Wednesday, April 21, 2010

5 Days in Malacca and Singapore

I went home again early this month to take mom to see a doctor in Malacca then to Singapore for a short vacation. The flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong then to Jakarta -both on Cathay Pacific- as always was great especially during the first leg as hubby was flying with me on his way to Manila. Arrived in Jakarta Sunday afternoon, relaxed at home on Monday then onto Malacca early morning on Tuesday. The trip went well and mom seemed to enjoy it. Both mom and I had been to Malaysia and Singapore before so we just took our time and had a very easy and short itinerary.  




Tuesday/April 6: Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia. From Kuala Lumpur airport hired a limo -which is actually a premium taxi- to Malacca. The drive to the historic port city of Malacca was easy and pleasant. About 2 hours later checked into Renaissance Melaka Hotel. Relaxed over afternoon tea at hotel's Famosa Lounge before heading to the hospital. After the hospital visit headed off on an old area around Christ Church. We started the day very early today so decided to forgo the River Cruise and Jonker Street. Rode in a colorful trishaw back to hotel via Chinatown. Dinner at hotel's Olio Italian Restaurant.




Wednesday/April 7: Went back to hospital in the morning then had a late breakfast at the hotel. Mom tried teh tarik and liked it. Hang out in the hotel until noon before leaving for Singapore. Had a pleasant 4 hour bus ride to Singapore. Checked into the Grand Hyatt Singapore early evening, Cakep arrived 30 minutes later. Had a delicious dinner at Crossroads Cafe at Marriott Hotel.




Thursday/April 8: Slept in and had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Took MRT to Chinatown, cooled off with refreshing tea and lunch at Chinatown Heritage Center before heading back to hotel to relax. Dinner at Food Republic.




Friday/April 9: Had breakfast in the hotel then took a taxi to Singapore Botanic Gardens. Spent a couple of hours in National Orchid Garden. Had lunch at Casa Verde inside the gardens before headed back to hotel. Walked around Orchard in the afternoon, tried Singapore Laksa at the Canteen (Shaw Center) then relaxed in the room for the rest of the afternoon. We're all still full by dinner time so we decided to just grab some snack items and teas from the hotel's club lounge.



Saturday/April 10: After breakfast at the hotel, took MRT to Chinatown again. The plan was to explore less-crowded spots of Chinatown so we could enjoy the architecture in the area. Alas it was pouring rain by the time we got off the MRT at the Quatram Park station. We decided to go back to our hotel then walked around Orchard until noon. Checked out from the hotel, took a taxi to the airport then flew back home on ValuAir/Jetstar Asia Airways.