There are so many things to do in New York! Here are the top things that you should do right here in New York!
New York Attractions and Things to do
1. Times Square New York
You know when they talk about “a city that never sleeps”? Times Square in New York City is exactly that place to feel the pulse of the city. You can really feel the live of the city even at 2am in the morning! The city is just full of live and raring to go!
Times Square New York City
Hey, if you’re lucky enough (and have Bieber Fever), you might even catch one of the stars such as Justin Bieber at the Ruby Red Stairs of Times Square!
Justin Bieber Flash Mob NYC
2. Statue of Liberty – Liberty Island
The Statue of Liberty as seen from the Ferry
How can you say that you have visited New York, in that case USA, if you have not visited the most iconic symbol of freedom – the Statue of Liberty! It is really surreal when you finally lay your eyes on her as you have heard so much about her and seen so many of her image in the movies and US shows. This is especially so after contending with the throngs of tourists at the ticketing office and the queue up the ferry to Liberty Island!
Long Queues for Ferry to the Statue of Liberty
3. Visit to the Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock
Dont believe them when they say that you must visit the Empire State Building for the best views of New York! Instead, head a few blocks down to Rockfeller Center’s Top of the Rock! In addition to the splendid views of New York City, you can also have ESB (Empire State Building) in your pictures as well! Imagine going up ESB and not being able to have ESB in your photos…
Central Park from Top of the RockView of Empire State Building from Top of the Rock
4. Visit actual scenes from Hollywood Movies!
In New York, you will be able to visit MANY actual sites of scenes taken out of the movies! Remember Serendipity Cafe in the movie of the same name? How about Tom Hanks in the movie “BIG” playing chopsticks on the Big Piano @ F.A.O Schwarz , 5th Avenue? You can reminiscence many a movies right here in New York!
Actual Big Piano from the movie “Big” that starred Tom Hanks
5. Breath Taking Niagara Falls
Approaching Horseshoe Falls Niagara Falls via Maid of the Mist Ferry
Need we say more?
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There are indeed so many things to do and attractions in New York! Do take your time to enjoy these attractions and unforgettable photo moments the next time you visit these attractions in New York!
Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany is the largest beer festival in the world! But did you know that besides beer guzzling and more beer guzzling, there are actually alot of festivities and fringe activities all around the festival arena? In this post, we will show you the things to do and attractions at Oktoberfest Germany in Munich!
Interesting facts about Oktoberfest Germany
Did you know…
1.Oktoberfest DOES NOT start in October! Oktoberfest usually starts in the last week of September and ends in the first week of October. If you visit Munich somewhere in mid to end October thinking that you can catch the Oktoberfest, you’ll be in for a huge disappointment!
2. In 2013, Oktoberfest will be celebrating its 180th Beer festival! Although Oktoberfest was first started in 1810, there have been several festivals that were cancelled due to epidemics and war.
3. Oktoberfest is not only the largest beer festival in the world. It is THE LARGEST FESTIVAL in the world (beer left out in this sentence). Besides the 14 large beer tents (including famous brews such as Hofbrau, Lowenbrau and Augustiner), there are also 21 smaller tents selling their specialities such as roasted chicken (and beer of course). But there’s more to the 42 hectares (can you believe the size?!) Theresienwiese Oktoberfest area. There are MANY fringe activities such as games, rides and food that caters to the entire family!
Oktoberfest in Munich Germany
Beer guzzling and more beer guzzling
Oktoberfest gives people an impression that it is a beer festival. It sure is the biggest beer festival in the world. With millions of visitors all over the world drinking and guzzling millions more litres of beer each year, it is no wonder that people only think about beer at Oktoberfest.
Lowenbrau and its moving (and growling) lion (at Oktoberfest)Throngs of people in the Oktoberfest beer tents – in the middle of the day!
Lining the Tummy – Oktoberfest Food!
Many a beer drinker would advise that you line your tummy with fatty foods before you hit the beer tents. There are indeed many variety of food available at Oktoberfest. Here are some of the foods we’ve tried!
Pork Kunckle Sandwich Oktoberfest
One of the fattiest street snack you can find at Oktoberfest has got to be the pork knuckle sandwich! The skin is crispy and flavourful while the fatty bits beneath gives you the lining that you need to survive the beer festival! While you’re trying out the street foods, why not give the crispy schnitzel burger a try as well?
At Oktoberfest, there are many tents selling roasted chicken. Tender, moist and well marinated, the roasted smell of the chicken can really attract its customers!
Do try the desserts at Oktoberfest, the waffle and apple pie were, “oh so good!”. Ask Kate and she’ll tell ya!
Have you seen anything like that? – A full grown pig being roasted at OktoberfestCrispy Pork Schnitzel Burger (Oktoberfest Munich)Moist & tender Roasted Chicken with vege stuffingHuge Pretzels anyone? (Oktoberfest Augustiner Beer Tent)Freshly baked crispy fluffy waffle with sugar icing – Yum! (Oktoberfest Munich Germany)Apple Strudel at Oktoberfest Germany Munich
Fun rides for the entire family!
As we have mentioned, there are many other games and rides at Oktoberfest. Games would include throwing balls or rings to win prizes. Or simply using a huge hammer to see if the indicator hits the bell at the top. Besides the game stalls, there are many other exciting rides at Oktoberfest!
Crazy ride at Oktoberfest – with 3 axis of spinOlympia Loop – A roller coaster ride! at Oktoberfest
Besides the crazy rides for the thrill seekers, there’s also a section of the fair dedicated to kids to have some fun of their own. Train rides for kids and slides are also available at Oktoberfest!
Gnome Train Ride for kids at Oktoberfest Munich
Other things you can do at Oktoberfest
Check out rows of fish being roasted for the patrons – fishy smell at that!
Roasted fish in the open air at Oktoberfest MunichTake pictures with horses and beer barrels at Oktoberfest Germany Munich!How about an Oktoberfest Leb Kuchen for your loved ones – remember to pay with a kiss!
Related Posts
You have just finished a post in this series of our travels in Munich. Find out more about Munich in these related posts!
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 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 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
Lot 10 Hu Tong – Best Street Foods in Malaysia
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!
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
View of the Atrium from Taiwanese Dessert Place
Bean curd, taro, red bean with shaved milk ice!
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!
There are actually so many things to do in Amsterdam! Today, we are going to talk about the Amsterdam Canal Cruise! One cruise to see them all – all the attractions in Amsterdam!
On our last day in Amsterdam, we finally decided to take the river cruise to enjoy the canals of Amsterdam. Partly because Tom wanted to go on the cruise but mainly because it was a nice and sunny day (eventhough the temperature was about 10 degrees Celsius). The price of of the river cruise ticket in Amsterdam was 13 euros (approximately 20SGD) per person. Quite expensive for asian standards but what the heck. One ride to see them all…(sounds like one ring to rule them all…)
Price of tickets to Amsterdam River CruiseAmsterdam Canal Cruise to see all the attractions of Amsterdam!
It was quite spacious inside the river cruise boat. You can choose to face backwards, forwards, to the left or to the right side of the boat. Window seats would be best cause you can take pictures and videos without other passengers onboard disrupting you! :p The boat also had transparent roofs to allow sunlight through which really brightened up the internals of the boat. This is a really good idea considering that the river cruise takes about an hour (1 hour) to complete.
View of the Amsterdam Canals
Things to do in Amsterdam – Amsterdam Canal Cruises!
The cruise started with a great view of the canals (see above). Along the way, there would be running commentaries (in different languages) that tells you what to look out for such as these locks of gates…
Locks of gates in Amsterdam Canals
These locks of gates in the canals of Amsterdam help to regulate the flood situations by keeping high tides out. Along the way, you would also see the typical skinny Amsterdam houses (some as thin as 2 metres!) as well as bridges that link the various parts of the waterways.
Typical skinny buildings along the canals of Amsterdam
Video of wide houses in contrast to skinny ones
Bridge linking various parts of the waterwaysBridge along the Princess Canal
One of the main attractions or things to do in Amsterdam would be to see the boat houses along the canals of Amsterdam!
Boat House with Beer Bottles as DecorationsModern Looking Boat House
It was said that these boat houses used to be “parked” along the canals in an unorderly fashion. To regulate things a little, the authorities relocated the boat houses here and gave them leases as well. Enjoy this short video of the boat houses along Amsterdam Canal!
Boat Houses along the canals of Amsterdam
Another interesting thing that we saw was someone shifting into a unit along the canals. You will then notice that each building along the canals have some sort of a hoist at the top of the building…
Hoist at the top of each buildingA family shifting in
The hoists are points where pulleys can be used to lift heavy and bulky items such as furniture and refrigerators into the house. As the stairs are too narrow, this is the usual way of shifting stuff in and out! The other way would be to use ladders or lifts (or in this picture a combination of both) to bring items in and out of the unit.
7 Arches or 7 Bridges along Reguliers Canal Amsterdam
The other must see is the 7 arches or 7 bridges along Reguliers Canal. Here you can have a view of all 7 bridges lined up in 1 row! Don’t worry if you’re seated on the wrong side of the boat cause the captain will slow things down for passengers to take a shot here.
Other Attractions in Amsterdam
There are many other attractions that you can see from the Amsterdam Canal Cruise…
Anne Frank HouseOldest Protestant Church in AmsterdamOffice of the Mayor of AmsterdamCity Hall & Opera House AmsterdamThe Skinny Bridge AmsterdamThe Mint Tower AmsterdamThe oldest financial institution in AmsterdamThe oldest church in AmsterdamSea Palace – A Chinese Restaurant AmsterdamThe Library AmsterdamThe Nemo – Science Centre Amsterdam
As the boat circles out of the canals, the waters get a little choppy. Here you can get great views of the harbour…
Looking back at Amsterdam CityView of the Amsterdam Central StationMap of Canal Cruise with outline of the route
The map above outlines the route that the canal cruise took. Basically, you will circle the canals (1 round) from Prinsengracht to Herengracht to Rokin, Damrak, out to the sheltered waters and back.
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We hope you have enjoyed this post about the Amsterdam River Canal Cruise! There are so many things to do in Amsterdam, be sure to check them out the next time you’re in Amsterdam!
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
Tower of the Astronomical Clock
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
Charles Bridge during the day
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 Tower and the Hunger Wall Prague
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.
Amazing view of Prague at viewing point outside monastery
Tip: Take a stroll from here to the monastery and have a freshly brewed beer!
5. Wenceslas Square
Statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse (National Museum 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
Municipal House Prague
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.
Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s latest attraction located right in the heart of the city! You can also easily access Gardens by the Bay via Dragonfly Bridge, a link bridge from Marina Bay Sands!
Entrance to Gardens by the Bay
About Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is the amalgamation of a vision of Nparks (National Parks Singapore) – To have a city in a garden. In 2006, a competition was held to shortlist the design ideas for gardens by the bay and in 2007, the gardens broke ground. In 2011, a preview of Gardens by the Bay, including the Flower Dome, was held in conjunction with the 20th World Orchid Conference. Since then artistes such as Jason Mraz has entertained at the Gardens as well.
Things to do & Attractions at Gardens by the Bay
Map of Gardens by the Bay
There are many note-worthy attractions at Gardens by the Bay, namely
Gardens by the Bay – Flower Dome
The Flower Dome houses unique and unusual species such as the Baobabs and other floral displays that changes with the seasons. You can see some pictures of the Baobabs here. Species here belong to the cool-dry regions.
Gardens by the Bay – Cloud Forest
Cloud Forest houses the plant species of the highlands such as orchids, ferns and pitcher plants. There’s also a 35metres man-made waterfall and mountain. Species here belong to the cool-moist regions.
Man-made Waterfall at Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay – The Supertrees
One of the main attractions of Gardens by the Bay is the Supertrees! Here you can enjoy magnificent views from the Skyway or just sit back, relax and enjoy the Rhapsody (show of light and sounds) that takes place each night at 7:45pm and 8:45pm!
Supertrees and the Skyway at Gardens by the Bay Singapore
Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay in the evening
Supertrees during the light and sound show Rhapsody
There are also dining options at the Supertree such as Hill Street Coffee Shop, Peach Garden Noodle House, Texas Chicken, Canele Patisserie Chocolaterie and Casa Verde.
Dining options available at the Supertree Grove
Gardens by the Bay – Heritage Gardens
The Heritage Gardens showcases the plants that are closely linked to the different ethnic groups in Singapore. Here you can visit the Indian Garden, Chinese Garden as well as the Malay Garden.
Chinese Garden with Marina Bay Sands (MBS) as the backdrop
Gardens by the Bay – Dragonfly Lake
The Dragonfly Lake plays an integral part in sustaining the ecosystem @ Gardens by the Bay. Here you can also catch spectacular views of the domes, Supertrees as well as the Singapore Flyer!
View of the Singapore Flyer, Supertrees & Domes from Dragonfly Bridge
Dragonfly Island @ Gardens by the Bay
Admission Rates to Gardens by the Bay
Admission to the outdoor gardens are free while there are charges to the Conservatories (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest) & Skyway.
You can either take the MRT to Bay Front MRT Station and take a short walk from Marina Bay Sands across the Dragonfly Bridge
By Foot :
If you are at the Helix Bridge, you can take a short walk leading under the ECP bringing you to Bay South Garden.
Verdict
Gardens by the Bay is definitely a must visit attraction in Singapore. There are so many things to do here at Gardens by the Bay! You can check out the interesting species inside the 2 conservatories, enjoy views from the Skyway, leisure cruise on the Garden Cruiser or just check out the free gardens at your own pace. Definitely a must visit for visitors young and old!
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!
Waiting for the train to Eindhoven at Amsterdam Centraal train station4.5 euro Breakfast from 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.
Shuttlebus from Eindhoven to Weert because of rail works this weekendArty Bowling Structure at Eindhoven0940 train at Weert 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.
Smaller train from Heerlen to Maastricht
Reaching Maastricht
Inside the Maastricht station, we were greeted by classic interior decorations
Interior of Maastricht Station
Albert Heijn, the local supermarket to replenish your supplies and get $1euro coffees.
Albert Heijn Maastricht Train Station
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.
Maastricht Train Station
As with many parts of the Netherlands, we were intrigued by the MANY TYPES OF PASTRIES on display at the bakery!
A Bakery in Maastricht
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…
Walk along River Maas in Maastricht – JFK Bridge
Further down the river we saw this strange looking structure
Bonnefanten Museum along River Maas
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…
Can you see the hot air balloon somewhere in the trees?
As we moved on, we noticed a prominent looking church…
Anyone can enlighten us on the name of this church in Maastricht?
You can also enjoy a leisurely cruise down the river Maas while you’re in Maastricht.
River cruise 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!
Statue of a Lady MaastrichtStatue of Johannes Petrus Minckelers in Maastricht- guy who invented gas light
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…
Double Room at Hotel De La Bourse – 70Euro a nightRoom with a view of Markt Square
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
Sint Janskerk and Sint Servaas Basiliek at Vrijthof Square Maastricht
as well as remnants (from the medieval times) that Maastricht is so famous for…
Remnants of Fortress from medieval times in Maastricht
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…
Toine Hersen on bernardustraat Michelin restaurant closed on Sundays
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.
Outside eating at Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin Maastricht
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…
Interior of Cafe Niew BruinMussels in white wine (21.5 euros)Beef Steak Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin MaastrichtCreme Brulee Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin Maastricht
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.
Breakfast at Hotel De La Bourse Maastricht
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!
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.
Rows of cafes at Vrijthof Square where we had dinner the previous night
The fortifications were built in the 13th century and have been well preserved after hundreds of years.
Stadsomwalling Maastricht
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 MaastrichtFort with Cannon in MaastrichtFort overlooking pond and garden Maastricht
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?
One of the entrance to the fort at Maastricht
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…
Fat Ducks and Geese beside the fortificationsDeers at the park zoo Maastricht
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.
Sint Janskerk Maastricht
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.
Sushi-ya Restaurant Maastricht
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.
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!
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
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:
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!
There are so many things to do and attractions in Maastricht! This post will show you the things to do and attractions right here in Maastricht! But before we give you the low down of our trip from Amsterdam to Maastricht, here is a quick highlight of the things to do and attractions in Maastricht…
Of cobbled streets and rich history
Cobbled Streets of Maastricht
One of the main reasons why tourists flock to Maastricht (eventhough it is so out of the way – see map below) is because of its rich history and the cobbled streets that shows presence of times past.
City Fortifications – Stadsomwalling and Helpoort in Maastricht
Stadsomwalling MaastrichtHelpoort Maastricht
In addition to the cobbled streets and feel of the medieval times, the remnants of the city fortifications are also a highlight here. Stadsomwalling as well as Helpoort (the oldest city gate in the Netherlands) bears testimony to the defence of Maastricht in the medieval times.
Old Centre Squares – Vrijthof Square and Markt Square in Maastricht
Sint Janskerk and Sint Servaas Basiliek at Vrijthof Square Maastricht
In and around Markt Square Maastricht
Centre squares used to be areas where people assembled to get their daily necessities as well as to get updates on things like who is going on the gallows, how much the taxes would be etc. The 2 most important and well known squares are Vrijthof square as well as the Markt.
Michelin Star Restaurants in Maastricht
Beluga Michelin Restaurant Maastricht
Given the small population of Maastricht, the number of Michelin star restaurants in Maastricht is surprisingly high. That is why Maastricht is also known for its culinary treats. Enjoy the treats that Maastricht has to offer!
Leisurely Stroll Along River Maas
Walk along River Maas in Maastricht – JFK Bridge
River Maas is the life line of the Netherlands. It passes through many states and through Maastricht, dividing the eastern and western sides of the city. Taking a leisurely stroll along the river Maas in Maastricht is an excellent way to take in the sights, relax and see some unique structures along the river.
Now that you have had a quick overview of the things to do and attractions in Maastricht, find out about the details of our itinerary on day 2 and 3 of Europe Trip in Maastricht!
What would a visit to Desaru be like without a visit to the Desaru Fruit Farm?
Not only will you be able to savour all the different kinds of food available at the Desaru Fruit Farm, the tour guides will also tell you the benefits of all the different kinds of fruit and the quantity that you should take to achieve the benefits.
To top things off, there’s even a sumptuous meal thrown in (inclusive of crabs and crayfish)!
Things to do and attractions in Desaru – Desaru Fruit Farm
*Please note that the food served depends on the package that you go for. Kate and I had two meals at the fruit farm and we enjoyed western for our other meal there.
A visit to the Desaru Fruit Farm is not only educational but satisfying for the palettes! Great place to visit with the kids as well!
Firefly River Cruise Tour
Another must visit attraction at Desaru is the Firefly River Cruise Tour!
If you have not tried this river cruise, this Singapore Travel Blog recommends that you experience this magical journey down the river since it is just an hour away. Once you check in to your Desaru Hotel, make sure to check out times so that you can coordinate your evening. This cruise is very popular among nomads traveling from countries like the Philippines and other parts of Malaysia since it gives a different perspective of Desaru. It will expose you to your other senses under the darkness of the night.You become more aware of your surroundings and the sounds of the night as well as the waves of the river (and of course the motor of the boat).
As you approach the fireflies, the boat stops its engines to get you up close. If you’re daring enough, you can even place them in the palm for a photo shot! Unfortunately, our cameras are not up to the mark for night shots… (*hint hint* to potential sponsors!)
Beach Activities at Desaru
One of the main attractions of Desaru is of course its coastline formed with the South China Sea. The pristine beaches offers picturesque views of sunrise…
Sunrise at DesaruJet skis at Sand and Sandals Desaru
The clear blue waters also plays host to an array of water activities such as kayaking, banana boat rides and even parasailing!
There are actually 2 ways to get there from Singapore.
Ferry
The ferry from Singapore to Desaru takes about 45 minutes and you can hop onto the ferry at the Changi Ferry Terminal.
Via the Senai Desaru Expressway
The drive time from Singapore to Desaru has been greatly reduced with the completion of the Senai Desaru Expressway. No longer do you need to make a trip north to Kota Tinggi then south back to Desaru. With the Senai Desaru Expressway, the drive time is cut to about 45 minutes (this excludes the waiting time at the causeway jam!)
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Things to do and attractions in Desaru - Desaru Fruit Farm
There are actually so many things to do in Singapore! You can enjoy the views of the city by taking a ride on the Singapore Flyer or enjoy some picnic time at the Marina Barrage. Of course there’s always something for everyone at Resorts World Sentosa such as the Malaysian Food Street and the Universal Studios.
Today, we’re gonna show you the Singapore Zoo!
Signs directing you to the Singapore Zoo
Just as we stopped at the traffic light, Kate managed to take this shot of the entrance! Speedy gonzales…andele andele yiba yiba…
Singapore Zoo Entrance
The parking area is currently under construction. So you would have to make one big round before you can park close to the KFC. Parking at the Singapore Zoo is $4 per entry with 10 minutes grace period.
We headed to the ticketing counter and bought the Zoo-per-saver. Tom was quite slow in realising that Zoo-per-saver meant “Super Saver”!
Ticketing Counter of the Singapore Zoo
Ticket Prices at the Singapore Zoo
Zoo-per-Saver : $27 for adults , $17 for children aged 3-12
(inclusive of admission, unlimited tram and boat rides)
Zoo Admission ONLY : $20 for adults , $13 for children
Zoo Admission with Tram : $25 for adults , $16 for children
Just for comparison, here are the rates of the Tram and Boat rides
Unlimited Boat Rides : $6 for adults , $3.5 for children
Unlimited Tram Rides : $5 for adults , $3 for children
So after all this comparison, we decided that the Zoo-per-Saver was a good deal, in case we want to tram around or just enjoy a boat ride. This we eventually FULLY UTILISED but we’ll talk about it in a bit.
The next thing that you really need to grab hold of is the Map of the Singapore Zoo
Map of the Singapore Zoo
With the map, we were able to locate the show times of all the shows at the Singapore Zoo. Then we were able to plan our path on where to take the boat rides and how to make it in time for all the shows.
As you enter the entrance of the Zoo, you would be led by the paths to the Treetops Trail
Treetops Trail at the Singapore Zoo
And the very first animal that we encountered this day was the greater mousedeer!
Greater Mouse Deer at the Singapore Zoo
As we walked towards the boat dock to check on the timing, we saw the Babirusa. It is from the pig family and has horns that makes it look real fierce.
Babirusa at the Singapore Zoo
Turns out that the boat ride starts at 9:15am (although we were very kiasu [Singapore slang for scared of losing] and arrived at 8:30am). The frequency of the boat rides are at intervals of 15 minutes.
Boat Dock Singapore ZooBoat ride at the Singapore Zoo
Since we were still early, we decided to walk around the vicinity of Boat Dock 1. We saw the Tapir and took a video of their feeding…
Feeding time for the Tapirs at the Singapore Zoo
Kate was really upset that Tom took a 50seconds video because our camera can only last for a very short time and we had to conserve our battery life. (Are there any camera sponsors out there?) Well, for our viewers right? Please comment that Tom did the right thing if you have not seen a Tapir before…
We also caught a glimpse of the White Tiger as it prowls in its vicinity. We came to find out that there were originally 3 white tigers and one of them, called Jippie was terminally ill and died quite recently.
White Tigers at the Singapore Zoo
Boat Ride at the Singapore Zoo
After taking the boat ride, we arrived at the northern part of the Zoo where boat dock 2 is located. Boat dock 2 is near to the Rainforest Kidzworld and we took a peek inside…
There are actually so many things for the kids to do here! Kids can play in the waters, sweat it out at the adventureland or take a ride on a pony! There’s also an Animal Friends Show here.
Wet arena at the kidzworld Singapore ZooMini adventure park at Kidzworld Singapore ZooPony Ride?
For those who do not know, Ah Meng was a well loved and iconic Orang Utan at the Singapore Zoo. It died several years ago but still remain very much in the hearts of Singaporeans because of the ambassador work that it had done. Still remember the breakfasts with Ah Meng – Anyone have pictures of breakfast with Ah Meng?
Ah Meng Memorial at the Singapore Zoo
Today, a memorial is erected next to the gardens and Splash Safari Show.
The first show we caught today was the Splash Safari show. Not to be a spoiler or anything, the Splash Safari has got to be the best show at the Singapore Zoo! You can really feel the bond between the sea lion and the trainer. Watch…
Splash Safari Show at the Singapore Zoo
As we travelled to the next show, we were almost caught in the pee of an orang utan at the free ranging oran utan island…
This orang utan “tight-roped” across above us and reached the other side of the island. Suddenly we heard trickles of water and we thought it was raining. No! The Orang Utan was peeing above us! Heng, we were a distance away. A word of caution to visitors, please be aware of the location of the Orang Utans as you cross this path.
“Free Ranging” Orang Utans
Before our next show (Elephants of Asia), we covered the primate kingdom as well as the Nubian Ibex and Hamadryas Baboon.
Crested Macaque at the Singapore ZooPatas Monkey at the Singapore Zoo Douc Langur at the Singapore Zoo
We were also in time for a feeding session of the Arapaima at the primate kingdom. These huge fish (and other small fish) are able to keep the waters in the Singapore Zoo free from the infestation of mosquitoes.
Feeding of the Arapaima at the Singapore ZooNubian Ibex at the Singapore ZooHamadryas Baboon at the Singapore Zoo
If you notice closely, you’ll see the Hamadryas Baboon (bottom left) staring into space in deep thoughts. Click here to find out what we think she was thinking about…
We managed to catch the Elephants of Asia Show
Elephants of Asia at the Singapore Zoo
How to mount an Elephant
and the Rainforest Fights back Show…
Peacock attracting the Peahen
We still wonder how they train the peacock to open up its feathers to attract the peahen…
Then…the unthinkable happened… IT STARTED TO POUR!! But, because we took the Zoo-per-Saver, we were able to have unlimited rides around the zoo while waiting for the rain to stop. We spent an hour or so (about 3 rounds) on the tram as it was way too crowded everywhere else (at the stations, at the restaurant, at any shelter).
Still, we managed to catch all the shows and see all the animals that we wanted to see. Even the sun bear came out to greet us!
Sun bear at the Singapore Zoo
Last show of the day – The Animal Friends Show at Kidzworld
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Singapore Zoo and we really hope you’ll enjoy your next visit to the Singapore Zoo as well!
There are so many things to do and attractions in Rotterdam! This post will give you a low down on all the things to do and attractions right here in Rotterdam! you’ll just be spoilt for choice. Here are just some to choose from…
1. Architecture Gazing
Kubuswoning Rotterdam aka Cube Houses
Home to an array of amazing architectures, Rotterdam will wow your senses with its modern take on architectures. Find out more here.
2. Taking in the Sights
Stunning views of Rotterdam from Euromast
Take in all the sights of Rotterdam at the Euromast. You wont regret it!
3. Shopping!!
More shopping in Rotterdam!
With the Hoogstraat (High Street) so well connected in the city centre, you can literally shop till you drop!
4. Leisurely stroll along the River Maas
Erasmus Bridge at Sunset
If you just want to take things slow, why not enjoy a leisurely stroll along the River Maas. It is afterall the “life line” of the Netherlands, intertwining several cities (including Rotterdam) along its path.
5. Football Fan?
Close up view of Feyenoord Stadium
If you are a football fan, why not visit the Feyenoord Stadion (affectionately known as De Kuip by the locals) and catch a match. It will definitely be an experience you won’t soon forget.
Check out these things to do and attractions in Rotterdam and share your comments with us!
There are so many things to do and attractions in Melaka! Let’s find out what are the things you can do right here in Melaka!
Just for our readers, this is a quick summary of the Melaka attractions in this world heritage city…
1. Traditional Trishaw Rides
Trishaw Rides at Stadhuys / Christ Church Melaka
One of the best ways to cover Melaka has got to be the trishaw rides. You can hope on one of these brightly decorated trishaws at Stadhuys and your trishaw guide will bring you to the tourist attractions in Melaka!
2. Authentic Peranakan Food
Restoran Ole Sayang Malacca Peranakan Restaurant
One of the most authentic and well known peranakan restaurants in Melaka, Ole Sayang serves up some of the best nonya foods at affordable prices. Dont forget to take away some of its famous keropok while you’re there!
3. Historical Museums
Melaka Sultanate Palace MuseumMelaka Maritime Museum
One of the most famous ruins in Melaka, the A Famosa Fort is a must visit attraction!
5. St. Paul’s Church
Interior of St. Paul’s Church Malacca
A short walk up the hill from A Famosa is the St. Paul’s Church. From here, you can visit this Melaka Attraction and have a splendid view of the city as well!
6. Jonker Street
Jonker Street Melaka
To savour some of the best local delicacies, why not head to Jonker Street? Here, you will be able to savour one of the best chicken rice in Melaka and also try out some street foods in the evening. Quaint shops along the street will get your attention as well!
7. Stadhuys aka Red Square
Stadhuys Melaka
Another must visit attraction here in Melaka has got to be the Stadhuys. Here you can also see one of the oldest church – Christ Church Melaka and also hop on to one of the well-decorated trishaws for a ride about town!
8. Leisurely Stroll along the Melaka River
Graffiti art on houses along Melaka River
To make your Melaka trip more memorable, why not hope on the cruise down the Melaka river? A walk along the river is also strongly recommended!
There are so many things to do at Jonker Street! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Jonker Street Malacca! If you have read our last few posts, there are actually many things to do here at Jonker Street (aka Jonker Walk)…
Jonker Street Melaka
Well, in this post, we are going highlight our top 3 things to do at Jonker Street!
Malacca is of course famous for its chicken rice balls. There are so many of them in Malacca, so which one do you go for?
Fret not! 2bearbear.com has tasted the top 2 rated malacca chicken rice ball stalls to give you the lowdown on Hoe Kee and Chung Wah.
Once you have tasted them, why not leave a comment below to tell us all what you think about it?
2. Try out baba/nonya dishes and desserts at Jonker 88.
Interior of Jonker 88 @ Jonker Street
Malacca is all about food isnt it? Yet another foodie thing to do on this street is to makan at Jonker 88. If you’re the type who just want to try the street kinda nonya/baba food, you’ll find them right here.
The desserts are also hot sellers here. From afar, if you see a queue, it’s quite likely that the queue’s at Jonker 88.
3. Enjoy the night market!
Jonker Street Melaka
When night descends upon Jonker Street, stalls come out to play! At about 6pm, hawker stalls and stalls selling all sorts of things are seen along Jonker Street.
From afar you should be able to hear the “kok kok” candy man who is separating malted sugar (with peanuts) using his tools, effecting the familiar “kok kok” sound.
Then there are stalls selling mee sua (a type of vermicelli) which Malacca is famous for. We’ve bought some and they’re really good and dont “disintegrate” like most other brands.
You can also choose to just chillax at Geographer cafe – a pub that also serves up local delights. The drinks are rather expensive but a small pint wont do much harm right?
Geographer Cafe Jonker Street MelakaInterior of Geographer Cafe Jonker Street Melaka
Of course there are street foods that you should savour as well. On this occasion, we saved our tummy for Fried Oyster aka Orh Lua!
We’ve even asked permission from Aunty to take a video on how to make fried oysters!
How to make fried oysters
You can see that we actually strafe left to avoid the smoke coming from the fried oysters. The wind was blowing in our direction!
But still, the whole process was captured and here is the final product…
There are so many top things to do in LA! Let’s find out what are some of the things to do right here in Los Angeles LA! For our readers, we have listed this top things to do in LA in no particular order…
Top things to do in LA: Enjoy the sights and sounds at Santa Monica Pier
View of Ferris Wheel and Roller Coaster at Santa Monica (With Light)
That’s right! One of the top things to do in LA is just to kick back and relax along the beaches of Santa Monica. If the kids are with you, you can simply let them have a ball of a good time at the amusement park complete with ferris wheel and roller coaster. For couples, a stroll along the beach at sunset would be unforgettable!
Top things to do in LA: Watch an LA NBA match at Staples Center.
Statue of Magic Johnson at Staples Center
Another one of the top things to do in LA would definitely be to watch an NBA match at Staples Center. The world renowned Staples Center is home to the LA Lakers and LA Clippers. If you prefer ice hockey or WNBA, Staples Center is also home to LA Kings and LA Sparks!
Top things to do in LA: Catch a celebrity at Hollywood
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Hollywood Boulevard
With premiers often held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, you can be sure to catch a glimmer of these stars as they attend their gala premiers!
Top things to do in LA: Live the high life!
Rodeo Drive
You can really live it up and enjoy the high life at Rodeo Drive. Luxury items abound along this road for the rich and famous. You may also want to take a ride to Beverly Hills and see how huge these mansions can really be!
Top things to do in LA: Do all the Hollywood Touristy Staff
There are so many things to do and attractions in Los Angeles California! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in LA! If you have been following our posts, we did mention that we sneaked a short tour out of Las Vegas to visit Los Angeles California!
Road Trip to Los Angeles California!
For a Singaporean, it is not common to see deserts or mountain ranges. So it was really a different experience as we rode across the desert terrain…
Desert Terrain on route to Los Angeles California
The distance from Las Vegas to Los Angeles was about 400km and it took us about 3 hours or so to reach there. Hmm, just a thought…wonder how long it would take for people to shift stuff from your house from Vegas to LA and vice versa…
Arriving in Los Angeles
Santa Monica
Our first stop in California is Santa Monica! Kate and I (well…mostly Kate) wanted very much to visit Santa Monica because of the many many times this venue has been featured in movies and partly because of the Savage Garden song of the same name. The following should be some familiar views of the Santa Monica Pier…
View of Santa Monica Beach from end of Santa Monica PierView of Ferris Wheel and Roller Coaster at Santa Monica (With Light)
There, we had a romantic walk down the beach and of course along the Santa Monica Pier and to see the iconic ferris wheel. To end the day, we enjoyed the sunset along with corn dogs (excellent creation btw) and drinks…
Breath Taking Sunset @ Santa Monica
Hollywood Sign
The following day, we set out to see the famous Hollywood Sign. We did some research on our own and found out that great views could be seen from Mulholland Drive.
Hollywood Sign as seen from Mulholland Drive
From this picture, it seems a little small. This is mainly due to our not so professional camera (any sponsors out there?) However, with the naked eye, the view was breath-taking. There was also excellent views of the LA city skyline…
View of Downtown LA from Mulholland Drive Scenic Point
Hollywood Boulevard
Since we were at Hollywood, the most famous street there has got to be Hollywood Boulevard. There we visited the famous Kodak Theatre where we had a good view of the Hollywood sign as well. The Kodak Theatre is also home to the Oscars as well as the American Idol…
View of the Hollywood sign from Kodak Theatre
The nearby Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is also a famous tourist attraction not only because it is a prime venue for Hollywood movie premieres but also of its tradition of imprinting the hands and feets of celebrities at its fore court.
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Hollywood BoulevardMovie Premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
We also managed to catch a glimpse of some B list celebrities (Basically those whom you know are celebrities as you have seen them in movies but cant really pin point there names because they just played that odd role in the movie you’ve watched. ) at the movie premiere of Going the Distance (starring Justin Long and Drew Barrymore). Nope, we did not see either of the stars but we did see many limousines picking up well dressed people (directors, producers and rich people we reckon) and of course screaming fans.
Walking along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we managed to also identify familiar stars of our favourite celebrities. Here we found out that celebrities were classified according to the 5 categories namely; Movies,TV,Radio,Theatre and Music
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and its 5 categories
There are also other sights that you ought to catch when you’re here in Hollywood…
Beverly Hills Sign
Where the rich and famous live. This district was made famous by a TV series of the same name Beverly Hills 90210
Sunset Boulevard California
A great hangout place to just chill and enjoy the sunset.
Rodeo Drive
Luxury brands can be found here. Though many shopping belts like Oxford Street, Champs Elysees and even Orchard Road carry these luxury brand names, Rodeo Drive offers a classy feel and even a hope of a glimpse of celebrities!
Los Angeles California
Kate then planned a walking tour of Los Angeles city. I just told her that we have got to visit the Staples Centre, the rest was up to her.
First, we visited Chinatown
Chinatown from the station (Los Angeles)Map of Chinatown Los Angeles, California Shops in Chinatown Los Angeles, California
Passing by a cantonese dim sum shop, we dropped by to have some egg tarts and char siew bao. They tasted nice, but in a different way.
Char Siew Bao from Chinatown LA
A short walk away was the famous Philippe Original French Dipped Sandwich which we saw from Man vs Food on Travel Channel. We had to try it not only because it was recommended on MVF, but also because we had tried another version at Di Nic’s @ Reading Terminal Philadelphia.
Counter of Philippe – The Original French Dipped SandwichPork Sandwich from Philippe
After the food tasting, we pronounced Di Nic’s the winner. The sandwich from Philippe was quite tough even after the dip. The roast was also not as tasty as that of Di Nic’s as well.
Next begun our city tour!
Fountains Los AngelesLA City Skyline
We also armed ourselves with Starbucks coffee which tasted really good at an affordable price as well (slightly less than 3 bucks a cuppa)
Java Chip Frap and Ice Coffee with Milk
We then arrived at the Staples Center…
Staples Center Los Angeles California
We were at the home of the LA Lakers! (think Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson).
Statue of Magic Johnson at Staples Center
At the souvenir shop, we realised that the Staples Center was home to 4 teams – the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks!
We also popped by the Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market Los Angeles California
and Little Tokyo…
Streets of Little Tokyo Los Angeles CaliforniaTower at Little Tokyo Los Angeles California
When you see this tower, you know that you are at Little Tokyo. Here, you’ve got to try some Japanese food. We had a salad, the Char Su Ramen (Extra Large at 9.7USD) as well as the Pork Curry Rice at 8.20USD. The servings were huge and the taste was great! The Char Su was full of flavour and had a succulent texture to it! Yum!
Yummy Salad Little Tokyo Los AngelesCha Su Ramen Little Tokyo Los AngelesPork Curry Rice Little Tokyo Los Angeles
We also had a nice stroll through the Mexican Market at Olvera Street where you would see mexican souvenirs, small guitars and traditional costumes. The walk through was shaded and had some lanes that you can visit and explore as well…
Mexican Market at Olvera Street
Nearby was the Union Station
Union Station Los Angeles CaliforniaInterior of the Union Station
Verdict
There are so many things to do, places of interest as well as attractions in California. The city of Los Angeles can provide nice walking tours while Hollywood exudes a different class of its own.
Be it the beach, the high life or the city, Los Angeles certainly makes a great visit for tourists and locals alike!
P.S. Did you know that Los Angeles means “The Angels” which is why the city has also a nickname of “The city of Angels”
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There are so many things to do and attractions in Las Vegas! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Las Vegas! Las Vegas is really an amazing place and should be one of your places to visit if you havent been there. It is quite literally an oasis, an entertainment capital right smack in the middle of a desert!
There are of course many things to do (besides the obvious which we at 2bearbear.com do not advocate) in Las Vegas, so check out what we have recommended here…
1. Las Vegas Strip aka The Strip
Things to do and Attractions in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Strip itself has become an icon synonymous with Las Vegas. Affectionately known as The Strip, the main street in the city of Las Vegas boasts of many well known structures around the world such as the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower and even the Pyramids. All these right in the middle of a desert!
2. Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
If you are a fan of nature, the Grand Canyon will not disappoint. The majestic combination of ridges and ranges is a beautiful sight to behold. You can also have the option to walk over the Canyon @ the Skywalk or even descend to its valley via a helicopter tour.
3. Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam – Side Trip from Las Vegas
The Hoover Dam is one of the most well known dams in the world. Having appeared in movies such as “Transformers” and “Superman”, it gives you a sense of familiarity. Yet you would be awe-struck by its sheer size.
4. Fountain Show at Bellagio
Fountains of Bellagio
At the front of the Bellagio Hotel, there is a fountain that comes to life and dances with the music daily! Enjoy the spectacular fountain show that has captivated the many visitors to Las Vegas.
5. Good Food
Man vs Food Las Vegas – Hash House a Go Go and Nascar Cafe
There are so many buffets, good eateries and fine dining here in Vegas. Take your pick and you’ll be spoilt by the choices the city of Las Vegas has to offer.
6. Musicals and Performances
Banners of Musicals and Performances in Vegas
Not to be outdone by Broadway, Vegas regularly brings in international acts and musicals to be at the centre stage of Las Vegas. Remember to check out the discounted tickets and discounts from the hotels you stay with when attending these shows!
There are of course many other attractions and things to do in Vegas such as visiting the MGM (descendants of the world-renowned MGM lions – the one that roars when you watch movies), ridiculously huge swimming pools / man-made beaches (described in hectares!) and even rides such as that at the Stratosphere hotel!
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There are so many things to do and attractions in London! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in London! Be it history, monuments, musicals, river cruises or just plain old attractions, London has it all! It is ranked right up there with New York and (of course, our beloved country) Singapore as truly, the world’s metropolitan/cosmopolitan city!
Kate and I caught a train from Paris to London this day and were pleasantly surprised by the speed of the trains (in excess of 200km/h). Within 2 hours, we were transported to London!
There are many hotels and hostels here in London, so fret not! Our recommendation would be to pick a clean, cosy room, no frills. This is because there are simply so many things to do that the only time you’d be back in your room, is when you really need to rest!
Here are some of the top attractions we visited!
Tower of London
Tower of London
Tower of London
Discover the rich history (over 900 years) of the Tower of London as a palace and also its showcase of the royal crown jewels!
The London Eye
The London Eye
The London Eye
The view from the London overlooks the Thames river and all other attractions along it (Big Ben, Tower Bridge etc.). Once the world’s tallest observatory (now of course it’s the Singapore Flyer! 🙂 it boasts of panoramic views around the city of London.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Why not try your luck at catching a glimpse of the royalties at Buckingham Palace? There’s also a daily change of guards, not to be missed!
Big Ben
Big Ben – Clock Tower
Big Ben – Clock Tower
The clock tower synonymous with the city itself is an icon known throughout world!
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge (not to be mistaken with the London Bridge)
Tower Bridge (not to be mistaken with the London Bridge)
The Tower Bridge has got to be one of the most iconic bridges along the river Thames. With its hydraulic raising mechanism, it allows ships to pass through this shipping channel. Another fun fact is that, this iconic Tower Bridge IS NOT the London bridge often mistaken by tourists. The London Bridge is in fact the next bridge upstream.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey London
Westminster Abbey London
Affectionately known as the Abbey, it is also where Prince William and Kate Middleton recently wed. Its unique Gothic design places it right up there with Notre Dame.
River Thames Cruise
River Thames Cruise
River Thames Cruise
Not to be missed is a cruise along the River Thames. Not only can you enjoy the leisure ride as you enjoy the cooling breeze, you can also see all the attractions along the river such as Big Ben and The London Eye. Talk about killing 2 birds with one stone (chinese saying)…
Harrods
Harrods London
Harrods London
If shopping is your forte, the world renowned Harrods is definitely your place to hang out. At Harrods, you should be able to find almost all gifts for all occasions. Even if you have nothing you want to get, why not take home a Harrods bear for the little ones or just a Harrods recyclable shopping bag?
Others
There are of course many other things to do and attractions in London such as musicals, bar hopping, Hyde Park and free museums (British Museum, National Gallery). Take time to explore this grand old dame, reinventing itself as it prepares for the Olympics in 2012!
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There are so many things to do and attractions at Kota Kinabalu! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Kota Kinabalu! We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend stay there! Attractions range from Island hopping, getting close to nature or even really really good shopping!
Kate and I managed to accumulate enough Krisflyer points in exchange for 2 tickets to Kota Kinabalu. Quite worth it to join the programme. For this particular trip, we flew on Silkair…
After a 2hrs 20 mins flight, we arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport which looked quite new. From the airport, we took a taxi to Novotel. The taxi was $50RM and it is a fixed price. You will have to purchase a ticket from a shop within the terminal. The good thing is that it is a standard price and you save all the haggling that may be needed for “rogue” taxis.
Again, Kate was the one who arranged the entire trip. It is important to anchor a good location of your hotel so that will be the base where all your activities start. Kate found a relatively good deal on Klook where we stayed at the Novotel @ 1 Borneo Kota Kinabalu for only $70SGD per night.
The good thing about staying at the Novotel is that
1. 4 Star Hotel. It is smelly smelly (hokkien for at least) a 4-star hotel at an attractive rate, offering full hotel service and even a swimming pool for you to chillax under the sun.
2. Close to attractions. It is located away from the city but in the middle of the route to Mount Kinabalu, something that must NOT be missed when you visit Kota Kinabalu. Hence, it is a good location as a base for the attractions, yet still within a 20 mins travel time from the city.
3. Shopping. Located beside One Borneo (nowadays there are alot of One something something sprouting after the One Malaysia concept was introduced), it is currently the largest shopping mall/centre in East Malaysia. Though in a couple of years, it will be overtaken by One Sulaman (yet another One)
4. Free Shuttle Service. This is one of the most important aspect to why Kate chose this location. With the free shuttle service to the city, we could get to and fro for free. The only catch is that you will have to register early for your bus ticket. Priority is also given to guests of hotels in and around One Borneo shopping mall.
Novotel
The hotel itself also exceeded our expectation.
External view of Novotel Kota Kinabalu
The room was spacious and even had a transparent glass that allowed guests to enjoy a bath and watch TV at the same time. For couples, this would be pretty romantic as well.
The King Size Bed Novotel Kota KinabaluTV Console and Fridge Novotel Kota KinabaluBathroom Novotel Kota KinabaluBathtub Novotel Kota KinabaluBusiness Desk Novotel Kota Kinabalu
The swimming pool was also very welcoming, with views of the Crocker Range. Crocker Range is essentially a series of hills. Though they may look tall, locals still regard them as hills.
Kids Pool Novotel Kota KinabaluSwimming pool with water feature that can do shoulder massages at Novotel Kota KinabaluView of Crocker Range from the Pool Kota Kinabalu Novotel
The next most important thing after checking out the room is to check out the bus timings!
Free shuttle bus timings from Novotel Kota Kinabalu
The area to wait for the shuttle bus is at the other end of the One Borneo shopping mall. You can ask for directions at the information counter. It is important to note that this timing is merely a gauge and should be confirmed with the personnel issuing the tickets as timings varies over weekends and weekdays.
Night Market
Known as Pasar Malam (Market Night) in malay, the night market offers locals an avenue to shop for their daily necessities and also to solve their hunger pangs as there are many stalls offering fried noodles, rice, simple malay hawker fare.
Night Market Kota Kinabalu
Our initial plan on the first night was to catch the sunset at the city. However, we were slightly late as there was a traffic jam on the way (remember to buffer time if you are catching the sunset). The sunset timing is more like 6pm than 7pm in Singapore. So bear that in mind.
We also enjoyed some chicken murtabak (indian fried dough with meat , or for those of you who knows prata, it is like prata with meat $2RM) and a refreshing chilled coconut ($4RM)…
Special Murtabak and Coconut from Kota Kinabalu Night Market
Back at the place where we dropped off (Warisan Square, opposite Waterfront) we caught the 9pm bus back to the hotel…
Breakfast @ Novotel
Daily buffet breakfast is included at Novotel. The spread is more or less the same each day. However, they do cater to different tastes so most palates would be satisfied here.
Morning View of Crocker Range from Novotel Kota KinabaluThe buffet spread at Novotel Kota Kinabalu Breakfast
The spread includes noodles or rice, sausages, eggs, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, vegetables, nasi lemak and curry chicken. There are also pastries and breads with various spreads to choose from. Waffles, pancakes, cereals,porridge were available as well.
Appetisers at Kota Kinabalu Novotel Breakfast Buffet
At the appetisers corner, there were various juices such as guava, orange and apple juice to choose from. Milk and soya bean milk were available as well. Fruits and appetisers such as pasta salad, salami, smoked salmon were available on different days.
Overview of the breakfast restaurant at Novotel Kota Kinabalu
It is strongly recommended for visitors (2 or less) to take the tours. Each person costs $180-200 RM that includes, lunch, guided tour, return trip, mount kinabalu park, pekan nabalu (small village/town where you can get the best view of the mountain),poring hot springs,tree top walk,dr fish spa and nature trekking.
The package is a day tour that starts from 8am to 6pm (depending on traffic). Really well worth it we must say. It is also important to follow an experienced agency and in our case, we chose Exotic Borneo. They arranged our time to cover Kinabalu first knowing the local weather that it may drizzle or pour in the afternoon. True enough, it did!
Our first stop was Pekan Nabalu, a small town that has really sweet pineapples, souvenirs and of course, stunning views of the majestic Mount Kinabalu.
View of Mount KinabaluClose up view of Mount Kinabalu
Do not miss out on the pineapples. They cost $2RM a packet and is really as sweet as it gets, we thought perhaps they might have been dipped in sugar syrup! But of course not, it tasted naturally sweet. Enjoy!
The next stop we headed to was a private garden from the locals where we saw the largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia!
The largest flower in the World – The Rafflesia
The thing about the Rafflesia is that it occurs naturally. Even when scientists wanted to cultivate them, they were unable to. It is a parasitic plant that feeds off the vine like a tumour. It also blooms only 4 to 6 weeks a year and you really have to be at the correct time to see them.
When the flower is in bloom, banners would be placed outside these private gardens and costs $30RM per visit. For this particular garden, we travelled about 5 minutes, crossing a small river before we got there.
“Treacherous” Journey to see the RafflesiaBlooming process of the Rafflesia explainedThe Rafflesia in bloom and its bud Kota KinabaluThe Rafflesia disintegrates after its bloom
Because of its rarity in bloom, the locals will protect the area around the Rafflesia to prevent wild animals from feeding on them. According to our guide, Andy, the flowers occurred naturally in abundance in the past. However, locals did not understand their uniqueness and importance in research. When the flowers were in the bud stage, they would kick them about like a soccer ball!
The flower also gives off a pungent smell, much like rotten meat. But this time we did not smell it, could be due to the wind direction. Still, if the flower is in bloom, do drop by a take a look. Helps in preservation by contributing to the locals, and also gives you an experience to enjoy the largest flower in bloom!
Poring Hot Springs
Next, we headed to Poring hot springs, of course, naturally occurring, where Kate enjoyed her book while dipping in the waters of the hot spring.
Tom on the other hand was given a tour by Andy on route to the Tree Top Walk.
Map of Poring Hot Springs Kota KinabaluOld bridge that linked to Poring hot springs in Kota KinabaluNew bridge (Concrete and not swaying) to Poring Hot Springs in Kota KinabaluPoring Hot Springs Kota Kinabalu where Kate dipped her feet and enjoyed a book
Kate complained about missing stoppers at the hot springs. So she had to “prey” on other visitors and as they left, Kate would “take over” their territory…
At the same time, Tom followed Andy on a little trek towards the tree top walk. It is quite steep at the beginning so make sure you anticipate this if you are going for the tree top walk.
Along the way, we saw these interesting parts of nature…
Can you see the spiderwebs galore?Ferns on top of a tree looking like an umbrella in Kota Kinabalu Forest
Huge Bamboos in Kota Kinabalu Forest
Possibly the World’s largest Ants!
Furry Caterpillars emerging from beneath the leaves
First Bridge at Tree Top Walk at Kota Kinabalu
We must first state upfront that the tree top walk is not for the faint of heart. Bridges are interconnected from TREE to TREE. The bridges also sway from side to side and for tall dudes like Tom, there’s a real possibility of falling over the side. What Tom did was to bend his knees while walking such that the netting would still be at the shoulder level.
Of course, at each stop of the tree walk, you would be greeted with amazing views such as this…
View from Tree Top Walk Kota Kinabalu“Winnie the Pooh Tree” in Kota Kinabalu
Andy told us that bees build their hives on top such trees because bears are not able to climb the trunk of these trees. The smooth surface do not provide the grip for the bears, thus giving safety to the bees. If you observe closely, it is like the tree in Winnie the Pooh!
Looking down from the tree top walk at Kota Kinabalu
To give our visitors a feel of the tree top walk, here it is…
“Death Defying” Tree Top Walk!
We ventured back to Poring Hot Springs to pick Kate and left for Kipungit Waterfall. The waterfall was about 400m high and had Dr Fish as its inhabitants! Free foot spa!! Yay!
Kipungit Waterfall Kota KinabaluDr Fish feeding off dead skin on Tom’s feet at Kota Kinabalu Kitpungit Waterfalls
From there, we took a half hour ride to Fair Garden Restaurant for lunch. The food was very good and portions were great for 2 people. Best of all, it was included in the package!
Fried Rice with Soup at Fair Garden Restaurant Kota KinabaluCrispy Chicken at Fair Garden Restaurant Kota KinabaluSweet and Sour Fish at Fair Garden Restaurant Kota Kinabalu
The food was definitely Chinese restaurant standard and there were also vegetables, fruits and Chinese Tea as well.
We then headed to the Botanical Gardens where we did the forest trail, the shortest one was Silau Silau Trail (to Bukit Tupai) that took us about 40 minutes. Kate and I enjoy such trails but according to Andy, most tourists dont take these trails.
Along the way, we saw what could possibly be the world’s smallest fern!
Possibly, the world’s smallest fern found at Kota Kinabalu
Andy then led us to this roadside stall that sells black pig (RM5), it was delicious especially with the home made sauce concocted by the owners…
Black Pig BBQ at Kota KinabaluThe BBQed Black Pig with Sauce at Kota Kinabalu- Yummy!
Thanks to Andy from Exotic Borneo, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
At night, Kate and I caught Johnny English 2 for only RM9 each!
On Sundays, there is a large market being put up by the locals in the city. Known as the Gaya Market, it offers locals and tourists alike, an avenue to shop!
Gaya Sunday Market Kota Kinabalu
We took a video for our visitors to have a feel of the market itself. There was also a musician playing on the gong which we thought was interesting…
A walk through Gaya Market
Musician on Traditional Gong at Gaya Market
Nearby, we were told that Signal Hill offered a marvelous view of Kota Kinabalu City. The starting point was at the Atkinson Clock on the top right of this picture…
Gaya Market to Atkinson Clock Kota Kinabalu
After 15 minutes, we arrived at the Atkinson Clock…
The Atkinson Clock Kota KinabaluDirection to Signal Hill Observatory Kota Kinabalu
Following the road for another 5 minutes or so, we were greeted by this view…
View of Gaya Island from Signal Hill Observatory Kota KinabaluView of City from Signal Hill Observatory Kota Kinabalu
Breathtaking View from Signal Hill Observatory
After all that walking, Kate decided to reward herself with a foot reflexology at Suria Mall. It was only RM48 for 1 hour of foot reflexology and foot bath.
We then had lunch at the famous Kuo Man restaurant of the Suria foodcourt. The beef noodles was yummy. Noodles were Q (springy) and the beef was flavourful. The view of the islands from the food court was excellent as well…
Kuo Man Restaurant Kota KinabaluBeef Noodles from Kota KinabaluView of Gaya Island with boardwalk Kota Kinabalu
Planning for the next day of island visits, we headed to the Jesselton Point
Jesselton Point Kota KinabaluView from Jesselton Jetty Kota KinabaluTicketing booths for ferries at Jesselton Point
From there, we decided to go for only Manukan Island. Gaya Island being the largest is the most touristy. So it was out for us. It was then down to Mamutik, Manukan or Sapi. Manukan and Sapi was recommended for snorkelling. So Mamutik was out. Of the 2, we chose Manukan because Sapi had deeper waters (not good from the safety point of view). So by the process of elimination, we decided to go for Manukan!
An island ferry costs RM20 per pax and costs an additional RM10 for each additional island. You would also have to pay a conservation tax of RM7.20. At the island, there is also an entrance fee of RM10 for foreigners and RM3 for locals.
In the evening, we headed back to One Borneo shopping mall for more shopping! The deals were great especially because Parkson was celebrating its anniversary and giving out crazy deals!
Parkson Department Store Kota Kinabalu
We bought shoes, pants, shirts, dresses among other things that were 70% off! In the shopping mall, there is a Giant Hypermarket as well as many other small shops for you to explore!
Giant Hypermarket Kota KinabaluCentral Atrium Kota KinabaluSouth Atrium Kota Kinabalu
Island Visit – Manukan
It was pouring in the morning and we thought that our day of island visit was over. However, the “storm” cleared and we did enjoy a sunny day at Manukan!
Got our tickets from Beach Bums to visit Manukan Island
When we bought the tickets from beach bums, lifejacket (RM5) and snorkelling sets (RM20) were also available for rent.
The ride out was a bumpy one and Kate kept holding on to Tom’s arms leaving finger marks when we arrived at Manukan!
Boat Ride to Manukan Island
Bumpy Boat Ride from Kota Kinabalu (Jesselton) to Manukan Island
Map of Manukan Island Kota Kinabalu
The island was beautiful and by the time we dipped into the water, the sun came out! The waters were clear and we were able to see the fishes and enjoy sand playing at the beach…
Jetty of Manukan Island Kota KinabaluThe Beach at Manukan Island Kota KinabaluClear Waters at Manukan Island Kota Kinabalu2bearbear.com Sand Castle at Manukan Island
On the ride back, we were also able to see Mount Kinabalu from a distance!
Mount Kinabalu on route back from ManukanClose Up View of Mount Kinabalu
After we got back, we decided to catch the sunset again this evening. We still had about an hour to spare so Kate decided to go for the classy Rafflesia Spa @ Warisan Square (RM55 + 6% tax) while Tom waited at Shamrock Pub (Irish).
Sunset from Shamrock Pub (Waterfront)Beautiful Skies as seen from Shamrock Pub Kota Kinabalu Waterfront
Beautiful Sunset – See how the colours of the skies change
Dinner was at the Irish pub as well and we enjoyed the Homemade Beef Burger and Irish Stew (RM30 each).
Homemade Beef Burger Shamrock Irish Pub Kota KinabaluIrish Stew with Sides Shamrock Irish Pub Kota Kinabalu
The next day was a chill out at the pool for us. All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip to Kota Kinabalu. Check out all these things to do and attractions in Kota Kinabalu and be sure to leave your comments back here!
We shall now leave you with a view from the our Silkair flight as we left the Kota Kinabalu International Airport…
View of the islands from the plane (Sunset Included)
There are so many things to do and attractions in Philadelphia! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Philadelphia!
Venturing on, we passed by the Franklin Institute where we caught a glimpse of Benjamin Franklin seated near its entrance…
The Franklin Institute PhiladelphiaStatue of Benjamin Franklin Philadelphia
There were also tonnes of statues along the way, commemorating different people and events (Philadelphians, care to help us name them?)…
Statue PhiladelphiaGeneral Tadeusz Kosciuszko Statue PhiladelphiaEakins Oval statue philadelphiaClose up of Eakins Oval statue philadelphia
We then saw an iconic structure…the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art
It was here where Rocky (in the movie) ran up these steps (known as “Rocky” steps) as he trained…which is why the Rocky statue is also situated nearby…
Rocky Statue Philadelphia
We had a refreshing view of the river along the Schuylkill River Trail…
Along Schuylkill River Trail Philadelphia
Near the waterworks was a familiar figure…
Abraham Lincoln Statue Philadelphia
Although not nearly as large as its Washington counterpart, but just as iconic.
On the way back, we also saw a statue of Joan of Arc…
Statue of Joan of Arc Philadelphia
as well as the St. Paul and St. Peter Church…
St. Paul and St. Peter Church Philadelphia
We also caught another view of the City Hall as well as the Independence Hall which we intend to visit the next day…
Another view of the City Hall PhiladelphiaIndependence Hall Philadelphia
A wonderful sunset drew the day to a close as we ended our dinner at Elvez, a mexican modern restaurant…
Sunset Philadelphia USAElvez – Mexican Modern Restaurant Philadelphia
To our surprise, the restaurant was fully packed for dinner and we were advised to return an hour later. We didnt make a booking because we didnt know if our hunger would over come us. Still, we saved the space in our tummies and returned to Elvez at about 8:30pm. It was still very crowded but the friendly staff gave us a cosy table for 2…
There are several famous foods at Elvez and we tried the 2 Nachos, namely Macho Nachos as well as Nachos with Guacamole…
Macho Nachos El Vez Mexican Restaurant Philadelphia
Macho Nachos has got to be the best Nachos we’ve ever tasted. All the ingredients used were fresh and the flavours bursts in your mouth literally as you enter for the first bite. Hints of lime, mighty cheese, a little bit of spice,olives,fresh tomatoes and the meat all blended together to give that WOW taste…you’ve got to try it if you’re there!
Next, we also tried the famous original Elvez Guacamole Nachos…
Original Elvez Guacamole Nachos
Again, the ingredients were fresh and the portions were huge. The taste of the guacamole didnt disappoint and went interestingly well with the Nachos. Another favourite here…
We accompanied our dinner with a couple of drinks…
Cocktails at Elvez PhiladelphiaSangria at Elvez Philadelphia
In our next post, we will give the details of the heritage trails (independence Hall, liberty bell, betsy ross house)
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There are so many things to do and attractions in Philadelphia! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Philadelphia!
Philadelphia is one of our favourite city in the United States. It is really the amalgamation (combination) of all things great for a tourist.
The city is rich in history, with the liberty (declaration of independence), liberty bell and the american revolutionary war as its background. However, a few blocks down you will see modern buildings such as the Comcast Centre, One Liberty Place and Two Liberty Place. There is really a good intertwine between the modern facade and history of the city. Walking in the historic district makes one feels like you are walking back into colonial times as well. For more about colonial USA, click here.
But to a traveller and tourist , a complete coverage of a city comes with its food! (well at least that’s true @ 2bearbear.com) Philadelphia is famous for….drum rolls….Philly Cheesesteaks! We’ll also visit some of the other famous eateries in Reading Terminal Market and of course features from Man VS Food (MVF)!
We started our drive early this weekend once again. The drive was approximately 4 hours and we were able to stop by the Jefferson Memorial (something we missed when we visted Washington DC the last time).
The Thomas Jefferson MemorialThe man himself – Thomas Jefferson
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was not only one of the founding fathers but also the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
As we approached our hotel (Radisson Hotel Philadelphia), we were greeted by this building and awed by the city hall on the horizon…
Starting to feel the colonial flavour in PhiladelphiaColonial-era Structures in Philly?Philadelphia City Hall on the horizon!
We were somewhat misled by the GPS as we entered the central business district (CBD), the tall buildings must have clouded out the signals. However, we did eventually arrive at our destination – Radisson Hotel Philadelphia!
Elegant Lobby of Radisson Hotel PhiladelphiaIntricate paintings on ceiling of Radisson Hotel PhiladelphiaChandelier in the Lobby of Radisson Hotel Philadelphia
We were also pleasantly surprised by the room which was spacious yet had the cosy feel to it…
Comfortable Bed of Radisson Hotel PhiladelphiaBath tub of Radisson Hotel PhiladelphiaDressing table of Radisson Hotel Philadelphia
We quickly unloaded our stuff and headed out towards the city hall and we were greeted by him!
Phillie Phanatic in Philadelphia
All over town we could see many many different versions of him wearing different costumes and designs. We then took several pictures around the city hall area…
City Hall PhiladelphiaStructures around the City Hall area in PhiladelphiaIntertwining history with modern structures – Philadelphia
Soon we entered the much talked about Comcast Centre. Not only because it is the tallest building in Philadelphia, but also because of these magical screens…
Comcast Centre PhiladelphiaComcast Centre Screen as part of the wall….
The screens displayed images so realistic that without looking closer, you would have thought the screens were part of the wall…(Note that the lines between the screens are also part of the screen) then it happened, it began displayed videos and animation. The smaller screens were integrated as part of a larger screen…
Black Screen on Comcast Center PhiladelphiaAnimation at Comcast Center PhiladelphiaVideo with piano keys at Comcast Center Philadelphia
In our next post we will show you more of Philadelphia!
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There are so many things to do and attractions in Sapa! Let’s find out what are some of the things to do right here in Sapa Vietnam!
We arrived at about 5am in the morning at Lao Cai train station. There we caught a transfer bus to Sapa which was about an hour. We arrived at the Sapa Global Hotel and we had our breakfast there. Breakfast was nice and simple. But what caught our attention was the magnificent view of Fansipan mountain. The temperature had dipped to between 15-20 degrees so it was nice and cooling with surreal views of the mountains. Chillax.
Shortly after, we were introduced to our guide Chi for the day and she took us on a “lite” trekking trip. It was actually quite a trek! But before long, we reached Cat Cat village where we had some black pig satay (barbeque) and saw a small waterfall. We entered the village and ventured into a H’mong villager’s abode. It had a stench and there were corns overhanging at the ceiling. It was dark and litted only by the sun light. We saw some dyes for indigo and played some of the traditional musical instruments. Kate tried the weaving machine while we both tried to push a corn grinding machine. It was tough work.
After a short trek, we were back at the Sapa Global Hotel where we had our lunch. We were then driven to our hotel. Victoria Sapa Hotel. IT was a 5 star hotel (well at least to us). It had a marvellous view of a man-made lake and views of Fansipan Mountain as well. The room was spacious, with a bath tub and a balcony. The hotel also has a heated pool with nice views of lawned greenery. Sort of like a paradise right in the heart of Sapa.
We ended of the night with dinner at the restaurant and there was also a traditional performance of dance, music and singing by the H’mong people.
Day 6 – Lao Chai, Tu Van Village, Trekking
We spent this day trekking to home of the H’mong, Lao Chai and Tu Van Village. First off, we would like to warn all potential visitors that this trek is not for the faint of heart and can be treacherous at some points.
The trek takes you down into the valley, home of the H’mong and crossing some dangerous terrain. At one point, we were thinking hard to ourselves, why were we ACTUALLY RISKING OUR LIVES to see the village? There was one point where a false step would literally lead to our fall of death. Thank the Lord, we arrived safely!
Having said that, we have to mention that the views were fantastic. We also visited the Tu Van village, home to the Giay (pronounced at Tzai) people. It was nice to walk among these friendly people. After a day of trekking, both Kate and I had sore toes…
Highlights
Home of the H’mong PeopleH’Mong kidsWaterfalls of Cat Cat VillageRoom of the Victoria Sapa HotelView from the Room of Victoria Sapa HotelMount FansipanIndoor Swimming Pool at Victoria Sapa Hotel Vietnamese Coffee SapaPerformance by the H’mong PeopleAnother awesome view of the Fansipan mountainsSunday Market @ SapaTrekking down to the Valley in SapaTreacherous Path! One small slip and we’ll fall to the bottom of the ravine in Sapa!River in the Sapa valley
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We started the day early (8:30am) and left on a 3.5 hours bus ride to Halong Bay Harbour. Along the way, we stopped at a ceramics statue exhibit place and had our toilet break there. Coke was ex. $1.5 a can.
We took a small boat to our junk boat. Again, we were pleasantly surprised as we entered our room. It was nicely laid out and looked really cosy, with an unexpectedly clean toilet. We were later led up to the dining hall to have our seafood lunch. Nothing to shout about but it was pleasant.
As our junk boat – Bai Tu Long, went near to the UNESCO heritage site of Halong Bay, we could see little islets popping up. It was real cool. There were many islets that resembled things like a monster’s mouth, a man’s face, horse, a fisherman and lots more. You just have to use some imagination to see them
Our first stop was the Surprise Caves or Hang (Cave) Sung Sot (Surprise). IT was a cave with natural rock formations. Also formed by streams of water. 2 natural formation that was surprising to see, was a couple as well as a heart. The climb up and down the caves was tiring. But the view of Halong Bay from the top was simply amazing, really worth the trip (all 3.5 hours bus ride and boat trip).
Day 4 – 2nd Day at Halong Bay
Kate and I woke up early this morning to enjoy the morning breeze as well as the view of the Halong Bay as well as its islets. Of course, we played a game to identify new ‘formations’ using our imagination and we discovered a koala bear, a horse / dog and a middle finger! We then went to the dining hall for an american style breakfast. Ham bread and juice.
The morning’s programme was a canoe trip. If you arent interested, you can opt to just remain on the small boat. Kate and I decided to just laze back on the boat while it took us to the sights. There was an enclosure that we were unable to enter because of the high tide. But we were told that it was a sanctuary inside with birds and vegetation flourishing. The boat also took us in and out of a cave and we saw some unusual formations such as a cave within a cave and the Luon Cave.
In the evening, we left for Sapa and we boarded the overnight train ride King Express Deluxe. Just prior to board, we managed to buy 1 litre of bia hoi (beer) for only 13,000VND or $1!
Highlights
The Humble Junk Boat to Halong BayInside the Room of the Junk Boat – Nice huh?Monster’s Mouth Halong BayEntrance to the Caves at Halong Bay (Hang Sung Sot)Can you see the couple? (Halong Bay Cave)See if you can spot the horse/dog, Koala Bear and Fisherman? (Halong Bay)The Middle Finger! (Halong Bay Imagination)Isnt that a man lying down? (Halong Bay)Entering the Halong Bay Caves in low tideCanoeing into the Halong Bay CavesAnother Unique Formation at Halong Bay
There are so many things to do and attractions in Hanoi! Let’s find out what are some of the things to do right here in Hanoi Vietnam!
So we were deciding which city to go to. Hanoi, the capital city or Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam? In addition, Ho Chi Minh City has the historical war tunnels. However, we decided to go for Hanoi because of its accessibility from the airport as well as the opportunity to visit attractions to its east and west , namely Sapa and Halong Bay.
Introduction
Hanoi is located on the north east of Vietnam. On this trip, we visited Halong Bay (the UNESCO World Heritage Site) to its East and Sapa (350Km northwest of Hanoi). Some rate of conversions when we visited at the end of 2009
1USD = 1.4SGD=18,000VND OR 1SGD=13,000VND (Vietnam Dong)
Average haircut : 250,000 VND for gals
Taxi ride from Hanoi train station to Bat Su St:
50,000 VND (not 100,000 VND!)
Bia Hoi (Beer) at street corner: 6,000 VND for 1 glass (Yes it is really that cheap!)
Pastries: 6,000 VND @ local bakeries (11 Cha Ca St)
Foot massage: USD4 for 30mins (Au Trieu St)
Souvenir magnets: 10,000 VND
Day 1 (Arrival and trip to the Hotel)
We arrive at the Noi Bai Airport (Vietnam) and were greeted by our friendly driver with the sign that says “Hanoi Boutique Hotel : Kate”. Everything was smooth until we got on the car…
1. Max Speed. The car was moving at a maximum speed of 60km/h! No matter how fast it was trying to go or how it was overtaking other cars (can you imagine?) it was still travelling no more than 60km/h. Talk about safety…
2. High Beam and Horn. Everyone seems to be driving with their high beam lights on. The most interesting part was, EVERY car and motorcycle were sounding their horns throughout the journey! Our driver was practically placing his hands on the horns throughout the entire journey!
3. Crossing the road. We witnessed how an old lady crossed the road amidst endless trails of motorcycles. The trick is, to cross at a constant pace. The old lady was walking really really slowly across the road, it didnt seem like she was looking at the on coming traffic at all! The key was, she was moving slowly BUT at a CONSTANT pace. The result? Every oncoming motorcycle was able to predict her path and avoided her altogether! This little observation was put to good use throughout the rest of the trip. You really need this piece of advice, plus some guts, to cross Vietnamese roads.
As we approached the hotel, it really didnt look appealing at all. It looked like a 1 star hotel and the entrance was relatively small. But things started to change as you enter the reception, it was clean and inviting with renovations that looked new. But the surprise really came when we entered the room…
It immediately upgraded to 3 stars! Nicely decorated room, with a balcony view of the streets as well as a plasma tv! The toilet was clean and had toiletries (including towels) readily available. To top it off, WI-FI was free! We turned in early that evening, to the sound of horns on the streets…
Day 2 – Hanoi City, Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Temple of Literature, KOTO – Know One Teach One, One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, Martyr’s Monument, Old East End Gate, Dong Xuan Market, Water Puppet Show, Bag/Shoe Street, City View Cafe
Soon morning came and we were (not surprisingly) awaken by the sound of the horns. It was nice to breathe the morning air and look out at the balcony, the streets before the hustle and bustle begins. We took breakfast and were pleasantly surprised by the chicken and beef pho that were served. It suited our taste buds well. There were also fruits and fruit juice to go along. Not bad…
We decided to walk towards the museums and Mausoleum (famous structure). Along the way, we stopped for an authentic cup of Vietnam cuppa. For 77cents (abt 50cents USD), we had one of the best coffee we’ve ever drank. It was rich yet wholely Vietnamese with aroma of the coffee with every sip. It was then it dawned upon us….Starbucks has been cheating our $$ all these while!
As we ventured on, we took photos of memorials, statues and a Catholic church. We soon stumbled upon the Mausoleum from a distance and decided to get closer to take some photos. As we got closer, we realised there were some important Korean officials visiting the place and there were literally no one in the vicinity except the police. So happily, as excited tourists, we took out our camera and started shooting. Almost immediately, the whistles started to sound and we were waved to move away from the vicinity! Much like prisoners trying to break out of jail, being whistled at…quite a traumatic experience. So enjoy the pictures that we ‘risked’ our lives for!
Next, we headed for the Ho Chi Minh museum, mainly because we wanted to use the toilet. We paid 15,000VND each to enter the museum. The museum showcased the history of its leader and some of the important milestones and significant events that took place. It also showed pictures of him meeting leaders of various countries at that time.
As we approached the Temple of Literature, it started to rain. We were then approached by locals with ponchos (make shift rain coats) ready with them. Some selling at 18,000VND while others only at 10,000. Because of the rain, we took only photos at the entrance and headed straight for lunch at KOTO (Know One Teach One).
The KOTO project was really to help children off the streets and to equip them with culinary skills so that they can become self sufficient and provide for themselves by either serving in hotels / restaurants or continue to teach others like themselves. Both Kate and I found this to be a very meaningful project and came by specially to support.
The food was GREAT! We had the roll with beef and prawn as well as the fried beef noodles. Both were delicious and both were authentic Vietnamese. We were very much satisfied, both with the quality of the food as well as with ourselves, being able to help a good cause. We ended off with Bia-hoi (Beer) to wash it all down…
We ventured back to the city and to the famous Hoan Kiem River where we took photos of the lake as well as the One Pillar Pagoda right smack in the middle of the lake.
Along a foot path recommended by Lonely Planet, we were able to take photos of the Martyr’s monument, Old East End Gate as well as the Dong Xuan Market where daily food supplies can be found. We also passed the black smiths street (whole street of black smiths) before heading to KFC (where else?) for dinner before our much anticipated water puppet show in the evening. This KFC was overlooking the centre of the city (pretty much a roundabout) with the Hoan Kiem Lake as the backdrop. So there’s actually a reason why we chose KFC for dinner….
Soon it was time for us to enter the theatre to watch the water puppet show. The show started with the Dan Bow player playing tunes akin to the chinese Er Hu. It is basically a stringed instrument with only one string. It was said that in the past, it was only played by males and that parents were worried that young girls would be attracted to Dan Bow players because of the enchanting tunes.
The show itself was interesting, with displays of the dragon, phoenix and puppets illustrating the legend. There was even small fireworks towards the end. Here is part of the show…
After the show, the puppeteers revealed themselves as the curtains lifted and they demonstrated (without the curtains) how they were moving the puppets behind the scenes. After the show, Kate and I walked past the shoes and bags street (literally lots of shoes and bags, Kate’s favourite) and we had supper at the City View Cafe. A little ex, but the view of the night was great. We had a pizza and some drinks to wind down the night…
Highlights
The Hanoi Boutique HotelThe room @ Hanoi Boutique HotelToiletries provided in the roomVietnamese CoffeeOne Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem LakeThe MausoleumThe Temple of LiteratureStreets of HanoiThe Old Gate HanoiThe City Centre HanoiThe Dan Bow player at the water puppet showThe Water Puppeteers HanoiYummy Street Foods
