Today promised to be a relaxing day as I planned to explore Singapore’s Botanic Gardens and celebrate New Year’s Eve. However, I woke up feeling stressed because I still had an outstanding task: arranging my visa for Indonesia. In Singapore, it would be more convenient to handle the visa than in Malaysia or Indonesia itself. I came across several online stories detailing the challenges of extending visas in Indonesia. The agency in Singapore boasts excellent reviews and a straightforward process.
After getting dressed, I headed to the lobby. At the reception desk, I approached the hostel staff and asked if I could use their phone. Fortunately, he was available this time, a stroke of luck as he was often away from his station.
I dialed the number for a recommended Indonesia visa agent, Hana Express, that I had discovered online. While my attempts to call yesterday went unanswered, today was a different story—the man promptly addressed my inquiries about the visa procedure and instructed me to visit their office with all the required documents. I assured him I would be there within an hour. After a quick shower and teeth brushing, I headed to Bugis Station. Yen was occupied with work, and James had plans to meet his friend today. However, he would join us later tonight at Clark Quay.
Visa agent in Singapore
Locating Hana Express was a breeze; it was situated across from the Carlton Hotel on Tras Street, just a five-minute stroll from Tanjong Pagar Station. With skyscrapers towering around me, I couldn’t resist the temptation to capture some touristy snapshots.
Within the towering skyscraper, on either the 4th or another floor, I encountered the man who then directed me to his compact office. The office space appeared barely sufficient for his desk, crowded with documents and various office supplies. The room exuded an air of intrigue, reminiscent of a dimly lit backroom depicted in movies where mysterious figures engage in an illicit poker game. The man collected my passport, 160 SGD in cash, and the required documents. He instructed me to return around 4 pm outside the apartment.
The Waiting Game Begins
Thus, the nerve-wracking waiting game commenced. The uncertainty lingered—was this a potential scam, risking the loss of my passport and the chance to catch my bus tomorrow, necessitating a visit to the Dutch embassy? Despite the apprehension, I deemed it a risk worth taking. It offered a significant saving in terms of both time and money, compared to arranging the visa in the Netherlands, which would entail two trips to The Hague, each with a two-hour one-way travel time.
After submitting my passport, I headed back to Tanjong Pagar Station and set off for Orchard Road, indulging in some window shopping and seeking out a delightful lunch. Despite having been there with Yen and James the day before, this time, I ventured inside the shopping mall. The displayed prices were exorbitant, prompting me to opt for sandwiches from the 7-eleven, intending to savor them later at the Botanic Gardens, away from the hustle of traffic and crowds. I sought directions to the Botanic Gardens at the tourist information and finally reached there around noon.
The Botanic Gardens of Singapore
As I strolled through the park, I noticed patches of grass that seemed ideal for a beautiful picnic. Choosing a bench near a serene pool, I enjoyed my sandwiches. At that moment, I felt a bit disappointed, thinking, ‘Is this all—lawns, bushes, and ponds?’ After finishing my lunch, I continued my walk toward the center of the park, and to my amazement, I discovered little waterfalls, flower gardens, garden houses, lakes, and much more. The botanical gardens proved to be a captivating attraction, well worth a visit, even after exploring Gardens by the Bay a few days earlier. Securing a student discount, I paid only 1 SGD for the orchid garden, a substantial reduction from the regular entrance fee of 5 SGD.
On my map, I had marked the Healing Gardens, but upon arrival, I faced disappointment—it was closed on Tuesdays. This spot seemed ideal for picnics or simply hanging out with friends and family. Departing the botanic gardens at 2:45 pm, I headed to Botanical Gardens Station, situated on the opposite side of the Botanical Gardens.
Holland Village
Anticipating that I might reach the visa agent too early if I left immediately, I decided to disembark at an intriguing station name: Holland Village. My curiosity led me to explore the origins of this name. To my surprise, I discovered that Holland Village is a residential area in Singapore primarily inhabited by expatriates. Contrary to what I initially thought, the name had no connection to my homeland. Instead, it was linked to an architect named Hugh Holland. Despite this, the buildings in the area were adorned with orange, red, white, and blue colors, and there was even a windmill decoration perched atop one building! I’m still puzzled as to why these decorations, reminiscent of the Netherlands, had no direct connection. Check out these pictures for a glimpse.
After my peculiar encounter at Holland Village, I returned to Hana Express. Upon reaching the visa agent at around 3:45 pm, he was already standing there with a stack of passports. He promptly handed back my passport, bid me farewell, and shot me a questioning look as if to say, ‘Why are you still lingering here?’ I stood there, taken aback by his non-verbal communication. To the man, everything seemed strictly business, and he appeared uninterested in engaging in social conversation. Perhaps this was his monotonous daily routine. Nonetheless, I didn’t mind at all; I was quite satisfied with his efficient and convenient service. The experience was peculiar, but it promised to save me three days of hassle at the Indonesian embassy for visa renewal.
Meeting the Group of Fellow Travelers for New Year’s Eve
Returning to the hostel to draft some blog reports and plan our evening, I shared the insider tip I received from the helpful lady at the tourist information desk about the best spot to view the fireworks at Marina Bay with Yen. As I stowed my valuables in the locker beneath my bed, I noticed a new couple had joined the dorm, sleeping right next to my capsule. Striking up a conversation, I eventually invited Tom, who specializes in setting up distribution channels to remote areas worldwide, with a particular focus on Africa, and his girlfriend Lotus, a passionate painter from Tanzania, to join us for the evening. Both seasoned travelers, they had embarked on a journey around the world that spanned several months.
That evening, Yen and I coordinated our plan to meet upstairs at 8 pm and depart from the hostel around 8:30 pm to head to Marina Bay. Upon reaching the upper floor, I found a few individuals already seated at the table, waiting for Yen. After introducing myself and providing a brief overview of our night’s plan, the group showed genuine enthusiasm. As we continued chatting, another group joined us—individuals Yen had gathered. James sent a text, mentioning that he would meet us at Clarke Quay later that evening. Serving as our de facto tour guide, Yen initiated a group meeting, outlining the plan for the night. With everyone introducing themselves, the atmosphere became lively, and cheerful conversations filled the room.
I was skeptical about navigating the MRT without anyone getting lost, especially since not everyone in the group was familiar with Singapore. Yen took on the responsibility of guiding them. Before delving further into the narrative, let me introduce the group to provide context.
A Cool Group of International Travelers
The group photo captured later that evening features, from left to right: Two delightful Japanese manga enthusiasts named Haruna and Seiko, en route to the Philippines for an English course. Their adorable English accents, especially when they said ‘really?’, added charm. In the front, wearing a pink t-shirt, was Patricia, who, like Yen, worked and lived in Singapore. Alongside Patricia and Seiko stood Alena, a lively Russian girl renowned as a journalist in Russia. Behind Alena was Tom, the individual I previously mentioned. Standing next to Alena was Lotus, Tom’s girlfriend.
Next to Tom is Wouter, a Dutch traveler on a global journey accompanied by his friend Ralph (jokingly referred to as ‘the Amish guy’). Adjacent to Lotus, two lively German party enthusiasts, Olly and Robert, and beside them, Alex, who recently concluded a journey through Malaysia, sharing captivating pictures of Indonesia with me. To the right of Alex, there’s Dmitri, a Russian professor fluent in Spanish and English. On the far right, Stefan, a guy known for his frequent eating habits. In front of Alex and Dmitri, Christian, a German businessman on a trip to Bali to meet his suppliers for furniture and living accessories. You can explore his offerings on his website (http://www.buddhashome.com). The only one not captured in the picture was Brady, an Australian traveler.
This diverse international group embarked on its journey to Marina Bay, filled with laughter and lively conversations that drew attention in the MRT. During a transfer at one station, Alena unintentionally checked out with her public transport card, passing through the gates separately from the group. In good spirits, the whole group shared laughter, exchanged playful goodbyes, and wished her a fantastic New Year’s Eve. Fortunately, the security guard granted her passage, adding to the amusement of the moment.
Arrival at Marina Bay Promenade
The MRT was bustling with activity that night, and the locals greeted us with friendly smiles. Upon reaching our destination, we stopped by the 7-eleven at the MRT station to purchase some liquor. Navigating through the Marina Bay Shopping Mall to the promenade proved time-consuming due to the crowds, extending our overall journey to over an hour. Nevertheless, we secured the best spot to witness the fireworks. The night unfolded with shared drinks, camaraderie, and group photos, culminating in the countdown to the final moments of 2013.
