CaliBurger has finally landed in Philippines! I wanted to try it ASAP because of the drool-worthy instagram photos they've been posting.
The Cheese, his friend Jam and I went to the CaliBurger Tomas Morato branch. The staff wears cute floral polos!
Wait for the light and buzz to pick your orders.
The second floor.
From second floor looking down. You will have the urge to run, jump and swim those turquoise water. Dang.
We ordered their regular Hamburger and wild style fries (you have to pay extra 100 to make your fries wild, a bit hefty in my opinion but no choice because I want to try what the fuzz is all about).
While Jam ordered a regular burger also and Strawberry milkshake.
Honestly, there's nothing special with their burgers. I'm not sure if the Cali Double has something special on it or the Chicken Cheeseburgers. It's not something you write home about. It tasted bland and lacks that certain oomph (not sure if it's cos they're on soft opening yet or what). For the same price (or even less), I can enjoy a more satisfying and good-tasting burger from other burger joints scattered in the metro (Snack Shack, Charlie's to name a few).
For sure CaliBurger will have a lot of other patrons, those who don't mind if their burgers are a bit on the bland side but I seriously do hope they improve this. Personally, I don't think I'll have reason to come back for seconds unless they offer something new and really interesting stuff on their menu or if their wild style fries becomes less expensive hee.
Note: This is part of the Malaysia and Singapore Series posts I'm doing. You can find the first part here.
We arrived in Woodlands station at 6.30 in the morning, safely and without any mishap (thank goodness). Stepping into the immigration office, I was so conscious with my movements due mainly to numerous security cameras present in the building. You can't miss them. It's kinda scary.
I've heard of many stories about how Singapore has very strict rules in almost everything and somehow, it was very effective because I was so scared for my own life I have no intention of committing whatever it is deemed illegal to do there. I'll be your obedient little third world tourist if that's what they're aiming for.
When we passed the immigration section, I can't say that I was not relieved because I really really was relieved. We're over the first hurdle!
We had a bit of problem though. The Cheese and I weren't able to exchange SG $$ in KL and we need to take the bus (and MRT too) but first we need to have $$. We were so happy to find a money changer just across Woodlands station that was already open! I'm sure the rate was pretty bad but we didn't have a choice. Besides, we only needed a small amount just to get us to our next destination.
The Cheese also bought Bee Hoon supposedly as his breakfast but when we arrived at my friend Raymond's house, he and his wife ordered breakfast from McDonald's for everyone.
We got on a bus that took us to MRT station. We were really amazed with how organized everything was thinking, so this is how it is in first world country! We were to alight at Yio Chu Kang station then take another (short) bus ride to Yishun. Our host, a college friend who now lives and work there with his wife, resides in Bulion Park.
I'm so happy we didn't get lost hahaha. When we got to their place, we catched up for a while, had breakfast, and showered (finally!) before taking off again. Day 2 was Universal Studios Singapore day.
On our way back to the MRT station, we can't help but admire all the green things we were seeing, how clean the neighborhood was and the absence of kids loitering in the streets (they're all probably in school which is only right).
We alighted at Harbourfront station, the last station in Circle Line. From Yio Chu Kang station, which is part of the North-South Line (red line), we switched to the yellow line after getting off Bishan station. No frills train-switching as it was pretty straightforward. I love Singapore's MRT lines I almost memorized it by heart when I came back the second time.
There are many ways to get to Sentosa Island (where USS is located): by cable car (which is more expensive), by train (Sentosa Express which we took), by public buses or by foot (which I did with friends when I went back).
The Sentosa Express ticket costs $4 per person and is located at the 3rd level of VivoCity, you can't miss it.
We didn't have to line up to avail of entrance tickets because I already bought our tickets online back in Manila. Medyo pinilit ko ang USS on a weekday because tickets during weekdays are cheaper than if I buy tickets for weekends. #budgettip
Our first USS ride was Madagascar :)) Pambata pala sya, nevertheless, I still had fun! Cute naman yung effects eh. Then we came by Shrek's place but had to go back at a later time to catch the show. We watched Waterworld show first before hopping on the Revenge of the Mummy ride.
I had no idea whatsoever what to look forward to USS in terms of rides, I thought it was something in the league of HK Disneyland wherein Space Mountain is considered the most insane ride, but man, I did not see this one coming. We enjoyed the Mummy ride so much that if the line getting in wasn't that long we would've definitely have gone for seconds. Or thirds.
After the fiery (literally) Mummy ride we came across Battlestar Galactica roller coaster which, in my observation, generated majority of the screams inside the theme park. KAYA NAMAN KASI PALA!! Since there's no queue, the Cheese and I shook our heads and muttered what the heck let's see what the fuzz is all about. The attendant strictly told us to leave our stuff first in the locker area before letting us in again. As in empty-your-pockets galore.
Okay naman sya, parang nahihiwalay lang yung kaluluwa mo sa katawan mo. As in every other adult rides I've been in, this is definitely not for the fainthearted. When it was over, we got our stuff back from the locker then watched a bit of the action and took videos of it. It was when we realized there were actually two lines for Battlestar Galactica: human and cylon. We saw dangling feet which wasn't what we had a few minutes ago. As it turns out, Cylon is the more badass of the two. So what we did is put our stuff back again in the locker and line up again but this time in Cylon.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE COBRA ROLL AND VERTICAL LOOPS! I could take this ride forever kaso kawawa naman si JC, kakailanganin nya ng maraming bonamine hahaha.
We were lucky because Transformers ride was already open for public when we came. This one's great as well although the line is really looong. I think it took us 45 minutes to get inside, strapped ourselves with belts and be chased by decepticons. But it was worth the wait naman. This was such a trippy ride, felt almost real too.
After the Transformers ride, we watched some street dancers in front of the Palace showing their hip hop moves before noticing that most of them were actually fellow Pinoys! They do invite people to participate dancing and can really gather a crowd. Good job to those boys!
These are collage of personalities we met inside the park. Although I was absolutely delighted to see and pose with Po, Frankenstein holds a special place in my heart after he smothered me in embrace with his huge hands hahaha.
We had a really, really late lunch in one of the restaurants inside. Naghati na lang kami ni JC kasi mahalia fuentes! When we thought we've had enough, we finally exited USS.
Outside USS, the place is sprinkled with various chocolates and sweet stores, anything that your kidult heart desires are there. I wanted to buy and take home the entire Reese's store buti na lang di ko afford.
We left Sentosa Island at around 7 and walked for a bit around VivoCity Boardwalk area, again, admiring how the Singaporeans turned those spaces into a thing of beauty.
We rode the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut without really a particular place in mind to go to. All we know is we wanted to end up with the Merlion in sight.
So we walked.
Passed by Singapore Art Museum and this melting Superman installation in front
And walked.
We passed by Raffles, crossed to Marina Square before ending up here! Perfect because we were already starving by that time.
After our dinner, we walked once again. We strolled along Esplanade Park, passed by jazz performers, saw the Singapore river and the wonderful view of Marina Bay Sands across
Upon reaching the end of the bridge, bought icecream sandwich from this manong. It was on my second visit to Singapore I've realized that the icecream sandwiches being sold near the Merlion are more expensive than anywhere else. Napaka-turista lang ng presyo! Unfortunately, we fell for it. Di bale, hindi ko naman na inulit.
Is this the famous Merlion of Singapore? Eh bakit ang liit yata?!
Joke lang. Medyo baba ka pa girl, andun ang totoong merlion na lumuluwa ng tubig pabalik sa ilog ng Singapore.
We took so many "trick" shots but they were all too too funny so I'd rather not put them in here. As a closing photo, ito na lang. The Cheese trying to keep his eyes open kasi sleeping time nya na. We made sure to be at the MRT station at 11pm so we'll be home by midnight.
That concludes our first day in Singapore, the second day of our KL - SG trip.
For a preview of our 2nd day in Singapore, there's this post - My Suka Stories from Our Recent Trip Abroad - I wrote right after our KL - SG trip. It was a very memorable moment in all of my traveling years and I think the title tells it all. Enjoy reading on my misery!
One of my biggest regrets when I was in Singapore in 2012 was not watching Wicked due to time constraints. Standing in front of Sistic office, the Cheese and I were pondering how we'd get ourselves from USS to Grand Theater, Marina Bay Sands just so we can squeeze in Wicked in between but alas, I had to be practical.
Akala ko sa Gershwin Theatre o Apollo Victoria Theatre ko na lang sya pwedeng mapanood but Bathala is good, as it turns out I didn't have to save and spend an exorbitant amount of moolah to have a short day in the Emerald City because WICKED CAME TO MANILA! Thank you sponsors for bringing Wicked here.
Oz Dust Boutique in CCP did not sell Wicked socks which was fortunate on my pocket's part.
Irrele photo just cos I like how we're looking I-don't-know-where haha. Promise, candid yan!
People milling in CCP's lobby was abuzz with inexplicable excitement. We couldn't feign it either, our giddy faces and voices gave us away.
A short but splendid night in the Emerald City
"It's Galinda with a Ga."
The Clock of the Time Dragon does not tell the time rather tells people's secrets from their past and predicts their futures.
“I’m the other daughter, Elphaba. I’m beautifully tragic.” hashtag nakarelate.
I cried a bit when Elphaba sang Defying Gravity not to jump in everyone's bandwagon but because it was a significant turning point in her life. Everyone deserves to fly and I support her decision, even if she's flying solo at least Elphie's flying free. hashtag nakarelateulit
Jemma Rix is AMAZING as Elphaba, she may have gone off-key at one of her songs but she more than made up for it with the rest of the songs. Suzie Mathers is a total doll. I love her and how she gave life to Galinda/Glinda's character. I enjoyed every second of Popular because of her!
I'm extremely happy I got to experience the magic of Wicked. That we, Filipinos, don't need to fly to other countries just to have wickedly wonderful day in the Emerald City. Mostly I'm thankful of that fact. So go ahead, Wicked shows have been added in Manila until March, CATCH IT!
This post is extremely late but I'm still gonna try anyway. Happened almost 2 years ago ( (February 23-27, 2012!). I booked a Clark - Kuala Lumpur - Clark flight for 2 persons through Airasia that cost me PhP3810. This was in the time when connecting buses from Trinoma to Clark airport was still non-existent.
The Cheese and I had to take a bus all the way to Dau terminal which was no problem at all as most buses going up north stop by Dau bus terminal. I think we only paid 88 pesos each. Then from Dau terminal we just had to walk a few meters to Jollibee and looked for the airport shuttle service that will take us to Clark International Airport. We paid 50 pesos each contrary to the 100-peso fare I've read from other commuters' blogs most probably because there were more than 6 passengers inside. If there were less people and we absolutely must have to leave already, we'd probably pay 100 pesos each too.
Check-in was a breeze as well as immigration (even though the officer behind the counter asked me STILL what's my purpose of travel and how am I related to my companion - which still scares me!).
Then we're off. By the way, the Cheese and I agreed that one of the flight attendants looked exactly like Carmen Soo that we had to sneak in our cameras just to take her photo.
We landed at LCCT after 3 1/2 hours. Though branded (well the name says it all anyway) as a budget airport - aside from serving as Malaysia's domestic hub - LCCT is a very busy airport with very diverse travelers. You only have to look to your left or right to realize this.
Immigration, though long, was also a breeze (thank goodness!). We exchanged a bit of our dollars into ringgit in one of the money changers open so we can pay for our bus tickets from LCCT to KL Sentral Station - Kuala Lumpur's transportation hub. One of the first things you have to remember when traveling to mainland Malaysia is the distance of the airport to the city. It's about an hour away by bus. In reality, this really makes sense because you are saved from the airport-to-city congestion, like we have here in Manila, that normally occurs when airport is smacked right in the middle of a city.
We bought our Skybus ticket to KL Sentral first for RM9 then decided to eat first at one of LCCT's restaurants. We chose Marrybrown because despite the name, it screams of local. Indeed, Marrybrown is to Malaysia what Jollibee is to Philippines.
After a quick super late lunch at Marrybrown, we boarded the Skybus that will take us to KL Sentral. I was impressed at their suburbs, the road condition and the almost non-existent traffic. Not sure if we were just lucky.
We arrived at KL Sentral around 4.30pm Although it is not exactly one you could call state of the art, as a Filipino I appreciate what they did there. KL Sentral is your central point to almost anywhere. Buses, electric trains, high speed trains, monorail and intercity trains can be found in KL Sentral.
Our IT was a bit hectic. We're squeezing in as much sights and activities in as little time as possible. That same day, we're to board a sleeper train to Singapore (more about that later). With a very exhausting IT in mind, I've searched for ways to lessen our burden while we explore a bit of KL before our 11pm train ride to SG. I specifically looked for rental lockers in or near the area to leave our humongous longpack and backpack so we won't have to carry them on our backs for about 6 hours. Good thing KL Sentral has electronic rental lockers! For RM5, we were able to squeeze our longpack in their small-sized locker. The locker was actually spacious than what we originally thought.
With packs off our backs, we proceeded in buying MRT tokens (they use blue, coin size ones) that will get us to our first stop: Jalan Petaling aka KL's Chinatown. From KL Sentral station, we alighted at Masjid Jamek (a short 2 stops away) and had to walk for 3 minutes to get to Petaling Street.
We alighted at Masjid Jamek station standing directly beside a garbage-free river.
It's like stepping into a smaller and slightly neater Divisoria/Binondo. Street foods left and right, (knockoffs) bags, perfumes, and whatnots here and there. Petaling Street has such a lively vibe it doesn't help at all to ease our ever growing excitement.
Just a few things of what you'll see in Petaling Street.
Bacon in the street because why not
Despite a good number of food stalls to choose food from, we ended up just eating freshly squeezed orange juice, roti pisang (banana) and lamb satay hahaha.
We were pretty amazed to find the sun shining brightly still despite it being 7pm already!
After circling the Chinatown vicinity, we decided to proceed to our next stop: Bukit Bintang. We didn't have a map yet of the city (which was a big mistake) so we relied from saved maps on our mobile phones. To make the long story short, the Cheese and I walked a few kilometres to get to Bukit Bintang from Jalan Petaling when there was a shorter way to get there all along! But as always, we charged this to experience and hey, we got to our destination anyway, medyo pawisan lang.
It was an achievement to arrive in Bukit Bintang area with the sun about to set down in the horizon. We tried looking inside the many malls lined up in BB (Plaza Low Yat, Sungei Wang Plaza and BB Plaza) but did not stick around for long as we had another stop before we leave for SG that night: Petronas Towers.
While crossing a street we came upon an A&W restaurant that we just had to have a quick bite first (we do this in every country we go to ever since A&W in Manila disappeared).
Do you know how we planned to get to Petronas Towers? By walking and following the damn Menara Kuala Lumpur!
Menara is the tallest landmark in Malaysia, even towering its neighboring Petronas Towers. Needless to say, if we find Menara it means we're close to Petronas Towers already. Now we know how the 3 kings did it just by following that star to find baby Jesus hahaha.
Let's play a game we shall call follow that Menara.
While following the Menara we came across all sorts of fancy hotels, an Evanescence concert at KL Live and a KL visitor's booth (below) where we finally got a map of the city yay!
Armed with a map, we don't have anything to worry for now.
We're almost there!
We got sidetracked by KLCC's bright lights so we scoured the mall first super quick. Uniqlo store was having a sale at the time where I scored 2 flannels for 600 pesos! Kinokuniya, I wanted to stay longer but I couldn't :(
Finally, we were outside the foot of Petronas Towers and looking up the mighty twin buildings. It was amazing seeing them up close. There's a park fronting Petronas Towers where people get their famous photos taken. We did those too. On our own. Canon timer was our bestfriend that night!
The sariling sikap couple shot
We got back at KL Sentral at around 10.30pm with still ample time before our 11pm departure. We collected our bags in the locker area, did our business in the loo and bought water in a convenience store. After completing all these, we went looking for the gate at Level 2.
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by Train
I know I booked a trip on a really complicated time and aimed for 2 countries despite such a short period of time, I had to make it work. I waited for seat sales to Singapore, unfortunately I only scored a late night return flight to KL from SG. I checked my other options: bus, other airlines or train. I chose the latter.
Taking a sleeper train is an all-new experience for the Cheese and I. I bought our tickets online from http://www.ktmb.com.my/ which I charged to my credit card. I printed it before leaving Manila and presented to the officer at the train station. I tried reserving seats months ahead but the website told me reservation opens 60 days before my departure haha. Excited lang. So I did that, made the reservations 2 months before. Lower bunk bed is more expensive than the top bunk but I don't want to risk any falling from the top bunk so I chose lower bunks for both of us.
Train 25 - Senandung Sutera mainly travels to Singapore and vice versa during nighttime. The ticket said we leave at 11pm but in reality, the train leaves at 11:55 (read this in a lot of blogs too). We will arrive at Woodlands station in Singapore at 6.30 in the morning.
There were so many passengers that night I saw only a few vacant beds, at least on our coach that is. Here's the Cheese and I resting our feet after an afternoon of walking.
Our train experience wasn't bad at all, in fact, I had a really nice and comfortable sleep. I remember I was only jolted out of sleep once when I felt the train was about to derail hahahaha. I kid, I kid. This rail station is actually ancient so don't expect for it to run smoothly and quietly (?!). The Cheese and I were probably too tired to care so we didn't mind. The bed sheets and pillow cases were new though and smells okay so I had no qualms about it.
That ends our first day adventure in KL, you'll read more of it in my next few posts but for now we're off to the Lion City!
