nice setting to sit and talk actually. Desker Road. Apparently known for their "special" night life ; ) But my parents said they cleaned up already so ahhh what the heck.

By the end of our meal, I was burping Indian spices. Even after eating whatever that came after that, I was STILL burping Indian spice. Hahahah. Pungent aye.

We were supposed to go to town and explore but nahhh we decided to skip that and walk around Bugis/ Lavender instead.


AND WE CHANCED UPON....



SWEE CHOON!!!!!!!!

Lol. Major superstar ah this guy.

Shucks, we never intended to eat dim sum. But hey, the famous supper dim sum restaurant was just around the corner. How can we not tryyyy?!?!!! Especially that custard pau wahlau how NOT TO!??!!

Btw yes, we were damn full after Indian, but hey, there's always room for liu sha pau man.

HERE GOES!









OHMAGADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD. THE SPILLING ACTION!!!!!!! OH MA LORDDDD.

Swee Choon Tim-Sum Restaurant
183/185/187/189/191 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208882
Daily: 6pm – 6am (closed on Tue)

Note the timing! 6 PEE AM. So it opens at night only. Seems like many restaurants are closed on Tuesday. So ANYWAYYY, I thought their liu sha paus are better than Victor's Kitchen. Yeah.... omg.. I'm salivating now just thinking of the custard..... Shucks.

Actually I'm unsure of where this pau originated from. It feels like a novelty like the lao ban tau huay. I mean, I've never eaten this liu sha pau everrrr until last year! It's a sudden boom. Hong kong?

And yes, that's Sarah instagraming all our food and journey. More like, instaSPAMMINNN hahaha.

We chilled at the restaurant again. Unwilling to lift our asses and walk around hahha. Drank tea and soaked in the Singapore atmosphere. Ahhhhh.. my tummy was indeed happy and heavily pregnant of course...


Later on, we were up and out again,


I like these rose tiles. So pretty.


Raffles Hospital looking majestic at night ; )





Kampong GLAM!!!! Glamourous indeed..

I was super surprised by the activity over at Kampong Glam! Almost like Holland V but of coz not as uppity and posh. Definitely a surprise. So much life at night. Haven't been to Kampong Glam in ages, coz the only times that I go there are mostly school trips in pri/sec school hahah.

And Sarah was amazed by that mosque there. Majestic at night.

Walked around Arab street and Haji lane as well. Sheesha everywhere and angmohs everywhere.

Met Yena, my Korean exchange friend who studies in a French University over at Aljunied to bring her to Geylanggggg. Red light district in Singapore, of coz must SHOWWW HERR THE WORLDDDDD... Shining shimmering splendid.

Didn't take any pictures there coz I decided to enjoy our last stop. Or tired. Whatever.

Had Hokkien mee, hot plate oyster egg and beef hor fun. DAMNNN GOOD!!!! MUST GO! It's at Geylang Lorong 9. Just keep walking from Aljunied station. Wanted to eat Frog Legs Porridge as well coz that is def a MUST-EAT. But Yena was afraid to eat frogs hahaha so we skipped it and headed for more palatable dishes. Intended to eat durians but the 3 of us weren't fans of durian and we were dead tired.


That was how we ended our journey in Singapore. From 8:30am all the way till 10:30pm at night! It was such an adventure. There's still so much to see and look in Singapore. We hadn't explored Ang mo kio and most of the places in the north. While we were planning, we couldn't think of any place there we'd wanted to visit. Maybe Kranji War Memorial but that was kinda out of the way. And there's still the Serangoon, Sengkang, LRT area...

SO MUCH! Singapore may be thought of as boring and too tiny to even visit but I think it's the little things such as the hawker centres and places of heritage that bring so much life to this tiny red dot.

The reason why we even wanted to do this was because, we were all going on exchange and besides thinking that we will miss the food in Singapore, we wanted to do this before exploring a foreign land. I mean, what's the use of exploring someone else's land when you're seemingly unfamiliar with your own. And perhaps, when people from other places ask you where are nice places to go to in Singapore, you can tell them. AND SHOWWW THEM THE WORLDDDDD.

That's how you'd like to be treated overseas as well right? To be shown around and be told where are the good makan places or what's a nice place to visit and tour about.

I really do think there's much to see and do in our very own backyard. Something unique in fact. Nowhere else in the world.

Btw, because of this food tour, my appetite has exploded 10 times. I'm hungry all the time now. I feel like eating everytime. When I wake up, the first thing I do, is to find food. Just today, I woke up thinking, "Why am I so hungry?". I dunno if this is good or bad hahaha. But I guess, being able to eat is the best thing in the world. And it makes people happy.