My first overseas adventure, a journey to Singapore, unfolded in March 2017. Sponsored by collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board, I received support for airfare and hotel expenses, making a memorable 3-night, 4-day trip possible.
Commencing on March 4th and concluding on March 8th, the entire itinerary was initially planned for 3 nights and 5 days. However, due to a flight departing at 12:10 AM on the last day, the practical duration was effectively 3 nights and 4 days.
Collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board
This Singapore trip marked not only my first international travel but also the first collaboration with a foreign tourism board. While I had experience creating travel content through partnerships with domestic entities, teaming up with an overseas tourism board was a new and exciting venture.
Given the impromptu nature of the trip and limited preparation time, challenges arose. Navigating the departure process from Incheon Airport was unfamiliar, and some time was inevitably spent idly during the overseas journey.
Despite the initial hurdles, the Singapore trip served as a gateway to more international explorations. It was an imperfect yet meaningful introduction to overseas travel.
Pre-Departure Preparation with Google Maps
To prepare for my inaugural journey, I utilized Google Maps extensively. I marked key attractions on the map, allowing flexibility in adjusting the itinerary based on on-site evaluations. This method proved valuable not only for this trip but became a useful strategy for subsequent travels.
Despite the lack of extensive preparation time, the trip concluded smoothly, and the practice of creating pre-travel maps became a habit for future adventures.
Highlights of the 3 Nights, 5 Days Singapore Trip
“Before the Departure”
- Basic Information about Singapore: Singapore Travel: Basic Information
- Peranakan Culture in Singapore: The Fusion Culture of Singapore: Peranakan Culture
- Fines in Singapore: Fine City, Singapore: The Land of Fines
- British-Style Tea Culture in Singapore: Enjoying British Tea Culture in Singapore: “Tea Time”
- Liquor Purchase Hours in Singapore: Alcohol Purchase Restrictions in Singapore: Understanding the Liquor Control Act
- Escalators in Singapore: Is the escalator in Singapore special?
- Hawker Centers in Singapore: Exploring Singapore’s Unique Culinary Experience: Hawker Centres
- Airlines in Singapore – Singapore Airlines: Singapore’s Representative Airline “Singapore Airlines”
- Convenience Store “Cheers” in Singapore: Convenience Store in Singapore: “Cheers”
- Origin of Singapore’s National Name: Origin of Singapore’s Name: The Lion City “Singapore”
- Tipping Culture in Singapore: Does Singapore have a tipping culture?
- British-Style Pedestrian Crossings in Singapore: Singapore, British-style Crosswalks
- Public Transportation – Bus Services in Singapore: Singapore Public Transportation: Bus
- Public Transportation – MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) in Singapore: Singapore Subway: MRT, LRT
- Singapore Taxis: Singapore, Transportation: Taxis
- Uber in Singapore: Singapore Taxi App ‘Uber’
- Grab in Singapore: Singapore, taxi reservation app “Grab”
- “Standard Ticket” in Singapore: Singapore Subway MRT Ticket: Standard Ticket
- Transportation Cards – “EZ-Link” in Singapore: Singapore, Reloadable Transport Card ‘EZ-Link’
- Transportation Cards – “Tourist Card” in Singapore: Singapore, Unlimited Travel Card for Tourists ‘Tourist Card’
- Singapore Currency – Singapore Dollar (SGD): Singapore Currency, Singapore Dollar (SGD)
- Shopping Tax Refund – GST Refund in Singapore: Singapore Shopping Tax Refund “GST Refund”
- Local SIM Card – “Singtel” in Singapore: Singapore Local SIM Card “Singtel”
March 4, 2017
- Incheon Airport departure procedures : Incheon Airport – Changi Airport, Singapore “Departure Procedure”
- Singapore Airlines flight from Incheon Airport to Changi Airport : Incheon Airport – Changi Airport, Singapore “Singapore Airlines”
- M Social Hotel in Singapore : Singapore Robertson Quay Hotel “M Social Hotel”
- Clarke Quay : Singapore Travel Destination “Clarke Quay”
- Clarke Quay Azabu Sabo : Singapore Clarke Quay “Azabu Sabo”
- Clarke Quay “Jumbo Seafood” : Singapore Clarke Quay, Chili Crab at “Jumbo Seafood”
- Marina Bay : Singapore Travel Destination “Marina Bay”
March 5, 2017
- Breakfast at Beasts & Butterflies, M Social Hotel Singapore Robertson Quay, Restaurant “Beast & Butterflies”
- Orchard Road : Singapore, Asia’s Largest Shopping Street: Orchard Road
- Orchard Road Library : Singapore, Library in a Shopping Mall “Library @ Orchard”
- Orchard Road Emerald Hill : Singapore, Peranakan Architecture “Emerald Hill”
- Orchard Road “ION” : Singapore Orchard Road Shopping Mall ‘ION Orchard’
- Orchard Road ION Sky Observatory : Singapore Orchard Road Observatory: ION Sky
- Orchard Road Figure Shop “White Rose Parlor” : Singapore, Orchard Road Figure Shop “White Rose Parlor”
- Orchard Road “Ngee Ann City” : Singapore Orchard Road Shopping Mall ‘Ngee Ann City’
- Orchard Road “313 Somerset & Orchard Central” : Singapore Orchard Road Shopping Malls ‘313@Somerset & Orchard Central’
- Orchard Road “Mandarin Gallery” : Mandarin Gallery – Singapore Orchard Road Shopping Mall
- Fort Canning Park : Fort Canning Park – A Central Park in Singapore’s Heart
- Botanic Gardens : Singapore’s Largest Natural Park, Botanic Gardens”
- Clarke Quay “Song Fa Bak Kut Teh” : Singapore Clarke Quay Dining Gem – Song Fa Bak Kut Teh
March 6, 2017
- Jurong Bird Park : Singapore, Asia’s Largest Avian Park – Jurong Bird Park
- Jurong Bird Park “Lunch with Parrots” : Singapore, Jurong Bird Park – “Lunch with Parrots”
- Jurong Bird Park “Waterfall Aviary” : Singapore, Jurong Bird Park – “Waterfall Aviary”
- Bugis : Singapore, Trendy Shopping Haven – Bugis
- Bugis Junction : Bugis Junction in Bugis, Singapore
- Bugis Street Market : Bugis Street Market in Bugis, Singapore
- Bugis “Ya Kun Kaya Toast” : Yakun Kaya Toast in Bugis, Singapore
- Bugis Plus “Arcade” : Bugis Plus Arcade – Entertainment Hub in Bugis, Singapore
- Bugis “Kane Mochi” : Singapore Bugis, Ice Cream Shop ‘Kane Mochi’
- Arab Street (Kampong Glam) : Singapore ‘Arab Street’ (Kampong Glam)
- Chinatown : Singapore ‘Chinatown’
- Chinatown “Bee Cheng Hiang” : Singapore Chinatown Jerky ‘Bee Cheng Hiang’
- Chinatown “Food Street” : Singapore Chinatown, Hawker Centre ‘Food Street’
March 7, 2017
- Entering Sentosa Island : Getting to Sentosa Island in Singapore
- Sentosa “Universal Studios” : Singapore Sentosa, Amusement Park ‘Universal Studios’
- Sentosa “Universal Studios Food Court” : Singapore, Universal Studios ‘Food Court’
- 3 Free Transport Options within Sentosa : Singapore, Sentosa Island – ‘3 Free Transportation Options’
- Sentosa Palawan Beach : Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore
- Sentosa Merlion Tower : Merlion Tower, Sentosa Island, Singapore
- Robertson Quay “Red House” : Red House, Robertson Quay, Singapore
- Changi Airport departure procedures : Singapore, Changi Airport – Departure Procedures
Despite the inevitable imperfections of a first overseas trip, the journey remains a cherished memory, preserving the excitement of my initial foray into international travel.