After a long walk from the Euromast to the Erasmus Bridge, we finally arrived at De Kuip (aka Feyenoord Stadion) some 2 hours later!
Given the distance, we wouldnt recommend taking this route. Perhaps a walk from the Euromast to the Erasmusbrug. But a walk from Euromast to De Kuip is not really recommended. You could if you want to. Looking back, we’d have preferred the trams.
De Kuip aka Feyenoord Stadion (see if you can spot it!) [As seen from Euromast Rotterdam]
We did catch great views along the way…
Sunset near De Kuip Feyenoord StadionFeyenoord Stadion from a distance
The Feyenoord Stadion is home to a very rich history of Dutch football. The most memorable match is recent times has got to be the 2002 UEFA Cup victory over Borussia Dortmund with a score of 3-2.
Legends such as Coenraadt “Coen” Moulijn, a nation revered winger, also plyed his trade with Feyenoord. His statue is even enshrined at the entrance of the stadium…
Coenraadt “Coen” Moulijn, a Feyenoord Legend
Although we did not have the opportunity to go inside, views of the stadium from the exterior tells us volumes of how great this club is
Close up view of Feyenoord StadiumSeating plan at the Feyenoord StadiumParking lots at the Feyenoord Stadium
One of the attractions of Rotterdam has got to be to catch a match here at the Feyenord Stadion. If you have (or had) the opportunity to do so, do share it here with us!
The Erasmus Bridge (aka Erasmusbrug) is the most iconic bridge in Rotterdam. In fact, we think that many bridges have been modelled after it. For Singaporeans, you may notice that the Keppel Bay Bridge is somewhat similar as well. So this day, after visiting the world famous Euromast (we shall talk about it in our subsequent posts), we took a walk from the Euromast to the Erasmus Bridge. It took us approximately half hour to reach there. If you take the scenic route along the River Maas, the walk was pretty much enjoyable. En route, we saw the Rotterdam…
The Rotterdam on River Maas
as well as the New York Hotel and Montevideo Residence
View of the Hotel New York and Montevideo Residence from Euromast Rotterdam
The Rotterdam was a cruise ship in yester-years and today, she is permanently moored at this location as a hotel as well as a museum. Hotel New York (vintage building with the red flag) was a place steep in the history of Rotterdam while the Montevideo Residence (the one with the big “M” on it) towers beside it.
Along the way, we passed by this place (called Veerhaven Rotterdam according to Google Map) where ships (that looked like vintage ones from the olden days) were docked. At this location, there was a nice board walk and from there we could have a good view of the Erasmus Bridge as well as structures and ships along the River Maas.
Approaching the Veerhaven RotterdamShips at Veerhaven RotterdamClose up view of the Erasmus Bridge from Veerhaven Rotterdam
Video showing the Erasmus Bridge from Veerhaven Rotterdam
Finally, after “trekking” for more than half an hour, we arrived at the Erasmus Bridge. We passed through it en route to De Kuip aka Stadion Feyenoord. Here’s a view of the bridge while pass through…
Crossing the Erasmus BridgeBeneath the Iconic Erasmus Bridge
Remember that a few posts ago, we touched on the Willemsbrug? We managed to catch an excellent shot of the Erasmus Bridge with the sunset as well!
Erasmus Bridge at Sunset
The Euromast gave us an excellent shot of the Erasmus Bridge too!
Erasmus Bridge as seen from Euromast Rotterdam
Like the Willemsbrug, Erasmus Bridge serves to connect the northern and southern parts of Rotterdam. It was actually designed by Ben van Berkel and was completed in 1996. Looking at its design, it is no wonder that the bridge also earned a nickname – The Swan.
So don’t forget to check out this iconic bridge on your next visit to Rotterdam. You’ll never know when you might see a familiar bridge fashioned after it when you go back to your home country!
“What a strange looking architecture this is!” we said to ourselves, as we laid our eyes upon yellow cube houses that were tilted at an angle…
Kubuswoning aka Cube Houses in RotterdamKubuswoning Rotterdam aka Cube Houses
The next question that comes to mind is “How do people stay in that thing?!”. Thanks to wiki, we do have a picture that depicts the living conditions within.
It seems that a platform is laid across so it is no different than a normal room internally except that the walls are slanted.
A quick search tells us that kubuswoning was actually an idea of the architect Piet Blom. He wanted to create a cluster somewhat like a small village with resemblance to trees and forests. So if you look closely at each cube house, there is actually a supporting beam that is representative to the trunk of a tree. The cube house itself is of course the top of the tree…
The Cube Houses from a distance | Rotterdam Attractions
The predecessor of the cube houses was actually first built in Helmond in 1974. The one we’re seeing now was completed in 1984.
The other interesting thing about the cube houses is that Jackie Chan shot a fighting scene here in the movie “Who Am I”. If you are also a fan, you would have remember him sliding down the Willemswerf building. This scene must have been one of his most iconic action moves in his acting career!
How to get to Kubuswoning / Cube Houses
It is actually quite easy to get to the cube houses. At the end of Hoogstraat, you will notice the Laurenskerk on your left, DONT head there, turn right instead towards the Bibliotheek (the library). Not long after, you should see this building
The Bibliotheek aka Library RotterdamHuurdersvereniging “Het Potlood” aka the Pencil
As this building is shaped like that of the pencil, it is nicked “Het Potlood” by the locals. Once you see it, the cube houses would be just there in view.
To give our readers a feel of the cube houses, enjoy this video clip!
Video of the surrounding of Cube Houses aka Kubuswoning
Laurenskerk is an old church situated in the heart of Rotterdam central.
According to records, the Laurenskerk is the only remaining structure of medieval Rotterdam. Work commenced on the construction of Laurenskerk in the 15th century.
Today, in addition to the church services on Sunday, the Laurenskerk is also a venue for concerts and the arts.
Heading towards the River Maas from Hoogstraat, you would not miss this beautiful church…
Laurenskerk Rotterdam (Front View)Back view of Laurenskerk Rotterdam
There’s one question we would like to ask though. Knowing well that the city of Rotterdam is a place full of unique architectures, we cant help but wonder what building is this opposite the Laurenskerk…
Building opposite Laurenskerk Rotterdamn
We believe it’s an apartment or a condominium? Anyone can verify this?
Willemswerf Building Rotterdam – Jackie Chan slides down the side of this building in the movie “Who Am I”
The Willemswerf Building is exceptionally famous in the Chinese world because of the movie “Who Am I”. In it, Jackie Chan slides down the side of the Willemswerf Building (then owned by Nedlloyd but now acquired by Maersk; sigh…the rise and fall of empires…)
The scene was dramatic as Jackie Chan almost fell down the edge of the slant of the building!
Close up view of the Willemswerf Building Rotterdam
The following video depicts the River Maas and the Willemswerf Building. Notice the unique slant of the building…
Stunning view of the River Maas and the Willemswerf Building
So don’t forget to check out the Willemswerf Building the next time you visit Rotterdam. You might see other visitors thinking to themselves “Now..where have I seen this building before?” (on 2bearbear.com?)
Hoogstraat literally translates to High Street. At this high street of Rotterdam, you can find tonnes of shopping options available!
Hoogstraat Rotterdam
As you have seen in the video above, the shopping street even has street art to add to the flavour of shopping at Hoogstraat!
The other thing we love about shopping here in Rotterdam is that the shopping streets never seem to end…
More shopping in Rotterdam!
Video in and around the shopping tunnel!
Unlike Singapore where space is limited, it is indeed a wonderful feeling to be embraced by rows of shops. The cool weather also makes the shopping experience unique, a stark contrast to the hot and humid weather back home.
Rows of shops in Rotterdam
There’s just one thing that we would never understand…
Why does the fries shop always seem to be full of people??
Crowded fries shop in the shopping streets of Rotterdam
Can someone tell us why there is such a HUGE fries eating culture all around the Netherlands?
There are so many things to do and attractions in Melaka! Let’s find out what are the things you can do right here in Melaka!
Just for our readers, this is a quick summary of the Melaka attractions in this world heritage city…
1. Traditional Trishaw Rides
Trishaw Rides at Stadhuys / Christ Church Melaka
One of the best ways to cover Melaka has got to be the trishaw rides. You can hope on one of these brightly decorated trishaws at Stadhuys and your trishaw guide will bring you to the tourist attractions in Melaka!
2. Authentic Peranakan Food
Restoran Ole Sayang Malacca Peranakan Restaurant
One of the most authentic and well known peranakan restaurants in Melaka, Ole Sayang serves up some of the best nonya foods at affordable prices. Dont forget to take away some of its famous keropok while you’re there!
3. Historical Museums
Melaka Sultanate Palace MuseumMelaka Maritime Museum
One of the most famous ruins in Melaka, the A Famosa Fort is a must visit attraction!
5. St. Paul’s Church
Interior of St. Paul’s Church Malacca
A short walk up the hill from A Famosa is the St. Paul’s Church. From here, you can visit this Melaka Attraction and have a splendid view of the city as well!
6. Jonker Street
Jonker Street Melaka
To savour some of the best local delicacies, why not head to Jonker Street? Here, you will be able to savour one of the best chicken rice in Melaka and also try out some street foods in the evening. Quaint shops along the street will get your attention as well!
7. Stadhuys aka Red Square
Stadhuys Melaka
Another must visit attraction here in Melaka has got to be the Stadhuys. Here you can also see one of the oldest church – Christ Church Melaka and also hop on to one of the well-decorated trishaws for a ride about town!
8. Leisurely Stroll along the Melaka River
Graffiti art on houses along Melaka River
To make your Melaka trip more memorable, why not hope on the cruise down the Melaka river? A walk along the river is also strongly recommended!
According to another one of our extensive research (2mins on Wikipedia), it is one of the oldest surviving European structure in Asia. Once a fortress built by the Portuguese, the gate is the only remaining structure now.
Around the A Famosa aka Porta De Santiago
This video shows the A Famosa up close and if you listen closely, you can also hear a tune resembling “My Heart Will Go On”.
No…you are not hearing things. It’s simply because there’s a violin player playing within the gates.
At the end of this video, you can also see a flight of red stairs that leads up the hill. This will bring you to St. Paul’s Church.
You can read more of our whining when you read that post…
Please dont make the same mistake that we made when we visited St. Paul’s Church in Malacca…
The mistake was this…
According to google map, St. Paul’s Church is actually just a short walk from Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, just across the road right?
WRONG! There is actually a climb up the hill from A Famosa (aka Porta De Santiago). It’s a climb with many steps at that!
So now we all know google maps dont include depth/height for its maps…
But back to our story.
St. Paul’s Church Melaka was built in 1521 and refurbished in 1566.
Interior of St. Paul’s Church Malacca
Video Tour inside St. Paul’s Church
Today, it is a much visited tourist attraction in Malacca and is part of the Malacca Museum Complex which includes A Famosa (aka Porta de Santiago) as well as the Stadhuys.
Front View of St. Paul’s Church Melaka
Another interesting story about the St. Paul’s Church is that it was actually a temporary burial site for Francis Xavier, a pioneering catholic missionary who was active in southeast asia during those times.
According to legend, he died out at sea but before he died, he told the sailors that he wanted to be buried in Goa India. So before his body was shifted to Goa, St. Paul’s Church was the temporary burial site for about 9 months.
To commemorate Francis Xavier, a statue of him was erected and it stands just outside of St. Paul’s Church overlooking the sea…
Francis Xavier’s Statue at St. Paul’s Church Melaka
Views from St. Paul’s Church
View of the Menara Taming Sari from St. Paul’s Church“Treacherous” Climb down from St. Paul’s Church
So if you ever visit St. Paul’s Church. Dont be mistaken that it is actually “just beside” A Formosa. Well…actually it is but after climbing those stairs!
You’ve been warned…
How to St Paul’s Church Melaka
If you take a look at the map above again. The walk is pretty straight forward if you stay at the Hotel Equatorial Melaka.
Across the street from Hotel Equatorial is the Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall. If you follow it all the way through (either on the inside to avoid the sun in the day or on the outside to have some fresh air) you will arrive at the food court.
Take a walk out of the food court and up the stairs. You will then arrive at the A Famosa.
Walk through the gate and up those stairs and tada, you arrive at St. Paul’s Church Melaka!
There are so many things to do at Jonker Street! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Jonker Street Malacca! If you have read our last few posts, there are actually many things to do here at Jonker Street (aka Jonker Walk)…
Jonker Street Melaka
Well, in this post, we are going highlight our top 3 things to do at Jonker Street!
Malacca is of course famous for its chicken rice balls. There are so many of them in Malacca, so which one do you go for?
Fret not! 2bearbear.com has tasted the top 2 rated malacca chicken rice ball stalls to give you the lowdown on Hoe Kee and Chung Wah.
Once you have tasted them, why not leave a comment below to tell us all what you think about it?
2. Try out baba/nonya dishes and desserts at Jonker 88.
Interior of Jonker 88 @ Jonker Street
Malacca is all about food isnt it? Yet another foodie thing to do on this street is to makan at Jonker 88. If you’re the type who just want to try the street kinda nonya/baba food, you’ll find them right here.
The desserts are also hot sellers here. From afar, if you see a queue, it’s quite likely that the queue’s at Jonker 88.
3. Enjoy the night market!
Jonker Street Melaka
When night descends upon Jonker Street, stalls come out to play! At about 6pm, hawker stalls and stalls selling all sorts of things are seen along Jonker Street.
From afar you should be able to hear the “kok kok” candy man who is separating malted sugar (with peanuts) using his tools, effecting the familiar “kok kok” sound.
Then there are stalls selling mee sua (a type of vermicelli) which Malacca is famous for. We’ve bought some and they’re really good and dont “disintegrate” like most other brands.
You can also choose to just chillax at Geographer cafe – a pub that also serves up local delights. The drinks are rather expensive but a small pint wont do much harm right?
Geographer Cafe Jonker Street MelakaInterior of Geographer Cafe Jonker Street Melaka
Of course there are street foods that you should savour as well. On this occasion, we saved our tummy for Fried Oyster aka Orh Lua!
We’ve even asked permission from Aunty to take a video on how to make fried oysters!
How to make fried oysters
You can see that we actually strafe left to avoid the smoke coming from the fried oysters. The wind was blowing in our direction!
But still, the whole process was captured and here is the final product…
One of the must visit stalls at Jonker Street has got to be Jonker 88!
Interior of Jonker 88 @ Jonker Street
Jonker 88 features many local nonya food as well as yummy desserts!
Menu for Nonya Baba Delights @ Jonker 88 , Jonker StreetJonker 88 Dessert Menu
Having determined the winner of the battle of the Malacca Chicken Rice Ball, Kate and I were now too full to go on to the mains. Hence, we went straight for the dessert corner and ordered the famous durian chendol as well as the sago gula melaka…
Durian Chendol @ Jonker 88Sago Gula Melaka @ Jonker 88
Although we were very full, we slurped every bit of the 2 desserts! The gula melaka (not suitable for diabetics, confirmed plus chop plus double confirm) was sweet (fei hua) but had a nice cooked sugary taste to it.
Also, we regretted not filming the shifu when she put on the gula melaka…it was with such skill! One scoop one kill in one fast paced motion!
How to get there
Jonker 88 is located in the middle of Jonker street. One key indicator is the long queue in front of it, especially on the dessert side.
But we must say that the sago gula melaka and durian chendol were worth the wait!
Have you tried the nonya/baba food that Kate and I didnt have the space to stomach? If so, share with us in the comments section!
Related posts
This post is part of our 3D2N travels in Malacca. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
Of these, Holiday Inn Melaka has the newest and best features of these hotels because it is the latest collection in the Melaka 5 stars hotel arena.
However, its location puts it behind Renaissance Melaka and Hotel Equatorial Melaka. (This is when you consider attractions to be centralised near Stadhuys and Christ Church).
So this leaves us with Renaissance Melaka as well as Hotel Equatorial to vie for the best 5 star hotel in Melaka.
We can see that Hotel Equatorial is a short walking distance from St. Francis Church and thus Stadhuys. Also, according to our 2 min google, it was found that Renaissance Melaka is almost the same walking distance to the north.
Hence, both Hotel Equatorial Melaka and Renaissance Melaka are neck in neck at this point. The 2 factors that should determine your choice are thus
1. Style/Class/Newer. If you’re looking for a hotel with more class, style and is newer, Renaissance Melaka would be your choice.
2. Price. However, if you are looking at the cheapest of the 5 stars like us, the winner is clear, Hotel Equatorial Melaka! Plus, while we were there, there was a 88RM F&B credit for each night of stay!
Hotel Equatorial Melaka
Here’s a look at our room and the view it offers at Hotel Equatorial
Bed of Hotel Equatorial MelakaTV Console Hotel Equatorial MelakaWardrobe Hotel Equatorial Melaka Bathroom Hotel Equatorial Melaka
Not only that, we were kindly given the option to choose our room. The receptionist gave us a card to one of the rooms to see if we were satisfied with the room before allocating it to us!
Here are the views from our room
Round about in front of Hotel Equatorial MelakaView of Melaka Menara Taming Sari from Hotel Equatorial Melaka
The hotel also had a relatively big swimming pool that interconnects the various pools…
View of the swimming pool @ Hotel Equatorial MelakaView of the adult pool @ Hotel Equatorial MelakaView of the pool as you walk out of the lift lobby
Another reason why Hotel Equatorial Melaka trumps Renaissance Hotel is because it is RIGHT BESIDE the Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall! There’s lots of shopping, makan and even a cinema!
Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall beside Hotel Equatorial Melaka
So here’s a recap why Hotel Equatorial Melaka is the best 5 stars hotel in Melaka (compared to Renaissance Hotel and Holiday Inn Melaka)
1. Location. Near to all Melaka Tourism Attractions!
2. Price. Cheapest of the three 5 stars Hotel
3. Shopping. RIGHT Beside Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall
4. Nice Swimming Pool
5. Excellent Views!
All in all, we were thoroughly satisfied with our stay and we’ll leave you with a panoramic view from the balcony of the hotel!
View from the Balcony of Hotel Equatorial
Key of our room at Hotel Equatorial MelakaBad Traffic Jams in Melaka
Related posts
This post is part of our 3D2N travels in Malacca. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
There are so many top things to do in LA! Let’s find out what are some of the things to do right here in Los Angeles LA! For our readers, we have listed this top things to do in LA in no particular order…
Top things to do in LA: Enjoy the sights and sounds at Santa Monica Pier
View of Ferris Wheel and Roller Coaster at Santa Monica (With Light)
That’s right! One of the top things to do in LA is just to kick back and relax along the beaches of Santa Monica. If the kids are with you, you can simply let them have a ball of a good time at the amusement park complete with ferris wheel and roller coaster. For couples, a stroll along the beach at sunset would be unforgettable!
Top things to do in LA: Watch an LA NBA match at Staples Center.
Statue of Magic Johnson at Staples Center
Another one of the top things to do in LA would definitely be to watch an NBA match at Staples Center. The world renowned Staples Center is home to the LA Lakers and LA Clippers. If you prefer ice hockey or WNBA, Staples Center is also home to LA Kings and LA Sparks!
Top things to do in LA: Catch a celebrity at Hollywood
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Hollywood Boulevard
With premiers often held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, you can be sure to catch a glimmer of these stars as they attend their gala premiers!
Top things to do in LA: Live the high life!
Rodeo Drive
You can really live it up and enjoy the high life at Rodeo Drive. Luxury items abound along this road for the rich and famous. You may also want to take a ride to Beverly Hills and see how huge these mansions can really be!
Top things to do in LA: Do all the Hollywood Touristy Staff
There are so many things to do and attractions in Los Angeles California! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in LA! If you have been following our posts, we did mention that we sneaked a short tour out of Las Vegas to visit Los Angeles California!
Road Trip to Los Angeles California!
For a Singaporean, it is not common to see deserts or mountain ranges. So it was really a different experience as we rode across the desert terrain…
Desert Terrain on route to Los Angeles California
The distance from Las Vegas to Los Angeles was about 400km and it took us about 3 hours or so to reach there. Hmm, just a thought…wonder how long it would take for people to shift stuff from your house from Vegas to LA and vice versa…
Arriving in Los Angeles
Santa Monica
Our first stop in California is Santa Monica! Kate and I (well…mostly Kate) wanted very much to visit Santa Monica because of the many many times this venue has been featured in movies and partly because of the Savage Garden song of the same name. The following should be some familiar views of the Santa Monica Pier…
View of Santa Monica Beach from end of Santa Monica PierView of Ferris Wheel and Roller Coaster at Santa Monica (With Light)
There, we had a romantic walk down the beach and of course along the Santa Monica Pier and to see the iconic ferris wheel. To end the day, we enjoyed the sunset along with corn dogs (excellent creation btw) and drinks…
Breath Taking Sunset @ Santa Monica
Hollywood Sign
The following day, we set out to see the famous Hollywood Sign. We did some research on our own and found out that great views could be seen from Mulholland Drive.
Hollywood Sign as seen from Mulholland Drive
From this picture, it seems a little small. This is mainly due to our not so professional camera (any sponsors out there?) However, with the naked eye, the view was breath-taking. There was also excellent views of the LA city skyline…
View of Downtown LA from Mulholland Drive Scenic Point
Hollywood Boulevard
Since we were at Hollywood, the most famous street there has got to be Hollywood Boulevard. There we visited the famous Kodak Theatre where we had a good view of the Hollywood sign as well. The Kodak Theatre is also home to the Oscars as well as the American Idol…
View of the Hollywood sign from Kodak Theatre
The nearby Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is also a famous tourist attraction not only because it is a prime venue for Hollywood movie premieres but also of its tradition of imprinting the hands and feets of celebrities at its fore court.
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Hollywood BoulevardMovie Premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
We also managed to catch a glimpse of some B list celebrities (Basically those whom you know are celebrities as you have seen them in movies but cant really pin point there names because they just played that odd role in the movie you’ve watched. ) at the movie premiere of Going the Distance (starring Justin Long and Drew Barrymore). Nope, we did not see either of the stars but we did see many limousines picking up well dressed people (directors, producers and rich people we reckon) and of course screaming fans.
Walking along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we managed to also identify familiar stars of our favourite celebrities. Here we found out that celebrities were classified according to the 5 categories namely; Movies,TV,Radio,Theatre and Music
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and its 5 categories
There are also other sights that you ought to catch when you’re here in Hollywood…
Beverly Hills Sign
Where the rich and famous live. This district was made famous by a TV series of the same name Beverly Hills 90210
Sunset Boulevard California
A great hangout place to just chill and enjoy the sunset.
Rodeo Drive
Luxury brands can be found here. Though many shopping belts like Oxford Street, Champs Elysees and even Orchard Road carry these luxury brand names, Rodeo Drive offers a classy feel and even a hope of a glimpse of celebrities!
Los Angeles California
Kate then planned a walking tour of Los Angeles city. I just told her that we have got to visit the Staples Centre, the rest was up to her.
First, we visited Chinatown
Chinatown from the station (Los Angeles)Map of Chinatown Los Angeles, California Shops in Chinatown Los Angeles, California
Passing by a cantonese dim sum shop, we dropped by to have some egg tarts and char siew bao. They tasted nice, but in a different way.
Char Siew Bao from Chinatown LA
A short walk away was the famous Philippe Original French Dipped Sandwich which we saw from Man vs Food on Travel Channel. We had to try it not only because it was recommended on MVF, but also because we had tried another version at Di Nic’s @ Reading Terminal Philadelphia.
Counter of Philippe – The Original French Dipped SandwichPork Sandwich from Philippe
After the food tasting, we pronounced Di Nic’s the winner. The sandwich from Philippe was quite tough even after the dip. The roast was also not as tasty as that of Di Nic’s as well.
Next begun our city tour!
Fountains Los AngelesLA City Skyline
We also armed ourselves with Starbucks coffee which tasted really good at an affordable price as well (slightly less than 3 bucks a cuppa)
Java Chip Frap and Ice Coffee with Milk
We then arrived at the Staples Center…
Staples Center Los Angeles California
We were at the home of the LA Lakers! (think Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson).
Statue of Magic Johnson at Staples Center
At the souvenir shop, we realised that the Staples Center was home to 4 teams – the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks!
We also popped by the Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market Los Angeles California
and Little Tokyo…
Streets of Little Tokyo Los Angeles CaliforniaTower at Little Tokyo Los Angeles California
When you see this tower, you know that you are at Little Tokyo. Here, you’ve got to try some Japanese food. We had a salad, the Char Su Ramen (Extra Large at 9.7USD) as well as the Pork Curry Rice at 8.20USD. The servings were huge and the taste was great! The Char Su was full of flavour and had a succulent texture to it! Yum!
Yummy Salad Little Tokyo Los AngelesCha Su Ramen Little Tokyo Los AngelesPork Curry Rice Little Tokyo Los Angeles
We also had a nice stroll through the Mexican Market at Olvera Street where you would see mexican souvenirs, small guitars and traditional costumes. The walk through was shaded and had some lanes that you can visit and explore as well…
Mexican Market at Olvera Street
Nearby was the Union Station
Union Station Los Angeles CaliforniaInterior of the Union Station
Verdict
There are so many things to do, places of interest as well as attractions in California. The city of Los Angeles can provide nice walking tours while Hollywood exudes a different class of its own.
Be it the beach, the high life or the city, Los Angeles certainly makes a great visit for tourists and locals alike!
P.S. Did you know that Los Angeles means “The Angels” which is why the city has also a nickname of “The city of Angels”
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The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches for about 2km it consists of mainly a star bearing an artiste or celebrities’ name that formally comes from these 5 categories
1. Movies
2. TV
3. Radio
4. Music
5. Theatre/Live Performance
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and its 5 categories
Turns out that as we walked along the Hollywood walk of fame, we were so distracted and kept looking at the floor, thinking which celebrity would be next! Sometimes we would barely avoid oncoming pedestrians who must have thought, “What are these crazy tourists doing? Dont walk and look down at the same time!”
But that’s what we did!
It was fun to find stars that we know (because there were so many of them!) and these are just a few that we spotted…
Eva Marie’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of FameStar of Elvis Presley along the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The next time you are at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, try to locate the stars of your favourite artistes/celebrities. BUT! Be careful of oncoming (pedestrian) traffic!
Tourists on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
P.S. You may also like to know that you need not travel all the way to Hollywood to see the walk of fame. There are also replicas at your nearest Universal Studios!
P.S.s. Did you know that stars are given only nominated artistes and these artistes can be nominated by anyone. However, there are 2 catches. 1. Groups or people who nominate must pay about $30,000 for the fabrication of the stars. 2. The celebrity must attend the ceremony. If deceased, family members must attend on his/her behalf. No one really knows how the selection goes (done by a selection committee) after the nomination…
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Venice is definitely one of the “must visit” destination of all travel itineraries, not only because of its gondolas and one of a kind canals but also because of the feel that Venice exudes at the mention of its name.
In addition, research has also shown that Venice is sinking at a rate faster than previously predicted. Venice could potentially go under in the years to come and that makes it a stronger point than ever to experience this beautiful city.
Venice island hopping tours includes visits to Murano, Burano and Torcello. In this post, we will talk about one of the islands in Venice, Murano. Glass making is an art form that started in Murano. The names murano glass and venetian glass are therefore synonymous with each other.
We were led by our tour guide to the glass making factory and we were treated to a performance whereby the shifu (master) created this beautiful horse out of glass in mere seconds!
Glassmaking Factory in Murano VeniceMurano Glass Making Shifu (Master) at work
Murano Glass Making Shifu forming a glass horse in seconds!
We were all very surprised at the skill that the shifu demonstrates in making this glass horse. He had to craft the horse in the seconds that that glass was hot enough to be crafted yet cool enough to be held in place quickly. According to the guide, he had merely 30 seconds to make each portion quickly and accurately. The finished product…
As shown in the video, it was a pity that this horse fell off the table and broke. However, it was definitely an eye-opener to be able to witness such skills in glass making.
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Hope you have enjoyed our post on glass making in Murano, Venice!
The Grauman’s Chinese Theatre was built in 1927 and resides along Hollywood Boulevard. It is actually a movie theatre and today still holds premiere for many of Hollywood’s most anticipated movies!
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Hollywood Boulevard
The Grauman’s Chinese Theatre was built by none other than Sid Grauman. He is also credited with the building of the Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre just further down the road.
The reason why the Chinese Theatre is alot of more famous and popular than its Egyptian counterpart is not only because of its uniquely classy traditional Chinese structure, but also because its fore court is home to the various handprints, footprints and signatures of artistes and celebrities.
Donald Duck’s Footprint at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
Famous characters such as Donald Duck also got their chance to leave their mark at the fore court of the Chinese Theatre. This means that now, not only real life celebrities get to imprint their mark on the fore court of the Chinese Theatre, as long as your’re famous, you might have the chance to do so! *The Kind of Pop, Michael Jackson will also be immortalised on 26 Jan 2012.
Julie Andrews Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
At the fore court of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, there is usually a HUGE crowd gathered there. Most are trying to take a photo with the imprints of their favourite celebrities while others are on tours of the Chinese Theatre, listening intently to the stories of their tour guides.
There are several stories as to how this tradition of immortalising handprints/footprints/signatures of celebrities/famous people started. The more common one often refer to a female celebrity who happened to step on the cement of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre during construction. Sid Grauman thought that this was a good idea for famous people to leave their mark, then started this tradition.
The other version says that Sid himself made the mark and started the tradition. Whatever the story, today, it is a well loved tourist attractions for fans and tourists alike to get “close” to their beloved celebrities.
The huge crowd also presented a problem for Kate as she went about to take the photos. People were everywhere! Hence, this Harry Potter imprint had other avid potter fans in it as well…
Main Casts of Harry Potter Imprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
Besides trying to haunt and hound your favourite celebrities in Hollywood, you might like to try catching them at the movie premieres at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. An easy way to do so is to look up the dates of upcoming premieres at the Chinese Theatre’s website and be there really early to get a good spot. Premieres are usually star studded events and fans will not be disappointed.
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Following the huge success of the premium outlets franchise, Malaysia opens its own premium outlet in Johor.
Named Johor Premium Outlets or JPO in short, the outlet mall boasts of 80 designer and premium brands at factory outlet prices. Discounts can range from 25% to 65% everyday.
Getting there
Johor Premium Outlets is just a short drive 1 hour drive from Singapore. From the north south highway, take an exit at Exit 253 and follow brown coloured signs that says “Johor Premium Outlets”. It’s quite hard to miss.
After all the hype that Johor Premium Outlets (JPO Malaysia) has garnered in Singapore, Kate and I decided to drop by JPO to take a look. As we have been to the largest premium outlet, Woodbury Common Premium Outlet it provides us with a basis for comparison.
Entrance to Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Entrance to Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
At first glance, the look and feel of Johor Premium Outlets (JPO Malaysia) resembles that of Woodbury Common Premium Outlet. As we entered the entrance of Johor Premium Outlets JPO, we did something that would put all shoppers to shame…
Food court of Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Food court of Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
We visited the food court first!
Court of Johor Premium Outlets JPO Malaysia
Claypot Chicken Rice at Food Court of Johor Premium Outlets JPO Malaysia
After having our fill of the Claypot Chicken Rice (can give this one a miss) and taking a photo of the food court for our readers…
Internal view of Food court at Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Internal view of Food court at Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
We headed to the information office to get the most important thing, the map of Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia!
Map of Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Map of Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
With the map, we can ensure that we cover every square inch of the JPO! After taking a look at the map, we realise that it is actually quite a small outlet mall. There are basically 2 rows of shops for 2 levels and that’s pretty much about it.
In order to discover the best discounts here at Johor Premium Outlets, Kate and I made sure we visited almost every single shop at JPO for our readers! Unfortunately, the sales are not half as good as Woodbury Premium Outlets. Eventhough there were long queues at Johor Premium Outlets such as this one at Coach,
Long Queue outside Coach Outlet at Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Long Queue outside Coach Outlet at Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
There werent really many buyers…
Not many people carrying shopping bags from Johor Premium Outlets stores
Not many people carrying shopping bags from Johor Premium Outlets stores
The truth is, once you have been to Woodbury Premium Outlet, you’ll realise that all other discounts are not really that fantastic. However, the bright spot here is that compared to retail prices, Johor Premium Outlets JPO does offer substantial discounts. Which is why we bought a pair of shoes eventually.
After a long day at “work”, trawling through the sales at Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Kate and I rewarded ourselves at Taang Shifu (translated as Master of Soups)
Taang Shifu @ Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Taang Shifu @ Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
In order to get a 10% discount at Taang Shifu, remember to flash your Maybank credit card at the information store to get the VIP discount booklet (more like “pamphlet”). The 10% discount is only for ala carte items. We had the abalone mee sua as well as the double boiled pear dessert…
Abalone Mee Sua @ Taang Shifu, Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Abalone Mee Sua @ Taang Shifu, Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Double Boiled Pear Dessert @ Taang Shifu, Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Double Boiled Pear Dessert @ Taang Shifu, Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
After discount, the 2 items only cost about $25RM which was quite cheap considering it was a chinese restaurant. Plus, they tasted good as well!
After covering the second level, we decided to treat ourselves to crepes
Crispy Crepes @ Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Crispy Crepes @ Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
There was a super long queue at crispy crepes, primarily because of its cheap price at $5.20RM for sweet crepes AND $6.30RM for savoury crepes.
Making of crispy crepes at Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Making of crispy crepes at Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
We decided to go for the chicken floss as well as the chocolate banana…
Chicken Floss Crispy Crepe @ Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Chicken Floss Crispy Crepe @ Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Chocolate Banana Crispy Crepe @ Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Chocolate Banana Crispy Crepe @ Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
The crepes were super duper crispy! You can feel it and hear it as you land each bite on your crepes. No wonder the queue was so loooooong…
We have also captured a video of the entrance of Johor Premium Outlets, Malaysia just for our readers…
Entrance of Johor Premium Outlets JPO, Malaysia
Verdict
After all the hype about the Malaysia Premium Outlets, Johor Premium Outlets JPO, we must say truthfully that we do agree with most comments online that the sales and discounts are really not that fantastic.
Having said that, we do think that the Johor Premium Outlets JPO can be a good place to spend the weekend to shop and source for great deals. Kids can be “deposited” at the play ground and fed with yummy crispy crepes while parents shop for what they want.
If you have something that you would like to buy in the city, why not hold that thought and give Johor Premium Outlets JPO a go instead? You can be assured that it is at least 25% cheaper than retail prices. 🙂
So yup, our conclusion is that Johor Premium Outlets JPO is still worth a visit afterall!
Before we finally reveal our 2012 Logo – Venturing Forth, here is a recap of last year’s logo – Over the Fence
2bearbear Over The Fence Logo
On May 22, 2011, 2bearbear.com was born and this was the first logo launched for the year 2011. The picture shows 2 bears (Kate and Tom) seemingly looking “Over the Fence”. It signifies the start of the website where Kate and Tom looks “Over the Fence” to see what is in store for them in the blogosphere.
For the year 2012, we are introducing our new logo – Venturing Forth.
2bearbearLogo-VenturingForth
Venturing Forth signifies that the 2bearbear have seen what is over that fence and are willing to venture forth and explore this strange but exciting world of blogging!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters (those who have enjoyed our content and “liked” us on facebook) for having faith in us. A heartfelt thank you 🙂
Looking ahead to 2012, we would continue to deliver interesting articles to all our visitors. Hopefully, we will be able to expand our services and offer more interesting and exciting content this year!
To our partners, thank you for helping us get on track in the year 2011. We look forward to a continued partnership in 2012. Here’s to partnerships old and new in the year 2012!
As usual, Kate did ALL the planning! But it is important to note these few points as they can really help you stretch your buck…
Hotels
Did you know that the price differs ALOT if you stay in the same hotel on weekdays compared to weekends? Prices can differ by as much as up to 50%! Usually, hotel rates are cheaper from Sundays to Thursdays (mondays to thursdays for some hotels) and the prices sky rocket over the weekends (for obvious reasons – weekend getaways!)
Also, there are many fabulous hotels that do not cost a bomb. Try searching for hotels in Vegas and list them according to price. You will realise that cheap hotels that have excellent hotel facilities do exist in Vegas. This is because they usually attract tourists with low priced stays and free tickets to headline shows so that you will spend at their “you know what”. So try to snatch those good deals but dont fall prey to “you know what”!
Car Rental
It is advisable to rent a car in Las Vegas, simply because walking in the hot Nevada sun is not what you want to do, especially in the summer months.
In addition, with the mobility of a transport, you can visit hotels and restaurants outside of the strip which Kate and I were able to do.
Plus, parking is usually free at the hotels!
You can do so by visiting the car rental companies online and look for cheapest rate available. Also, you can just pop by the car rental booths when you land at the airport. Booking online could be cheaper given that there are deals going on every now and then. You could also save the hassle of wondering whether there are cars in the cheaper categories available.
Btw, it would be good to download USA maps to your GPS so that you would travel easy as well.
Tour Packages
If you are visiting Vegas for the first time (and probably the last time if you are from a distant land), make sure you sign up for the visit to Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam! The prices are relatively acceptable and they offer you a hassle free option to visit these world-renowned locations!
Having given some tips before hand, this is the low down of where we visited…
The Lowdown
Kate and I landed at the McCarran International Airport and got the keys to our car at the car rental booth. It’s a breeze if you have booked it online in advance.
We tried several hotels this time round and spent our first night at Hooters Hotel…
Room at Hooters Resort Las Vegas
The view from our room was awesome as well…
View of New York New York and Excalibur from Hooters Hotel
As it was the summer season, the water in the pool was exceptionally cold! We think it was purposely chilled to make sure that the guests were not chao ta (smelly dry or burnt in hokkien) under the hot sun…
Swimming pool of Hooters Hotel Las Vegas
After a nice refreshing swim and some drinks by the pool, we headed out to see the sights on the Strip…
M&Ms World Las VegasHarley Davidson Cafe Las VegasView of the Strip – Paris and Planet HollywoodAnother View of the Las Vegas Strip Fountains of BellagioExterior of the Hooters Hotel at night
We returned back and enjoyed the famous hot wings from Hooters
Yummy wings with Hot Sauce from Hooters Hotel
**After the first night in Vegas, we actually drove to California before returning back to spend a few more nights in Vegas. We will talk about LA,Hollywood and Santa Monica in another post…
The next day, we headed out to Hash House a Go Go to check out this restaurant as introduced by Man vs Food on travel channel.
Big O’crispy hand hammered pork tenderlion sandwich with Macaroni and Cheese on the side (Hash House a Go Go Las Vegas)
For more about the whole experience, check out the entire post here.
The following day, we checked into the Excalibur (increasingly better hotel each day; and thus the cost)…
Room of the Excalibur Hotel Las VegasView from the room of the Excalibur Las Vegas
At this juncture, we should remind our readers to always try to “negotiate” with the receptionist for a better/higher room with a good view of the strip. They are almost always able to do so on weekdays and off peak periods when occupancy is low.
View of the pool of the ExcaliburExternal View of the Excalibur
At various hotels, they have various affliation with shows about town. At the Excalibur, we were able to get half priced deals for the stand up comedy “Defending the Caveman”…it was pretty much enjoyable although we dont really recall much about the show today…really one of those shows where you want to have a good laugh and let your hair down…
Defending the Caveman by Kevin Burke
The next day, we took the option of going to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Along the way, there was an opportunity to visit the Hoover Dam as well…
Iconic Hoover Dam on route to Grand CanyonHoover Dam SignMajestic Grand Canyon – South Rim’s Widest and Deepest portion
For more about what we did at the Grand Canyon tour, click here.
The last hotel we visited was the MGM. The best of the 3 hotels on our list this time round…
Room of MGM Hotel Las Vegas
There was even a day bed in the room which added to the chic factor…
Spacious living space at MGM Hotel Las Vegas
MGM Hotel has the best swimming pool on this trip to Vegas. It boasts of a 6.6 acre swimming area!! That is about 6-7 football fields!! We had an enjoyable time in the lazy pool and visiting different themed pools which was really cool…
On the way back, we were invited to rate an upcoming TV serial and vouchers were given to us in return. So we set down and were greeted by this…
Device to rate TV serials
It was really quite simple, all of us would watch the show (this time it was Hawaii Five O!) and rate it by turning the knob according the how good each part of the show was.
We recalled that the show was quite raw in that not all the special effects and sound effects had been added in. There were some parts that were quite boring as well (that was when we turned the knob to 0). However, the show eventually screened and is into its second season! 😮
Remember at the start of every MGM movie, there was a lion bursting unto the scene? These are his grandchildren at MGM!
Grandchildren of the original MGM Lion
We understand that they do not reside there but at a nearby facility and brought over to the hotel…
In the evening, we caught a magic show by Nathan Burton…it combined magic with comedy and was pretty much enjoyable.
Magic Show by Nathan Burton
On our last night, we enjoyed the famous fountain show at Bellagio…
Fountains of Bellagio
For more details of the Fountains of Bellagio, click here.
Overall, Las Vegas is a great place to spend your holidays. Food and stays are relatively cheap and plenty of international shows and musicals abound. Just make sure that you limit your time at the tables and you’d surely enjoy the holidays at Vegas!
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The Fountains of Bellagio is definitely a must see attraction in Las Vegas!
Fountains of BellagioFountains of Bellagio Las Vegas as seen from a distance
Pictures do speak a thousand words doesn’t it? The lightings of the Fountains of Bellagio synchronises with music and the sound of the water jets to create an unique viewing experience!
Take a look at this video of the Fountains of Bellagio and enjoy the front row seats of the Fountains of Bellagio! (We were so close that we could feel the water mist from time to time!)
Fountains of Bellagio Show – Viva Las Vegas
Show Times of the Fountains of Bellagio
Monday – Friday
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
show every 1/2 hour
7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
show every 15 minutes
Saturdays, Sundays* and Holidays
12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
show every 1/2 hour
7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
show every 15 minutes
*On Sundays Fountain show times begin at 11 a.m. and run every 15 minutes for the Fountains Brunch at Jasmine.
Even before one sets foot in Las Vegas, the fame of the Fountains of Bellagio must have preceded! The Fountains of Bellagio is so majestic and massive! It makes a statement from a distance away and even from the aerial view! You would thoroughly enjoy the Fountains of Bellagio if you were taking a helicopter ride down the Las Vegas Strip as well!
However, the best part about the Fountains of Bellagio, is that its FREE!! Visitors can just take a look at the timings of the Fountains of Bellagio and be there about 5 minutes before the start of the shows to enjoy!
The Fountains of Bellagio dance to many different tunes. Famous tunes such as “Fly me to the Moon” as well as “Viva Las Vegas” are favourites of the Fountains of Bellagio. The water jets of the Fountains of Bellagio time their bursts according to the tune of the music and synchronises the sounds and the lightings to create an unique and captivating water show!
The Fountains of Bellagio is definitely a water show not to be missed when you are in Las Vegas!
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Finally, Kate and I got to board the Singapore Flyer! It is currently the world’s largest giant observation wheel standing at a height of 165m!
We are so proud to have finally “flew” on the Singapore Flyer and I must applaud Kate for the courage of taking the flight because of her fear of heights and general dislike for thrill rides (see Busch Gardens and Universal Studios Singapore post)
Before we begin, we know that visitors would like to know the price and opening hours of the Singapore Flyer…
Opening Hours : 8:30am – 10:30pm (With the last admission at 10:15pm) Ticket Sales : 8:00am – 10:00pm
Ticket Prices
Adults (13 yrs and above) : $29.50
Children (3-12 yrs) : $20.65(Children below 3yrs : Free)
Senior Citizens (60 yrs and above): $23.60 (Singaporeans/PR)
Getting There
Of course, the most straight forward way is to call a cab and tell the cabby to take you to “Singapore Flyer”.
There are also buses where you will need to alight at Temasek Avenue. The buses are 106, 111, 133.
But we prefer the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). You have basically 2 options. The first is to alight at Promenade MRT Station which is just a 5 minutes walk from the Singapore Flyer.
We prefer option 2 though. And on this trip, we took this option and really enjoyed the walk. Taking this option meant that you would alight at City Hall Interchange and walk along City Link Mall, cross over to Esplanade and walk along the River Front. This is about a 20 minutes walk…but along the way, you will enjoy these views…
View of the Singapore City Skyline @ Marina Bay
View of the Singapore City Skyline @ Marina Bay
To allow our readers to see the benefits of this walk to the Singapore Flyer, here is a video of the views of Marina Bay…
As seen in the video, you would be able to take pictures of the Marina Bay Sands, Artscience Museum, Helix Bridge, Singapore City Skyline, Fullerton Hotel as well as the Singapore Tourism Icon – The Merlion!
After this nice leisurely walk, we were greeted by the Singapore Flyer…
The Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer
We got our tickets in advance and headed straight to the entrance of the Singapore Flyer. There are scans as you enter so it may take some time during peak hours (i.e. sunset, school holidays, morning tour groups).
You would first be led into the Journey of Dreams. The Journey of Dreams is inclusive in the ticket price of the Singapore Flyer and it is basically a series of exhibits and multimedia interactives that allow visitors to know more about the Singapore Story as well as the Singapore Flyer itself…
3D Map of the Singapore Flyer and its vicinity
3D Map of the Singapore Flyer and its vicinity
Did you know that so many parts of Singapore is actually reclaimed land (Those in green are reclaimed land)
Did you know that so many parts of Singapore is actually reclaimed land? (Those in green are reclaimed land)
Fragment of Dreams – Use the “torch” and reveal portions of the screen!
Fragment of Dreams – Use the “torch” and reveal portions of the screen!
Reservoir of Dreams at the Singapore Flyer
Reservoir of Dreams
At the Reservoir of Dreams, you will see 3 giant spheres that are basically artistic displays. The first one is Oneiroi’s Orb that depicts the Flyer’s spherical shape through circular artifacts. The next is The Planet which is the first inflated PufferSphere using internal projection in Asia…
Description of the Planet @ Singapore Flyer
Description of the Planet @ Singapore Flyer
The Planet @ Singapore Flyer
The last is the Numeric that displays all numbers (Facts, Figures, Physique) associated with the Singapore Flyer.
After the Journey of Dreams, you would enter a tunnel that has numbers on the side that blinks 5,4,3,2,1 that is somewhat like astronauts entering the tunnel to their space flight with the numbers signifying the countdown to blast off!
As you approach the capsules, please note the curvature of the platform so that you wouldnt trip and fall. Recently, a dad did not hold on to his stroller and the kid was caught by the safety net…
The other thing you would notice is that smaller wheels (like tyres) that are used to rotate the Singapore Flyer itself. This is the mechanism used to turn the larger wheel (Singapore Flyer) using smaller wheels (tyres)…
Mechanism of turning the Singapore Flyer
Mechanism of turning the Singapore Flyer
Though it is not really clear, but you can also vaguely see the demonstration of the smaller wheels turning the Singapore Flyer here in this video…
Mechanism of turning the Singapore Flyer
You can also at this moment, opt to board a flyer with lesser people, but it really depends on the people who are enjoying the Journey of Dreams. If they stay there and you let the passengers behind you board first, you might just have a whole capsule of the Singapore Flyer to yourself! In our case, we shared with 2 others which was very enjoyable and private 🙂
At the top of the Singapore Flyer, you will enjoy basically 2 views…to the east, the shipping lanes and ALOT of HDB flats (HDB flats are Singapore’s public housing) and to the west, the Marina Barrage, Marina Bay Sands, parts of the port. And of course, a breath-taking view of the Marina Bay itself…
Residential Buildings to the East
Residential Buildings to the East
Marina Bay Sands seen from the Singapore Flyer
Marina Bay Sands
Shipping lanes and Gardens by the Bay
Breath-Taking Views of Marina Bay Singapore
Breath-Taking Views of Marina Bay Singapore
An Artistic Shot of the Singapore Flyer Capsule
An Artistic Shot of the Singapore Flyer Capsule
We’ve also captured a 360degrees view from the top of the Singapore Flyer for our readers…
360degrees view from the Top of the Singapore Flyer
We were also able to see the aerial view of the marina bay where the wishes of Singaporeans are written on round inflated balls and lined up in the waters. Still cant figure out what it is meant to shape like though…(The island of Singapore maybe?)
After the flight, remember to disembark with care as there is curvature of the platform that you would need to look out for.
Kate and I then proceeded to the Singapore Food Trails for a sumptuous meal!
Singapore Food Trail at the Singapore Flyer
Singapore Food Trail
The Singapore Food Trail is actually a project undertaken by the Singapore Tourism Board to recreate the old street food hawkers of the 1960s…
Stalls at the Singapore Food Trail
Stalls at the Singapore Food Trail
Alot of effort (and money) have been placed into recreating the feel of the 1960s. The design of the stalls, the furniture and even the floor (made of tarmac to represent the road) have been meticulously thought through.
The best part about the Singapore Food Trails is its food!! It has a collection of some of the best hawker foods in Singapore! What’s more, the price is still within the acceptable range (though it is of course cheaper at the food centres)! Given that you just have to go to one destination to taste all the best hawker food in Singapore, the price is really well worth it. Today, we tried the following…
Drinks from authentic chinese cups of the 60s
Drinks from authentic chinese cups of the 60s
Fried Hokkien Mee at Singapore Food Trail Singapore Flyer
Satay Beehoon from Singapore Food Trail at the Singapore Flyer
Satay Beehoon
Orh Lua (or Fried Oysters) Singapore Food Trail at the Singapore Flyer
Orh Lua (or Fried Oysters)
During this festive season, if you ride on the Singapore Flyer, you can also enter this snow dome to take some pictures with Santa!
Life Size Snow Dome
Snow Dome
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed the Singapore Flyer and all it has to offer! The views were splendid and the ride was enjoyable! Remember to pop by the Singapore Food Trail when you’re there, you’ll enjoy it as well!
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There are actually several options to tour Grand Canyon…
But first, to whet your appetite, this is what you will get to see when you visit Grand Canyon!
Majestic View of Grand Canyon
South Rim Tour of Grand Canyon
This was the tour we took, primarily because it is usually cheaper and the weather is usually better on this tour to Grand Canyon. This tour also allows you to make a stop at Hoover Dam to take some picturesque moments before moving on to see the majestic Grand Canyon!
Majestic Grand Canyon – South Rim’s Widest and Deepest portion
The bus ride from Las Vegas was about 5 hours. Of course Kate slept along the way. I even got to snap pictures of her drooling!
Our first stop was at Hoover Dam.
Iconic Hoover Dam on route to Grand Canyon
The ride around the dam was amazing. It seemed as though you are transported into “Transformers” and imagine this futuristic structure (Hoover Dam does look futuristic doesnt it?) sitting right in the middle of a vast desert.
We also managed to grab a magnet at the souvenir shop there. Remember to take a picture with this Hoover Dam sign as well!
Hoover Dam Sign
We were also told by our guide that Boulder City was actually built for the workers so that they could continue with the construction of Hoover Dam.
We made a stop over at the Grand Canyon visitor centre where visitors can watch an IMAX film of the Grand Canyon. We also had our chinese takeaway lunch here. Not bad for food out in the desert 🙂
Next was the Grand Canyon itself!
Grand Canyon – South Rim
We were given 2 hours to walk ourselves. It was different. You get to find a spot, enjoy the vast range of the Grand Canyon and really just feel the tranquility. At times, you might even hear the call of the eagle!
West Rim – Sky Walk
The West Rim offers the world famous Sky Walk which is a horse shoe shaped platform allowing you to “hang over the cliff” of the Grand Canyon. With a transparent platform, you can have that feeling of walking over the Grand Canyon as well. We didnt choose this option because of the price and also mainly because Kate did not like the transparent floors. But Im sure visitors on this tour would have a great time as well. ______________________________________________________________
Other Options – Helicopter and Boat Ride
There are also other options to see Grand Canyon. The Helicopter ride offers you an aerial view and also descent into the valley whereby you can enjoy a boat ride on the famous Colorado River.
Of course, the helicopter ride, sky walk and boat ride will cost a little bit more.
However, whatever your choice may be, a visit to Grand Canyon will surely be one of your most memorable moments you’ll have.
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Saizeriya is a Japanese owned Italian-styled family restaurant.
No wonder it seemed so familiar when we first saw its sign from a distance away. The green and red colours of the logos immediately reminded us of the same chain of restaurants we saw in Japan…Now Saizeriya has hit our shores in Singapore as well!
The thing we love about Saizeriya is its price! It is truly a family oriented restaurant with budget of the family as its priority. Pastas, pizzas and dorias average about $8 and there are some that go as low as $4-5 bucks!
There are also lots of sides for the family to choose from, such as the chicken wings and escargots
Popular Saizeriya Chicken Wings
Popular Saizeriya Chicken Wings
This Saizeriya we went to is located at Liang Court. It is usually crowded during meal times but the crowd clears very quickly because of its no frills eat-and-beat-it concept.
Saizeriya has recently installed a new system that allows customers to call for the waiter/waitress when they’re ready to order…
System to call for service
System to call for service
Much like the bell you use onboard planes or for that matter in hospitals, once you press the bell, a ring tone would be heard and your table number flashed on a board, informing the waiter that you are calling for them. This system of course makes it more efficient but it can get kind of irritating sometimes. But, the cheap and good food more than make up for any discomfort of this sort 🙂
A quick look at the menu…
Saizeriya Menu
Saizeriya Menu
We ordered the pork and beef meal as well as a spinach pizza ($7.90 nett for the pizza). We also ordered a pasta as well as the wings (we really cant remember the rest of the prices but rest assured they are competitively priced).
Pork and Beef Meal
Pork and Beef Meal
Spinach Pizza Saizeriya Singapore
Spinach Pizza
Pasta Saizeriya Singapore
Pasta
We thoroughly enjoyed the meats, pasta and pizza. Though the pasta may look simple, it was full of flavour and the texture of the pasta was perfect! Not overcooked and still slightly springy (QQ as the chinese would say) in texture. Yum!
The pizza was also overlayed with generous portions of the spinach! The meats were again generous and juicy, not dried unlike some restaurants.
The highlight of eating at Saizeriya has got to be its drink bar where you can have coffee, milo, juice and other soft drinks, FREE FLOW for around $3! Hence, it is a good place for friends to have a meal and catch up over a cup of coffee (or many cups for that matter) without burning a hole in the pocket.
Drink Bar in Saizeriya
Drink Bar in Saizeriya
Overall, Saizeriya definitely rates highly for price and serving portions. The food at Saizeriya can be considered cheap for a restaurant, yet the portion and standard it delivers is comparable or much better than most other restaurants! Whats more, the price you see on the menu is the price you pay! Because there is no GST or Service Charge on top of the price you see on the menu, all prices are NETT prices!
The only setback would be that it could get rather noisy during peak hours. Other than that, Saizeriya is definitely a great place to hang out with friends or to have a no-frills meal with your loved ones!
There are so many things to do and attractions in Las Vegas! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Las Vegas! Las Vegas is really an amazing place and should be one of your places to visit if you havent been there. It is quite literally an oasis, an entertainment capital right smack in the middle of a desert!
There are of course many things to do (besides the obvious which we at 2bearbear.com do not advocate) in Las Vegas, so check out what we have recommended here…
1. Las Vegas Strip aka The Strip
Things to do and Attractions in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Strip itself has become an icon synonymous with Las Vegas. Affectionately known as The Strip, the main street in the city of Las Vegas boasts of many well known structures around the world such as the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower and even the Pyramids. All these right in the middle of a desert!
2. Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
If you are a fan of nature, the Grand Canyon will not disappoint. The majestic combination of ridges and ranges is a beautiful sight to behold. You can also have the option to walk over the Canyon @ the Skywalk or even descend to its valley via a helicopter tour.
3. Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam – Side Trip from Las Vegas
The Hoover Dam is one of the most well known dams in the world. Having appeared in movies such as “Transformers” and “Superman”, it gives you a sense of familiarity. Yet you would be awe-struck by its sheer size.
4. Fountain Show at Bellagio
Fountains of Bellagio
At the front of the Bellagio Hotel, there is a fountain that comes to life and dances with the music daily! Enjoy the spectacular fountain show that has captivated the many visitors to Las Vegas.
5. Good Food
Man vs Food Las Vegas – Hash House a Go Go and Nascar Cafe
There are so many buffets, good eateries and fine dining here in Vegas. Take your pick and you’ll be spoilt by the choices the city of Las Vegas has to offer.
6. Musicals and Performances
Banners of Musicals and Performances in Vegas
Not to be outdone by Broadway, Vegas regularly brings in international acts and musicals to be at the centre stage of Las Vegas. Remember to check out the discounted tickets and discounts from the hotels you stay with when attending these shows!
There are of course many other attractions and things to do in Vegas such as visiting the MGM (descendants of the world-renowned MGM lions – the one that roars when you watch movies), ridiculously huge swimming pools / man-made beaches (described in hectares!) and even rides such as that at the Stratosphere hotel!
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There are so many things to do and attractions in London! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in London! Be it history, monuments, musicals, river cruises or just plain old attractions, London has it all! It is ranked right up there with New York and (of course, our beloved country) Singapore as truly, the world’s metropolitan/cosmopolitan city!
Kate and I caught a train from Paris to London this day and were pleasantly surprised by the speed of the trains (in excess of 200km/h). Within 2 hours, we were transported to London!
There are many hotels and hostels here in London, so fret not! Our recommendation would be to pick a clean, cosy room, no frills. This is because there are simply so many things to do that the only time you’d be back in your room, is when you really need to rest!
Here are some of the top attractions we visited!
Tower of London
Tower of London
Tower of London
Discover the rich history (over 900 years) of the Tower of London as a palace and also its showcase of the royal crown jewels!
The London Eye
The London Eye
The London Eye
The view from the London overlooks the Thames river and all other attractions along it (Big Ben, Tower Bridge etc.). Once the world’s tallest observatory (now of course it’s the Singapore Flyer! 🙂 it boasts of panoramic views around the city of London.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Why not try your luck at catching a glimpse of the royalties at Buckingham Palace? There’s also a daily change of guards, not to be missed!
Big Ben
Big Ben – Clock Tower
Big Ben – Clock Tower
The clock tower synonymous with the city itself is an icon known throughout world!
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge (not to be mistaken with the London Bridge)
Tower Bridge (not to be mistaken with the London Bridge)
The Tower Bridge has got to be one of the most iconic bridges along the river Thames. With its hydraulic raising mechanism, it allows ships to pass through this shipping channel. Another fun fact is that, this iconic Tower Bridge IS NOT the London bridge often mistaken by tourists. The London Bridge is in fact the next bridge upstream.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey London
Westminster Abbey London
Affectionately known as the Abbey, it is also where Prince William and Kate Middleton recently wed. Its unique Gothic design places it right up there with Notre Dame.
River Thames Cruise
River Thames Cruise
River Thames Cruise
Not to be missed is a cruise along the River Thames. Not only can you enjoy the leisure ride as you enjoy the cooling breeze, you can also see all the attractions along the river such as Big Ben and The London Eye. Talk about killing 2 birds with one stone (chinese saying)…
Harrods
Harrods London
Harrods London
If shopping is your forte, the world renowned Harrods is definitely your place to hang out. At Harrods, you should be able to find almost all gifts for all occasions. Even if you have nothing you want to get, why not take home a Harrods bear for the little ones or just a Harrods recyclable shopping bag?
Others
There are of course many other things to do and attractions in London such as musicals, bar hopping, Hyde Park and free museums (British Museum, National Gallery). Take time to explore this grand old dame, reinventing itself as it prepares for the Olympics in 2012!
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“Yay! The motel we are going to stay is super near the airport! We can walk there and save money!”
To our horror, we arrived at the “wrong” airport at Niagara Falls, NY! (I blame the auto-complete function on most websites these days). Our trips have usually been well-planned and without hiccups, but this time round, we got to experience the mistake possibly many travellers made when they choose to fly to visit Niagara Falls.
I knew Niagara Falls was in Buffalo…so when I had to select the flight from Las Vegas and did not know which airport to go, I typed in “Buffalo”, and the auto-complete function “told” me that I will land in Buffalo Airport. We arrived there and was looking forwards to the walk to our motel when we discovered that we are more than 70km away from it!!!
The nice old man at the information counter produced a map and gave us our bearings. We were supposed to fly into Niagara Falls International Airport, not Buffalo Airport!!! He then told us there was a bus that comes every 45mins and it would cost us about USD20 per ticket to get to Niagara Falls State Park. We panicked as we happened to miss the last bus (and it was already 4pm). So we did some calculations and we decided to rent a car instead.
But it wasn’t easy either. Tom had to go from counter to counter to check what were the available cars left for the day. Thank the Lord there was a economy car at Hertz going for USD50/day! It was the only small car left at the airport. Phew~
We quickly loaded our luggage and relied on the GPS to get to our accommodation for the night – Swiss Cottage Inns. We drove across this bridge…
Bridge to cross to Niagara Falls
before we arrived at our motel…
Swiss Cottage Inns enroute to Niagara Falls
The motel “boasted” of an outdoor swimming pool, a microwave in the room (that is how we heated up our leftover buffalo wings; see Original Buffalo Wings post), and provided pastries for breakfast.
Decent bed with microwave and fridge @ Swiss Cottage InnsOutdoor Swimming pool @ Swiss Cottage Inns
The friendly owner told us about the fireworks on Fri/Sat nights during the summer months. As we arrived on a Friday and we rented a car, we were excited to catch the fireworks!
We parked at Seneca Casino, hoping to enjoy the buffet dinner but we were denied entry because we left our passports in the motel. Tom was totally devastated and we made our way to the State Park. We managed to grab a bite at the food court.
Seneca Casino @ Niagara Falls (USA side)
With a full stomach, we leisurely strolled down to the Falls. We could hear the loud roar and we enjoyed the cool breeze and mist as we approached it. The rapids looked amazing and mystical with the special lightings. Finally, we reached the Falls, and hurried to get a good spot for the fireworks. What a great way to end our first night at Niagara Falls! 🙂
Rapids before the Niagara FallsIlluminated American Falls (Niagara Falls at Night)
Niagara Falls Lights Up with Fireworks!
Day 2 @ Niagara Falls
We were planning to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist, and as “kiasu” (scared of losing out) Singaporeans, we woke up early to ensure that we were the first few at the ticketing counter. The ticket costs USD13.50 for each adult ticket. We thoroughly enjoyed our ride even though it left us cold and wet. The Falls was truly majestic and we felt energized as we left the boat.
Maid of the Mist (USA side of Niagara Falls)Tourists @ Maid of the Mist (Niagara Falls USA)Approaching Horseshoe Falls Niagara Falls via Maid of the Mist FerryAwesome American Falls (Niagara Falls as seen from Maid of the Mist)
We then spend the morning lazing on the grass, having a small picnic (ice cream and chips!) and challenging each other in a round of word game that cannot be named. We even managed to catch a pretty rainbow! (where is my pot of gold? :P) Visiting the Niagara Falls in the day and in the night indeed allowed us to experience two unique and wonderful aspects of the majestic Niagara Falls!
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Ever wondered what is the origin of the world famous buffalo wings?
On our trip to the Niagara Falls, Kate and I thought that since we’re so close to Buffalo city, perhaps we could taste the world renowned buffalo wings?
So a quick check on google led us to Anchor Bar on Main Street…
Mdm Teressa Bellissimo credited to have created the buffalo wings (Original Buffalo Wings Anchor Bar)
Legend has it that one day the son of Mdm Teressa Bellissimo (who created the world renowned buffalo wings) returned one day with his friends. In order to feed her hungry guests, she deep fried some wings (in those days, in the 60s, wings were meant for the broth of soups) and covered them in a special sauce and served them with a cheese dip. Voila! The buffalo wings was born!
Legend of the buffalo wings below Mdm Teressa’s statue (Original Buffalo Wings Anchor Bar)
Kate and I keyed in the address into our GPS and headed over to Anchor Bar. We were there earlier than our usual dinner time in order to avoid the peak hour crowd. However, there was already a queue for dinner at about 6pm!
Inside Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)
We parked our car (glad we came early, when we left, there were no lots left!) and took some time to look at the menu and placed our order. It took us about 20 minutes before we could get in!
We ordered the buffalo wings and seafood supreme with a couple of drinks. By the time we were seated down, it did not take that long for the food to arrive.
Yummy Seafood Supreme Pasta $17 USD (Anchor Bar Buffalo)
You know we always give our honest to goodness reviews to our readers so that they get the most informative source right from 2bearbear.com.
However, this time, we have got to say that the buffalo wings were a let down. The wings were overly fried and completely lost its moisture. The meat was tough and to be honest, this was one of the worst wings that we’ve tasted. The steep price (almost $1.20USD per mid wing) did not help as well. The sauce and dip did help somewhat but the meat itself was beyond salvage.
Disappointing Buffalo Wings from Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)Over-fried Crabcakes Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)
2 things came to rescue our night though;
1. The Seafood Supreme pasta was surprisingly good! The creamy sauce left one craving for more. The shrimp was also a highlight of this dish. It was really fresh and succulent! Although the serving was a huge one, Kate and I wiped it clean to the bowl!
2. There was live jazz music that set the mood for the evening. We remembered a young musician joining the team for the first time that evening and he played mightily well. Everyone in the audience cheered him on and that made the night really memorable.
We think that the buffalo wings must have been good before, perhaps given the crowd, the wings were fried in bulk and in advance. Hence, the poor texture.
When you’re in buffalo, give it a try though. If you experienced the lousier version, at least you could boast and say that you have tasted the original buffalo wings at Anchor Bar, Buffalo, New York!
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Have you ever wondered why New York is also known as the Big Apple?
According to our guide, it was said that New York used to be a great orchard. However, another saying goes, there were many “apples” or race courses in and around New York. Jockeys who wanted to race there often referred New York as “the Big Apple” or the mother of all race courses.
Whatever the real deal, we love New York! There is just so much life and energy in New York wherever you go! Needless to say, there are also many things to do and attractions here and we will go through with you what we have enjoyed at the Big Apple!
The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building often leaves a certain stature in your mind at the mention of it. It could be because King Kong somehow managed to get on top of it or because it is the meeting place of many many Hollywood screen couples (think Sleepless in Seattle, An Affair to Remember).
Entrance of the Empire State Building ESB
There are 2 observatories on the ESB, the 86th Story (Outdoor,320 metres) and the 102nd (Indoor,370 metres). Kate and I visited the ESB at about 11pm this evening (opens till 2am with the last lift up at 1:15am). Tickets costs about 20USD for adults and the queue can take quite a while. We waited for about half and hour that evening before we arrived at the observatory.
Long Queues at the Empire State Building
It was really nice and cooling at night. Though it is a little difficult to see all round at night, we were able to spot a few iconic places in New York…
The Chrysler Building New YorkBroadway as seen from Empire State Building New YorkHudson River as seen from ESB New YorkThe Brightly Litted Times Square as seen from Empire State Building New York
Aircraft Carrier – USS Intrepid
USS Intrepid – Sea, Air and Space Museum Complex
The next morning, we arrived early at the USS Intrepid to set our feet on the air craft carrier. It was the first time we’ve ever been onboard an air craft carrier. The feeling was just fantastic. To top things off it includes entry to Growler submarine which was our first time onboard a submarine as well!
The Growler submarine was located at the entrance and since there was not much of a crowd we decided to head over first. Inside, we experienced the cramped spaces that the sailors had to endure onboard a submarine…
Rear of the Submarine – Cramped spaces!
The Intrepid itself was a huge ship! We didnt even manage to go through the entire craft of exhibits!
Aircraft displays on the flight deck of USS Intrepid
It is definitely worth a visit to USS Intrepid as you will get to learn about the history of Sea, Air and Space crafts as well as some lessons on the wars that the the crafts have seen. In addition, we also got to see some actual parts from the World Trade Center after 911 (Ground Zero)…
Metal from the World Trade Center (Ground Zero) after 911
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was completed on October 28 , 1886. Originally, we were told, that Ellis Island was where the immigrants would have to go through to enter New York by ship. When the Statue of Liberty was completed, it also meant that immigrants thereafter must have seen the same Statue as they entered US with their renewed hopes and dreams…
It is important to prepare yourselves if you want to visit the Statue of Liberty because the queue is REALLY LONG!!
Long Queues for Ferry to the Statue of Liberty
Eventhough the entry to the Liberty State Park is free, you would have to pay $13USD for the ferry to take you there. There is a queue on every part of this journey! From queuing of tickets, to queuing to get onboard the ferry, to queuing to get off the ferry and queuing to get back!
But once you’re onboard, you’ll be rewarded with views of the New York City skyline as well as the Statue of Liberty herself…
New York City SkylineThe Statue of Liberty as seen from the Ferry
Once you’re on the island, there’s actually a souvenir shop and a very nice walk all around the island and fantastic views of Manhattan as well! But of course, you’ll be awed by her majestic stature up close as well…
The Statue of Liberty up close
New York City Walk About
We took a short walk around the city and visited the following places…
The world renowned NYSE (New York Stock Exchange)
We passed by Wall Street and took a photo of the Trump Building
The Trump Building New York City
We then had dinner at the seaport where we had a fantastic view of the Brooklyn bridge. The lobster sliders and Avocado Eggroll were delicious!
Lobster Sliders New YorkCrispy Avocado Eggroll New York
Rockefeller Centre – Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Rockefeller Centre – Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Tickets to the Top of the Rock costs $25USD per person. This time, we visited Top of the Rock in the day so that we get both night view (from ESB) and day view from Rockefeller Centre. The good thing about visiting the Top of the Rock is that from here you will be able to capture the iconic Empire State Building!
View of Empire State Building from Top of the RockCentral Park from Top of the Rock
The view from the Top of the Rock was simply fantastic and indescribable. If there’s one building you have to top in NYC, it has got to be the Top of the Rock!
Warwick New York Hotel
There was a deal which Kate got online and it was actually to book a 4 star hotel in the heart of New York City. The catch was you wont know which hotel it was until you book it. However, we were both happy with the choice because for $185USD (inclusive of tax) we stayed here…
Warwick New York City HotelClassy Bathroom in Warwick New York City Hotel
We even got to enjoy great tasting turkish food from the roadside stall downstairs. There was always a queue for their food!
Chicken on Rice from Turkish Shop Downstairs
New Jersey
There are 2 things you would need to do when you take a short visit to New Jersey…
Enjoy the splendid view of the Manhattan Skyline from HobokenVisit Cake Boss in Hoboken!
From New Jersey, you would be able to catch the best of the New York City Skyline. Here, take your time to take in the sights and perhaps enjoy a cuppa while time (and people) pass you by…
Visiting Cake Boss is also a treat. Though you may not want to join the queue, it is always nice to wander around and see if you can catch a glimpse of the man himself…
Long Queue outside Cake Boss Hoboken
Broadway Musical
It is definitely a must to see at least 1 broadway musical when you visit New York City. It is important to note that you are able to buy discounted tickets right in the heart of Times Square…The TKTS booth at Times Square sells tickets for performances that day. Hence it is important to be there early to get the seats that you want.
Times Square New York City
Just as we were minding our own business and staying in line to queue for our tickets, guess what happened? Justin Bieber did a flash mob appearance at the Ruby Red Stairs singing “Baby”!
Justin Bieber Flash Mob NYCAnother view of Justin Bieber’s Flash Mob at NYC
He just appeared and started singing out of nowhere! Kate and I were both taken by surprise as we scrambled take a snap of him live in person. And just as sudden as he had arrived, he left as quickly as well.Before long, we were left only with screaming girls and crying fans. They actually cried!
Soon, the booths were opened and we got our tickets for $61.50USD each. We then took the opportunity to of course taste some New York Cheese cake and chocolate cake before our show…
New York Cheesecake $9USDSkyscraper Chocolate Cake $11USD
As we left our dinner, we caught a glimpse of Times Square at night.
Times Square at Night (New York)
The city just exudes so much life and energy especially right here at Times Square. A few walks down were where we caught Mary Poppins beside this iconic McDonalds.
Iconic McDonalds with many light bulbs at its entrance NYC
As we were not allowed to film or take pictures during the performance, we took a picture of the curtains before the start of the show…
Opening of Mary Poppins Broadway
The performance was absolutely captivating. The story was about a family with kids that would not behave. They of course did when Mary Poppins became their baby sitter. There were some real magic and flying around the theater that kept the audience thoroughly glued to the show. The singing by the lead was also unbelievably beautiful. Overall it was a great show for a great night in NYC 🙂
Walk about NYC 2
With some spare time in NYC, we went to the central park…
Central Park New York CitySummit Rock , Central Park NYC
We then searched for the Serendipity Cafe that was featured in the Romantic Comedy of the same name – Serendipity.
Scenes off the movie Serendipity movie in New York CityEntrance of Serendipity New York City
We also visited another movie venue in NYC, FAO Schwarz Toys – Home of the Legendary Toy Company!
It was here where Tom Hanks did the dance at the Big Piano in the movie “Big”
Actual Big Piano from the movie “Big” that starred Tom HanksMuppets Workshop in FAO Schwarz Toys
The staff at the Big Piano was answered almost immediately when I asked “Is this…” (didnt manage to complete “the piano from the movie?”) when he replied “Yes, and there will be professional dancers here 3 times a week to perform the actual dance from the movie”. Think he must be so used to guests/visitors asking the same question over and over again.
The Big Apple definitely lives up to its name and is probably one of the most Cosmopolitan city in the world. The energy and vibes it exuberates even in the wee hours of the night makes a city that truly never sleeps.
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Seriously, we did not know that the World Orchid Conference (WOC) was already into its 20th year but we were pleasantly surprised by the splendid showcase of orchids by various groups from all over the world…
20th World Orchid Conference (WOC)
Logo of the 20th World Orchid Conference WOC
At the entrance…
Wall to the entrance of 20th World Orchid Conference WOC
Tickets cost $15 for adults and $9 for senior citizens or students. There are also 10% discounts for ntuc, passion, safra (among the cards we can remember). The cost of this price also includes a preview of Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome (an air conditioned indoor display of plants and vegetation) scheduled to open in 6 months time in 2012.
Ticket to 20th World Orchid Conference WOC (includes preview of Gardens by the Bay)
There is also complimentary shuttle bus service from Marina Bay MRT to Gardens by the Bay to the Marina Bay Sands, Sands Expo and Convention Centre (looping in that order)
Complimentary shuttle service from Marina Bay MRT to Gardens by the Bay to Marina Bay Sands , Sands Expo and Convention CentreEntrance to the 20th WOC World Orchid Conference at Marina Bay SandsMap of the 20th WOC (World Orchid Conference) at Marina Bay Sands
Before we start, perhaps we should learn more about orchids and its origin…
Parts of the OrchidWords in the gents…bet you didnt know about this!
Close to the entrance are the VIP orchids such as this named after Nelson Mandela
Orchid named after Nelson Mandela
and of course our national flower – The Vanda Miss Joaquim
Vanda Miss Joaquim at 20th WOC (World Orchid Conference)
The organisers have put in much effort to bring in different orchids and their hybrids from all over the world…
Orchids from all over the world at the 20th WOC (World Orchid Conference)
Unique orchids include…
5 petaled OrchidBrown OrchidsHybrid Pitcher Orchid PlantsOrchid that looks like a crib with a baby inside2 Petaled OrchidTriangular Shaped OrchidArty Farty Close Up Shot of really small Orchids
There are also displays from different societies and countries from all over the world such as
Orchid displays from IndonesiaOrchid Display from the UKOrchid displays from Malaysia
There were also real pitcher plants…
Real pitcher plants
a huge one at that…
Huge pitcher plant
as well as flower arrangements…
Orchid Bridal Hand Bouquets
the winner…
Winner of Orchid Bridal Hand BouquetWinning Flower ArrangementOther winners of flower arrangementAn appeal for aid to Japan
There are also displays for competition at the schools and junior levels…
Displays after the competitionOne of the winnersYet another winnerCute Theme
The standing categories…
Shaped like the flyerThe winner…
Some walkabout videos at the 20th WOC (World Orchid Conference) at the Marina Bay Sands, Sands Expo and Convention Centre…
Walk about Part 1
Walk about Part 2
Walk about Part 3
Revolving Petronas Tower
Gardens by the Bay
Next we headed to the Gardens by the Bay via the free shuttle service. The tickets to the WOC included a complimentary preview to the Gardens by the Bay! The shuttle bus came at a high frequency (i.e. short waiting time) at least during our wait. We waited for only about 5 minutes eventhough the expected waiting time was about 10-15 mins.
Map of the Gardens by the BayIconic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay with Marina Bay Sands as the backdropIconic outer view of the Flower DomeEntrance to the Flower Dome
As we entered, we were awed by the huge strange looking trees and cactus. The temperature was quite cold (around 23 degrees). The temperature and humidity is strictly controlled in here for these vegetation and plants to flourish…
The Flower Dome is about 45 metres high and spans 1.2 hectares. The most eye catching plant in the Flower Dome has got to be the Baobabs. The bulbous trunks (looking like a prenant tree) helps the tree to store water during dry seasons. They are also known as bottle trees.
Throughout the Flower Dome, there are other gardens such as the Succulent Garden (mostly cacti), the Australian Garden, the South American Garden, Mediterranean Garden as well as the Olive Grove so do take time to check them out as well!
Another view from withinView of the trees with bulbous trunks that store waterView from the highest point in the flower dome
We were directed by the staff to make a loop to the highest point in the Flower Dome, before heading downstairs where the exit was. The overall feel was as if you had entered an enchanted garden. It was amazing to see Singapore having such an attraction!
Here are some videos from within for our readers…
Preview of Gardens by the Bay Part 1
Preview of Gardens by the Bay Part 2
Preview of Gardens by the Bay Part 3
Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Helix Bridge
Before we left the Marina Bay area altogether, we took some shots at the Shoppes as well as the Helix Bridge overlooking the Marina Bay…Enjoy!
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
View of the Marina Bay from Helix Bridge Part 1
View of the Marina Bay from Helix Bridge Part 2 (The other end of the bridge)
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the 20th WOC as well as the Gardens by the Bay. The organisers have indeed put in alot of effort to make it all happen and here at 2bearbear.com we would like to congratulate them for a job well done!
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We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the 20th WOC World Orchid Conference!
To round up our list of things to do and attractions in Philadelphia, we are going to cover Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross and the American Flag as well as all the yummy stuff at Reading Terminal Market!
We start our historical trail at the independence hall and it all starts here, at the independence square…
Picture of the Independence Square Philadelphia
While we were there, the independence hall was under renovation…
Independence Hall Philadelphia (under reconstruction)
We were led into the hall where the declaration of independence was signed…
Hall where the declaration of Independence was signed
We were told by the tour guide (who by the way is very very knowledgeable) that there are currently 2 actual pieces of articles from George Washington’s time. The rest of the tables and chairs re-modeled to resemble what it was like during that time. So the two articles were…
The painting seen here taken with our Philly Bear from Radisson Hotel
Painting from George Washington’s time
and the chair which George Washington sat on…
Chair with a sun that George Washington sat on
We were told by our guide that George Washington often questioned whether the sun was a rising sun or a setting sun. The answer was obvious…a rising sun…
Next, we were told a piece of information that even most Americans would not know. The declaration of Independence was actually completed on the 2nd of July 1776! Then why was the declaration of independence only signed on 4th of July 1776? According to our guide, it was time taken to amend from the version that Thomas Jefferson had originally drafted. Some of the things like abolition of slavery as well as the mention of the tyranny of the king were removed from the final version…
Next we were led upstairs…
Going upstairs of Independence Hall
The long room upstairs of Independence Hall Philadelphia
Other stuff upstairs…
Piano Independence Hall PhiladelphiaStudy Table Independence Hall PhiladelphiaThe arms in the Ammunition Room @ Independence Hall Philadelphia
The signer was fashioned to commemorate the fore fathers who signed 2 important documents in the history of America – The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
The statue of the Signer PhiladelphiaPlaque of the Signer Philadelphia
What we really like about Philadelphia is that life in the city is so delicately interwoven and intertwined with its history. Just a few blocks away, we are along the historical trails where we arrived at the Betsy Ross House. We were just in time for the daily flag raising ceremony at about 10am.
Flag raising ceremony Betsy Ross House Philadelphia
You would almost certainly notice that there are only 13 stars on this flag. This was because it represents the number of states then that participated in the movement…
Betsy Ross Flag with 13 stars
Next we visited the liberty bell with its infamous crack…
The Liberty Bell Philadelphia
Well we didn’t exactly catch the crack (because of the crowd) as we took it from the back angle. There were many stories in the hall that leads up to the bell which tells of why the bell cracked what happened when they rang the bell when the declaration of independence was read and so on…
Hallways of stories about the Liberty Bell
There were many recollections and many interesting snippets about the Liberty Bell, do spend some time reading them!
Next we headed to the famous Reading Terminal Market!
Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia
The reason why we were here was because of Man vs Food (MVF)! At that time, we were still having our Starhub Cable TV, so we watched MVF every Wednesday. This episode recounted the French-Dipped Sandwich of DiNic’s!
Dinic’s Roast Pork and Beef @ Reading Terminal Market
We took the liberty of ordering both the Pork and the Beef sandwich topped one with roasted pepper (Jalapeno – chilli pepper) and the other with Spinach.
Beef Sandwich topped with Roasted Pepper and Pork Sandwich with Spinach @ DiNic’s
We didnt regret it! In fact, even as we’re writing this post, we’re feeling hungry!! The roast was tender and flavourful while the peppers really packed a punch (definitely not for those who do not take chilli). The spinach also complimented the sandwich really really well.
Not only was the food good, there was some eye candy for Kate as well…
Handsome Owner of Dinic’s
As we ventured along the walkways of Reading Terminal Market, we stumbled unto another gem…
Walkways of Reading Terminal MarketBassetts Ice Cream – America’s Oldest Ice Cream Company
The ice cream was o so good! It was because of the high content of butter in Bassetts ice cream, so do take note – especially for those who are watching those calories! The ice cream parlour also packs in alot of history, being established in 1861 and serving in this same spot for a long long long time now…
Peanut Butter Swirl with Rum and Raisin @ Bassetts Ice Cream
There was also chocolates galore here in the Reading Terminal Market…
Chocolates Galore at Reading Terminal Market PhiladelphiaChocolates Galore again at Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia
After the delights, we took a walk along the river and caught a glimpse of the USS New Jersey
USS New Jersey PhiladelphiaOlympia Steel Warship and Becuna Submarine Philadelphia
Along the banks, we saw the Olympia (World’s oldest steel warship afloat today, since 1892) and the Becuna Submarine used during WW2.
Olympia and Becuna Comparison
Further on, we walked by other memorials such as these Vietnam and Korean War Memorial…
Vietnam War Memorial PhiladelphiaKorean War Memorial Philadelphia
On the last day as we walked about town, we came by the famous Philadelphia Stock Exchange…
Philadelphia Stock Exchange
Rounding up the trip, there was just one last thing we had to do…that is to enjoy a Philly Cheesesteak!
Philly Cheese Steak
Philly Cheese Steak from the road stalls, the way the locals have them
Road side stall for Philly Cheese Steaks!
Philadelphia has got to be one of our favouritest place in USA. It has got a rich history, modern architecture and great food. It is a must visit place when you are in the USA!
You can read about the other 2 Philadelphia Posts here…
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