Travelling to.

Singapore's attraction

2011-11-11T13:40:00.000-08:00

Clarke Quay

Singapore lived by 5 million people of Chinese, Malay or Indian descent. One of the world's busiest port, notably being the busiest transshipment port in the world. Of all nationality whom 2.91 million were born locally where the rest are foreigners.

Clarke Quay is notably one of Singapore's attraction especially famous for its river. It was on its banks that the foundations for modern Singapore were laid more than 150 years ago. Beginning life as a humble bustling fishing village, it soon developed into a busy seaport as trade increased between the East and West.

Today, Clarke Quay is a delightful mix of modern and traditional. Set amidst a backdrop of old shophouses, you can savour the many delights of Chinese, Italian, Mediterranean and local cuisine.

When the sun goes down, you don't have to look far to discover some of the city's trendiest nightspots.

To go there, board the mrt from anywhere (SGD 1.80- to SGD 2.50) and change to circle line all the way to Clarke Quay station.

Sentosa

Sentosa was once known as Pulau Blakang Mati, which in Malay means the "Island (pulau) of Death (mati) from Behind (blakang)".

Sentosa another Singapore most popular island resort is visited by some five million people a year. Attractions include a two-kilometre long sheltered beach, Fort Siloso, two golf courses and two five-stars hotels and the Resort World Sentosa (casino), also featuring the theme park Universal Studio.

Just take the mrt to harbourfront (SGD 1.80 to SGD 2.50) and you can board the train SGD 3/- per person to Sentosa or the bus from harbourfront to Sentosa.

Budget Hostel Singapore

2011-11-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

Drop Inn Hostel

253 Lavender Street,

Singapore 338790

Tel: 6299 3817

email: info@dropinnhostel.com

Drop inn is a newly opened backpacker's inn. It is highly recommended for travellers who wishes to be comfortably set in after a long travel in Asia. It's a bed and breakfast hostel, it has a living room large enough for you to do your work or bring your laptop to surf the internet.

Breakfast is just next door few units away, where you can walk about the kitchen and bake your own bread. Mix dormitory is SGD 22/- per person (16pax) and SGD 55-65 room for 1-2 person. It's located in Lavender, walking distance from the mrt Lavender station. It's not exactly town central like Inn Crowd Backpacker, so it's like staying in the suburban of Singapore.

<><> <><>

The InnCrowd Backpackers' Hostel
73 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209401
Tel: (65) 6296 9169

Inquiry:

The Inn crowd is a pub and a backpacker hostel. It is located in central Chinatown of Singapore. It is the cheapest hostel in town area, SGD 22/- per person in the dormitory, twin bedroom SGD 59/- and triple bedroom for SGD 79/-. It includes breakfast, locket and free internet. This backpacker is famous because of its central location to Orchard, Raffles, Clarke Quay as well as Chinatown is within distance. You can easily shop and visit the temples at Little India.

Another major popularity is not just because it's cheap and convenient location, it's cause of the festival that this backpacker inn celebrate. You'll sure be part of an exciting activity group whether it's a celebration of multi-racial culture event or even a birthday celebration. Count yourself right in or chill downstairs with a pack of beer at the hostel pub.

Budget Hostel Malacca

2010-10-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

Discovery Cafe is actually a bar cum cafe serving western food. It has since expanded to host guest stay overnight. It has rooms and dormitory for male / female. RM 17.00 per pax per night for air-con dorm. It also comes with breakfast toast and cup of coffee.

Voyage Travellers' lodge is located near Jonker street. It has a large hall with many single beds. Dormitory offer RM 15.00 per pax per night. Its living room area.

Bathroom at the back. Beware of mosquitoes...that's the reason they installed the mosquito net.

Another list of popular choices near Jonker street is Cheng Hoe guest house. It has nice rooms choice and dormitory that sleeps male and female. RM 15.00 per person per night. Rooms can be as low as RM 40.00 per room to RM 80.00 above. This dorm is fan only and quite clean, no mosquito.

You may want to upgrade your accomodation to upscale trendier rooms. You need to look for hotels and if convenience is what you looking for, there's always hotels around Jonker walk that goes as far as RM 70.00 per room per night with breakfast. If you planned to stay just in Malacca, there's also plenty of 3-5 stars hotel outside of Dutch Square area like near the Jetty - Holiday Inn and Mahkota Parade that can cost up to RM 250.00 - 350.00 per room per night. Then the downtown hotel that is between RM 90.00 - 150.00 per room per night like Johan hotel at Melaka Raya, etc. All you have to do is walk abit from Dutch square or take a cab.

Malacca attractions

2010-10-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

A postcard. The travel took me almost half a month for all the tourist attractions Malacca has to offer.

Malaqa musuem, located at Jalan Heeren. Beside few units of Baba Nyonya Heritage musuem.

Exhibits of antiques, old furnitures, coins and pots.

Jonker 88 cafe, located at Jonker street. It's a cafe famous for its 'Baba cendol'. The cafe consists of many Peranakan exhibits including clocks, paintings and lightings.

Baba Nyonya Heritage musuem, located Jalan Heeren. This is the ancestral home of three generation Baba Nyonya. Exhibits including old furnitures, cupboards, paintings, pots, clocks and etc... No camera allowed inside.

Cheng Hoon Teng, also known as temple of Clear Clouds. It house the court of justice during the early days.

Kota A Famosa, Porta de Santiago. The oldest European fortress in Asia. This fort was constructed by the Portuguese in 1511. Before being destroyed by the Dutch and British.

Portuguese Square, was created due to the overwhelming responses of tourists to see the tradition of the Portuguese. It is located just next to Portuguese settlement homes.

Sam Po Kong temple, located at Jalan Munsyi Abdullah near Hang Li Poh's well.

Samudera Maritime musuem, a resemblance galleon of the Portuguese which sank.

St. Paul Chapel, a church located on top the hill of the fortress A Famosa.

Tranquerah mosque, at Jalan Tukang Emas. It is famous for its 3-tier pyramid architecture rooftop.

Cheng Ho Cultural musuem, located just next to Jonker street. It exhibits the admiral Cheng Ho collection such as coins, pots, scriptures, furnitures n etc.

A cafe overlooking the Malacca river.

Jonker walk, famous for its night time carnival on weekends, Fri-Sun 6pm onwards till 11pm.

Bullock cart located at Ayer keroh, near the Malacca zoo. It is an ancient transportation of the Malacca settlement.

I supposed you are wondering how to get to these area? Well for a start there's buses to almost all these places. The 'Panaroma' Melaka bus headed for these tourist destination. And there's another bus company called 'Town bus' which will bring you to most of these places.

If you are travelling from Singapore, Johor or Kuala Lumpur heading down to Malacca, you will arrived at the main bus station called 'Sentral Melaka'. There's intercity buses and domestic buses. You can travel out of Malacca city to other smaller towns like Tampin, Durian Tunggal, Alor Gajah or Ayer Keroh. Fares are between RM2.00 to RM 4.30 per person. Or you can travel to major cities like K.L, Penang, Singapore and etc... at the intercity buses at Sentral Melaka.

To travel to Dutch square, pay RM1.00 for a domestic bus ride where you alight. Most of the attractions are just around Dutch Square - including Jonker walk, musuem, cafe 88, A Famosa fort and St. Paul's hill.

Please note that bus services to Dutch square ends at 9.45pm everyday including weekends. So be sure you can catch the last bus. Where else buses to other towns ends around 7-8pm (Company such as Salira, Baswira and Tat Lye offering these daily route to these smaller towns).

If you miss the last bus to Dutch square, you can take the taxi which cost ard RM 12.00 - 15.00 to the Dutch square if you are better in bargaining should cost around RM 10.00 per trip only.

As for train travel, be sure to get down at Tampin, a smaller rural town and walk to the bus station board the bus to Malacca. Pay RM 4.20 bus ride to Sentral Melaka bus station. Train are ktm services which only head to K.L Sentral to transit again to the north or south Malaysia.

Fishing at Kelong Acheh, Pahang - Malaysia

2009-08-30T04:19:00.001-07:00

Kelong Acheh early Aug'09. The trip that wasn't plan ahead of time but just decided to go on a quiet afternoon. I started my travelling in the afternoon, boarded a bus to Mersing from Larkin. It is 3 hours to reach Mersing town.

Mersing's a fishing village town, it has mini markets, fast food and pharmacy.

The next day, we boarded the omni bus to Endau. The bus ride was amazing, it was open aired.

Throughout the ride, you can feel the wind through the ajar windows. View is spectacular, it was 30min ride.

Some of you may not heard of this small town, but it is a border town between two states, Johore and Pahang. Heading to Pahang, you need to make a turn from the bridge in Endau, 5min.

There's a home made bread shop in Endau, you'll find freshly baked breads and cakes there in an old fashion way and cheap. Bah Kut Teh is also very popular, smell the chopped garlic and mushroom mixed in the hot pot. Yum~

Endau is a small town rich in history, as you can see old wooden structure shops you don't find in our modern time. It is so traditional. There are many coffee shops owned by local chinese, many delicacy to choose. Can even find fishing gears selling there. It's located near to the pier, ferries are sending passengers to fishing islands like Tioman, Sibu and Besar. So that is why you can get fishing gears, hooks and etc.

Our trip doesn't end in Tioman or Sibu, we've to travel to a kampong. We took a blue taxi from Endau. It was 20min drive to kampong Penyabong which cost RM 20 per trip.

There's a passenger boat parked at there. Both are waiting for passengers to Kelong at the pier.

The boat captain told us we have to wait for a group of passengers that have yet to arrive. So we waited for 40min. At the jetty, we saw medium size barracuda and a group of mackerel.

Close to 12.45pm the boat took off to Kelong. We reached Kelong Aceh our destination. It was beautifully built above Penyabong waters, and within viewing distance from Penyabong jetty. There's two kelong resorts at close proximity, one is Kelong Aceh and the other is Kelong Inu. Both are within 10min travel distance by boat.

Each room can sleep about 10-15 tourists. Toilets are built in every corner of Kelong, fully equipped with basin and fresh water.

You can choose to take 3d 2n package or 1n package, or just 1 day.

Each group were seated in their own table and portion were served. Sweet sour fish, cabbage stir fried, curry chicken, fried squid and soup.

Watermelon were served after lunch. If we get thirsty, there's a 24hrs drink counter. There's mineral water, orange juice, coffee and tea refillable.

I went and rent a fishing rod, took the baits from behind the cafeteria which is provided free, some ice and head out to a corner. The fishing rod wasn't the best so it couldn't go far. Some people were regulars here so they know how.

There's a spot where you'll be able to get dozen of fishes in 15min. It seemed to be a good spot where else some spot don't have anything at all.

They have many other activities like mahjong, karaoke, gaming, watching television and etc... A place not just for fishing but for other activities.

Food will be served throughout the day, it is all in the package. We paid about RM 85 per person for the day trip package.

The last boat services end at 8pm daily.

Don't want a planned holiday? Go Kelong to chill. The rest will be taken care of including the bill is done when only you reach the destination Kelong itself as the's staff took the booking in the location itself. Incase some of you worry no place to stay at there, you can head down or call them up to book in advance.

Bookings:
East Coast Island Service Agency

4A Jalan Emas

Taman Sri Putri, Skudai 81300

Johor Darul Takzim

Farah : 019-7772684 / farah@kelongacheh.com

Taman Gaya's hotspot, Johor Bahru - Malaysia

2008-10-07T19:50:00.001-07:00

Johor's famous porridge restaurant (Goh Zha Lang Taiwan Porridge Restaurant)

*well suited for family dinner ~menu consists of porridge/rice, side dishes
Address:

1 Jalan Sasa 1,

Taman Gaya

Johor Bahru

Tea Garden Restaurant (古文茶餐厅)

Gu Wen Cha is also popular in JB, based on generation business which is known by many Johorians till today. They have a mixture of western and chinese cuisine. Their menu includes a wide selections of breakfast, lunch, tea-break and dinner. They also serve vegetarian meals for the vegans.

鸡扒烤饭 @ RM 9.50.

*Tea Garden house is located in Taman Gaya. Photos from Pinkie Lollipop

Jusco Shopping,

(Board the bus to 'Kota Tinggi' and alight at Jusco RM 2.70 / Taxi from JB town : RM 12-15)

Food heaven Kluang, Johore - Malaysia

2008-07-29T06:58:00.001-07:00

Once you're at Kluang, you stop by any kopitiam, there's either wrapped nasi lemak/mee siam on the table; or baked bread fresh from the oven. All at an affordable price.

Even the train station there, you find wrapped nasi lemak, no overnight food. I remember their 'tang yuan' from the old market, very nice.

If you don't want to try out the traditional wrapped nasi lemak or mee siam, you can order other things on their menu.

There's malay kueh, otak-otak, curry puff, cream puff and other desserts. Then to blend in for your big breakfast, order a cup of teh halia.

Going Kluang?

(Board a bus to Larkin, buy the Kluang ticket at RM 9.80 - 1.5hr journey / alt KTM train - check counter for avail train/book 3-4days in advance / By Car: north-south highway, to Ayer Hitam - exit to Kluang)

Koh Samui, Thailand

2007-12-26T21:12:00.001-08:00

Our next day was rather a fruitful day. We bought two tickets for 'BIG GAME FISHING' each 1500 baht. The mini van took us from the inn to the Big Buddha pier. Altogether there's 8 of us, we boarded a chartered speedboat. Our Thai guide roughly briefed us about the weather and sea conditions. Then he taught us how to use the fishing rod and the technique of fishing.

bait
fishing technique

The boat trawled for familar spot, the captain planned for us to catch big ones especially the barracuda & red snappers. We were given our own fishing rod & sotong bait to hook on. The first medium size fish was caught by a uropean tourist. It was a grouper...enough for the 8 of us lunch.

The second, third and fourth was another European tourist. They caught small sizes mackerels. They were anxious to catch grouper and other type of fish.

We trawled to another fishing spot and finally the captain brought us to kho pha ngan's famous beach Haad Rin (also world-famous full moon party take place). He also prepared our lunch, they have everything on board-frying pan, cooking stove and gas. They deep fried the grouper which was the first fish caught by one of the European guest. They served us lunch, fried rice, vegetables, curry and the grouper. The grouper was soo fresh straight out from the ocean.

BIG GAME FISHING:

For big game fishing, Ko Samui is one of the best destinations in Thailand. Ko Samui is situated in the Gulf of Thailand, which teems with a variety of fish like barracuda, white and red snapper, shark, cobia, mackerel, sailfish, grouper, gar, travally, queen fish and sting ray.

cobia barracuda

travally mackerel

red snapper white snapper

sailfish sting ray

gar grouper

Bangkok, Thailand

2007-12-20T06:34:00.001-08:00

The flight was a swift one on that rainy afternoon. Cathay Pacific is the same as Singapore Airline, they had everything in place like movies, games and music on board. Only thing is the seats were always full because it stopped at Bangkok to transfer to Hong Kong.

We reached Survanarbumi airport at 4pm and headed to look for our tour guide as advised beforehand. The airport is pretty narrow and looking for a meeting point can be difficult. Finally, I spotted my name written on a piece of white paper at gate 7. We waited for the rest and took the van to our own hotel.

First day, we try the sushi buffet at the food court ~ Sgd 10/- per person. They have other variety as well like noodles, seafood, egg, beef and fried fish for the menu. They have no limit for the drinks and the ice cream, so keep an empty stomach so you can fill up. Well, there's always a catch though.

Next day, a van came to pick us and we headed to pick the rest of the tourists. James was our tour guide. We arrived at Ratchasingkhon pier around 8.30am, where we took the 'Chao Phraya River Express Boat Trip' to the temple.

A temple built in the 19th century. The guide told us it is Wat Arun, temple of the Dawn. The historical name given as King Taksin arrived at this temple at dawn after a battle with the Burmese. The structure is unique, if you had been there you would be amazed by the millions of wonderful Chinese porcelain coating. This temple has three level terraces surrounded by four smaller corner prangs, intermingled with four mondops.

On the first terrace, you can see giants and monkeys encircling the central prang. The second terrace has an exquisite pavilion and four statues potraying the events in the life of Buddha while the third terrace simply offers you a good view of the river. We went up the flight of steps that lead to a balcony. The view is spectacular from above, a good eye view of Bangkok.

After an hour spent there, the guide took us back to a cruise around Ko Kret island along Chao Phraya river. We saw boats selling bread, cakes and crackers. They rowed their small boats over ours and asked if we would like to buy. It was a sunny morning and though the food all wrapped up it is still wet and none of us bought any thou. The cruise stopped at the river so we could feed the fish. There were many catfishes, all waiting for us to feed them.

At 10.45am we head back and was taken to another pier called Nonthaburi (a province north of Bangkok). Our mini van is waiting for us. James told us that we will visit a jewelry manufacturer. They've got a shop selling diamonds inside and a gift shop. No one bought anything from the jewelry manufacturer. Then, we went to a mlm company selling honey. We were introduced in a seminar room how honey is produced and what it is used for. The honey is packed into different forms like powder, water and tablets.

So our complimentary tour ended here, close to 1pm in the afternoon. The family of six told James they wanted to go shopping and asked the van to drive them there. James told us there is two zoos in Bangkok. The oldest and nearest is the city zoo - Dusit. The other one is far from here, another 1.5hr drive. We took a cab to Dusit zoo. Only 15minutes from Baiyosky hotel and cost sgd 4.

Bought two tickets, it is a big zoo though the area looks small from the entrance. We spent almost 3hours taking photos and walking around the zoo. Then we headed to downtown shopping centre Paragon. Paragon has an underwater world downstairs. Tickets ard sgd 45 per pax. We went down to Boots. A body shop well-known in Bangkok. Bought a few hair maintenance stuff then headed to the supermarket.

The next day we woke up at 9am and took our complimentary breakfast in the hotel. Waited till check-out time 12pm. We headed to the bus terminal at khao san road, south of Bangkok.

Bought the tickets to Koh Samui sgd 35. Departure time 7.30pm. We boarded the coach to Samui. 10hrs journey to southern Thailand. From Bangkok it is always easy to get coach to anywhere. And their's is always air-conditioned, with snack services and a bus conductor to assist passengers. The seats were very comfortable for sleep.

We reached Suratthani (650km south of Bangkok) in the morning 7am. The coach dropped some of the passengers at Suratthani and continued the journey to ferry terminal. The coach drove into a ferry. Several other vehicles and shipload trucks drove in as well, all of them were heading to Koh Samui island, the archipelago home for fisherman and very well-known for its high quality coconuts growing densely everywhere.

It was about 1.5hrs in the ferry finally we reached the island. It was burning hot, and we went to get our stuff before heading to take a taxi to the more popular beach at Chaweng. The 7km beach span across the ocean of south china sea, with seashells found near the shore and the waves hitting very strongly. It's the monsoon season.

The beach wasn't as nice as expected. The sand was a lil brownish, the seawater was greenish and can't see below but the beach was crowded with tourists.

The restaurant is located at the beachfront resort, the tables and sofas were all situated outside of the restaurant. We ordered fried rice and steak for dinner.

A Thai boy came up to us to sell us his lantern. We lighted the lantern and held it in the air. It flew further n further away into the dark, the lit lantern slowly disappeared.

Chaweng beach does have many things to do even at night. The road behind the resort you can find many souvenir shops, restaurants, night clubs, coffee place and pubs. There's atm machines, money changer, 24/7 supermarket, seven eleven, fast foods and retail shops.

Bangkok-Koh Samui-Bangkok (Free and Easy Package)

Ratatouille experienze, Singapore

2007-09-19T21:05:00.001-07:00

Sixth avenue - Pasta Fresca.

Bon Appetit

Pollo E Funghi [chicken n mushroom pizza]

Triangolini arrabiata [stuffed chicken pasta w spicy tomato]

Italian Tiramisu absolute deliciouSsS

>>> http://www.pastafresca.com/ they have 4 branches in Singapore. And several branches in China & India

~taste just sip into you~

~i'm glad he truly enjoys~

Address:
Blk 833 #01-02/03 Royalville
Bukit Timah Road
Tel: 6469 4920