Check out the collective of Singapore travel posts at this link.

Date: September 28

Location: Singapore 

So, the night before we have sent off the family back to Manila. Now, we’re three!

We had our final breakfast for the trip at Kopitiam.

Days after the trip, Aria repeatedly said upon waking up that she will have breakfast at Kopitiam. Talk about hangover!
Days after the trip, Aria repeatedly said upon waking up that she will have breakfast at Kopitiam. Talk about hangover!

Then we hit the MRT, without stroller this time. I dared bear the little girl in the sling all day long! Love my Next9 sling!

I will miss our bus stop, Bras Basah!
I will miss our bus stop, Bras Basah!

 

MRT selfie!
MRT selfie!

First stop: Raffles Hotel!

My hubby and his signature pose. All. The. Time.
My hubby and his signature pose. All. The. Time.

We passed by the Civilian War Memorial Park and saw this! Yes, our favorite bread is originally from Singapore! 

We passed by a war memorial park and saw this on the way!
Gardenia FTW!

Then we went to Esplanade, the famed arts hub of Singapore.

It took a while for my husband to realize it was Durian-shaped. Durian is a local fruit and is also found in the Philippines.
It took a while for my husband to realize it was Durian-shaped. Durian is a local fruit and is also found in the Philippines.

We saw this exhibit inside.

We immediately saw this as we are exiting from the train station. Quite a long walk going here.
We immediately saw this as we are exiting from the train station. Quite a long walk going here.

We also saw a familiar word in a postcard.

And a familiar name there, our Ninong Jojo Velasco of the Ateneo Chamber Singers! He guest conducted the SYC Ensemble Singers last December.
And a familiar name too, our Ninong Jojo Velasco of the Ateneo Chamber Singers! He guest conducted the SYC Ensemble Singers last December.

We went back to Ion Orchard for lunch. We settled in this place.

Who would have thought? It's their high-class food court! And was filled to the brim on a Saturday!
Who would have thought? It’s their high-class food court! And was filled to the brim on a Saturday!

Then we went back to the hotel to check out and pick up our luggage. Off we go the airport!

Leftover coins went to a couple of TWG macarons with a Filipina at the counter speaking to us in Filipino. Kinda freaked me out (because I was expecting everyone to speak English!), but she was nice.
Leftover coins went to a couple of TWG macarons with a Filipina at the counter speaking to us in Filipino. Kinda freaked me out (because I was expecting everyone to speak English!), but she was nice.
Lessons while in mid-air, with Eebee's first and only photo of the entire trip! He/She/It was her nighttime buddy to avoid homesickness.
Lessons while in mid-air, with Eebee’s first and only photo of the entire trip! He/She/It was her nighttime buddy to avoid homesickness.

 

When we got home, Aria immediately unpacked her new kitchen set which was a gift from my cousin Mark. She did not wait for the next day to check out her new toy.

It was indeed a fun trip for all of us, especially that this was the first family trip out of the country. We learned so much about Singapore’s culture in those four days. Such a fast-paced country with super efficient public transport system, lots of buildings, lots of things to do and see, and lots of yummy food.

And we are all happy that Aria was really really happy during this trip. Even if we had crying bouts during sleeptime (homesickness, small room and bed), she had the best time cos she still remembers everything up to now, even if she doesn’t see photos and videos of it anymore (imagine she watched the videos for weeks after the trip, even several times a day until she got tired of it!). She calls each Ferris wheel here Singapore flyer, to the amazement of taxi drivers.

Huge thanks go to our cousin and his wife for taking time to meet us and tour us around! Lastly, we thank the Lord for covering us under His protection for the duration of the trip and always. That no one got sick or harmed. Thank You for the opportunity!

And that this happened during my 30th birthday, it was such an amazing experience. All praises for the gift of life, love, and happiness!

Will we go back? Definitely! We’d definitely plan another family trip in two years perhaps, something we’d all enjoy. Any suggestions where?

 

~ Touringkitty