SOME PART OF MINE

Disclaimer: Travel overseas was still possible at that time, right before the very first confirmed case in Indonesia.

It was a cloudy Friday morning, before my shuttle-bus start leaving Depok around 8am. I, who half-awake sit comfortably on my couch, lowering my caps and thanks to my sunglasses to cover up my lazy sloth eyes.

Finally, this day has arrived. 2020 just started and a big thing (start) to happened, affecting all nations, slowly but massive.

The pandemic, they said, are most likely will cancel all plans, events, and everyone wishes which made on Dec 31st.

I was one of the thousands of people that still decide to travel as long as no travel ban occurred to my destination with all preventive measures and self-assessment to our own health.

Never easy to decide on such things, but I know I will regret it if I missed it.

This trip is the strangest one as well, begins and initiated by a friend of mine, but ended up only with her friend - which I met once on a previous trip.

As said, it ain't easy to decide at the last minute, with so many considerations. Luckily, I made it happened and went well (by far).

My trip took place from Feb 28th to March 1st, so based on those certain periods of time, the only thing I need to prepare was myself and lots of vitamins.

We, are fully aware of the consequences and surely responsible enough both the preventive and after, so the show must go on, right?

I have purchased the ticket one year in advance - also one of the points why I hardly gave up on this.

Long story short, my travel-mate has waited patiently, I was run a bit late from the appointed time lolz.

I was using Air Asia (Hail to the budget airline) and an all-time favorite for short - medium flight, the best so far at its class,eh? Haha not sure, but yeah, wasn't that bad.

Immigration seems quiet, and not so many queues, once finish, we feed ourselves lunch before depart. Bakmie GM to the rescue #bakmieallthetime

Surprisingly, everything was on schedule and my very first trip overseas has officially made!

Day 01 - Changi Airport , Terminal 4 , 3.00pm local time

I was a bit in confusion to understanding what to do while passing through the baggage check and a middle-aged woman, which the officer started yelling at me lolz, what a welcome greeting I received, but anyway my bad *peace*

The airport is using the thermal scanner for all the passengers, no additional health checking yet (compare to the current situation), and the cleanliness of their restroom is the first kampungan moment I have (will have some more during the trip)

Skip for baggage claim as we only bring one backpack, we walked easily and ready to get some local sim card which i purchased in advance through Klook. Besides, i also purchase the NETS flashpay which will be my lifesaver while in SG.

So, basically i was purchased it in advance and surprisingly it was quite fast after payment made till the card arrive at my office. Reliable and ease your life at its best! *its not an ads, but honest review lol*

I got discount at that time, so i purchased the card around IDR 115k something if im not mistaken - with balance SGD 7 (available balance pre-stored in vary prices). As said before, i got my card delivered within 2 working days (Jakarta area).

Itinerary check : #1 In search of the famous Jewel.

Initially, the trip was plan only to KL, but I, was the one who initiate with the idea to visit SG first then crossing the border by land , to move to KL.

The main reason behind my plan was all about the airport experience. My travel-mate , thankfully has agreed and were on the same page , how could we deny Changi and all the experience inside ?

You know, it's the busiest airport in South East Asia , and one of many in Asia, the utmost killer factors, are also the Jewel or officially named as Shiseido Forest Valley - Jewel.

The vertical human made waterfall (the HSBC Rain Vortex) is very touristy - but it was that really attractive if you able to see it directly.

No shit but as simple as that then we decide to come all the way to Singapore (besides the shopping plan lolz).

How to get there?

It's not located in specific terminal - but was already shown on airport shuttle routes which will connect us between Terminal (for free).

As i flown with Air Asia, so i arrived at Terminal 4, and the shuttle bus stop was on our right - after you went out from the arrival gate (just go right and straight till the end of the hallway). Not sure how long the bus headway but it took 10mins approx till our bus came.

The exact locations is not that hard to find , or if you need to ask, just saying where is the rain vortex - and im sure all the officers are sick of such questions but it will ease your walk and shorten the time without getting lost by asking the directions.

We were arrived with a bit of lost in directions but we managed it at the end, and that afternoon are quite packed of people. Although the pandemic were hits the nation already , it's managed well by the local Govt, so most of people was already wearing a mask , including us.

The best photo spot was the balcony on the upper floor, luckily not much people on that area so we freely to took our pics as much as we want. Simple things to grateful , isnt it ?

Jewel checked and we were rushing to check in to our homestay in Bugis neighborhood. Quite easy to find the MRT station in Changi - without transfer to other terminal, from our current location.

We just follow the signage , and found it in no time.

I am thanking for the NETS flashpay i've ordered in advance so no need to deal with the ticket vending machine lol.

Besides its a bit pricey to purchase the ticket directly. It's almost SGD 7, one way from Changi to Bugis station.

As it's been 7 months later , i cant remember precisely about the stations along the trip , but we dont need to transfer from our first stop.

Yeah i thought so...

From the station to our hostel needs 15mins walk, and i dont need a reason why we should take a taxi while the pedestrian and the weather that evening is quite nice.

We did a medium walk like other Singaporeans that afternoon lolz

We booked our hostel at ABC Hostel at Bugis, have pretty much great ratings as an affordable accommodation for budget tourist with excellent services.

Easy to find and checked in with simplest way after pay some deposit.

Sadly, we have reserved 5 beds in one room only for our group - but turns out only two of us that will stay.

The room is quite neat for me , the bed , linen and Aircon works well.

We got no time for room tour , as we need to get ready for next place - Garden by The Bay!

That night Singapore skies was very bright and clear, we reached Garden by The Bay around 8pm and were enjoying some art installations near the lake - but hadn't a chance to see the lights show .

We were stopping at Bayfront station and continue to walk.

Initially, we were planning to stop by to Art Museum - but should've come earlier as they closed at 7pm.

We were enjoying most of the free entrance attraction and installation , one of them the colorful floating balloons at Dragonfly lake (will try to found out the official name lol)

Our first day in SG was closing by having a dinner with chicken rice and some porks at nearest local resto that still opened lol

First timer flying abroad check !

- Passport cover is the most uneccesary thing you ever thought you needed.

- Bring your own pen, screenshot your accommodation details (eg name, address) to fill in on your immigration card while on plane (recommended, instead on arrival terminal)

- Bring your own tumblr (my saving grace)

- No gum (SG only i thought )

- For a fast walker , SG is way better for me to walk around

Please look forward how i went to KL by land , imigration check at cross border station and my first time also in KL.

Catch up soon x

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