How often do you travel: at least once a month

She has enthusiastically accepted my request to feature her and a my big thanks goes to her for that. Below is how she describes her travel lifestyle and how she enjoys it.

"I travel to explore places and realize the beauty of the world. I travel to have fun and enjoy every single minute of the trip. I travel to take photos and make memories. I travel to meet new and old friends to celebrate friendship. I travel to visit an audit client and continuously discover the art of my job as an Internal Auditor. Most of all, I travel because I love to. Traveling to different places has been one of my wildest dreams ever since. I even thought of posting both Philippine and World maps on my room's wall and highlight the places I had been to. Funny idea of a 21-year old Filipina, isn't it?  I am a part-time photographer, amateur blogger and an aspiring bestselling bookshop owner."

How often do you travel: Average of twice a month. Aside from having the love for traveling, my work requires me to. so yeah, I have that travel bug in my heart.

Where do you usually travel to: Mostly, places within my home, Philippines. But I'd love to hit an international vacation trip, once a year maybe?

Preferred mode of travel: Airplanes. I love how a smooth plane ride allows me to read a book or hover a mag.

Best journey from airport to city: Singapore Airport to Chua Chu Kang via Taxi Cab driven by Uncle driver. His sing-lish accent was amazing. I can't even understand what he was saying. haha! But he was really kind and hospitable.

Best Airport: Singapore Airport.

Best food in the air: My favorite, Cup Noodles!

Most comfortable airline seats: No kind of airline, in particular. However, I'm mostly comfortable on window seats and on seats where a baby or a kid sits near me.

Best luggage: An Echolac navy blue trolley given by my Dad. I love its compartments and the way it can be extended when I want to bring in my whole cabinet for a trip. haha!

Best tip for staying fit while travelling: Bring some chips and a bottle of water during your trip (although, I'm still striving to make this thing a habit). There is no assurance you can take meals on time.

Essential travel gadgets: MP3 Player, mobile phone, my lumix camera, computer mini-speakers the boyf gave me, and a book. Yes, a book is a gadget for me. :)

Best City/Country to travel to: So far, it's Boracay (when you talk about beaches) and Singapore (when you plan to ramp in a city)

Best drink on the ground: Well-done Avocado Juice at Bugis Junction, Singapore

Best food on the ground: Chili Crabs at D' Talipapa Market, Boracay, Philippines

What to wear while travelling: Since i get cold, easily especially on planes, I wear socks + sneakers, pants, shirt/blouse. Riding a plane without bringing a jacket/cardigan is a suicide(that's an exaggeration!). Plus, my eye shades are always in my hand bag so I can wear it anytime I want.

What not to forget: Plane tickets, ID/Passport, business cards and a travel bug.

Tips when in the airport: Put your boarding pass in a place where you can easily snatch it when some airport officers ask for it. Also, whisper a little prayer for a safe air trip before boarding on the plane.

Sandra has a blog at http://gypsydoodles.wordpress.com/ and she is the better half of our previous road warrior Jeff Garban.

We can start the day with a visit to the Singapore Art Museum(SAM), then cross the street behind the Singapore Management University is the National Museum, if you still have time, walk to the left, cross the Fort Canning tunnel and end the day with a visit to the Peranakan Museum.

To get to the Singapore Art Museum, take the MRT, make your way to the Circle Line(Yellow) and alight at the Bras Basah MRT station. Follow the signs to the exit nearest Singapore Art Museum. The National Museum is just across SAM. Just cross the street and your there. Do make sure to be early as you will need a lot of time to fully absorb the interactive sights and sounds experience on the history of Singapore at the National Museum. Both Museums have a open/free to all schedule but these are after 5pm on a specific day or on International Museum Day and other events, check out their websites for more information. If you still have time after that, head towards your right and cross the Fort Canning Tunnel, a couple of meters and you will be at the Peranakan Museum. After that, you can head towards the SMRT Headquarters and across that will be Raffles City and the City Hall MRT station below.

Also on this area is the St. Joseph’s Cathedral and across that is Chijmes. These are beside SAM. Across Raffles City is St. Andrews, City Hall and the Padang. If you want a good view of the City, you can also go exit from the back of the National Museum or take the escalator on the outside left of the building towards Fort Canning Park, this fort also has much history and a good walking experience, I’d say a late afternoon to early night would be a good time to visit. The Battle Box on Fort Canning is also a good adventure, the World War 2 headquarters of for the defence of Singapore, a networked underground structure used by the British and Malayan forces.

The next day, you can head on to the Peranakan Museum and a couple of meters on it’s left side is the National Archives and the Singapore Philatelic Museum. A good couple of hours can be wasted on those two. After which, head on down towards the Fire Station to their Civil Defence Heritag Gallery inside the Central Fire Station. You can then head on down towards the river and Clarke Quay, follow it down stream passing by the Parliament, Boat Quay and then Asian Civilizations Museum. Also on this site is the landing site of Sir Stamford Raffles and Cavenagh Bridge. Across the bridge is the Fullerton Hotel and on the mouth of the river is the Merlion and Esplanade. The Asian Civilizations will take half a day to digest and on your way home, you can pass through the back towards City Hall and the Padang, which are sights to behold themselves and take the train on the City Hall MRT station.

Unlike my previous trip, I did not, was not or just plainly too lazy to make a detailed itinerary. I however was able to research some of the sites the family must go to and experience. This included the world famous Singapore Zoo. I'll make another post on some of the other things we did in Singapore on my future post.

My borther-in-law was able to secure us a Zoo Membership card which entitled us to free entrance and discounts to food establishments inside the zoo, Yahooo ! Singapore also has a reputation of being an expensive City, so every dollar saved is very well welcomed. 

The Zoo is in the middle of the island, in near the part of the City they call woodlands. We stayed with my bro at Jurong so it was near the zoo, just a couple of stations by MRT and a bus ride. Before going, I thought we could stay at the Zoo until 4 or 5 and move on to CBD at night, my I was wrong on that plan. We got off at Choa Chu Kang MRT station and on the adjoining bus station took the 927 Bus, you can't miss the Zoo.

TIP : Get the EZlink card, it works for the MRT, Bus and some establishments like Mcdonalds and 7eleven. Transport prices are cheaper using this and it saves the hassle of carrying and paying in coins.

We arrive at the Zoo a little before lunch, the entrance to the Zoo merited a couple of photo sessions as it was magnificent. before going in, a couple of food establishments were open one of which that caught my eye was Ben and Jerrys, the ice cream I missed most from the states, It turns out, the Singapore Zoo branch was the first in Southeast Asia. Since it was almost lunch, we ate lunch and KFC, as expected no rice, ok for me but for my wife and in-laws it was the contrary, good thing we packed rice just for lunch.

Going into the Zoo we were immediately greeted by birds of different species while on their feeding time, a great photo opportunity. While on the left side was the Zoo gift shop, but we saved the gift shop time as our last  experience for our Zoo visit. We first saw some Crocodiles that were huge, but we had those here so we immediately moved onto the next.

Next stop was the tigers, a bit far from the viewing deck and separated by a ravine, I guess for our protection. They were just lounging around and glancing at us from time to time, what magnificent animals they were. Next on the trail were the Pygmy Hippo's, at first, we could not find them among the rocks, it turns out, they had their backs(ass) facing us and it kinda looked the same as the rocks(hahaha). 

The Kangaroos on the Australian Outback section of the Zoo was great, too bad the feeding time was in the afternoon so we just gazed at the kangaroos, their was also a torn jeep where visitors could have their photo taken making the entire scene more outback feeling.

We then hurriedly went to the Birthday pavilion as their was a Animal Friends Show, we had to cut across the trails to get their on time. This was on the newest section of the Zoo, the Kidzworld, one of the great things on this section is that their was a KFC and Ben and Jerry's, this was a good opportunity to get some ice cream while watching the show. The show itself was not as spectacular but the actors and the animals played their part well.

We then went to the Rainforest fights back show at the Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre, this show was more elaborate and where participated by more interesting animals. A couple of birds, otters, monkeys and others with a very colorful performance by a peacock. Next show on the itinerary is the Elephants of Asia, highly recommended by our host. It is advised to stay in the middle but not too far in front as the elephants perform activities using large logs, there is a possibility of getting wet. 

TIP : For the shows, get to the venue early as good seats get scooped up fast.

We enjoyed the Elephants, amazing creatures. Last show on the list is the Splash Safari at the Splash Amphitheatre. It was a mini-version of what  you get to see at Ocean Park Hong Kong but it was more intimate. Starred by a dugong and a Sea Lion. Photo Opportunity with the sea lion at the end of the show for everyone. Great show, a must for visitors.

This was the last show and we decided to take it easy and stroll at a slower pace. We went through the butterfly walk, my in-laws tried to look for the butterfly's in vain, I had to break it to them that this was a section where fauna conducive for butterfly's where placed but it's not a guarantee there will be butterfly's. We then saw a couple of primates and a couple of Orang Utan's in the section where they where free to move around, even on top of the trail's, watch out as they do their thing, you might get wet below. Remember to always look up.

We then went to gaze at the Rhino's, Ostrich, Cheetah, Zebra and the one of the best, the Lions. A couple of reptiles inside smaller trails but the Lion was the best. Just like the Tigers earlier, a ravine separated us. One of the off animals but equally interesting and magnificent was the Polar Bear, in a ice cold chamber.

Next thing we knew, it was almost 6 and we decided to take the River Boat Ride to get back near the entrance of the zoo, a nice way to cap off a day in the Zoo. Before going out, it was the right opportunity to spend some time at the gift shop.

Since, it was already 6, we decided not to go to the CBD and spend the evening at the Night Safari. Just across the Zoo. Too bad our free pass did not cover the night safari but since we were already there, might as well make the visit complete and save us the time of going back just for the safari.

The Night Safari is one of the unique things we could experience and truly a one of a kind in Asia. A couple of photo opportunities on the entrance, and more shops to buy gifts and food. First on the Agenda is the Creatures of the Night show. A good one and a must for visitors. A little bit like the Rainforest Fights Back show  at the Zoo but this time featuring creatures of the night. One interesting part is a reptile which is part of the show which gets lost, be sure to look under your seats(hahaha).

After the show, it was dinner time, We ate at Bongo Burgers which gave us a good view of the tribal performance, specially with the fire eating part of the show. After which, a hop on the tram for a guided tour of the entire park with good and informative commentary of the animals. The tram stops in the middle of the safari and you get a chance to go on a trail. 

TIP : Bring a flash light

The trail is dark quite and gives you a feeling that you are really in the middle of a safari. A couple of interesting animals on the trail and is a must for a complete safari experience. After which, continue on with the Tram tour.

After the Tram, we decided not to go through the other walking trails and just go home. What a tiring but fun day.

Flight Schedule

Try not take the last flight if you plan to take the public transport system on your destination. This goes for the first flight also, as most airports will be at a good distance away from the City proper, most public transports like taxis only go to the airport if they are bringing someone to depart.

Luggage

I prefer a backpack but for longer stays in the metropolis, a trolley bag will come in very handy.

Food

Most hotels come with free breakfast, some even have it buffet. I would advise not eating too much as travelling for work will mean you will be in meetings and other work related activities, it will be very uncomfortable when you have to go out to the Comfort Room every now and then.

Experience

As you will be meeting a lot of people, don't forget to bring your Business Card. Always give it out with both hands as well as when receiving it, make sure to glance and give out a comment or two after receiving a card.

If you have time, venture out and see the city and sights, but make sure you hit the sack early as the primary objective of the travel it work, you should have enough energy for it.

Prepare

For whatever work related reason you are traveling for, make sure you are prepared, before traveling make sure you have 1.) finished your presentation 2.) printed hand-out 3.) studied and researched topics and relevant subject matter for the engagement of the travel 4.) researched who you will be meeting with.

Do not forget to bring your laptop power adapter and cellular phone charger, these are the two most important things not to forget.

Airport Wifi

The Centennial 2 domestic airport in Manila now provides tables for laptop users, with ample power outlets, I tried to connect to the free WIFI but I could not seem to surf. The Cebu Airport do not have tables for laptop users and there is no free WIFI, but I did see a couple of surf stations provided by Smart Bro.

Security

On my last flight, we were already able to bring bottled water as well as perfumes and others on our hand carry luggage, but do not bring a lot. Make sure you bring a couple of government issued IDs as this will be asked by security personnel at the airport.

Also have a couple of spare copies of your tickets just in case.

On your luggages, put your business card inside as this will help in-case of lost luggage.

The most important thing is to not make "Bomb or security threat jokes inside the airport and inside the airplane".

Tips and Tricks

On the new Airbus A320, there are headphone jacks, you have 16 channel options on PAL, this is great as Ipods and other devices are asked to be turned on and off during takeoff and landing.

If you are not feeling well, you can try and ask for some over the counter medicines from the Flight attendants(FA).

If you were not able to bring reading materials, local newspapers are available from the FA.

You can bring along a snack during flight or eat a light meal before the flight.

Be at the airport atleast 1 hour before your flight, sometimes, check-in lines gets really long and will take a lot of time, for international flights, be at the airport 2 hours before your flight.

Check the weather prior to your scheduled flights, for a tropical country like the Philippines, Tropical storms come out from nowhere from time to time and if you are a person who gets easily dizzy from turbulence, flying when the weather is good will be a great help.

I'll add to this post some more tips when it hits me .....