Surviving savoury Singapore with the kids

Going on a family vacation to a foreign country?

Singapore is the perfect place for you and your children. It has Universal Studios, the South East Asia (S.E.A.) Aquarium, the “Wings of Time” lights show, and Legoland Malaysia is a half-hour drive away.

Who doesn’t want to go on an adventure in Singapore! Who doesn’t want to spend quality bonding time with loved ones in this small yet fun-filled country!

Families with small kids, I bet. Parents would rather postpone a trip to Universal Studios until the children have turned into bona fide teenagers.

Because who needs to bring a pram everywhere while in Singapore?! Or a backpack overflowing with water and little children’s favourite snack items?! Throw in the wet wipes for dirtied hands, the small towels to wipe off the perspiration, or the extra clothing for wet-and-wild rides?!

How about the numerous toilet stops one has to make because we all know children cannot hold “it” in?! Or the ungodly tantrums children make when their hungry, sleepy, or when they are simply feeling crappy?!

Well, all that and more made my family’s first trip to Singapore the most exciting, the most frustrating, and the most cumbersome! But I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else because it was also the most fun.

The author with her children at Merlion Park.
Nothing shouts "Singapore" as the Merlion Park. :)

How did we do it? How to survive Singapore with a five- and nine-year old in tow? Here are some helpful tips:

1. PLAN YOUR TRIP – and I don’t mean the places you’re supposed to be visiting while there. This part was all planned out, beforehand, thanks to our ever-helpful and efficient travel agency, Arco Travel and Tours.

DAY 1 was Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, and “Wings of Time”. We had our own private coaster as our mode of transportation for the day. The same one that picked us up from Changi Airport. Park and show tickets, meanwhile, were care of Arco’s Singapore tour agency counterpart. So, we had those concerns out of the way.

a.) I learned that a checked-in luggage meant bringing clothes enough for a five-day travel, including the two-day travel time to and from Singapore, and the extra clothes we needed to carry around, just in case.

I didn’t want to go overboard because I wanted to save enough “baggage space” for the usual “pasalubong”.

Plan, therefore, each of your outfit for each of the day you are there, according to the activities you plan to do for the day.

b.) Universal Studios require light clothing, comfy shoes, a cap, and sunglasses. Singapore is quite humid in January and to our surprise, sunsets happen around 7:00 P.M. What a wonder!

c.) Depending on what you want to do and experience in Universal Studios, but when you are with children, you must start your journey with the “kiddie” shows and “kiddie” rides to keep boredom and possible tantrums at bay.

Prior to our Singapore trip, I did diligent research on the shows and the rides my kids would love and would be allowed to go on because there are rides that have specific height requirements. If you don’t meet the height requirement, you don’t go on the ride.

I didn’t want to be in a situation where I am beside my now-wailing child, who vehemently refuses to get out of the queue, because she really wants to go on “this” ride. For this reason, my husband and I avoided “these” rides.

Thanks to Universal Studios’ website, I was able to come up with a comprehensive list of shows and rides that were a “must” and ones we would all enjoy as a family.

This included Sci-Fi City’s Transformers The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle, which one shouldn’t miss when in Singapore’s Universal Studios. Even my five-year old little girl, the youngest in the group, enjoyed it. You would, too!

d.) Carry around your own water bottles. You and your children must drink water from time to time, even if you don’t feel thirsty. The temperature at the time we were there was unforgiving.

You save up too on “bottled water” purchases because water fountains abound inside Universal Studios. You just refill your water bottles there or drink directly from the fountain and you’re good to go.

e.) Don’t forget to bring from the Philippines your child’s favourite biscuits because they might not like the ones being sold in Singapore’s 7-11 stores or the food in restaurants during meal times.

Don’t take it against you if your child refuses to eat a full meal. Remember, even if your child seems to be enjoying, she could be at the same time stressed out – could be from the walking, the riding, the shows, and the playing.

So, I brought to Singapore through our checked-in luggage a week’s worth of light snack choices that my children love.

Every day that we were out, I would bring along a day’s worth. In this way, they wouldn’t get hungry (and cranky!) while we enjoy our tour, as we wait for the next meal.

The author's children (Paul & Phoebe), after conquering the Puss in Boots' Giant Journey rollercoaster ride at Singapore's Universal Studios.

2. GET ENOUGH SLEEP AND REST – whenever you get the chance!

The downside to promo airfares is that you fly either late at night or early in the morning, which is perfectly fine, except when you have children travelling with you.

Exactly what happened to us; we flew to Singapore from Cebu (a good three-and-half hour) late into the night and touched down very early in the morning. Sleep, therefore, was a precious commodity (and longed for).

Good thing we had a coaster waiting for us, which brought us as fast as it could to our hotel. Accommodation was at the Oxford Hotel.

Thanks again to Arco Travel and Tours for billeting us in the heart of Singapore. The Bugis mall, a 7-11 store, museums, and a church were all but a “walking” distance away.

The hotel staff were most helpful, too. It fast-tracked the check-in process so we could finally get that much-needed rest. We only had a few hours of sleep left, in an actual bed, before DAY 1 begins.

Sleep on a plane seat does not count for a well-rested sleep. I am just thankful though that my children got to sleep quite soundly while in transit. So when I woke them up, as we have arrived, they weren’t cranky.

Thank God, we, three, have my mother’s genes. My mom sleeps just about anywhere when she’s sleepy. The same happens to me and my kids!

Therefore, whenever you have the chance, get some shut-eye. This should refresh you enough to enjoy your tour.

3. ALWAYS CARRY AROUND YOUR PASSPORT – and other travel-related documents (especially if you plan on crossing over to another country).

In our case, DAY 2 was spent in Legoland Malaysia, which meant we had to go through both Singapore and Malaysia’s immigration centres – which meant getting down our vehicle, lining up, and submitting our passports for clearance.

Try not to forget your Disembarkation/Embarkation Card. Place it in a pack together with your passport. Malaysian authorities took our Singapore forms when we entered Malaysia. Then, upon exit, we were made to complete a new one. Better safe than sorry (or left behind).

We also discovered that Malaysia was even more humid than Singapore. So, once again, wear light clothing, comfy shoes, a cap, and sunglasses. Of course, bring along enough Malaysian Ringgit. We had our Singapore Dollars exchanged with the Malaysian currency at a local money changer that our driver recommended (before we reached Legoland Malaysia Resort).

Legoland Malaysia isn’t as big a theme park and isn’t as busy as Singapore’s Universal Studios. Still, it was worth the visit. Park tickets, again, were care of Arco Travel and Tours. Such a hassle-free tour!

The children loved every inch of Legoland because everything was made out of Lego. This was a dream come true for the children, especially our 9-year old boy.

The rides had lesser restrictions. There were 4D shows every 30 minutes. They’ve got a Miniland, which were miniature versions of Asian cities (all made of Lego). Young and old shouldn’t miss this attraction. It has a “Lego-plica” (Lego replica) of the Great Wall of China (another dream destination)!

Now, if you want to get out of the sun, there is the Build & Test building. It is Lego Heaven – both for the kids and the parents! It is air-conditioned and parents are allowed to hang out inside while the children play with all the Legos of all sizes and colours that they could put their hands on.

Food and cold drinks are not an issue in Legoland Malaysia. All these are available within the park at reasonable prices but if you want to sit down, relax, and eat peacefully (without the kids dragging you to the next ride or so), try the Medini Mall beside it.

Memorabilia, meanwhile, are available at The Big Shop. We found out that the Lego toys and figures the resort was selling was cheaper than the ones sold in outlet stores, so your children have a reason to shop ‘til they drop.

For the daredevils, there is The Dragon and The Dragon’s Apprentice rollercoasters.

Finally, to get a bird’s eye view of Legoland Malaysia Resort and the landscape surrounding it, go on the Observation Tower; or if heights aren’t your thing, there is always the Legoland Express – a train that goes around the entire park.

The author with her family at the entrance to Legoland Malaysia. We rode a small van to get to Malaysia. It's that near but still went through immigration so always bring your passports with you.

4. TOUR WITH A LOCAL – or with a cousin who is based in Singapore.

DAY 3 was a “free and easy day”. In tour lingo, that is when you are just free to roam around the city. As much as we wanted to visit all the historical, cultural, and popular Singapore sites, we had limited time. So, if you know anyone in the city, try to ask for a tour ONLY of the must-see places in Singapore. In this way, you don’t feel “deprived” when you leave Singapore. Do these with your children, too:

a.) Ride the train and a double-deck bus. Simply, because we don’t have these kinds of transport here in Leyte. We wanted the children to experience being in one. It was a joy looking at the children enjoying their train and bus rides.

b.) Eat and drink Singapore. This is where the “savoury” part of Singapore comes in.

My cousin, Jun-Jun Pongos and, his wife, Janeth, were such gracious hosts and the coolest tour guides. They bought us Singapore’s famous ice cream sandwich and the children a “Milo Dinosaur”, accordingly Singapore’s national drink.

Then, for lunch and dinner, they took us to “authentic” Singapore food courts. The food in each were to-die for. What is it with spice and noodles – when eaten in another country, it is tastier and more savoury!

c.) Must-see and must-visit places that children and adults would love include: Merlion Park (the original, not the giant version in Sentosa Island), Mt. Faber (via Singapore Cable Car), Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay.

The author with the others in her Singapore tour group and with tour guides Jun-Jun Pongos and wife Janeth (back row, 3rd and 4th from the left).

5. LIVE THE MOMENTS – and enjoy “this” time with your children...

… while they are still young and would still want to go on rides with you

… while they still want to hold hands with you while you watch a “kiddie” show

… while they still want a picture with you in their funniest faces

… and, finally, while they still enjoy being with you, eating ice cream with you, and walking around with you.

A stop here and there for a photo-op is OK but there is no substitute to living in the moment and taking in the genuine joy and laughter that only little children are capable of producing. So, live and enjoy “this” time with your children.

Note: We went on our Singapore-Malaysia trip last January 7-11, 2016. In addition, this article came out of the Eastern Visayas Main in one of its January 2016 issues. You can check out their website at http://www.evmailnews.net/.

The author living the moment with her children, on the way to Gardens by the Bay.