It was surreal. The atmosphere, air, intensity, excitement; and then it stopped. Why? Well, because I started to get bored. I mean what would you do for 6 hours on a plane? Stare at the airhostess-sure, but for how long?
Considering that I went to Singapore during the ending of July, this article seems to be a bit late. All I can say is that I was collecting my thoughts about what to write. It was such an exquisite trip that I simply do not know where to begin…
To bring you up to speed, our college, i.e. St. Francis Institute of Management and Research (SFIMAR) decided to take the students of the 2010-2012 batch on an international industrial visit. Being a young lad who never travels out of the country very often, I was pretty excited about it. In fact the excitement started a week before the actual leaving for the trip. Most of my friends received SMS countdowns from me until D-Day.
All excited before we take off for Singapore
17th July: The start of the whole trip. I still remember that day as if it was yesterday. We were to board the Kingfisher flight scheduled for takeoff at 11.05pm. Walking through the airport gave us goose bumps as we realized we were so close to EXUBERANCE. Finally we got on the flight and you should have seen the expressions on the faces of everyone else onboard. They were so shocked with all the chatter and seat switching happening with the SFIMAR crowd. Finally, the wheels of the bus went round and round… oops I mean the plane… and we were off. It was surreal. The atmosphere, air, intensity, excitement; and then it stopped. Why? Well, because I started to get bored. I mean what would you do for 6 hours on a plane? Stare at the airhostess-sure, but for how long?
18th July: We finally landed at Changi Airport in Singapore at 6a.m. local time. Now if you are planning a visit to a foreign country, I must suggest Singapore as even the airport is simply fabulous. The photos below show you exactly what I mean.
A well constructed airport, for all to visit and see
At Changi airport, standing in front of some huge structure which seemed to serve no purpose
Changi Airport – such a beautiful sight, great architecture and sweet aromas
Our first stop of business was to visit Singapore management university (SMU). Simply put, SMU is an architectural marvel. It is six buildings that are connected underground!! Can you believe that! Underground!
Our first stop of business was to visit Singapore management university (SMU). Simply put, SMU is an architectural marvel. It is six buildings that are connected underground!! Can you believe that! Underground! There is even a dance studio underground. After learning everything possible about SMU and their curriculum, we checked into our hotel (or what I thought would be my hotel… will be explained later on). In the afternoon, we went for a tour of the city and what a tour it was. As you can see from below, we went on a Ferris wheel called the Singapore Flyer, and what a flyer it was. I got to see the F1 track as well as a bird’s eye view of the Merlion (mermaid and lion, in case you were wondering). Finally after a lot of sightseeing and getting exhausted at the end of the day, we finally arrive for dinner.
A fantastic university to visit, catering to the needs of thousands of students from all over the world
A wonderful way to travel – via the cable car ride
All of us waiting for the Singapore Flyer to take us up into the clouds
Such gandeur, such a spectacle. The giant Ferris wheel lets you take in all the beautiful sights.
Singapore flyer was one of the best visits we went on. A really beautiful and marvelous way to take in the sights of the city
The Merlion is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, used as a mascot and national personification of Singapore
That’s Sonia posing near the Merlion, a symbol of the Singaporean culture and prestige
A great view of the city from where the Merlion is situated
Some of the guys taking in the sights in Singapore
Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las Vegas Sands (LVS), it is the world’s second most expensive building, at US$ 5.5 billion, including the cost of the prime land.
Me trying to pick up the hotel just like Popeye would!
Continued in Part II, check it out!
This post was written by Alvito Cabral, a blogger, piano plonker, big hug giver, visionary, aspiring entrepreneur and adventurer.