SOUTHEAST ASIA EXPRESS (SEA-X)

DAY 1 (D) ARRIVE SINGAPORE

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Selamat datang, Huānyíng, and Vanakkam! Welcome to Singapore, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city-state known for its modernity and diverse traditions, culinary delights, a hub of architectural wonders where lush greenery and eco-friendly infrastructures coexist harmoniously. After hotel check in, we head out to explore the magnetic neighborhood. Orchard Road is to Singapore what Fifth Avenue is to New York – a retail and dining paradise, with thousands of establishments offering the ultimate lifestyle experience to both tourists and locals. Carpe this diem! For your welcome dinner, summon your inner sumo wrestler and prepare to vanquish a massive Japanese buffet. Jikan desu, te wo tsuite!

DAY 3 (BL) SINGAPORE-BATAM-SINGAPORE

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Today, we’ve got our GPS set for Batam – an Indonesian port city accessible by an hour ferry ride from Singapore. The capital of Riau Province, Batam is a boomtown blessed with dazzling coastlines, first-class golf courses, water adventures, duty-free shopping, rejuvenating spas and relaxing beach resorts, as well as mouthwatering fresh seafood and delicacies. After the obligatory “Welcome to Batam” photo op, we bounce to Deer Park. Locally known as Taman Rusa Sekupang, Deer Park is home to adorable Chital deer. Ever tried feeding a Deer? This is your chance! Then it’s onto the massive Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple and Muhammad Cheng Ho Mosque. Fun fact: Cheng Ho, often regarded as the greatest admiral in Chinese history due to his accomplishments in leading extensive and successful Chinese trade expeditions, is a Chinese apostle of Islam and, to many, is a symbol of religious and racial harmony. (Props to him!) After a sumptuous seafood lunch, we continue the tour to Batam Miniature Park. Walk around and catch sight of miniature replicas of famous landmarks and cultural heritage sites from around Indonesia. Afterwards, we visit a bird’s nest and local coffee factory. We also check out a handicrafts center and a kueh lapis (A traditional cake with several layers of goodness!) factory then we tumble back to Singapore by sundown.

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Roundtrip ferry transfers is by public passenger ferry and is non-private

DAY 4 (BL) SINGAPORE

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Dig into breakfast then get ready to explore more of Singapore. We drive by Suntec City and the Singapore Flyer then make a photo stop at Merlion Park (Tempted to do the drinking pose?). Then we venture into Chinatown making our way to Thian Hock Keng Temple, a century-old gem of a monument and architectural masterpiece. After a brief stop at a local souvenir shop, we head to Marina Bay Waterfront to check out Gardens by the Bay – an impressive nature park and sanctuary for nature lovers and horticulturists spanning 101 hectares (250 acres). Enjoy your lunch featuring the fantastic flavors of Peranakan cuisine (Bursting with flavors and colors that reflect its hybridized roots!) then we roll into Mandai River Wonders – Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park. Hop on the Amazon River Quest for an unforgettable boat adventure to discover animals from the Amazon like the Brazilian tapir, Giant anteater, and Jaguar. Explore the Yangtze River and get close to adorable animals like the Red Panda and the resident Giant pandas named Kai Kai and Jia Jia. Home to one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater vertebrates (11,000 animals and counting!), there’s also Electric eels, ancient Sturgeons, the Mekong giant catfish, Chinese softshell turtles, Giant river otters, Manatees, Red-bellied piranhas, and so much more. Hakuna matata!

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DAY 5 (BD) SINGAPORE-CEBU BY FLIGHT

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Bad news: It’s your last day in Singapore. Good news: You’re heading to another country, this time to the Philippines. Mabuhay! Welcome to Cebu, the "Queen City of the South" and home to amazing journeys and delectable food. Did you know that the Philippines was claimed in the name of Spain in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer sailing for Spain, who named the islands after King Philip II of Spain? Philip = Philippines! It’s here in Cebu where the first permanent Spanish settlement was established in 1565. For dinner, get ready to stimulate your taste buds with Cebu’s most celebrated delicacy: Lechon – one whole pig soaked and stuffed with a mix of herbs and spices, skewered on a bamboo pole, then slow roasted over hot charcoal. It’s so good people often have to stand in line for it. What's more, American chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain named Lechon Cebu as the “Best pig ever.” Now who are we to argue with that guy? Skip the calorie count because tonight we’re bingeing on Lechon Cebu!

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DAY 6 (BL) CEBU-OSLOB-CEBU BY VAN

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Today, we need to wake up bright and early but you’ll have plenty of nap time as we roll into Oslob. Ready for a mind-blowing experience? Prepare to plunge into the water to swim with the world’s largest fishes. Whale sharks can grow up to 12 meters (40 feet) long and weigh an average of 20 tons. Though carnivorous, you don’t need to worry because they don’t pose any threat to humans. (Their diet consists mainly of smalls shrimps and plankton.) Prepare to be wowed (And feel really small) with this unique wildlife interaction that will leave memories to last a lifetime. Afterwards, we pop into the gorgeous Sumilon Sandbar to complete your daily dose of Vitamin Sea. (More sunscreen please!) Want more? We make our way to Tumalog Falls for a refreshing dip before heading back to the city. Sorry, TLC! We did chase this one.

DAY 7 (BD) CEBU-SIARGAO BY FLIGHT

Zip your suitcase. Today we’re heading to the Philippines’ surfing capital – Siargao. After an easy breezy flight, we bounce to your hotel then head to Cloud 9, the island’s most popular surfing spot. In case you missed it, Cloud 9 was ranked 8th in CNNGo's World's Top 50 Best Surf Spots. Care for a surf? Or go swimming or just relax while enjoying a fresh fruit smoothie. Bottoms up! Come dinnertime, expect a spread of drool-worthy seafood so good, you’ll probably overeat. Then you’re free to check out the island’s vibrant nightlife. One ice-cold San Miguel please!