Pre-Christmas Family Vacation to Singapore!

Marina Bay Sands

This post has been my first in a long time.  I do hope that everyone who reads it, would love it.  I just want to share my joy and experience for traveling.  Me, and my family went on a Pre-Christmas Family Vacation to Singapore.  We left Chep Lak Kok International Airport in Hong Kong, early in the morning of December 19, 2011, taking Cathay Pacific Airways, and arrived Changi International Airport before noon.

Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore

Upon passing Immigration, and getting our luggage, we headed to the Ground Transportation Section, where we got a Mercedes Benz taxi, which cost S$45, to bring us to our hotel.  We were also informed that there was free wifi at the airport, all you need to do is go to information desk, to ask for the username and password.  We were billeted at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore.  When we arrived at our hotel, we were courteously

View from our lift lobby

greeted by one of their Guest Relations, Miss. Jaslyn, who was kind enough to inform us of the amenities, facilities, restaurants, and shops in and around the hotel.  Upon clearing check in, we were told to proceed to our room, and that they would send our luggage up.  Our room was big, and it was impeccable.  Everything was automatic, from the day blinds, night blinds, bathroom blinds, lights, etc.  All you need to do is touch a switch, and

Titanic The Artifact Exhibition

presto.  Our hotel was a stones throw from The Marina Bay Sands, and The Singapore Flyer.  The only thing, which we did not like was the fact that it was raining on and off, and we were told that it would last for a couple of days.  During the afternoon, we decided to go to Orchard Road by taking the MRT (Mass Railway Transit).  After window shopping in Orchard Road, we decided to go to The Marina Bay Sands, so we took the MRT

The Art Science Museum

again, but this time going to The Marina station.  We were able to reach The Marina Bay Sands, where we had our dinner, and we even visited the Art Science Museum, but unfortunately it was already closed.  We decided to walk to our hotel, which was quite near.  We walked by the Helix Bridge.

Toast Box @ Resorts World Sentosa

On our second day, we decided to go to Universal Studios Singapore, which is located at Resorts World Sentosa.  The place was magnificent.  We had breakfast first at Toast Box, and my son loved their Peanut Thick Toast, and Iced Milo.  After breakfast we proceeded to the escalator, which would bring us to Universal Studios Singapore.  When we reached the main entrance, and showed the staff our tickets, we excitedly went in.  We were like a

Universal Studios Singapore

bunch of adults, who became big kids.  We first hit the Universal Store, to see what souvenirs we could buy.  There were a lot of choices to choose from, from shirts, to watches, to stuff toys, to jewelry, and many more.  I bought a started pin set; my son bought a shirt, souvenir coin holder, and a water bottle.  There were lots of rides, and attractions to see, and feel.  We first went to the Madagascar Zone, then Water World, then Jurassic

Madagascar Crate Adventure

Park, then Far Far Away Land, then The Mummy Zone, then The Battlestar Galactica Zone, then The Transformer Zone, and last but not the least the Hollywood Zone.  We rode the rides, and soaked in the attractions.  We especially liked The Transformer The Ride, Shrek 4D Movie, Jurrasic Flyer, Crate Adverntures (Madagascar), and The Treasure Hunt (The Mummy).  What we did not like about the experience, were

Jurassic Park

the long queues for those rides, and attractions.  There were lots of people, from all parts of the world.  We had a blast spending the whole day at Universal Studios Singapore.  After our theme park experience, we met up with an old friend, who was based in Singapore, lets call her Mayette.  She told us to meet her at Sentosa Station @VivoCity of the Monorail, which is a free service, by the way.  There we had dinner at an Italian Restaurant.  We had Pizza, Rissotto, Salad, some stories, and juicy comments.  Which is of course part of every dinner conversation among friends.  After dinner, we decided it was still early, so we decided to do some shopping.  It was a good thing that our friend was there, and that she brought her MPV with her, otherwise we would have to carry all of our groceries to the hotel.

The Singapore Flyer

On our last day, we decided to visit The Singapore Flyer, which was a short walk away from our hotel.  It was a nice experience, and it lasted around 30 minutes.  While at The Singapore Flyer, we were able to see much of Singapore.  We even saw The Merlion, The Esplanade a.k.a. The Durian Centre, The Marina Bay Sands, and The Fullerton Hotel.  After our ride, we decided to have our lunch in the area as well.  After lunch, we decided to

Inside The Singapore Flyer

head back to the hotel, for our trip back home.  We packed our things, ask the concierge to pick up the luggage, and call us a MaxiCab.  We thanked the staff for taking good care of us at The Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore.  When we arrived at the Changi Airport, everything was smooth, until the check in counter.  The check in staff at Cathay Pacific in Changi Airport seems to be inexperienced, and seems to have a hard time

The Merlion and The Fullerton Hotel

accommodating us.  After the initial hassle, we passed the Immigration Check, we headed directly to the GST Rebate Centre to ask for payment of our GST Refund.  After that we strolled around the airport as there was still time.  So far we have enjoyed our Pre-Christmas Family Vacation in Singapore.  It was a fun filled three (3) days, even though it was raining on and off.