Day 2: Tour de Singapore Lah!
After all the glam and recognition during Nuffnang’s Asia Pacific Blog Awards the night before, it was time to do the Singapore tour sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board.
Image Source: Miss Noemi
But first, much love and thanks to Pringles and Nuffnang again for sponsoring the Singapore trip with my fellow bloggers. Nuffnang’s first international blogging award event was a complete success. Cheers!
Royal Selangor
Day 2 started with a trip to Clarke Quay –we visited Royal Selangor. Royal Selangor is the largest Malaysian pewter manufacturer and retailer of different tableware and gift items made out of pewter. It is a big Malaysian brand icon that offers handcrafted pewter objects initially from Kuala Lumpur but eventually branched out to 40 shops worldwide. With its excellent craftsmanship, now it exports to more than 20 countries with big retail outlets in London, Toronto, Melbourne, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore.
That morning was spent being crafty, we first learned how to mark a circular pewter plate. My design was crisscrossing the words “Bubba Love” “Jane Love” in a square and with an end tag of Between Bites.
Judd was having as much fun as I was 
After that “engraving” activity, the instructor taught us, her apprentice in the Royal Selangor Apprentice Pewtersmith workshop, how to make our circular plates into bowls. Everyone kept hammering away. I was having a tough time making my tin disc to obey. Everyone’s plates started to shape into a bowl –Jonel’s, Erica’s and Chrissy’s, except mine.
I even tried to channel negative energy and bring out the angst hidden somewhere in me to help me muster all the strength to hammer hard. With all the noise, I kept screaming, “I hate you!!! I hate you pewter!!!”
Err, no help there. The plate was still not forming. Not enough hate.
Thank goodness the lady instructor went over to our table and assisted me. I whispered jokingly in her ear, “I had a very happy childhood you know.” She got it immediately and laughed heartily. I was so relieved. Nobody laughs at my jokes –not even Bubba. I blame it to comic timing –but now I’m rethinking and it must have something to do with culture. If my career doesn’t work out here in Manila, I’m going to do stand up in Singapore.
(See, that’s a joke. Are you laughing? )
Finally, her intense hammering formed my disc into a bowl. YAY! It was such a stress-relieving activity for most –I remember some years ago, when I get stressed at work, I go to Timezone and find that game where you pounce on the bugs –it was my perfect stress reliever then.
Best thing was they let us take home our personalized bowls and the “School of Hard Knocks” apron. We were ecstatic!
Next stop was the Singapore Flyer.
The Singapore Flyer is an iconic landmark in the country, with its 28 glass capsules in the skies. With its slow movement, it gives one unique aerial views from every altitude and angle from a high altitude of 165 meters –the highest in the world.
(SPREAD THE L-O-V-E… LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Even altophobic or acrophobic people like me would not have a problem riding the Giant Observation Wheel. Getting a bird’s eye view of the city skyline of Singapore, everyone couldn’t help but take photos.
Turning Chinese at Chinatown
Lunchtime, the bus took us to Maxwell Center –where the best Hainanese chicken in Singapore is supposed to be –according to Kitchen Cow.
True enough, the line in that specific hawker stall was pretty long. But Chrissy stayed on and didn’t mind waiting in line for 15 minutes. If it were in the Philippines, I wouldn’t have waited, but since we are already in Singapore and the newspaper clippings and awards attest to Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice being the best, I waited patiently with Chrissy, Paul and Jonel.
Thinking about that specific Hainanese Chicken Rice is making my tummy grumble now. It was seriously yummy and at a reasonable price.
After lunch, we headed to Chinatown. This was where Ivy and I truly bonded over our cameras. We were each other’s designated photographers and we just spoke each other’s language in terms of composition. She was so fun to be with and I truly enjoyed taking her photos. I hope I got her some really good shots.
It was really fun visiting the Chinatown museum as we explore how the Chinese live so simply and swim deeper into their culture.
Mint Museum of Toys
Except at the work place, I’ve always maintained to be a kid at heart. Life is too short to be serious all the time. The best moments in our lives are the ones where we have looked at the world with so much exuberance, love and hope –full of whimsical dreams. It was at that time where heartaches were fleeting and simple joys were abundant.
One way that reminds us of the moments that passed is through items from our childhood.
“Whether you are a child at heart or an avid toy collector, The Mint Museum of Toys has something for everyone. Housed in a contemporary five-storey building, it boasts a rich mix of nostalgia, education and inspiration”.
We were lucky enough to meet the owner. He claims that he who has the most toys at the end of life’s journey is the richest. Richest in spirit.
To Go Orchard Road or Not
After the toy museum, there was an option to go to Orchard Road or return to the hotel. Most people went to Orchard Road, while I opted to return to the hotel and rest. I wanted time to rest and freshen up after that long day. Sweet sexy Jen and my PBB line buddy Jonel were supposed to go to Orchard but at the last minute decided to join me in my plans to explore the city in the evening with a revived energy.
Before returning to our rooms, the final group to explore the cityscape during nighttime included Ivy, Yoshke, Jen, Jonel, Chrissy and I. I was happy to retreat to my room and rest –was happy to see my pleasant roommate Kate home already –and by home, I mean the hotel room. She deviated from the group to meet with her Singapore friends just before lunch.
Carlos paid our room a quick visit and we bonded. He left a few minutes later so he could accompany Maki who wanted to check out the camera stores.
After showering, I felt so refreshed and revitalized –water really works wonders. I was raring to go and enjoy dinner with the group. I was the designated caller of the group so I phoned everyone to meet at the lobby.
Needless to say, the food trip at Makansutra Glutton Bay was as fantastic as the company. We barely noticed that it was almost 12 midnight laughing, bonding and strolling the streets of Singapore.
Stay tuned for Day 2 Night Time and Day 3: Shopping at IKEA…
Noemi’s Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards Video Coverage
Singapore Day 2 Afternoon Album
Related Post
Singapore and Nuffnang Blog Awards
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Great pics!
I mean, I think I out-Ramonned Ramon Bautista.
hahaha, yes you did!