Solo in Singapore: Universal Studios

Been wanting to go to Universal Studios Singapore since it opened but it was just never a good time. In fact I was just in Singapore about a month ago to watch Wicked (which was awesome) but didn’t get a chance to experience the theme park coz of time constraints. Argh!

So a couple of weeks ago I decided to just make plans and head there all by myself. A solo trip it would be! Again!

AND IT WAS SO WORTH IT!

I think I look pretty calm. Nope, not freaking out at all.

I was only gonna be in Singapore for the weekend  so I knew time was gonna be a factor. Friends had already told me that waiting in line for the rides was painstakingly slow. They also said that weekends were the worst with the largest crowds and that I should avoid Saturdays at all cost. So what did I do? I went on a saturday!

Hey, it’s not like I had a choice, I have very few leave days left so i had to make it a weekend trip.

But to make sure I got on all the rides I splurged an extra 50 Singapore dollars on the Xpress Pass that allowed me to cut queue…and kinda feel very important, and also kinda taller, I have issues.

I think I look pretty calm. Nope, not freaking out at all.

Was feeling thirsty so I got some…umm…Juice 😉

Monkey see, monkey do. See a library, read a book.

There’s something very liberating about standing in the middle of a fake road and posing. awkward.

Gave my best smile…and still no one wanted to hug me.

Getting ready to get on the Battlestar Galactica roller coaster. That’s a smile of fear!

Dinner! Random Barber Shop Quartet performing in the background.

Human Microwave

Strangely, holding a road sign always makes me feel like I’m in a 70s musical.

The land of ogres! Great way make me feel even shorter.

The sign said ‘Glamorous’ so I tried. Failed.

Just drinking some water. Nothing unusual. What are you staring at?

The difference between the Xpress lane and the normal lane. Schadenfreude moment 🙂

Accepting my Oscar and thanking the little people. You know, people like me! 🙂

The Waterworld stunt show. A must watch! It’s better than the actual movie. But what isn’t? 🙂

Everything looks better when it’s darker.

Everytime it spun around I expected a movie to start.

Solo in Saigon

Wanted a short break and couldn’t really decide where to go so I simply set a budget and started looking for destinations.

Finally decided on Saigon because I’ve never been there and most online reviews said it was worth a visit. How do you say no to a place that prides itself on coffee made from beans that have been through the digestive system of a civet cat. How exotic.

So off I went…yup, I’m gullible that way.

View from the hotel room put a smile on my flight-worn face.

REUNIFICATION PALACE! It’s this big.

Just hanging out with my buddy Ho Chi Minh. Wanted to shake his hand…but that proved challenging.

Gifts that were brought to the palace. If the Addam’s Family had a petting zoo, this would be it.

shh…private theatre. What? No popcorn?!

A helipad on the roof.

I think Ho Chi Minh entertained very short guests. Check out these chairs.

A bed in the underground bunker. I guess bombs weren’t the only things that went ‘ bang’.

Planning a siege…or maybe ordering pizza.

War relics. Holding back the urge to say ‘AUTOBOTS…TRANSFORM!’

All smiles until my guide told me that those threads probably rolled over countless people during the war.

Buying a live bird is supposed to bring good luck…I think the bird would disagree .

The facade. Yup, the good-luck bird is still in that paper bag.

the god of heaven looking really majestic with a cloud of smoke hanging around him. Got this pic between bouts of coughing.

Designed by the same guy who did the Eiffel Tower.

Modeled after its Parisian name sake. I guess it’s true you can find a knock-off of pretty much anything in Asia 🙂

Eating at the same place President Clinton visited in 2000. The pic on the wall is proof. Wonder if Monica’s hiding under the table 😉

All mine!!

I’ll hold anything as long as it’s floating in wine. Case in point…a scorpion!

This one’s for you Steve Jobs 🙂

Peeking to make sure I don’t get mowed down by a stray motorcycle.

My awesome celebrity tour guide Yen! She actually showed Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt around on one of their visits to Vietnam. So jealous.

Of course she’s smiling…I just paid her RM2 for a slice of sour mango. I got suckered. heheh.

Fantastic place to veg out after hours of walking in the heat.

The best meal I had in Saigon! Went there alone and the minimum order serves 2 people. Perfect.

They serve only one dish. A combination of grilled fish in spices tossed in a bowl of noodles and fresh vegetables. OOoooooh….

Definitely a throw-back to being colonized by the French. Bánh mì thịt is basically a baguette stuffed with meat and fresh greens. Also very affordable, less than RM1.50 for a 6-incher.

Trying to pass myself off as a bánh mì thịt seller. Fail.

The Pham Ngu Lao area is basically 2 parallel roads full of establishments targeted at tourists. Budget hotels, eateries, bars, tour agencies, souvenir shops…they’re all here on these 2 very sweaty streets.

There’s no other way to say it Trung Nguyen Coffee is pretty much the Starbucks of Vietnam. I saw outlets scattered all over Saigon. And no, they didn’t pay me for this tacky pose.

Solo in Sydney – Day 1

Since my solo trip to Siem Reap I’ve decided that if it gets too difficult to organize a holiday with friends…I’ll just do it alone! This time I decided on Sydney coz I’ve never been there and I wanted a place with great beaches and a wild city as well.

The problem was I could only get leave during Chinese New Year which meant that for the first time in my life  I’d be away from family for the celebrations. I’d be missing the reunion dinner!! All that food! And of course I’d also miss seeing my family get together. But also THE FOOD!!

Being the kiasu glutton that I am, I lovingly manipulated my family into having an early reunion dinner so that I could enjoy the celebrations and have my holiday in Sydney too!!

So I arrived in Sydney on the eve of Chinese New Year (which is the proper date for the reunion dinner) well-fed and READY FOR A GOOD TIME.

Then I stepped out of the airport into a blistering 39 degrees of humid hell!

Not willing to let something as trivial as the Sun dampen my holiday I slapped on some sunblock and was again….READY FOR A GOOD TIME!!

First stop, church! The very ornate St. Mary’s Cathedral. My mom would be so proud. Happy Birthday Mommy!!

Hyde Park. Just strolling. Notice I’m keeping to the shaded side of the walkway.

QVB (The Queen Victoria Building)

Found a Laksa restaurant that didn’t have Assam Laksa on the menu. Felt cheated.

The nice family that let me crash their reunion dinner. Thanks guys!

Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner at a Korean restaurant.

Trying not to be scared of the headless bird!

On the bridge that links both sides of the harbour.

Met a couple of friendly Americans.

It was a good night. Taking a break before heading back to the hotel.