So that’s why I missed breakfast n woke up just in time for lunch. First step outside of YMCA, I realized today was gonna be a blah day cos of the weather. It wasn’t really raining but spitting…gloomyish. I hope this isn’t gonna ruin my trip to marina bay sand skypark cos usually open-aired observation decks would close if the weather gets ugly. So I made my way there after some chicken rice n pink soy bubble milktea which tasted like rose. Once again, u can’t go wrong when u follow the crowd cos apparently, marina bay station is still quite a way from marina bay sand hotel. But as the weather was forgiving, the 15ish minute walk wasn’t so bad. I even sat down by the river, plugged in my itouch, n just soaked up as much of the calm view as I could before it started to rain on my parade. Then, the oddest thing happened. Somehow, some time, I managed to break off a big chunk of my middle-left toenail n it was bleeding quite badly…so in my flipflops n my whole “world traveler” outfit, I was semi-dragging my foot to the nearest convenient store. “two floors down n just keep to ur right”, well the lady forgot to say “ALL the way on the other side of this hugeass mall that should take u about another 15mins to get to” *sulk* regardless, what needs to be done, needs to be done. After I dealt with the toe-issue, it was time to figure out how to get to the skypark. U’d be surprised how many different direction I got. I practically went down two floors, then up one foor, then all the way to the end, then turned right, then cut pass the casino, then went down an escalator to find the damn ticketing office. no kidding it was a bad day to have a bleeding toe. (note to self: wear proper foot gear next time; flipflops can cut meat n are too casual to wear with anything else – this goes with my previous note of bringing at least one dress or outfit that’s slightly dressier).
But anyways, I finally made it up to the 56th floor n the view was beautiful! Mr.sunshine was hiding a little n it was slightly dripping, but otherwise, it was just fine. I do have to mention, before going to any particular location, figure out their schedule differences. Unfortunately, the pool n north garden were closed off to the public, during weekend, so only the observation deck was open (I think that’s why I scheduled it on Friday but of course, plans do change n I definitely wouldn’t hv changed last nite – so whatever la). Maybe that’s a hint to stay at the hotel cos guests get to enjoy ALL the facilities- that includes swimming in the pool. Haha it’s not a bad idea really cos they do have quite a few other functions there like theatre (they’re actually performing the lion king, which I was tempted to watch), ice-skating rink, casino, celebrity restaurants, etc etc. we’ll see how it goes...but BACK to me on deck. For some odd reason, I started to feel dizzy n sick again n this time is really a bad timing cos it isn’t just a skytrain back, it’s like literally a half n hour walk before reaching the skytrain station, which I dunno if I can handle. So I cracked n took the taxi. At times like these, even the strict efforts to stick to budget traveling have to give way to me being sick. Haha, at least I tried. Of course, I just passed out for a couple of hours n now I’m back on track, heading out again to the nite safari n zoo! Wish me luck that I don’t feel sick (at least don’t feel sick till I’m on my way back!)
It was definitely one of the longer distances I made this whole trip- 15minute MRT, then 30minute bus ride. Though, I do have to say, they made it quite convenient having one bus designated for the safari/zoo. Since the safari doesn’t open until 7:30pm, I didn’t start making my way from YMCA until 7pm. Somehow – n this is exactly why I say I get really lucky when I travel- I got there just in time for the next bus leaving! A traffic-less ride, we got there in about 30minutes with all the stops in between. I love how it really feels like u’ve left the city once you’ve reached the area. Here’s one thing I don’t like about the safari/zoo- the smell. But surprisingly, it was absent- or at least relatively absent. The air was quite fresh n a cool breeze made the line up for the safari tram ride rather enjoyable. Being one of the last ones to hop on the tram, I sat at the very end (which I definitely suggest u to do cos by the time the tour guide finishes explaining something, u’ll hv time to look for the animal! Don’t forget it’s rather dark cos they use minimal lighting but u do see the animals once u spot them in their habitat). I’ve never been a zoo-enthusiast, but this was fascinating! Maybe it was the tour guide n his random “did-u-know”s, but giraffes have one of the largest eyes in the world n they only sleep for 4hrs in 10-15minute intervals; lions sleep 20hrs a day spending the waking 4hrs hunting; laughing hyenas can actually make up to 12 different vocals but obviously famous for their laughter. We also saw a bunch of rarer species- Malayan tigers, African (if I remember correctly- or might hv been Indian lions but that doesn’t sound right haha) lions, sugar guilders, bat-ear fox, n babirusa (warned by the tour guide to be careful as they like to territorize their belongings so they might squirt if they hv their butts facing u- which luckily wasn’t the case tonight *phew*). Some of the cooler animals that we saw were the hippos (they are GIMONGOUS but so cute at the same time), the asian elephants (I just realized they hv pretty skinny legs that make them quite unproportionately odd standing animals), Indian wolves (apparently we were lucky when we drove by cos they were actually howling! – rare cos they don’t usually “communicate” when people are around so that’s pretty cool n slightly creepy after being in a relatively dark ride for about 30minutes), n rhinos (can run as fast as 7.2 or 3 seconds/100m- that’s faster than the fastest man on earth! So don’t underestimate it’s speed by it’s size plz- this was also when the tour guide warn us SERIOUSLY not to use flash photography lol).
The ride did come to an end just in time for the “creatures of the night show”, but the tickets were all sold out! (I’m guessing u could pre-purchase the tickets so plz plz plz do so cos apparently the show is pretty awesome). It wasn’t the last showing of the night, but I can’t stay till 10:30pm to watch the last one, so I took a stroll through the souvenir shops n made my way back to the bus loop. Luckily, once again, I made it just in time for the bus to turn in n was soon on my way back to the mrt station. Really though, even for someone who doesn’t hv the cravings for zoos in general, I had a pretty cool time there. Maybe it was the whole “night” theme…just highlights how mysterious these animals are. Could also be the collection they have, or just simply the way they’ve set up the whole safari. U really do forget that u’re in Singapore! Lol. (they’re also doing a Halloween-theme ride which I personally think would be a pretty cool effect cos the whole in-the-dark with the chilly breeze- a perfect combo for a Halloween night!) too bad I don’t be here, but it would be cool to check it out if u happen to be around special days.
By the time we arrived back at the mrt, it was already 10pm n I was still contemplating whether or not I should go see the helix bridge (beautiful architecture in the shape of –duh obvious- helix that lights up during the night). Then I thought, “f*uck it! It’s my last night here. If I don’t go, i’ll definitely regret it”. so I bought the ticket for marina bay mrt only to find out the closest station is actually a station called “promenade” (which I should hv got off a few stations back to transfer), omg (*(#%&(@*@) never mind, since I made up my mind, it’d take a storm to stop me. So I turned back n finally arrived at the right station. Just to double-check, I asked the help desk whether I’d be able to make it to the helix bridge n come back in time for the last train (at 11:58pm). Mind you, I didn’t reach promenade station unti 11:15pm n had to spend 5minutes to run back to the help desk to demagnetize my card cos I got out the wrong designated station, so I was down to about 40 minutes. The lady, being relatively positive, said, “yah, u caaaaaan. But just in case, where are u staying?” “YMCA” “well, that’s not too bad to take the taxi if u do miss the last train…” “okay, thanks!” (n I bolted for the bridge). There must be something with me n directions: I swear I saw a sign that had said to turn left on the first street out of mrt to reach the helix bridge, except after running in circles around the block, I realized I should be heading towards the marina bay sands hotel (that’s where the bridge leads to), so once again, directions screwed me over! By the time I reached the bridge, I had about 15 minutes to snap pics n run back to the station to catch the last train. Then my camera had to throw a tantrum by not letting me take still-pics without flash so I had crazy blurred pics until a camera-genius couldn’t stand seeing me all frustrated n decided to help me set it. He did take a pic for me, but I think it’s like asking LCW to play with a Yonex MP7 (basic, basic racket). He could but he won’t be able to do magic with it, lol. So yes, I saw the bridge that I wanted to see!!! (so happy~ except it was in orange tonight…it would hv been so much more awesome if it were in pink of course). Anywhoos, no time to complain! Thank me for keeping up with my daily running, I didn’t pass out on the 300m sprint back to the station hving 3 minutes to spare. Muahahaha, mission complete!
Never really saw myself as the rebel, but I’m always the last one back in the dorm. Feeling slightly guilty for making all that ruckus the nights before, I quickly showered n jumped in bed. It did start to feel more like an adventure today, lol. Not that I like rushing for things, but it does happen when u least expect it. Note to self: always check the last train time n transportation times, or actually, all schedules in general. If I can pre-book, do it! Lol, tired as heck with an injured toe, I’m calling it a night.
Day 3 complete. From Singapura, Jessy out.