After a few month of planning and decision making. My colleagues and I, decided to spend our summer outing to the Lion City: Singapore. So let me share you our Journey to the Lion City: Singapore.

Day 1

It was a great day. The sun is up and the sky is clear. One by one, my colleagues and I excitedly greeted each other as we entered our office and asking if our stuffs are complete. Doing our daily work and somehow noticing the time went pass by as it increases our excitements. After our daily work, we quickly get a ride and went to the airport. Everyone was very excited since its their first time riding a plane and some will have their first time trip internationally. I, myself is also excited, even if it is not my first going abroad.

Three of my colleagues and I arrived first in the airport, and a few minutes later the others arrive. We went pass the first security and quickly went to the airport desk to claim our flight ticket following all proceedures need for us to board. Since we still have time left before the scheduled boarding time, we ate first and exchange our pesos to singaporian dollars. After all that, it is now time to board the plane. Everyone is on-board and really excited, looking for their seats and checking out the windows. As the airplane went high up in the sky and so as our excitement.

Going to the airport

Inside the airplane

After a few hour of travel. We finally made it to the Lion City. We decided to roam around the huge airport for a while. Taking pictures here and there. Thankfully knowing that we safetly arrive to Singapore.

Arrival at Changi Airport

After roaming around the airport for a while, we went out and grab our ride going to the place where we will stay. We were amazed how fast our rides goes and the minimal traffic they have in Singapore. After arriving at our place of stay. We quickly prepared our stuffs for the next day and finally turning in.

Day 2

After finishing our preperations, we head out and planned to get our tourist pass. This enabled us to ride in the train station and in the bus stops for the whole duration of the trip. Good thing in the location of our stay, it was near both the bus stop and the train station. We went to acquire the pass in the nearest station but sadly they don't have it. So we acquire a single journey ticket and went to Central station to acquire it, we purchased it around S$30, this will be good for 3 days and with unlimited rides. As a tourist, this is advisable to have if you plan to roam around using Singapores' transport system.

After acquiring the pass, it is now the time to go to main event of the day, UNIVERSAL STUDIO SINGAPORE! so we went to the nearest bus stop and ride different busses going to USS.

Waiting for the next bus to USS

Unluckily, as we go near the bus stop where we should drop down, my GPS went on skipping, since the bus stop is in the underground. So I thought there is another stop before we go down the bus. But lately realizing there is no other bus stop, so the bus went out and we waited for it to stop to the next bus stop and walked our way back to Universal Studio. Finally we had arrived and took alot of pictures and also do ride the attractions. We did ride their most of their famous attractions like, galactica, The Mummy, Transformers and many more. Be sure check them out if you plan to visit USS.

Universal Studio Globe	Transformers
Galactica	The Mummy

Day 3

Feeling excited and ready to see the wonders of the city. We headed first to the one of the famous destinations in Singapore, the Merlion park. We tooked a lot of pictures by the Merlion statue and the marina bay sand building. After that, we claimed our ticket to enjoy the wonders of the beautiful Gardens by the bay.

We went first to the SuperTree Grove and walked in the OCBC Skyway to see most of the parts of Marina bay, Singapore. After some pictures, we head out and see the different exhibits in the Flower Dome and went to the CloudForest where we experienced the misting of the flower. We were so amazed how they maintain and took care the different Species of plants in both the Flower Dome and in the Cloud Forest. I would like to recommend it if you want to somehow feel the nature.

Merlion	Marina bay tower
Super Tree

After enjoying nature in the busy community of Singapore. We tried to spend the remaining time of the day to went Shopping for souvenirs for our love ones and friends. So we went to find some shops. We end up buying in Lucky Plaza in Orchard road, Singapore.

After a long, adventurous and fun day touring the City. We drop by the hostel to lay down our souvenirs and headed to see Haji lane. We went pass thru and were suprised to see different decorations in the establishments and also saw different nationalities having fun, drinking beer, singing and dancing. Since it was late that time and we don't what to be late to tomorrow's flight back to the Philippines, so we took some pictures then head back to take some rest.

Haji Lane

Day 4

It is now time to go home. After finishing packing our stuffs, we went to the train station going to Changi Airport. Since we had some spare time, we went to see the famous indoor waterfall in Changi Airport. After taking some pictures and videos. We head to check-in our things and proceed to eat our lunch before going to our designated airport gate. We embarked on the play and went back to the Philippines, and we brought back one of the best souvenirs that you can have. Its the experiences and fun that we had during this journey to the Lion City: Singapore. We know its just short, but more important is that we had fun.

Here is a short video to summarize this wonderful journey.

Mt. Maculot is one of the beginner mountain hiking spot in the Philippines.
The major jump-off point is the Mountaineer’s Store located at Barangay 7 "Siete", Cuenca, Batangas.
You can have yourself prepared at the store which you can eat and change your clothes before the hike.

THE STARTING POINT

It was about 9 o'clock in the morning when we start hiking.
At first, we need to walk on the cement road until you reach the street sign pointing to Mt. Maculot.

The street sign. © Niño R. Ricon

We are accompanied by a local guide for safety and guidance while we are hiking the mountain.

The team together with our local guide. (fifth from the right)

© Niño R. Ricon

There are three destinations when you traverse Mt. Maculot - the Rockies (706 MASL), the Summit (930 MASL), and the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (510 MASL).
See Google Maps{:target="_blank"}

Unfortunately, we only reached the summit and the Rockies since we do not have enough time and majority of us are first timers.

THE TRAIL

Trail going to the campsite.

The trail become steeper as we go along.

A beautiful scene at the background.

THE CAMPSITE

It was 11 o'clock in the morning when we arrived at the campsite.
The Rockies will be your destination from the left and the Summit from the right.

The summit behind us.

We decided to take the summit first since there are many people in the Rockies taking their photo opportunity.

The trail was muddy and lots of thorn plants.

Entrance to the summit.

THE SUMMIT

We reached the summit around 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
Rewarding scene awaits when we reach the summit of Mt. Maculot.
You can see the view of Taal Lake and you can feel the wind that makes you relax from the uphill journey.

The Taal Volcano.

Photo opportunity at the summit.

We started to descent back to the campsite to continue our journey in the Rockies.

THE ROCKIES

The Rockies.

The Rockies was the most challenging part since you have to climb the very steep rocks in order to reach the top.

We reached the top around 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon. Scenes are breathtaking when you reach the edge of the rocks.

At the top of the Rockies.

At the edge of the Rockies. © Niño R. Ricon

After the photo opportunity in the Rockies, we are now heading back towards the entry point.
Everyone must be carefully going down because you might slide off the trails due to slippery sand.

We reached the Mountaineer’s Store around 6 o'clock in the evening. We clean ourselves and rest for a while before going back home.

That was a great experience to embrace the nature and escape out of work for a while.

"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves" - Edmund Hillary