Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore

Just like the rest of the world travellers, we were fuzzed by the legendary Marina Bay Sands that in spite the fact, that we can only book an overnight stay because of our impromptu vacation, we obliged and the amazement of the structure was just surreal. Here are a few snaps from our stay, the only room available as per our travel agent was a deluxe space. Never really thought, that you have to book ahead of time if you want to stay in this five star hotel.

View from our room. We were placed at the Bay view room 'cos 'twas the only room available. Our view is the Gardens by the Bay.

So their deluxe room is consists of two single beds and an ample view of the bay. The bathroom's standard but they don't have bath tubs which somehow made me sad but it was neat. Maybe the other higher class rooms has one. What I like about the bathroom is the unique door - Japanese like and the condiments were all nice.

All controls are touch button. It was totally nice and the television is a computer /message machine too and you can browse through things you could do within the vicinity by clicking on the remote control. The best part is that all their telephone customer service operators are nice and friendly. Some are Filipinos and others race.

The highlight of them all - the unique infinity swimming pool on the topmost level - 'twas beautiful <3 p="">

Mind you, that freaking water is freaking mother effing COLD! I won't be posting my photo in it because I looked so terrible - I was shaking and my skin was literally having goose bumps under the water LOL but it had a nice view. My parents enjoyed it so much. I didn't bother to go over the edge - my fears of height was insane hahaha

Another sight to check at MBS is their Sky Deck Viewing area. Gives you a tremendous view of the fantastic landmarks in Singapore :)

Taken from a floor near the elevator. The building below is Marina shop where all branded brands you can think of stands and were the basement of it offers a boat ride within the mall itself and also the train station is below it. 

The only photo I took inside the Marina shop. LOL

All in all MBS was a great place to stay in - if you just want to stay inside the room and chill in the pool area. For more details check www.marinabaysands.com

Peninsula Excelsior Hotel Singapore

On my second time in Singapore but never really have any idea as to which hotel is the closest and at the heart of the city apart from The Fullerton Bay Hotel and Marina Bay Sands. The first time I stepped foot in Singapore was a few years back and I stayed at YMCA. 

This time around, we asked help from an agent to book a room for us since this travel was on the spot - I mean we literally decided to travel a week before the date we chose. But couldn't be more happier with the hotel that we stayed in. The Peninsula Excelsior Hotel is located at Coleman Rd., totally at the heart of it all. Everything was at walking distance - Clarke Quay, Raffles City, Raffles Exchange,  Suntec, Esplanade, Bugis and even China Town if you're not lazy. Not to mention, we had the best view of MBS and almost everything from our suite room.

We arrived around 7p in the hotel and this was the view from our suite room. We were situated on the 19th floor but I'm guessing the 20th to 21st floor had some serious gorge view :)

And this is around 1 in the morning. They basically shut off the lights from the water and the Esplanade but it was still breath-taking. At around 10p of every day the lights from the Marina Bay Sands sky deck dances indicating of a party like vibe on top.

View at around 7a. Singapore has late sunrise unlike the Philippines that rises at around 5.30 to 6a.

A view of the Clarke Quay on the side.

And the river fronting MBS on the other side. 

Entrance and condiments on the side. Oh! They provide unlimited coffee sachets and stuff :D

Living room.

King size bed and window seats on all sides of the room with moveable table, where you can place your drinks or food and stuff and the room has two televisions - one on the room side near the study table and the other on the living room. And since there were three of us, we opted for an extra bed for me which we placed on the living room and waking up to the view was just fascinating :)

Study table that has a perfect view of the bay :)

Bath tub that has glass windows that faces the living room. For this restroom, there were two doors (forgot to take a photo), one that opens from the entrance of the room and the other near the bed. Also forgot to the a photo of the shower but it was like that of Quest Hotel - glass separate toilet and shower. 

All in all, it was a good stay. I was too busy with schedule planning and stuff that I forgot to take photos of their buffet breakfast :D All reserved rooms comes with free breakfast but you have to be there earlier to enjoy the unlimited choices of food cos once you come in late then food is scarce. For room rates, you can check 

http://www.peninsulaexcelsiorhotelsingapore.com

I highly recommend this hotel for people who are more open to exploring the centre of Singapore by foot. They also have indoor pool and gym, restaurants, bars and sky deck on the 22nd floor where you can dine and have a view of the city. Again, pardon if I can't post the photos, it was either I was busy enjoying the sights or I was to lazy to snap and use my mobile and cameras. And if you're checking in, you can look for Shan via front desk and there are also other Filipinos who are working there :) And if you want the same room as ours, try booking for room 1914 or 2014 and 2114 :)

Pappa Rich

 At the heart of the city are noodle shops and restaurants but on top of Raffles Xchange sits Pappa Rich. More than just a noodle house, they have set meals that are surely fit for the budget which suits anyone's taste buds. They're also Halal certified :)

Chicken and Prawn Noodle Soup - spicy :D Really good tasting.

I forgot the name of this but it's beef and noodles.

Chicken Satay - A MUST :)

All in all it was good dining experience and the price is just right. Forgot to take some photos of the place but it was neat. Price starts from 7sgd up.

Bongo Burgers

 At the heart of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari is a burger joint with an alfresco ambiance where one can just hang out and have a drink or two or just dine. Most customers are safari visitors who are waiting for the tram ride around the night zoo. If you ask me, I will have to say that Singapore is the Burger capital of Asia because every restaurant that I've been into has it in their menu :D

Burger! The uniformity of the burger patties around Singapore is a bit strange - maybe they have the same supplier for it? But whatever, I still can't deny the fact, that it taste really good.

Chicken Pasta. Was so so but I think it lacked some flavourful spices :)

Really nice juice serving :)

It was a good meal before embarking into the night safari. The place is cool enough that you could just chill there when you don't intend to join the tram ride to see the animals. They also sell beers and drinks  but one must drink in moderation because there are kids on the park.

Chen Fu Ji Modern Chinese Restaurant

Singapore is not only known to be Asia's shopping capital but it is also known for its Chilli Crabs and so off we went in search of a place. Based on tour tv shows, Jumbo was well known but upon going for a reservation, we were told that they were fully booked for the day thus we went into another place and we couldn't be more happier. 

Chen Fu Ji Modern Chinese Restaurant sits atop Jumbo at Clarke Quay with a really fantastic view of the River and the people passing by. Like I've said in my previous entry - Clarke Quay reminds me of Copenhagen Denmark :)

View from where, we were seated. Really nice :)

I like their menu. It offers a brief history of the restaurant and it has Chinese and English verses. 

The ambiance is obviously too oriental but I like it. It's basically an old space if I based it on the wall and floor structures and it has that old smell but it's too neat for a Chinese restaurant which is another bonus and here's my Mamma who's wearing the bib for messy eating thing.

So, the food. We ordered what we came for and some specials on the menu.

I forgot the named of this soup but it's their best seller as per the guy who assisted us and I must say IT IS A MUST. Too good for a soup. It had tomato and some spices I can't seem to distinguish but it was really good. For soup orders, it is per small bowl - so this serving is good for one person but since we were there to try it out, we shared it.

Hongkong Asparagus - if I remember it correctly. It was also cooked perfectly and the minimal sauce makes it worth munching. They have other vegetables fixes on the menu but this caught our attention.

Seafoods Fried Rice which was amazing. It had fish, crabs and shrimps. And the plus points is, it wasn't oily like those other fried rice served in most restaurants.

Roasted Chicken - also A MUST. I think that Chinese people are so good when it comes to preparing and cooking this dish. It is tender and precisely cooked and even without the sauce - it is perfection. They also serve Roasted Duck and Pig.

What we came for… HANDS DOWN! The freshest that I've tasted by far and though I'm allergic to crabs - I ate like a rockstar. It was that good. It was that perfect. This is a Sri Lankan crab cooked in Chilli Sauce and I can still taste the sweetness and chilliness of this dish. I must say, I'm hooked and would definitely look forward to dining back if I get to visit Singapore again. It basically knocked all expectations out. Apart from crabs, they also serve lobsters and other seafood specials. 

Photo op with the Chef. LOL. I think it is very important to appreciate these people who are behind the food that you eat on the table. Cooking can be learned but how your flavour it, is a gift that no one else can take away.

Main entrance.

All in all. It was a really good dining experience. Chen Fu Ji reminds me of my favourite Chinese restaurant in Makati, Philippines but what really makes CFJ special is that all their crew are nice and friendly and unlike other restaurants, they're all well behaved and serene. We ate like royalties if I must put it because probably we were the only ones who dined because it was January 1st :D Anyhow, I love it there. Maybe next time, I'll try the Malaysian crabs and lobsters and those other dishes on the menu. It's a bit pricey though. For our entire meal, we paid about 300sgd but it was worth it. 'Til next time though! Xiexie Chen Fu Ji! <3 p="">

Thye Moh Chan

My mother is a fan of HOPIA. I don't know what is it in Chinese but that's how we call it in the Philippines and in the shopping centre that we went to in China Town, this place was full of life near the entrance and we wonder what the fuss was, only to find ourselves buying a box full of assorted buns.

Apart from Hopia they have other Chinese traditional delicacies which are too tempting for words.

I have to say - they are really neat and well organised. 

Options options options - we tried them all and they were all so good. Like seriously, the hopias that we have here have nothing compared to it :D You can also buy individually or by 8 or 10 pieces :)