Previously in this series:
Singapore, Day 2 – Home Ideas & Swedish Meatballs
We went to the Bugis area in the morning to do more shopping and to buy some souvenirs. We also went to the Mustafa Centre located near Little India. This is a good place to buy large packs of chocolates that are not usually found back home, in the Philippines.
Late afternoon we went to the Marina Bay area. A local “uncle” was peddling Wall’s ice cream at the Esplanade Park. Given the hot weather, we didn’t think twice buying. Average maximum temperatures in Singapore (usually within the first two quarters of the year) range from 30-31 degrees Celsius*. This day was no exception. We thought it a good idea to cool down with some ice cream sandwich.
*This trip was about seven-or-so months ago as of this writing. Hence, the reference to the usually hotter weather months.
We made our way over to the other side of the Anderson Bridge, passing by the refurbished Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall (on the right side) on the way up and with the view of the Esplanade to the left from the bridge itself.
At the end of the bridge is Singapore‘s first Starbucks Give-back store and its 100th.
At the Fullerton Road facing the direction of the Central Business District, stood before me one of Singapore‘s most famous and iconic landmarks, The Fullerton (in the foreground). A one time post office building, hospital, administrative office, etc., it was refurbished to be a hotel and opened officially as such in 2001. I remember there were proposals before to do the same for the Manila Post Office. It’s not a far-fetched idea if you ask me.
We were really just stone’s throw away from the Marina Bay from where we were standing. ‘Just a few moments now’, I thought to myself, ‘and I will see the Merlion’.
Alas! The iconic mythical creature was nowhere to be found. Apparently, at the time, it was being renovated. I took a selfie but it doesn’t feel complete without it. Now I have an excuse to go back 😂.
If it’s any consolation though, just behind where the Merlion once stood gloriously, is its small replica. This will do for now.
Across the bay is one of Singapore‘s latest attractions – the Marina Bay Sands.
We made our way to the direction of the Esplanade which was easily distinguished by its durian shape. Durian is that famous Southeast Asian fruit with a hard, spiky shell and with a strong odor and taste that could easily put anyone on the fence whether to like it or not. People can have opinions about it just as strongly as the fruit’s characteristics are, it seems.
Philippines represent! The Philippine Madrigal Singers were scheduled to have a concert here.
What do you make of this art installation below? It’s called Insignificant Meaningful.
Thai artist Torlarp Larpjaroensook utilized everyday, ordinary objects symbolic of the different Asian cultures, reminding us of the syncretic nature of our societies – lunch boxes, thermos flasks, vases, plates and bowls made from materials like ceramic, enamel and wood. These found objects from daily life are charged with meaning as they tell the past, present and future stories of those who owned and used them. Viewed as a single ensemble, it becomes a timeless metaphor for human migration.
I found this LED magnetic frame in one of the stores inside the Esplanade. It glows in the dark! Which reminds me, we just watched the Avengers movie the night before at the Tampines mall. I would have bought this if I were a true, blue Avengers/Marvel junkie.
We went to Bugis afterwards to meet up with a friend, do more shopping and have dinner.
It’s always a nice thing catching up with old friends, having good conversations and sharing laughter with each other, especially over good food.
As if we haven’t been indulging ourselves enough, we even had to go to the InterContinental to have some coffee and tea (hmmm 🤔 … somebody’s taking the ‘Crazy, Rich Asians’ water, huh? 💦 Maybe a tad too much? 😅)
Some night cap it was. A day well spent meeting the icons of the city and catching up with old friends. Happy times, indeed! 😁💯🇸🇬
Zero Ain't Hero 
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