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Universal Studios Singapore [1/2]

All thanks to Uncle Ken and we got the chance to enjoy a “Sneak Preview” at Universal Studios Singapore before the official opening on 18 March 2010 at 8:28am (auspicious timing indeed!).

How to go to the Universal Studios at Resorts World Sentosa?

There are many ways to get there. Perhaps the two more popular choices are as follows:

By Sentosa Express from Vivocity (MRT station: HarbourFront)

You can take the Sentosa Express from Vivocity shopping mall (Level 3, near Food Republic main entrance). Alight at the first station – Waterfront Station and walk to Universal Studios. A ticket costs S$3 and this already includes the admission to Sentosa. You can buy the ticket at the sales counter or pay by Ezlink card. When leaving Sentosa by monorail, there will be no fee charged.

By Bus from Vivocity

Board/ Alight at the bus stop outside Vivocity. It costs S$2 and there will be no fee charged upon leaving Sentosa.

The opening hours of Universal Studios Singapore runs from 9am to 6pm. We were already at the theme park around 9am, eagerly exploring the rides and attractions!

Universal Studios Singapore consists of 7 themed areas: The Lost World, Far Far Away, Madagascar, Ancient Egypt, Sci-Fi City, Hollywood and New York.

Upon entering, we chose the right path to start the day at the theme park!

Sci-Fi City

I think the most exciting ride at the theme park is Battlestar Galactica CYLON (blue track) at Sci-Fi City. The red track is for Battlestar Galactica HUMAN; as the name suggests, it’s more for “human”, so it’s relatively a “milder” ride as compared to CYLON! Both are dueling coasters, which means the two roller coasters will narrowly avoid collisions as they twists and turns!

I guess the majority of us who love the excitement of coaster ride will madly dive into the queue for our first ride in the park. Be forewarned: Try not to take both roller coaster rides consecutively without a short break. We did that to the Dueling Dragons at Universal Studios Orlando and ended up feeling nausea and taking a longer break! In fact, my bro strained his neck after taking CYLON, his first ride and last ride of the day!

Accelerator is about mad spinning, and I’m not into it!

Ancient Egypt

Step into the golden era of ancient Egypt, with huge Egyptian statues looming high over you.

The giant Egyptian guards!

The Egyptian obelisk.

We took the high-speed thrill ride at Revenge of the Mummy. Another exhilarating ride through sharp bends and sudden reverse in the darkness, only to be greeted by fiery fireballs, warrior mummies and other evil-ish stuff!

Another attraction at Ancient Egypt is Treasure Hunters which I didn’t come across. I think it’s a kiddy ride.

There are lockers near the rides for you to keep your belongings before taking the rides. NOTE: each locker is free to use for 30mins, after that the charges are S$2-S$3 per 20-30 mins block onwards, capped at $20 per day. You may want to change locker after each ride.

The Lost World

The Lost World features two themed areas: WaterWorld and Jurassic Park.

Catch the sensational ‘live’ water show with daring stunts and real explosions. It brings the silver screen to life! Check the schedules for the “WaterWorld” show.

The Hero and the Beauty.

Nice grip! And a jump with style!

Obviously, this baldy is the villain with a blind eye.

Lot of gun-firing scenes throughout the show, with stunt men riding on motor boats and splashing water to the first few rows of spectators. Nearing the end of the show, a small plane (prop) caught fire and fell onto the water, followed by a series of explosion. Awesome show, it brings the silver screen to life!

Attractions at Jurassic Park – Rapids Adventure (where you will be tossed and get wet!), Canopy Flyer (gently glide high above and get a bird’s eye view of the surroundings), Amber Rock Climb and Dino Soaring (kiddy ride).

Embark on “an adventure 65 millions years in the making”… with prehistoric dinosaurs.

Cute restroom signs.

Universal Studios water fountain.

New York

World Premiere at Broadway, New York City. Perhaps it wasn’t open during the sneak preview.

Continue on Universal Studios Singapore [part 2] !

Universal Studios Singapore [2/2]

Continued from Universal Studios [part 1/2]

Madagascar

Everyone loves Madagascar! The colourful tropical jungle comes alive with the cute Madagascar heroes dancing gaily to the thumping tunes. This zone is themed to the hit movie Madagascar.

We all took turns to take pictures with the Madagascar gang. Hi Alex!

It takes two to embrace Gloria the hippopotamus!

King Julien XIII, the fun-loving lord of the lemurs in Madagascar!

Two happy gangs.

The flamboyant Puss in Boots!

There are two attractions at Madagascar: King Julien’s Beach Party-Go-Round (kids will love the carousel!) and A Crate Adventure (coming soon).

A Crate Adventure is a boat ride through the world of Madagascar. It’s still not open for rides yet.

Gloria’s Snack Shack.

A fateful ending for the pilot.

A tree stump above the wooden house.

Far Far Away

Attractions at Far Far Away: Shrek 4-D Adventure, Donkey LIVE, Enchanted Airways and Magic Potion Spin.

We watched Shrek 4D Adventure in the fairytale castle. Wear the 3D glasses provided, watch and physically feel the action from where you are seated as the fairytale adventure begins.

Shrek and Princess Fiona!

Hollywood

Hollywood attraction: Pantages Hollywood Theater. The indoor theatre hosts “Monster Rock” in a rock ‘n roll musical. Shop ’til you drop at Hollywood Boulevard and come face to face with the famous celebrities!

Who knows, someone famous is stalking you!

You turn and see this green face.

He introduces himself as Dr. Frankenstein…

and he lost his way in Hollywood Boulevard…

Chic Betty Boo in her iconic hairstyle!

The comical Charlie Chaplin.

The Universal Studios Store at Hollywood offers the largest variety of collectibles, apparel and toys.

Popcorn vintage car.

Here in Hollywood, also the entrance and exit of the theme park.

Get your favourite Hershey’s chocolates outside the entrance of the Universal Studios.

More photos in Universal Studios [part 1/2] !

We visited Universal Studios Orlando in Florida, USA during summer in 2007. Check out photos taken from Universal Studios Orlando.

Night scenes around Singapore

Happy 2010! Long waited for this post my friends! I just came back from Penang, yes… spent my New Year in Penang. These shots were taken with Pentax K-X on Christmas and before New Year in Singapore. We had a fun time hopping around the city with our Penang relatives.

Somehow, I still prefer the Christmas lights along Orchard in 2008. There were bigger and brighter decorations about the “Sweets Family” back then.

Colourful decorative lights along Orchard road last Christmas.

The giant Christmas tree standing at Raffles City.

I was also pretty lucky to win 3 tickets for the Singapore Flyer from a Christmas party! Or perhaps, Melissa was lucky. Who would expect to win 3 tickets instead of just a pair? A ticket costs S$29.50 for a 30 mins flight on the world’s largest observation wheel.

Up, up and away! Quite an awesome skyline view of the city area and the waterfront architecture. The blue illuminating dots are just floating balls on the water surface that reflected the blue light shine on them.

Singapore Flyer capsules.

Photo of Singapore Flyer taken with slow shutter speed.

It’s light doodling time! We were once Angels by the sea …

I blogged about this attraction before in Aug 2008 – Merlion Park. Not much difference except you see the tall buildings of the Integrated Casino Resorts that are still under construction. The project is slated to complete in April this year, maybe?

The skyline of Singapore city.

Esplanade in the background. The tall building is the 5-star luxury Swissotel the Stamford, one of the tallest hotels in Southeast Asia.

The iconic feature of Singapore – the Merlion, with a starburst!

Alright, the fifth photo with the Merlion, pretty “Merlion-obsessive” today.

That’s the Integrated Casino Resorts behind the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, the longest bridge in Singapore.

Clarke Quay at the Singapore River waterfront. I blogged about Clarke Quay before in 2008 too!

Riverside Point.

Reversed Bungy. One jump at S$45!

The Central mall.

The Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City, designed according to Feng Shui. At certain periods, when the giant fountain is turned off, visitors can walk towards the centre and around the smaller fountain for good luck. You would be surprised for the long queue at times! There is laser show at night and everyone can dedicate laser messages via the computer screen at the entrance of the fountain. I wanted to key in “Travelerfolio” in the message but we all wasted too much time giggling away while inputing the message and the connection timed out.

Read Singapore Snows!

Hope you have a great start of the year! I’ve more updates soon. See you again!

Posted by eunice Posted in Attractions, Singapore Comments (10)

Singapore Snows

It doesn’t snow everywhere in Singapore. At certain times in December, it snows at Tanglin Mall. It snows BUBBLES!

You can tell how much the kids love the “snow” play. They are going gaga over “snowing frenzy”!

Obviously, the HARDCORE one… facing directly at the bubble blowhole!

Hey raincoat kid, that’s a smart move.

The adults are loving it too.

And drivers get free bubbles car wash.

You still need to clean up the bubbles, just like shoving the snow!

Washing area for the bubble-kids.

Where on earth is Tanglin Mall?

163 Tanglin Road. The mall is located at the junction of Tanglin Road & Grange Road. You know it’s in Singapore right?

Snow sessions in Tanglin Mall. Until when? I’m not sure. But some say it’s until 31st Dec.

Snow: 7.30pm & 8.30pm daily (subject to weather conditions)

Nearest MRT: Orchard station.
Cross to Borders and walk straight down the stretch of malls until you reach Tanglin Mall. It takes about 15 mins walk. Ask around if not sure.

The open-top sightseeing Hippo tour bus for tourists.

Merry Christmas!

Posted by eunice Posted in Festivals & Events, Singapore Comments (16)

Meet A-Mei & the Browns [3/3]

Starry Starry Night! Got the privilege to snap as much as we like at the media room during F1 Rocks Concert! Few of us waited eagerly for the Pop Diva A-Mit Zhang Hui Mei to walk into the room. As the Diva appeared, she coolly posed before the cameras. She’s just so freaking awesome! *Screammmm!*

Still not used to calling her A-Mit. A-Mei rocks! “Pose for me!”

Her complexion is seemingly flawless! But she had red, bloodshot eyes that night.

A-Mei with Havana Brown, Australia’s top female R&B DJ.

Sexy lady = drooling man.

Oops I dunno how that look of disgust ended up in the storage card.

“Strikingly-amazed” look. Hey, can anyone tell us what’s on that face?

阿密特 A MIT – 黑吃黑 at F1 Rocks (Warning: inferior quality!) *It’s BULLSH**T!*

And I won’t want to miss a shot with Mr Brown! He’s the Blogfather of Singapore OK! No joke! Do we look like bro n sis?

So now you know the two Browns: Havana Brown and Mr Brown.

Oh ya! HAPPY CHILDREN’S DAY!

Read Singapore F1 Rocks [1/3] and F1 Rocks [2/3] | Also, F1 Night Race!

Like my posts? Please VOTE for TravelerFolio now! Thank U!

Posted by eunice Posted in F1 Rocks, Singapore Comments (6)

F1 Rocks Concert [2/3]

What a high octane weekend! I have been busily updating this site with the most recent F1 racecar photos and videos taken from Singapore F1 Night Race… and still have many photos of A-mei taken from the F1 Rocks Concert media room yet to be published!

OK! Here is a continuation from F1 Rocks [1/3]. Photos and videos of the F1 Rocks Concert featuring JackyCheung, A-Mei (A-Mit), Sodagreen and Da Mouth rocking the night away.

Warning: Low Quality Videos!

Guess who’s this guy with the long grey wig? It’s Jacky Cheung 张学友! He was sorry to make us wait for at least 35mins when everyone was feeling high after the popstar diva A-mei’s performance, due to technical issue.

Jacky said he was aiming to look like a rock star, and his hair should cover his face most of the time. I don’t quite like it cos I couldn’t see his face clearly! Seems to me that he just wanted to cover up his face for some reasons But it doesn’t matter cos he’s a great singer!

A video that combines two Cantonese love songs by Jacky Cheung. I was standing too near to the speaker so the sound quality isn’t good. I got “blasted” at the end of the concert and thought I was temporarily deaf in one ear.

掉了 by 阿密特 (張惠妹): She is called A-Mit now. So what about A-Mei 阿妹? Maybe she doesn’t want to be called 阿妹 (little sister) as she grows older.

阿密特(張惠妹) A-Mit . Dunno what’s the title of this song. It’s a half done video.
Warning: Low Quality!

A-mei joined Jacky Cheung for the second last song. Dunno what song is that but they were dancing affectionately and playfully.

Some special stage effects during Jacky’s performance.

This shot of sexy Aisha from Da Mouth – the Taiwanese Hip-hop band was snapped by LG GC900 Viewty Smart! I didn’t edit the quality (eg. contrast/color) of this photo. Frankly speaking, what kind of picture quality do you expect with your handphone camera if you were to take photos of dancers and singers hip-hopping around the stage that was at some distance away from you?

LG’s Viewty has done a good job with its 8 megapixel camera. The photos of the Superstars taken with Viewty are reasonably good and clear enough to get some envious looks from my friends who didn’t make it to F1 Rocks!

Da Mouth 大嘴巴 (Warning: Low quality video, half done!)

Sodagreen 苏打绿

Sodagreen 狂热 / Kuang Re Video (Warning: Low quality video, half done!)

The grand finale of the rock concert with all the pop stars at the stage singing “Heal the World” to commemorate the late King of Pop – Michael Jackson.