Eeekkk! That's the sound that rang in my ears as the plane departed from NAIA. But despite the noise, I fell asleep immediately since I woke up early so I could arrive in time for my flight at 6:25 in the morning. I think I dozed off for about an hour or so already when I was awakened by the voice of the stewardess as she announced that they were selling food and items on board. They're expensive! One 500 mL mineral water bottle for P150?! I think I would have myself get dehydrated first before I would buy from them. Haha. I gazed at the airplane window and I was awed by the beauty of the nearby clouds. I was reminded of my science lessons in elementary about the common types of clouds - cirrus, cumulus, nimbus, and stratus. It seems like it was just yesterday and now there I was feeling amazed by the fact that I was travelling abroad by myself for the first time.
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Bert and Mrs. Lilian Soriano, my seatmates during my 5J-801 flight bound for Singapore. Mrs. Soriano was kind enough to lend me a pen so I could fill in my Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) card because I failed to bring one since I checked-in all seemingly sharp objects together with my luggage. From my little chat with Mrs. Soriano, I learned that they already have a son who graduated from UP-PGH and is now working as a Palliative Medicine Consultant in Massachusetts. And that they are going to have a 4-day vacation in Singapore. It was nice that I was able to have someone to talk to during that 3 1/2 hour flight. Hehe.
I was browsing through a magazine when I heard another passenger, who just bought a souvenir item from the Duty Free goods being sold on the plane, say, "
Pati ba naman plastic, wala." I gave him a pity look because I completely understood his sentiment. Upon landing at Changi International Airport, we were instructed to remain in our seats as the plane parks at the Budget Terminal. Mrs. Soriano smirked and said, "
Baka tayo pa ang kumuha ng sarili nating luggage sa ilalim ng eroplano, budget lang kasi." I laughed at her comment. I like that she can be sweet and sarcastically funny at the same time. I bid them goodbye as I proceeded to the arrival area.
I was waiting for my luggage when I realized I left something inside the plane..."
Yung French Baker na monay na pinapadala nina Tito Felix kay Papa!" I thought, "
Hay naku, Sweet, pasaway ka talaga...makakalimutin." I think I was too excited to get out of the plane that I forgot how many things I was carrying. I was trying to keep myself calm, thinking how I would retrieve the pasalubong I left, then I looked around and was relieved to see a Lost and Found Area just a few meters from where I was standing. I do have an angel! Hehe. I talked to the personnel at the booth and he asked me about my missing item and my seat no. Lo, and behold, I was able to get back the lost monay! Hahaha. My friend, Ate Jaclyn Endiafe, was already waiting for me outside. She thought I was being held up by the immigration and I told her about what happened...that it's just the case of the missing monay! Hehe. We proceeded at Terminal 2 to meet Ate Precious Gomez and we had lunch at Swensen's.
I don't know if I was just tired but I think I barely talked while we were having lunch but it was so much fun hearing stories from Ate Jac & Ate Prec about their lives in Singapore...
While I was listening to them, I could recall how vibrant our late night chats were when we were still staying at MDR Foodhouse Dorm during our college days. Oh, how I've missed those days and these beautiful & brilliant people I was blessed to meet!
Back then, I remember Ate Prec would wake me up because I was often sleeping instead of studying! The narcoleptic in me will always prevail. Haha. I would joke that I was taking up BS in Nursing and Major in Sleeping. Hehe. But I thank God that I was still able to graduate as a regular student in UPCN despite my sleepy head. :)
For lunch, I ate baked mushroom rice, while Ate Prec had baked chicken rice, and Ate Jac ate a huge burger with fries! Yum, yum! ;)
After lunch, we proceeded to Ate Jac's place in Pandan Valley so I could leave my stuff before they accompany me for a city tour! :)
So many places to go to! Yipee! ;)
One of the things I really admire in SG is their infrastructure. Their railways and mass transit systems are superb and almost everything seems to be in order.
1st stop: Orchard Road. Most of the shopping centers are located here. Lucky Plaza is known to be the hanging out place of Filipinos particularly of OCWs every Sunday. Take a closer look above (lower left side) and appreciate the beauty of a prominent linea alba and rectus abdominis muscles...gorgeous, isn't it? Hahaha.
2nd stop: Chijmes, a historic building complex which was previously a Catholic convent but is now a dining, shopping, and entertainment centre. The Cathay, with 8 cinema halls inside. Raffles Hotel (opened in 1899, named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles) and City Tower.
We rode the SMRT train going to Marina Bay when I noticed a signage...5 more things you didn't know: 1. It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. (I am quite aware of this one already. Hehe.), 2. It would take a car travelling at 100 mph, more than 29 million years to reach the nearest star., 3. A goldfish has a memory span of 3 seconds (I wonder how they tested for this one? Haha.), 4. A cockroach can survive more than a week without its head (Disgusting!!! I hate cockroaches!), 5. Aberdeen Group manages over US$5.5 billion in Emerging Market fixed income. (Who cares?! Haha...)
