Health update

Will be on a short or (maybe) a long blogging break.

Tooth ache which started 2 days before my Singapore trip is acting up again.

Swollen gums, tooth abscess and left side of my face is swollen.

Can't eat, swallow.

Miserable.

I was given antiobiotics for the swelling to subside. 

But a root canal,  and a molar and wisdom tooth extraction is imminent.

Lord, have mercy!

OCBC Skyway and Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Singapore is located near the equator so its climate is a combination of tropical weather (aka really scorching hot) with high humidity, and abundant rainfall.

Towards the end of our Botanic Gardens visit, it rained really hard. Since we were pressed for time and wanted to catch the Hop on Hop off bus arrival, sister dearest and I made a mad dash for the exit. Sharing just one tiny umbrella, we made it to the bus stop totally drenched from the rain and the huge amount of sweat from exploring the Botanic Gardens. Good thing, we brought extra clothes to change into at our next destination.

The Gardens by the Bay is a nature park spanning 101 hectares with several attractions. Make sure to visit the Gardens by the Bay website to check the schedule of the attractions because they are certain days each month when they are closed for maintenance. 

Entrance to the Gardens by the Bay complex is FREE.

Ticket prices: OCBC Skyway 14.00 SGD; Supertree Observatory 14:00 SGD

Our first stop was at the OCBC Skyway, a 128 meters long airway between two Supertrees, suspended 22 meters above ground. I don't have a fear of heights so I was fine. Until the airway would shake, whenever there is a strong wind or when people walk heavily on the canopy walk. So while I enjoyed the lovely view from up there, I wanted to leave after just a few minutes. LOL

Then it was time to go down for the Garden Rhapsody show. A spectacular light and sound 10-15 minutes show, which happens twice nightly at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM.

My favorite part is going up the Supertree Grove Observatory and seeing the skyline of Singapore at night. You take an elevator then climb several flights of stairs to get to the top of the observation deck. It was quite windy up there! A great way to end a long day of communing with nature. =)

Singapore Botanic Gardens

In the four years that we lived in Singapore, we never visited the Botanic Gardens. So it was on top of our lists of places to visit. 

Entrance to the Botanic Gardens is FREE. The National Orchid Garden or Orchidarium 15.00 SGD.

Highly recommended!   

April 10, 2024: San Agustin Museum and Bahay Tsinoy

After we were done with the Intramuros Open House tour, we went to the San Agustin Museum, located adjacent to the 16th century San Agustin Church, the oldest church in the Philippines. 

The museum filled with religious artifacts, antique pieces of furniture, carvings, large paintings, ancient manuscripts, even an extensive collection of flora and fauna documentation is a sight to behold. A vast collection of well preserved treasure trove established and maintained by the Order of Augustinian friars, one of the first Christian missionaries to settle in the Philippines. 

Entrance fee is 200 pesos.

The 16th century San Agustin Church - the oldest
stone church in the Philippines

The remains of artist Juan Luna is buried in the crypt section
of the San Agustin Museum

Around two blocks away is Bahay Tsinoy: Museum of Chinese in Philippine Life. Finally, it was open after we tried several times in the past to visit. The display is housed in a loft style setting that depicts the saga of the Chinese settlers who made our nation, their home. 

Entrance is 100 pesos.

Way before the Spanish colonizers came to our land, the Chinese merchants engaged in the barter trade. Sangley as the Chinese were called by Spain were separated and forced to live in miserable conditions in a compound named Parian. Due to the oppression, several Chinese rebeled against the Spanish. The Parian massacre or the Sangley Rebellion in 1603 led to the slaughter of 20,000 Chinese by the Spanish forces. A dark chapter in our history.

10 April 2024: Intramuros Open House

When I saw this on Intramuros Administration's FB page, I immediately informed the hubby. The data gathering for his thesis is still in full swing so we grabbed the opportunity to visit 4 museums for free.

Don't forget to vote for Intramuros, you still have time! 

We parked at a vacant lot about one block away because the street in front of Fort Santiago was closed for road repairs. Actually, this is my third or fourth time to visit this national monument. There are several interesting places within Fort Santiago such as the Rizal museum, the dungeons, the ruins, the cannons and the vast park. 

Next stop - Casa Manila is a two storey museum that portrays the lifestyle of an affluent Filipino family during the Spanish colonial period. It is located right across the famous San Agustin Church. I visited this museum before the pandemic but it is always a pleasure to see the ancient style of housing from the Spanish period.

After a quick lunch at Barbara's, we walked to Museo de Intramuros. An ecclesiastical museum housed in the reconstructed San Ignacio Church and convent. A three storey fully airconditioned edifice with an extensive collection of religious artifacts. This was our second visit to this museum.

We then took a pedicab for 40 pesos to Baluarte de San Diego. The oldest stone fort in Manila was originally known as the Torre de Nuestra Senora de Guia (Our Lady of Guidance). A circular tower that was a vital part of the fortification of the walled city of Intramuros. This bastion was designed by Jesuit priest Fr. Antonio Sedeno. This was my first time to set foot in this fort, be careful when climbing the steep stairs. 

The whole of Intramuros is best explored on foot. Do wear comfy walking shoes and clothes of light materials so it can absorb the beads of perspiration from the humid, warm weather. Intramuros never fails to dazzle and mesmerize with its historical charm. =)