1 SINGAPORE: MERLION PARK AND MARINA BAY SANDS' SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS

Heard the word Singapore? One thing enters my mind is Merlion. This creature is indeed a representation of the Lion City. It is an icon, an 8.5 meter tall statue with a body of a fish and a head of a lion. So that when visiting this state-country, make sure to pay a visit to the Merlion Park. 

Merlion Park is not really hard to find, Singapore is just a small country yet the most accessible when it comes to public transportation. That's why when going around the city, MRT would be your best friend. Merlion Park is situated in One Fullerton Hotel, near the Central Business District. 

We come from the Gardens by the Bay with Marina Bay Sands and Supertree Grove, that's why it only took us a couple of minutes to get to Merlion Park. It's already dark when we left the Gardens and we arrived at the park past 7 PM. But we were captivated by the lights surrounds it and the tallest skyscrapers on the background.

HOW TO GET HERE:

I'm sure there are a lot of ways to get to Merlion Park but at the moment please use the MRT as your reference. And for obvious reason, this is the only transportation I know and I'm sure I won't be lost. The nearest MRT station is Raffles Place (NS26 / EW14), then use the Exit H. Then right to the Fullerton Road and then right again to get to the Esplanade Road. You will have to cross the street to get to the park. 

Please refer to this link for your guide. 

http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_20167/travel_site_1/get_here/ 

After crossing the street and walking for a couple of meters, we already saw a white figure spouting a huge amount of water. I'm sure it is the Merlion already plus the amount of people around the area is countless. Then we stepped down thru the stairs and saw this small cub. I don't know what this cub represents, but it looks like a small replica of Merlion or maybe the son. This cub though is shinier, but the Merlion overpowered the dark ambience of  the bay area out of it's pure and white character.

And look at that, isn't amazing, the Merlion standing proudly in front of those towering skyscrapers. I thought it would be admirable to visit the Merlion Park during the day so you can see the structures around it but I thought the night has a better look. 

Here are the failed attempts of taking pictures with the Merlion. It's really hard to get the chance because if it's not blurred then someone is blocking the view. Plus I don't have a background in photography - night photography and portrait. My apologies Jerome and Harty. :S

We decided to stay there and enjoyed the view. I am busy taking photos with the self-proclaimed perfect photo of Singapore's Bay area. I was fascinated by the lights of the skyscrapers plus the Marina Bay Sands and other Singapore's known structures that are seated across the park. I don't mind taking photos of myself, enough for me to have a perfect picture with the place.

And then we heard huge sounds that called everybody's attention. I don't know Singapore has the Symphony of Lights also likewise as Hong Kong. Then some were clapping as if they're expecting of an extravagant show. I have no idea. Then a green lights suddenly appear slowly from the top of Marina Bay Sands! That was perfect and amazing.

Please see below pictures of the Symphony..

Amazing and fantastic lights show. Thanks for the welcome though. Our restless body just relieved by the warm welcome. Then after two hours of stay, we decided to go back to the hostel to rest our dead and tired body. This show cap-off our first day in Singapore.

4 SINGAPORE: VISITING GARDENS BY THE BAY WITH SUPERTREE GROOVE AND MARINA BAY SANDS

Taking pictures at the Gardens by the Bay with the Marina Bay Sands on the background.

The Marina Bay Sands and Supertree Grove are now an icon of Singapore, these are just two of the newest attractions in the Lion City. This city-state continues to grow and leading in the most visited country in the region. That's why when I booked for Malaysia, I decided to have a quick tour here to experience the beauty of the modern city.

Upon arriving in Singapore, we jumped in here right after we bought pasalubong at Mustafa Center on that day. We only have limited time to explore this small country so the itinerary was so cramped to maximize our stay.

Marina Bay Sands is billed as the world's most expensive stand-alone casino property. When I was researching about it, it's complete with shopping malls, casino, hotel rooms and the Skypark where you can see the skyline of Singapore with the observation deck, plus the infinity pool.

Supertree Grove is at the Gardens By the Bay, it is a tree-like structure that dominates the whole garden with its height and the numbers. It is also the home of different types of real flora.

HOW TO GET HERE:

I always suggest to take the MRT and make sure to download the latest MRT map. This was my mistake, I had the outdated map of this rail line. You can check this link fo the updated map.

Getting here is very easy, make sure to follow the Circle Line (Golden Yellow line) and alight at the Bayfront Station (CE1). Then look for Exit B and just follow the underground linkway. When you exit  the linkway, you should be able to see the luxurious Marina Bay Sands tower. And you'll have to cross the Dragonfly bridge to get the Gardens by the Bay for the Supertree Grove.

While at the underground linkway, you can have pictures because the hallway is covered with mirrors adjacent to each other with pictures of different flowers. You already have the feeling of life in a garden.

This is the hallway covered with mirrors. Just follow the signage to get to the Gardens by the Bay.

Our Harty on her rainbow color.

Group pic, the mirror though.

And as I mentioned when you get to the exit point, the Marina Bay Sands is already standing in front of you. I'm sure you would want to have a picture of this beautiful landmark and one of the world's best architectural structure. The problem though is how would you get yourself and the Marina Bay in one whole frame. The solution is to bring a monopod. Otherwise, action-packed cameras would help.

In case you're wondering why we only have pictures outside of Marina Bay, well I can't afford and the observation deck has entrance fee as well. So I'm already good to have a picture with it.

The beautiful Marina Bay Sands.

Harty and Jerome with the Marina Bay Sands.

Yours truly and Jerome with the Marina Bay Sands.

The Gardens by the Bay is situated at the back of Marina Bay Sands. The towering Supertree Groove is already on your sight because of its height. And to get there, you need to cross the butterfly bridge. However, you might want to check the lagoon as well before crossing the bridge as it has attractions with different figures of huge dragonfly made of metals.

Welcome to the Gardens by the Bay.

Here's the lagoon, with dragonfly flying above the water and the Supertrees on the background.

Here's Harty trying to take the whole place in panorama.

Travel buddies; Jerome and Harty.

And we are now crossing the butterfly bridge to experience the enigmatic beauty of the Gardens. The entrance here is free but taking the bridge attached to the trees has a fee. However, I don't know for some reason it was closed as well as the flower dome. When we get there many tourists started going back and told us that most of the attractions are closed. So we got no choice but to stay and have a rest with the odd-looking plants and vines at the supertrees. We would like to stay longer and wait to get dark to witness its beauty with lights, but it started drizzling. That's why we didn't stay that long and started packing up.

This is the Butterfly bridge going to the Gardens.

It would be great if we step on that bridge but that time it was closed.

Up close wit one of the Supertrees.

It was an amazing experience and I suggest those people visiting Singapore should pay a visit to the Gardens. There's a lot to see and offer but sadly we did not have the luck as most of the attractions were closed. I was expecting we would be able to see the different kingdom of plants and flowers at the flower dome but also closed. Anyway, I still appreciate how they are made. Singapore is a small country yet the gave home to the indigenous plants.

The best time to go here is between 4 PM - 7PM to experience the beautiful sunset of the bay plus the colorful lights around the supertrees. There are spots at the Gardens with pay so please visit their site to know the prices. http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html

Photo op again with Marina Bay at the Butterfly bridge.

You can see the Singapore Eye, Supertree Grove, and the Flower Dome taken at the Butterfly bridge.

We were lucky to see the lights of  the Supertrees before we left the area.

The Marina By Sands at night.

2 MALAYSIA 2014: A NIGHT WITH THE MAJESTIC PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS

Close up view of Petronas Twin Towers.

After so many many years, I finally got to see myself and witness this spectacular infrastructure and an icon of Malaysia. Straight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, we headed to the KL Sentral via Sky Bus then took LRT straight to the Petronas Twin Towers. Technically it is our first day in Malaysia and we will be heading to Singapore before midnight but will definitely go back here after two-day stay at the Lion City.

Since we will be arriving in KL by 6PM and our schedule trip to Singapore is 12MN, we got six hours to spend to go around downtown KL. Thus, I have decided to drop by at the Petronas Twin Towers. After all, no one visited Malaysia without having visiting the most popular icon of the City. It is also I guess lovelier to witness the majesty of the towers by night as the bright lights sparkling around the towers which attracts the eye of the people walking down the streets. Although no more chance to see the skyline of Malaysia by reaching on the view deck at the bridge connecting the two towers because the time we arrived it’s already close. 

The three of us are first timers in Malaysia so all of the directions are only based on my research. We had dinner first at the Suria KLCC Mall where the twin towers are standing. Afterwards we looked for the exit leading the fountain park where you can see the towers unwrapped.

Here's the fountain park, adjacent to the Peteronas towers is also a state of the art building in golden lights.

The two soaring towers of Petronas taken from the fountain park.

Bright lights surrounded at the towers.

Upon stepping out at the exit door, I know when I look up I would be able to see the magnificence of the Twin Towers. I know the muscles of excitement linger on my veins so I quickly grabbed my camera and take a photo while standing on the foot of the towers. The feeling is tremendous; the only word whispered on my ears was “W-O-W”. Truly is majesty.

I asked my buddies to walk straight all the way to the end of the fountain so we can get better photos in front of the towers. Like I said the feeling is indescribable so while walking I couldn’t help but to stare the towers – I was walking backward. Reaching at the end of the park, there were quite number of foreign and local tourists alike, and of course group of Filipinos. They were all busy taking their best shots and so we are. But let me remind you though that taking photos will really give you an extra effort. No need to explain why but I recommend to visit this place to experience and that would answer the question, why?

Okay so here's our obligatory post in front of your heir majesty. And yeah it is really necessary I guess, however in order for you to get this shot with Petronas tower in full body including the antennas then it would really need an extra effort.

Ang matikas na si Jerome..ang Robin Padilla naming kasama.

Yours truly..pawis na pawis ako niyan.

Ang kaisa-isang Gabriela Silang, si Hartgraves.

We spent about an hour already in front of the towers so I asked my buddies to leave as we still need to travel to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) to catch our schedule trip via Bus all the way to Singapore.

I would like to acknowledge also the person we met in KL Sentral who helped and guide us how to use the Token Machine and technically joined us the way to KLCC where the Petronas Towers standing. To Ryan and his friend, thank you for lending your time and for the assistance.

That is Sir Ryan the first local we met who helped and guide us going to KLCC.

Ryan and his friend, both shy in the camera.

Waiting for the train to arrive going to KLCC, if you are in KL Sentral make sure to stand at Platform 1.

HOW TO GET TO PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS:

If you are coming from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA or KLIA2), take bus that would bring you to KL Sentral LRT Station, then from KL Sentral take GOMBAK via KELANA JAYA LINE then alight at the KLCC Station. Petronas Twin Tower is at KLCC Station!

Make sure first to have printed the LRT Transit Map, you can get it via Google Images or when you get to the Airport, make sure to grab free brochures about their Transit Maps.

Jerome and Hart in KLIA2 with their Malaysia Magazine.

Skybus that will bring you from KLIA2 to KL Sentral vice versa.

Dim Light inside the Skybus.

At the KL Sentral Station of the LRT Transit Lines.

SIGNPOST ABOUT THE PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS via WIKIPEDIA:

The Petronas Towers, also known as the Petronas Twin Towers are the twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), they were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 and remain the tallest twin towers in the world replacing the World Trade Center in New York. The buildings are a landmark of Kuala Lumpur, along with nearby Kuala Lumpur Tower.


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0 THAILAND: WAT ARUN, THE TEMPLE OF THE DAWN

The soaring temple of Wat Arun.

You will surely notice this soaring temple of Wat Arun if you are in Chao Phraya river en route to the temples of Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. It is situated adjacent to WatPho temple, the oldest and largest temple in the Kingdom of Thailand. 

This temple is consists of five prangs; four on each corner and one in the middle, the center one is the tower which you will climb in almost upright 90 degrees, it’s very narrow and steep. There would be a significant reason why it’s steep; it is said to believe that the Buddhist has to face this challenge upon reaching Nirvana. As per Wikipedia, Nirvana literally means “blown out” or perhaps, it’s like a place of where you can find peace and happiness. Maybe in Christian alike, it is the heaven.

Wat Arun taken from the Chao Phraya River.

In order for you to enter at the main temple, one has to pay 50 THB. And likewise at the Reclining Buddha hall, they also require some dress code but not too strict. Just make sure your shoulders and knees are all covered. Anyway they have scarf for rent just in case.

When you reach inside the temple, don’t be surprised with the architecture. You will certainly be fascinated by the decoration and the design. The middle tower and four small prangs are covered with some colorful porcelain and seashells. While also stepping into the stairs, you will also witness different figures that serve as the guardians of the temple.

Now the question why it is being referred as the “Temple of the Dawn”, simply because by the height of about 219ft or like 20 storey building, the first light of the sun rising from the east shall reflects off the temple in vibrant pigments.

That's why whenever you have plans to visit Thailand, make sure to include this landmark on your itinerary. When you get to reach on top, you will surely feel the sense of fulfillment, the feeling of being cleansed it's like all the sufferings had gone. Furthermore you will also have the chance to see the beautiful skyline of Bangkok and the temples around Chao Phraya River.

It's fairly easy to get to Wat Arun temple. Take BTS Sky Train then alight at Saphan Taksin station, walk towards the Sathorn pier then ride either express boat (15 THB orange flag) tourist boat (40 THB). Disembark at Pier Tha Thien (N8) and then catch the ferry to cross the river going to the temple for 3 THB.

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