Lost: Singapura Edition

I guess getting lost on the first day became a tradition whenever I travel solo. I spent almost four hours circling Iloilo City proper before landing on my bed at Ong Bun Pension last February.  And just the same, I spent hours finding my way to The Inn-Crowd Backpacker's Hostel in Singapore recently...

 #73 Dunlop Street, Singapore. The email said I can walk towards the hostel from Bugis MRT station.  I didn't consider flagging a cab because I know that I am on a tight budget. I got myself a Singapore Tourist pass good for 3 days.  Yup! You can get the Singapore Tourist Pass from Changi International Terminal 2 MRT  station.

The Singapore Tourist Pass

You do not exactly purchase the pass but rather you rent it for SG$ 10.  I got mine good for 3 days of unlimited MRT and Bus ride! I guess at that point I was blessed to get lost in the city.  There's nothing to worry about getting lost. I can ride the buses and trains without the fear of running out of dough! Anyway, the pass I got for 3 days is worth SG$ 20 plus the SG$ 10 rental deposit. The rental fee will be refunded if your return your pass within five days from the date it was issued. 

I met some fellow first timers in the Lion City while we were in transit from Changi Budget Terminal to Terminal 2. We all hopped in and marveled at how cool the MRT system is!

Tanah Merah Interchange

We alighted at Tanah Merah Interchange and hopped on to another train (green line) heading towards the city.  I got off at the Bugis Station and was on my own!

BUGIS STATION

I was confident that  I can find my hostel in a jiff...I took the my turn to Exit B and found my way out. I was wondering aimlessly and I couldn't find the hostel.  I found G4 Backpacker's hostel instead.  I consulted the email confirmation and checked the instructions.  There was supposed to be a map when you click the link. 
Unfortunately, the ever prepared me printed the email confirmation and forgot about the map.  I was under the impression that it's an easy find!

Luckily, I brought Ippie, the iPad. I can open the email and open the link to the map! ERRRR!!! I have no data coverage in Singapore! Epic fail #2! I was wandering aimlessly around Bugis street.  I passed by Sim Lim Square, Albert Mall, Bugis Village, The Raffles Hospital, The Parkway, and Little India.  I looked at my watch and it's already 5:30 PM!

I sat on a park where a nearby church stands where it was less crowded.  I took a deep breath and was resigned to check in the nearest hotel I will come across with.  I opened the free map I took from the airport and started scanning. I searched each and every corner and I still couldn't find Dunlop Street! I felt the sky falling hard on me! "Am I gonna sleep in the park?" "What if it rains or it's prohibited to sleep in the park?"

Then I closed the map. Closed my eyes and asked God for guidance.  I asked Him to guide me.  Finding my hostel was the Birthday gift I asked the Lord...

When I opened my eyes, the sun was beginning to retreat.  I took a deep breath and headed down Albert Street Mall.  I decided to start from where I am supposed to - The Bugis MRT Station!..

The Re-Quest!

Originally, I took Exit B in Bugis Station and did not find the Hostel.  This time I decided to try getting out at Exit A, Victoria Street.

I just stepped in the escalator when I noticed the relatively big Local Map. The instant I stepped out of the "going up"escalator, like a kid, I hopped in the "going down" one!..I looked at the map and in less than a minute I found where Dunlop Street is! I took a good look at the map and the landmarks like taking a good picture. Dunlop street is next to Mayo and right across Sim Lim Tower! (I've passed by Sim Lim Tower a couple of times and did not notice it!)

Tracing the path I've taken a couple times was just too easy...I breezed through the streets and to my surprise I've found The Inn-Crowd Backpacker's Hostel along other backpacker's hostel.  It's like a district full of it!

The Inn-Crowd Backpacker's Hostel

I stepped in and informed the receptionist about my reservation...I hopped in my bed..I slept...

The Inn-Crowd Hostel Photo: from http://www.singapore-tourist-info.com

Marina Bay Gala

How happy is your birthday?

My journal entry dated 18.07.2012

Flight 5J-799 Cebu Pacific Departure: 10:10 AM NAIA Terminal 3, Gate 112 

There's nothing to see up in the air. It's a bit of a long travel. 3 hours is a long ride.  I left Manila without having any dollars in hand. By far this is the trip I am most unprepared.  On the eve of the flight I honestly have not packed anything in my bag.  

Disaster 1: Coming to work I have heaps of things in my to-do list. I came in as early as 6 in the morning to get a head start. To be fair, I was able to get a lot of things done. However, when I looked at my tracker, I was not convinced that I have accomplished a lot. To top it all, just when I had that momentum, my office assistant popped up reminding me of the 4pm calibration session with my team, which on a regular basis takes at least 2 hours! So there goes my productivity! 

Disaster 2: Laundry Delay 

Because I had to log off from work late, I wasn't able to catch the laundry shoppe's closing. There goes the packing.  I've nothing to pack!  What  ended up doing was juice up all the gadgets that I am bringing...Ippie, Sammie, Nikkie and even my good o'le Kia!  Cables and chargers were packed and the regular garbage in Sergio's belly unloaded. 

I didn't realize that it'd take me a long time to finish.  With no clothes to pack, I slept just before midnight.  It wasn't so much of a sleep.  It was too shallow.  I wake up in every bit of noise!  Happy Birthday??? My alarm finally broke the silence and it was 3 in the morning. I found some warm greetings for my birthday.  It started with an old friend from years ago. Maris actually sent her greeting a minute after 12!  Then the well wishers came rushing in. I couldn't quite appreciate them at the time because I am pretty much preoccupied with the looming problem of not having anything to put on my backpack...the most important thing! Clothes!  I waited and waited until the laundry shoppe finally opened it's doors.  I was literally rushing back to my room. I tore the package and grabbed some shirts and unmindful, stuck them in my backpack. I changed my shirt and pants, put on my shoes and raced through the door. I took a cab to NAIA T3 and asked the driver to use the Skyway because it was already 30 minutes past the hour of eight! My flight is due to depart at 10:10 am while gate closes 45 minutes before departure!  

On a positive note, international flights doesn't have a queue! And so was the line for paying the sky high Philippine Travel Tax!  

Philippine Travel Tax - pegged at P 1,650 

Airport Terminal Fee - P 550 

Immigration Test 

I called it a test because in the recent past, a friend was offloaded from her flight to Thailand connecting to Dubai.  She was asked why she was leaving the country and her travel documents were not honored.  Hence, the paranoid "OC" in me made the passage through the immigration a bit of a nightmare .  Luckily, I only got a frown and a dismissive look from the immigration officer. He gave me my first departing stamp.  I've learned my lesson from my last flight to Iloilo: it is better to check in your bulky backpack to avoid finding anything that may delay or cancel the trip. I checked-in my baggage and just left Ippie, Sammie, and Nikkie with me along with a bag of local delights for a friend (Des) from a friend (Wei).  

Happy Birthday!  

Checking in was a breeze.  The nice ground crew called my attention so she can assist me even if her counter was for a different flight.  She was so nice and polite throughout the interaction.  I was very pleased.  Boarding was called and I was the first passenger on the plane! To top it all, I got a window seat directly perpendicular to the right wing! This is what I call a birthday! Love love love!