One of the best things to do in Singapore is simply to catch the sunrise at Mount Faber!
Well, Kate and I caught the sunrise at Mount Faber during our wedding anniversary this year to relive our courting days! Kate got up earlier this morning and prepared 爱心早餐 (breakfast made with love) for our little picnic at Mount Faber. We were there at about 6:30am (Sunrise in Singapore is usually about 7am) and found ourselves a nice spot with views over the city.
Zoomed in view of the Singapore City Skyline from Mount FaberWider view of the Singapore City Skyline from Mount Faber
An older couple joined us to catch the sunrise. The sun was partially blocked by the clouds at first but soon the clouds moved away and revealed the sun , much like an egg yoke!
Mount Faber City view before Sunrise 1Mount Faber City view before Sunrise 2Mount Faber City view before sunrise Sunrise over City
An element of luck comes into play when if you wish to catch a sunrise or sunset. Sometimes, the clouds can be so thick that you barely see the rays of the sun. Thankfully we were able to catch the sunrise today.
To get to the top of Mount Faber, there are 2 usual ways. First of which is to drive. This is preferred because this prevents the need for you to “scale” the hill and gives you flexibility on where you would like to catch the sunrise. The only catch is that there isnt really much parking up there. However, for sunrise, parking should be fine.
The other way is to take the mrt to Harbour Front MRT station and follow the directions from there by walking the rest of the way. This is a VERY TIRING walk. Do wear proper trekking/sports shoes if you do take this alternative.
There are so many things to do in Sri Lanka! This post will show you the top 10 things to do right here in Sri Lanka! Sri Lanka is an exotic destination for travelers who are adventurous, loves the nature, appreciates history, and enjoys good food. It has an eclectic mix of attractions that will suit everyone. Sri Lanka is best explored through a free & easy trip, with a rented car and a driver. Or if you have time to spare, you can also use the public transport.
Map of Sri Lanka
Map of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a tear-drop-shaped country with awesome beaches, wildlife national parks, and a central mountainous area. Below are the Top 10 Things to do in Sri Lanka:
Vesak Day, Sri Lanka: 3 Days of Celebrations -Lanterns and Fireworks
It was hard not to miss the Vesak Day celebrations with all the lanterns displayed along the streets and at lobbies of buildings. In addition to that, you can’t miss the huge crowd of people who were enjoying their 3 days off work shopping in the city or having a splash with their families by the coast.
Colombo City Vesak Day Celebrations
Colombo City Vesak Day Celebrations
Lights and Lanterns in Colombo City
Lights and Lanterns in Colombo City
Huge crowd celebrating Vesak Day
Huge crowd celebrating Vesak Day
Typical Lantern for Vesak Day
Typical Lantern for Vesak Day
Throngs of people were crossing the roads, affected the flow of traffic at the main roundabout. Policemen had to direct both human and car traffic to ensure that there were no major traffic jams or accidents.
Police directing traffic during Vesak Day Celebrations in Colombo City Sri Lanka
Everyone was excited about the fireworks and wanted to get a good spot. We weren’t too comfortable with the crowd and decided to head back up to the Paronoma Roof Top Restaurant at our hotel (link) to watch the fireworks. It was indeed a good choice 🙂
Huge crowd waiting for fireworks
Huge crowds waiting for fire works
Fireworks during Vesak Day Celebrations in Colombo City Sri Lanka
It was nice way to end off our last night in Sri Lanka! 🙂
There are so many things to do in Singapore over the weekend! Here are the top 10 things you can do in Singapore this weekend!
10. Catch the Sunrise @ Mount Faber
Sunrise @ Mount Faber
At no. 10 of our Top 10 things to do in Singapore over weekend is to catch the sunrise @ Mount Faber! One of the highest view points in Singapore, Mount Faber boasts of views of the southern part of Singapore. Daily sunrise is between 6:50 to 7:20am.
9. Staycation in Singapore
Did you know that there are more than 200 hotels in Singapore? With such stiff competition, it is no wonder that hotels are trying ways and means to catch hold of not only visiting tourists but Singaporeans as well. Kate and I have done our fair share of staycations in Singapore. Check out our stays at Amara Sanctuary, Hard Rock Hotel & Ritz Carlton Singapore!
Infinity Pool @ Amara Sanctuary
Hard Rock Hotel Singapore
Hotels in Singapore boasts of spas, pools with views and so much more! What are you waiting for?
To catch the best views of Singapore, look no further than the Singapore Flyer. At 165m, it is not only Singapore’s highest observatory but also the World’s Largest Giant Observatory Wheel!
Singapore Flyer
View from the Singapore Flyer
Singapore Flyer also boasts of restaurants as well as the Singapore Food Trail where you can find the best of Singapore local delicacies right under one roof!
Coming in at number 7 is the Marina Barrage right in the heart of our city!
View from Marina Barrage
The Marina Barrage is primarily a water catchment area and is the largest one in Singapore. However, it is now also an integrated lifestyle destination where one can enjoy water sports, picnics, fly kites and enjoy a spectacular view of the Singapore city skyline!
Dont mistake them as some sort of alien invasion! These “Supertrees” are the iconic structures of the Gardens by the Bay. Built at a cost of $1 billion SGD to bring to reality the vision of “City in a Garden”, the gardens is the latest icon added to the Marina Bay and is an attraction not to be missed!
Have you experienced an amphibious vehicle that travels on the roads and cruises on the water? If not, why not hop on the Duck Tours?
Ducktours – The “Duck”
The “ducks” are retrofitted from WW2 amphibious vehicles that allow mobility on both the land and sea. This allows visitors to visit iconic landmarks such as the Swissotel (highest hotel in southeast asia) and views of the Merlion from the mouth of the Singapore River.
Coming in at number 4 is one of our 2 integrated resorts in Singapore – Resorts World Sentosa. The main attraction at Resorts World Sentosa is definitely the Universal Studios Singapore aka USS. Many travelers from neighborhood cities such as the beautiful Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam and Melaka come to spend their weekend in USS
View of Universal Studios Singapore
There are also other attractions such as the Maritime Experential Museum, the Marine Life Park as well as the Malaysian Food Street!
Malaysian Food Street Resorts World Sentosa
There are of course several hotels that you can choose from @ Resorts World Sentosa such as Hard Rock Hotel, Hotel Michael, Crockfords Tower, Festive Hotel and Aquarius Hotel.
With 57 floors at the height of 194m, Marina Bay Sands is the most iconic structure in Singapore! It boasts of the largest sky pool, an ice skating rink, a huge shopping complex, performance theatres (here we caught “A Chorus Line“) and of course the spectacular it offers from the Sands Skypark!
Swimming Pool Marina Bay Sands
Sands SKy Park Sunset
Nightly stay at Marina Bay Sands starts at over $300USD, but you may be able to pick up some special deals from Agoda.
How about a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of it all? As they say, the seas are calling and there are really many choices of weekend cruises here in Singapore! With the establishment of the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, visitors and Singaporeans will be spoilt for choice for cruises out of Singapore!
There are actually many reasons why we chose Singapore as the top attraction and things to do at the weekend. First of all, it has a combination of a few parks such as the zoo itself, the night safari as well as the latest river safari. There are therefore MANY species of animals for visitors to see and learn. Speaking of learning, the educational factor is really high as well. There are informative sign boards, statistics and interesting snippets all around the entire zoo. Even as an adult, there are lots of things we bet you did not know as well!
Last but most importantly, for families with kids, it is a family destination as well! Kids can learn and play all under 1 roof! With many interesting kids programmes as well as the Kidzworld, the children will definitely be entertained throughout their visit!
With so many attractions and things to do in Singapore this weekend, we hope you will have loads of fun! Share with us other things to do and attractions in Singapore that you have enjoyed in our comment box below!
Again the F1 season is upon us! Many have been asking where can we watch F1 for free in Singapore? If you search close enough, there are actually several pretty good spots to watch F1 Formula One Singapore Night Race for free!
F1 Singapore Circuit Park Map
F1 Singapore Circuit Map
Marina Square Food Court
Our top spot has got to be the Marina Square Food Court. Well, it used to be the top spot as there was an al fresco dining area there. However, now it has been air-conditioned. The bad thing is that you cant really take good pictures and videos with the glass panels. The good thing is that you can now watch F1 in an air-conditioned area! We were there about 5pm the last time round, so chope your seats early!
Formula One (F1) Grand Prix Night Race Singapore
View of F1 Singapore free from Marina Square Food Court
Marina Square close to Pan Pacific
Marina Square has a few spots actually. Right in the thick of the action, the area between Pan Pacific Hotel and Marina Square has a few spots such as the staircase and connecting bridge. Do explore to find your favourite spot!
Helix Bridge linking MBS to the Floating Platform and Marina Square (More Shopping!)
Helix Bridge to watch F1 Singapore for Free
From the Helix Bridge you can catch some views of the race. You may want to consider a pair of binoculars as well. There will definitely be a crowd. Here you can watch the race action near the flyer and the float@Marina.
Paid Venues
There are a couple of other places that offer good views but you’ll have to pay for entry fees or hotel rooms
Colombo City Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Ahhh…I just want to Zzz zzz
We arrived at Colombo slightly before 5am, after a 6 hours bus journey from Trincomalee. The bus stop was at the main train station. We checked our GPS on our phone (only 1 rupee for 1MB. So cheap!) and noted that Colombo City hotel was 800m away. There were many tuk tuk drivers touting for customers and they quoted us 300 rupees for the ride. Even though it was only about S$3, we refused to take the tuk tuk because we knew that it only cost 50 rupees for the first km (subsequent km is charged at 30 rupees). The streets were still filled with locals heading home after the Vesak Day celebrations, and there were many policemen patrolling, so we reckoned it was safe enough to walk to Colombo City Hotel.
World Trade Centre opposite of Colombo City Hotel
World Trade Centre opposite of Colombo City Hotel
Colombo City Hotel
Colombo City Hotel Sri Lanka
It was fairly easy to locate Colombo City Hotel as it was just opposite the World Trade Centre. The facade of the building was brightly lit and the light decorations on the trees in front made it a very beautiful picture as we approached the hotel. The staff on duty that night was friendly. He brought us to our room after we decided to pay the half day rate in order to get some rest due to the lack of sleep on the bus. I loved the room! It was spacious, the TV had ESPN channel, and most importantly, a bath tub! 🙂 The little pleasures in life….ahhhhhh.
TV and Kettle in Colombo City Hotel
TV and Kettle in Colombo City Hotel
Bath tub! in Colombo City Hotel
Bath tub in Colombo City Hotel
Comfy Beds in Colombo City Hotel
Comfy Beds in Colombo City Hotel
Dressing Table in Colombo City Hotel
Dressing Table in Colombo City Hotel
We took a nice hot bath and rested for 3 hours before we head up to the Panoroma Roof Top Restaurant for breakfast. Breakfast was simple but filling, and the supervisor on duty gave us directions to shopping malls.
Panoroma Roof Top Restaurant in Colombo City Hotel
Panoroma Roof Top Restaurant in Colombo City Hotel
We were in Colombo 1, and most of the shopping malls were in Colombo 3,4 and 7. It was easy to flag down a metered tuk tuk. We enjoyed a day in the city, shopping for gifts for friends and relatives. When we were done, we strolled along the coast and made our way back to the hotel. The location of Colombo City Hotel was awesome, and the price of USD90 was well worth it! 🙂
A Night in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka: Under the Stars, Illuminated by the Full Moon
The full moon hung fairly low that night, providing light for guests and locals who were playing beach volleyball. It was also especially pretty because of the many lanterns for Vesak Day celebrations. Sitting on a deck chair by the beach and enjoying the cool sea breeze was a great way to end the day before we went to Trincomalee town to catch our 10pm bus to Colombo City.
Vesak Day lantern decorations at dive shop at Trincomalee
Vesak Day lantern decorations at dive shop at Trincomalee
Chillax by the beach at night at Trincomalee
Chillax by the beach at night at Trincomalee
A game of beach volleyball under the moonlight
A game of beach volleyball under the moonlight
Natural light vs Artificial light
Natural light vs Artificial light
We were excited about our 6 hours bus ride to Colombo. The locals that we met informed us that the bus is safer than the train. It was also very affordable. A “regular” bus is abt S$8 while a “luxury” bus cost about S$12. We chose the “luxury bus” and was impressed by how new and clean the bus was. The bus was also very punctual. We set off at 10pm sharp and arrived in Colombo slightly before 5am. There was a toilet stop during the journey but we did not dare to use the public toilet at 2am 😛 The only thing I did not like was that the volume of the Tamil movie that was screened during the trip was too loud. (and we did not understand the movie as it was without subtitles!) A local guy did inform the driver to lower the volume but he did not 🙁
10pm Night Bus from Trincomalee to Colombo
10pm Night Bus from Trincomalee to Colombo
Well, that explained our lack of sleep (even though it was meant to be a night bus! And we thought we could save on a night in Colombo City Hotel) and so we ended up checking in at 5am and paid the half day rate. Oh well, that is another story altogether. Read on!
Uppuveli, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka: Chillax By The Beach
We were looking forward to the Trincomalee as we were a little weary from the trekking and climbing. It would be nice to chillax by the beach and focus on getting a nice tan before we head back to Singapore 🙂 We stayed at Lotus Park at Uppuveli which is about 10mins tuk tuk ride away from Trincomalee town centre. What is awesome about Lotus Park is that there is a swimming pool! Yay! And it has direct access to the beach, which is really nice and peaceful. It is not as touristy as Phuket or Bali.
When we are on a vacation, we like to catch either the sun rise or sun set (depending on our location). And for this trip, we woke up at 5.15am to catch the sunrise at 5.40am. Enjoy the photos below 🙂
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee 1
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee 2
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee 2
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee 3
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee 3
Progession of sunrise at Trincomalee 4
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee 4
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee 5
Progression of sunrise at Trincomalee 5
As we were about to head back to our room for a short nap, we saw a group of fishermen pulling in their net. We thought they were almost done but it was another hour before the net was fully pulled in! It was a lot of work and the men (most of them looked quite elderly) were tired when the work was done. However, the catch that morning was not too good. According to a local, he told us that the fishermen only earn USD3 a day, and that there are very little fish these days due to dynamite fishing in the past.
Fishermen at work at Trincomalee
Fishermen at work at Trincomalee
Timing and co-ordination of fishermen at Trincomalee
Timing and co-ordination of fishermen at Trincomalee
Almost there!
Almost there!
Fishermen checking out their catch for the day
Fishermen checking out their catch for the day
Fishermen looking a little upset with the day’s catch
Fishermen looking a little upset with the days catch
Fishermen at Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Finally we get to just sit back and do nothing! We enjoyed a pot of tea with yummy Munchee biscuits by the pool. After 3 hours, we got the perfect tan 🙂 But the slathering of moisturiser after that was quite a chore 😛
Enjoying a cup of tea by the pool at Trincomalee
Enjoying a cup of tea by the pool at Trincomalee
Munchee biscuits and Tea. Yum.
Munchee biscuits and Tea – Yum!
Chillax at Trincomalee – Awesome! 🙂
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P.S If you are into diving, each dive costs about 30euros. Night dive will cost slightly more. If you are interested in snorkelling, there are boat rides out to Pigeon Island at around 9am by different boat operators.
Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla, Sri Lanka: Awesome Rock with Interesting History
Remember I mentioned that the ticket price for foreign tourist is constantly reviewed by the government? Well, it only cost USD15 to climb Sigiriya Rock a few years back but now it is USD30!! *horrors* (quickly purchase your airplane tickets to visit Sri Lanka now!)
Sigiriya Rock
Sigiriya Rock
At Sigiriya Rock, you can pay S$10 for a guide climb the rock with you and explain to you the history of the rock and the palace. It is also good so that you have someone to take photos for you when you are on the top of the rock 🙂
It is a fairly easy climb compared to the Dunhinda Fall and the stairs have recently undergone maintenance work (so it is safe!). But for those who have phobia for heights, you may find it a little scary when climbing, so don’t look down!
Lion Claws at Sigiriya Rock
Lion Claws at Sigiriya Rock
Stairs heading up the Sigiriya Rock
Stairs heading up the Sigiriya Rock
Scary stairs at Sigiriya Rock!
Scary stairs at Sigiriya Rock
You can pack your breakfast and have a picnic when you reach the top of Sigiriya Rock but beware of the monkeys who are after your food.
Halfway up the Sigiriya Rock
Halfway up the Sigiriya Rock
Ruins of Palace on Sigiriya Rock
Ruins of Palace on Sigiriya Rock
Top of the Sigiriya Rock
Top of the Sigiriya Rock
It takes about 45mins to climb up, so be prepared to set off early so that it won’t be too hot when you reach the top of Sigiriya Rock. Wear comfortable clothes, sensible shoes and bring a bottle of water with you. Enjoy the climb and the view! 🙂
PS. As we were leaving Sigiriya Rock at around 11am, we saw a bus load of Chinese tourists. The girls were wearing flowy dresses and wedge heels! Well, maybe they were really comfortable in that attire since I heard that there are people who climb the Great Wall of China in high heels! I would love to see that for myself…anyone wants to sponsor our trip to China? 🙂
A Digression – The Only Tunnel We Drove Through in Sri Lanka
As we headed up north from Kataragama, towards the mountainous central part of Sri lanka – Badulla, Ella, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy, we drove along the winding road as the elevation increased, and down the winding road as we got to the other side. It was interesting to note that throughout our journey, we only drove through one tunnel! Our driver wound down his window and had a lot of fun shouting and whistling in the tunnel, and hearing the echoes 🙂 The little moments of joy in life 🙂
Inside the tunnel
Inside the tunnel
Almost exiting the tunnel
Almost exiting the tunnel
Horton Plains, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka: A Great Workout!
Digress again: If you have been reading our posts on Sri Lanka (and the rest of our blog), you will realise that we like to blog about our hotel accommodation. We pride in finding the best deal; value for money; good location; clean room and comfort; helpful staff and feeling welcomed; wonderful facilities (swimming pool is our weakness. Heh). But I am not going to blog about our hotel in Nuwara Eliya. It was supposed to be one of the highlights of our trip – I was looking forward to posting wonderful pictures and raving about it (since we decided to splurge on this expensive hotel as a mid-trip treat). But all I can say is that either the staff were rigid in their thinking;, or not thinking at all, or just out to cheat customers of their money. So, no free advertising for this hotel even if it is mentioning its name in a bad review.
Back to Horton Plains…
The entrance fee for foreign tourists is about S$23 (inclusive of tax and service charge) and S$0.60 for locals. (You can start to see the pattern now). It is a short walk from the main entrance to the ticketing counter but it can also take quite some time as the tickets are handwritten. There is a toilet at the main entrance that looked recently renovated, so it is fairly clean with the modern seats.
Signage to Horton Plains National Park
Signage to Horton Plains National Park
Entrance of Horton Plains National Park
Entrance of Horton Plains National Park
Little Reminders for the visitors to Horton Plains National Park
Little Reminders for the visitors to Horton Plains National Park
We went to the park’s Visitor Centre and enquired about the trails. We were informed that there were 2 trails and the shorter one is about 9km which will take us about 3 hours. We were not expecting to walk for so long! 🙁 But we already paid for the entrance fee, so oh well. ( I did do my homework and asked our driver whether there was going to be a lot of climbing on this trip since we were tired from Dunhinda Falls, and he assured me it was “plains” so it would be easy. But I guess it slipped my mind to ask him how long the trail will be! By the way, there was some climbing involved especially at Baker’s Falls.)
Because we planned to set off early, the weather was quite kind to us during most part of our walk. Certain areas were shady and cool, and some were sunny but breezy. At some parts, the path seemed endless with no destination in sight, and we often asked “Are we there yet?” like annoying little children.
Small Stream along the plains
Small Stream along the plains
One of the easier-to-walk-flat-ground at Horton Plains National Park
One of the easier-to-walk-flat-ground at Horton Plains National Park
Are we there yet
Are we there yet?
Finally we reached Little World’s End! It seemed really scary standing near the edge as there was no safety barricade. According to our driver, there were Sri Lankan couples with “many many problems” who jumped off the cliff. Hmm, not sure if it was true. We took more photos and braced ourselves for the next 1.75km hike to the Greater World’s End.
Finally! We’ve reached Little World’s End at Horton Plains National Park
Finally We reached Little Worlds End at Horton Plains National Park
View from the Little World’s End at Horton Plains National Park
View from the Little Worlds End at Horton Plains National Park
Little World’s End also known as Mini World’s End
Little Worlds End also known as Mini Worlds End
Another 1.75Km Hike to Greater World’s End
Another 1.75 Km Hike to Greater Worlds End
The view from Greater World’s End looked about the same as the one from Little World’s End, although it is supposed to be about 3 times higher. We quickly looked for signs to direct us to the last attraction of the loop trail – Baker’s Falls.
Greater World’s End!
Greater Worlds End
Small Signage to Direct Us to Baker’s Falls
Small Signage to Direct Us to Bakers Falls
Big Signage to Direct Us back to Park Headquarters
Big Signage to Direct Us back to Park Headquarters
Along the way, there were several paths that were repaved because the older ones had become uneven and slippery. Some of the paths were very narrow and we had to really watch our step. There were also a couple of bridges that we had to cross, and we doubted the sturdiness of the bridge 😛 This “perilous” path reminded me of our Sapa trip in Vietnam…
Mini Bridge. We Wondered If It Is Safe
Mini Bridge We Wondered If It Was Safe
Interesting Plants At Horton Plains National Park. We thought it resembled the fried cauliflower we had for dinner last night.
Interesting Plants At Horton Plains National Park We thought it resembled the fried cauliflower we had for dinner last night
Another Bridge to Cross…and The path ahead was a little slippery and sloped
Another Bridge to Cross and The path ahead was a little slippery and sloped
We Can Hear the Waterfall! Are We There Yet!
We Can Hear the Waterfall – Are We There Yet?
We got excited when we could hear the sound of flowing water! We could see the downstream of the waterfall but the waterfall was not in sight. It was about another 30mins before we reached Baker’s Falls. And before we could see Baker’s Falls, we had to make our way down a steep slope, holding on to tree branches/trunks for safety! But of course the locals wearing their simple rubber slippers made it looked like it was an easy feat 🙂
Signage for Baker’s Falls
Signage for Bakers Falls
Baker’s Falls
Bakers Falls
Video of Bakers Falls
As it was a loop trail, we knew we had to make our way back to the car park. We saw the sign that says “3.5km to park headquarters”, and went “Ahhhhhh!~~” So we took a deep breath and psyched ourselves for the last part of the trail.
Ahhhh…we have only trekked two-thirds of the trail
Ahhhh we have only trekked two-thirds of the trail!
We took slightly more than 3 hours to complete the trail because we stopped for a little picnic along the way. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes, bring sufficient water for the hike and think about what clothes you want to wear if you want to avoid funny tan lines (especially the ladies!) 🙂
Extra: We were pleasantly surprised to see a deer near the exit of Horton Plains National Park. It was right beside the road and it looked directly at us when we drove by. I guess it got used to cars and humans already.
Unexpected Sighting of Deer as we left Horton Plains National Park
Unexpected Sighting of Deer as we left Horton Plains National Park
TODAI International and Seafood Buffet Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands has got to be the most extensive buffet we’ve ever been to! However, the extensive buffet also comes with a price. To see how expensive it is, check out its pricing below…(correct as of date of publish)
#B2-01 The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave Singapore 018972
So if you visit on the weekends, it would cost about 70 bucks per person! However, is it really worth it to spend so much on a buffet?
Entrance to TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Entrance to TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
The first thing we noticed as we entered the restaurant was that the entire restaurant was quite spacious with a nice setting and ambience.
Nice Ambience and Seating at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Nice Ambience and Seating at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
After being seated, we glanced through the site map and decided to have a go at every section of the restaurant.
Map of TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Map of TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
As you can see from the map, the choice is so varied with so many options to choose from! There’s Sushi, Seafood, Chinese, Noodles, Pizza, Pasta, Churrasco, Korean Food and Desserts! Next, we’ll go through each section and its recommended food!
Churrascaria aka Churrasco / Korean Food
Churrascaria section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Churrascaria section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
This was Tom’s favourite section! Also known as the meat lover’s section! We were glad that we have not visited the Brazilian Churrascaria before because a visit to TODAI also covers the Churrasco section where the barbecued meats were simply “ma ma mia!”.
Plate of Churrasco and Korean dish
Plate of Churrasco and Korean dish
There was beef, pork and wings. However the highlight for the Churrasco section was the BBQ pork! (See top left). The meat was tender and flavourful. Each slice came with a little bit of pork fat that really brought out its natural juicy flavour! It’s no surprise that we went for seconds (and thirds and fourths…). Also, give the jalapenos, onions and other garnishes a try. The flavours match the Churrasco and makes it less jalat (Singaporeans – pls comment below if you know how to explain jalat in English. Tks!)
Just beside the Churrasco section is the Korean Food section. We wanted to try the la chao nian gao (spicy rice cake – bottom right) that we so often see in Korean dramas. Well, it turned out not too amazing afterall. The cake was a little tough and we’ve not really used to the flavour. The fried noodle was not bad (well so is anything fried right?)
Seafood, Sushi and Sashimi!
Seafood section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Seafood section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Next we came to the highlight of the restaurant. The SEAFOOD SECTION! The seafood section boasts of snow crab, sashimi,sushi, fresh prawns, escargot and oysters! For us, the highlight was the escargot and oysters…
Seafood platter at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Seafood platter at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Plate of sushi with interesting names
Plate of sushi with interesting names
It was quite interesting to try escargot for the first time. You would be thinking like “Why would you want to try garden snails?!”. On the contrary, the escargot was not slimy, it had a firm and fresh texture. Hey, come to think of it now, maybe it’s not escargot. (Any visitor to TODAI can verify that shelled creature?). It was quite easy to extract the entire meat out of the shell, just use a fork to poke part of it, with a gentle tug, it all comes out. The meat was succulent and fresh, try it and tell us what you think!
As with other restaurants, the prawns, sashimi and snow crabs were really fresh. The prawns were especially firm, from which you know its really fresh and the taste was sweet! As for the oysters, it was also excellent in the sense that it was the best we’ve tasted in Singapore so far (best ever was freshly shucked ones in Australia). The oysters here were also freshly shucked by the chef within the counter. You have to ask him for the oysters and he would give you only 2 at one time. Hence, we also came back for seconds and thirds…but just a word of caution, oysters are high in cholesterol…just stop at 20.
Chinese Foods
Chinese Foods Section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Chinese Foods Section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Variety of chinese food and at least 3 different ways of cooking duck meat
Variety of chinese food and at least 3 different ways of cooking duck meat
The Chinese fare was ok. You could taste that the ingredients were really fresh but from the chinese taste perspective it’s really just ok. Even the chilli crayfish was normal. The crayfish was fresh no doubt, but the sauce was just mediocre. Still, when the crayfish arrived, it would be gone in a matter of minutes! The server would be there to serve each customer just 2 piece with some sauce. So if you miss a batch, you would have to wait about 10 minutes for the next batch. Make sure you “lurk” around when you see the chefs about to serve (you can actually observe them cook through the glass panels)…
Popular Crayfish with snow crab at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Popular Crayfish with snow crab at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Pizza, Pasta, Noodles and Fried Stuffs
Noodles section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Noodles section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Pizza and Calamari
Pizza and Calamari
Shrimp Cream Sauce with Spaghetti and Chicken Wings from Churrasco
Shrimp Cream Sauce with Spaghetti and Chicken Wings from Churrasco
Laksa without hum (cockles) from the noodles section
Laksa without hum (cockles) from the noodles section
Well, there’s nothing much to shout about at this section except that the pizza was thin crust with an excellent taste (cold soba was also available). Otherwise, DO NOT TRY the spaghetti and laksa.
Desserts!
Dessert section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Dessert section at TODAI International and Seafood Buffet at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
Last but not least, we have finally arrived at Kate’s favourite section, DESSERTS!
Yummy waffles with soft serve icecream, berry yohgurt, orange chococalate cake, banana chocolate and macarons!
Yummy waffles with soft serve icecream, berry yohgurt, orange chococalate cake, banana chocolate and macarons!
The highlight at this section was the waffles. Its freshly made and when you pick up your waffle, you know that it just left the heater not too long ago. It’s fragrant, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and warm!! Goes really well with ice cream (though not the soft serve kind but not much of a choice here). The macarons had only 1 flavour, so do not be deceived by the different colours. The cakes were also not too bad. Hence, Kate thoroughly enjoyed this section!
In Conclusion…
We actually do recommend this place. Just that the price is a little steep. But you can be assured that the foods are of the freshest grade and the ambience, location and wide variety of food should be more than make up for the price!
A Digression – On Board A Squeezy Train in Sri Lanka (It Is Really Like That! )
Bear with me as I digress from our itinerary 😛 I know we have seen photos in the newspapers or in documentaries but we were still shocked when we saw the following. Heh. Nothing beats experiencing it yourself, I guess.
Train Approaching
Train Approaching
It is really like that!
It is really like that!
Local Train Station
Local Train Station
P.S We also drove past the highest elevation train station in Sri Lanka but I was not quick enough with the camera 🙁
Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka: Beautiful Landscapes and Pretty Flowers
We left Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow at 9.30am after a delicious Sri Lankan breakfast. After an hour on the road, we arrived at Dunhinda Falls. It was a tiring climb so we took the opportunity to nap during the 3 hours ride to Nuwara Eliya. What greeted us when we alighted from the car at our next destination, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, was cool, fresh air (Which we greatly appreciated after being cooped up in the car for 3 hours!)
Entrance of Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Entrance of Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Map of HUGE Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Map of HUGE Hakgala Botanical Gardens
The entrance fee for foreign adult is about S$11. Students get a discounted price of about S$8.
Locals only need to pay S$0.60! That explained the crowd in the gardens – Many families were having picnic in the garden; students still in their uniforms were hanging out, chatting, playing cricket etc.
As you can see from the map, the Hakgala Botanical Gardens is really huge. We walked for more than an hour and did not manage to cover the whole garden. We were afraid to venture too far as we needed to put into consideration the time needed to walk back to the main entrance. Our next hotel was another 1 hour car ride; and because of the narrow winding road, we wanted to make sure our driver drove while the sun is still up. If we had the time, we would have loved to sit on the grass and enjoy a picnic!
We took a few photographs of the gardens but I do not think they do justice to the gardens. You have to be there to experience it yourself! But in the meantime, enjoy the photos 🙂
Central Pond in Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Central Pond in Hakgala Botanical Gardens
First few pretty flowers near the entrance of Hakgala Botanical Gardens
First few pretty flowers near the entrance of Hakgala Botanical Gardens
One of the many rocky steps in the Hakgala Botanical Gardens
One of the many rocky steps in the Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Hill top Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Hill top Hakgala Botanical Gardens
I don’t know the name of this flower but I love the colour!
I dont know the name of this flower but I love the colour
Arty shot of sunlight thru the trees
Arty shot of sunlight thru the trees
Rock Garden at Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Rock Garden at Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Sculpture in Japanese Garden at Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Sculpture in Japanese Garden at Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Pretty greenhouse in Japanese Garden at Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Pretty greenhouse in Japanese Garden at Hakgala Botanical Gardens
My favourite flower – sunflower!
My favourite flower – Sunflower
Pretty arrangement of flowers at Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Pretty arrangement of flowers at Hakgala Botanical Gardens
“Don’t go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and lakes that you’re used to” -TLC
We visited a few waterfalls during this Sri Lanka trip. Some were admired from afar, some were up close and personal (after trekking and climbing!). Some were free of charge, and some required either a nominal park fee or a very expensive park permit.
The first one is Diyaluma Falls. We drove past the waterfall on our way to Ella and we stopped to take photos. There wasn’t a lot happening around that area except for the Diyaluma Falls Inn.
Diyaluma Falls
Diyaluma Falls
Our driver then asked us if we were interested to “shower” in a waterfall and he said he would bring to one where we can soak in the water. However, when we arrived the waterfall, he changed his mind and said it was too dangerous. There was even a huge sign painted in red to indicate the number of lives lost in the waterfall. *scary* We did not managed to get the name of the waterfall though.
Another waterfall but unsure of its name
Dangerous Waterfall
Bakers Falls is located within the Horton Plains Park. This required a fair amount of trekking and the last part to Bakers Fall was quite steep. I personally found it quite difficult to climb but I saw local elderly women wearing slippers climbing with ease; much like the locals in Sapa, Vietnam.
Bakers Falls
Bakers Falls
Another angle of Bakers Falls
Another angle of Bakers Falls
Video of Bakers Falls
Though it’s much much much smaller compared to the Niagara Falls, still it provided a lovely sight after the trekking. A good place to cool off and enjoy a dip as well 🙂
It is much cheaper to visit Dunhinda Falls (only S$2 per person) and you actually get to see 2 waterfalls – the Mini Dunhinda Falls and the Dunhinda Falls. It took us about 30minutes to trek to the Dunhinda Falls and some parts can be very narrow and slippery. You can pay the locals a small fee of about S$1 for him to assist you along the way. There are several souvenir stalls, refreshment stalls and rest stops along the way so take your time and enjoy the scenery!
Dunhinda Falls
Dunhinda Falls
Scary bridge that used to be the path to Dunhinda Falls
Scary bridge that used to be the path to Dunhinda Falls
Video of Dunhinda Falls
On the next day, our driver did bring us to another waterfall where we can swim or just soak our feet and enjoy a natural foot massage while sitting on the rocks. We did not manage to take any photos as we were in the waters, and oops, we forgot to ask our driver for the name of the waterfall again!
Take time to find the hidden treasures and enjoy the roar of the waterfalls and the spray of the water when you are in Sri Lanka! 🙂
Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow, Ella, Sri Lanka: Where You Feel Like You’re At Home
After visiting Yala National Park, we were excited about our next destination. It’s time for a change in climatekand we can’t wait to be up on the mountain to check out the view! (except that we had to endure about 3 hours of winding car ride, but it is well worthed it!) There are not many hotels in the Badulla/Ella region. We googled and found Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow. There were many good reviews for the accommodation and the plus point was they allowed us to pay in cash upon arrival unlike other hotels that insist we pay by bank transfer first (which means more cost incurred).
Old but comfortable bed, with mosquito net, in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Old but comfortable bed with mosquito net in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Spacious bathroom with hot water in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Spacious bathroom with hot water in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Bookshelf at the corner of dining room in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Bookshelf at the corner of dining room in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Living room in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Living room in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Dining Room in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Dining Room in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow is located at the end of Ella town. It is a nice and quiet place with its own garden. The owner, Cynthia, and her family were hospitable and made us feel right at home. And it is at this place that we got to eat our authentic Sri Lankan food! It is not as spicy as I.dian food but full of flavour! Yummy!
Table setting for dinner in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Table setting for dinner in Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow
Cream of Leek Soup
Cream of Leek Soup
String hoppers and Boiled Eggs
String hoppers and Boiled Eggs
Dhal, Chicken curry and Coconut Sambal
Dhal Chicken curry and Coconut Sambal
Caramel Pudding
Caramel Pudding
The room at Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow cost USD35 per night and you can choose either bed & breakfast, half board or full board. You can spend the cool evening sitting in the garden chatting with your friends or play boardgames provided by the family. Just a gentle reminder: Do help the locals save electricity and water. Turn off the lights when you are not in the room, and do not take long hot showers.
Ella is a good rest stop before you continue the journey up to Nurawa Eliya, which is about another 4 hours drive. In Ella town, there are many cafes where you can enjoy a pot of tea and snack on sandwiches while you people-watch. You can also stock up on your Munchee biscuits at the small local stalls! Our favourites are Lemon Puff and Milk & Cream 🙂
With our car stocked up with water and Munchee biscuits, we were ready for our 4 hours ride to Nurawa Eliya! 🙂
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka: Get On The Wild Side!
Yala National Park is actually a wild life sanctuary sort of like a safari and is most visited national park in Sri Lanka. We were advised to set off at 5am (even though the Park only opens at 6am, and the ride from My Village Hotel only takes 30mins) so that the jeep will one of the first few when entering the Yala National Park. I guess the “early bird catches the worm” theory holds true in Sri Lanka too 🙂
The Yala National Park has 2 tours (each abt 4hrs): The morning 4our, and the afternoon/evening tour
When you pay for the Yala National Park entrance tickets, it includes the fee for a guide from the park.
The fee for a foreign adult (as of May 2012) is 1945 rupees (abt S$20).
We also had to pay 60 rupees each for our own driver and the jeep driver..
The above is subjected to service charge and VAT.
(As you can see, the difference in the local and the tourist fees is huge! And from what my Sri Lankan friend shared, the government is likely to increase it further as tourism is boosting the country’s economy. So head down to Sri Lanka soon before the next price hike!)
Our main objective of the safari journey was to catch a glimpse of the elusive leopard, and the joke of the day was “Quick, send a Facebook msg to the animals to come out now” /“The animals are not responding to my tweets”/”There is poor reception here so the animals didn’t receive our texts”. It was hilarious! I will leave you to enjoy the photos and the captions 🙂
Setting off for Yala National Park at 5am
Setting off for Yala National Park at 5am
And we thought we were the earliest!
And we thought we were the earliest
Enter at your own risk!
Enter at your own risk
Entrance of Yala National Park
Entrance of Yala National Park
The first animal to greet us
The first animal to greet us
The elephant that pooped and went away
The elephant that pooped and went away
Crocodile enjoying the morning sun
Crocodile enjoying the morning sun
Crocodile enjoying a morning swim
Crocodile enjoying a morning swim
First glimpse of the sun
First glimpse of the sun
Sunrise!
Sunrise
Hare trying to cross the road
Hare trying to cross the road
Beautiful Kingfisher
Beautiful Kingfisher
Can you spot the birds on the branches
Can you spot the birds on the branches?
The elephants are finally out after we text them! Heh.
The elephants are finally out after we text them! Heh!
Close up shot of elephant
Close up shot of elephant
Deer resting in the shade
Deer resting in the shade
Can you spot the spotted deer
Can you spot the spotted deer?
Can you spot the owl
Can you spot the owl?
Can you spot the monkeys
Can you spot the monkeys?
Peacock
Peacock
Wild boars
Wild boars
Buffalo
Buffalo
Reflections 1
Reflections 1
Reflections 2
Reflections 2
Narrow Path
Narrow Pathway in Yala National Park
Rest stop for photo taking
Rest stop for phototaking
Area hit by 2004 Boxing Day tsunami
Area hit by 2004 Boxing Day tsunami
Bye Bye Yala National Park
Bye Bye Yala National Park
Hope you’ve enjoyed our little game of “Can you spot the…” I guess we were not lucky enough to see the leopard but we did enjoy the jeep ride through the park! It was the highlight of the day! 🙂
Tissamaharama Temple and Kataragama Temple, Sri Lanka: Just 2 of The Many Famous Temples in Sri Lanka
As we were informed by Sujith at My Village Hotel that the best time to visit the Kataragama Temple is 6.30pm to see a procession, our driver took a detour to let us visit the Tissamaharama Temple first as we were still early. Our driver alighted us in front of the temple and waited in the car along the road side.
Tissamaharama Temple
Tissamaharama Temple
It was our first time visiting a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka and we weren’t quite sure what to do. We saw a local family walking around the temple so we decided to do the same and see what is on the other side. After walking a complete round, we were puzzled. There was no door! We head back to the car and asked our driver what is in the building, and he replied in a very matter-of -fact way: “Cement.” We asked more questions like “Why is there no door?”, “Why would they build such a big building?”, “Who are the devotees praying to when they face the building and chant?” but our driver spoke little English and could not answer us. Later, we found out from a Sri Lankan friend that the temple is a sealed room containing the King’s jewels and treasures, as well as religious items.
We arrived at Kataragama Temple slightly after 6pm and could see many devotees lighting candles and queuing up in an orderly fashion to offer their fruit offerings. At 6.30pm, the procession began.
Devotees at Kataragama Temple waiting to present their fruit offerings
Devotees at Kataragama Temple waiting to present their fruit offerings
Devotees at Kataragama Temple lighting candles
Devotees at Kataragama Temple lighting candles
There were a few things I noted about the temples in Sri Lanka:
1. The devotees offer fruits and flowers instead of burning of incense.
2. There is usually a caretaker to look after your shoes/sandals for a nominal fee (about 25cts per pair) as footwear is not allowed on the temple grounds.
3. The female devotees are dressed in white tops and white long skirts (the knees must be covered).
4. There are elephants there where you can pay a fee to take a photo with, and the little kids get to play an elephant version of “London Bridge” .
Do find time to visit the famous Sacred Temple of The Tooth Relic in Kandy and Rock Temple in Dambulla too. (Both temples require foreign tourists to pay an entrance fee).
My Village Hotel, Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka: Great Location and Friendly Owner 🙂
After viewing the Hummanaya Blow Hole, it took us about another 1.5hrs on the road to get to our next destination, Tissamaharama. The itinerary for this stop is to visit the Tissamaharama Temple, Kataragama Temple, and the star attraction, Yala National Park.
It is always nice to feel welcomed when you check in into your hotel (no matter how many stars it is), and Sujith, the owner of My Village Hotel, managed to do so. There are only 5 rooms at My Village; and there is a garden with more than enough comfy seats (and 2 hammocks!) for the guests to relax, read a book, and enjoy the warmth of the sun and the cooling breeze. You can also find fruits such as guava and jambu in the garden. And I am s5re they are sweet because the ants were having a feast!
My Village Hotel entrance
My Village Hotel entrance
My Village Hotel chillax garden
My Village Hotel chillax garden
Jambu tree in garden of My Village Hotel
Jambu tree in garden of My Village Hotel
The price of the room was 60 USD. It was clean and spacious and I like the design of the windows with the little triangles on top. I guess something that city people are not used to is that there is no TV in the room. (About half the hotels we stayed at for this trip does not have a TV in the room. Well, there is a TV in Dalawella Beach Resort but t(ere were only 2 channels! *gasps*) But the main point for choosing exotic Sri Lanka as a holiday destination was to get closer to nature and learn about the culture, so a TV in the room would only be a distraction. (Of course there was the exception when we HAD to watch the Man City vs Man United match! :P)
Spacious room in My Village Hotel
Spacious room in My Village Hotel
Pantry area in My Village Hotel
Pantry area in My Village Hotel
Clean bathroom in My Village Hotel
Clean bathroom in My Village Hotel
Sujith was helpful when we needed more infomration regarding the timing to visit the temples, how to book the jeep for the visit to Yala National Park, and even recommended nearby Royal Restaurant that serves yummy food at a low price.
Royal Restaurant
Royal Restaurant
Lemon Chicken Rice, Omelette, Fried Rice at Royal Restaurant
Lemon Chicken Rice and Omelette Fried Rice at Royal Restaurant
We enjoyed our stay at My Village very much. Thank you Sujith for the delicious breakfast and fresh fruits!
Hummanaya / Kudawella Blow Hole, Dikewella, Sri Lanka: Hear The Roar & Feel The Spray!
On our way from Galle to Tissamaharama, our driver suggested that we drive by Dikewella to see probably the world’s highest blow hole, the Hummanaya Blow Hole.
At the entrance of the Hummanaya Blow Hole, the first thing that caught my eye was the huge rib of a blue whale!
Bones of blue whale at entrance of Hummanaya Blowhole. sgd2 for entrance
Bones of blue whale at entrance of Hummanaya Blow Hole – SGD 2 for entrance fee
After paying a nominal fee of S$2 at the ticket counter, we had to trek about 20minutes to see the Hummanaya Blow Hole. As it wasn’t the right season, the height of the spray was not as high as some had mentioned (about 120feet). Nevertherless, it was awesome to hear the pressure build up like rumbling thunder, the hissing sound of the spray, and feeling the cool spray on your skin on a hot day!
Hummanaya Blowhole
Hummanaya Blow Hole
Progression of Hummanaya Blowhole 1
Progression of Hummanaya Blow hole
Progression of Hummanaya Blowhole 2
Progression of Hummanaya Blow hole 2
Progression of Hummanaya Blowhole 3
Progression of Hummanaya Blow hole 3
Progression of Hummanaya Blowhole 4
Progression of Hummanaya Blow hole 4
This happens every 10 to 15 minutes depending on wind direction and level of water, so get your camera ready for the perfect shot of the Hummanaya Blow Hole! 🙂
In addition, you can really hear the roar of the blow hole as the pressure builds up! Not only that, the spray can also be felt! Talk about 4D experience!
So remember, the next time you make a trip from Galle to Tissamaharama while on a trip in Sri Lanka, why not make a trip to Hummanaya Blow Hole as well? It will definitely be an unforgettable experience!
Galle Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka: A Little Piece of History
The Fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1588, later fortified by the Dutch in 1649
When we first arrived at Galle Fort, it looked like it is just a granite path along the coastal line of southern Sri Lanka. However knowing the history of the fort, we appreciated the site; and that it is not just rubbles and ruins from yesteryear. It was also affected by the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004 but has since been restored.
As we were on a tight schedule (and it was a super hot day!), we did not manage to walk along the entire fort. Below are the photos of what we saw and a video of the view from Galle Fort.
Galle Fort
Galle Fort
view from Galle Fort
View from Galle Fort
Rock formation Galle Fort
Rock Formation
Along the Galle Fort
Along the Fort
Toilet at Galle Fort
Toilet at the Fort
Waves crashing onto huge rocks at Galle Fort
Waves crashing on to huge rocks
Lighthouse at Galle Fort
Lighthouse @ Galle Fort
View from the Fort
Hope you enjoy the photos, and make a trip down to visit Galle Fort someday soon!
After driving 3 hours from Colombo Airport, we finally reached Galle. There are many hotels/resorts available along the beach and we chose Dalawella Beach Resort. For a double room (clean and spacious) with breakfast, it cost us about USD80. It also includes accommodation and breakfast for the driver! Although we arrived at 6am, the staff allowed us to check in and rest without additional charges. It was good to have a hot shower and short nap before heading out for sightseeing 🙂
After feeling rested, we head out of our room and was immediately greeted by the ocean! The huge waves were crashing down on the shoreline (sorry, the photo does not do justice to the waves as I was unable to time the shot well :P), and the hotel staff kindly advised against swimming in the waters (Heh…obviously I wasn’t intending to swim in THAT stormy waters).
Direct access to the beach!
Direct access to the beach!
Huge Waves!
Huge Waves!
Since the hotel did not provide breakfast for that morning (I did say they were nice enough not to charge extra for the early check in but I guess they were not that generous to throw in free breakfast. Lol), we drove out to a nearby eatery to fill our stomach. Although we were excited and interested to try authentic Sri Lankan food but we chose not to order the Sri Lankan breakfast buffet (only S$1.75!!!) as there were ants around the buffet counter and the curry did not look heated up. We knew we had ample opportunities to try local food in the week ahead so we decided to order something safer and foolproof (to ensure we don’t get queasy stomach on our first day in Sri Lanka!)
Fried Noodles and Fried Rice for Brunch
Fried Noodles and Fried Rice for Brunch
With all the carbs slowly being digested, we were ready to walk down the Dutch Galle Fort!
Bandarnaike International Airport, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Start of Our Journey in Exotic Sri Lanka!
At Night
As the plane starts to descend towards Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport at 2am, you cannot really identify the city. The lights are sparse, and there is a lack of definition of any districts. This is a very different picture compared to Changi Airport, Singapore.
View of Colombo from plane.Sparse lights
View of Colombo from plane.Sparse lights
At the arrival terminal, it was however still very much “alive” with the staff calling out “change currency!” from their different booths. The telecommunication companies were still open for business and we could get our sri lankan sim card for the trip. It costs only S$1.25 for a normal sim card and S$4 for a micro sim card. The minimum top up/reload each time is 50cts. You can choose to activate the data plan (for 7 days) which will cost you S$0.91 for 200MB, or pay S$0.01 for each MB used. (Using Watsapp and checking email uses only about 1MB a day. However, if you want to browse Facebook or upload photos, it may go up to 10MB a day). Each sms back to SG is about S$0.60, and a phone call back to SG is about S$0.70 per minute.
Note: At time of trip ( May 2012), S$1 = 100 sri lankan rupees
And I apologise in advance for the quoting some prices in sri lankan rupees, some in SGD(S$) and some in USD. It is dependent on the individual attractions that choose to charge in sri lankan rupees or USD. And it is easier to just divide by 100 to quote the price in SGD(S$).
Our driver met us at the arrival waiting area close to 3am. Thankfully with the new highway, it took us only 3hours to get to Galle. But of course, like all new roads, it comes with a fee.
New highway from Colombo to Galle
New highway from Colombo to Galle
New road therefore need toll
New road therefore need toll
In The Day
We left Sri Lanka on a 3pm flight, and that allowed us to see the surroundings of the airport. There is a pretty garden at Departure, and our favourite supermarket where we can stock up on Munchee biscuits before we head back to Singapore 🙂 You can also feel the festivity in the air with the many lanterns for Vesak Day celebrations.
Vesak Day lanterns at Colombo Airport
Vesak Day lanterns at Colombo Airport
Garden at the Colombo Airport
Garden at the Colombo Airport
Fav supermarket. Last minute shopping for Munchee biscuits
Fav supermarket. Last minute shopping for Munchee biscuits
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!
After watching Fatty Cheong’s roast duck, roast pork and char siew on meat and greed, Kate and I finally decided to give it a try to see if it was really worth all the hype. There’s no pictures taken this time round as there are already tonnes of these pictures on all other foodie sites.
Fatty Cheong is located at ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre (along Jalan Bukit Merah). Fatty Cheong itself is located opposite KFC beside a small bakery within the food centre. It is really quite hard to miss the long queue. Kate and I waited for half an hour before it was our turn! So without further ado, we shall go through these 3 foods that are recommended at Fatty Cheong, in order of preference…
Roast Duck at Fatty Cheong aka 烧鸭
We ranked the roast duck right up there because the taste was really impeccable! It was once said that Fatty Cheong himself worked at a hotel before (do correct us if we’re wrong) and that was where he picked up his skills in meat roasting.
Back to the duck, the roasted duck at Fatty Cheong can easily be placed in the realms of roasted ducks served in hotels and chinese restaurants (See Peking Duck @ Prima Tower). This is because of the flavourful taste of the duck and not to mention THE CRISPY SKIN!! Taken together, the skin and the meat compliment each other to perfection. Hear the crispy skin crackle in your mouth while the flavours of the meat bursts forth. Yum!
Char Siew at Fatty Cheong aka 叉烧
The 不见天 (direct translation : no see sky) portion of the meat is used for the char siew at Fatty Cheong. The reason why the portion of the pork is called 不见天 is simply because this is the portion at the belly of the pig and literally does not see the sky. This portion is said to be the creme de la creme for char siew roasting because of the bits of fat that makes the char siew oh so flavourful and tender.
This is the disclaimer part. We were served with the portion of the char siew without much fatty parts. This made the overall texture a little on the tough side. This could be why we’re placing it after the roast duck eventhough many have raved about the char siew at Fatty Cheong.
Well, we must say that the sauce used was one of the best we’ve tasted. It was not too artificially sweetened and really brought out the taste of the char siew. The colour was also enticing as compared to some that are too orangy and does not appeal to the palates.
The moral of the story is this – Always ask for the portion with some fatty bits for your char siew!
Roast Pork at Fatty Cheong aka 烧肉
Coming in 3rd does not mean that the roast pork at Fatty Cheong is not good. It is just that relative to the roast duck and char siew, the roast pork did have its downside. The skin of course was crispy but the meat itself was very thinly sliced. In addition, we felt that the taste was a little bit salty.
Overall, it was a good roast pork, no doubt about that. If the cut was a little bit thicker, it would definitely have been much better!
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Fatty Cheong’s at ABC Brickworks Revisited (February 2021)
We revisited Fatty Cheong’s at ABC Market and are happy to share that they have actually opened another stall right at the back of the food centre!
Fatty Cheong’s ABC Market (2nd Stall at the back of the Food Centre)
The stall seemed smaller but the main highlights of roast pork and char siew are still available here. We’ve also noticed the boss doing his inspections to ensure that everything was in good order. This time, we ordered the wanton noodles…
Fatty Cheong’s Wanton Noodles at ABC Brickworks Market
Still as good as ever. Priced at $4, you’ll get generous servings of its famous char siew, complete with slightly charred bits around the edges. Fatty yet firm to the bite. Love it!
Did you know that Voyage De La Vie is actually a production of Andrea Teo? She was the brains behind sitcom hits such as Under One Roof as well as Phua Chu Kang.
After watching Voyage De La Vie, we realised that it is much more than an ordinary acrobatic show. It combines a storyline, musical styled singing, elaborate costumes and of course the death-defying acts.
Entrance to Festive Grand at Resorts World Sentosa RWS
Entrance to Festive Grand at Resorts World Sentosa RWS
What sets it apart from acrobatic shows has got to be its storyline. It is about a working adult, trying to find out more about himself and the direction that he wants to take. The singing that is intertwined into the entire production was actually not bad as well. The goddess who guided the young adult sang as though she’s from the opera. Not too bad we must say.
Synopsis of Voyage De La Vie Resorts World Sentosa RWS
Synopsis of Voyage De La Vie Resorts World Sentosa RWS
Voyage De La Vie is a show currently running at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and is in its final weeks. Voyage De La Vie is shown in Festive Grand and compared to Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands where we watched A Chorus Line, the seats were so much more comfortable and spacious!
Dragon on the side of the stage in Festive Grand Resorts World Sentosa RWS
Dragon on the side of the stage in Festive Grand Resorts World Sentosa RWS
The tickets that we bought for category 3 costs $68 each and if you’re able to, follow our tips in A Chorus Line post to get the best seat for your dollar! Eventually, we chose a seat that was just next to the Cat 2 seats ($88 per ticket) and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Festive Grand Ticketing Center and Gift Shop Resorts World Sentosa RWS
Festive Grand Ticketing Center and Gift Shop Resorts World Sentosa RWS
The show was spectacular. Some of the acts were also nothing short of death-defying, LITERALLY! You could hear the audience gasp for some of the acts and we will tell you more…
Rope Swing
This was the MOST dangerous stunt of the entire show. A lady was taken high up above the theatre where she swung on a rope (much like that of a swing) at a very high speed. At the peak of her swing, she actually LET GO OF HER HANDS and we actually thought she was going to fall straight into the audience! That’s when most of the gasping came. Somehow, her legs managed to secure unto the rope and she hung on!
Our hearts almost dropped for this act!
Swing with a horizontal bar
The difference between this swing and the rope swing is that there is a horizontal bar which you can sit or stand on. Again, the swing was taken high up above the theatre and she swung gently as she went into very dangerous positions! In one of these positions, she was balancing on the bar using her back! It really seemed like if there was one false move, she would fall straight unto the stage. Remember, the swing was still moving gently! *gasp*
The other dangerous pose was when she balanced upside down using only her legs (how can anyone do that?!). She must have very strong muscles all round. Another of the *gasp* moments.
There were of course other acts such as wu shu (chinese martial arts), swinging around the theatre with ropes, juggling (which we thought the Terry Parade show on Superstar Virgo – Starcruise was better), contortionist, cross-bow shooting and other smaller acts.
Speaking of the cross-bow shooting, it was REALLY DEATH-DEFYING. The artist was shooting at a lady holding a card BACK FACING HER! There was also the apple shot which was somewhat like that in robin hood. Imagine an arrow shooting at the apple above your head!
All in all, Voyage De La Vie was indeed an excellent show. However, those who have watched both Voyage De La Vie and Cirque Du Soleil, what do you guys think? You can leave your comments below.
After Thoughts
After watching the show and how the performers actually toy with death, we were thinking whether to boycott such shows in the future. The fact remains that if there is demand for such shows, there would be supply and thus young performers would pick up such acts and start training from young.
If we were to remove ourselves from the demand side of the equation, we would theoretically be reducing the need for such death-defying acts right? What do you guys think?
The river Maas is the main river of Holland that passes many states and provinces. Yes, it passes through Maastricht as well!
As we walked along river Maas (aka Meuse), we enjoyed all the sights that the walk along the river has to offer. Here are some of the more notable sights along the river…
Sint Servaasbrug
Sint Servaasbrug Maastricht
Sint Servaasbrug is one of the bridges that connects from the train station side of the city to the old city/city centre itself (i.e. east to west side of the city). The bridge is characterised by the limestones used in its construction as well as the arches of channels that it has under it.
Hoge Brug
Hoge Brug Maastricht
Hoge Brug is the bridge between the Sint Servaasbrug and JFK bridge. It is characterised by its modern single arch stretching from one side of the river to the other.
Medieval Remnants
Remnant of Medieval Wall Maastricht
There is no actual name for this remnant along the river (or is there? can the locals tell us?) but as with the other medieval fortifications in Maastricht, it is a great area to have a picturesque photo along the river.
Beluga Restaurant Maastricht
Beluga Michelin Restaurant Maastricht
Beluga is one of the most famous Michelin restaurants in Maastricht. Given its location as well as the excellent choice of foods that it serves, Beluga draws visitors and locals alike to its premise.
Charles Eyck Park
Charles Eyck Park Maastricht
As you continue to walk along the river (southwards), you will come across the Charles Eyck Park. It is a nice little area to chill, enjoy the views of the river as well as the bridges that spans the river Maas.
Bonnefanten Museum
Bonnefanten Museum along River Maas
Strange as it looks, Bonnefanten Museum is one of the most famous museums in Maastricht. Today, it houses one of the most interesting collections of old art as well as contemporary art.
The sunshine, sounds of the river as well as the cool atmosphere concocts a relaxing holiday, waiting for you to enjoy, here in Maastricht!
We shall now leave you with the sights and sounds along the river Maas (Meuse) in Maastricht!
One of the main attractions at Maastricht is its rich history, cobble stone walkways and of course its famous fortifications…
There is actually a whole series of fortifications and watch towers as shown on this map.
Map of fortifications in Maastricht
According to our favourite online encyclopedia, the first ring of medieval fortifications was built in the 13th century. The city of Maastricht flourished with trade and grew economically but declined during religious wars of the 16th century. The most famous of these remnants has got to be Helpoort…
Helpoort Maastricht
Helpoort is a famous 13th century town gate and is kept in excellent condition. It also happens to be the oldest of its kind in the Netherlands.
Another arty farty shot of Helpoort taken by Kate
The other well known fortification is the Stadsomwalling (or what is left of it)
Stadsomwalling Maastricht
It was quite nostalgic to walk along this path. There were residents living along the Stadsomwalling. As you can see from the picture, it is actually right in front of their doorstep! Imagine waking up to such rich history each morning!
Another arty shot of Stadsomwalling
Here are some of the other shots around the fortifications of Maastricht
Shot of a tower and part of the wall fortification at MaastrichtView of the picturesque cannons of Stadsomwalling Maastricht
Kate and I also ventured to the top of a watch tower to catch the views there…
Fort with Cannon in MaastrichtFort overlooking pond and garden MaastrichtOne of the entrance to the fort at Maastricht
Part of the fortifications also has underground tunnels of passageways and storage locations. You may want to get on a tour to view these places.
It is really interesting how the modern Maastricht has grown and merged with the historical Maastricht. One moment you are at a historical part of the wall, the next moment (as you pass the wall) you’ll be greeted by streets and modern structures.
If you ever visit the Netherlands, make a trip to Maastricht to visit these historical fortifications. A leisurely stroll through these cobbled streets, passing by these historical gates and walls brings about a very different travel experience altogether!
Vrijthof Square is one of the 2 most prominent squares in Maastricht. The other being Markt or Market Square.
Vrijthof Square Maastricht
The video above shows the entire square taken at its centre. It shows the Sint Servaasbasiliek…
Sint Janskerk and Sint Servaas Basiliek at Vrijthof Square Maastricht
and the Sint Janskerk with its notably red coloured coating…
Sint Janskerk Maastricht
Besides the churches, you may also notice strange looking trees, somewhat like the bulbous trees. These trees form paths beside the pubs and restaurants lining the sides of this square.
To enjoy the sights and sounds of Vrijthof square, we recommend taking a seat along one of the restaurants (on the outside, of course). This we did at Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin!
Outside eating at Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin Maastricht
Kate had a coffee for $2.75euro
Coffee at Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin, Vrijthof Square Maastricht (2.75 euros)Menu of Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin, Vrijthof Square Maastricht
Tom ordered the Gulpener Lager (served on draft) and the coolest thing about being seated outside is that it keeps the beer cold (because of the cool temperature)! So you can really just enjoy your beer without being afraid that it’ll turn warm.
After taking a look at the menu, we decided to stay for dinner as the 4 course dinner costs only $19.95euro. We also ordered the house favourite – Mussels in white wine for $21.50euro!
Interior of Cafe Niew Bruin4course dinner 19.95euro. Tomato soupGulpener Lager brought into cafe for dinnerBeef Steak Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin MaastrichtMussels in white wine (21.5 euros)Creme Brulee Grand Cafe Nieuw Bruin Maastricht
There was also a tea selection at the end of the meal!
Tea selection at the end of dinner
We thoroughly enjoyed the mussels in white wine. The mussels were really fresh and the taste was enhanced by the wine sauce. Yum! The creme brulee was also simple, light yet marvelously smooth!
We started our meal around 7ish and ended close to 9. This should have been the busiest time of any restaurant. However, there were only 2 other tables being served this whole time! Since the food was relatively good, we kay poh a bit (busy body) and asked the waiter why this was so.
It was actually because of the low season (end of winter was still considered low season). He mentioned that during the summer months, the ENTIRE restaurant would be packed!
Vrijthof square is definitely worth a visit and why not have a drink or 2 while reveling in the life of a local!
One of the attractions at Maastricht has got to be its Michelin restaurants. Some statistics (not sure whether its genuine) suggests that Maastricht has the most number of Michelin restaurants per square mile in the world! Either that or the most number of Michelin restaurants for a given city/population size. Anyway…
After we checked into our hotel at Hotel De La Bourse, we asked our friendly receptionist about the Michelin restaurants in Maastricht.
She pointed us to 2…
Beluga
Beluga Michelin Restaurant Maastricht
Beluga is located close to the river Maas close to the Sint Servaasbrug. It is actually one of the most popular and famous Micheline restaurants here in Maastricht.
Toine Hermsen
Toine Hersen is more like a family-styled Michelin restaurant tucked away on Bernardus Straat.
Toine Hersen on bernardustraat Michelin restaurant closed on Sundays
Here is a shot of the menu for the autumn/winter period…
Menu of Toine Hermsen Michelin Restaurant Maastricht
The 5 course meal costs $100Euro while the 4 course meal costs $80Euro. The Toine Hermsen is actually not an easy place to find. The best way to locate it is to walk towards Helpoort…
Helpoort Maastricht
If you are able to find Helpoort, you are very close to the restaurant. We were actually unable to locate it on the map and had to turn to the locals – all of whom knew where the restaurant was!
The saddest part about this post is that BOTH RESTAURANTS WERE CLOSED ON THE SUNDAY WHEN WE WERE THERE!! Unfortunately, we were unable to taste the gourmet spread at either of the Michelin restaurants.
Any of our readers been there? Share with us your experience in the comments section below!
