Celebrating SG 50

Hi!

I'm currently in internship period and stay in Batam for 6 month, and this is my last month here :'). I work in a travel company and i get opportunities to bring some groups traveling outbound. As i work as temporary staff, I only get chances to be a tour leader for nearest country (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand). 

So, during my stay in Batam for last 6 months, i've been back and forth to Singapore (it's only 1 hour taking ferry to SG). There are total 9 private groups which i have brought to the Fine City. And... tomorrow, 9th August, SG will celebrating Gold Anniversary! Woohoo. I really want to see the spectacular ceremony tomorrow but i know it will be a waste of time for queueing and there is no guarantee that i will be allowed to enter the area T_T

Fun Facts Celebrating SG 50

1. Long Weekend for all Singaporeans

Their government requiers them not to work from yesterday, 7th August to 10th August. Singapore is an Expensive City so the citizens are tend to be hard-working to make a living there. So this time they take this great holiday time very well. Yesterday i went to Singapore by Ferry to Harbourfront Ferry & Cruise Center and it was very crowded. They were all queueing in check in counter and immigration check for holiday escape with Star Cruise Gemini or taking Ferry to Batam. 

FYI, Singaporeans really love to have a short break in Batam. They enjoys many cheap leasures in Batam. Watch a cinema in Singapore will cost around SGD$7.00, while in Batam it cost only $2.00-$3.00. Spending $60 can only get foot massage in SG, while in Batam they can get whole body massage. 

What amazed me is, this long weekend, all hotels in Batam and Bintan are fully booked!

2. Great Sale Everywhere 

If you go to Singapore or open a Singapore's website, you will easy to find SG 50-red-rounded logo. At first i thought it was just an ordinary logo because i found it when selling Cruise package for my client. They gave special price SGD 50 for second pax. Then the other day i found the logo again in other tour package promo, special price SGD 50 for children. Finally i realized the real meaning of the logo last week when visit Singapore. It is a logo for 50th anniversary of Singapore.

If you love shopping then you should hunt discount at Singapore shopping centres. There are also many tourist attractions that give free entrance tickets for locals and discounts for foreign visitors, ex: Gardens By The Bay. But i'm sure that you have to prepare yourself for never-ending queueing!

3. Some Hotel Price Three Times More Expensive than Usual

Countdown to Singapore Golden Anniversary, there are many rehearsals which held before the big day. The fact is there is not enough space for all Singaporean to watch the Independence Day Ceremony, but they all really want to. Although there are many citizens who willing to spent a lot of money to watch the ceremonial, but the government decide to draw lotteries for the ceremonial entrance tickets. Because of this fact, many visitors search for the other alternatives. They planned to stay in Hotels which facing the ceremonial venue (a field in front of Government area near Merlion Park and Victoria Theatre). These hotels' price are increasing greatly. It can cost more than $1000/room/night (that's why they prefer to spend holiday in Batam).

4. Many Events Held In Public Interest Spot

I found many events that held yesterday in some tourist spots in SG while taking a private group from Medan for Singapore one day trip. There is a running marathon which was held in the City. Some group of youth wear the same T-Shirt with SG 50 logo on the back, were running together, passing by Merlion Park. In Sentosa there was a group of people from young to elderly wearing red and white clothing, also with logo SG 50 on the back, were preparing for some thing which i'm not sure. I thought it was a video making of them dancing together.

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Well, it was fun to join and feel the euphoria in singapore while welcoming the Golden Year of Singapore. Although it is a small city, but i am very salute with this country. They develop many innovative and eficient things every year, which make the country go towards faster than the others,

Happy SG 50!