Have you ever wanted a staycation where you and your family (including the kids) can really rejuvenate, relax and just have a great time? Look no further than a staycation at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Singapore!
We have heard all about the family-oriented features and programmes at the Rasa Sentosa but this time, we finally got the opportunity to check it out for ourselves! After a smooth check-in, we were brought to our rooms by one of the receptionist and the room was just nothing short of amazing…check this out!
Family Staycation at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort
The room was a sanctuary and gave us an excellent vibe to the start of a staycation. The room was spacious with a pastel coloured theme. You know we sometimes complain about bathrooms that DONT allow you to bathe while you watch TV? With the swivel TV and “windows” at the bathroom, you can relax and enjoy your bath while watching your favourite shows! The kids can also enjoy their bath while staying tuned to Cartoon Network! 🙂
The room is well-stocked and you have a small selection of teas and coffees. The hotel’s turndown service was also a thoughtful gesture whereby they re-arranged our rooms and brought in their nonya kueh kuehs while we were at the pool!
The kids can access stationery for their art and crafts if they need to!
Take a tour around our Deluxe Pool View Room at Rasa Sentosa Resort here…
Nope, we did not spot the monkeys. Beautiful peahens did make their appearance though.
From the lift buttons you can see that the gym is located at level 5 while the swimming pool and cool zone (for the kids) are at level 1. The restaurants and chill out bars are scattered throughout the premise.
Tom took a 5km run on the treadmill at the gym and lifted some weights using the various machines available. After the gym, it was time to hit the pools! (After a quick shower of course – dont EVER jump into the pool after a sweaty work out people!)
As we have mentioned many times, the swimming pool makes or breaks a staycation! The pool at Rasa Sentosa certainly made our staycation GRRRRRRREAT! (To the sound of Kellogg’s) We have been to Siloso Beach at Sentosa many times but we never realised that the pool of Rasa Sentosa Resort was actually HUGE!
Staycation for the Kids at Rasa Sentosa Resort Singapore
Plus, there are dedicated play areas for the kids! There are slides, splash areas just for the kids. What’s more, Toot’s Club (Kids club at Rasa Sentosa) actually plans programmes for the kids for the ENTIRE day! A typical day goes like this
9.30am : Welcome
10.00am : Cirque Du Rasa (A variety of Circus skills for the children to enjoy daily)
11.00am : Garden Games / Island Tour
1.00pm : Art and Craft
2.00pm : Fun at Siloso Beach (Beach Games)
3.00pm : Pool Games
4.00pm : Special Event of the Day
5.00pm : Shower Break
7.00pm : Evening at Cool Zone
9.00pm : See you Tomorrow!
While we were at the pool, we saw staff getting the kids to play games and they really listened attentively to the instructions! From the way they played, we could see that the kids were really enjoying themselves!
There’s even an advice that goes
“Adults are discouraged to stay with the children so as to allow direct interaction between the children and their new friends.”
HOW COOL IS THAT?! After leaving your kids in the good hands of the staff at Rasa Sentosa, it is now time for the “worn-out” parents to enjoy a great time at the jacuzzi of the pool, sweat it out at the gym or just relax at “Chi” – the Spa at Shangri-La…
Food Staycation at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa
If Spas are not your thing, food definitely is right? And there is a variety of options for your staycation at Shangri-La Sentosa!
Dine on 3 offers dining options at Barnacles Restaurant (which features delectable seafood and grill, Western and Asian cuisines for dinner), 8 Noodles (with its quality and affordable selection of Asian noodles specialities and roast meats), Casserole (for its international spread) and Bubble Bar (great for pre or post dinner drinks).
For exclusivity, we had the option of having our breakfast at the business lounge…
For lunch we had an out-door dining experience along Siloso Beach at Trapizza
Trapizza is famous for its wood-fired thin crust pizzas and pastas. We were served traditional Italian fare and we were pleasantly surprised by the simplicity and freshness of its ingredients. Prawns were especially succulent and fresh!
Great food , great views (overlooking the sea) and great service… makes us want to just say…mama mia!
In all of these, the kids are never left out! There’s a kids menu at Trapizza and even a scaled-to-height buffet area just for the kids at Silver Shell Cafe! How thoughtful!
After our staycation at Shangri La’s Rasa Sentosa, we were thoroughly rejuvenated! And while we were there, we decided to KPO (kay poh) a bit and had a sneak peak into the Deluxe Sea View Suite…
The suite just oozes class and luxury altogether. The next time you decide to pamper yourself with a Singapore Staycation, the Suites at Rasa Sentosa can be an option as well.
Why you should do a Rasa Sentosa Resort Family Staycation
There are certainly many reasons why you should do a family staycation at Rasa Sentosa. At Sentosa, you can enjoy all the attractions that the island has to offer. Universal Studios is always a hit with the kids.
However, the biggest draw for a family staycation here is definitely the programme, facilities and even food that revolves around the kids. In all our years of travelling and staying in hotels, we have never come across a hotel that has paid so much attention and detail to make sure that the kids are well taken care of.
And when the kids are well taken care of, the parents can finally enjoy their 2gether time! (time for 2 people if you didnt get the drift…)
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There are actually so many things to do in Singapore! There are major attractions you can visit, shopping, food, heritage and so much more! As Singaporeans, it is only right for us to introduce what Singapore has to offer and so we decided to create a list of the top 101 things to do and attractions in Singapore! As a Singapore Travel Blog, it is our pleasure to bring you the 101 things to do in Singapore! This post is likely to be our longest post ever!
Sentosa is a major tourist attraction in Singapore. It offers one of Singapore’s most beautiful beaches (at Siloso, Tanjong and Palawan Beach), fun activities, food, Singapore’s major attractions and even a Singapore staycation options for Singaporeans! So the things to do at Sentosa includes
1. Merlion. The merlion is a mystical animal of a cross between a mermaid and the lion. Word has it that a Palembang Prince, Sang Nila Utama spotted a tiger but mistook it for a lion and named the city “Singapura” aka “Lion City”. That is why our soccer team is today knowned as “the Lions”. But back to the merlion, it looks pretty much like this…
This merlion at Sentosa is the largest merlion in Singapore (The one that spurts water is at Marina Bay) and you can ascend it as well.
2. Universal Studios Singapore. Universal Studios Singapore is by itself a major attraction in Singapore. Located at the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Universal Studios Singapore boasts of rides, shows and activities for the entire family (get up close with Shrek!). There is even “Transformers the Ride : Ultimate 3D Battle” exclusive to Universal Studios Singapore.
3. Tiger Sky Tower. Ascend to the top of the Tiger Sky Tower and enjoy panoramic views of Sentosa, the ocean views and even the Singapore City skyline!
4. Fort Siloso. Learn about the history of Singapore and how the guns at Siloso were used to defend the city during World War 2. There is also a series of wax displays including this infamous replica of the photo taken during the surrender of Singapore to the Japanese during WW2…
5. Images of Singapore. Images of Singapore is a museum that depicts the history of Singapore from simple days (pre-modern era) to the modern Singapore as we know today.
6. Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom. Fans of beautiful butterflies? Then come close to these lovely creatures and other interesting insects at the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom!
7. Segway Eco Adventure. If you have not tried the Segway (think “Paul Blart : Mall Cop”), Sentosa offers you an opportunity to learn to handle this transportation tool and even letting you try to scale and descend some terrains (with guides of course). Once you’re comfortable, you can also opt to go on a tour of the island on the Segway!
8. Luge and Sky Ride. Feel a little need for speed? The Luge allows you travel at high speeds down the slopes! You can race a friend or just enjoy a leisurely descent through this 1.2km track. To ascend to the top of the track, you can also take the Sky Ride where you can enjoy views of the island (and maybe some thrills if you’re a little scared of heights).
9. 4D Magix. 4D is actually an expression of 3D images + physical experience of movement and/or effects. At 4D magix, you can enjoy movies, a 4D ride or even a 4D shooting game. Desperados (a 4D shooting game) is not as easy as it seems!!
10. Wavehouse Surfing.Surf’s up at the Wavehouse in Sentosa Island! Here you can ride the waves up to 10 foot in height!
11. Sentosa Beaches. Singapore is not known for its beaches and the best beaches in Singapore are at Sentosa. Siloso, Tanjong and Palawan are the major beaches with fine (man-made we suppose) sands that are suitable for chilling out or even beach activities such as volleyball, frisbee or soccer!
Enjoy a leisurely stroll down the beach or if you’re a real beach bum, you can take the beach tram to save some time (and effort)!
12. Ifly Singapore. Take flight at the world’s longest wind tunnel. The wind tunnel is used to simulate the “flying effect”, somewhat like a jump off a plane before you pull the parachute. Classes are also available for the kids. Some of them are really really pro!
13. Staycation in Sentosa. One of the many things to do in Singapore is to do a staycation in Singapore. Where else than the iconic Sentosa? Kate and I have enjoyed 2 staycations at Sentosa and we totally enjoyed ourselves! Our stays at Hard Rock Hotel as well as the Amara Sanctuary Resort were staycations that were really memorable. Take a look at the pool at Hard Rock Hotel!
Pool of Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa
14. Marine Life Park and Adventure Cove Water Park. The latest addition to Resorts World Sentosa, the Marine Life Park (world’s largest oceanarium) and Adventure Cove Water Park are major attractions in their own rights. The S.E.A Aquarium is the world’s largest aquarium as accredited by Guinness World Records with more than 100,000 marine life across 49 habitats! The Adventure Cove Water Park offers endless splashing fun with thrilling slides, relaxing lazy river and you can even experience a close encounter with rays.
15. Many other attractions in Sentosa! There are many many many other attractions in Sentosa such as the Maritime Experential Museum, Underwater World, Megazip Adventure, Flying Trapeze, Nature Discovery, Cable Car Ride, Malaysian Food Street Songs of the Sea and much much more!
Besides Sentosa, there are several major attractions in Singapore that you MUST VISIT!! This section will cover our favourite ones 🙂
Marina Bay
16. As one of the top things to do in Singapore, chinMarina Bay Sands.MBS is one of the most iconic structures in Singapore with its shape like a vessel on top of the 3 curved supporting structure. At the top of MBS is the Marina Bay Sands Sky Park. From here you can enjoy views of the Singapore city sky line as well as the Marina Bay region…
17. Singapore Flyer. Singapore Flyer is currently the world’s largest observation wheel. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes and at the highest point, you can enjoy great views of the Marina Bay as well as other attractions in the area…
18. Art Science Museum. The Art Science Museum is an iconic lotus shaped (to us, it’s really a hand) structure that features famous exhibitions from across the world such as Titanic, Harry Potter and Van Gogh.
19. Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. The Esplanade is yet another iconic structure in the Marina Bay Area. Affectionately known as “Durian” to the locals (cause they are shaped like durians dont they?), the Esplanade http://www.esplanade.com/index.jspis a performing arts avenue where we have caught several live performances and even the Phantom of the Opera!
20. Marina Bay Merlion. This merlion at the Marina Bay is probably the most visited of all the merlions in Singapore. Yup, simply because it is easily accessible, free and spurts water! :p
Singapore’s Tourism Icon – The Merlion
21. Marina Barrage. As part of Singapore’s strategy to control flood and to set up another water catchment area, the Marina Barrage was set up at the mouth of the Marina Bay. Besides these function, the Marina Barrage also offers a venue for locals to enjoy activities such as kayaking and kite flying. Events are also often held at the Barrage. The Barrage is also our favourite picnic site to enjoy views of the Marina Bay Sands!
22. Gardens by the Bay. Gardens by the Bay is a major accomplishment by Singapore to have a garden right in the heart of the city! At Gardens by the Bay, there is the indoor Flower Dome and Cloud Forest gardens as well as the iconic Supertrees with its light displays in the evening. The OCBC Skyway at the Supertree grove offers visitors panoramic views of the gardens.
23. Duck Tours River Cruise along Singapore River. To cover all the attractions at the Marina Bay, you can take a leisurely cruise along the Singapore River. The cruise along the Singapore River can take you to other attractions such as Clarke Quay and Boat Quay as well!
24. Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. Clarke Quay and Boat Quay are favourite night spots for locals and foreigners alike. With the Singapore River as the backdrop, evenings come alive with bustling dining outlets, pubs and live performances. A firm favourite with the night owls!
25. Raffles Hotel Singapore A short walk away towards Raffles City, you will find the iconic Raffles Hotel. The hotel is the oldest in Singapore and has its roots closely linked to Singapore’s history. This exclusive hotel is where foreign dignitaries, celebrities and famous people stay (Think Prince William, Queen of England, Jackie Chan and Michael Jackson). You will also see the famous Sikh doorman at the main lobby of Raffles hotel as well!
Zoos and Bird Park in Singapore
Although Singapore is small, we have some of the best animal conservatories in the world. If you have only time for one paid attractions, this Singapore Travel Blog recommends the Singapore Zoo…
26. Singapore Zoo. After visiting several zoos across the world, we still think that the Singapore Zoo is one of the best around. Not only does it have animals from various parts of the world, there are shows and activities for the entire family. One of the best things we like about the Singapore Zoo is that there are snippets of information sprinkled all around the zoo for the kids to learn.
27. Night Safari. Can you believe that the world’s first night safari is located here in Singapore? The night safari comes alive when the sun goes down and the nocturnal animals come out to play. Some of the animals are even allowed to come close to you. So expect a little excitement at the Night Safari in Singapore!
28. River Safari. River Safari is the latest addition to the conservatories in Singapore. Inspired by the 8 most iconic rivers in the world, visitors will be able to see animals from the Mississippi, Congo, Nile, Ganges, Murray, Mekong, Yangtze and Amazon Rivers. In addition, the Giant Panda forest is also home to Kai Kai and Jia Jia – a pair of pandas from China.
29. Jurong Bird Park. The Jurong Bird Park is definitely one of the best aviaries in the world. More than 5000 birds and over 350 species can be found here. There is even a 30m high waterfall to re-create an environment for the bird species. Bird shows are also interesting with birds flying over you at close proximity!
Singapore’s Culture & Heritage
The Singapore culture is an amalgamation of different cultures in our society. When Singapore was founded, different enclaves were formed according to the various races then. Today, these enclaves are part of our national identity and you can visit them to find out more about Singapore’s history!
30. Chinatown. Another top things to do in Singapore is to visit Chinatown. staycatiChinatown was an area where Chinese gathered in the past. It also has an alternate name – Cow-driven Water Cart (牛车水). This is because, in the past, water was delivered from house to house in a cow-driven water cart. Today, Chinatown still has Chinese-inspired buildings from times past and alot of shopping and eateries have sprouted, bringing new life to the area. Chinatown is right at the doorstep of the Chinatown MRT station.
31. Kampong Glam. Kampong Glam is a ethnic quarter to experience the hospitality of the Malay people. As you enter the quarter, you will notice that the area still has the feel of the olden days while shopping and eating options are aplenty. Kampong Glam is a short walk from Bugis MRT station.
32. Little India. Another enclave not to be missed is Little India. Located at the Little India MRT (Serangoon Road), you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the Indian community. Enjoy Indian specialties such as the prata, thosai and various curries.
33. Mustafa Shopping Centre. For reasonable 24 hour shopping, head down to Mustafa Shopping Centre at the other end of Little India. Mustafa is really like a Singapore equivalent of Wal-mart but it opens 24 hours a day. For last minute no-frills shopping, look no further than Mustafa (even at 3am in the morning!)
34. Peranakan Culture. Rich Chinese traders in the past descended upon Singapore from the Malay archipelago and inter-married with the locals in Singapore. Their culture is a rich mix of Chinese and Malay cultures. Today, Peranakan plays an important part in Singapore’s culture and is typically well-known for nonya cuisines. You can visit the Peranakan culture in the Katong, Joo Chiat area and also follow the Peranakan heritage trail.
35. Eurasian Culture. Though the Eurasians have a small population in Singapore but they have let a huge mark. For more information about the history and contribution of the Eurasians to Singapore, visit the European community house at 139 Ceylon Road.
36. Singapore Botanic Gardens The Singapore Botanic Garden is the biggest park and gardens in Singapore and it boasts of many species of plants suitable for growth in the tropical climate. The iconic features will include the gazebo, swan lake, a performance arena, HUGE trees as well as a tree with its lowest branch almost touching the ground – a site where many couples take their wedding shots!
Museums in Singapore
The National Heritage Board has been working hard to promote museums in recent years. During certain festivals or major holidays, the museums may have FREE ENTRY! Over the years, the free entries has started an appreciation for the arts in Singapore.
37. National Museum of Singapore. If you only have time for 1 museum, VISIT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE! You can see resident exhibitions such as the national treasures of gold ornaments from the 14th century as well as Singapore History sections. The museum opened in 1887 and is also a national monument itself. We thoroughly enjoyed the Singapore History section and it brought back memories of things when we were younger. The exhibits also shows how Singapore grew from a small fishing village to a modern, first world country that it is today.
38. Asian Civilisations Museum The Asian Civilisations Museum partners with museums from all over the world to show case exhibits primarily in 4 zones including China, India, Southeast Asia and the Islamic world.
39. Singapore Art Museum. The Singapore Art Museum houses and preserves modern contemporary art from Singapore and Southeast Asia.
40. Peranakan Museum. The Peranakan museum is a very interesting museum that showcases the Peranakan culture and cuisine. You will be able to learn more about their customs, their way of life, what they wear and how they lived in the past.
41. Singapore Philatelic Museum. Remember those first day covers that you collected as a child? THERE ARE LOTS OF THEM HERE! You can see all the various kinds of stamps from different genres and even limited editions as well! Stamp fans will definitely go crazy here!
42. Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Reflections at Bukit Chandu recounts the last major battle during World War 2 where the Malay Regiment put up a heroic fight against the Japanese at the Battle of Pasir Panjang.
43. Memories at Old Ford Factory. The Old Ford Factory was where the British (Gen Percival) surrendered to the Japanese (General Yamashita) during World War 2. The exhibitions has first hand accounts of the occupation up to the surrender of the Japanese forces in 1945.
Shopping in Singapore
Besides eating, Singaporeans’ favourite past time is SHOPPING! There are no lack of shopping options here in Singapore and we introduce a few to you here!
44. Orchard Road Shopping Belt. If you ask anyone in the streets, where to shop in Singapore, Orchard Road would definitely be the first place that comes to mind. At Orchard, you can find all kinds of goods from luxury to the trendy. It is like Singapore’s own version of Champs Elysees (of Paris) and Oxford Street (of London).
45. Shopping at Marina / Raffles City. Another favourite place to shop is the Marina / City Hall area. This is because, once you step out of the City Hall MRT station, you can either visit Raffles City Shopping Mall, or take a walk along Citylink mall where there are further shopping options. Citylink mall can then take you to Marina Square or Esplanade (MORE SHOPPING OPTIONS!). Finally from Marina Square you can take a short walk across the road to, yes you’ve guessed it, Marina Bay Sands!
46. VivoCity. VivoCity is a mid-range shopping centre where you can get pretty much everything. There’s even a cinema and hyper mart to complete the entire shopping experience. Located outside Sentosa island, it can be reached via the Harbour Front MRT station. From there, you can take a short walk across the board walk to reach Sentosa. Entry via the board walk is only $1!
47. Bugis. For shopping options for the young and trendy, head on down to Bugis street. Here you will find a wide selection of merchandise at competitive prices. If you have had enough of street shopping, Bugis junction and Bugis plus is just a stone’s throw away!
48. IT Shopping. For all your IT shopping needs, head on down to Funan the IT mall or Sim Lim Square. Funan is a reputable shopping mall where you will get IT products at relatively good prices. Sim Lim is more like a consolidation of small computer/IT-related shops and prices are usually lower simply because you never know where the items come from…But still, if you’re looking to build your own computer or replace certain parts like ram, hard disk etc. This is the place to be.
49. Souvenir Shopping. If you want shirts that says “My friend went to Singapore and got me this stupid shirt” OR “Singapore is a FINE City”, this is the place to be. You will be able to find magnets, fans, shirts and many many more at competitive prices. A good place to shop for souvenirs for your friends before you head home! Oh, while you’re there, you may consider taking up some snacks such as bak kwa (BBQ pork) or pastries for your friends as well. 🙂
50. Singapore Expo. The Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre is another great place to shop when sales are on. From time to time, you may have sales ranging from sporting products to furniture to children products and even foods! Be sure to check out whats on during the weekend that you’re here!
Food in Singapore
Singapore’s favourite national past time is FOOD!! Did you know that Singaporeans spends the highest per person (on average) for food in the world?! This section will introduce you to the various kinds of food that we enjoy here in Singapore!
Street Foods Street foods (known as hawker food to the locals) play an intimate part of the everyday Singaporean. In this portion, we will introduce you to the various street foods that you should try when you’re here in Singapore!
51. Chicken Rice. The humble chicken rice (sometimes known as Hainanese chicken rice) is the most international street food – that is to say, so far, all of our overseas friends loved it! Typically, there are 2 types of chickens that you can choose from. Steamed or roasted. Let us know which is your favourite in the comments section below! Rice is usually steamed with pandan leaves and flavours from the chicken to give that extra fragrance!
52. Minced Meat Noodles. As the name suggests, the noodles (choice of yellow noodles thin aka mee kia/thick, flat white noodles or flat yellow noodles aka mee pok) is usually mixed with a braised meat sauce, chilli (or ketchup), vinegar, soya sauce and served with minced meat, sometimes with a little pit of pig liver and mushrooms.
53. Wanton noodles. Another local favourite is the wanton noodles. Wanton is actually a small version of the meat dumpling and the noodles is also usually served with char siew (roasted pork).
54. Roasted meat with rice. The roasted pork combination (crispy skin pork and roasted pork aka 叉烧烧肉饭) with rice is a common staple in Singapore. Sweet with the char siew and savoury with the crispy roasted pork. Yummy!
55. Laksa. Thick white noodles are served in a rich and spicy coconut gravy, usually topped with cockles, sliced fish cake and sometimes chicken/ prawns (if it is a classy joint).
56. Mee Rebus. Since we’re at the spicy section of the street foods, let’s move on to the Malay dishes. The Mee Rebus is a yellow noodles dish served in a slightly sweet curry sauce with a peanut twist. Sliced green chilli and an egg usually completes this dish.
57. Mee Siam. Another popular Malay street food. Thin vermicelli is served in a mildly spicy and sour, soup-based gravy. Egg and tau pok (beancurd) completes the meal.
58. Roti Prata. Roti prata is one of our favourite meals for a breakfast on the weekends. It is essentially fried flour made to the shape of a pancake. It is crispy,fluffy, savoury and served with an Indian curry (could be fish, mutton or chicken). Some like to put sugar on it for a different taste 🙂
59. Ice Kachang. Moving on to desserts, the ice kachang is a local favourite. It is shaved ice served with red bean, palm seeds, corn, jelly and topped with coloured sweet syrup and condensed milk. Nowadays, there are several variations to it including mango and even durian ice kachang!
60. Chendol. Another favourite Peranakan dessert is the chendol. The chendol is also shaved ice served with green starched jelly, coconut milk and the all important gula melaka (brown sugar syrup).
61. Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum Restaurant. There are actually alot more street foods such as the char kuay teow, hokkien mee, prawn noodles and more! But they are more of an acquired taste and not all of our overseas like them. Let’s move on to a hot favourite in town, Tim Ho Wan’s dim sum. It is touted as the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant! Other than Hong Kong, Singapore is the only other country to have its franchise and if you’re here, why not give it a try. Tim Ho Wan Singapore is located at Plaza Singapura and you can reach there via the Dhoby Ghaut MRT.
62. Sunday Buffet Brunch. Sunday Buffet Brunches are a recent trend and these brunches are typically classy late morning lunches that stretches to 3pm in the afternoon. They are characterised by high quality food (think foie gras, seafood and prime ribs), champagnes, great tasting/innovative dishes and excellent service. We have tried the Raffles Hotel’s Bar & Billiard Room, Lime @ Parkroyal on Pickering as well as Riverview Hotel’s Sunday Buffet Brunch. Dont forget the champagne or beer!
Where to party in Singapore
If you’re thinking about where you can enjoy a great night out and party or chill out with your friends, here are some suggestions.
63. Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay is also home to some of the best clubs in Singapore including Zirca and Attica. If you’re thinking of just having some drinks, consider Brewerkz with its own crafted beers. Ah….
64. Mohammad Sultan Road. Clubs and pubs line the streets of this “old” (old because people have been clubbing here since we were still wearing our diapers!) hangout place. If you’re thinking, of chilling out, the wine bars are also available!
65. Holland Village. Affectionately known to the locals as Holland V, this stretch of road is cordon off in the evenings to allow revelers to walk down the roads freely (especially after a drink or two). If you’re into live bands, Wala Wala starts the party with support of local acts. 1-for-1 beers go for as low as $16 (i.e. $8 a pint!). If you want to take it down a notch, Haagen Dazs and Cold Rock Ice Creamery can offer a cooling relieve on some humid evenings!
66. St. James Power Station. Although not as crowded as compared to its heydays, St. James Power Station is still worth a mention. Conveniently located beside VivoCity, visitors can catch a movie and just hop over to St. James (literally across the road) and party at its various venues. You can party, enjoy some live performances, chill to some light tunes or simply enjoy a drink or 2 at the sports bar with the bros!
67. Zouk. You simply cannot write off Zouk can you? When you talk about the local club scene, Zouk comes to mind and there must be something about it to have survived for more than 20 years in Singapore! Located at Jiak Kim street beside the Grand Corpthorne Waterfront Hotel, it has been injecting life into the clubbing scene of Singapore since inception. Do check it out!
Cruises from Singapore
With the opening of the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, the cruise industry in Singapore is set for further growth. We have gone on a couple of cruises before and have really enjoyed ourselves!
68. Royal Caribbean Cruise. We have tried both RCC and Starcruise and we must say that RCC definitely comes out tops for us. There never seems to be a dull moment onboard eventhough we went for a longer cruise here. PLUS the food is so much better! Visit the fine dining daily! Visit our post and find out why!
69. Starcruise. Before Royal Caribbean Cruise came online, there was Starcruise and we went on the Star Virgo as well. The cool thing about cruises is that you’ll just eat, play, sleep, repeat and the next thing you know, you’re at the next port! No lugging of luggage, catching of planes. Customs are a breeze as well. As for Star Virgo, it was a bit old when we were onboard but otherwise, the experience was still a positive one.
Besides Singapore itself, there are short trips that you can take from Singapore to visit nearby cities and islands!
70. Desaru. Less than 2 hours away by car is Desaru. Here you can enjoy beach activities, enjoy a spa, visit the Desaru fruit farm or watch fireflies by night!
71. Legoland Malaysia. The newly opened Legoland Malaysia is also a mere 45 minutes drive away from Singapore. Kids will have so much fun while adults can seek thrills on the dragon ride as well!
72. Cameron Highlands. The drive to Cameron Highlands is about 3 hours and after that exhausting drive, you can reward yourself with fresh mountainous air! Here you can also pick your own strawberries or enjoy the world famous Boh tea.
73. Batam. Batam is a quick getaway for Singaporeans. After a ferry ride of 45 minutes, you’ll arrive in a different country, spend a little less and be able to pamper yourself to spas and seafood! All with the Singapore city skyline in sight!
74. Pulau Ubin. Other than the main island of Singapore, there are residents living on the island of Pulau Ubin. At Pulau Ubin, life seems to remain in the good old days of kampung life (village living) where neighbours know each other well and look out for each other. Visitors usually head to Pulau Ubin for bike trails, nature trails (Chek Jawa) or just cheap(er) seafood!
Staycations in Singapore
Given the high number of luxury hotels concentrated on our small island, staycation at these Singapore luxury hotels seem to make a great relaxing getaway – quickly! We did some staycations and here they are…
75. Raffles Hotel Singapore Staycation.Arguably one of our best staycations in Singapore, the Raffles Hotel offers personalised service and exclusivity like no other. Did we mention that there are only suites in Raffles Hotel and that the staff actually remembers our preferences such as coffee, orange juice and Straits Times Newspapers?!
76. Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore Staycation.Again, service was excellent. We recalled being brought to our seats at the pool and when it rained, being sheltered individually back to the changing rooms!
77. Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa Staycation.The private plunge pool made the difference for us. Imagine being able to just step out of bed , right into the pool. Shiok.
Events Held in Singapore
There are many events held in Singapore each year. However, we are going to highlight a few of the prominent ones on our events calendar.
78. Singapore Formula One F1 Grand Prix. Definitely one of the top things to do in Singapore, Catch the thrills and spills (sounds so commercialised hor) at the Singapore Grand Prix. For non-F1 fans, you can also have the opportunity to catch world-famous acts performing live in Singapore! The Singapore Grand Prix is also currently the only night race on the F1 circuit!
79. Chingay Street Parade. Each year, thousands of performers will take to the streets to showcase the Chingay Street Festival. The street parade is characterised by its vibrant colours, entertaining performances and topped off with fire works at the Bay.
80. Halloween Horror Nights.Each year, Universal Studios Singapore will organise the Halloween Horror Nights. The scare-actors are REALLY scary! The good thing is that they have a policy that they cannot touch you (and vice versa). We would have been frightened stiff if they could! The cool thing is that for the price of entry, you can also enjoy some of the usual rides at USS such as Battlestar Galactica!
81. Great Singapore Sale! During the months of June and July each year, the Great Singapore Sale (GSS) takes place where suppliers pull out all stops to woo consumers at this annual sales bonanza!
82. River Hongbao. During the Chinese New Year period, festivities termed as “River Hongbao” takes place at the floating platform of the Marina Bay. Here you will see familiar Chinese Zodiac animals (and their predictions for the year) as well as fun activities, well mostly for the kids. We will usually go there just to soak in the CNY atmosphere and ring in the new year!
Other Things to do in Singapore
83. Singapore Discovery Centre.Find out more about how Singapore came to be, the campaigns that we used to have (speak good English/Courtesy) and how we have developed over the years to become a first world country in a short span of 40 years. Plus, you will be able to catch some 3D movies at a cheaper rate ($9 vs $12) at the theatre at SDC.
84. Snow City. Missing snow? Snow City offers you an opportunity to experience snow in Singapore! Enjoy snow falling upon you as winter descends and there’s even a long ice slide where you can slide down using rubber tyres!
85. Ice skating rinks. Still on the theme of cold weathers, did you know that there are 3 ice skating rinks in Singapore? The ice skating rinks are located at Leisure Park Kallang, Jcube as well as Marina Bay Sands.
86. Singapore Science Centre. Singapore Science Centre is a bundle of fun for the kids. They will be exposed to simple theories in science through interactive activities.
87. MacRitchie Nature Trail Located at the MacRitchie reservoir, the nature trail takes you through the tropical forest that Singapore has preserved. You can also ascend to challenge the Tree Top walk – definitely not for the faint of hearts!
88. Southern Ridges. Still staying close to nature, the Southern ridges connects various popular parts of Singapore including Mount Faber and Harbour Front. Highlights include Faber Walk, Henderson Waves and Canopy Walk.
89. East Coast Park. On weekends, you will see East Coast Park FULL OF PEOPLE! Many head to East Coast Park to enjoy morning walks, leisure runs, rollerblade, cycle, kite flying, fishing, camping (yes! just need to apply permit easily via axs), BBQ and even cable skiing!
90. Lau Pa Sat. Before Gluttons Bay and Malaysia Food Street, the first attempt to bring the best foods in Singapore under one roof was at Lau Pa Sat. Today, it is also home to the Satay Club.
91. Mount Faber. Mount Faber was where Kate and I used to date. Still remember the love sandwiches she made for me…ah…It is also here where you can catch fantastic views of sunrise in Singapore…
92. Wild Wild WetWild Wild Wet is a water theme park in the east of Singapore. Taking the MRT to Pasir Ris MRT station, you can take the free shuttle bus to Wild Wild Wet. After completing a $2 million revamp, Wild Wild Wet has now a new ride known as Torpedo. Stationed at a 18 metre high capsule, you’ll drop almost vertically and reach speeds of up to 70km/h! The slide is over in 7 seconds flat!
93. Visit the Heartlands. If it’s your first time in Singapore, visit our heartlands! HDB (Housing and Development Board) flats are public housing that houses 80% of Singaporeans! Knowing the heartlands will definitely draw you closer to this island we call home!
94. Enjoy a cup of “Kopi” at a local coffeeshop. Firstly, the Singapore coffee is very different from what you drink anywhere else in the world. Some of our overseas friends swear by it. Yes, we too adore it. Goes perfectly with my morning newspapers. If you are from overseas, say “Kopi” (for coffee with milk and sugar) or “Kopi siew dai” (coffee with less sugar) and see the reaction of the stall owner. She may be amazed that you can order coffee – Singapore style!
95. Leisurely walk along the Singapore River.Besides the taking the river cruise, you can actually enjoy a leisurely walk along the Singapore river that takes you through Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Fullerton and finally the Marina Bay!
96. NEWater Visitor Centre.At the NEWater Visitor Centre, you can find out how Singapore harnesses technology to open yet another “tap” in Singapore’s quest for water independence.
97. Visit to Asia Pacific Breweries. Ever heard of Tiger Beer? Did you also know that Tiger Beer is produced in Singapore? Visit APB and find out how Tiger Beer is created, bottled and finally delivered to you! Includes tasting of fresh Tiger Beer at the end of the visit!
98. Prawning.The activity of prawning has gathered steam in recent years, sprouting many outlets all across the island. The excitement is really when you catch one – especially after waiting for some time. Experts can catch almost one every 2 minutes on average!
99. Enjoy a Singapore Sling. The famous Singapore Sling was created by a bartender of the Raffles Hotel around 1915. It was said that women of the time were not allowed to drink alcoholic drinks in public. So this bartender decided to create a drink specially for the ladies under the guise of a nice bright colour and ladies really loved it. Guys on the other hand were also happy that there was a drink that they could get for their ladies. Win-win!
100. Reverse Bungy. At Clarke Quay, you can experience Bungy – in an opposite direction! The GMAX propels you 60 metres into the air at speeds of up to 200km/hr! Dropping down is another thrill by itself!
Reverse Bungee at Clarke Quay
101. This last one is for you to fill in. There are simply so many things to do and attractions in Singapore, tell us what you have enjoyed in the comments section below!
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P.S. Should you have further queries about your visit to Singapore or would like to have a group/private guided tour on your next trip here, feel free to drop us a mail through contact@2bearbear.com!
Raffles Hotel has finally launched its Summer Staycation Package 2013! If it’s history, luxury and impeccable service you’re looking for, Raffles Hotel is definitely the place to enjoy a Singapore staycation!
The Raffles Hotel is really an exclusive hotel! Guests are known as “Residents” at the hotel and every person that passes through the main lobby will be screened. Non-residents can only view the classy lobby from the doors of the hotel…
Here’s a low down of our itinerary for the staycation at Raffles Hotel
– Breakfast @ Tiffin Room
– Tour of the hotel by Resident Historian Mr Leslie Danker
(Inspired us to write the post about “10 Interesting facts You never knew about Raffles Hotel“)
– Famous Northern Indian Curry Buffet @ Tiffin Room
– Raffles Spa Experience
– Dinner at the Empire Cafe
Rich History combined with colonial luxury at the Raffles Hotel Singapore
Courtyard Suite of the Raffles Hotel
For our readers who are still not aware, Raffles Hotel only has suites! There are 103 suites including Courtyard Suites, Palmcourt Suites, Personality Suites, Grand Hotel Suites and the Presidential Suites. Suites starts at about $700 per night to as much as $10,000 per night for the Presidential Suite (floor area of 280 square meters)!
We were pleasantly surprised by our Courtyard Suite. It had a dining space, a living area, the huge room and an even more surprisingly big bathroom! All with a high ceiling and colonial style decorations!
Tour of the Courtyard Suite of the Raffles Hotel
The entire suite exudes charm and class. The attention to details can be seen from the porcelain lamp stands, porcelain elephant in the bathroom, colonial era cabinets and of course the signature 14 foot high ceilings. There were actually 2 televisions in the room. The only comment is that the TVs are granny TVs. We found out from our hosts that the TVs were actually the top of the line in 1991. The cabinets were also custom made to fit the TVs. If you notice, the TVs are actually flat screens as well. We’ll be sure to look out for the upgrade during the next renovation!
Beside our suite is the hall of fame…
Celebrities and foreign dignitaries often check in with the Raffles Hotel. These famous people include the Queen of England, Netherlands, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Michael Jackson, Sting, Michael Bolton, Karen Mok, Maggie Cheung and Jackie Chan!
Staycation for the Kids @ Raffles Hotel Singapore
If you’re wondering what will the kids be doing during their staycation at the Raffles Hotel, fret not! There is a suite of activities inside the “My Adventure Passport”, specially created to keep the kids entertained!
Kids will be on mini quests whereby there will accomplish missions such as taking a photo with the doorman of the Raffles Hotel. For each mission completed, a stamp is given and upon completion of a number of missions, they will be rewarded with ice creams, pizza making sessions and more!
Facilities of the Raffles Hotel Singapore
The Raffles Hotel is huge! 300,000 square feet in land area and 25% of it is dedicated to its lush greeneries
It is actually very possible to get lost. Or to take a long time to find your way around. For instance, Kate and I actually got lost when we tried to locate restaurants of the hotel! Whenever, we wanted to find the Lawn, it almost always seemed illusive. Maybe we’re just blind – directionally.
The Raffles Hotel has all the facilities you’d expect of a luxury class hotel that includes a beautiful swimming pool, a gym, sauna, steam bath and also a in house spa known as Raffles Amrita Spa.
Swimming Pool of Raffles hotel Singapore
Dinner at Raffles Courtyard
After a relaxing check-in, we headed to the Raffles Courtyard to check out the new Italian menu.
In addition to our previous trip to Raffles Courtyard, we would like to highlight the carpaccio, lasagna as well as the vanilla ice cream!
The beef carpaccio tasted really refreshing! Although it was our second time trying it, the fresh taste of the herbs, lime and beef once again caught our attention. The lasagna was strongly recommended by our host and it did not disappoint. The rich flavours of the marinated beef together with the cheese complemented the fresh pasta to give us that “Oh” reaction. (“Oh” means “Oh, this is quite good!”). Last but not least, the vanilla is the real deal. Try it and you may just get addicted to it. Maybe the next time you walk past Raffles Courtyard, you’ll be tempted to take away a scoop of the vanilla ice cream…beware of its charms…
Cocktails and Singapore Sling at the Long Bar Raffles Hotel
Long Bar is home to the original Singapore Sling. Created around 1915 by Mr Ngiam Tong Boon, the drink was created to allow ladies of that time to have a drink under the disguise of a fancy coloured cocktail.
There was also a demonstration set up just for us to show the concoction of drinks named after the countries where Raffles Hotels are…
How to make the Original Singapore Sling
Our favourite was Seychelles and the Singapore Sling. You must try the Singapore Sling! Frankly speaking, we have not tried anything like it. All the other “Singapore Slings” that we have ever tried, does not even come close to the original one!
Breakfast and Lunch at the Tiffin Room
Tiffin Room is a classy restaurant (dress code to go along) that offers good food with exceptional service. I mean, our waiter actually remembered what we ordered the day before! 😮
The breakfast at Tiffin room is a semi-buffet where you can order some main courses from the menu and enjoy the rest of the buffet from the spread…
Our favourite has got to be the egg benedict. Really makes us wonder how the chef can create such a complex dish from such a humble ingredient. Firm on the outside but runny on the inside (the yolk literally exploded when we went in). Remarkable control of the temperatures!
The Northern Indian Curry Buffet from the Tiffin Room is also a famous main stay of the Raffles Hotel.
The curries, sweets and desserts have made a name for themselves. Our favourite was the raisin ice cream (aka raisin kulfi)
The tea after lunch served up in colonial era tea pot added a touch to the stylish buffet lunch!
Tour around Raffles Hotel
Mr Leslie Danker, the resident historian with more than 40 years of experience took us on a tour around Raffles Hotel.
The Raffles Grill was redecorated to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. The cabinet (at the end of the Grill) as well as the design was done to celebrate the event. In the Grill, there is also a story about the Silver Wagon which was buried during WW2 to prevent it from being taken by the Japanese. It was then re-discovered and now displayed prominently in its former glory, in the Grill.
The famous story of a tiger shot dead under the Bar & Billiard Room of the Raffles Hotel is TRUE! In 1902, there was a travelling circus near beach road. In those days, beach road was really close to the beach and a tiger escaped from the circus and went for a dip.
After the dip, the tiger rested BENEATH the Bar and Billiard Room of the Raffles Hotel. One of the hotel staff saw the tiger and went to a school opposite to ask the principal (Mr Charles Phillips) to help kill the tiger. Charles also happened to be a hunter.
Initially, Charles declined because he attended a function that evening and got a bit tipsy. But since it was a matter of life and death, he agreed and went over, still in his pyjamas. On his first attempt, he took 3 shots and COMPLETELY MISSED THE TIGER! Well, partially due to the alcohol and also that it was quite dark.
Then the tiger turned over. With its eyes gleaming in the dark, Charles took another shot and this time it went right between its eyes. This news was true and was featured in the local newspapers in 1902.
But people often mistaken this story to have taken place beneath the billiard table in the Bar and Billiard Room. (The tiger was shot beneath the room, not the table) Today, you may still find many visitors peering beneath the billiard tables, trying to find out the truth to this story…
As part of the tour, we were shown the Presidential Suite (also known as Sir Stamford Raffles Suite) of the Raffles Hotel! All the bloggers went trigger crazy!
Tour of the Raffles Hotel Presidential Suite
The Presidential Suite was simply luxurious! Now we know how the rich and famous really live it up in style and class! :p
Dinner at the Empire Cafe Raffles Hotel
The Empire Cafe is famed for its local delights. We were introduced to the dim sum, curry as well as its famed laksa that even Jackie Chan craves for!
Of the dim sums, we really enjoyed the siew mai and the seafood spring roll. The siew mai had an additional seasoning that made the overall taste that much sweeter. The seafood spring roll was fresh on the inside and crispy on the outside. Not oily at all.
The chicken curry was not as rich as we expected. However, it was also adequately salted unlike many curries that would be too salty. As with most curries, the gravy went well with the rice that was served. The laksa had another story to it…
According to our host (Kenny), the laksa at Empire Cafe is Jackie Chan’s favourite. When Jackie Chan enters Empire Cafe, his colleauges would tell him “Your Mr Chan is here…”
Jackie Chan would then proceed to consume his laksa and even go for seconds with just the gravy and tau pok. With the fresh ingredients, the laksa was good. But we prefer the rich tasting ones, think Katong…
The important thing about this dish is ability of the sago to retain its small granular texture. This sago did. After taking the advice from Kenny to mix all the coconut and gula melaka in, the sago did taste quite good. Not the best we’ve had but good nonetheless.
Sunday Brunch @ Bar and Billiard Room Raffles Hotel
On our 3rd day, we went for the highlight of our staycation – the Sunday Champagne Brunch @ the Bar and Billiard Room.
To us, this was definitely the Best Sunday Brunch Champagne Buffet in Singapore. Here’s why…
1. Variety. It is quite impossible to try all the foods at this Sunday Brunch. It boasts of a huge selection of foods from appetizers to carvings to pastries to mains to sea food and even a huge dessert buffet! If you ever get to try all the dish from this buffet – Respect man.
2. Quality. Having tasted many cuisines worldwide, it is not easy to “wow” us and at this buffet, we were “wowed” several times! The lamb, pork, oyster, foie gras, ravioli and dessert spread were some of the food that caught our attention.
3. Bubbly. Since we are on words that end with “y”…The Champagne added a touch of class to this Sunday Brunch. It is no ordinary champagne but the Billecart-Salmon Champagne. This champagne has a rich history that complements the rich history of the Raffles Hotel and the class of the Bar and Billiard Room.
4. Classy. The colonial decoration, excellent quality of food and personalised service really made this Sunday Brunch stand out from its competitors. A class above.
If you’re thinking that you may be priced out to enjoy a staycation at Raffles Hotel, here’s great news for you! The newly launched summer staycation package costs only $550++ (per suite per night) and includes the following
– Children below the age of 12 stay (using existing beddings) and dine for free with their parents at Hotel-operated restaurants (adults must dine at the restaurant)
– Welcome Singapore Slings and fruit upon arrival, while children will enjoy fruit smoothies and cookies
– Complimentary breakfast at Tiffin Room on the first morning
– Complimentary Buffet Dinner at Bar & Billiard Room or Tiffin Room (once during the stay)
– Complimentary in-suite internet access
– 24-hour Butler Service
– Complimentary S$500 Raffles Hotel Arcade Shopping Discount Vouchers
– Complimentary late check-out until 6pm
– Complimentary parking
The special rate is extended to residents in Singapore, including Singapore Citizens, PRs, and work pass holders. The Suite Package will be valid only during the Weekends from 1 September 2013 onwards.
After calculation, it is actually quite hua (worth it) to enjoy the staycation package at the Raffles Hotel. The welcome drinks and smoothies will cost about $100 (for a family of 5 inclusive of 3 kids / Singapore Sling costs $26++). Breakfast at Tiffin is usually $45++ per person. While dinner at B&B is $75++ per person.
Conclusion : If you include the meals of a family of 5, the suite is practically free! 😮
What are you waiting for? For enquiries or reservations on the Staycation Package, please contact the Reservations Department at (65) 6412 1244 or email roomreservation@raffles.com.
You have just read a post from the complete coverage of our staycation at the Raffles Hotel. You can find the rest of the posts here…
There are so many things to do in Prague! In day 4 of our Europe Trip, we’ll describe all the attractions and things to do right here in Prague!
Day 4
We arrived in Prague at about 8pm via a flight from Amsterdam. It is wise to arrange for transport in advance because our driver was already awaiting for us at the airport when we arrived. The other good thing about this airport transfer was that it includes a guided tour of Prague as well! And so we checked into our Hotel – Hotel Roma that evening.
Hotel Roma is an italian themed hotel. We got it for a steal through a combined flight and hotel purchase – $70Euros/night!
The breakfast in European countries are pretty much the same – cheese, ham, bread, eggs, sausage, fruits and cereals. Well, for the price, it’s really a steal as it comes with breakfast for 2, proximity to the Funicular and walking distance to all major attractions!
As we were still early for the complimentary tour, we took a short walk about town and took some photos of the Charles Bridge as well as the Vltava River.
Charles Bridge and Vltava River
When we shot this photo, we were still unaware that it was the hunger wall. We thought that it was just another fortification of the city. Turns out that King Charles the 4th wanted to feed his people due to a great famine during that period, so he hired them to construct the wall, at the same time feeding them. Great King eh?
The tour starts daily at 11am. As we were still early, we went shopping! Kate bought a pair of boots at the shopping malls along Wenceslas Square. Fashionable yet keeps one warm in the cold months.
We were there close to 11am and met our tour guide for the day – Monika. She’s a local, born and bred in Prague and she is VERY experienced. Plus she speaks good English as well. We were told to hang around and watch the Astronomical Clock at 11am sharp. She told us that the tour would start after the “performance”. This was what we saw…
12 Apostles of Astronomical Clock
After the cock crowed, a trumpeter appeared at the top of the Astronomical Clock to announce the hour on all 4 sides of the tower…
Trumpeter of the Astronomical Clock
After the “performance”, Monika started the tour proper. Since we were in the heart of Old Town Prague, she told us a few stories here…
360 View of Old Town Prague
You may notice that the towers of the Church of our Lady before Tyn are different – one thin and one fat. Monika joked that the architect was actually drinking and got a little bit tipsy that evening, which is why the measurements got out. But the truth is, the fatter tower actually represents Eve and the thinner one Adam.
If you notice closely, the Astronomical Clock actually has very very small divisions on the outside discs. They represent each day of the calendar year! 😮 This means that as the clock moves (telling time), the discs move and tells the day of the year! The Astronomical Clock is indeed the work of a genius.
You may also notice a piece of wall near the Astronomical Clock that is abruptly sheared off. The original wall actually extended all the way to St. Nicholas Church which is a distance away. It was destroyed during WW2.
The blue and grey building, also located in the old town square was actually a place where Albert Einstein used to chill out and show off his violin skills!
We then moved away from the Old Town Square. These are some of the interesting things that Monika pointed out to us along the way…
Outside the Concert Hall (where plays are only in German), there is a statue (see bottom right of picture above). This was done by the lover of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wherever he performed.
Legend has it that a thief came to steal from the Church of St. James. When he was about to leave, the Madonna grabbed his hand and did not let go till the next morning. The people came and saw the thief but had no way to release him except for cutting off his hand. The Madonna then released the hand. Subsequently, the hand has been hung as a warning to other thiefs.
House signs such as this used to tell others the job of the one who stays inside. Here, the golden rings usually symbolises gold smiths. We then headed to the Jewish Quarter…
Soon, it was lunch time and we had our lunch at Yes Burger.
After the delightful meal (tender burger patty made on the spot), we met up at the book tunnel inside the city library…
The book tunnel also has another name – Never Ending Tunnel because of the 2 reflecting mirrors on both ends of the tunnel, creating an illusion of a tunnel with no end in sight. As we passed the library, we saw
We then came to the entrance of the Charles Bridge
Apparently, the gate has some astronomical meaning behind it. It was deduced by astrologers that the bridge should be built according to the odd number pyramid 135797531 for good luck. The moon, sun and star level also has some meaning to it.
From the Charles Bridge, you can enjoy magnificent views of the city as well.
View from Charles Bridge
There are also several statues on Charles Bridge that is rumoured to bring good luck and children! Further down, we arrived at Kampa Island (where Tom Cruise jumped out of restaurant in Mission Impossible 1) as well as home of Monster Vonnique!
Monster Vonnique is a story that parents tell their children when they’re naughty. Monster Vonnique would catch its naughty victims, drown them and keep their spirits.
The lockamania that spread to many cities including Prague whereby lovers would place locks together as a symbol of belonging and “binded” to each other.
The John Lennon Wall of Prague has a really interesting yet sorrowful story to it. As a symbol of peace and love, someone started to draw John Lennon on this piece of wall. However, the government was oppose to such freedom, started to repaint the wall. People then came to draw again and again, so much so that the government at its peak, had to station guards to arrest/beat anyone who drew on the wall. Today, this wall (and its pictures) changes all the time but usually there’s still a picture of John Lennon on it.
After that, we headed to the highlight of the entire tour – Prague Castle! To go there, we travelled by Nerudova. The slope is quite steep so please wear proper shoes ya? There were also more house signs on this street…
Amazing View from Prague Castle
You may also catch the change of guards at Prague Castle as well!
Change of Guards at Prague Castle
There are also other interesting things to note in Prague Castle…
Here’s an important tip : When you leave Prague Castle, you will be made to choose at this point…
By choosing to go left (via the vineyard), you will continue to enjoy the fantastic view of Prague as you descend down and leave the castle. If you were to go right, the walls would be too high and you’ll just miss the views as you go back down to the city.
We were recommended by our receptionist that evening to have dinner at Olympia.
We had the roast pork as well as the Beef Goulash
All in all, the dinner was about $20euros but the food was simply amazing. Dont miss the roast pork!
Day 5
The next day, we headed up to Petrin Hill via the Funicular.
It was pretty cold that morning but the sun was up, brightening up the day.
We headed to Petrin Tower but the lift was down, so we did not go up the tower. We stayed in the souvenir section and browsed a little…
We also visited the Mirror Labyrinth (aka Hall of Mirrors)
There was a mirror maze as well as a laughter hall where convex and concave mirrors create funny reflections of you. On the way down to the Monastery to have our lunch as some freshly brewed beer, we saw a picture perfect moment…
Lunch at the brewery was fantastic as well! We had the chicken as well as the crepe with ice cream! mamamia!
Please dont miss out on the pancake with caramel beer ice cream! It is probably the best dessert we’ve had ever!
Taking the advice of Monika, we decided to visit a restaurant she recommended for svickova, beef in whipped cream, creamy brown sauce and cranberry…
The beef was tender, flavourful and the mix of cranberry,whipped cream and sauce is something new but interestingly nice for us!
We headed back to Charles Bridge and did some shopping at Pariska Street before heading to Municipal House for tea…
It is also recommended to have tea at the Kavárna obecní Dům aka Municipal House Cafe. It was a new experience for us as we dont usually do tea time plus the atmosphere was classy. Check it out…
Classy feel in Kavárna obecní Dům – Live piano in the background
For more of what we ate, check out the post of Municipal House.
In the evening, we headed back to Wenceslas Square to try out the roasted pork knuckle!
The pork knuckle was HUGE! It is also good for 2. Goes well with some beer from the menu.
We rounded off the evening with a stroll past Charles Bridge in the dark. Romantic.
Romantic Walk at night along Charles Bridge
Day 6
We slept in today and decided to go to the pub near the hotel to try out the smoke duck. Turns out that it was delicious as well!
The interior of the restaurant is somewhat like a tavern. You literally descend a flight of stairs into a basement. Cool.
There are so many things to do in Prague. Many attractions in Prague as well! Prague is definitely one of our top European cities. The city is rich in history, have links to modern culture, exceptionally good food and unforgettable scenic spots.
Take a short trip to Prague, the next time you are in Europe. You’ll definitely enjoy it!
Sunway Lagoon actually has 5 parks in itself. All these while, we thought that it’s just another water themed park. We were wrong.
Sunway Lagoon consists of the Amusement Park, Water Park, Extreme Park, Wildlife Park (Zoo) and even a horror-themed Scream Park! We shall now take you through our trip to Sunway Lagoon!
Entrance of Sunway Lagoon
Sunway Lagoon is opened daily from 10am to 6pm. They’re closed on Tuesdays, perhaps for maintenance on the lowest traffic day of the week? We were there on a weekday and surprisingly there was ALOT of people at the queue line at 10am!
Long Queues @ Sunway Lagoon
The rates of Sunway Lagoon for adults is 100RM for all 5 parks OR 80RM for 3 parks (does not include scream and extreme parks). There are usually some ongoing discounts with certain credit cards. Malaysians get 25% off as well.
Rates at Sunway Lagoon Malaysia
Attractions at Sunway Lagoon
Amusement Park
Map of Sunway Lagoon – Location of Amusement Park
We headed first to the Amusement park and we conquered several rides including the Lost City and a water slide.
Lost City of Gold
Roller Coaster Ride
We must say that the rides here are not really that exciting. For real extreme roller coaster rides, you can visit Universal Studios Singapore OR Busch Gardens. That is what we call a real roller coaster ride! There are also rides at wild wild west section for the kids to enjoy.
One ride that caught our eyes was the Viking. This one’s quite scary. Usually, you’d think that the Viking would just go back and forth right? WRONG! This Viking goes 360 degrees! One whole loop! 😮 You may even “hear” the screams from the following pictures!
Viking approaching the top almost inverting!
Viking reaches the top and goes over to the other side!
Wildlife Park
Map of Sunway Lagoon – Location of Wildlife Park
Next we headed to the Wildlife Park. It’s actually quite a cool place with close encounters with the birds, huge crocodiles that look like that can leap out of the sanctuary and touch interaction with rabbits.
Can you spot the Owl sleeping?
An eagle at the spot where it ought to be
As we walked past the birds sanctuary, we noticed that the birds were at the position that they’re supposed to be! No chains could be seen. We were speculating whether the birds have been clipped at its wings. Else we really cant understand how every bird was in its place as we walked past. Maybe we were lucky?
Huge Crocodiles @ Wildlife Park Sunway Lagoon
Rabbits that you could pat at the touch section of the Wildlife Park
Scream Park
Map of Sunway Lagoon – Location of Scream Park
Entrance to Scream Park
The Scream Park at Sunway Lagoon was scary. Not as scary as the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Singapore. Still, it was scary enough for people to drop out at the entrance of the park. What happened was after all the safety brief, a man just rushed out from behind the doors! Some girls cried and some (even guys) left. As with all horror-themed parks, no touching is allowed. That is to say that visitors are not allowed to touch the scare actors and the scare actors are not allowed to touch the visitors.
At the start of the park, visitors are led to view a video clip. The video sets the background of the theme park. It’s about a couple who ventured into Sunway Lagoon when it’s closed (never a good sign). Somehow some pontianaks started to appear and scare them. Thinking that they’ve found a good hiding place in a run-down shack entrance (wassup man? just run out of the park already!), they went inside. And that’s where the guy who saws people up stores his corpses! And thats where the visitors are going.
Inside the park, there are scare actors, scary art and dungeon like settings. After the initial scares, you’ll get used to it. But beware of the final scare towards the end…
Extreme Park
Map of Sunway Lagoon – Location of Extreme Park
Next we headed to the Extreme Park to try out some of the activities there. Do note that not all of the activities are free. We tried out the air gun (10 pellets), ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) as well as Archery (5 arrows). The rest of the activities such as bungy jumping, flying fox, paint ball and go-kart needs a little bit of top up.
We thoroughly enjoyed the ATV. Though it was a short ride, the slopes were quite steep. This made climbing and descending these slopes a little bit challenging. Some of the instructors had to get out of their own ATV and ride on the ATVs of those who were stuck.
Water Park
Map of Sunway Lagoon – Location of Water Park
Last but not least, we arrived at the most desired destination of Sunway Lagoon – The Water Park!
Entrance to the Water Park @ Sunway Lagoon
The coolest part of the Water Park was the slides. Some slides required a map and some floats. And all of them were exciting! Just that you may have to wait about 10 minutes (sometimes) for your turn on the ride due to the large crowds. There could be a longer waiting time during the weekends.
If you are not the kind that enjoy extreme rides, you can always chill out at the wave pool as well. There are also water playgrounds for kids to enjoy.
Recommended Hotels near Sunway Lagoon Water Park
There are essentially 3 recommended hotels if you want to have easy access to Sunway Lagoon Water Park. They are…
Last Words
Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia is definitely a visit well worth it. There are tonnes of entertainment for the young and old alike. Do check out ongoing promotions to get the best deal at Sunway Lagoon!
If you are planning to visit Kuala Lumpur KL and not sure what to eat there, here’s a low down of the things to eat in KL!
Famous Chilli Pan Mee in KL
Chilli Pan Mee at Restoran Kin Kin
Chilli Pan Mee or dry chilli noodles has been a creation that originated in KL. Here in Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (just a short walk from Chow Kit station), you can try the famous chilli pan mee from both Restoran Kin Kin or Restoran Super Kitchen.
Roti Babi Anyone?
Roti Babi at Yut Kee Kopitiam KL
Roti Babi is synonymous with Yut Kee Kopitiam – one of the oldest surviving kopitiam in KL. While you’re here, why not try the hainanese pork chop and a cuppa as well?
Lot 10 Hutong
If you are a fan of Malaysian Street Food, look no further than Lot 10’s Hu Tong! Here you will be able to savour some of the best street foods that Malaysia has to offer! Famous delights such as Penang Char Kway Teow and KL Fried Hokkien Mee will definitely delight your palate!
Desserts @ Pavilion KL
Taiwanese Dessert @ Pavilion KL
Recently, 2 taiwanese dessert stalls opened at the restaurant level of the Pavilion! Not only can you enjoy people watching over the atrium, you will also be able to savour some healthy and delectable dessert to cool you down from the heat of the day!
View of the Atrium from Taiwanese Dessert Place
Bean curd, taro, red bean with shaved milk ice!
The Taiwanese are geniuses at food! This bowl of bean curd, taro, red bean with shaved milk ice really left us craving for more!
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this list of what and where to eat in KL. Do add on to this list through our comments page below!
If you are a street food foodie and you’re too lazy to go all over Malaysia to look for the best street food, then look no further than Hu Tong @ Lot 10 Shopping Centre!
Hu Tong @ Lot 10
Interior of Hutong @ Lot 10 shopping Centre
Famous Street Foods @ Hu Tong Lot 10 KL
At Hutong Lot 10, you’ll be able to try out all the best street food all over Malaysia! Here you can try out best street foods specialties such as
There are so many things to do and attractions on Star Cruise Virgo! Let’s find out what are some of the things that you can do right here onboard the luxurius Star Cruise Virgo!
Star Cruises Pool/Slides, Restaurant & Theatre
Star Cruise has recently revamped and reinvented itself. It now boasts of a new water slide, posh restaurants as well as an excellent theatre
Free Flow of Food onboard Starcruise Virgo
You will usually gain a few pounds after a cruise. And why wouldn’t you? It is afterall FREE FLOW OF FOOD, 6 times a day (main meals plus snacks)! Be spoilt for choice at the wide variety of cuisine such as Western, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Italian and more!
You can also take your pick from the following venues …
Bella Vista Restaurant offering continental cuisine Mediterranean Buffet offering international buffet Noble House a classy Chinese restaurant Palazzo offering Italian gourmet cuisine Pavilion Restaurant offering Chinese family style cuisine Samurai Restaurant a classy Japanese restaurant The Taj offering Halal Indian Buffet Blue Lagoon offering 24 hours of Asian specialties!
Balcony Class onboard Star Cruise Virgo
The Balcony Class onboard the Star Cruise Virgo was amazing. Not only was the room spacious, you’ll get to wake up to splendid views of the sea every morning!
With some deals, you’ll get $200 spending credits when you book with the Balcony Class!
Other Things to do and Attractions onboard the Star Cruise Virgo
Sports & Fitness
A fitness guru? No problem! There are many work out venues all around the ship such as the Parthenon Pool for outdoor swimming, jacuzzi, Aquaswim for jet current exercising, Star Track (a jogging circuit), a Gymnasium as well as the Amphitheatre for Jumbo Chess/Checkers and table tennis!
Entertainment Venues
There are many entertainment venues throughout the ship such as the Galaxy of the Stars for some live music, cocktail and dance, the Lido for daily entertainment shows, Out of Africa for the Karaoke singers!
Something for the kids
For the kids, there’s an arcade (Starlight Video Arcade), Computer World, Child Care Centre @ Charlie’s Child Care Centre as well as a Library for book loans and reading!
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There are so many things to do and attractions in Prague! Here we will take you through the top 6 attractions and things to do in Prague which we think all visitors to Prague should not miss!
This iconic castle can be seen from many parts of Prague as it sits atop overlooking the entire city! At about 600m long and 150m wide, it is the biggest ancient castle in the world! Do take time to check out Golden Lane as well as other intricate architectures within its compound.
Tip: Dont miss the change of guard on the hour!
2. Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock
360 View of the Old Town Square in Prague
To take a step back in time, a visit to Old Town Square would definitely do the trick. The square is laden with historical architectures and structures, each telling a history of their own. The highlight of the square is Astronomical Clock where it will have a little “performance” on the hour!
Tip: Observe the intricacies of the Astronomical Clock, it tells 3 different times and the calendar date as well!
3. Charles Bridge
Many would say “what is a visit to Prague without a visit to the scenic Charles Bridge?”. Indeed, you can take in the sights and have a leisurely stroll down this ancient bridge. The Prague Castle, Hunger Wall and Petrin Hill can be easily observed from here.
Tip: Be on the look out for pick-pockets and try not to buy souvenirs from here as they are usually pricier as compared to other souvenir shops.
4. Petrin Hill
Petrin Hill not only offers magnificent views of the entire city of Prague. There are other smaller attractions such as the Petrin Tower, Hunger Wall, Funicular as well as the Hall of Mirrors. Of course, the best view of Prague can be seen from here.
Tip: Take a stroll from here to the monastery and have a freshly brewed beer!
5. Wenceslas Square
For night life and shopping, look no further than Wenceslas Square! Here you will find pubs, restaurants, entertainment venues and lots of shopping opportunities. A statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse (in front of the National Museum) lies at the northern end of the square.
Tip: Check out the Koruna Palace and its glass dome!
6. Municipal House
Used to be the seat of Bohemian Kings, the Municipal House today houses exhibitions and is also a venue for performances of the arts. For visitors, do take time to enjoy the intricacies of the building, on the inside and outside.
Zaanse Schans is a windmill village where you can see traditional windmills just a short ride from Amsterdam Central Station. In the past, there were many windmills along this bank but because of industrialisation, many windmills wound up and left. There was subsequently a movement to preserve these traditional windmills and today there are still 6 windmills that are working. Of these, only the spice mill is free. Entry for the paint mill and oil mill costs 3Euro. This post will detail our day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans!
We have done up a separate post on how to get to Zaanse Schans. On the way there, we had a kiwi orange juice and chocolate waffle for 1Euro each!
Before we get to see the old traditional windmills of Zaanse Schans, we were thrilled to be greeted by the modern windmills in Holland!
We arrived at the Koog Zaandijk Station and we saw this sign that told us that we were at the right place…
Outside the station, we got a brochure from a machine that looks like this
The walk from the train station to Zaanse Schans is about 10 minutes. Along the way, the air is filled with the smell of cocoa! We realised that there’s a ADM Cocoa Factory @ Zaanse Schans!
Before long, we saw our very first windmill…
We then crossed a bridge spanning the Zaan River before reaching Zaanse Schans. This video shows the splendid view at Zaanse Schans as seen from the bridge (notice the smoking chimney, it’s ADM Cocoa!)
Zaanse Schans – Windmills and Great Views!
We were then greeted by the welcome sign
As we entered the village, we immediately felt that we were transported back in time. Back to a more laid back era, a time where things were much slower, more peaceful and serene. All the views suddenly became picturesque…
Splendid Views at Zaanse Schans
Amazing views at Zaanse Schans!
We then noticed a huge yellow thingy from afar and we walked towards it. As it turned out, we arrived at the Wooden Shoe Workshop @ Zaanse Schans!
As we entered the workshop, we were greeted by displays of clogs from all around the world, clogs past and present as well as intricate clogs made by grooms for their brides!
We happened to enter the workshop at the same time as a group of tourists from Hongkong. Hence, there was a clog making demonstration that we sat in to watch…
Clog Making Demonstration @ Zaanse Schans
After the demonstration, we browsed through the mesmorising array of clogs on display!
We also visited the cheese farm and also tried some cheese…
After making our way past the village at Zaanse Schans, we finally reached the traditional windmills!
Zaanse Schans Windmills
Inside the spice windmill, the spices were indeed cheaper (well at least when compared to the prices we know). There were also many different spices to choose from as well!
Before long, we came upon the view that we came here for…
Isnt this view just breathtaking? We also passed by the colour pigment, timber and oil windmills. Only the spice windmill is free entry, the other windmills costs 3Euro for entry…
All in all, this day trip to Zaanse Schans was SUPER WORTH IT! Do check out our other post on things to do in Zaanse Schans for an overview of what to do there. If you are in Amsterdam, we strongly recommend this trip to see what the Netherlands is famous for and to experience the laid back village life @ Zaanse Schans!
The most iconic architecture in Prague has got to be the Prague Castle. Every corner you turn to, there it is – The Prague Castle!
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world at approximately 600m long and 150m wide. It is also where the kings, emperors and presidents of the Czech Republic used to have their offices. Given its excellent views overlooking Prague, it is no wonder that the Prague Castle is the most visited tourist attraction in Prague.
It is important to note the difference between St. Vitus Cathedral and the Prague Castle itself. Many people mistake the pointed structure from afar as the Prague Castle…
Technically, St. Vitus Cathedral is part of the Prague Castle and this is the entrance to the castle.
Videos of the first to third courtyards of the Prague Castle
First Courtyard inside Prague Castle
Second Courtyard , President’s Office in Prague Castle
Third Courtyard in Prague Castle featuring St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral
Video of St. Vitus Cathedral Prague Castle
The structure on the right is the St. Vitus Cathedral. We’re actually taking a picture of the private linkway where the king would enter into the balcony for service – without being uninterrupted.
St. Vitus Cathedral is the largest church in the country and it contains many smaller chapels and works of art – including the stained glass windows of the church. There is a little known fact about the roof of the St. Vitus Cathedral. It is said that a portion of the roof was hit by lightning before and it was thereafter restored. However, if you take a closer look, you would see that part of the roof no longer contains the gothic design like the rest of the cathedral, but more of a baroque architecture (do correct us if we’re wrong here!).
Golden Lane
Golden Lane is a series of small colourful shops that used to be the housing for the palace guards. Today, it is a tourist attraction for guests to see how small and amusing the interiors can be! A little tip for our readers : you can actually enter Golden Lane for free. Just hang around till the closing hours (1800 during the summer months and 1600 during the winter months) and you get to go in for free! Make sure you enter just after the closing hours to have a glimpse inside the houses while the shop keepers are still around!
Other Attractions in Prague Castle
The other attractions in Prague Castle includes
Notice the thin and fat structure of the Basilica (click here to find out why). Also, you will notice that in this square (of the Basilica), you can find different era of architectures including renaissance, gothic, baroque as well as art noveau!
Amazing View of Prague from Prague Castle
Not only can you enjoy spectacular views overlooking Prague, you can also see the hourly change of guards of the Prague Castle!
Change of Guards @ Prague Castle
Last Words
There are actually many many more things about the Prague Castle that you can find out about. For instance, did you know that this old castle was actually a inner room for jousting competitions?
If you have other interesting stories, do share it with us!
How to get there to Prague Castle
By Foot
There are actually 2 ways to walk up to Prague Castle by foot. You can either follow the old castle stairway from Malostranska Metro Station OR commence from Lesser Town via Nerudova Street (which is a steeper but more enjoyable walk)
By Tram
Take either the 22 or 23 up to the hill and alight at Prazsky Hrad (which is Prague Castle)
What is a visit to Prague without a trip up to Petrin Hill via the Funicular? At Petrin Hill, you can enjoy amazing views of Prague, scale the Petrin look-out tower, head for the hall of mirrors (mirror maze) or simply stroll along the hills to Strahov Monastery.
We were quite early this particular morning. Air was still cold but the sun was coming up. We were actually the first to take the funicular. There were a few others who took the first train up the hill as well – maybe workers at the restaurants? If you’re early like us and not sure what to do, there’s actually a mini museum depicting the history of the funicular. An interesting history…
Petrin Tower and Hunger Wall
The main attraction atop of Petrin Hill would be the Petrin look-out Tower.
The Petrin Tower was built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition. It is purposely reconstructed as a mini replica of the Eiffel Tower (looks familiar eh?). The tower is 60m high and has 299 steps to the top platform.
The wall you see in this picture is also known as the Hunger Wall. It was said that the wall was built by Charles the 4th, not as a means of defence but actually to employ the poor people and to feed them – hence the name Hunger Wall.
Mirror Labyrinth
Again, we were early and we had to wait till the Mirror Labyrinth opened (opens at 10am daily except during winter months, opens on saturday and sunday only). It contains a maze of mirrors as well as some contoured mirrors for whimsical (laughter hall) effects.
This scene commemorates the battle of students with Swedes on Charles Bridge in 1648.
Enjoy a Stroll and Chill out with a pint at the Brewery
Atop Petrin Hill, not only can you enjoy a lovely stroll overlooking amazing views of Prague
View from Petrin Hill
You can also enjoy a pint at the local brewery!
Last Words
We hope you’ve enjoyed our short little synopsis of our trip up Petrin Hill. Do share with us other interesting activities or sights that you’ve enjoyed here!
The location of the Municipal House Prague used to be the seat of Bohemian Kings in the 14th and 15th Century. It was then demolished at the end of the 19th century. In its place, the current Municipal House was built between 1906 and 1912.
What to do at Municipal House Prague
If you observe carefully, the mosaic above the entrance is actually a homage to Prague. It is set between sculptures that represent the oppression upon the Czech people. Other sculptures at the top represents various areas of the arts such as history, literature, painting, music and architecture.
The real reason why we’re here is actually to enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea at the Kavárna obecní Dům, commonly known as the Municipal House Cafe. Here, you can enjoy the lavish setting , live piano accompaniment in the background, excellent service as well as the opportunity to just immerse yourself in the history and art nouveau designs exuberated by the Municipal House.
We ordered the Menu 1 and Menu 3 (approximately 8 euros each) and we had the apple strudel with vanilla ice cream, the traditional “sachers” cake with whipped cream, tea as well as some liquer.
We were pleasantly surprised at the set up of the tea set. Simple yet classy. The cake and strudel was good as well. The whipped cream was the kind that you know is freshly made, not too sweet, just nice. Lastly, we ended off the meal with liquer. We have never tried egg liquer EVER, so it was interesting to have tasted the egg liquer. Quite nice actually. Sweet alcohol with a tinge of egginess to it.
We’ll now leave you with a video of the interior of the Municipal House Cafe. Enjoy the atmosphere (albeit a short one)!
Inside the Kavárna obecní Dům / Municipal House Cafe
Ever since Marina Bay Sands opened in April 2010, we’ve wanted to visit the Marina Bay Sands Skypark to see the views of Singapore from the 57th floor observatory.
After splurging at Todai Buffet Restaurant at B2 of Marina Bay Sands, we finally received some complimentary tickets to the skypark (part of a promotion at MBS) and got to visit the sky park!
Entrance to Marina Bay Sands Skypark
Ticket Prices of Sands Skypark
Ticket Prices of Sands Skypark
The tickets cost $20 for adults, $14 for children aged 2-12 years old , $17 for senior citizens aged 65 years and above. There’s also guided tours held daily at a first come first served basis. Hence, it would be wise to buy the tickets early and sign up for the complimentary tours of the skypark. The tour would allow you to visit the infinity pool, otherwise you can only see the sky pool from a distance. The pool used to be open for visits to the public but guess the hotel guests didnt enjoy others walking pass and taking photos of them in pool…
There is actually an alternative way to enter the skypark. You can visit any of the skypark dining venues, namely Ku De Ta, Sky on 57 or The Chocolate Bar. For the same price of $20 bucks, you can also enjoy a beer (could be cheaper for soft drinks) and enjoy complimentary visit to the sky park. The entry area would be at the various restaurant counters – do visit the information counter for directions.
Time spent in queuing for skypark tickets
Miniature Model of Marina Bay Sands
After spending some time in the queue and seeing the miniature model of MBS, we got into the lift up to the 56th floor. The lift was rather fast and there wasnt much issue with pressure difference of the ear. As the lift opened at the 56th floor, there was a lift attendant to guide us towards the park so as to control the “human traffic” as there were others taking the lift down as well.
First Floor – Inside the Lift up to Sands Skypark
Lift Attendant at the 56th Floor
Views of Attractions and Singapore City Skyline around Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands Sky Park offers fantastic views of the city skyline as well as the attractions around MBS. Here are some views from the top of the Sands Skypark!
Singapore Flyer – Night View (Sponsors for a better camera anyone?)
Esplanade and Swissotel (Tallest Hotel in South East Asia)
The Float @ Marina Bay – Venue of the National Day Parade (NDP)
Singapore City Skyline Central Business District (CBD)
Boat Quay and Clarke Quay – Dining and Night Life
Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool
Art Science Museum – Currently showing Harry Potter and Andy Warhol
Avalon Louis Vuitton (LV) and the Board Walk – Great place to walk and see the Marina Bay
Helix Bridge linking MBS to the Floating Platform and Marina Square (More Shopping!)
HDB Flats (Singapore Subsidised Housing) in the distance
Construction of the New National Stadium – Sports Hub
Views of the Singapore City Skyline in the Day
Whats there At the Sands Sky Park
As mentioned, there are restaurants such as Ku De Ta and Sky on 57 at the skypark. There’s also a mini kiosk for food and drinks as well as a souvenir shop. You will also see this iconic mast at the front of the skypark.
Mast at the front of the Sands Sky Park
Souvenir Shop and Food Kiosk at the top of Sands Sky Park MBS
Night Views from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park
Singapore Skyline from MBS at Night
Another view of Singapore Skyline from MBS at Night
The new Marina Cruise Centre – Think that is Voyager of the Seas by Royal Caribbean Cruise
View of the Singapore City Skyline at Night
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you may see some fireworks from surrounding events as well!
Fireworks seen from Sands Sky Park
Another view of the Fire Works from MBS Sky Park
Magnificent Sunsets seen from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park
Each evening, there will be throngs of crowd gathering at the left side of the sky park (hope this doesnt cause any stability issues to the ship :p) to view the magnificent sunset. Here’s a progression of the sunset…
Sunset as seen from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park 1
Sunset as seen from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park 2
Sunset as seen from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park 3
Sunset as seen from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park 4
Hope you’ll find time and enjoy a visit to the Marina Bay Sands Sky Park! Do leave us your comments after your next visit!
We’ll leave you now if views of the city just after sunset! Enjoy!
Wenceslas Square was constructed in the 15th century during the time of Charles the 4th. At that time, it was used as a horse market. Since then, Wenceslas Square is a regular venue for parades is today a much visited tourist attraction.
Location of Wenceslas Square Prague
Wenceslas Square is home to the commerce of Prague having shopping arcades, cafes, restaurants and other entertainment venues. Here you will see other attractions such as the Neo-Renaissance National Museum at its Northern end. Also, the Koruna Palace with its covered shopping arcade and glass dome is a much visited venue as well. A short walk away is the Na Prikope as well as Parizska Street where one can continue with much more shopping!
It is actually quite difficult to spot Koruna Palace in the midst of all the shopping arcades. Bright lights shining and “sale” signs drawing us to shops such as Mango and H&M. We finally had to resort to asking one of the sales assistant on the location of Koruna Palace. She then as-a-matter-of-factly pointed to the building on the opposite side of the street. We were staring at it all these while and did not realise it!
Charles Bridge is definitely the most prominent and iconic structure in Prague. Everyone visits Charles Bridge. In fact, without a visit to Charles Bridge, one can be considered not to have visited Prague.
Location of Charles Bridge Prague
History of Charles Bridge Prague
Charles Bridge crosses the Vltava River and this connection made Prague an important centre of trade between east and west Europe. Initially, the bridge was called the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge. It was only known as Charles Bridge (as we know it today) since 1870.
This entrance is particularly interesting because of the 3 levels that it has. The Moon, Sun and Star Level. These were suggested by astrologers of the time and it was recommended that the odd number pyramid was to be used (i.e. 135797531) for the construction date of the bridge.
There’s an interesting fact about the Charles Bridge. It was actually built initially, as a functional construction for jousting tournaments! Can you believe it?! At that point in time, there werent many decorations except for a simple crucifix. However, the desire of the Catholics for ornamentation resulted in 30 statues built between 1600 and 1800AD. Today, there are 75 statues along the bridge.
Things to do at Charles Bridge Prague
The bridge is 516 metres long with 16 pillars and 3 bridge towers. In the day, there would be many souvenir shops, performing artistes, painters and even pick-pockets (beware!) on the bridge.
Try not to buy your souvenirs here as they are usually more expensive than elsewhere in the city. Kate can attest to that right? :p
Also, from Charles Bridge, you can see many other prominent attractions of Prague…
Stories and Legends of Charles Bridge
There are also many stories about which statue to touch to become a millionaire. If you touch other statues, you will have children OR your husband will become obedient husbands. Well, the story goes that one day, a tour guide was bringing a group of tourists along Charles Bridge, he started to say that “if you touch this statue, you will become rich!”. MANY tourists started to touch the statue! The other tour guides heard about it and started to come up with variations of these stories!
For instance, this statue of John Nepomuk (thrown into the river Vltava) has 2 stories to it. IF you touch the statue on the right, you will be rich! (notice that the statue has been touched till it changed colour!). IF you touch the statue on the left (think it was a dog), then your husband will be obedient!
Videos and Charles Bridge at Night
Charles Bridge at night is also worth a visit. The lights of the street lamps bring out the feel of the olden day Prague. A romantic stroll with your other half in the evening is in order if you’re in Prague.
Here are some videos of Charles Bridge. Enjoy!
Charles Bridge from a distance with view of Vltava River
The Old Town Square is the old city centre of Prague. It was at the old town square that the cross roads of several long distance roads met. Hence at that time, the old town square of Prague was known throughout the world in the 11th century and was also a market place.
360 View of the Old Town Square in Prague
View of Old Town Square at night
Today, the old town square of Prague is home to an array of pubs and cafes as well as major attractions such as the Astronomical Clock, Church of our Lady Tyn as well as the St. Nicholas Protestant Church.
If you observe carefully at the towers of the church, you will notice that one of the tower is actually “fatter” than the other tower. Our guide – Monika, joked that the architect was tipsy that night and drew out the wrong measurements. The fact is that the “fatter” tower actually represents Eve (pregnant) while the thinner tower represents Adam.
The Jan Hus statue is located right in the centre of the Old Town Square. It was erected on 6 July 1915 to mark the 500th anniversary of the reformer’s death.
You may also notice white crosses on the floor near to the astronomical clock. It represents the protestants that were executed during persecution.
Also, if you notice carefully, you’ll see that the wall beside the Astrological Clock is actually partially “sectioned” off…
This originally extended all the way to St. Nicholas Church. However, it was hit during WW2 and this is what remains of it today.
Another interesting fact about the Old Town Square is this building…
Referring to the blue and grey building, this was a place where Albert Einstein used to chill out when he was in Prague. He even played the violin there to show off! 🙂
There are actually so many things to do in Prague and especially in this Old Town Square, it is so full of rich history! Take time to discover them!
The Astronomical Clock is also known as the town hall clock. Situated in the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock is the most iconic and popular part of the square. The tower dates back to 1338 and the clock was installed in the early part of the 15th century.
The Astronomical Clock is unique because of the amazing features that it has PLUS the fact that it was made about 700 years ago, makes it even more amazing. Here are the features…
The Walk of the Apostles at Astronomical Clock
Every hour on the hour, there will be a show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures. Take a look at the video…
The Walk of the Apostles – Astronomical Clock
The show ends with a rooster crow, much to the amusement and delight of the audience.
Thereafter, a trumpeter will appear at the top of the tower to announce to the city (on all 4 sides of the tower), that it is the next hour has arrived.
Trumpeter of the Astronomical Clock
Astronomical Clock as as Calendar
Yes! It is true! Take a look at the picture here…
If you notice, on the outer most ring, there are days inscribed there. In this way, each and every single day of the year is displayed on this clock! All this while the clock ticks away, tells the time, moves the hands of the clock and the discs on the calendar!
The Astronomical Clock tells 3 different times! – The Astronomical Dial
Firstly, the position of the golden hand over the Roman numerals on the background indicates the time in local Prague time. Secondly, the position of the Sun over the curved golden lines indicates the time in unequal hours. Last but not least, the position of the golden hand over the outer ring indicates the hours passed after sunset in Old Czech Time.
Can you believe it?! This clock must have been designed by a genius!
After our visit to Maastricht, we took the train back and caught a flight to Prague. There, we booked a ride to our hotel in Prague – Hotel Roma.
Location of Hotel Roma Prague
Hotel Roma is located along Ujezd road and is a really convenient and cheap place to stay. Each night costs about 90euros. Given that breakfast is provided and that it is within walking distance of all the main attractions (funicular is just opposite!), the price is really value for money.
The lobby has a huge tank that houses a mini shark (:o) as well as many clown fish (Nemo!). There’s somewhat a touch of class as you enter into the lobby.
The receptionists spoke excellent English and we were quickly checked in and given directions to our room. There is a lift that took us to our level. Along the way, pictures such as this (see below) brought out the ambience of Rome…
The room was spacious and had a TV with cable. The toilet did not come with a bath room though.
We had our breakfast the next morning (breakfast starts from 7am to 10am) and the breakfast area was nicely laid with bright red table cloths. The spread was typical of European breakfasts – Cheese, Ham, Eggs, Fruits and Cereals.
All in all, Hotel Roma is definitely a place recommended to stay as it provides a good “HQ” for your visits to all major attractions in Prague. The price is good and breakfasts are included as well.
Things to do and attractions in Maastricht : Day 2 and 3 of Europe Trip
Day 2 from Amsterdam to Maastricht
There are so many things to do and attractions in Maastricht! On the 2nd day of our Europe trip, we took the train from Amsterdam transiting at Eindhoven to Maastricht. As you can see from the map,
Maastricht is actually at the southern end of the Netherlands. The trip from Amsterdam to Maastricht takes about 3 hours and costs approximately $50euro per person for a return trip.
We took the 0838 train to Eindhoven and picked up breakfast at our favourite breakfast venue – Hema!
As it was the weekend, works on the rail tracks and trains commenced (strange huh?). Hence, we transferred unto a shuttle bus that took us from Eindhoven to Weert for our next train to Maastricht.
However, disaster struck as we entered into the last station. It WAS NOT MAASTRICHT!! We had arrived at Heerlen!? We later found out from the friendly staff at the station that our original train from Eindhoven had made a split of the carriages along the way! We were in the wrong half of the train!
**Please take note of this especially for extended train rides!
Hence, we took a mrt like train back to Maastricht.
Reaching Maastricht
Inside the Maastricht station, we were greeted by classic interior decorations
Albert Heijn, the local supermarket to replenish your supplies and get $1euro coffees.
As we ventured out of the Maastricht train station, the sun illuminated the station and its surroundings and we finally came to terms that we’re here! In Maastricht! The cobbled streets in the distance gave us the confirmation.
As with many parts of the Netherlands, we were intrigued by the MANY TYPES OF PASTRIES on display at the bakery!
As we were still a little early for our check in at Hotel De La Bourse, we took the liberty to roam around the known portions of Maastricht (well at least known portions to us). First up was a river walk along river Maas…
Further down the river we saw this strange looking structure
Turned out to be on of the well known Bonnefanten Museum that houses fine art – some old and some contemporary ones. We also took some time to venture further into the city and even caught a glimpse of a hot air balloon that floated right past us! As our reaction were too slow, we only caught a part of it in this picture…
As we moved on, we noticed a prominent looking church…
You can also enjoy a leisurely cruise down the river Maas while you’re in Maastricht.
Soon it was time to head back and check into our hotel. Hotel De La Bourse is actually located just beside city hall in Markt Square. However, when we approached the staff at Macs, they actually did not know where it was! (diagonally opposite Macs across the square!) So Tom explored the square while Kate waited. Soon, we found it!
The entrance of Hotel De La Bourse is actually the restaurant. Walking past it, you will be greeted by the receptionist at a counter close to the bar. There, we were readily checked in and shown to our cozy and simple room…
After checking in and switching on the TV to check out the channels (they have discovery channel!), we decided to head out to find the Michelin Restaurants that Maastricht is famed for. We asked for the directions and the receptionist kindly provided us with 2 locations, Beluga and Toine Hersen. Having already found out that Beluga was closed that evening, we headed to look for Toine Hersen on Bernardus Straat.
We passed by Sint Janskerk and Sint Servaas Basiliek at Vrijthof Square
as well as remnants (from the medieval times) that Maastricht is so famous for…
BUT! We still COULD NOT FIND Toine Hersen! So, we asked several locals along the way. It seemed that all the locals knew where Bernardus Straat was and pointed us in the general direction. Having asked several locals, we finally chanced upon a door that somewhat resembled a home…
Upon closer inspection (and seeing a menu), we concluded that we finally found it! However, to our dismay, the restaurant was also closed on Sunday. That therefore ended our hunt for Michelin restaurants that evening. Hungry and downstruck, we headed back to Vrijthof Square to have a drink to cool off and think about where to have dinner.
Tom had a beer while I had a cappucino. The beer was kept chilled by the 18 degrees cold air while the cappucino quickly turned lukewarm. Still, it was quite chillax to enjoy a drink, lay back a little and watch passers-by going about their business. Being too lazy to find another joint for dinner, we scanned around the square for suitable candidates. The Uruguayan restaurant across the street stirred some interest in us to try out the grilled steaks. But the chalk board right in front of us (from the same restaurant) enticed us with mussels in white wine!! :O
We then requested the waiter to have us seated inside for our dinner…
The mussels are a “must-try”! You can really taste the freshness of the mussels while the white wine made the dish oh so flavourful! After the sumptuous dinner, we headed back to our hotel and turned in early.
Day 3 in Maastricht
The next morning, we woke up early to enjoy the buffet spread and to take in some fresh morning air. The buffet spread was simple with bread, ham, cheese and cereals. There was also a choice of fruit juices or coffee/tea.
Before we left, we took some hot tea to warm ourselves up before we entered into the fresh but cold morning air of Maastricht. We headed towards the bridge that connects to the train station and there, we saw birds flying in formation!
We have all heard about why the birds are flying in formation. It’s actually for the birds to take turns to lead at the front. Those that have led will fall behind the V-shaped formation to take a rest by harnessing the upward lift generated by the birds in front. In this way, they actually save up to 50% of their effort flying. It’s also quite an experience to actually see it after hearing so much about their flying concept.
The fortifications were built in the 13th century and have been well preserved after hundreds of years.
If you take a closer look at the picture above, there are actually homes right beside the wall! How cool is it to live right beside hundreds of years of history!
Helpoort is the oldest remaining gate in Europe, of medieval times. We also took the opportunity to scale the fort (basically a few short flight of steps) to see the old cannon as well as the view it overlooks. Below, you can see one of the entrance to the fort. Great work of art isnt it?
Next we headed along to the park and we were quite surprised to see so many ducks and huge geese! There’s even a mini zoo where deers roamed…
As it was the last bit of our stay in Maastricht, it was with a heavy heart that we strolled back to our hotel room. Along the way, we passed by the Sint Janskerk.
The church is sort of an icon of Maastricht because of its bright red colour. If possible, do take a short climb up the tower (not for weak hearted people like Kate and I) for a mere price of 2 Euro. There, you would be able to catch splendid views of the entire city!
After checking out, as it was still some time before our train was scheduled to arrive, we had a quick lunch at the Japanese restaurant close to the train station.
As it was still early, the restaurant was empty and we managed to have the window seats and people watch while we enjoyed our Beef Udon and Chicken Curry Udon at 5 euros each.
Our Take on Maastricht
People used to say to us that Maastricht is a must-visit venue in the Netherlands. It’s true. However, you cant really pin-point what is it that attracts you. Is it the rich history of cobbled streets and fortifications? Is it the michelin restaurants and food culture? Or is it just the slow pace of life which transcends time? Well, whatever it is, we really do hope that you can drop by Maastricht, experience the charm that it exuberates and share it with us!
Alamak, we made a really HUGE boo boo with our post on Sentosa Spooktacular 2012! In actual fact, Universal Studios Singapore (USS) also has Halloween Horror Nights 2, a continuation of Halloween Horror Nights last year!
Halloween Horror Nights 2 will be held on 19-21 and 25-28 October 2012. Halloween Horror Nights 2 will take place from 8pm to 12 midnight this year! The ticket types for Halloween Horror Nights 2 are as follows:
Ticket Prices for Halloween Horror Nights 2
Event Admission Ticket $68
(purchased from 1 to 28 October 2012)
Universal Express $40
(Get priority access to 3 haunted houses and selected attractions!)
Guests @ Resorts World Sentosa $58
(Use your card key at the ticket booth for the discount)
Annual Pass Holders $45
(Flash your annual pass for the discount)
RWS Invites $50
(Flash the RWS Invites card for the discount)
In addition, there is also a R.I.P Tour that gives you a VIP tour of all the attractions and haunted houses @ Halloween Horror Nights 2. The R.I.P tour costs $148.
About Halloween Horror Nights 2
This year, the Puppet Master will be “host” of Halloween Horror Nights 2. Last year, the Director really gave us the chills. We’re sure that the Puppet Master (workshop of dolls) will be able to do likewise. The other characters will include Doctor Dementia (The Insanitarium), the Undertaker (the Dungeon of Damnation) as well as the High Priest with his ancient curses.
As with Halloween Horror Nights 2011, rides such as Battlestar Galactica as well as Transformers : The Ride, are also available.
Hence, our recommended strategy would be to quickly get to the front of the queue and when the gates open, validate your tickets and RUN straight past all the scareactors to your desired rides. Take a few rides (before the crowds come) and head to the haunted houses. This is because the rides will always result in queue times of even up to an hour. Doing it in this sequence will allow you to finish the rides (a few times) quickly and head to the haunted houses with time to spare at the end of the night for some drinks and makan.
With the rides as an attraction, we would prefer to go for Halloween Horror Nights as compared to Spooktacular
For those who have been to HHN2 this year, do leave your comments below!
Have a frightful evening at Halloween Horror Nights…
Yet another foodie post for you food lovers out there! This time, we’re gonna visit the Golden Mile Food Centre! There are really loads of good food at the Golden Mile Food Centre tucked away close to the end of beach road next to Kampong Glam Community Club.
Golden Mile Food is located along Beach Road and the buses 100, 961 and 960 can take you there quite easily. According to this piece of news from Channel News Asia, Golden Mile Food Centre is set to undergo a facelift and will go through 2 months of renovation starting in Sep 12. Let’s hope that the food that we’re gonna introduce here remains after the renovation!
1. Keng Heng Whampoa Teochew Lor Mee
Lor Mee is really one of those food whereby you get accustomed to the taste. For those who do not know where lor mee is, it’s basically noodles drenched in thick dark soya-based sauce. Usually the ingredients include fish cake and some pork. The Lor Mee at Keng Heng was quite normal, the only ingredient that stood out was its chilli. It packs a slight punch and brings out the flavour of the noodles.
2. Golden Mile Fried Kuay Teow Mee
Apparently this fried kuay teow mee (basically 2 kinds of noodles fried together in a sweet sauce) has been around for many years now. The 2nd generation has taken over. The ingredients used are VERY fresh, the prawn was still succulent (not soft like some others) and the wok hei (very slight burnt fragrance) is infused into the noodles. Excellent dish. Must try when you’re there!
3. Chung Cheng Chilli Mee
The Chung Cheng Chilli Mee is famous for its (of course!) Chilli Mee! However, we had tried the chilli mee previously and was thoroughly satisfied. However, this time, we wanted to try something less fiery and opted for the pork rib soup kuay teow instead. Bad choice, should have stuck with what its famous for. The soup was quite bland. Perhaps because we were there relatively early. There was only a few slices of the ribs. The chilli mee on the other hand comes with generous servings of the chilli, fiery yet shiok. Do give the chilli mee a try and tell us what you think!
This fried hokkien prawn noodle is apparently quite famous. We waited 20 minutes for portion on a weekday pre-lunch timing! However, it was all worth the wait. This rendition is the drier version which we prefer and the stock (made of prawns and ribs) have been infused into the noodles. The texture of the noodles remained chewy (not soggy) and each mouth is that much more enjoyable with fresh ingredients used. A Must try as well!
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One of the best things to do in Singapore is simply to catch the sunrise at Mount Faber!
Well, Kate and I caught the sunrise at Mount Faber during our wedding anniversary this year to relive our courting days! Kate got up earlier this morning and prepared 爱心早餐 (breakfast made with love) for our little picnic at Mount Faber. We were there at about 6:30am (Sunrise in Singapore is usually about 7am) and found ourselves a nice spot with views over the city.
An older couple joined us to catch the sunrise. The sun was partially blocked by the clouds at first but soon the clouds moved away and revealed the sun , much like an egg yoke!
An element of luck comes into play when if you wish to catch a sunrise or sunset. Sometimes, the clouds can be so thick that you barely see the rays of the sun. Thankfully we were able to catch the sunrise today.
To get to the top of Mount Faber, there are 2 usual ways. First of which is to drive. This is preferred because this prevents the need for you to “scale” the hill and gives you flexibility on where you would like to catch the sunrise. The only catch is that there isnt really much parking up there. However, for sunrise, parking should be fine.
The other way is to take the mrt to Harbour Front MRT station and follow the directions from there by walking the rest of the way. This is a VERY TIRING walk. Do wear proper trekking/sports shoes if you do take this alternative.
There are so many things to do in Sri Lanka! This post will show you the top 10 things to do right here in Sri Lanka! Sri Lanka is an exotic destination for travelers who are adventurous, loves the nature, appreciates history, and enjoys good food. It has an eclectic mix of attractions that will suit everyone. Sri Lanka is best explored through a free & easy trip, with a rented car and a driver. Or if you have time to spare, you can also use the public transport.
Map of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a tear-drop-shaped country with awesome beaches, wildlife national parks, and a central mountainous area. Below are the Top 10 Things to do in Sri Lanka:
Vesak Day, Sri Lanka: 3 Days of Celebrations -Lanterns and Fireworks
It was hard not to miss the Vesak Day celebrations with all the lanterns displayed along the streets and at lobbies of buildings. In addition to that, you can’t miss the huge crowd of people who were enjoying their 3 days off work shopping in the city or having a splash with their families by the coast.
Colombo City Vesak Day Celebrations
Lights and Lanterns in Colombo City
Huge crowd celebrating Vesak Day
Typical Lantern for Vesak Day
Throngs of people were crossing the roads, affected the flow of traffic at the main roundabout. Policemen had to direct both human and car traffic to ensure that there were no major traffic jams or accidents.
Police directing traffic during Vesak Day Celebrations in Colombo City Sri Lanka
Everyone was excited about the fireworks and wanted to get a good spot. We weren’t too comfortable with the crowd and decided to head back up to the Paronoma Roof Top Restaurant at our hotel (link) to watch the fireworks. It was indeed a good choice 🙂
Huge crowds waiting for fire works
Fireworks during Vesak Day Celebrations in Colombo City Sri Lanka
It was nice way to end off our last night in Sri Lanka! 🙂
There are so many things to do in Singapore over the weekend! Here are the top 10 things you can do in Singapore this weekend!
10. Catch the Sunrise @ Mount Faber
Sunrise @ Mount Faber
At no. 10 of our Top 10 things to do in Singapore over weekend is to catch the sunrise @ Mount Faber! One of the highest view points in Singapore, Mount Faber boasts of views of the southern part of Singapore. Daily sunrise is between 6:50 to 7:20am.
9. Staycation in Singapore
Did you know that there are more than 200 hotels in Singapore? With such stiff competition, it is no wonder that hotels are trying ways and means to catch hold of not only visiting tourists but Singaporeans as well. Kate and I have done our fair share of staycations in Singapore. Check out our stays at Amara Sanctuary, Hard Rock Hotel & Ritz Carlton Singapore!
Infinity Pool @ Amara Sanctuary
Hard Rock Hotel Singapore
Hotels in Singapore boasts of spas, pools with views and so much more! What are you waiting for?
To catch the best views of Singapore, look no further than the Singapore Flyer. At 165m, it is not only Singapore’s highest observatory but also the World’s Largest Giant Observatory Wheel!
Singapore Flyer
View from the Singapore Flyer
Singapore Flyer also boasts of restaurants as well as the Singapore Food Trail where you can find the best of Singapore local delicacies right under one roof!
Coming in at number 7 is the Marina Barrage right in the heart of our city!
View from Marina Barrage
The Marina Barrage is primarily a water catchment area and is the largest one in Singapore. However, it is now also an integrated lifestyle destination where one can enjoy water sports, picnics, fly kites and enjoy a spectacular view of the Singapore city skyline!
Dont mistake them as some sort of alien invasion! These “Supertrees” are the iconic structures of the Gardens by the Bay. Built at a cost of $1 billion SGD to bring to reality the vision of “City in a Garden”, the gardens is the latest icon added to the Marina Bay and is an attraction not to be missed!
Have you experienced an amphibious vehicle that travels on the roads and cruises on the water? If not, why not hop on the Duck Tours?
Ducktours – The “Duck”
The “ducks” are retrofitted from WW2 amphibious vehicles that allow mobility on both the land and sea. This allows visitors to visit iconic landmarks such as the Swissotel (highest hotel in southeast asia) and views of the Merlion from the mouth of the Singapore River.
Coming in at number 4 is one of our 2 integrated resorts in Singapore – Resorts World Sentosa. The main attraction at Resorts World Sentosa is definitely the Universal Studios Singapore aka USS. Many travelers from neighborhood cities such as the beautiful Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam and Melaka come to spend their weekend in USS
View of Universal Studios Singapore
There are also other attractions such as the Maritime Experential Museum, the Marine Life Park as well as the Malaysian Food Street!
Malaysian Food Street Resorts World Sentosa
There are of course several hotels that you can choose from @ Resorts World Sentosa such as Hard Rock Hotel, Hotel Michael, Crockfords Tower, Festive Hotel and Aquarius Hotel.
With 57 floors at the height of 194m, Marina Bay Sands is the most iconic structure in Singapore! It boasts of the largest sky pool, an ice skating rink, a huge shopping complex, performance theatres (here we caught “A Chorus Line“) and of course the spectacular it offers from the Sands Skypark!
Swimming Pool Marina Bay Sands
Sands SKy Park Sunset
Nightly stay at Marina Bay Sands starts at over $300USD, but you may be able to pick up some special deals from Agoda.
How about a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of it all? As they say, the seas are calling and there are really many choices of weekend cruises here in Singapore! With the establishment of the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, visitors and Singaporeans will be spoilt for choice for cruises out of Singapore!
There are actually many reasons why we chose Singapore as the top attraction and things to do at the weekend. First of all, it has a combination of a few parks such as the zoo itself, the night safari as well as the latest river safari. There are therefore MANY species of animals for visitors to see and learn. Speaking of learning, the educational factor is really high as well. There are informative sign boards, statistics and interesting snippets all around the entire zoo. Even as an adult, there are lots of things we bet you did not know as well!
Last but most importantly, for families with kids, it is a family destination as well! Kids can learn and play all under 1 roof! With many interesting kids programmes as well as the Kidzworld, the children will definitely be entertained throughout their visit!
With so many attractions and things to do in Singapore this weekend, we hope you will have loads of fun! Share with us other things to do and attractions in Singapore that you have enjoyed in our comment box below!
Again the F1 season is upon us! Many have been asking where can we watch F1 for free in Singapore? If you search close enough, there are actually several pretty good spots to watch F1 Formula One Singapore Night Race for free!
Our top spot has got to be the Marina Square Food Court. Well, it used to be the top spot as there was an al fresco dining area there. However, now it has been air-conditioned. The bad thing is that you cant really take good pictures and videos with the glass panels. The good thing is that you can now watch F1 in an air-conditioned area! We were there about 5pm the last time round, so chope your seats early!
View of F1 Singapore free from Marina Square Food Court
Marina Square close to Pan Pacific
Marina Square has a few spots actually. Right in the thick of the action, the area between Pan Pacific Hotel and Marina Square has a few spots such as the staircase and connecting bridge. Do explore to find your favourite spot!
From the Helix Bridge you can catch some views of the race. You may want to consider a pair of binoculars as well. There will definitely be a crowd. Here you can watch the race action near the flyer and the float@Marina.
Paid Venues
There are a couple of other places that offer good views but you’ll have to pay for entry fees or hotel rooms
Colombo City Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Ahhh…I just want to Zzz zzz
We arrived at Colombo slightly before 5am, after a 6 hours bus journey from Trincomalee. The bus stop was at the main train station. We checked our GPS on our phone (only 1 rupee for 1MB. So cheap!) and noted that Colombo City hotel was 800m away. There were many tuk tuk drivers touting for customers and they quoted us 300 rupees for the ride. Even though it was only about S$3, we refused to take the tuk tuk because we knew that it only cost 50 rupees for the first km (subsequent km is charged at 30 rupees). The streets were still filled with locals heading home after the Vesak Day celebrations, and there were many policemen patrolling, so we reckoned it was safe enough to walk to Colombo City Hotel.
World Trade Centre opposite of Colombo City Hotel
Colombo City Hotel Sri Lanka
It was fairly easy to locate Colombo City Hotel as it was just opposite the World Trade Centre. The facade of the building was brightly lit and the light decorations on the trees in front made it a very beautiful picture as we approached the hotel. The staff on duty that night was friendly. He brought us to our room after we decided to pay the half day rate in order to get some rest due to the lack of sleep on the bus. I loved the room! It was spacious, the TV had ESPN channel, and most importantly, a bath tub! 🙂 The little pleasures in life….ahhhhhh.
TV and Kettle in Colombo City Hotel
Bath tub in Colombo City Hotel
Comfy Beds in Colombo City Hotel
Dressing Table in Colombo City Hotel
We took a nice hot bath and rested for 3 hours before we head up to the Panoroma Roof Top Restaurant for breakfast. Breakfast was simple but filling, and the supervisor on duty gave us directions to shopping malls.
Panoroma Roof Top Restaurant in Colombo City Hotel
We were in Colombo 1, and most of the shopping malls were in Colombo 3,4 and 7. It was easy to flag down a metered tuk tuk. We enjoyed a day in the city, shopping for gifts for friends and relatives. When we were done, we strolled along the coast and made our way back to the hotel. The location of Colombo City Hotel was awesome, and the price of USD90 was well worth it! 🙂
A Night in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka: Under the Stars, Illuminated by the Full Moon
The full moon hung fairly low that night, providing light for guests and locals who were playing beach volleyball. It was also especially pretty because of the many lanterns for Vesak Day celebrations. Sitting on a deck chair by the beach and enjoying the cool sea breeze was a great way to end the day before we went to Trincomalee town to catch our 10pm bus to Colombo City.
Vesak Day lantern decorations at dive shop at Trincomalee
Chillax by the beach at night at Trincomalee
A game of beach volleyball under the moonlight
Natural light vs Artificial light
We were excited about our 6 hours bus ride to Colombo. The locals that we met informed us that the bus is safer than the train. It was also very affordable. A “regular” bus is abt S$8 while a “luxury” bus cost about S$12. We chose the “luxury bus” and was impressed by how new and clean the bus was. The bus was also very punctual. We set off at 10pm sharp and arrived in Colombo slightly before 5am. There was a toilet stop during the journey but we did not dare to use the public toilet at 2am 😛 The only thing I did not like was that the volume of the Tamil movie that was screened during the trip was too loud. (and we did not understand the movie as it was without subtitles!) A local guy did inform the driver to lower the volume but he did not 🙁
10pm Night Bus from Trincomalee to Colombo
Well, that explained our lack of sleep (even though it was meant to be a night bus! And we thought we could save on a night in Colombo City Hotel) and so we ended up checking in at 5am and paid the half day rate. Oh well, that is another story altogether. Read on!