Backpackers Cozy Corner Guesthouse in Singapore

front of the building

Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse

490 North Bridge Road,
2nd Floor,
Singapore 188736.
Tel:(65) 63396128, 62246859
Fax:(65) 63388826

Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse is located along North Ridge Road, the road next to Victoria Street. Its location is really great. MRT is just a few steps away as well as bus and taxi terminals. Places to dine at night are just nearby, at Liang Seah Street. From the cheapest to the most expensive meal, you can find it there. 😉

hallway on the 3rd floor

bath towels, tissue and soaps are provided

private double room, $50/night

the kitchen located at the 2nd floor

free breakfast between 7:30am – 10:30am

bread toasters

butter and jam

 

Upside:

• near the stations (train, bus, taxi)
• food centers can be found downstairs as well as 7 11
• nearby some places of interests: Arab Street, Bugis Mall, Marina Boulevard, Suntec
• 24 hours open
• hotel is secured with cameras
• room rates are affordable
• free breakfast between 7:30-10:30 am (coffee and toast)
• free wifi and use of pc
• city maps are provided
• baggage can be left  after check-out
• common toilets and bathrooms are clean 😉

Downside:

• no private toilets & bathrooms
• the staff are not that accommodating or friendly
• blanket provided is not that clean (ask for replacement)

Verdict: Recommended for budget travelers who only need a place to sleep. Nice play to stay and almost walking distance to most of the tourist spots in the city. We’ll definitely go back here next time. 😉

 

Check Cozy Corner’s accommodation here. 😉

 

Tang House in Malacca

Since we would be staying for one night only in Melaka, I looked for a place that would suit our budget. Of course, a budget accommodation along Jonker Street would be better. Through the hotel reviews of some travelers from tripidavisor.com, I was able to made a reservation at Tang House without any downpayment at all. 😉 The owner, Mr. Tang, kept on answering all my queries through email. He’s such a nice man. 😉

Tang House along Harmony Street

Tang House

80-1, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia/+606 283 3969/tanghouse@live.com

2nd floor: rooms can be found

narrow corridor

a/c twin room @ RM55/night

universal adapter needed for charging

common toilet

hot & cold shower

the kitchen at second floor: common area

Tang House Cafe serves breakfast

 

About Tang House:

• Wall dividers are made of wood.
• It only has 2 common toilets with hot & cold shower.
• No toiletries provided.
• Not all the staff can speak/understand English.
• Water dispenser is available meaning drinking water is free. 😉
• Breakfast at an affordable price is being served at the cafe.
• Payment can be made upon check-out. No receipt.
• Refrigerator, gas stove and microwave can be used with no charges at all.
• Free use of computer and internet.
• Mr. Tang (young entrepreneur) is always around.
• Jonker Cafe is just across the guesthouse.
• Tourists attractions are just nearby.

 

A Short Walk in Jonker Street

Jonker Street, the center street of Chinatown in Melaka, was once famous for its antique shops but over the years it has turned to clothing and crafts outlets as well as restaurants. The best time to be at Jonker Street is on Friday and Saturday nights where there is a  night market that sells everything from tasty treats to cheap keepsakes. You would see traders along the street who put up stalls to sell their products. Some of the locals convert their houses to food stalls where you can get a glimpse of their unique architectural designs.

Jonker Street

a local restaurant

local shops

Hokkien Huay Kuan; Ancestral House

Carrot & Raddish Cake @ 50 sen/pc

Dodol Melaka: home made delicacy made from coconut & brown sugar

ice candies

Honey lime juice

sugar lollies

candies

Gula Melaka Store

Yummy!

Ingredients: coco milk, syrup, grass jelly & beans

Jonker Walk

souv! 😉

 

Singapore Trip: Sentosa Island

Going to Sentosa Island had never been difficult for us though it made our travel a bit longer than usual. Since Sentosa Boardwalk has already opened on the 30th of January, a couple of weeks before our arrival, I encouraged hubby to go to Sentosa by foot. The heat of the sun wasn’t a problem at all because the Boardwalk is covered with fiber glass. Aside from that, using the travellator would make your walk to Sentosa faster than what you thought.

travellator at Sentosa Boarwalk

along Sentosa Boardwalk

Sentosa Boardwalk

at Sentosa

 

Entry to Sentosa Boardwalk costs $1 using EZ link card for quick access. Well, it is much cheaper than taking the train at Vivo City for $3. 😉 We were not able to explore that much the Boardwalk because of the scorching heat of the sun. Like what I always say, there is always a next time. But when?! Lol! The first attraction that we had seen was the Universal Studios. USS ticket for adults costs $66 on weekdays and $72 on weekends while kids age 3-12 can get a ticket for $48 on weekdays and $52 on weekends.

 

entrance to USS

USS globe

Candy Tree of Candylicious

Candy bucket of Candylicious

got it?!

The Thinker

Merlion Park

Flower Garden at Imbiah Lookout

Skyline, $12/pax

 

How did we go back to Vivo City? Taking the train to Vivo City was our only option for we had to go back again (for the 3rd time) to the Fountain of Wealth before our flight. We took the train at Little Imbiah Station. Geee, it was free! Teehee! ;))

 

Tips:

• Go to Sentosa by walking through the boardwalk for $1 only. (ez link card)

• Use the train in going back to Vivo City, free of charge.

• Best time to get around Sentosa is 4pm.

• Water in the drinking fountain is drinkable.
  

 

 

Singapore Trip: Sands Skypark

Marina Bay Sands was the latest tourist attraction in Singapore. It is the only hotel with three towers interconnected by a 1 hectare sky terrace, popularly known as the Sands Skypark. The skypark has the widest elevated swimming pool in the world that has an overlooking view of the city. Whoa!

aerial view of the skypark from designboom.com

Upon learning that the Sands Skypark has an observation deck that tourists can visit, I made it a point that hubby and I wouldn’t miss it. The day hubby had seen the Marina Bay Sands, he was too excited when he learned that we’ll be going to its sky terrace on our last day in Singapore. 😉 Since the Sands Skypark opens at 10:00 am, we decided to go there early. From Suntec City, we walked back to Promenade MRT Station and headed to Raffles Avenue. The Sands Skypark is located at the back of the mall but crossing the street is not possible. We had to get inside the mall, went to the basement and turned left to reach the hotel as well as the ticketing office only to find out that the observation deck in the infinity pool area was not accessible to the public due to a private function being held that time. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel would be having their grand opening later in the evening, an event that shouldn’t be missed. Too bad for us because we would be flying back to Manila at 6:00 pm. 😥 The idea of re-scheduling our flight came to our mind but we had decided to take the opportunity since we were already there. Each ticket costs $20 but we were able to get it at $18 for becoming a Premier Advantage member of the Sands Skypark. Registration is free. All you have to do is to show your passport and fill-out a membership form.

The wooden floor of  sky terrace

view of the infinity pool

skyscrapers in the city

breathtaking view

Marina Barrage

see the Esplanade Theater?

see the flyer?

We had also seen the on-going construction at the MBS, the Gardens by the B ay which will be another tourist attraction in the area. It consists of three unique waterfront gardens which are Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central. The Bay South, being the largest among the three, aims to showcase the best of tropical horticulture and garden artistry. Conservatories, supertrees, horticultural themed gardens, flower market and main event space are the attractions that will definitely fascinate everyone.

Gar dens by the Bay

Conservatories: Flower Dome & Cloud Forest

Supertrees, tree-like structures

 

We’ll definitely go back at the Marina Bay Sands not as tourists but as guests of course so that we can experience swimming on top of the building while enjoying the astounding beauty of the city. 😉

 

A big THANK YOU once again to my hubby for his wonderful photos. <wink>

 

Singapore Trip: Fountain of Wealth

Going to Suntec City to see the largest fountain in the world was included in our itinerary but it seemed that luck was not with us every time we visit the place! Booo! Out of desperation, we kept on coming back just to see the water flowing from the fountain. We were there on our last day at 9:00 am only to find out that the fountain opens at 10:00 am. Another booo! 😉 Waiting was not on our mind that time because we shouldn’t miss going to MBS Skypark which also opens at 10:00 am. Since the place is quite close to Suntec City, we decided to come back after our Skypark visit. The time we went back to Suntec City, it was already opened. And the fountain was so nice with water flowing from its ring.

 

Fountain of Wealth

Water from the ring top

 

The Fountain of Wealth is located within the commercial complex of  Suntec City. The base of the fountain can be found at the lower ground of the complex where main basement restaurant area lies on its base perimeter. Visitors are allowed to walk around the middle fountain or the inner fountain that can be found at the center of the fountain’s base for good luck and good fortune.

 

Must-do steps

The inner fountain

Closer look of the inner fountain

 

When hubby learned that we can make a wish from the fountain, he hoped that we could come back after 2:00 pm. Since we would be going to Sentosa after that, I made sure that going back to Fountain of Wealth could be squeezed in before our flight in the afternoon. And we were so lucky for we had enough time to spare for our next visit at the fountain. We were able to walk around the inner fountain together with other tourists and whispered our wishes. 😉 What did we wish for?! Revelation will be done as soon as wishes granted!

 

Notes:

• Fountain of Wealth opens at 10:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm.

• Visitors are allowed to walk around the inner circle at 2:00 pm onwards.

• Koi Garden is within the area, visit the place to see different kinds of Koi.

 

 

 

 

 

Singapore Trip: Henderson Waves

Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, with the height of 120 ft, that is now becoming an outing spot for many people because of its unique shape and amazing beauty. Another architectural wonder in Singapore, if I may say. We had been to this place through a friend’s recommendation (my sister’s friend, Cris). Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to mention how to get there that’s why I kept on googling around but found no exact directions.

Henderson Waves

Since we had no idea how to get there, hubby and decided to go there by foot. It took us half an hour on reaching the place. Whew! Not that bad! The bridge is really beautiful with its giant wave structures. You wouldn’t even feel that your walking on a bridge that connects Mt. Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park. If you don’t feel like going to those parks, you can stay on the bridge and enjoy the beautiful view around you or just sit there while having a bite.

From Telok Blangah Hill Park

the bridge lighted by LED at night

couples dating on the bridge

wooden floor of the bridge

the view of the city

Bus Stop to Harbour Front or Vivo City

 

 

Best time to go there:

• Morning: between 6:00-8:00 am. Enjoy the fresh and cool air.

• Evening: between 7:00-11:30 pm. Enjoy the beauty of the bridge lighted with LED.

 

How to get there:

• By Bus:
  From Vivo City, exit the main road and walk to bus stop 14121 then take Bus 131 or 145. Alight at the 4th stop along Henderson Road. Cross the street and take the staircase up to Telok Blangah Hill. Go up until you see the big signage of the bridge.
• By Car:
  Parking is available at Mount Faber Carpark D (17 lots) and Telok Blangah Hill Park Carpark 1 (17 lots) & Carpark 2 (total 39 lots)

****Thanks to my hubby for the wonderful photos he took. 😉

Singapore Trip: Chinatown

Chinatown has been known to tourists not only for the souvenir items that can be bought here at an affordable price. This place shows how the Chinese community was able to retain their history and culture which became significant to other tourists visiting the place.

 

 

Chinatown Map

 

We rode a double-decker bus in going to Chinatown. As we got-off the bus, we headed to Pagoda Street and looked for something that we can buy. Hubby won’t go back to the Philippines without a coffee mug of Singapore. 😀 To tell you honestly, all the items there are expensive. In fact, you can even buy some of those items in Divisoria which are a lot cheaper pa! But if you were really looking for some items as pasalubong to your family and friends, go to Trengganu Street (connects Smith Street, Temple Street and Pagoda Street) and look for the store that sells cheap keychains in bulk. If you get hungry, that wouldn’t be a problem. There are many hawker food centers that can be found in the area.

 

 

Pagoda Street

 

Sago Street

 

Smith Street

 

Keychains being sold in Trengganu Street

 

Sri Mariamman Temple

 

Sri Mariamman Temple and Pagoda Street

 

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

 

Inside the temple

 

 

 

Along Pagoda Street, we saw the ice cream vendor selling the ice cream that we were dying to taste. Are you familiar with that logo? Yup, it’s the same logo of Selecta ice cream but it’s Wall’s in Singapore even in Malaysia. 😉 Ice cream can be bought in a rainbow sandwich but we preferred wafer. xoxo. It’s being sold for $1 (P34), quite expensive but it tastes good! If only I was not suffering from cough, I would buy another one. Lol!

 

 

Ice cream vendor in Pagoda Street, near the temple

 

my pick: cheese with corn in wafer: $1

hubby’s pick: chocolate chips in wafer: $1

 

 

Singapore Trip: Istana Park, Fort Canning Park & MICA Building

From Little India, we took the train in going to Dhoby Ghaut Station. We had seen some malls which some tourists usually visit for photo-ops and not for shopping purposes. 😀 Why we went to Orchard Road? Hmmm… I was looking for the ice cream vendor to buy ice cream of course! 😉 Thinking that it was such  a waste of time in going to Orchard Road for we had not seen even his shadow, we dragged ourselves and started to find our way to MICA Building. Little did we know that we would find beautiful places along the road…

 

Heritage Park

Istana Park

Giraffe Bar & Restaurant

Festival Arch at Istana Park

Care to sit and relax?

Fort Canning Park

Clark Quay across Fort Canning Park

Colorful windows of MICA Building

MICA Building in Hill Street

The Big Bang

 

 

Petrons Twin Towers, Skybridge & Suria KLCC

As I was preparing our IT for our trip, I make sure that we’ll see the beauty of Petronas in day and night. Based on what I have learned from the forum, long queue starts at 6am. It was based on the experiences of my fellow pexers who had been there that early and ended up taking the tour in the afternoon.

Since I didn’t like to spend time waiting in line with heavy luggage, I decided to leave it at our hotel. Then we hurriedly went back to the station. From Bukit Bintang station, we took the train to Titiwangsa, got-off at Bukit Nanas station. Walked around 10 minutes in going to the next station, crossed the overpass and went inside Dang Wangi station. Then took the train to Putra and alighted at KLCC station in 10 minutes only. We ran our way to the ticketing office hoping that a short queue awaits us. When we reached the basement at around 7:30 am, the queue was bearable, not that long…  We had to wait until 9 am for the ticketing office to open. Hello Mr. Boredom! We had our breakfast (hotdog sandwich RM3, coke in can RM2.20, bottled water RM1.20) while on queue.

people waiting in line

convenience store across the ticketing area

When the ticketing counter opened at exactly 9am, a Malaysian guy started to give numbers. We got number 133! Whew, not bad! There were only 132 persons ahead of us. 🙂 We were able to got tickets at around 10:30am but the skybridge visit schedule we had was for 1:20pm. 😦 I thought we would be able to go to the skybridge in the morning. 😦 Oops, by the way the Skybridge Tour is no longer free. It’s RM10 for adults and RM5 for children.

 

Our number 😉

Skybridge Visit, RM10/adult

After getting the tickets, we were reminded by the receptionist to be there at least 10 minutes early. There were a group of tourists who approached the staff and asked if they can still come for the visit. When the staff checked their tickets with schedule in it, they were not allowed to enter because they were late for an hour! @_@ Thinking that we still have 3 hours to spare, we checked KLCC Suria (the mall), which has high end shops! Hermes, Gucci, LV… name it, you’ll find it there! But taking photographs is strictly prohibited except at the Concourse Level and at the Third Floor. We were curious for an answer but having no one to ask, we just made speculations of our own. Lol! At the third floor, you can find the food court where different kinds of food can be found. We had a meal for RM5, no drinks included though! Water is not free, mind you! Cold Storage is located at the concourse level. It is a supermarket where customers can expect to find an international range of delicatessen, organic food, cheese, spices, sauces, special cuts of meat, wine and dairy products items that are not available in other supermarkets in Malaysia.

chocolates I bought for RM3 (small pack) and RM9 (large pack)

shrimp balls that hubby tried, RM1.40

pool for kids only 😉

Since we wanted to be familiarized with the routes, we walked our way to Bukit Bintang. Following the road signs made our journey longer than what we expected. 😦 Upon arriving at the hotel, we just took a bath (darn! the last time we had one was yesterday before we arrive in SG!) then headed back to KLCC via train! Of course, we didn’t want to be late and miss the chance to be there at the skybridge! We just arrived on time, our group mates including the Dutch man we met were also there. Tripods, bags, food and drinks are not allowed but they have this baggage area where prohibited things can be left. We were taken by the elevator at the 42nd level of Petronas in just 15 seconds! Wow, what a ride huh! The view from the skybridge was breathtaking and being there for only 10 minutes was not enough! I hope they can extend another 10 minutes for the skybridge visit so that the experience would be worth it!

 

Like what I said, we shouldn’t miss shooting Petronas at night time! At 10pm, hubby and I went to Petronas by foot! Walking at night was much better than at day time! Petronas Twin Towers were really awesome! 😉

 

Tips:

• The Skybridge visit is closed every Monday.

• Ticketing office opens at 9:00 am.

• Go there as early as 6:00 am.