Backpacking in Singapore - Is It Really Possible?

Monday, March 17, 2014

An ideal destination to backpack to will probably be a country embodied with cultural significance. Its lands are overlaid with unfettered lush greenery, and its people donned with smiles and cordiality.

Unfortunately, these criteria are scarce in the City of Lion.

Singapore is a country where elites travel to for business and ritzy leisure. People are so busy chasing money that only a handful are able to find the time (and a purpose) in flashing a smile at you.

My family and I routinely travel to Singapore by car when we were residing in Johor (considering the proximity and convenience), but we have not stepped foot in the country ever since we moved up north eight years ago.

Backpacking in Singapore - Is It Really Possible?

About two months ago, I tried something different: I traveled to Singapore by myself and spent my nights in backpacker's dorms at Little India and Boat Quay.

I guess the thought of being able to face difficulties alone and being able to meet new people from all walks of life excites me. (I am weird like that)

My dream? To visit every country in Southeast Asia first before going anywhere further.

I got myself an ez-link card (as advised by my brother) because apparently the fares will be cheaper and you can save a lot of time by avoiding ticket queues. The whole of Singapore is pretty much accessible by MRT which operates till 1 a.m., hence making it perfectly reliable.

A trip to the Universal Studios is a must when you are here, which is one of its kind in the whole of Southeast Asia (... until the opening of the Twentieth Century Fox World in 2016 in Genting Highlands).

Universal Studios Singapore Ticket

Tickets for adults are priced at $74. I would recommend that you purchase the express ticket (additional $30/$50) because the queues are crazy long and you would have already wasted half of your time there just waiting for your turn.

If you are tight on budget, avoid queues by standing in the single rider's lines.

The must-see attractions in USS, in my opinion, are:

Lights, Camera, Action! hosted by Steven Spielberg
Shrek 4-D Adventure
Revenge of the Mummy
Transformers The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle

And of course, how can one forget about the Merlion? This is a giant replica in Sentosa.

Relaxing after a heavy dinner at Boat Quay overlooking the Singapore river.

Boat Quay has to be my favorite place there. It resembles our famous Changkat, concentrated with bars with live music, restaurants, and dorms. Shopping centers and night clubs are all located just a few streets away.

When I came down to have my breakfast the next morning, I was literally stunned to see the color of the river. Needless to say, I like the night view a lot better.

Had my breakfast, packed up, grabbed my favorite frappucino, and headed to Sentosa island. It wasn't for USS this time, but the beaches!

I made my way there using the Sentosa Express from Vivocity. The $4 ticket allows entry to four different stations: Sentosa, Waterfront, Imbiah and Beach - all which are closely linked and are accessible by foot once you're on the island.

Laid my mat down once I was at Siloso, but to my dismay, the weather was gloomy the entire day.

Have you tried kayaking in the middle of the sea during high tides in the rain? You have to, because it was amazing! ($25/single kayak per hour)

There really isn't much to do in Siloso/Palawan because the beaches are overcrowded and you'll probably get stepped on if you attempt to lie down. Besides that, the whole atmosphere and the beach felt pretty artificial to me. It was as though I was getting into a swimming pool rather than a sea.

Singapore is a very sophisticated city. I got to meet friendly travelers from different countries and communication is a breeze. However, when travelling to Singapore, leave that backpack at home. One is better off staying at a comfortable, deluxe hotel to fully appreciate the Singaporean ambient.

Happy traveling!

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Top 5 things to do in Ko Phi Phi

Saturday, February 15, 2014

When traveling in the southern region of Thailand, you must not miss out on the famed Phi Phi Islands. This group of beautiful islands are just a short boat ride away from Phuket and Krabi. For young backpackers and party goers, the possibility is endless in Ko Phi Phi Don (the bigger Phi Phi Island) and Koh Phi Phi Le. Here are the top 5 picks for the things must see and do when you're here!

Top 5 things to do in Ko Phi Phi

Try the Enormous Pizzas

These face-sized slices of pizza are priced at 80 bahts each. This picture obviously does no justice to how big the pizzas really are, but rest assure that one slice of these can keep you satiated for hours. You cannot go wrong with a pepperoni and onion combo or a classic margherita pizza.

Remember to try the pizzas at Ko Phi Phi!

Climb Your Way Up to the Viewpoints

If you are not the kind to workout, and pant after a 100-meter run, then this might be challenging for you. However, you will find the climb worth it when you reach the viewpoint at the top, which offers a breathtaking panorama of the island. Spare a few extra hours and you will be able to catch the sunrise and sunset! Timings for sunrise and sunset at the Ko Phi Phi Viewpoint:

Sunrise:
April - November: 6.00 - 6.30 a.m.
December - March: 6.30 - 7.00 a.m.

Sunset:
February - July: 6.00 - 6.45 p.m.
August - January: 6.00 - 6.30 p.m.

Just remember to bring along at least one bottle of ice-cold water (which will eventually turn warm) and 20 bahts for entrance fee. No alcohol is allowed as it is a Muslim area. There are a few stalls which sell ice-cream and drinks in case you desperately need to get hydrated. The journey to the top takes approximately 25 minutes.

Look out points at Ko Phi Phi

Party at Slinky Beach Bar

Get drunk, make friends, grind ANYbody, and have the hairs of your hands and chest burned by participating in their crazy fire performances and games, like jumping through a ring (set on fire), skipping on ropes (set on fire), or attempting to break your spine by going under a bar (also set on fire) in a game of limbo.

You have not truly been to KPP if you do not spend a night at the bars along Lo Dalum.

Party at Slinky Beach Bar at Ko Phi Phi

Experience the Full Moon Party

Isn't this why you made KPP your destination in the first place? Phi Phi is second to Ko Phangan when it comes to full moon parties, but they are surely making an exceptional progress.

For newbies, the Full Moon Party is a beach party that takes place all night and involves plenty of drinking, drugs and dancing. It first started in Hat Rin in 1985 on the Ko Phangan island on the nights just before every full moon. The parties are mostly packed with tourists. However, the Full Moon Party across Thailand's islands are cancelled as of March 2020 until further notice., due to the pandemic.

Get a Thai Bamboo Tattoo

Tattoo parlors are literally on every street. Pick a date, get completely wasted, and make a mistake you'll probably regret over. Think of all the stories that you'll be able to share with your grandchildren one day!

In Thailand, 'bamboo tattoos' are done using a traditional poking technique by hand. This method was first used by monks when they perform the sak yant tattoos that you typically see on Muay Thai fighters. Many celebrities around the world has also gotten themselves one, such as Angelina Jolie - which made it so popular today!

Top things to do in Ko Phi Phi: Get inked

There are many places to get a tattoo at Ko Phi Phi

Happy traveling!

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Travel Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh: Behind the Sound of Pollution: Vietnam Part 1

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Taking your first step into another country will always leave you in awe. Vietnam, however, has left me with an entirely different level of amazement.

In short, Vietnam was jaw-dropping, eye-opening, mind-blowing, heart-pumping, and every other bodily-related adjectives I could think of. Despite being an Asian, Vietnam, a country only 2,659.7 kilometers away, has made me realized that I was mistaken about everything I thought I knew about Asia.

Ho Chi Minh: Behind the Sound of Pollution: Vietnam Part 1

Prior to this trip, I have read about the experiences of other bloggers just so I know what to expect when I am there. It was surprising to come across a few blog posts entitled 'Giving Vietnam Another Chance', and there were just too many negative remarks about the country that I was scheduled to fly to in less than a week's time. In order to make sure that I was able to embrace Vietnam wholeheartedly, I reassured myself that these bloggers were merely unaccustomed to the Asian way of living, in light of where they are coming from (mostly Americans).

So with an eager (and slightly anxious) heart, I have stepped foot in Vietnam for the first time!

Saigon city from above

Ho Chi Minh, the communist revolutionary leader of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh city

Vietnam is... different.
While the infrastructures of the buildings reminded me so much of my hometown Kluang, the people, however, behave in ways which are evidently different from us.

Street vendor at Ho Chi Minh

Vietnamese People are Hardworking

Remember that kid next door who would rather stay at home all day and remain unemployed just because he wasn't able to land his dream job? Or that girl you know from college who whined for hours on end about having to work more than what is supposedly required of her?

Vietnamese will make you feel so ashamed about your sloth and complacency. It could be selling masks by the streets, brewing coffee and tea for businessmen, or selling fruits at the back alleys of the temples - Vietnamese find contentment in making a living, however arduous they may seem to be.

Morning market at Ho Chi Minh

People's Committee Building Saigon, Ho Chi Minh

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
Unmistakable French influence in the architecture of some of the most prominent local landmarks (due to the French colonialism in the late 1880s)

Who needs to fly to Paris for a wedding photoshoot when you can have it done right here in the city of Ho Chi Minh?

Streets of Ho Chi Minh

Motorcycles. Motorcycles. More motorcycles.

Vietnam has the Highest Motorbike Ownership in the World

Saying "there are a crazy amount of motorcyclists on the streets" will not be able to justify the incalculable number of motorcycles surging through the already complex road system in Vietnam. The city comes alive with the sight of streams after streams of motorcycles, the collective buzzing sounds from their engines, and the smell of burning fuel in the air.

If you do not see motorcycles on the roads, you're probably not in Ho Chi Minh.

I figured the only way you could see for yourself how crazy the traffic really is would be to show you a video (which will be uploaded soon).

NEVER ATTEMPT TO CROSS A STREET WITHOUT THE SUPERVISION OF A LOCAL. NEVER.

Ben Thanh Market is a must-see when visiting Ho Chi Minh City

Bustling Ben Thanh Market

Local tea selections at Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh

You want it? They have it! (Head on to Ben Thanh Market for a selection of.... everything)

night attractions in ho chi minh vietnam

View from where I was sitting during a dinner cruise (the experience was an amazing!)

Language barrier and having to figure out the exact amount to pay without getting confused (too many zeros!) are probably the only problems encountered during the trip.

This is only the introduction of the trip. There are just too many pictures and experiences to share and they are impossible to be summarized in just one blog post. Stay tuned for more!

For other travel stories, click here.

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Backpacking in Singapore - Is It Really Possible?

Top 5 things to do in Ko Phi Phi

Try the Enormous Pizzas

Climb Your Way Up to the Viewpoints

Party at Slinky Beach Bar

Experience the Full Moon Party

Get a Thai Bamboo Tattoo

Ho Chi Minh: Behind the Sound of Pollution: Vietnam Part 1

Vietnamese People are Hardworking

Vietnam has the Highest Motorbike Ownership in the World

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