Getaway: Singapore

I'm so happy right now, yeay! My short 3D2N trip to Singapore was fantastic. Not to say it was my best vacation, but it was the very first international trip alone. I tried to be a backpacker but failed. I'm only lowering my standard LOL. I wasn't being frugal but I stayed at a hostel instead of hotel (mom's standard: 4 stars with known international connections and good reputations like Novotel or Sheraton or any hotel that her friends recommend). I took MRT instead of cab to hostel. Lemme call that as a budget trip muahaha.

I've wanted to go to Singapore for months to buy books. I'm planning to take A level y'know. Still long to go though. I wanna take the test in May/June 2013, if possible. Purpose? Challenge myself. I really want to enter NTU and they got A/AO level standard on Math. 

So finally I went there alone without being troubled. I told my parents about my plan and they couldn't say no since they support my goal to enter NTU and they know I wouldn't be able to get such preparation books here, in Jakarta or Bogor. Less choice, more price. The only thing they could do is accompany me, get the books for me or let me do the things myself - just gimme the money. 

First option is hard since Ibu already took 6 days off for the Saigon trip and she will need more when she sits for the uni exam. Bapak? Will he? I highly doubt it. Shortly, he's busy with his own things.

Second option, IMPOSSIBLE. They're always busy with works and they don't know where to get the books too.

Third option, the best. The only question is how to get Ibu's permission and make sure that I have enough money. Shockingly, Ibu easily said "OK!" just like when I tell her that I want to shop in Jakarta.

So I asked Ibu about the date I chose, booked the room, and browsed for airplane ticket - simple. The only problem was all flights with affordable price were full, no seat left - not even for one person. Ibu told me to ask Bapak and Bapak finally got the tickets from his relations in Sriwijaya Air (fair price, best seat!).

I arrived on 12 PM. Kinda anxious about bringing my luggage to the MRT. But things ran smooth and I arrived at The Hive Hostel - Boonkeng around 1.30 PM. The room wasn't ready yet since the check in time is 3 PM. I left my luggage then walked straight to the left. I read somewhere that Mustafa is nearby and I know there're a lot of food stalls there.

Long walking, I was tired but I saw "City Square Mall". No need to think twice, I entered the mall and grabbed some sandwiches. Kept eating and wandering around, seeking for some good stuff to buy, those were the things I did in my first day. 

Ah yea! I went to TANGS Orchard only to buy MAC! I know they got stores everywhere but it's been my ritual since my last visit with Ibu. Got my MAC Studio Fix NW30! NW shade, finally. NW stands for Neutral Warm, good for pinkish skin and NC stands for Neutral Cool, good for yellow/golden skin. FYI, last time I checked - about a year ago, MAC stores in Indonesia and Singapore didn't have NW foundation/powder yet.

I decided to go shopping the day after, July 11. I went to Bras Basah Complex for books. I didn't know where it was. So I relied on the map that I captured in my iPod. I walked from Bugis Junction, already familiar with the mall since I've been there for 3 times. I shoulda turn right but I turned left instead. I figured out that it led me to Arab St, muahaha. I asked people and they told me the right direction ^^ it was sweaty walk on10.30 PM btw.

Bras Basah Complex located only 5 minutes walk from Bugis Junction, if you're not lost like me. 

There I arrived in a heaven of books. It was comfort eventho the concept was similar to ITC Mangga Dua, smaller and no aircon. Stores there provide new and used books in any genre. Novel, textbooks, documentary, everything! I spent S$98 in the 1st store for 11 books. Then I saw a nice book in Popular, a wide chain bookstore like Gramedia, that costed more than S$10. I tried to find the used one in the other store and it costed me for S$3.50 only! Came in a good condition, of course.

I had trouble with bringing the books to the hostel so I took cab. +it was 1 PM, I didn't want to walk with a big yet heavy carton, between the crowd of working adults that craving for lunch in Bugis Junction, by taking MRT. In the evening, I decided to go to Bras Basah Complex again since I always greedy for books. Spent another S$46.90+18. Serious amount, I know. I spent S$166++ a day for 18 books! OK I was shock too when I counted lol.

Later I realized that I already broke. Muahaha. I couldn't buy more foods and souvenir without thinking twice since I needed to save for the cab to airport too. Less than S$50 left and I spent some in Mustafa for chocolates and dinner B-) NO CD this time. I really want Wang Leehom's album tho :((

I took cab in the following morning with only S$29 with some coins that worth less than S$1 left in my wallet. It was riskful, I know. Ibu definitely would get mad if I tell this muahaha. She's so prepared when it comes to money and always wants traveling in comfort, she would bring at least double from the estimated costs and she taught me to do the same. But I'm a rebellious girl, Bu. LOL.

I arrived safely in the airport and the cab only cost me S$20. I used the remaining S$9 by buying magz and brunch. Use your money to the fullest, yeay! Muahahaha.

I'd love to visit other countries in the next chance. I don't mind going alone. I think it was more comfortable for me to be alone in a trip because I love walking (you can't walk too far with Ero or parents), I take international or local food instead of Melayu or Indonesian cuisine (Ibu said my food preferences is strange and weird), I attracted to things that my family don't, like shopping for some souvenirs (Ibu likes to shop but she DOESN'T want to bargain!!!), looking for new books (Bapak attracted to Blackberry nowadays and he doesn't read English. Ero and Ibu? They both hate books), I love talking to locals or making new friends while Bapak and Ero don't speak English casually while Ibu hates stranger to the max, and other strange reasons that making me "weird" in my family.

I'd prefer going with friends though. Traveling alone means you can't take pictures without others' help. You can take selcas but I guess its not normal unless you're in Japan/Korea. Well just my assumption sih, since Indonesians said that selca is somehow ALAY. Muahaha. You can save more too when going with buddies, dividing the room and cab fees for example. Perhaps I'll ask Metta to join me for the next trip since her parents easily trust her to go anywhere in the world with me (even Metta's Mom asked her why she didn't follow me to Singapore), except Middle-East maybe. They'd be scared to death and think that I would converse their cutest girl muahaha.