Singapore x Google 2019: DAY 1

Day 1: September 10

Singapore x Google 2019: DAY 1

 Today is the big day! I'm off to Singapore for the 5-day Google Innovator Academy. My brother was kind enough to wake up at around 3AM and drive me to the airport for my 7:40AM flight. I have mixed feelings about this trip as it would be my first time traveling abroad without my wife and daughter. Thankfully, I'm with the QSR team for this event and what's more amazing was that they treated me like family. 

Boarding time! Off to Singapore via Singapore Airlines

Touchdown Changi Airport

Off to Ibis Hotel Singapore at Bencoolen

We boarded Singapore Airlines flight SQ915 and left Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on time and arrived at Changi International Airport at around 10:46AM. 

My room at Ibis Hotel Singapore at Bencoolen...

Was so happy that I had to take a selfie

From the airport, we booked and rode a Grab to Ibis Hotel Singapore at Bencoolen which we'd call home for a few days. We literally just dropped our bags in our rooms and immediately went to the ground floor for a quick lunch at Taste. 

Off to Google Singapore

Well, look at that! Thank you!

Officially at Google HQ Singapore

Nice!

Loving the setup

#SEA19

Had to have that photo with the Google standee

 After lunch, we booked a Grab car to Google Singapore in Mapletree Business City and spent the whole afternoon there. I took the opportunity to explore the venue and familiarize myself with the place. Although I only managed to check out the lower floors of the place. 

Visited Sri Krishnan Temple

Check out the very detailed gopuram

Here's a little sneak peek of what's inside Sri Krishnan Temple

 We returned to Ibis Hotel Singapore at around 7PM but instead of calling it a day, I decided to do a night walking tour around the hotel. My first destination for the night was Sri Krishnan Temple which was just about a minute away by foot from the hotel. It was still open when I got there, so I took the opportunity to check out what's inside it. 

Next stop... Bugis Food Street

Time to check out the Bugis Food Street

Afterward, I headed to Bugis which was about a few blocks away to check out the stores there and maybe buy some souvenirs. I then got a call from my buddy Adrian Cruz that he was at the hotel so I invited him to my night walking tour which he gladly accepted. I went back to the hotel to pick him up and then we proceeded back to Bugis to do some food trip at Bugis Food Street. 

What should I eat? Hmmm...
How about this Kuey Teow with Beef... Looks yummy

 For our food trip, I ordered some fried Kuey Teow with Beef which costs 6 Singapore Dollars. I was planning to order more but I suddenly realized that I was full after finishing the dish. Adrian also felt the same after eating his Hainanese chicken meal so we decided to end our food trip and call it a day.

I just got home! Selfie before calling it a day.

 Overall, it was a full day, but I was warned that the following days would be more tiring, so I mentally and spiritually prepared for it by offering what is to come to God through my prayer that night... A perfect way to end the day. 

Previous: Intro
Next: Day 2


Location: 70 Pasir Panjang Rd, #03-71 Mapletree Business City II, Singapore 117371

Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 9, 2023 at 7:52 AM

    Interesting adventure this time! I'm used to seeing your Japan Diaries but this one is fun as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioAugust 10, 2023 at 8:01 AM

      Thank you! This is just my second time to go to Singapore and I was very busy then so please forgive me if all my adventures are at night.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

Patungan Beach - Cavite

Image
Located in Barangay Sta. Mercedes (Patungan) in Maragondon , Cavite, Patungan Beach is one of the province's little-known beach destinations. It is situated inside Patungang Cove which is south of Mt. Palay Palay which is also known as Pico de Loro . Patungan Beach Patungan Beach Details The area near Patungan Beach is home to about 100 - 200 families, most of which are fishermen hence the alternate name of the barangay - Patungan Fishing Village . According to the locals that I interviewed, their place was once an isolated  barangay , reachable only by boat, horse, or foot. Thankfully, with the completion of the  Nasugbu - Ternate Highway  and  Kaybiang Tunnel , the barangay was finally connected to the province. However, there is still no direct public transportation system that serves the area coming from Manila.  Patungan Beach - Maragondon, Cavite The beach from a distance Check out these photos of Patungan Beach: Just a heads up, ...
Keep reading

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Image
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street.  Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declinin...
Keep reading

Gifu Castle - Gifu

Image
Located in the city of Gifu in Gifu Prefecture, Gifu Castle ( 岐阜城 )  is a mountaintop castle that stands as one of the symbols of the city.  Gifu Castle  ( 岐阜城 ) Gifu Castle History Built by the Nikaido Clan during the Kamakura Period sometime between 1201 to 1204, Gifu Castle was once called Inabayama Castle by its original owners. It was a formidable castle which overlooks the surrounding countryside of then Mino Province. On September 13, 1567, the castle and its defenders under the leadership of Saito Tatsuoki of the Saito Clan came under siege by the numerically superior army of Oda Nobunaga.  Gifu Castle - Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture Gifu Castle as displayed at Mt. Kinka Ropeway Station Make sure to get some brochures at Kinkazan Ropeway Station We rode the ropeway up Mt. Kinka Despite its strategical and strong position on top of Mt. Inaba, the castle still fell to the hands of Oda Nobunaga due to his cunning strategy of sending in si...
Keep reading

Myozenji - Gifu

Image
Located in 679 Ogi-machi, Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture, Myozenji  ( 明善寺 ) is a historic religious establishment found in the historic village of Shirakawago .  Myozenji  ( 明善寺 ) Myozenji History Myozenji Temple was established in 1748 to provide the village people with a place to practice their religion and also to give spiritual protection to the village. For half a century,  the small temple  housed the mo nks who catered untiringly to the spiritual needs of the locals. In 1800, the temple was finally improved with the construction of the main hall, monk's residence, and the bell tower gate. Myozenji - Shirakawago, Gifu Prefecture Myozenji's Hondo Myozenji's bell tower Myozenji is surrounded by nature. Check out this small frog I saw near the temple ...and this lizard too! What makes the Myozenji unique is its thatched roof which uses the same materials as that of the famed gassho-style houses of the village. Like the t...
Keep reading

Embetsu Shrine Revisited Winter 2022

Image
On August 12, 2022 , during my 41st week in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme , my family and I had the pleasure of visiting Embetsu Shrine for the first time as part of our five-day "Drive Up North" Road Trip . Later, on December 22, 2022 , I had the opportunity to revisit the shrine. What made this return visit particularly special was experiencing it during the winter season. Intrigued by how the shrine would be transformed by snow, I made the trip after finishing my duties at Embetsu Agricultural High School . As expected, the shrine exuded a captivating charm, its grounds adorned in a blanket of snow, truly a magical sight to behold. Embetsu Shrine Revisited Winter 2022 Embetsu Shrine details ( Winter ) For those who weren’t able to read my previous article about Embetsu Shrine , you might want to click this 👉 LINK 👈 to read about the history of the shrine. Regardless, here’s a summary of it. Embetsu Shrine - Embetsu town, Hokkaido Prefecture Embetsu Shrine ...
Keep reading

Shoboji and Gifu Daibutsu - Gifu

Image
Located in 8 Daibutsu-cho Gifu City in Gifu Prefecture, Shoboji ( 正法寺 )  is known as the temple which houses one of the three largest Daibutsu or Great Buddha statues in Japan . Shoboji   ( 正法寺 ) Shoboji and Gifu Daibutsu History Officially named Kinpouzan Shobouji (Temple) and also called Shohoji , Shoboji was first established in 1638. It joined the Obaku school in 1692. Although the temple incorporated many aspects of the Obaku school, its architectural style and sacraments are in the Chinese style.  Shoboji - Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture Shoboji as seen from the road Buy your entrance ticket here. It's only 200 yen. Here's what appears to be a tsukubai but could also be a chozubachi or purification font As was already written, Shoboji houses one of the largest statues of Buddha in Japan. It was the 11th head priest of the temple, Ichyuu (Ichu) who planned for the construction of Gifu's Great Buddha in 1790. Sadly, he never saw the completed Bud...
Keep reading

Takayama City - Gifu

Image
Located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture, Takayama City  ( 高山 ) is said to be in the heart of the Japanese Alps. It also currently has the largest geographic area of any municipality in Japan . Takayama City  ( 高山 ) Takayama City History Takayama City is also called Hida-Takayama in reference to the old Hida province and also to differentiate it from other places in Japan with the same name. The name  Takayama  means "tall mountain", probably in reference to the mountains that surround it.  Takayama City's famed Sanmachi Suji Part of the town near the Old Town District as seen from our room in the hotel Walking the streets of Takayama City Crossing the Nakabashi Bridge The history of the creation of Takayama started with its establishment in 1889. During that time, it was the most populous municipality in Gifu Prefecture. In 1936, the town merged with the town of Onada forming the city of Takayama. It continued to grow as it annexed ...
Keep reading

Sapporo Grand Hotel - Hokkaido

Image
Sapporo Grand Hotel ( 札幌グランドホテル ) is a historic 4-star hotel in the heart of Sapporo City. It is located at 4 Chome Kita 1 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Sapporo Grand Hotel Sapporo Grand Hotel details Located in the heart of Sapporo's vibrant Chūō district, the Sapporo Grand Hotel is a testament to elegance and history. Dating back to 1928, the hotel's conception was sparked by Prince Chichibu's vision during a skiing excursion, recognizing the need for Western-style lodging in the city. Four years later, in 1934, its majestic doors swung open, marking the dawn of a new era in hospitality. Sapporo Grand Hotel - Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture Upon its inauguration, the Sapporo Grand Hotel soared as the city's tallest edifice, commanding attention with its imposing stature. Embraced by the Japanese Imperial Army as a strategic locale for military maneuvers in the 1930s, the hotel swiftly became an integral part of Sapporo's land...
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City

Image
10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City Asahikawa City ( 旭川市 ) is the second largest city in Hokkaido Prefecture. Its name came from the misinterpretation of the Ainu name for the Asahi River. The Ainu called it Chiu Pet , which means "River of Waves," but it was misinterpreted as Chup Pet , which means "Sun River," and therefore became known as Asahi River in Japanese. For those planning to visit Asahikawa City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City : Asahikawa Manhole Cover 1. Take a picture of Asahikawa’s unique manhole covers . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole design not counting the special  Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover . Asahikawa Roadside Station 2. Visit  Asahikawa Roadside Station . You can buy souvenirs, eat authentic Asahikawa ramen, and also get the Asahikawa Roadside Station stamp for your stamp collection. As a bonus, you will also find the Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover featuring the Alolan Vulpix, Cubchoo, a...
Keep reading

Nijo Castle - Kyoto

Image
Nijo Castle  ( 二条城 ) is one of the 17 and the only non-temple UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto City. It is l ocated at 541 Nijojocho Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture,   Japan . Nijo Castle  ( 二条城 ) Nijo Castle History Nijo Castle or Nijo-jo is a flatland castle that was constructed under the orders of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu . Construction started sometime in 1601 and was completed in 1603. The castle served as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shoguns since Kyoto remains home to the Imperial Court during those times.   Nijo Castle - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Tokugawa Ieyasu Nijo Castle underwent a large-scale renovation in 1624 during the time of Ieyasu's grandson, Tokugawa Yoshinobu in preparation for the Imperial visit of Emperor Go-Mizuno in 1626. For this event, the Gyoko-goten Palace was constructed for the Emperor. The castle was also expanded to its current size. Stunning wall paintings were also created by painters o...
Keep reading