Go abroad, especially to Singapore, for some people may be used, it is often and commute. Said Andrea Hirata, such as going to the toilet alone. But for my husband, like durian falling on his head. Shocked, stunned, and imprint.
My husband did not have to go abroad. Only once, to Mecca in 2006, when the pilgrimage. So, when it was assigned to Singapore in January 2010, although only a few days, it’s good not to play. Was that experience that led to his determination to return to this country again, but by bringing their wives and children. Coming home from the job, he told me what he had seen and experienced in Singapore. I am very excited and of course wanted to go there too. Thank God she agreed.
Began the journey preparations. My husband had to take care of me and my passport for children, the eldest Fafal-4th grade, and the youngest Abiq – one and a half years. He is also looking for information on the Internet about the places in Singapore that we could visit later. Although the first duty when he had been to a few places in there, I think there are still many places he has not visited. Do not forget he also scored the Singapore MRT map path, popular means of transport there.
We set out early in August 2010, coinciding with the beginning of the fasting holiday. Schedule take off at 6:00, so we had to get ready since 3:00 am. No doubt, we still sleepy and forced my child Abiq bopong still in a state of sleep. He also did not wake up in the taxi we were riding from Sidoarjo, until finally arriving at Juanda Airport. As a result, we realized that in fact Abiq only wearing socks. His shoes were left behind.
We arrived at Changi airport at around 9:30. As always, passengers who disembarked to go through immigration clearance. We’re in the back row. Suddenly, a female officer came to us and took us to a room like a hotel lobby. I thought we were exposed to immigration raids like in spy movies. Is my husband look like Jason Bourne? He he.
We may be seated. Passport and a form previously provided by the immigration officer at Juanda checked and carry. Not long after the officer came over and handed form and our passports. He was only correcting stuffing our residence while in Singapore. There my husband wrote Paya Lebar. That’s the name of the MRT station near the inn that she remembers never been there before. My husband was asked to write a complete residence. He said did not know for sure should stay where it is. The officer said ‘never mind, write it down’. So he wrote ‘Hotel 81 Joo Chiat’. Apparently according to the officer is correct.
Later we learned that the immigration officer that just wants to help us. Seeing we brought two small children and one of them was the ‘baby’ and stand in long lines, apparently to make them ‘can not bear’. Not to mention the backpacks on our shoulders sag. Apparently it is standard procedure at the airport carrying a baby to the family. They need help and facilitate the examination. We also successfully passed through immigration and precedes another queue.
The next goal of course hotels in Joo Chiat. We had to go outside and ride from Changi Airport MRT towards Joo Chiat. Unfortunately, my husband forgot the solution. In fact many are signs, but in fact we kept circling. My husband looked at me with pity, surely tired of carrying Abiq. I asked for a lower Abiq, and let it run while guided. But I was reluctant to lose Abiq, Abiq reason I do not wear shoes. We have found the way out after the officer asked the cleaning service, a Malay woman veiled, who showed us directions to Terminal E. There we can ride the MRT towards Joo Chiat.
My husband still remembers how to obtain a pass card to ride the MRT from the card machine. Even Fafal, briefly taught directly bisa.Yang important we know where to go and how many cards are needed. Certainly one of the cards, except the Abiq. Map MRT lines that we had brought from home really helped us when the streets riding the MRT. With the maps that we had to stop at the station knew where and when to move lines.
Hotel 81 Joo Chiat is actually not far from the station Paya Lebar. But to achieve it, we have to walk from the station to the hotel. We had to cross several roads and through a fairly broad field. We found that many workers were putting up such a small stall-stall to trade. Looks like there will be a bazaar and exhibition here.
Finally we arrived at the hotel. I was very tired because holding Abiq and wanted to rest. The hotel was not too big. The lobby alone is only half Fafal classroom. But to my surprise room rates. And before leaving, I saw on the internet rates around SG $ 70 – SG $ 80. Were unexpected.
Incidentally regular room is full, only one room with a double bed. We got a rate of SG $ 120. The clerk says, tomorrow is Singapore’s independence day, a national holiday. No wonder rates soaring. “If you want to stay here, get paid for tonight, tomorrow could look for cheaper accommodation,” says the clerk receptionist. We thought, well good advice. After our talks, we finally took the room and pay for one night only. The next day, I was reluctant to move hotels. I do not want complicated longer looking for other lodging.
Just next to Hotel 81, no Eating Hajah Maimunah. The restaurant was not extensive but there are two floors. According to the information we can eat cheap and it’s famous all halal menu. Whenever we go there, usually in the morning – always crowded. My favorite menu is fried chicken, nasi lemak and prata. Portion of rice quite a lot. But, we often buy rice packets and eat in the hotel room. One pack is enough for two people. We could save a budget meal. One pack is enough to eat both me and Fafal, for my husband certainly does need a pack. The Abiq sometimes eat rice bag, sometimes instant porridge which we had brought from home. If there is leftover rice breakfast, we take it for a lunch on the go.
The streets in the following days, almost always Fafal who buy a pass card MRT card machine. He had a card machine operates smoothly, like playing computer games.
The purpose of our walk the first is to Marlion Park, where stands the magnificent statue of a lion, the main symbol of Singapore. Not afdol feels to Singapore without stopping to Marlion Park. Each of us holds the backpack containing supplies and equipment on our way. As we departed, crowded MRT. People seem to want to go to the same place. Reportedly Independence Day celebrations will be centered there tonight, so I know the news from the TV in the hotel room.
When the time way streets, turn to my husband who carried Abiq. Unfortunately, he did not get a ‘place of honor’ in the MRT. In fact, to our knowledge, Singaporeans are very polite and caring towards people with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant or carrying a baby. They will give a seat that was reserved for special passengers. But now, even though my husband was a baby, he is not the mothers. That’s why he’s not getting preferential treatment. Anyway MRT overcrowding, so people who are already seated in a special place, reluctant to stand. Remarkably, Abiq not at all fussy over these roads.
Coming home from Marlion Park to the hotel, we found almost all the stalls were done yesterday was filled with merchandise. Apparently there really bazaar. Said the people, has become a tradition before the month of Ramadan until there’s always feast bazaar at Geylang area, including Jo Chiat. At night, the area is like a bath warrni colored lights. Lively and festive atmosphere.
I’m not sure all items are sold in the bazaar made original Singapore, especially clothes. It was true. I saw some people Indonesia sell there. They said it came from Batam. They just came in the month of Ramadan, utilizing bazaar event to supplement their income. They said Indonesia garments from more desirable because better quality and style.
After a short break at the hotel, after returning from Marlion Park, we headed to East Coast Park. We were there the night the day. Here the famous satenya. In our tongue, satenya feels a bit odd, the other with the usual satay we ate at home. But Fafal out nearly twenty seeds. After lunch, we walk on the beach. Sitting in the sand and see the lights of the ship in the distance. Abiq play sand and running around chasing Fafal. After being a long walk, we went back to the hotel.
In the morning, we visited the Singapore Zoo. Unfortunately, much easier path to get there by bus. We were forced to take the journey by bus, about an hour. Much different in Indonesia, all the buses in Singapore are very comfortable, clean, and modern. The view we’ve been through very different. It’s no longer high-rise buildings and offices as common sight in almost all parts of Singapore, but the trees and lands green grassy field. Everything looks beautiful, clean, tidy and feels cool. I really admire the arrangement of the city in Singapore.
We had a boat ride along the small lake that surrounds the Singapore Zoo. There are also trains for visitors to enable them to enjoy the whole area is so vast.
On the last day, the next morning, we headed to the Science Center. We covered it with the MRT and buses. We spent time here until late afternoon. We took a long time to be able to enjoy the fun of learning science here.
Before returning to the hotel, we stopped by the Bugis area. Here is famous for the beautiful mosque, the Sultan Mosque, and also the goal of the buy souvenirs cheaper than Singapore. We also bought some souvenirs to souvenirs. Souvenir key chains are mandatory. We also buy T-shirts, toys and umbrellas. Because when it rains accompanied by strong winds, we were forced to take shelter in one of the Malay stall trader, right in front of the Sultan Mosque.
The plane that will take us back to the homeland leaving in the evening. We arrived in the early hours Juanda. At the airport, we heard some passengers grumbled, “Well …, back to the ‘chaotic’ again ‘. I had to agree with their opinion, given how far the differences in urban Singapore and Indonesia, hehe.
I am very satisfied and impressed with our trip in Singapore. Although tired, and there are some places we could not go, but the experience gained was invaluable. Yet of course we have a chance like this again. But we really hope to be back. At the very least, children will repeat this memorable experience. I dream, children can learn and continue their studies abroad …
