Singapore Holiday Trip: Changi Airport, Universal Studios and Little India

2103 December. Said goodbye to my country for a while for a six-day adventure around Singapore.

It was my first time to ride the plane and travel outside the Philippines.  I rarely travel into distant places then, and should there be opportunities, they were due to family outings, educational trips and Church camps, which usually occurred once or twice every year. Other places I've been outside our province (Laguna) were Cavite,Quezon, Bulacan, Batangas, Manila and Baguio. Hopping to Singapore was such a surprise. Thanks to my little sister who brought us there.

We arrived in Changi Airport 4 hours after. The place was classy, quiet and organized. I picked some free tourist maps placed beside the hallway.

SG is the melting pot of various races. Indians, Chinese, Southeast Asians, Western Whites scatter around the urban jungle. The Filipino work-force are present in different establishments. Being branded as the 'Fine City', strict regulation of rules are evident wherever you look. No wonder why the surrounding was clean and peaceful. 

TRANSPORTATION: Double-decked buses looked amusing. I learned that one needs to have a card which are placed before a small detector upon riding vehicles, be it a train, shuttle or sometimes, taxi.

 We stayed in Tito Dan and Tita Neunilyn's cozy and stylish apartment located in Toa Payoh and celebrated Christmas there. Our noche buena involved a meaningful discussion on the evident Reason of the occasion. Their Filipina friends joined us in our meal.  

Strolling around the country was tiring yet worth it. One has to gear up for a long walk to visit the sights. Here are two of the places we've been to:

THE UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Universal Studios is one of the best tourist destinations in SG. You have to ride the Sentosa-bound train to reach this surreal dreamland where you can meet Pinocchio, walk around a huge castle and go candy shopping.

We saw file of people entering the castle, so we joined them to see what's inside. When we knew it was a 4D ride, we backed out.

We feasted on Indonesian delicacies during lunch. Nasi Goreng + Satay + Unfamiliar yet tasty dip = Perfect Burp!

LITTLE INDIA
...is a place blooming with colorful discoveries ranging from saris to  cheap gadgets. There are shops near Mustafa which sell DSLR Cameras for less. One of the shop owners offered me cool lenses for quite a low price.  I didn't buy them because I only had more or less $20  in my pocket, yet I was able to afford a nice filter.

...and what is visit to Little India without stepping inside one of its spice houses? 

Madrasah Music Lessons

It never entered my mind that I would drop to a madrasah (a Muslim School) to teach music for a week.

I went there to share what I knew about playing the piano. I never thought that a discovery-filled week awaited me. Suddenly I was transported to a world inhabited by people who love peace, learning and companionship.

TMB Madrasah Montessori instructs children from pre-school to grade five level. My cousin is a Grade One Adviser there and when she invited me to teach for a week, I got very excited to and said 'yes' in a snap. 

Before going there, I researched some information on how to engage with our Muslim kababayans. I also tried to know whether music interests them or what. I read in some internet articles that music is 'haram' (forbidden) for them. But when Teacher Sai told me that they even loved to danced and they performed 'Dayang dayang' in one of their events, my hesitation faded. 

I packed my bags, brought an old tiny casio and travelled from Santa Maria, Laguna to Manila.  I slept in one of the apartments in Pureza. The morning my teaching schedule came, Sai knocked at the door. I myself being ready, we proceeded to MRT station and rode to  Taft. Bicutan, Taguig was the location of the school. 

My level of excitement increased when I arrived the Muslim area . People wearing long dresses and abayas filled the place. Mosques and arabic prints captured my attention. Finally, we arrived the school (which is near Datu Kiram's residence). 

A man with a long skirt opened the gate for us. I didn't know how to greet him. I met Mam, Nelia, the school administrator. She is the wife of Mr. Taha M. Basman, an interfaith dialogue pioneer and the President of the Center for Moderate Muslims.

I really enjoyed teaching the kids. They were cheerful and friendly. More than talking to them, I preferred hearing their stories. I learned that most of them came from Mindanao. Some were sons and daughters of business people and Muslim organization leaders. But one thing I noticed was they were just like me when I was a kid: fun-loving, simple and 'iyakin' when teased. 

In one of our lunch moments, I was introduced to pastil, a binalot rice dashed with meat. I also discovered that Muslims do their lunch earlier due to their da'wah or noon prayer. They wash themselves (abdas) before doing this activity. 

During my freetime, I roamed around the village and visited the blue mosque. Men gathered inside to pray. I also saw the school guard there. After the classes I would travel back to Pureza for a night's sleep. I would ride a tricycle, a jeepney, and mrt train. Tricycles in Bicutan have seats inside facing front and outside, facing the rear. I seated there for a more adventurous feel. I noticed things I didn't see before.

Before leaving the school, the kids gave me a letter containing touching messages. I still have them with me. I will never forget them. 

   

A Halal meat shop located in front of the blue Mosque, Maharlika, Taguig.

Grade One Pupils learning music fundamentals.

A ram living in the mosque garden.

Sarah and her classmates determining the values of the notes.

Sarah is a Grade Five pupil who loves to put powder
on her face.

The boys eating their lunch. Hotdogs, instant
noodles and canned goods were some of
their meal faves.

A shot in the school grounds with Princess Iman .

FIVE Upland Discoveries

It's cold and rainy these days and it's better for some to stay at home during weekends. But let me disturb you wherever you are by showing a few photos from our visit at Brgy. Cueva and J. Santiago last Chinese New Year. You might consider packing your bags and bringing your friends for a shivery adventure that's worth posting on Facebook. These are the things you will see:

1.  Blooming trees and flowers
There's no spring season in our country, but look at those trees! The surrounding typifies new beginnings.   

Location: NSJ Farm

Bright lavender flowers clothe the roadsides. This isn't only place where these adorning creatures can be found.

Location: 98 Falls, Brgy. Laurel

This.Looks. Surreal.

Location: 98 Falls, Brgy. Laurel

2. Creek leading towards the falls
One needs to walk a few steps before arriving at 98 Falls. One great thing about visiting this place during rainy days is seeing a huge volume of water flowing from the mountains way down the streams.

Location: 98 Falls, Brgy. Laurel

3. Teepee-like storage area built of layered, filled-with-something sacks
I regularly pass through this place whenever we travel uphill. I saw this unique thing upon coming back this month.

Brgy. Cueva

4. Pine Trees
These trees have been here through decades. The difference is the fact the you may convince yourself that you're in Baguio or Tagaytay because cold weather is at its peak. The feeling of coldness is above the level the people in the lowlands experience. 

NSJ Farm

Welcome to Narnia!

NSJ Farm

5. Breathtaking views from the top.

Brgy. J. Santiago

Brgy. J. Santiago

Brgy. Cueva

Little India, Singapore

...is a place blooming with colorful discoveries ranging from saris to  cheap gadgets. There are shops here which sell DSLR Cameras for less. One of the shop owners offered me cool lenses for quite a low price.  I didn't buy them because I only had more or less $20  in my pocket, yet I was able to afford a nice filter.

Amusing establishments give an oriental-vintage feel. 

Enjoying the great architectural designs around while passing through the shops.

Those in the left are orchids. How 'bout those in the right?

No wonder it smells good here.

Edible stuff.

...and what's the sense of visiting this place without stepping inside the spice houses?

Of Hearts' Day, Basil Plants and Tiny Cobweb

It's drizzling outside and yet I risked riding the bicycle to visit my basil plants situated in a nearby barangay. 

What a great way to be reminded of God's love this early morning of Feb. 14! I saw this rainbow while cycling beside the fields. Taken from my iPhone.

It's been a year since I let ate Mercy adopt my basil plant. Now there are at least 20 plants that have sprouted along her yard. Woohoo.

Now, there's a nursery under this leaf! More or less 40 li'l spiders have been born here.

Brought home some agri stuff after eating breakfast.

 I'm planning to collect herbs and let someone cultivate it. I guess its safer than worrying whether it's growing or dying under my care. There is so much to learn in this area. 

As I wave goodbye, here's a wonderful reminder for all of us: