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Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 10:32:00 -0700

Hello!

I've just purchased my Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System and I am a satisfied customer. Even though I'm not sponsored to do this, I truly want to share my honest opinion here. Well, here is my review.

First of all, I just wanted to say that sometimes I feel guilty having put on so much make up on my face and then, when it's time to wash it away, I wonder if my removers/ cleansers always do the job well. So, I decided to buy this because I think my face deserves to be treated better! I don't think it deserves to sleep with make up and dirt on it, right? So I'm really glad to buy this for her.

Installing / Setting up

This was really easy. In the box, there was a 20 ml skin renewal cleanser, 2 AAA batteries , a brush head and the the main body. Just simply insert the batteries into the body and attach the brush head till you hear a click. In a minute , everything is up! Read the instructions before putting on your face.

Unboxing the kit

All set up and ready to use!

Ease of use

There are 2 buttons on the main body. One is to the power and the other is for you to adjust the speed. There are 2 speed levels to choose from- fast and slow. I prefer using the slower mode as it's gentler on the skin. I use the faster mode if I've applied more make up on that area. But, be careful.
Do not apply it near the eyes!!! I did that, and the brush went in !! Super painful!!!
I was trying to rid the make up from my eye lids but I shall not do that next time. I guess I still have to use a make up remover for my eyelids next time. Anyway, the pain subsided in a couple of minutes. *PHEW* imagine if i had to pay more to see a doctor for this. Then that would make my purchase a silly investment. lol.

After use
After using the kit, my face feels very clean, very soft, very smooth and very relaxed. When I stroke my skin, I love that smoothness and that's why I look forward to removing my make up!!!

Where to get
Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleaning System retails in stores at SGD$49.90. Refills can be bought at $11.90 a box of 2 heads from Guardian.

:)

More pictures

The brush head

Instructions Sheet

Just 2 buttons. The top is for power, the other for speed.

USA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:08:00 -0700

I'm just going to share some pictures with you here.

THE STRIP, LAS VEGAS

UNLV, LAS VEGAS

HOOVER DAM,ARIZONA

THE GRAND CANYON

NEW YORK CITY

MOMART, NY

THE MET MUSEUM, NY

Bakerzin- This is THE dessert place to be!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 21:12:00 -0700

Bakerzin is easily one of my favourite dessert chains in Singapore. Consistent quality and good service, are the 2 most important determining factors of a good restaurant/café for me.
Hence, whenever I go there, I can expect to pay about $8 for a quality cake that looks very presentable and photo-worthy.

The one gripe that I have about this place is their 30 cents water charge and the worse part is that we don't know where that water is from!! well, I've been a waitress before and in Singapore, restaurants usually use chilled tap water.The good news is that tap water in Singapore is very safe and it's drinkable!!! Don't believe me then you see this for yourself, lor hehehe So well, at least 30 cents for portable water, not that bad right? But of course, we 'd rather have it for free hahaha

website: http://www.bakerzin.com

Pulau Semakau - Singapore's landfill island- with naturetrekker

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:34:00 -0700

If I could I would love to visit this place once again at my own time and at my own pace to just soak in the beauty of this landfill island. I know what you're thinking. You think I must be siao right? Like why would any one want to be on this smelly island!? But guess what? You're wrong! This island does not stink and in fact, it has the clearest waters I've seen in Singapore!!! I'm not kidding you. Wait till you see my pics ah !

Pipit

Grey Heron. Ah there, the water very blue, right?

Red Dragonfly

I booked this trip with naturetrekker.org along with a friend.There were only about 12 of us. Ben, the founder, came along. He was indeed a very knowledgeable guide. He can identify the species of birds and he can tell a heron from an egret, all thanks to his passion for wildlife and photography. It seems to me that he loves nature so much that he painted his car green!

The trip went like this. You can click on the link for the details.

Basically, half of the trip was spent indoors, meaning that we had 2 separate presentations- one about the wildlife, conducted by Ben, and the other about the island, which was conducted at the end of the trip by Mr Singh. The other half was spent outdoors and more 'hands-on', thus we had a site visit where we explored the island on a tour bus.We brought home some pictures and breathed in the clean fresh air of the island , fresher than mainland Singapore's air, I'd say, since there is no traffic nor factories here.

Here's how the trip went in more detail:

After we got on the boat at Pasir Panjang Terminal Jetty, we went straight to the Main Building on the island for presentation #1. Ben introduced himself and a gave a history of the organisation he founded. He also showed us his pictures of the flora and fauna he took when he was on the island previously. From there we were taught how to tell a heron from an egret, a pipit from a sandpiper.

Next we went for the site visit. That's where we saw the birds and insects. There were plenty of species that I've never seen in Singapore. This is why I chose to come- to see something new and different. I see mynah and pigeons everyday until sian. lol. When you enter the forest, do be prepared to get bitten. There were swarms of mosquitoes all around us when we entered the forest. I felt like screaming when they started to attack us but everyone else was quiet and calm. Later , they think I'm a siao char bo! hahaha. So I just have to keep killing the mozzies lor. Everyone kept going piak, piak, piak. Except for this smarty pants who wore long sleeved windbreaker and pants, as well as shoes, which seemed to have helped. We were brought to the Transfer Building. This is where incinerated trash shipped from Tuas is transferred to trucks which would carry and dump them into the cells. The smell in the Transfer Building not bad. Actually, if I could describe it, I think it smells like roasted cardboards. LOL

Subsequently, we headed back to the lecture room for the Presentation #2 about the island. And that's where the funny man, Mr Singh of A +B edu tours, came in. I like his style of presenting actually. It was thought-provoking and insightful, with dashes of humor.

We headed back to mainland Singapore at about 2 in the afternoon, in time for a late lunch at Vivo.

Okay, anyway, access to this island is restricted at the moment. It's not like going to Pulau Ubin where you can simply go to the jetty, take boat and the uncle will take you there. No. You have to obtain permission before entering this island and so far, naturetrekker has been able to get this pass for the past few years.

If you're keen to go, the sad news is that Pulau Semakau will be closed off to the public for the next few months. :( We were the last batch to go there in Feb. So, you just have to wait, lah. In the meantime you can shop around for a good DSLR and lens like a micro or a 600mm( if you're damn rich) or a good pair of binoculars then you can catch good pics/views when you're there hehe :)

This is what I copied off naturetrekker's page, in case you can't open the link.
Join us and be the first to visit world's first offshore landfill island and also one of Singapore's southern most island (situated near Raffle's Light House and Indonesia water).

Pulau Semakau was officially declare opened to nature-related organisations (including Nature Trekker) in 2005 by the Singapore's Authority (NEA) and individuals or public are not allowed entry into the island except by permit.

Entry to the island is highly restricted and this tour is made possible due to the collaboration between Nature Trekker and NEA (National Environment Agency), a Government Statutory Board where Nature Trekker was issue permit to enter the island for conducting activity on nature exploration (flora & fauna) and educational touring (learning about how landfill was done).

The journey to Pulau Semakau will be on board a specially chartered cruise that will take approximately 45 mins (similar travelling time to Batam island of Indonesia) to reach the island. During both the indoor class lecture and outdoor nature eco-touring, participants go on a guided walk led by an experienced nature guide to share with you the wonder of nature to be found in the island as well as showing you a multi-media presentation cum video show inside a comfortable air-conditoned lecture room on the work of Semakau Landfill & its operatonal work involve.

Besides video show and class room lecture on both the Nature / Wildlife and the Historical facts of Semakau / Landfill Operational Work, all participants will be touring the island via air-conditioned mini buses throughout the whole morning island touring.

Past Survey were conducted on the island and had discovered "significant variety of flora and fauna" that stll flourish on the unique island. The beach there is remarkably clean compared to those on mainland Singapore such as those found in Changi, Sembawang or Kranji.
If you are lucky, you may get to see other rare wildlife such as the "Chinese Egret" ( Globally Threatened & Endangered bird ) or the rare and elusive "Oriental Smooth-Coated Otter" which can be found in Semakau.

Pulau Semakau is also home to Singapore's tallest bird - Great-billed Heron which stand at 115 centimetre tall (equivalent to a 5 years' old boy) out of the total 365 specie of birds found in Singapore. The "Monster" bird is very shy and often fly-off upon seeing human. In mainland Singapore, it can hardly be seen due to over-populated human traffic but in Semakau, it is the best place to see one of these "Monster" bird as Semakau is extremely remote, tranquil and restricted from public access.

Schedule :

Date : 8 February 2014 ( Saturday )

9 February 2014 ( Sunday )
Meeting Point : To be confirmed later

Time : morning 8.00 am - 2.00 pm
* Our trip is strictly Terrestrial ( learning about the wildlife to be found on the island including sightings of interesting rare birds) as well as
learning the history of Pulau Semakau, the work behind the landfill operations & processses which make Singapore World's first Landfill Island.

There is no shore walk or marine wildlife study/ learning to see coral or starfish, etc. Terrestrial study is not a marine or shore trip activity.
* includes

* All will learn 2 programmes on the trip

- (a) the Wildlife / Fauna to be found in the unique Island of Semakau ( between 9.00 am to 11.30 am)

- (b) the Landfill Operation Work / Waste Management & the History of Pulau Semakau ( between 11.30 am to 1.00 pm )
1) Chartered cruise / ferry journey to island of Pulau Semakau ( time: approximately 45 mins per journey or 1.5 hours - return trip ).

2) Complimentary group photograph for every participants taken by professional photographer.

3) Air-conditioned Bus / Coach travel on the island of Semakau to provide Sightseeing and Educational Visit.

4) Talk cum Video Presentation conducted by Guide on the wildlife ( particular focus on bird species & general wildlife) to be found in Semakau
(held in air-conditional lecture room ).

5) Jungle Trekking thru’ the wild virgin & pristine primeval natural forest of Pulau Semakau ( subject to Singapore Land Authority's approval – no guarantee of accessing
the jungle when application by SLA is in process )

6) Nature guiding led by a guide sharing on the unique wildlife to be found in Pulau Semakau ( eg Birds, Reptile, Amphibian, Mammal, Dragonfly, Butterfly, Spider, Bugs,
etc ). The expert guide will share with you and look out for some of the rare birds of Singapore eg. Malaysian Plover, Grey Plover, "dark morphed" Pacific Reef Egret,
"Monster Bird" - Great billed Heron and the "globally-endangered" & very rare Chinese Egret.

7) Talk, Video & Multi-Media Presentation conducted on the History of Semakau, the work of Semakau Landfill Operations ( held in air-conditional lecture room ).8) Outdoor field guiding on the unique island of Semakau operation as well as the work behind the creation of landfill.
Participant will get to learn the history of Pulau Semakau, the various restricted nearby Semakau eg. Pulau Pawai, Pulau Senang, Pulau Sudong, Pulau Jong, Pulau
Sebarok, Pulau Hantu and also the further tip in Singapore shore - The Raffles Lighthouse.9) If there is sufficient time available, a sharing of video show on wildlife conservation & protection in Singapore as part of educational sharing with participants ( held in
air-conditioned lecture room ) will be conducted.

Threading at Fanny Beauty House

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:43:00 -0700

I was at Fanny Beauty House at Bendemeer Mall the other day, just beside Boon Keng Station. There they offer threading and facial service.

I actually wanted to get my eyebrows into shape for $5 , but I wanted to get my upper lips hair removed too for another $5. But they were offering facial threading at $13. So I thought I should give face threading a try.

I've done threading before , so I know what the pain is like and I'm already quite used to it, except for the upper lips which can string quite a bit.

The experience went quite well for me. It took about 20-25 minutes. My eyebrows were in shape and my upper lips looked very clean. ^^The Chinese staff there were friendly and nice. Enny, the staff who served me, and I talked as the session went on. I thought that the outlet was clean and simply decorated & most importantly, it was well-lit for the staff to see where all the facial hairs are. This is so that they can do a better, cleaner job. The only thing I didn't like was that I was there on a Sunday where there were kids running outside the shop , screaming away. That sort of added to my 'pain' at some points.So I'd come back on a weekday then.

I signed up for their package, costing $130 for 10 sessions.Although, I have seen better deals in other parts of Singapore such as Toa Payoh, I chose this because it's very convenient for me.

After doing the sign up for 5 to 10 minutes, I realised that the swelling / redness had subsided quite a lot, though she did not spray any rosewater onto my face after that.

The address is Blk 27 Bendemeer Road #01-675. S(330027)
Hp: 94603130
Opening Hours : 10am-9pm

The importance of Travel Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 9 Mar 2014 19:20:00 -0700

It's really a mystery how MH 370 could just vanish off the radar just like that. Perhaps the transponders failed. Perhaps someone unauthorised meddled with the transponders. Well, who knows. While the case of the missing Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 still remains a mystery, families are grieving and the tension between loved ones and officials are growing. My sympathies go to those who grieve.

After the MH 370 incident, I realised the importance of checking the policies of insurance, and not just having an insurance itself. In the event of a terrorist attack, not every insurance company will provide such coverage. Whether it was a terrorist attack , whether it was foul play, we dont know. But there was a definite breach in security at the airport when 2 men used stolen passports to board the flight. That's why insurance is so important. We don't know who is travelling with us!

As for me, I've bought AIG's travel guard insurance which covers me for a year and across all 3 zones. This means that wherever I go, except some countries like Iraq, I will be covered.

I once used to think that insurance was just another unnecessary cost, but now, I realised its significance. Once, while I was overseas, my iPhone along with some valuables went missing. After making a police report and submitting it to AIG, I managed to claim back 70% of the cost of the phone. Luckily, I backed up some of my data using iCloud (thank you, iCloud!) so not all was lost :)

Now back to AIG. Depending on the duration, the number of people, the zones covered and how premium your plan is, the cost ranges from $26 to $600. For me, I paid about $420 for my 1-year zone 3 plan. If you are keen to find out about their policies you can read their on-line brochure. Click on this pdf file.

Well, that's all for now. In the meantime, stay safe!

Pasir Ris Cats

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 8 Mar 2014 20:12:00 -0800

I have an affinity for fury animals especially cats because I love the texture of their fur. Even though mummy used to tell me , "dont go near them la, they're dirty!" I beg to differ. I think their saliva is cleaner than ours and they even use it to clean themselves almost all the time or half of the day. Moreover, because you can find stray cats at every nook and corner in Singapore, I think I've grown this obsession with wanting to pet or sayang them! Sometimes, I wonder if I'll be a cat aunty next time. lol

Anyway, I spotted some cats in Pasir Ris and with my camera in hand, I couldn't resist taking pictures of these kitties!

I love how this cat above stares at you. but I guess this picture could have been better if I stood lower.

& I know it's a little to warm though :( oh well, more photo opportunities await the photographer!

xoxo,

Meow

Singaporean cuisine- Tze Char Stalls

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 8 Mar 2014 19:56:00 -0800

I was having dinner at one of the Tze char stalls in Pasir Ris and here are some of the typical items you can find on the menu.

Sweet & Sour Fish with Mayo

Editor's note: This is one dish I'm sure Singaporeans love. Besides fish, you can order the chicken or pork versions. The meat is then battered and fried. A ladle of sweet and sour sauce made is then poured over the dish before it gets garnished with Chinese parsley and tomatoes With its sweet and sourish notes, it makes this a popular item on the menu.

Stir Fried Beef with Onions

Rojak

Editor's note: Rojak is a Malay word for Mixture. It is a traditional fruit and vegetable salad which comes with a thick and sweet peanut sauce. Rojak is made by the Chinese, the Malays and even the Indians.
When Singaporeans use the term 'Rojak' colloquially , we mean everything all mixed in.

Stir Fried Kai Lan and Mushroom

Claypot Seafood Tofu

Test test

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 8 Mar 2014 19:48:00 -0800

Myanmar on a budget- Explore with just 2USD a day or less

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 5 Mar 2014 05:14:00 -0800

For just 2 USD a day, you certainly can explore Myanmar with a bicycle. What better way to see a country than to travel on foot or on a bicycle. Feel the cool air on your face and the wind blowing your hair away from your face, as if lifting your cares and worries away in the quaint town of Hsipaw. Or ride past ancient ruins in Bagan and watch the sun rise above the pagodas.

Sunrise from Shwezigon

Mingala-bar. Hello and Welcome to Myanmar, otherwise known as Burma. Burma may be a 3rd world nation but its people are the one of the loveliest in Asia. They were the most helpful and they most honest people I've met and they were really happy to smile for my camera. In fact, I've caught more happy photos here than anywhere else I've been to in the world. You know how they say the poor are happy? It's true.

But, as it unfolds its arms to the world, it will not be long before more big brands come in and start to globalise this nation, turning it into another typical city like Bangkok. They may have a Charles and Keith and a Chewy junior and it's a joy to see that our local brands are making waves overseas. However, these are just a few international brands. Much of its brands are still owned by its locals, making this nation special and unique. See this nation before McDonalds, 7-11, Starbucks invade.

Before you book that flight, here are some recommendations and things you should know.

MYANMAR OR BURMA?

Beloved political leader and daughter of the former General Aung San , Daw Aung San Suu Kyi prefers the latter. In an interview with Lonely Planet, she says that 'Myanmar' was never approved by its people. Despite this, the military junta went ahead to change its name. In any case, both are accepted worldwide.

MONEY

You may have read this before and it's true- Bring clean bills! Hotels and restaurants will only accept clean US bills because the banks may not accept them . Stained Burmese notes are fine. Most places accept both USD and Burmese Kyats(K). Cheaper to pay in Kyats, usually. 1USD =1000K

Kyats are not available in Singapore. However, you may change them on the streets of Yangon or once you arrive at the airport. And oh, don't be surprised when you land, they are developing quite rapidly.

TRANSPORT

Within a Town
The most economical way to travel around the city / town is by ...foot! Obviously that's free, but with so much to see and do, it may take a toll on your feet. Bike around the town! it's only USD2 for the whole day's rent. Do note that bicycles are not always in tip-top condition. Check before you leave the store. Be prepared to fix a bike as there is a 1 in ten chance that the pedal gives way or the chain breaks. Otherwise, a local with the tools & know-hows will be more than willing to help :) And hey, if you ever fix that on your own, good job. You're one level up !

Taxis are cheap, negotiate the price before you jump into one.

Between Towns/ Cities
Bus
When travelling between cities or towns, buses are the better option than trains. Bus rides for foreigners comes with clean seats and rest stops for you to eat. They may cost a little more than trains but they get you to your destination earlier. Also, with the newly built highway , one can breeze through from Yangon to Mandalay on board a coach. Expect to pay USD15-20 for a one way ticket from Yangon to Bagan. The bus terminal in Yangon is about 1hr drive from the city. Bus rides may be cold, so bring along a jacket. Some bus companies provide blankets and refresher kits and even snacks.

Tchu -tchu Train
Though cheap, train rides tend to be slow and very bumpy. Be sure to get on the right train before it moves off. Rides are cheap and with USD 6 ,you can get a one from Pyin Oo Lwin to Hsipaw in about 7 hours in First Class. There is no air conditioning, so enjoy the cool breeze and the rain when it comes. Toilets are available on board. It may be wise not to leave your baggage overhead, as the trains may rock violently from side to side, thereby causing the bags to shift and potentially hurt someone! Do strap it down to the railings before you snooze, if you can even snooze on such rides.

Air
Unless you are really pressed for time, Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Asian Wings and Air KBZ offer domestic flights. Not worth paying 65USD, which you can save and indulge in a sunset dinner or maybe 2.

COMMUNICATION

Something we all love is available at most hotels- free wifi! Some cafes do offer it too.
In case your driver is calling you, the calling code for Myanmar is +95. It may not be a scammer after all.
If you are afraid that you may sound like a duck talking to a chicken, fret not, most of the locals speak English, even if it may be very basic. The older folks speak very good English, thanks to the British who once ruled over this land. Some Chinese Burmese speak Hokkien too. And oh, expect to meet Indians and Thais too. Myanmar is after all, a neighbor to 5 countries- Thailand, Laos, China,India and Bangladesh- making it the Golden Land.

VISIT

Yangon

Walk down the streets of Chinatown in Yangon and you'll find people selling everything from their antiques, tools and stationery, to their local dishes and fruits. Do watch where you are walking as drains may not be covered and strong water currents lie beneath during the rainy season. In this motorbike- free city, you'll find that crossing the road isn't as hard as Vietnam with traffic lights and overhead bridges. Watch as they board and get off the overcrowded public buses. Looking at the faces of the locals, you'll notice the ladies apply Thanaka in various shapes and sizes.

Head to the Bogyoke Aung San Market and expect to spend a couple of hours there. Do master the art of friendly bargaining ; chances are you'll buy something here. You'll find everything from hair accessories, to clothes, Strepsils, Brands essence, Vitamins, first aid, stationery, laminated world maps and human body charts.Handmade slippers and Langyi make great buys.

The architecture at Holy Trinity Church is not to be missed. Stop by for a prayer or come in for a short stroll in its garden. There is a smaller market beside it.

Take a stroll at the Inya Lake, which you'll see on your way from the airport to the city. This is where the beloved political leader, Aung San Suu Kyi lives.

With the on-going conflicts between the Buddhists and the Muslims, it's amazing that the Sule Pagoda and the Sunni Jamah Bengali Mosque sit side by side, in peace.

Side by side , Yangon

New Bagan

1 Day Cycling Trip ( shag level : 8/10) New Bagan- Old Bagan- Nyuang U - Old Bagan - New Bagan

For a day trip, cycle north to Old Bagan (30 min with no breaks) and continue on north to the town of Nyuang Oo(another 45 minutes), sometimes spelt Nyuang U . Enjoy the view of the ruins of the 4000 stupas , pagodas built in the 1200s in Old Bagan. If you are up early, head to the top of the Shwezigon Pagoda in Old Bagan for a view of the Sunrise. You may also see the sunset from there. Do note there are numerous slopes along the way and if you still have the energy to go on, cycle further north to Nyuang U. This is where the buses stop to pick up passengers heading to Yangon/ Manadalay/ Nyuang Shwe. Stop by for lunch at The Beach Bagan for a beer and a sandwich. Check out the town and meet the friendly locals.

Head back towards Old Bagan and have dinner at Star Beam restaurant and the Moon. They are just side by side and in front of a temple. Watch for signs as you arrive in Old Bagan. You may sit in one restaurant and order from both stalls. That's what we did. They make good neighbours, I'd say! The owner of Star Beam Restaurant used to work in Singapore enabling him to hold a conversation in English.Also, he said he is opening a new restaurant in New Bagan. It might be up by now already. Oh by the way,bring along a torch / use your iPhone Flash light at night because there are no street lights along this stretch! When we were there at the restaurant, it turned dark and because we were not prepared for this , the owner of Star Beam kindly offered to ride his motorbike to guide us home. I recommend arriving at this place at 430pm or earlier , especially if you have to cycle back to New Bagan. If you can't make it, it would be wiser to head back to New Bagan and dine at Sunset Garden. You will make it in time for sunset if you don't break for too long.

1 Day Cycling Trip (shag level: 5/10) Hotel - Jasmine Family Lacquerware Workshop- Sunset Garden- Hotel
Visit the Jasmine Family Lacquerware Workshop, located 3 min behind the white temple between Old and New Bagan. As you head towards Old Bagan from New Bagan, look out on your left. There is a small mud road beside the white temple for bikes and trucks to enter on your. Walk/ cycle down the path for a couple of minutes and the workshop should be on your right. Ask a local around the area to show you where it is. Watch how lacquerware is made and bring a souvenir cup home for just USD7 . This factory may not be listed on tripadvisor (yet), but it sure is worth going for an educational visit.

Lacquerware Cup

Fancy a meal by the river with a gorgeous Sunset? Sunset Gardens in New Bagan is the place to indulge. Come as early as 5pm, make it a relaxing day and enjoy this day with your beloved. With great local food in their menu, do expect to pay a little more for the charming view as you watch boats cruising on the Irrawady River, also known as the Aryawaddy River. Expect to pay USD 12-20 per person

Nyuang Shwe

When you arrive in this town, your coach drivers will collect 5USD from each foreigner. They will issue you with an entrance ticket but no one has stopped us to check on that.

1 Day Boat trip (shag level: 3/10)
If you come to Inle Lake, staying at Nyuang Shwe is a good base. From here, you can take a boat ride around the lake on a motorised longtail boat, the same kind of boat which local fishermen use. You can easily spot a fishing from afar when you see their boat and their huge iconic conical fisherman net. The boat ride costs about 15-20USD which can be shared among 5-10 people. It comes with a tour guide and he'll take to see various factories, temples, and the floating market.

Fisherman on Inle Lake

1 Day Cycling Trip (shag level: 8/10)
Nyuang Shwe- Red Mountain- Inle Lake- Hot Springs- Nyuang Shwe.
Visit the Red Mountain Wine Estate and enjoy stunning views of Nyuang Shwe and the Inle Lake. Try their tom yam soup which certainly delights the palate with its balance of sweet, sour and spicy. USD2. Go for the wine tasters to try 4 different wines. USD 5

After that, cycle towards the Inle Lake and cross it by boat towards the hot springs on the other side. Soak in the hot springs for about an hour or two while you enjoy the view of the mountains, should you choose the private baths. After which you may wish to enjoy a cuppa tea at their cafe.
Cycle back to Nyuang Shwe. Roads from the hot spring to Nyuang Shwe may be muddy and bumpy. Cycle with care!

Pyin Oo Lwin

1 Day cycling trip to National Gardens (shag level: 6/10)
If you are up early, cycle to the Market which closes by 1pm, otherwise to the Kandawgyi National Gardens . An entrance fee of 5USD applies but you'll get to see lot of birds up close at the aviary. Beautiful birds include the huge hornbills which tend to perch beside you waiting for its feed. There is also Kandawgyi Cafe and you can enjoy the view of the gardens from here. A truly relaxing place.

Hsipaw

Hsipaw, otherwise known as Thibaw, is a small town in the Shan State in Eastern Myanmar.This is where the Last Shan Prince used to live before General Ne Win and his army executed him. His wife, known as Sao Ohn Nyunt or the last Shan princess, has returned to Austria with their kids.

1 Day Cycling Trip
Pontoon Coffee - Shan Palace- Mrs Popcorn Gardens

Coffee kick starts the day and Pontoon Coffee makes the best in town. Do note they have shifted, ask the locals. Have their instagram + photo-worthy banana pancakes for some energy before taking a leisurely cycle to the Shan Palace.

If you do visit the Shan Palace, it's best to be there in the morning. Someone will open the gates for you and explain the story of the Shan Prince and his familly. Donations are welcome and you can read more about the Last Shan Princess from the book ' Twilight over Burma'.

Cycle to Mrs Popcorn Gardens some 15 minutes away and try the delish fried rice. This serene place is run by a local granny who once used to teach. Upon her retirement, she was not given enough and hence, she sells fried rice for a living. She once sold popcorns when her husband was still around, but since then, she has been cooking fried rice for her guests with love. Service is a little slow considering granny needs to take a little more time so come and enjoy the tranquil in her humble, peaceful sanctuary. Try her shakes too, they are fresh and tasty. Price to enjoy the food, the love & peace: USD 1-3

Mr Cook " Law Chun" Restaurant serves Chinese cuisine at decent prices. Order it Tze -char style ( ordering a few dishes to share and go along with your personal bowl of rice)

Just behind Yee Shin guest house is Valentines. Head over for some ice cream or bubble tea. Price to chillax with 3 scoops of ice cream: USD 1.50

SHOP LOCAL

LANGYI- the sarong
If you have spare cash and feel like spending it, buy their national costume , the langyi (similar to a sarong) and a matching blouse, which can be tailored in 2 to 3 days. Costs USD 10-30 depending on quality and material. If you are a guy, you can just wear a langyi on its own (USD 5) with your singlet or a long sleeved shirt. Wear it like a local!

THANAKA- that face cream
The Burmese apply Thanaka on their faces. According to locals, this is their form of make up and UV sunblock. It is said that Thanaka helps to whiten the skin and prevent acne. Thanaka comes from the bark of the Thanaka tree. You can buy a small block of it for about 1 USD.

HANDMADE SLIPPERS
These beautifully handcrafted slippers can be found in the markets of Yangon. Each pair costs USD 2- 15, depending on the material. Straw slippers tend to cost more than the velvety ones.

HANDMADE LANTERNS
Get some locally made lanterns as part of your home decor. These beautiful crafts can be purchased at Inle Lake and its surrounds for USD2-4 depending on the size and shape.

Handmade Lanterns

ACCOMMODATION
During the off peak season, accommodation can be booked easily on the spot when you arrive at the hotel.

Yangon: Agga House USD $15 per person

A budget accommodation in Chinatown. It may not be the most up to date in terms of design and furniture but the good service makes up for it. It was relatively clean when we were there. Toilets are shared. They do offer pick up from the airport at an additional cost. Do note that because of the jams, it may take 1 hour or so to reach the hotel and vice versa.

New Bagan: Mya Thida USD 15 per person

I really enjoyed the service here; it was warm and friendly, thanks to the owner who used to work in Singapore for a few years and because of that, we could hold a conversation in English. Rooms are air- conditioned and each room come with a toilet. He also provides breakfast. Bicycles are available for rent.Tour & Coach bookings available.

Nyuang Shwe / Inle Lake: Aquarius Inn USD 15 per person

Aquarius Inn- simply the best stay during the trip.The inn was clean, new, cheap and the staff were friendly. It is run by a family of almost 10! Breakfast was included and the fruits served was fresh, especially their mangoes. Tour & Coach bookings available at good prices.Bicycles are available for rent next door. From here, you can cycle to the Red Mountain Wine Estate and cross the Lake by a longtail boat for a few bucks to see the hot springs.

Pyin Oo Lwin: Aster Hotel USD 15-20 per person per night

Located 10 min drive from the city center, this hotel offers clean and huge rooms with good service. Breakfast was alright but if you;d like something else, there is a cafe just a 3 min walk away. Shuttle service to town is available. Bicycles are available for rent.

Hsipaw: Yee Shin Hostel USD 7-10 per person

This hotel is worth coming to for its good location and friendly service. Located along the main road in Hsipaw, this new hotel is hard to miss. The owner of this hotel is a Chinese and speak Chinese and Hokkien well. Very friendly and kind man. If you come by train , there is a free shuttle from the train station to the hotel. There are no air conditioners in some rooms but the fan was good enough . Bicycles are available for rent.

FOOD
9 dishes you must try in Myanmar
satisfy your hunger pangs and indulge in these local snacks

Sweet Char Siew Puff
Remember Char Siew Shu? Yes, it remind me of that.

Nangyi Thoke
A cold noddle salad served with pork broth.

Shredded Coconut Crepe
This one is rare in Yangon but it sure is delish!

Noodles with Shredded Pork

Somewhat like the Singapore Bak Chor mee,
this dish is prepared Shan style and served with a peppery broth on the side

Inle Fish
This mildly spicy Shan dish goes well with rice. Have it fresh when you're near the lake.

Mont lin mayar or mont oke galay

Rice flour batter fried in a dome shaped pan

Stir fried Chicken with Cashew and Vegetable
You can't go wrong with this flavorful dish. Pair it with rice and tofu soup

Mohinga
This 50 cents noodles will remind you of the good old days
of being a primary school student.

Jaggery
This local candy is made of palm sugar!
Warning: Extremely Sweet!

MORE PHOTOS

A member of the Jasmine family

Learn how to make Lacquerware here.

Pills sold at the Market

Market in Yangon

Traffic in Yangon

Watch where you go!

Star beam Menu in Bagan

Sunset Garden New Bagan

Dinner by the Aryawaddy River, Sunset Garden

House on Inle Lake

Symmetry Cafe / Restaurant Review | Bugis

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 5 Mar 2014 05:04:00 -0800

It's my first time and I'm so glad I came here for a Monday lunch. This cozy cafe by day and restaurant by night serves up great tasting meals and seats around 30 pax at the most, including outdoor seating. It was almost full house even when we arrived at 2.30pm. The friendly staff there appeared laid back as they donned t-shirts, shorts and sneakers, giving this place a chill-out vibe. A great place to be on a Sunday for brunch I'd say.

Anyhow, my girl friend and I ordered their Smoked Salmon Carbonara ($18++) and Truffle Fries($13++).

Truffle Fries with Mayo

Smoked Salmon Carbonara with Poached Egg and Mushrooms

The poached egg in the pasta oozes!

We were amazed by the freshness of the ingredients ! I really liked the truffle fries, they did use quite a lot of truffle there I must say, and the same goes for the smoked salmon. I wished they gave a tad more pasta, though. Thankfully, the generous serving of fries did fill us up.

I will be back for their crisp golden yellow truffle fries!

|Symmetry Cafe|
Website : http://symmetry.com.sg/
Address: 9 Jalan Kubor #01-01 S(199206)

Nearest MRT : Bugis (5 min walk from Exit B)
Contact: +65 62919901

OPENING
HOURS

MON	1030 – 2100
TUE – THU	1030 – 2300
FRI	1030 – 0000
SAT	0900 – 0000
SUN	0900 – 2100

MUSEE Platinum Tokyo Review

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 4 Mar 2014 08:12:00 -0800

Hello!

Today I shall talk about MUSEE Platinum Tokyo. I've been going to MUSEE aka MPT since 2011. I have always wanted to get rid of underarm hair for good as this would leave my skin really clean and smooth and fair. Thus, I decided to go for MUSEE at Scotts Square since it was in town and also the newest outlet then.

Back then, they had their promotion for unlimited underarm hair removal for a hundred bucks. So I thought," Wow, if that's gonna remove my hair for good, then I can stop buying shavers & blades for my armpits too! damn good deal! " I called my friend and we both headed down to the outlet at Scotts Square and we wanted to try getting rid of leg hair too, so we signed up for a package.

Up to today, I must say that I see see great results! My underarm hair growth has slowed ever since the first session and just 2 weeks ago, I had my 5th session ( yes, I haven't visited them in a longg time) and the strands are turning out to be finer and sparser! WOOHOO! I am damn happy la! I just hope I can get rid of it totally by end of 2014 and throw my razors away.

If you are thinking of going for MUSEE hair removal, there are few things you'll need to know and some reasons why I really like this company:

The treatment takes place at least every 2 months. You can't go back asking them for treatment every week on the same part. They'll tell you to wait for the hair to grow.
OTher than their underarm treatment, the other treatments can be categorized as a Large part(L) or a Small part(S) . 2 small parts is equal to 1 Large part.
Staff there are not pushy and you just pay for what you want. If you're keen to do just the underarm removal, just tell them you want that. Otherwise, they will not shove other packages to your face. This is why I really like this company.
During treatment, you will be made to wear an eye mask, to prevent your eyes from being blinded by the beams of filtered light. Your belongings can be kept in a locker in the treatment room and you can hold the key with you so no one can freely access your stuff when you are ' blindfolded' .Another big plus here!
During treatment, they will shave off your hair and mark the spot they want to perform treatment on . Then they put a really cold gel on your skin which formulated to activate when exposed to the beams of light. As a result, your hair growth will be delayed.
Once done, they will remove the specially formulated gel and place cooling pads on the treated areas for a few minutes to soothe the skin.
Finally, they will moisturize your skin with their Beauty After Care Gel . If you 'd like to bring home a bottle, you may purchase it at the counter.
Also, you may be worried that it will hurt right? I was really concerned my skin would burn or worse, turn chao tar due to the intensity of the light but hey, I'm not complaining after almost 10 sessions. before they apply anything or perform treatment on your skin, they will inform you. And they will check to see if you're comfortable. Communicating with them is very easy!!
Be on time for your appointment. Inform them if you'll be late, they may cancel your session if you're over 10 min late. The last time I was really late, my fault for taking too long with my previous appointment, but thankfully they didn't cancel because I called them to check!
They have certain restrictions for hair removal. I was told that if the skin is too too dark, this treatment will not be effective. Do book a consultation with them to find out if you are suitable.

I hope you find this review helpful and if you'd like to sign up with me to receive double privileges including a free gift and 1 Large part for free, leave your email/contact in the comment box below ^ ^ or you may email me at thepluralofjoy@gmail.com , with Musee Platinum Privileges as the subject.

In case you want to make an appointment, here are the contacts:

Website: http://www.musee-pla.asia/menu/

Scotts Sqaure: 66048043
Centerpoint: 67358511
Parco Millenia Walk: 63377273
Plaza Singapura: 68843500
Bugis Plus: 63419844
Jurong East Westgate: 68357854

Update! If you'd like to enjoy the double privilege with me, note that I need not be present when you sign up. Just quote my membership ID, name and outlet which I patronise i.e. Scotts Square. Please email me to get my membership ID no! Thanks :)

Poulèt @ Bedok Mall B2

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 07:33:00 -0800

Hello!

Thanks for dropping by to read this next post :)

I'm really excited to share with you about Poulèt, Singapore's First french casual dining restaurant chain.

Poulèt (poo-lay).is a French word and it means Chicken. That is why you'll notice that the restaurant's logo has a rooster's comb on top of the letter 'e'.

Anyway, I was in Bedok and I just wanted to try something interesting and an Eiffel tower came to mind and I thought of Poulet. I 've seen this French- themed restaurant in other malls and I've always wanted to give it a try and so yesterday, my friend and I did!

We tried 3 items on their menu.

The first was their Sautéed wild mushrooms.

The mushrooms were really good!! There was also a big round egg sitting in the middle. When i poked it gently with my fork, it was so bouncy like you know thatcertain kind of fish ball. In fact, I was soooo tempted to burst it to see the egg yolk ooze out and I did! Cheap thrill lol
Anyway, I really liked this dish and if i ever get to cook it , I would try it with an Asian twist and add chilli padi into my recipe:P

Next, we ordered their Chicken &Fig Marmalade Sandwich as well as their Smith Chicken & Egg Mayo Chicken Sandwich. Both were served with lightly-salted thick golden yellow straight-cut fries on wooden chopping boards.

I found that the Fig Marmalade complemented the large portion of creamy chicken slices. I also liked the croissant which was baked to perfection- crusty and buttery. Tomatoes and lettuce sandwiched in-between were fresh. The hot fries really filled me up. Overall, I really like this item.

Likewise, the Smith Chicken & Egg Mayo Sandwich was also well made, but unlike the previous one, it took on a creamier note due to the mayo.

By this time, both our bellies were almost filled to the brim and an attempt to take on their dessert would have caused our stomachs to erupt..I'm not kidding... that was how filling their items were.

Verdict: It was definitely a worth the money for the food. The 2 of us spent only $25 altogether to satisfy our palettes and tummies. Service wise, I thought the staff could have been a tad friendlier :)

Their restaurant outlets:

Bedok Mall

311 New Upper Changi Road
#B2-31/32
Singapore 467360
Tel: (+65) 6844 9421

Bugis+

201 Victoria Street
#04-12
Singapore 188067
Tel: (+65) 6509 9411

Chinatown Point

133 New Bridge Road
Level 2
Singapore 059413
Tel: (+65) 6538 3595

Great World City

1 Kim Seng Promenade
#02-K2/K3
Singapore 237994
Tel: (+65) 6733 4395

Jurong Point *

1 Jurong West Central 2
#B1-57/58/59
Singapore 648331
Tel: (+65) 6861 0217

Raffles City Shopping Centre

252 North Bridge Road
#B1-65/66
Singapore 179103
Tel: (+65) 6336 3119

Vivocity1 HarbourFront Walk

#01-175/176/177
Singapore 098585
Tel: (+65) 6376 9087

Westgate
3 Gateway Drive

#01-07 Westgate
Singapore 608532
Tel: 6369 9465

Changi Airport Terminal 3

65 Airport Boulevard
Changi Airport Terminal 3
#04-01 Viewing Mall South Level 4
Singapore 819663

Operational hours are from 11.30am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

Taiwan + Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 18:16:00 -0800

I got back from Taiwan and I have some wonderful things to share ! When I was there in early November, the weather was good averaging at 24 degC. It was not too cold nor hot. In fact, I find it very comfortable. I believe the weather is going to drop very soon!! okay, so my girl friend and I spent 10 days in total and because life is rather stressful already, we just thought we should be a little more relaxed when it comes to travelling. The first time I visited this China land with my family on a tour was --- MADNESSS! My sister had to wake me up at 6 am every morning or the group will get mad at us. So, this time it was all FREE and EASY! Own time, Own target!

Tai Chung & Cing Qing Farm
See
Tai Chung has its own beauty to it,and unlike Taipei, the people here seem more relaxed. If you intend to head up to the mountains to do some farm visiting or just to enjoy the cool air in CingJing, TaiChung is a good base. It takes about 3 hours by bus to get to the farm from the TaiChung NanTou Ke Yun Bus Station ( just ask the staff at Tai Chung Main station, the shop is just about a 5-10 minute walk ) They sell the farm entrance tickets and the return bus ride as a package for 600 TWD. The last bus leaves the farm at about 4 or 5 pm depending on which day you go. If you have something to ask , here is their email. (you probably have to email them in mandarin, though)
Cing Jing Farm itself is really huge and is located up on the mountains. Over there, you'll see sheep goats and just enjoy the scenery and nature.It was 20 deg C in the day when we were there in November. Great place for families. to spend a day and maybe a night. Oh yes, depending on which gate you enter from, you may have to go down/up a super long green flight of stairs that made us think we were doing a vertical marathon so avoid it and use the other gate instead.

In Tai Chung, head to Yi Zhong Ye Shi (ye shi= night market), or if you prefer something more massive, Feng Jia Ye Shi is ginormous and I'm not kidding! It's monstrosity reminds me of Jatuchak in Bangkok. We could not cover it in 3 hours and if you 're an avid shopaholic, it's worse. Luckily our shopaholic instincts have died down. Phew!

Shop Locally

Taiyang Bing
10 min walk from the Taichong main station, you'll find at least 5 stores trying to sell you the Taiwanese Sun biscuit I recommend the store with the old man or their sunflower on the logo. Their original flavour is my favourite, the others were too sweet. They also sell pineapple tarts which were good.

Taipei to Tai Chung/ Tai Chung to Taipei

To get from Taipei to Tai Chong, you may go by High Speed Rail or take a Coach from the Main Station of the respective city. Of course, the faster you get there, the more expensive and it was 3x higher to take the HSR and 3x the speed so both are fairly priced to me. Since we had all the time in the world, we took the 3 hour long coach which only cost us a McDonald's meal (upsized) or about 200 TWD. The coach comes with a few TV screens showing English films with Chinese subs and inbuilt speakers in the seats with adjustable volume levels. and yes, there is a toilet on board too. I didn't use it but I saw it was damn cleann. Taiwanese toilets are the cleanest in the world, and even those at their MRTs are damn clean. Ironically, their counterparts have the total opposite.

Taipei

SeeThere is so much to see in Taipei. One of the places I would recommend is the Fisherman's wharf and Jiu Fen. Also the Taipei 101 is sure a great man-made accomplishment. Dingxi and Dongmen are less touristy places. There is a morning market on Lin Yi Street just take exit 2 at Dongmen station. Lots of good food on that street and the beef noodles are good!

Shop
For the better shopping places other than the usual tourist spots like Ximending and Shi Lin, train to Gong Guan and you'll find yourself getting good bargains. With the student university just across the road, clothes and spectacles are priced lower. Wonder where all the bookshops go though.
tip: Spectacles, contact lenses and contact solution are way cheaper than in Singapore. Expect to get a bottle of AO sept for just 8 SGD. Optical stores I would recommend in Gong guan include More Fine Optical
( 5min from station exit) and Young Man / Nian Qing Ren (numerous outlets)

Eat
Master the art of using chopsticks because there are noodles everywhere. The only noodles eaten with a Chinese soup spoon is Mee Sua. Food on the streets are cheap. You can get a bowl of Mee sua for as little as about USD 1.50

Move
See this city by train, on foot or with a bicycle. The trains are relatively easy to use just remember to Queue. I was told off as I was dashing into the train from the escalator , as I thought the doors were going to close anytime soon. Do get a You you card, it works like the EZ-link & Octopus cards. Just tap and go. If you've been taking too much trains, the U-bike system is very impressive. The locals themselves love it and ride them everywhere. If you've missed the as train or bus, taxis are relatively cheap and they go by the meter

Stay
Memphorberg 3 min to Dingxi MRT. Great district with lots of great food and good shopping around. Greg and Claire are lovely hosts who are willing to help. about USD38/ night

Photography

Many couples are snapping up wedding packages and coming to Taiwan for their shoots. The reason ? it's relatively cheap and beautiful. The sun in Taiwan can be beautiful at this time of the year. However, I don't think November is the best time of the year for pictures but it sure is good enough especially if you want to take portraits in the late afternoon. Perhaps it's better to go in Spring. In any case, unlike Singapore, the sky in Taiwan is not too cloudy (even during November), making it great for landscape shoots on certain days. The natural lighting you get from the sun is soft and beautiful for 2-3 hours before it sets.

Fisherman's Wharf, Taipei

Cing Jing Farm

Night Market

Dessert at Choc it

Chisozanmai at Central - I will be back!! =)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 22:57:00 -0700

my review on... CHISOZANMAI!

I've been wanting to review on this restaurant for some time, but I put it aside as I was busy with my travels.
Anyway, this buffet is one you should head to ! I think it's really a run for your money if you crave fresh sashimi and the nice thing is the view and If you love restaurants with great natural lighting, this is the place, which is really ideal if you want to take some food pics :)

It's located on the second floor of the Central at Clarke Quay and it can fit 200 pax. So if you have a company buffet out there, this place is big!

I really liked their raw salmon and I do have to recommend their matcha tofu to all matcha lovers out there. It's such a treat for the tongue! They also serve soba, rice, tempura, nabe(soup) in this giant pot which contains scallops and big prawns. Do note that they do replenish the soup with more ingredients every 15-20 minutes as I was told so don't be disappointed if you find nothing in there.

Also, you may wish to add a few more dollar for free flow of drinks and it includes soft drinks , fountain drinks such as Sjora, Iced Peach Tea, and Coffee/ Green Tea.

Desert wise, the variety was lacking. saw about 5 types of cakes but they;ve got a soft serve ice cream machine there which was good enough for me after all that sashimi.

Although this restaurant doesn't offer that much choices, it's price-friendly. I paid about $24 per head and I did get to whack the sashimi ! :) This place is also not too crowded for dinner on weekdays (Y)

Oh tofu and sashimi, I will be back for you!

Modelling I Models

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:33:00 -0700

I Models Holdings

Recently, I was scouted by one of I Model’s staff while walking along the streets of Bugis. I was scouted by them before a few years back but had no genuine interest in modeling back then. They wanted to tie me down for 2 years to a contract which I rejected. So this time, the opportunity came knocking on my door and I seized it by booking an appointment with them to find out more. I came down to their office at Orchard Central Level 5 and I was quite happy with their offer. It is $690 for 3 outfit changes, while the marketing and Composite Card fees are waived since I was invited. Those who walked-in usually paid $2500 extra for these. Anyways, I thought $690 was a little steep (I’m a student) and Sky, the consultant I had been speaking with, offered me $390 for 1 outfit change.

Hmm, I’m still thinking hard about it. I do have an interest in modelling but I am afraid this might just not work out for me.

Any comments out here?

Momiji Japanese Buffet Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:32:00 -0700

I just had a sleepless night all because of a buffet.
Trust me, I totally had no idea that I would end up having that for dinner until the bf suggested that we should eat some SNOW CRABS. My bf brought me to the Momiji Japanese Buffet Restaurant at City Square mall.

The spread was amazing! We had edamame, sushi, at least 5 different types of hot pot nabes, tempura, fresh sashimi, fresh seafood including sotong, clams, prawns & scallops.

They even have over 20 made-on-the-spot items including the nabes I sound as though I am scolding a bad word. My favourites were the scallops with oyster mushroom (which was really SHIOK because they added tonnes of chilli padi to it) and also the super large scallops cooked with tofu.

Beverage wise, their spread was really good too. They had 4 types of Japanese drinks imported from Kyoto: yuzu, ocha, matcha iced fuji apple tea, as well as fountain drinks. The best part? They even had FREE FLOW OF BEER (6.30-7.30PM) Too bad, I don't drink a lot.

Another awesome part about this buffet has got to be the Häagen Daz ice cream. There are 4 different flavours to choose from: macadamia nut ( my fav) , rum and raisin, green tea and chocolate! You could even have it in a cone or a bowl. I am an ice cream lover so I had 3 rounds of it and I had fun being an ice cream scooper for a day, lol. They also had other desserts like cheesecakes, and chocolate fondue fountain. Fresh fruits were also available.

Service wise, I was sceptical about it initially. I wanted the window seat as I wanted to see what's in the condo opposite the mall. I'm know I'm such a kaypoh, right? hehe. Despite the restaurant being so big and empty on a weekday, they didn't want to let me change to a window seat initially , insisting that those were for 6 pax or more. But when I pointed out that there was a table for 4 unoccupied, the staff agreed.They also said they didn't have lemons for me to dip my seafood in but another staff kindly returned with sliced ones. Apart from some lapses, everything else was good and I would come back again!

Cheers
Took some pics using my spare phone so please don't expect pics to be sharp :/

Their imported drinks from Kyoto which were super thick and concentrated!
Yuzu and Matcha were my fav!

Their deep fried items including tempura

Made-on-the-spot items!
Beef with mushrooms and large Scallop with toufu

Free Flow for an hour !

SNOW CRAB LEGS
The legs were not that filled entirely with meat, but still they were FRESH nonetheless

They also had mochi, but I was too full by then and I only could stomach ice cream

Haagen Daz to end off my lovely buffet

Singapore Airlines SQ11 - on board the A380

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 2 Aug 2013 05:57:00 -0700

Hello!

Today I shall review the SQ11 flight I took from LAX - NRT- SIN on board the Airbus A380 on Economy Class.

LAX - NRT
I boarded this flight at Los Angeles (LAX) on 16th July and arrived at Tokyo (NRT) the following day. It was about an 11 hr flight. I was hoping for an empty flight so that I could stretch out and have a good sleep.

It was about 70% full and I was lucky to have an empty seat beside me to put my handbag. I had the aisle seat, which was a good thing cos getting to the loo was so much easier. The leg room was fine for me (i'm 5 ft 4 ). I could recline the seat, adjust the "wings" of my head rest. They also provided a blanket and a pillow for every seat. I usually try to make myself more comfortable by placing another pillow/ towel/jacket behind my back.

There was good variety of shows on the in-flight entertainment system, and had watched Olympus has Fallen and Cirque du Soleil (I was a tad sad watching this after news broke that one of its cast,Sarah, had died recently during her performance in Las Vegas )

Food wise, I chose Japanese cuisine throughout the flight. I was served Soba and this was my first time using a pair of chopsticks on a flight! The flight attendants also pampered us with Haagen Daz ice cream (in a tub) after each meal. We could choose between chocolate and vanilla. They also provided complimentary drinks, and I really liked their Orange Spritzer (essentially orange juice and sprite). A steward offered me to try their Campari Orange. Their aperatif (campari) was simply too bitter for my liking and I gave up after a sip. They also served snacks like tuna sandwich and peanuts on board.

During the flight, I was asked to take their survey and I gave them lots of suggestions. Thankfully, there weren't any air pockets or terrible turbulence.

Overall, I felt the SQ A380 flight to NRT was pleasant .9/10

At Narita Airport
We disembarked the plane at Narita Airport. During our 1.5 hr transit, I went to the FaSoLa duty free shops to look for the Issaye Miyake BaoBao Bag. I saw several Fa So La shops in the terminal buildings, or what they call "Satellites",which were interconnected. Every satellite has a few FaSoLa shops selling different items and it took me about 20 minutes till I found the one with the BaoBao. When I saw the shelf, everything was gone, except for the pouches which cost about 100 sgd. ok so , too bad no more bags. I went off to hunt for Japanese Snacks! Tokyo Banana, Chocolat blanc et langue de chat ( French for white chocolate and flat cookie) , Ginza Strawberry Cake, Half Moon Crêpes, I bought them all! I almost bought Royce from another shop but I had too much to carry by then.

NRT- SIN
On the next leg of the journey to SG, another group of cabin crew served us. This time, the service was a little more robotic... no expressions from the stewardess, unlike those on the earlier flight. I felt that she was serving on autopilot. But, I do understand that everyone has those days They missed a couple of my orders for drinks but it's ok, I understand that they have lots of orders too..

Occupancy wise, this flight was more packed than the first leg. I was still assigned to the same seat and this time, I had a new neighbour! Thankfully, she was a nice person too. That meant that I could fall asleep in peace before we arrive in Singapore

The food came and I chose Japanese once again. The Haagen Daz ice cream they served came in one flavour- vanilla. I also noticed that the ice cream was made in Japan.

Ahh , the time comes when you need to relive yourself. At least, their toilets were rather clean and pleasant. As usual, soap, moisturiser and warm water was available. If you forget to bring your toothbrush set, don't sigh, they normally have a few in the drawers in the lavatory. If you are a lady and you freak out because you just realised there's some blood, you don't need to scream cos there're sanitary pads in another drawer.

It was another 7 hours on the plane before we finally reached SG safely. Home sweet home!

Overall, a decent flight 7/10

BUT, if I had to compare this to the Qantas flight from SIN- SYD which I took 3 years ago, I think SQ has lost out a little. I remember the Qantas flight I took from Singapore to Sydney in 2010.

On the Qantas A380, I simply liked:
a) how I could go the Q bar at the back to help myself to snacks whenever I was hungry or felt like munching on something.
b) how I could go to the upper deck to check it out!
c) how the cabin lights were lavender as it was really soothing :)

Nonetheless, I am really thankful for a safe flight back.

UPDATE
I must say something about the A380. After SQ317 had to make an emergency landing due to decompression, I told all my facebook friends not to take this jumbo jet anymore! Here's a tell tale sign that this jet isn't very safe. One of my friends was flying back on the super liner and during the flight, there was a noise coming from one the exit doors. Cabin crew placed pillows and blankets to dampen the vibrations in a bid to reduce the noise throughout the flight. Glad he landed safely. BUT, the constant vibrations are making the doors wear and tear faster. The bewildering question in my head now is, why isn't Airbus recalling their A380s ?? After what has happened to SQ317, don't they want to mod their faulty doors before one of them actually comes off? Shouldn't safety be no. 1 priority over operations cost? My advice: skip taking the A380 for now.

Here are some video clips and articles for further illustration

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2279416/My-terror-27-000ft-Jet-door-blew-open-crew-plugged-gap-blankets-says-Briton.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ7CoGl9hTM
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/39-leaky-39-a380-door-eyed-singapore-airlines-064430709--finance.html

it's better in the USA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 08:19:00 -0700

Hello there!

I'm back from the land of the Weird, the Wacky and the Wonderful ..... the USA!!

USA totally lives up to the 3 Ws and I will be back for more!!

Some of the places I visited were San Francisco, New York City and the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles. I am so returning to the States for Alaska !

I really miss their 99c stores, where i can find amazing deals! It's just 1 dollar for 10 hangers! or how about 1 dollar for a bottle of Jergens Soap! or 1 dollar for a pair of decent sunnies! One thing annoys me however. their prices exclude state taxes. But then again, their tax is is pretty low, like 7-10 % depending on which state you're in. The reason I'm annoyed is the fact that I end up paying more than what I thought I have to. Regardless, I think standard of living is cheaper there! Seriously. Where can you get a hanger for ten cents in Singapore? Not even Daiso sells it that cheaply. It's no wonder I have to end up folding all my 1000 pieces of clothes!

Another thing I miss is their drivers. I totally love driving along their highways. The drivers are so considerate. The moment they see you getting behind them on the express lane, they 'siam' immediately for you. When you're jaywalking across the road, the drivers will stop 10 meters away from you! seriously. they're damn polite. miss that so much about american drivers. maybe not for NY drivers but elsewhere is pretty good though.

I also miss SALSA! thank god I can get it from Carl's Jr. And oh my , I love their greens which are so fresh and they dump one whole pile of it on your plate. I've seen that at the Cheesecake Factory, Junior's etc.. If you go to Five Guys, you can even help yourself to peanuts while waiting for your food or while you're eating your food. What are they stingy with then ? I can't even think of any. Even their drinks are usually refillable for free, although I don't take more than 2 rounds cos too much soft drinks makes me burp a lot anyway.

Oh i love their 90 days return policy. If you buy something and you don't like it, refund it! yeah, that's what i call satisfaction fully guaranteed. Applies only to certain stores like Walmart and Target though and you cant do that for electronic games / copyrighted stuff.

Like a typical Singaporean, I love shopping. so where is the best place to shop? Factory outlets definitely.
If you like to save a lot more, look out for this magic word -- 'clearance'. Shop at the clearance racks cos they still have lotsss of stuff to clear, so much so that you can still get the sizes and designs you like. Half of my steals are from clearance racks/ shelves. The other half of them are entitled to coupon discounts, sometimes. It's always good to see whats on sale before checking out each store cos there're so many stores to cover I suggest heading to the info counter of each outlet mall to get your visitor's discount booklet.
Some recommended places to shop in Las Vegas :
Town Square (it's really children-friendly. Go if the weather is good),
FashionShow Mall (it's huge . great for all weathers),
Las Vegas Factory Outlet - North ( get more branded stuff here than the South. Go if weather is good )
Boulevard Mall ( they have 3 major dept stores there, and 4-5 telco stores)

People wise, I have not personally met any racist person who has out-rightly cursed or sworn at me. It was different for my fellow Asian friend though. But generally, they treated me better than what I had expected and I feel there are more friendly and welcoming people than racists ones. of course there are people who would smoke on buses, and do weird things. Just ignore them and they wont touch you.

I'm going back. I;m going to see Alaska and the Northern Lights.
I just need to save

MACCHA HOUSE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:54:00 -0700

WOOO!! I LOVE GREEN TEA!! I LOVE MACCHA HOUSE

181 Orchard Road

#B1-40 Orchard Central

MATCHA ICE CREAM

Jess and I tried their Matcha ice cream and WE LOVE IT!!
It's just $2.90 for thick green tea ice cream served either in a cup or cone.
Or you could have it with vanilla too
Plus, you get a place to sit and savour the goodness.
MMMmmm
Need I say more?

10/10 for their ice cream!

RICE BOWL

Oh, but before that, we tried their rice bowls. We ordered the salmon and avocado, as well as the salmon and ikura( tuna). It is $12.90 per bowl.

The presentation of the food was neat and simple. The rice, meat and salad were all in one bowl and I liked that the soup came in a cup. But, the salmon and tuna , though fresh, were a little too warm. They should have been colder but we were eating them at room temperature which was weird. When we told the staff about it, she checked with the chef and said the rice had warmed them up. Nonetheless, the avocado was fresh and soup was good. Oh by the way, if you dread fresh onions, you might wanna request that they serve the salad separately from the rice. It's really strong and was a little too overwhelming.

7/10 for their rice sets

What a downer, but I'll still be back for their green tea and ice cream! =)

SPAGEDDIES

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:25:00 -0700

SPAGEDDIES

181 Orchard Road

#04-01 Orchard Central

Tel: 67387798Fax: 67388773

My petit ami ( boyfriend ) and I just had our dinner at Spageddies at the Orchard Central outlet which is just beside SG Flight Simulator. We ordered:

1) Crayfish and Tenderloin Pasta

2) Wild Mushroom Soup

3) Half Loaf Bread

First, I must say that I came here because I wanted to use my voucher as it is expiring soon. It was given to me by Orchard Central as a birthday gift, along with a few other great vouchers like Love n Show, Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Chrysalis and an Orchard Central Voucher. No minimum spend for all these vouchers which is great because most of these free vouchers are useless to me because of their T&Cs. Thank You OC for the presents! Btw, You’re still one of my favourite malls in Singapore especially when I need some peace and quiet while I’m in town.

Oh yes, so as for the food, the main course was good. I loved the pasta which was cooked aglio olio style even though it was a tad too peppery for my bf. The beef was served medium rare with mushroom sauce, and the crayfish was fresh and had a good tomato based sauce. The soup was pretty standard but the bread- half a loaf of toasted baguette- was different. It was served with fried garlic on a side plate instead of fresh garlic paste. That’s a first. And you can tell that the oil used was fresh.

The ambience was decent but I would have preferred to sit outside if not for the rain. It looks more charming out there.

Staffs who served us were pretty friendly, efficient and alert. It took just 5-10 minutes before the soup came, but they should have served it together with the bread and the garlic instead of serving separately.

Place was not too packed at the time we were there (i.e. 6 pm ) but a queue formed when we left.

Overall, a decent restaurant. 7/10

cheers :)

Sukin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:08:00 -0700

Hello everyone!

Recently, I've been shopping quite a bit and I've decided to do some reviews!

I have been looking around for organic stuff in Singapore as I am more aware of some of the awful chemical most commercial products use such as parabens-methylparaen, propylparaben. But I also want to do the switch because I find that besides being better for my body, I am giving back to the earth in some way by using organic products :) The use of man-made chemicals as beauty products does cause quite a lot of damage to the earth and our bodies and thus I would like to give my support to companies and brands which are trying hard to save the earth through the use of sustainable farming. By going organic and natural , the use of pesticides is reduced significantly and natural eco-systems are in place. Going organic is such a beautiful thing. Some people who inspired me to go organic are my sister , Mirander Kerr ( owner of Kora Organics) , Ms Lara Jay (my uni prof who survived cancer! whoo hooo! )

I am usually on the look out for new organic brands in the market- be it food, beauty products, toiletries etc... and inaddition, I 'll be doing write ups on other topics too such as FOOOD, RESTAURANTS , FACIALS ... so you can follow my blog for some updates!

Well, I shall begin reviewing SUKIN'S PRODUCT RANGE
If you walk into any Watsons outlet, you notice that their bottles are different. I believe they are made dark for a reason- to prevent sunlight from destroying the ingredients. As stated on their bottles, Sukin is Australian made and owned and it claims to be 100% Vegan, 100% Carbon Neutral and contains none of the following:
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) , Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) , Synthetic fragrances, Animal Derivatives, Harsh Detergents, Propylene Glycol, Artificial colours, Triethanolamine, mineral oils EDTA, parabens.

So I bought some of them to try (since Watsons seling them at a nice discount ) and here are my findings...

SUKIN Body Wash

If you're looking for something free of parabens, sulphates, silicones and free all those chemicals you can find in commercial products, this bottle is for you! This earth-friendly bottle packed with natural goodness is simply one of my favourite soaps around because it doesn't dry out my skin ( I have pretty dry skin) and I love the smell of it. It is light scented . I've been using this at least once a day. I use about 3 pumps or about 10 ml of it for my body so I'm hoping it can last a good 100 washes or 3 months at least. This gets a 9/10

SUKIN Shampoo

This is another earth-friendly product. In fact the entire SUKIN range is free of harsh chemicals
One thing about this shampoo is that you might find it a little harder to lather on and it feels thick and concentrated. I'm not so sure why but I'm guessing they didn't add that much water. Nonetheless, it was not that bad, I could still lather on and get the shampoo to cover my entire scalp eventually. After rinsing it off, my hair doesn't feel all that squeaky clean but it's still feels fine. I 'll rate it a 7/10

SUKIN Nourishing Conditioner

This conditioner works great on my hair. I love the smell of it too.

There are just so many benefits of using this product. You are actually helping the earth by using less harmful chemicals, because when the conditioner is washed off, it goes into the sewage and into the sea, the marine animals are not left to suffer. Besides saving the earth, you're saving yourself. Why? by using less harmful chemicals on your body, your skin absorbs less of those nasty stuff. This gets a 9/10

SUKIN Hydrating Mist Toner – Alcohol and Paraben Free
( 125ml / 4.23 fl.oz US)
This toner comes in a spray bottle so you can get the toner sprayed directly onto your face. Now that saves you from using and buying cotton pads ! (Y) The smell is very rosey and it reminds me of the rosewater they use at eyebrow threading shops. Love it!
This gets a 9/10. The only thing is that you have to use it within 6 months of opening.
Anyway I'll type out the ingredients list since the bottle is just infront of me :)

Ingredients: Aqua, Rosa Damascena, Flower Water(Rose) ,Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita( Matricaria) Flower extract (Chamomile), Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid.

SUKIN Facial Moisturiser – Paraben Free ( 125ml / 4.23 fl.oz US)
This Moisturiser helps with my dry skin . I use it day and night. I usually sleep in an air-conditioned room so I'm quite concerned that my skin dries out faster. But, this moisturiser prevents my skin from drying out throughout the night. Texture wise, this is not the lightest moisturiser though but it doesn't stick onto my face that much. Hence, I don't know it's there till I touch it. It comes in a pump bottle rather than a squeeze bottle so it's a little hard to travel around with it. 9/10

Ingredients: Aqua,Aloe,Sesame Seed Oil,Cetaryl Alcohol, Glycerin, Rose Hip, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Vitamin E , Horsetail, Burdock Nettle, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Tangerine Peel Oil, Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Lavender Oil, Vanilla Extract, Grapefruit Seed, Linalool*, Limonene *

*Natural Components Of Essential Oils

Use within 6 months of opening

If you have your organic products to share, let me know what you think :)

Birkenstocks/ Papillios/ That German Brand / Birks

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 May 2013 08:12:00 -0700

Birkenstock/ Papillio/ Birki’s

Birkenstock is a German shoe brand which has been around for over 200 years ( they were founded in 1774) and I believe Papillio, Birki’s Beluga all fall under the same company. Well, let’s just call them Birks for simplicity reason. Each of these brands seem to have a different target market. i.e. Birkenstock has the classic, solid-coloured designs, Papillio seems to have very feminine designs and Birki's seem to be catered to kids/ families. Regardless, their stuff is one of a kind. I mean most of my shoes give me blisters whenever I have to break into them. BUT Birks are exceptions. I NEVER had a blister wearing Birks(Y) The only thing that’s just a tad uncomfortable is their cork bed which you’ll have to mould by wearing them often. So as you wear them, it gets softer and more comfortable though they may be very stiff when you first try them on. If it doesn’t get any softer, then it’s prolly a fake. (haha kidding) but I swear my birks are the best shoes in my shoe cabinet. They are really easy to match and I wear them almost every day either with jeans, skirts or shorts.

Anyway, Ii just found out that it is no cheaper getting them in Germany cos they are about the same prices : | One pair retails for at least $90-$200 in Singapore. Well, I have some good news!

If you are keen to get a pair, I’m selling them at great prices starting from $50 for a pair of Madrid (the one-strap sandal) I have them in various colours and sizes ranging from size 34- 43. Email me for more info thepluralofjoy@gmail.com :)

Cheers !