Tag Archives: Singapore

The World (TRAVEL)

Singapore 2022: First International Travel since the Pandemic Started

Whew! After all the things that happened in the past (almost) three years no thanks to the pandemic, it was a breath of fresh air to finally travel again! 🙂

This trip was actually my fourth visit to the Lion City, which is another term for Singapore (my last was in 2011 — more than a decade already!). Of the 23 countries I’ve been to, Singapore was actually the second country I visited when I was still young (the first was Hong Kong).

If you knew me pre-pandemic and when I was still single, you’d know that I loved (emphasis on the past tense LOL) to travel. But A LOT has changed in both my personal life and “travel” life since then, if I may say.

My last international trip prior to this was in Japan in 2019.

In 2020, I got married in February and gave birth in December (relax, my son was conceived in wedlock — just do the math! haha). And oh, the first lockdown in the Philippines happened the following month after our wedding!

In 2021, I was still adjusting to my new roles as both a wife and a mother, as well as still getting used to the “new normal” — so no, I wasn’t really in the mood to travel.

Fast forward to this year, 2022, well, the world is slowly opening up again as more and more people get vaccinated against COVID-19 and safety measures ease up. And yes, Singapore was probably the first and nearest first-world country to the Philippines that welcomed travelers again. However, traveling isn’t as easy as before because of the additional requirements. Luckily though, when we went to Singapore, COVID-19 tests and quarantine weren’t required anymore (both in Singapore and the Philippines) as long as one already has a booster shot (yes, the primary series or first/second doses aren’t enough). Having said that…

Here are the travel requirements to Singapore, as of this writing:

Passport
Of course! No one can travel abroad without this! I’m just including this here because me, my husband, and my son just had our DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) passport renewal/application appointment less than a month before this trip. Despite the odds, we made it! Our passports arrived on time. Haha!

But if you’re Filipino, I suggest you book an earlier appointment at DFA before your trip because their schedule is quite tricky. *hint, hint*

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination (certificate with QR code)
For Filipinos vaccinated in the Philippines, this is what we call the VaxCertPH. If you got vaccinated in another country, that’s okay as long as you can present a vaccination certificate with a QR code (the vaccination card or ID isn’t sufficient).

*Visa (depends on citizenship)
Just like any country, a visa is required *depending on one’s citizenship and/or purpose of travel*. For Filipinos like me, a visa isn’t required to enter Singapore for tourism purposes thanks to the ASEAN agreement. 😉

Airline tickets
Once you have proof of vaccination, you may already book any flight to and from Singapore.

TraceTogether app
This is Singapore’s tool for their contact tracing. You need to download this before you arrive at Singapore, but you can only activate it once you’re cleared by Singapore’s immigration.

Arrival card
This is a digital version already which can be accessed on a website or app (unlike in the old days when they hand out paper copies during the flight). This needs to be submitted as early as three days before your arrival in Singapore.

For more information, you can always check out https://www.visitsingapore.com/.

Easy peasy, no? However, once you’re in Singapore and you have a toddler in tow — that’s a whole different ball game (I’m speaking from experience! HA HA HA). Let’s just say that you need to think twice if you will travel abroad with a toddler! Or just wait until they get older. 😛

Kidding aside, I’m still grateful I was able to travel with my husband, son, and family. I believe that this was a blessing from God and despite the challenging nature of our trip, I still brought home not just unforgettable memories but also life lessons that will be with me for a lifetime.

Sooo. Where to next? 😀

TO GOD BE THE GLORY ALWAYS AND FOREVER!

❤

“And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.”
-Luke 13:29

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Down Memory Lane, Gathered Thoughts, Marked on the Calendar, Mi Familia y Mi Amigos, The World (TRAVEL)

Top 5 Things I Loved about My Singapore Trip

It’s been 2 weeks already…  oh how fast time flies!  But before we officially welcome the summer season and let the awesome month of March finish its course, I’d just like to share with you the things I loved about my most recent trip to the Lion City. 😉

*drum roll, please*

#5 THIRD TRIP. Yes, this has been my third trip to Singapore and you know what?  This country-slash-city just keeps getting better and better everytime!  In fact, I can’t deny that it already has a special place in my “travel” heart (if such thing really does exist!  haha!)  Besides, you know what they say, “Third time’s the charm!” And most of the time, it usually is! 😀

Marina Bay Sands meets the Singapore Flyer

our hotel in Raffles. two words: AWESOME SERVICE (oh, and location!)

hello Virgo, we meet again! (my second trip to Singapore was 2 years ago — aboard this ship!) 😀

#4 WORK-FREE. Well, at least for 4 days!  I guess having my first taste of an actual “vacation” for this year did recharge me for the “toxic” work weeks ahead (and mind you, I’m still IN these “toxic” work weeks I’m talking about!  Gosh, in my line of work, you really can’t help but long for the good “past tenses” and the wonderful “future tenses.”  AND you will definitely dread the “present tenses.”  hihihi.  PEACE.)

But anyway, if my smile on my face doesn’t explain how much I longed for this trip (despite waking up at 2AM to prepare for our 6AM flight), then I don’t know what is!

See? 😛

#3 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. A perfect place for kids — and of course, the kids at heart!  Actually, it is located in Resorts World and how I wish our local one may at least be at par with Singapore’s.  *hear!  hear!*

my most favorite coffee shop ANYWHERE. IN. THE. WORLD!

Resorts World

our hotel in Resorts World. one word: CUTE!

oh I don’t know, I just love this shot OF MINE! haha! 😛

#2 FAMILY BONDING AND LILA. What better way to go on vacation than spend it with your loved ones, right?  And to make it even THE BEST, my one-year-old niece Lila went with us!  It was her first time to ride a plane and travel to a different country, and yet, she’s like an expert traveler already!  It’s  plain. adorable-ness. at. its. best.  Okay, enough writing and let our PICTURES do all the talking!!! 😉

Underwater World

Madagascar

if you can tell me who this character is, you’ll get a prize! haha!

New York

Ancient Egypt

don’t you just love this picture? I DO! harharhar

Lila’s first airplane ride! 🙂

off to the zoo…

with her equally beautiful mommy — my sister! haha!

once again, I just love this shot OF MINE! 😀

Lila’s candy-and-chocolate shopping!!! CUUUTE

with our M&Ms friends!

“Spongebob smile” 😉

…and most of all

#1 IT WAS FREE!!! As in like all-expenses paid.  And when I say “all,” well I’m not overgeneralizing!  Let’s just say that it’s sort of winning a contest or the lottery — or in my case, the “M. Chiong lottery!” heehee.  To my sister Malou…  Lulu, kamsahamnida.  maraming salamat.  xie xie.  THAAANK YOOUUU!  and of course, I LOOOVE YOOUUU!  mwah, mwah, mwah 😀

as for my niece, I think she’s copying me! haha! oh, I love her to bits! ❤

And that’s a wrap!!! 😉

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