Singapore Adventure: Playing Hosts

This is a long overdue entry. It's been quite hectic at work and there just is no time to put on my writer's cap on. But now I am back. Hopefully...

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October 26 to 29, 2008. The Cookies played host to my cousin Rose and college batchmate Ritz who paid us a quick visit it being Semestral Break in the Philippines.

It was not even a weeks long! But we all had a blast. It was short and sweet indeed! ^_^

The usual tour itinerary for first timers in SG - Sentosa, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, Science Centre and Snow City. And since our guests are really keen into "crossing the border", we literally did! A half day tour of Johore Bahru, Malaysia to cap off this wonderful vacation.

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Early start for the gang. We waited for the Tour Bus at the Marriot Hotel lobby. At 9:00 am, the group joined the other tourists in a bigger Tour Bus at the Singapore Flyer site. From there, we drove down to Johore Bahru.

At the Malaysian side of the border, our tour guide for the day, Asok, joined us. Then our first stop was at the Batik Craft Centre. Apart from the informative lecture on Batik making, the staff also rendered a musical performance playing Malaysian native musical instruments. The "angklung" is specifically interesting. According to my Cookie, it is now his favorite musical instrument! ^_^

As part of the tour, we drove down to other tourist stops in JB like the Mosque, the Cemetery, and a typical Malaysian household with a lush backyard garden where we were also entertained with some music and dancing.

It was only a quick half day tour, but truly informative! And below is a photo of the tourists with Asok the tour guide.

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We enjoyed ourselves indeed, though we burnt holes into our pockets with plenty of "take homes" to remember this travel.

We got silk Batik scarves, a pewter cup set, t-shirts, and an angklung CD recording. Hehe...