Day 2 ~ All Over Singapore: Marina Bay Sands, Clark Quay and Mustafa

Day 2 is the only thing that is truly planned in our itinerary.  I have been wanting to watch Mamma Mia in Manila, but unfortunately did not have a free day to watch it.  Good luck, however was at our side (Birthday Luck working) as we managed to get tickets of the show on its last day of showing in Singapore! Yes we get to see Mamma Mia at Marina Bay :P

We got at Marina Bay for early lunch at The Bird Southern Table and Bar, which came with the show and dine package we bought.  

Food was unsurprisingly delicious and filing.  

We had Deviled Egg and Bacon and Theatre Set Special (Two pieces of Lewellyn’s Fried Chicken, Chilled Spiced Watermelon and a fresh Buttermilk Biscuit)

The restaurant was homey and with a couple of Filipino crew who looked real delighted to serve us.

After lunch we got to tour Marina Bay Sands a bit.  The place is grand and expectedly expensive.  All the big brands are there!

We watched the 1pm show since we wanted to still have time to check out the Art Science Museum and Sky Park.

After the show we (which was outstanding) we went to the Art Science Museum.  We did not enjoy it much, but  I guess kids would appreciate it better.

Our last stop at the Marina Bay area is the SkyPark.  We went there at 4pm, early enough to beat the queue of tourists fighting over a sunset view.  

We sat on the deck with ice cream onhand to end our visit to Marina Bay. 

Love the ice cream ~ perfect with the view that comes with it!

 

TIPS: Get yourself a Sands Rewards Lifestyle Cards to save on entrance fees to the many attractions of Marina Bay Sands.  It is fast and easy and you can use right away. 

We got a 1+1 deal on our Art Museum Tickets and 10% discount on our SkyPark Observation Desk Entrance and souvenir purchases.  

Your can sign-up here >>> www.marinabaysands.com/sands-rewards-lifestyle



After Marina Bay we went to Clark Quay via the MRT (through Bay Front Station to Fort Canning Station, which is just about 3 minutes walk to Clark Quay).  

It was a little early for dinner so we decided to hop on the Singapore River Cruise.  Touring the Singapore River via a bumboat was an enjoyable experience.  

Seeing Singapore on a different vantage point on a more relaxed setting was nice and pleasant.   We were back at the Clark Quay loading deck some 40 minutes after, with our tummies ready for dinner :P

Dinner was at the Muchos Mexican Bar and Restaurant next to Hooters.  We had a Muchos Platter, Grilled Chicken Quesadillas and Taco Salad, plus a round of chilled beer to each to match.

With my handsome date :P

The restaurant outdoor seating is a perfect date place to cap a night out in Singapore.  Serving is hefty and if you are not really hungry an order of the Combo set is enough for 2-3 persons.  Food is great too, though mostly spicy.

It was almost 9 when we finished eating, but the night was still young so we've decided to pay famous 24 hours Mustafa Shopping Center ~ this where to go for "pasalubong shopping".  We took a  cab to Mustafa Center.  

It gives me a peace of mind that they only sell genuine stuffs here, so you are sure not getting fakes. After my introduction to Mustafa, I don't think I will be shopping anywhere else in Singapore but here.

Our best buys include:

1. Souvenirs
2. Chocolates (my boys especially liked the chocolate coated almonds)
3. Perfume (keep in mind that you cannot hand carry anymore than a 100ml perfume bottle) 
4. Branded Shirts
5. Electronics ~ Headphones  

 

It was almost 11:30 when we finished, my feet were sore from all the walking we did today, so we hopped on to a cab to our hotel.  

Oh our POOR feet :P

Follow our Day 3 in Singapore ~ Botanical Garden, Taste of Hawker Food (up next)... 

DAY 2 in Macau (Part 2) ~ Casino Hopping at the Cotai Strip and the House of Magic

Got to rest and freshen a bit.  The walk to Taipa Village under Macau's hot June temperature left me and my husband exhausted (and sweaty)... 

Tonight is all about the Cotai strips of hotel, dinner at the Shanghai Magic restaurant, a side attraction at the Batman Dark Flight with the House of Magic show for finale.

Holiday Inn is about a kilometer walk (about 10-15 minutes) to Studio City which houses the Batman Dark Flight and House of Magic show.

The short walk brought us to Sheraton Grand,  Plaza Macau and Parisian Macau.  

The Parisian Macau is magnificent.  It has a replica of Eiffel Tower that lights up with vibrant colors at night  (below picture was taken on our back to Holiday Inn after the watching the House of Magic show).   

The Studio City complex is an attraction in itself,

And so here we are doing what tourists do best...

We bought our House of Magic Show and Batman Dark Flight tickets via Klook. 

It is an easy to use mobile/computer application for ticket/show bookings.  I have used it a couple of times during our Tokyo and Osaka trips.  It is very efficient and highly commendable. Ticket prices were the same, if not lower (offered at discount).

(CLICK HERE FOR DISCOUNTED PASSES >>> KLOOK)

We arrived early and exchanged our House of Magic vouchers at the Studio City Box Office. 

Our package is inclusive of dinner at the Shanghai Magic Restaurant.  Food was great as expected from a Michelin recommended restaurant.

A wonderful surprise awaits guests as there are magicians performing magic tricks up close ~ it was very entertaining.

We enjoyed dinner, complemented with "A+" service.

Starbucks was so near Shanghai Magic and ended up getting coffee, while waiting for the show...

And just enough time to drop by the Batman Dark Flight ride (which we also bought via Klook).

The Batman Dark Flight is a 4D flight simulation show.  My husband liked it and can't stop talking about how great the ride is.  On the other hand, the ride made me slightly dizzy. I was happy it was only a 20 minutes ride.

This was before the show.  I wasn't smiling after :P

Our night's finale is the House of Magic show...

The show is a full length 90 minute show cut into 4 (1 pre-show and 3 main ones that moves between 3 different theaters). 

Pre-show at the "Laboratory"

It was cool, especially that main show "Mega Magic" left me stunned and speechless (note that we were seated in front). 

My boys are sure to love this show, I was sad they weren't there to see it. 

Souvenir photos with The House of Magic's magicians.

Two words of our Day 2 in Macau  "Simply Magical".

Please visit the links below if you missed our Day 1 and Day 2 (Part I) in Macau

DAY 2 in Macau ~ Macau Historic Center

DAY 2 in Macau ~ Visiting Taipa Village and Casino Hopping at the Cotai Strip

Forest House Bistro and Cafe Baguio

 

I had to make sure, that we get in, the famous Forest House Bistro and Café this time!  The last uneventful visit, when we were refused entry (since I underestimated the place and forego reservations) - was truly a bad experience. 

 

I called up Forest House and confirmed a dinner table for four. 

 

We came a little early for dinner and it was a good thing, since parking is limited and could be a nightmare if we came a little later.

 

The place was half full when we came in.  The place is intimate and nicely decorated in cottage-country home motif and lovely eye candy trinkets all over. 

 

There is a small veranda outside,

but view wasn't as terrific as I thought.  

 

 

We ordered the house specialties from L-R/T-B, Forest House wine sauced chicken, mini burgers with fries, fettuccine carbonara and baby back ribs.

 

VERDICT

AMBIANCE - Homey and relaxed, however, I was disappointed with the view. I was expecting more.  BenCab's Café Sabel has by far a more superior view and would choose Café Sabel on the basis of view alone.

 

STAFF - Nice and attentive, but service is quite slow.

 

PRICE - On the expensive side. 

 

FOOD - Good, but not exceptional.  The carrot cake that we ordered was perfect with our Forest House coffee.

 

Next time, we would probably be back for an afternoon coffee or tea, with one of their yummy deserts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matutina's Seafood House and Restaurant (the real deal)!

If you are looking for an authentic Filipino dining experience in Pangasinan, I suggest a stop over at Matutina's

(skip the annexes and head to the original branch; we were at  Matutina's Annex I branch last time and we were a bit disappointed).

 

The main branch is beautiful. It's ceiling is adorned with exquisite capiz tile chandeliers. 

 

The restaurant has an outdoor seating next to a small but lovely garden and an indoor air-conditioned room for those who would like to escape the summer heat.

We wanted to keep our orders simple (since I over ordered in our initial visit - for sharing orders are quite big and we were not very hungry, and decided on their breakfast viands).

From L-R, T-B we ordered (a) 2 sets boneless bangus; (b) turon (with generous portions of  saging and langka); (c) complimentary bukayo sweets; and (d) 2 sets longsilog  (not in picture is our pitcher or brewed tea and coffee

Our orders were all spot on.  I especially enjoyed the boneless bangus and turon (yummy). Ambiance is way, way better here than at the annex. Staff here were very amiable and attentive as well.

 

We will definitely drop by the Original Matutina's again in our North Luzon adventure!