Showing: 156 - 168 of 168 RESULTS

Chingay Parade and Festival Singapore – Street Parade Culmination and Melting Pot of Cultures, Street Performances and Displays

Chingay Parade and Festival Singapore – Street Parade Culmination and Melting Pot of Cultures, Street Performances and Displays

Kate and I were invited to the Chingay Parade and festival and it was our first time ever! We were of course excited and decided to be there early to join in the ra-ra (pre-show audience warm-up) before the show started. Before we go into the details, a little bit about the origin of Chingay…

The Chingay Parade had its roots as a street performance or masquerade started in the 1970s. Today, it has evolved and has become an international festival with audience from all over the world. Touted as the grandest streets and floats parade in Asia, the Chingay Parade boasts of dazzling displays of colours and multi-culturalism that Singapore offers. 

The Chingay Parade has been held at the Pit-Building (the actual Pit building for formula one on the F1 calendar) for the past couple of years. It is primarily a street performance where audience are seated on both sides of a street as the performers and displays pass by. The performance would include street performers from all over the world. In addition, organisations in Singapore , both private and public companies or organisations, would also stage performanances that attracts the attention of the crowd. At the pit-building, more than 150,000 spectators can be seated.

As Kate and I begun to get seated at our Category 3 seats (costs about $25 dollars), we noticed 2 of Singapore’s most famous hosts – Gurmit Singh and Quan Yi Feng. It was exciting to see how they warmed up the crowd and entertained us, getting us all psyched up before the first performers arrived.

We were surprised by the first few acts whereby firecrackers (something banned in Singapore except at festivals such as this) and fireworks were used. Stilt walkers and performers from China held huge flags and balanced them superbly as they passed the audience. It was awesome!

The whole parade was filled with dazzling colours and wonderful floats. One of the 2 floats that caught our attention was the USS (Universal Studio Singapore) floats with all the characters such as Kung Fu Panda and the Madagascar Characters. The other float that caught our attention was the HDB (Housing and Development Board of Singapore – Provides public housing for all Singaporeans). This is because the float featured the latest public project that garnered design awards – Pinnacle@Duxton. Here are some of the highlights of the evening…

Chingay Parade and Festival Singapore – Street Parade Culmination and Melting Pot of Cultures, Street Performances and Displays
Chingay Parade and Festival Singapore – Street Parade Culmination and Melting Pot of Cultures, Street Performances and Displays
Chingay @ Marina Bay

Of course, to round of the entire parade, what else but FIREWORKS!

Kate and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (as you may have heard from the screams of our video) and we were pleasantly surprised by how great and awesome a street performance can be. We formerly typified floats as boring as we see them drive pass during the parade season.


However, having come close to the performance, it actually brings us to see how much work the performers have put in and how much attention to detail have been placed into all the costumes and float designs. Impressive!

Chingay @ Marina Bay

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

We hope you’ll enjoy the Chingay Parade in Singapore this year!

Ducktours Amphibious Fun! – See Singapore on land and on water!

Ducktours Amphibious Fun Singapore

On one fine Saturday afternoon, as Kate and I were passing by the Ducktours booth in Suntec City, we thought to ourselves…”Hey, let’s be tourists for the day!”

So without much hesitation, we bought tickets ($33 per person) and waited to board our very first duck tour ride.

The Duck is actually a re-modelled WW2 Vietnamese amphibious craft.

The “Ducktainers” or tour guide would introduce us to the various structures as the Duck drove pass the landmarks. At the start of the tour was the fountain of wealth, right at the heart of Suntec City. Next, we headed towards the city hall area and viewed the Cenotaph, one of Singapore’s oldest war memorial. It was here where we entered the water…

We were soon in the basin of the Singapore River and we were able to see many of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks and structures such as the Merlion, Esplanade, Fullerton Hotel, Singapore Flyer, The World’s largest Floating Platform (where the National Day Parade is held), Tallest Hotel in Southeast Asia – Swissotel Singapore and the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort halfway built…

Merlion @ Marina Bay
Merlion @ Marina Bay

Singapore’s Tourism Icon – The Merlion

Overall, it was a nice refreshing tour. The “Ducktainers” were indeed entertaining and even “prepared” us as we entered the water (saying we’ll get wet and all, which we didnt). They were also armed with snippets of information which would be interesting for tourists.

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Royalty Fine Dining onboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise – Legend of the Seas

Lamb Shank Royal Caribbean Cruise

The fine dining experience onboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise – Legend of the Seas was one of a kind! The setting was classy (at the Romeo and Juliet fine dining restaurant). Kate and I were onboard the cruise for 8D7N and we stuck to the fine dining restaurant for all evening meals!

We are not exaggerating when we say that the food was EXCELLENT! The fine dining restaurant (Romeo and Juliet) was one of the highlights of the cruise. Each night we would anticipate the display of its menu and choose the dish that we want! It was something to look forward each night because

a. Service. You would be pampered by waiters and waitresses who will remember your names after the first night! They would remember your preferences such as whether you would like cold/hot water, pepper or not in your soup etc…

b. Presentation. The food would be very well presented! If it was a bisque, you would find a little artistic touch (like latte art) at the top. Likewise for the desserts, the plate would be decorated with fruits, chocolates, sauce etc.

c. Taste. The food we must say is of international standards! Not only would there be creativity in the types of food (fusion, western, asian), the tastes was mostly unforgettable!

d. Unlimited servings! This means you can try ALL the mains and ALL the desserts for the night! Can you believe it!?!

Here are just some of the wonderful food we’ve had…

The Mains

Grilled Chicken Royal Caribbean Cruise
Grilled Chicken Royal Caribbean Cruise
Steak Royal Caribbean Cruise
Steak Royal Caribbean Cruise
Cream of Chicken Soup Royal Caribbean Cruise
Cream of Chicken Soup Royal Caribbean Cruise
Breaded Prawns Royal Caribbean Cruise
Breaded Prawns Royal Caribbean Cruise
Pulled Pork Burger Royal Caribbean Cruise
Pulled Pork Burger Royal Caribbean Cruise
Mushroom Chicken Royal Caribbean Cruise
Mushroom Chicken Royal Caribbean Cruise
Asian Stir Fried Noodles Royal Caribbean Cruise
Asian Stir Fried Noodles Royal Caribbean Cruise
Scallops with Cheesy Pasta Royal Caribbean Cruise
Scallops with Cheesy Pasta Royal Caribbean Cruise
Lamb Shank Royal Caribbean Cruise
Lamb Shank Royal Caribbean Cruise
Tiger Prawns Caribbean Cruise
Tiger Prawns Caribbean Cruise

The Desserts

Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts

The fine dining experience really made the difference for Kate and I onboard this cruise. We were really pampered like royalties each night and returned to our rooms FULL! The food was excellent, ambience was good, value for money and the service was impeccable. If we were to rate, it would be FULL MARKS!

For the rest of this cruise trip, click here.

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Remember to check out the best cruise packages at LastMinuteTravel.com – Last Minute Prices in Advance!

Related Posts

Royal Caribbean Cruise – 8D7N Semarang, Bali (Kuta Nusa Dua), Lombok Onboard Legend Of The Seas

Royalty Fine Dining Onboard The Royal Caribbean Cruise – Legend Of The Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruise Mariner Of The Seas : 8D7N From Singapore To Laem Chabang (Thailand) And Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)!

Art On Royal : Art Scam On Royal Caribbean Cruises?

Royal Caribbean Cruise – 8D7N Semarang, Bali (Kuta Nusa Dua), Lombok onboard Legend of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruise – 8D7N Semarang, Bali (Kuta Nusa Dua), Lombok onboard Legend of the Seas
Arty Shot of Royal Caribbean Cruise

Ah…Cruise Again!

If you have read our last post on the joys of cruising (click here) you would understand why Kate and I really enjoy cruises.

However, we’ve got to say that this Royal Caribbean Cruise was one of the best cruises we’ve ever had because

1. 8D7N for $750 per person is a steal! This translates to only slightly more than a $100 bucks a night! This kind of cheap deal usually occurs in two types of situations. The first one is the establishment of a new route (which was the case for this cruise). The second is when the ship leaves a port AND DOES NOT return to the same port. This is to say you will cruise to another port (likely a different country) and you will have to make your own way back home.

There is actually a 3rd case. This occurs when they have some collaboration with some websites and you happen to stumble upon it. One of our newly minted friends onboard told us that they got a suite (A SUITE!) for about $1000 per person over the same period through a website offer. The deal was apparently snapped up very quickly.

2. Food. We are not exaggerating when we say that the food was EXCELLENT! The fine dining restaurant (Romeo and Juliet) was one of the highlights of the cruise. Each night we would anticipate the display of its menu and choose the dish that we want! It was something to look forward each night because

a. Service. You would be pampered by waiters and waitresses who will remember your names after the first night! They would remember your preferences such as whether you would like cold/hot water, pepper or not in your soup etc…

b. Presentation. The food would be very well presented! If it was a bisque, you would find a little artistic touch (like latte art) at the top. Likewise for the desserts, the plate would be decorated with fruits, chocolates, sauce etc.

c. Taste. The food we must say is of international standards! Not only would there be creativity in the types of food (fusion, western, asian), the tastes was mostly unforgettable!

d. Unlimited servings! This means you can try ALL the mains and ALL the desserts for the night!

Some examples of the wonderful food we’ve had…

Tiger Prawns Caribbean Cruise
Tiger Prawns Caribbean Cruise
Lamb Shank Royal Caribbean Cruise
Lamb Shank Royal Caribbean Cruise
Pulled Pork Burger Royal Caribbean Cruise
Pulled Pork Burger Royal Caribbean Cruise

The various desserts…

Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts
Royal Caribbean Cruise Desserts

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Experience

In order not to lugi (to lose out on), you should always board your cruise at lunch time (around 12pm) to enjoy your first meal onboard!

First meal aboard Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas
First meal aboard Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas

Then spend some time to check out the whole cruise ship!

The Windjammer Cafe Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
The Windjammer Cafe Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
Interior Room Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
Interior Room Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
Dressing room and Satellite TV (with programmes even out at sea) Royal Caribbean Cruise Interior Room Legend of the Seas
Dressing room and Satellite TV (with programmes even out at sea) Royal Caribbean Cruise Interior Room Legend of the Seas
Attached Toilet Royal Caribbean Cruise Interior Room
Attached Toilet Royal Caribbean Cruise Interior Room
The Rock Climbing Wall Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
The Rock Climbing Wall Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
The Swimming Pool Legend of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise
The Swimming Pool Legend of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise
Mini Golf Legend of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise
Mini Golf Legend of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise

As mentioned in the star cruise post , it is always wise to wake up early to take in the breeze and the sunrise…

Sea Views Royal Caribbean Cruise
Sea Views Royal Caribbean Cruise

It was refreshing to see guests take on the challenge and scale the wall onboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise. Some of the ladies made it seem easy. However, it is perfectly safe as the guides are on standby to assist you on your way up and down. Hence, only 2 can ascend/descend at a time. The wait is quite fast though, give it a try if you feel like challenging yourself onboard the cruise!

Climber gearing up to scale rock climbing wall - Royal Caribbean Cruise
Climber gearing up to scale rock climbing wall – Royal Caribbean Cruise
Climber scaling rock climbing wall - Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
Climber scaling rock climbing wall – Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas

Semarang , Indonesia

We were there on a Sunday and it was nice to see the locals enjoying themselves at the markets and ‘central park’

Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas at Semarang
Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas at Semarang
The fair at 'central park' Semarang Indonesia
The fair at ‘central park’ Semarang Indonesia
Locals and Tourists alike enjoying the markets Semarang Indonesia
Locals and Tourists alike enjoying the markets Semarang Indonesia
Fried rice we had in Semarang Indonesia
Fried rice we had in Semarang Indonesia
What to drink in Semarang - Avocado Juice!
What to drink in Semarang – Avocado Juice!

It is worthy to note at this point that Kate and I usually dont join the organised tours at the ports because of the steep price and also because we prefer to travel by own and enjoy the freedom of going where we want to go. Hence, when you reach a port, do note that you can always choose to take a ride provided by RCC to a popular local area for a small fee and you can travel on your own from there.

Towel Art

Each night, we would be surprised by the Towel Art carefully created and left behind by our room service staff. There was also a Towel Art class that taught guests how to create them. Some examples…

Swan Towel Art Royal Caribbean Cruise
Swan Towel Art Royal Caribbean Cruise
Towel art made by us...rabbit or elephant...you decide!
Towel art made by us…rabbit or elephant…you decide!

Kuta – Bali, Indonesia

We reached Bali at night and had an overnight stay in the port. Kate and I took the night out and enjoyed the streets of Kuta (Kuta Beach) and chilled out at a pub while listening to the live band.

Legend of the Seas off Bali Indonesia
Legend of the Seas off Bali Indonesia
Shopping Street - Kuta Indonesia
Shopping Street – Kuta Indonesia
Live Band at Tequila Bar Kuta Beach Bali Indonesia
Live Band at Tequila Bar Kuta Beach Bali Indonesia
What we had at Tequila Bar Bali Indonesia
What we had at Tequila Bar Bali Indonesia

Nusa Dua – Bali, Indonesia

Nusa Dua is a beach bum’s paradise with pristine beaches and five star hotels lining these beaches. Some of these beaches can be quite private and cater only to guests of the hotel. Like most beaches, there are many water activities such as banana boat, skiing and paragliding available.

The beaches…

Nusa Dua Bali
Nusa Dua Bali
Deck Chairs for rent Nusa Dua Bali Indonesia
Deck Chairs for rent Nusa Dua Bali Indonesia
Nusa Dua Bali Hotel
Nusa Dua Bali Hotel
Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
Artistic Shot of Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
Artistic Shot of Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas

Lombok Indonesia

Lombok is a laid back little town where things pretty much remained in the 60s and 70s. However, with modernisation and an upcoming airport, this looks set to change. There is currently just a shopping centre in the middle of town. Hope the rest of its local flavour would remain…

Approaching Lombok Indonesia
Approaching Lombok Indonesia
Greetings from the locals (with music and dance) at Lombok Indonesia
Greetings from the locals (with music and dance) at Lombok Indonesia
The only shopping centre and only McDonald's here in Lombok Indonesia
The only shopping centre and only McDonald’s here in Lombok Indonesia
The local markets in Lombok Indonesia
The local markets in Lombok Indonesia
Salted / preserved fish Lombok Indonesia
Salted / preserved fish Lombok Indonesia
Riding the Chi-Domo (pony) to the pearl factory in Lombok Indonesia
Riding the Chi-Domo (pony) to the pearl factory in Lombok Indonesia

As we alighted at the main shopping mall, a local who spoke a little bit of English, offered to take us around. So we joined another couple on this escapade. He took us to markets first where we were shown the local foods and sweets.

Next we headed to see the local sarong and the different designs they had. We also took the chi-domo (pony) to the pearl centre. There we were shown the various salt and fresh water pearls. Salt water pearls are usually more expensive and their natural colours are less. The ‘scar’ on the salt water pearl is also usually smaller than that of the fresh water pearls.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Tender: Boat transfer from the ship to the shore
Royal Caribbean Cruise Tender: Boat transfer from the ship to the shore

Belly Flop Competition

The other highlight of the cruise was the belly flop competition. This is where competitors seek to have the biggest splash by spreading their body squarely as they enter the water. The crowd would then judge by flashing their fingers. Here are the highlights

The competitors Belly Flop Competition Royal Caribbean Cruise
The competitors Belly Flop Competition Royal Caribbean Cruise
Close up of the competitors Royal Caribbean Cruise Belly Flop Competition
Close up of the competitors Royal Caribbean Cruise Belly Flop Competition
The slimmest of the competitors making a big splash for belly flop competition!
The slimmest of the competitors making a big splash for belly flop competition!
The eventual winner of belly flop competition...you can see why...(imagine what happened next)
The eventual winner of belly flop competition…you can see why…(imagine what happened next)

Performances

We were captivated by the world-reowned American pianist who spent some time in China, teaching the locals. Then there were dance performance by the RCC in-house performaners.

The waiters and waitresses even sang us a closing song on our last night. It was really memorable.

In-house performance Royal Caribbean Cruise
In-house performance Royal Caribbean Cruise
Performance by FnB Staff on Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas
Performance by FnB Staff on Royal Caribbean Cruise Legend of the Seas

Conclusion

All in all, this was one of the most memorable cruises. If you are considering a cruise, we would recommend the Royal Caribbean Cruise for its excellent service and food.

He says: Fun times always end so quickly! The 8 days away really relaxed me completely. Needless to say, I enjoyed the fine dining experience!

She says : Ah…cruise… 🙂

Remember to check out the best cruise packages at LastMinuteTravel.com – Last Minute Prices in Advance!

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Related Posts

Royal Caribbean Cruise – 8D7N Semarang, Bali (Kuta Nusa Dua), Lombok Onboard Legend Of The Seas

Royalty Fine Dining Onboard The Royal Caribbean Cruise – Legend Of The Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruise Mariner Of The Seas : 8D7N From Singapore To Laem Chabang (Thailand) And Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)!

Art On Royal : Art Scam On Royal Caribbean Cruises?

Things to do in Sapa | 2bearbear.com | Travel | Asia | Vietnam

Things to do in Sapa

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 People
Home of the H’mong People
H'Mong kids
H’Mong kids
Waterfalls of Cat Cat Village
Waterfalls of Cat Cat Village
Room of the Victoria Sapa Hotel
Room of the Victoria Sapa Hotel
View from the Room of Victoria Sapa Hotel
View from the Room of Victoria Sapa Hotel
Mount Fansipan
Mount Fansipan
Indoor Swimming Pool at Victoria Sapa Hotel
Indoor Swimming Pool at Victoria Sapa Hotel
Vietnamese Coffee Sapa
Vietnamese Coffee Sapa
Performance by the H'mong People
Performance by the H’mong People
Another awesome view of the Fansipan mountains
Another awesome view of the Fansipan mountains
Sunday Market @ Sapa
Sunday Market @ Sapa
Trekking down to the Valley in Sapa
Trekking down to the Valley in Sapa
Treacherous Path! One small slip and we'll fall to the bottom of the ravine in Sapa!
Treacherous Path! One small slip and we’ll fall to the bottom of the ravine in Sapa!
River in the Sapa valley
River in the Sapa valley

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Things to do in Halong Bay | 2bearbear.com | Travel | Asia | Vietnam

Things to do in Halong Bay

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 Bay
The Humble Junk Boat to Halong Bay
Inside the Room of the Junk Boat - Nice huh?
Inside the Room of the Junk Boat – Nice huh?
Monster's Mouth Halong Bay
Monster’s Mouth Halong Bay
Entrance to the Caves at Halong Bay (Hang Sung Sot)
Entrance to the Caves at Halong Bay (Hang Sung Sot)
Can you see the couple? (Halong Bay Cave)
Can you see the couple? (Halong Bay Cave)
See if you can spot the horse/dog, Koala Bear and Fisherman? (Halong Bay)
See if you can spot the horse/dog, Koala Bear and Fisherman? (Halong Bay)
The Middle Finger! (Halong Bay Imagination)
The Middle Finger! (Halong Bay Imagination)
Isnt that a man lying down? (Halong Bay)
Isnt that a man lying down? (Halong Bay)
Entering the Halong Bay Caves in low tide
Entering the Halong Bay Caves in low tide
Canoeing into the Halong Bay Caves
Canoeing into the Halong Bay Caves
Another Unique Formation at Halong Bay
Another Unique Formation at Halong Bay

 

Click here to see the full blog post.

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Things to do in Hanoi | 2bearbear.com | Travel | Asia | Vietnam

Things to do in Hanoi

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 Hotel
The Hanoi Boutique Hotel
The room @ Hanoi Boutique Hotel
The room @ Hanoi Boutique Hotel
Toiletries provided in the room
Toiletries provided in the room
Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnamese Coffee
One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake
One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake
The Mausoleum
The Mausoleum
The Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature
Streets of Hanoi
Streets of Hanoi
The Old Gate Hanoi
The Old Gate Hanoi
The City Centre Hanoi
The City Centre Hanoi
The Dan Bow player at the water puppet show
The Dan Bow player at the water puppet show
The Water Puppeteers Hanoi
The Water Puppeteers Hanoi
Yummy Street Foods
Yummy Street Foods

For the rest of this post, click here

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Starcruise – 4D3N Superstar Virgo Cruise from Singapore to Phuket, Langkawi in Balcony Class

Starcruise Phuket Langkawi

Ah…cruises…one of our favourite ways of having a holiday and vacation. There are so many benefits and advantages of going on a cruise

1. All prices inclusive. That means to say, you have 6 meals a day (2 snacks, 3 meals and a supper), use of the pool which includes the jacuzzi, sauna, gym, cinema, entertainment shows in the evening, game shows, art and craft, sunrise, sunset. ALL INCLUSIVE in one price! But of course, if you want some red/white wine or in room service, you’d have to top up. Essentially, one price gives you all the entertainment that the cruise ship offers.

2. No need for plans. That’s right! All programmes have been planned out for you each day. This really makes for a good holiday where you can just unwind, join in the programmes if you want to and skip if you just want to enjoy the sea breeze and sounds of the ocean. Even if you go for shore excursions, the options are there for you to follow what the cruise has planned for you (usually at exhorbitant prices) but you get gist ya? No planning required. Just follow the programmes and hop in and out as you wish.

3. Value for money. As a typical kiasu (scared to lose out) Singaporean, the all expenses paid for trip is value for money. For one price, I get to travel, stay in a ‘hotel’ and enjoy its facilities, eat as much as I want (thats where I really get the value back) and enjoy the shows in the evening that includes magic shows, music and dance, acrobatics/circus among others.

4. Getting back to nature – oceanliner style. You really do get to enjoy the wonders of God’s creation by joining a cruise. You can wake up each morning and enjoy the marvellous sunrise, end the evening with views of spectacular sunsets. You also get to star gaze in the night without bright city lights obscuring the view. The calming sounds of the waves and vast limitless ocean views really does soothes the soul. You could even catch a glimpse of the dolphins swimming with the cruise ship!

With that as the backdrop, Kate and I chose to celebrate our anniversary onboard the Superstar Virgo (from Starcruise) for a 4D3N cruise to Phuket and Langkawi (from Signapore).

We paid about $700 each for the balcony class room. This means that you can enjoy views of the ocean and port right in your room. Remember, there is always ongoing deals with your credit card. Usually it is with UOB and Citibank, do check this out with your local dealers. We got a 50% off through the cards.

Essentially, the trip was a relaxing and rejuvenating one. So we’ll just take you through some of the highlights of the trip!

Day 1

Bought Kate a music singing balloon – Love Machine and we started to take pictures of it throughout the ship. Take a look at the pictures…

First thing you do when you board the ship – EAT! We had our lunch at the Mediterranean (deck 12) and enjoyed some pasta with meatballs. As the ship slipped off, we immerse ourselves in the pool (parthenon pool) and waved goodbye to Singapore. We also slipped in and out of the jacuzzi and enjoyed the outdoor slide (part of it even overhangs out to the ocean!). Before long, it was dinner time! We chose to have dinner at the Chinese-themed restaurant – Pavilion (deck 6). The chinese food was not bad i must say.

Then we headed for the show of the night. It was Terry Parade (the Lido at Deck 7) performing juggling acts. He was good! Juggling things like ping-pong balls and plastic bags! Also on the same deck as you enter or leave the Lido is the casino, be wary!

Day 2

We caught the sunrise this morning and enjoyed dim sum breakfast back at the Pavilion. The picture house (deck 8) was showing Tale of Desperaux and we caught the movie there. Lunch was at Bella Vista (Deck 6) where western fanfare was served. We had a bottle of wine (too much) and enjoyed the beef and sandwich there.

We were alongside Phuket in the afternoon and we got on a tour to visit the cashew nut factory. The workers there work really hard and carefully retrieve each cashew nut from its ‘shell’ to ensure that it is whole. Any cashew nut that is not retrieved as a whole, will be considered ‘defective’ and fetch a lower price. We also got to taste the different flavours available, wasabi was one of our favourite.

At night, we headed out to Patong beach, saw tonnes of fake bags and made our way back to the ship.

Day 3

There is usually a gala night for every cruise where one is expected to dress up to the nines. This was the day. Beside lunch at Pavilion and snacks at Taverna (Deck 13 – overlooking the pool) we joined in the “Win lose or draw” gameshow and got to make a paper necklace for ourselves! (Proud look).

For dinner, you could choose to go any one of the 3 dedicated restaurants. We chose our dinner to be at the Samurai Restaurant (Deck 8) where we enjoyed the sushi, tempura, beef/chicken tepanyaki. It was a really classy place and guests were treated like VIPs.

We enjoyed Maestro & Music at Lido for the night where dance and music were performed.

Day 4

Too soon, it was day 4 and our last day before we head home to Singapore. Again, we joined in the programme for the day and included Dancexercise (healthy way to get back into shape after all that eating), Box or Bucks ( whereby you answer a question by standing at the correct place. Last person standing wins. Much like million dollar drop just that the person moves instead of the money and people are ‘dropped out’ if they choose to stand at the wrong place. Kate won btw! We received some starcruise vouchers and exchanged them for some souvenirs. Cool…) as well as mini golf!

If you’re looking for hotel stays in Singapore before setting sail, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Singapore right here!

Conclusion

He says: If I can afford it, I would cruise for every holiday to every continent! That’s how enjoyable cruises are!

She says: For the first time, I dont have to plan for the trip and I get to really chill out and relax. With the credit card discount, it was certainly a steal.

Remember to check out the best cruise packages at LastMinuteTravel.com – Last Minute Prices in Advance!

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Sun Rise Starcruise

Holiday/ Vacation in Hanoi Vietnam – Things to do in Hanoi City, Halong Bay, Sapa

121View from the hotel

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) 

The Hanoi Boutique Hotel
The Hanoi Boutique 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

One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake
One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake
The City Centre Hanoi
The City Centre Hanoi
The Mausoleum
The Mausoleum
The Old Gate Hanoi
The Old Gate Hanoi
The Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature
The Dan Bow player at the water puppet show
The Dan Bow player at the water puppet show
The Water Puppeteers Hanoi
The Water Puppeteers Hanoi
Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnamese Coffee

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).

026Lunch at Know One, Teach One
026Lunch at Know One, Teach One
027Nice deco at KOTO
027Nice deco at KOTO
028Yummy noodles
028Yummy noodles
029I love their vermicelli
029I love their vermicelli

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.

Day 3 – Halong Bay

058On our way to Halong Bay
058On our way to Halong Bay
059Ceramics Factory
059Ceramics Factory
060The bus that took us to the pier
060The bus that took us to the pier
061Ourjunk boat
061Ourjunk boat
062Decent toilet in each room
062Decent toilet in each room
063Rather comfy beds
063Rather comfy beds
064TOwels and bedroom slippers included
064TOwels and bedroom slippers included
065Our room key
065Our room key
066Leaving the pier
066Leaving the pier
067Crabcake
067Crabcake
068Rock formation 1
068Rock formation 1
069Rock formation 2
069Rock formation 2
070Trying an arty shot
070Trying an arty shot
071Rock formation 3
071Rock formation 3
072Rock formation 4
072Rock formation 4
073Another junk boat
073Another junk boat
074Rock formation 5
074Rock formation 5
075Ti Top Island and Temple on top
075Ti Top Island and Temple on top
076Rock Formation 6
076Rock Formation 6
077Monster's Mouth
077Monster’s Mouth
078Water families
078Water families
079Entrance to Cave Surprise
079Entrance to Cave Surprise
080Limestone formations 1
080Limestone formations 1
081Vandalism on the limestone
081Vandalism on the limestone
082Like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie
082Like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie
083'heart' formation
083’heart’ formation
084'couple' formation
084’couple’ formation

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

085I see 2 fishermen chilling out, a rocking horse and a koala bear
085I see 2 fishermen chilling out, a rocking horse and a koala bear
091Double cave
091Double cave
090Have to canoe cuz boat too big
090Have to canoe cuz boat too big
089Luon Cave
089Luon Cave
088Breakfast on Day 2
088Breakfast on Day 2
087Man's head islet
087Man’s head islet
086'middle finger'
086’middle finger’

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!

Day 5 – Sapa, Lao Cai, Cat Cat Village, Victoria Sapa Hotel

093King Express Deluxe
093King Express Deluxe
094Arriving at Lao Cai after an overnight train ride
094Arriving at Lao Cai after an overnight train ride
095One hour bus ride to Sapa
095One hour bus ride to Sapa
096Blurred photos from fast moving bus
096Blurred photos from fast moving bus
097Arriving at Sapa
097Arriving at Sapa
098Sapa Global Hotel where we had our meals
098Sapa Global Hotel where we had our meals
099Yummy chocolate tart
099Yummy chocolate tart
100View from Victoria Sapa Hotel
100View from Victoria Sapa Hotel
101Roaming chickens
101Roaming chickens
102Black pig
102Black pig
103Corn hanging out to dry
103Corn hanging out to dry
104Living room
104Living room
105Kitchen and toilet
105Kitchen and toilet
106Indigo dye
106Indigo dye
107Weaving machine
107Weaving machine
108Leaf art
108Leaf art
109Leaf painting
109Leaf painting
110H'Mong kids
110H’Mong kids
111Cat Cat waterfall
111Cat Cat waterfall
112Scary hanging bridge
112Scary hanging bridge
113Black Pig satay
113Black Pig satay
114Another even more scary bridge to bring us back to Sapa
114Another even more scary bridge to bring us back to Sapa
115Entrance of Cat Cat village
115Entrance of Cat Cat village
116Itinerary at Sapa
116Itinerary at Sapa
117Beefy meal at Sapa Global Hotel
117Beefy meal at Sapa Global Hotel
118Beautiful room in Victoria Sapa Hotel
118Beautiful room in Victoria Sapa Hotel
119Nice toilet with nice ginger toiletries
119Nice toilet with nice ginger toiletries
120Huge balcony
120Huge balcony
121View from the hotel
121View from the hotel
122Swimming pool about 100m away from hotel room
122Swimming pool about 100m away from hotel room
123Fansipan
123Fansipan
124Deck chairs and shower points
124Deck chairs and shower points
125Very 'open concept' bathroom in swimming pool toilet
125Very ‘open concept’ bathroom in swimming pool toilet
126Clean toilets with rose petals and aromatherapy oil
126Clean toilets with rose petals and aromatherapy oil
127Indoor heated swimming pool
127Indoor heated swimming pool
128Pretty deco in the toilet
128Pretty deco in the toilet
129Drinking Tiger beer in Vietnam
129Drinking Tiger beer in Vietnam
130Another yummy meal in Sapa Global Hotel
130Another yummy meal in Sapa Global Hotel
131'Drip' coffee in cafe
131’Drip’ coffee in cafe
132Performance by minority group...guy chasing gal in market
132Performance by minority group…guy chasing gal in market
133Guy dancing with gal
133Guy dancing with gal
134Bamboo instrument
134Bamboo instrument
135Everyone dancing together
135Everyone dancing together
136Another unique instrument
136Another unique instrument

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

137Roof top chillax area in Victoria Sapa Hotel
137Roof top chillax area in Victoria Sapa Hotel
138Good place to enjoy the scenery and fresh air
138Good place to enjoy the scenery and fresh air
139Fansipan mountain in the background
139Fansipan mountain in the background
140Yummy pho!
140Yummy pho!
141Busy Sunday Sapa Market
141Busy Sunday Sapa Market
142Busy street
142Busy street
143Black coffee, milo and milk
143Black coffee, milo and milk
144On the way to Lao Chai Village
144On the way to Lao Chai Village
145Villagers in Lao Chai
145Villagers in Lao Chai
146Bird's eye view of Lao Chai
146Bird’s eye view of Lao Chai
147Treacherous slopes
147Treacherous slopes
148Rice fields
148Rice fields
149Muddy pathway
149Muddy pathway
150More treacherous slopes!
150More treacherous slopes!
151Old bridge
151Old bridge
152New bridge
152New bridge
153Rice milk wine making machine
153Rice milk wine making machine
154Entrance to Ta Van village
154Entrance to Ta Van village
155Villagers take turns to help each other build houses
155Villagers take turns to help each other build houses

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…

Day 7 – Chillax, Foot Massage

156View from Lucky cafe
156View from Lucky cafe
157Chill out alfresco dining at Lucky cafe
157Chill out alfresco dining at Lucky cafe
158More pho bo and pho ga
158More pho bo and pho ga
159Coconut pie
159Coconut pie
160Triple Decker Club sandwich and 1 litre beer at Legends Beer
160Triple Decker Club sandwich and 1 litre beer at Legends Beer
161Monument of King Le Thai To
161Monument of King Le Thai To
162Roadside fried food stuff...meat roll and prawn roll
162Roadside fried food stuff…meat roll and prawn roll
163Magnolia cafe across Hanoi Boutique Hotel
163Magnolia cafe across Hanoi Boutique Hotel
164Magnolia special instant noodles
164Magnolia special instant noodles
165Pork fried in honey and onion
165Pork fried in honey and onion
166Breakfast at hotel...Passionfruit juice and pho ga
166Breakfast at hotel…Passionfruit juice and pho ga
167Yummy pastries at only 6000VND each!
167Yummy pastries at only 6000VND each!
168Roadside Bun Ca for 20,000VND
168Roadside Bun Ca for 20,000VND

This day, we spent just hanging out at various joints and trying all the local street foods. We tried various fried spring rolls, fish noodles, pho and french pastries. Especially enjoyed the pastries as they were fluffy and flavourful. The street fried foods were tasty too (think all fried foods are).

We then headed to a massage parlour for foot massage. It only cost 4USD for 30 minutes! We also tried beer at Legends Beer (Expensive) and had dinner at our favourite Magnolia Cafe just across the street.

Day 8 – Going Home

169Banana and sweet potato fritters...2 for 10,000VND
169Banana and sweet potato fritters…2 for 10,000VND
170Roadside fritters stall
170Roadside fritters stall
171Same meat roll but square shape and aunty sold it for 10,000VND!!!
171Same meat roll but square shape and aunty sold it for 10,000VND!!!
172Sunset on the way to Noi Bai airport
172Sunset on the way to Noi Bai airport

Before heading home, Tom had a haircut for 40,000VND and we had more street foods including fried meat dumplings, banana and sweet potato fritters.

Conclusion

It was a very fruitful trip to just experience the Vietnamese culture and its friendly people. There were so many things to see and do and the food was simply amazing. It was worth every cent of it and we will definitely visit Vietnam again.

He says: Cheap beer, nice views, good food, what else can I ask for?

She says: Crossing the streets can be challenging, remember our tip right at the start of this post. Walk at a constant pace! I enjoyed the view of Halong Bay, Mount Fansipan and the village in the valley. Cannot be experienced else where.

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Staycation / Holiday / Vacation at Sentosa Singapore – Things to do and attractions at Sentosa Island Singapore

things to do and attractions in Sentosa Island Singapore

Nowadays, “staycation” (the combination of stay and vacation – meaning to stay in one’s country to have a vacation) is very popular in Singapore, given the rising number of chic hotels and new establishments sprouting in many corners all over Singapore.

So Kate and I decided to do so as well. We took our pick to stay at the newly constructed Hard Rock Hotel at Sentosa (Resorts World Sentosa, RWS). There are several hotels now in Resorts World Sentosa, namely, Festive Hotel, Hotel Michael, Crockfords Tower (by invitation only) as well as Hard Rock Hotel.

Introduction about Sentosa

Sentosa was formerly known as Pulau Blakang Mati which translates directly as Island, Behind, Dead otherwise known as the Island of the dead. However, in 1972, Sentosa was mooted to become a popular tourist destination and was renamed Sentosa, meaning, “Peace and Tranquility”.

The island is just located 0.5km south of the main island and is now connected via cable car, a link bridge as well as Sentosa pedestrian board walk.

The Sentosa board walk has now several ‘hang out’ places like the Queens (with happy hour drinks and cakes), Venezia (Italian ice cream), Wine Company and a crepes shop. Also you can shop at the Frangipani Creations (theme of frangipani for bags, hair pins, paintings) and a Sentosa souvenir shop.

Admission to Sentosa Island

If you are staying at one of the hotels at Sentosa, admission is usually complimentary. What you would need to do is to check with your hotel on how to gain complimentary entry into the island. This differs slightly from hotels on the island itself and hotels in RWS (Resorts World Sentosa).

By Foot/Walking ($1)

To gain entry via the new boardwalk, it is only $1 per person to enter and you get to enjoy a nice little walk, about 5-7 minutes along the newly constructed boardwalk.

Sentosa broadwalk
Sentosa broadwalk

By Sentosa Express ($3)

The Sentosa express is the new monorail that transits all across the island of Sentosa and back to the main island at Vivocity (a shopping mall). This ride costs $3.

Sentosa Monorail
Sentosa Monorail

By Car

The rates for entry can be found on the website of Sentosa and it is usually cheaper to car pool and go into the island as a group. If you are driving into RWS like we did, remember to keep left as you enter the roads to Sentosa. If you are driving into Hard Rock (near the convention centre), keep left again.

Driving via the bridge that connects to Sentosa
Driving via the bridge that connects to Sentosa

Once you are on the island, all buses and monorail rides are free. Yup, even if you paid only $1 to enter via the boardwalk!

Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa

We first checked into our room at Hard Rock Sentosa. It was located on the top floor, overlooking the entire pool area.

Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Lift Lobby
Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Lift Lobby
Couch in Hard Rock Hotel Room
Couch in Hard Rock Hotel Room
Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Room
Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Room
Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Room 2
Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Room 2
Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Room:FLat Screen TV with surround sound system
Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Room:FLat Screen TV with surround sound system

The pool is one of the best things about Hard Rock Hotels. It is always a surprise for me to see how chill the Hard Rock Pool is and this pool didn’t disappoint. Check out this video of the pool!

Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Singapore and swimming pool
Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa Singapore and swimming pool

The pool at the Hard Rock Hotel consists of so many segments. From my memory, I can recall an infinity pool (or lap pool), a children’s play area (complete with water guns, fountains and a slide), a jacuzzi, a lazy pool, a pool by the bar, as well as, you’ve guessed it, the beach pool complete with soft white Australian-imported sand!

Resorts World Sentosa

After lazying in the pool for a while, we decided to grab some dinner at Vivocity. Each room at the Hard Rock is entitled to 2 parking tickets as well as monorail tickets on the Sentosa Express (unlimited rides from Sentosa to Vivo for 3 consecutive days once activated). As we ventured out, we took some of these pictures.

Sentosa in the evening
Sentosa in the evening
The Queen at The Sentosa Broadwalk
The Queen at The Sentosa Broadwalk
Deco at The Queen
Deco at The Queen
Strawberry tiramisu with wine at The Queen
Strawberry tiramisu with wine at The Queen

After dinner, we decided to chill out at one of the new restaurants along the boardwalk. We had some wine and shared a strawberry tiramisu. The food was ok, but the nice laidback music accompanied by views of RWS more than made up for it. We wanted to catch the animatronics Crane Dance show (9pm), but to our horror, it was under repairs! So we headed for the 9:30pm fountain show at the Lake of Dreams.

We did catch the crane dance animatronics some time before and here it is

There is nothing much to say about the show except, DO NOT GO! Please view our video that we painstakingly recorded for you (for you to fast forward) so that you can save 15 minutes of your precious time. Towards the end of the show, many people started to walk away (hence you see many movements in the video at the end). The show ended without a finale or whatsover. It just faded out…it has to be one of the worst fountain shows ever.

Sentosa Day Play Pass

On the second day, we decided to go for the day play pass and it was a fruitful 10 hours. The day play pass is a packaged deal where you pay $63.90/Adult , $47.90/Child  (Weekdays) and $69.90/Adult, $51.90/child (Weekends) to enjoy 13 attractions from 9am to 7pm. It is really worth it because you get to cover:

1. Fort Siloso

2. Bi-Pedal Bicyle (1 hr)

3. Segway Fun Ride (Beginner’s practice and trail)

4. The Flying Trapeze

5. Skyline Luge (with 1 skyride) OR Unlimited Skyrides

6. Images of Singapore

7. Sentosa 4D Magix

8. Sentosa Nature Discovery

9. Sentosa Cineblast

10. Desperados

11. Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom

12. Tiger Sky Tower

13. The Merlion

But to complete all the attractions (which we almost did), you have to plan your time properly to avoid the crowd. So we suggest you cover like we did!

Images of Singapore

Initially, we wanted to start off our day at the 4D magix, Cineblast as well as Desperados. However, on the way up, we realised that Images of Singapore was already opened. So the first stop was here

Images of Singapore Sentosa
Images of Singapore Sentosa
Images of Singapore Video part
Images of Singapore Video part
Mid Autumn Festival aka Mooncake Festival
Mid Autumn Festival aka Mooncake Festival

It was a pleasant surprise because we really didn’t think the Images of Singapore would be such a huge place. It will probably take perhaps 1-2 hours if you read all the information. The whole museum is full of figurines, statues and displays. It depicts how Singapore came about (with the discovery of Singapore by Sir Stamford Raffles – Nowadays the brand Raffles is associated with everything high class or “Atas” as we would say) and how we thrived from a small fishing village to the cosmopolitan city we are today. Certainly worth visiting.

Cineblast (Extreme Log Ride) / 4D Magix (Pirates) / Desperados

It is good to start off the day at the rides and movies because the queues would usually pick up and you will be wasting precious time queuing. When we reached there, we were first for all the rides and shows! Yay!

Cineblast

Price chart for Pirates, Extreme Log Ride and Desperados
Price chart for Pirates, Extreme Log Ride and Desperados
Entrance to Extreme Log ride
Entrance to Extreme Log ride

We first went for the Extreme Log Ride. It was very realistic! One of the best 3D rides I have been on. It brings you through Himalaymazon. You’ve heard me right! Not the Himalayas nor the Amazon. Haha…not for the faint-hearted though.

Desperados

Desperados Sentosa
Desperados Sentosa

Desperados is a 3D shooting game whereby you are an assistant to the Sheriff and to take out the bad guys. You are seated on a saddle that moves according to the game. Holding on to the pistol with one hand and the saddle with the other, you have 2 rounds of trying to top the score. Enjoyed this one as well. Try to shoot well, else your face would be flashed across the screen as a bobo shooter…

4D Magix – Pirates

Kate and I have been to 4D shows previously and this was nothing new. Basically a 15 minutes show with 4D effects like wind blown by your ears, water sprinkling at you, in your face bees and insects crawling from under your seats. Yup, all the effects accompanied by the 3D movie. Enjoy!

Skyline Luge (with 1 skyride) OR Unlimited Skyrides

Luge and Skyride Sentosa
Luge and Skyride Sentosa
Waiting to do the Luge ride
Waiting to do the Luge ride
Yay! Did the Luge at Sentosa!
Yay! Did the Luge at Sentosa!

Next, we went for the Luge. We didnt know at first that the Luge Ride came with 1 skyride. Still, we chose the Luge. So from Imbiah, we Luged down to the beach. The new trail, Dragon Trail just completed construction not long ago and it was an exciting, winding ride. The slogan is true : Once is never enough. But we had another attractions to enjoy.

Oilio cafe at Imbiah Sentosa
Oilio cafe at Imbiah Sentosa
Chicken Chop spaghetti
Chicken Chop spaghetti
Fish & Chips
Fish & Chips

We were there shortly after lunch, so we beat the crowd and waited only about 5 minutes. Lunch was cheap (@Olio Bites considering prices at Sentosa) and good. We had spaghetti and Fish & Chips. Yum. Enjoy the thrilling Luge!

Segway Fun Ride

Beach Tram Sentosa
Beach Tram Sentosa

After the Luge, we wanted to rent the bicycle and ride into Fort Siloso. However, we were dismayed to find that we couldn’t and we were stopped at the tram station at the entrance of Fort Siloso. So we had to cycle back to return our bikes and head back to Fort Siloso. There were 2 guided tours that day (12.30pm and 3.30pm) but when we finally got back to Fort Siloso, we realised that we just missed the first guided tour! So we were advised by the friendly staff of Sentosa to complete Segway first, which we did.

Segway Crew who will help you familiarise with the Segway
Segway Crew who will help you familiarise with the Segway

We waited a short while before it was our turn. As with the Luge, you would have to don the helmet provided. The first practice session was basically to familiarise yourself with the Segway. The instructor would tell you how to move ahead, backwards and left/right by leaning your body (forwards/backwards) and tilting the handles to the desired direction. It was quite easy actually. But you would be envious when you see the instructors being able to move fast and drift! They would then ask you to ride towards a tree, go round it, and return back to the instructor.

Segway Circuit Sentosa
Segway Circuit Sentosa

The trail is much like a garden walk. On the Segway, it was over in 5 minutes. But it was still fun to go at a leisure speed and try to traverse small humps and engage slopes upwards and downwards. Overall, it was a nice refreshing albeit “risky” experience.

Sentosa Nature Discovery

Sentosa Nature Discovery
Sentosa Nature Discovery
Pretty flowers in the afternoon sun
Pretty flowers in the afternoon sun

We also attended the guided tour here. This area is basically free but with the guided tour, it makes the visit extra educational. The tour covered the types of trees and animals/birds that may be encountered and includes a short treetop/canopy walk. Nature lovers would enjoy this one.

Fort Siloso

At the start of the Fort Siloso tour
At the start of the Fort Siloso tour
British surrendering to the Japanese
British surrendering to the Japanese

Fort Siloso is a museum at Sentosa that covers the defence of Singapore during the colonial and WW2 era. It was really worthwhile to hear the stories that the guide had, and to learn about how it was like during the pre-war and war era.

The tour covered the guns, surrender chambers, life during WW2 under Japanese occupation and the surrender of Japanese back to the allied forces.

This is a really good tour (about an hour or so) for those who are interested in history and WW2. You can board the bus for the tour either at Imbiah or at the entrance of Fort Siloso. It departs slightly earlier, do check with the friendly staff for the exact timings.

The Merlion

Sentosa Merlion
Sentosa Merlion
Merlion Park Sentosa
Merlion Park Sentosa

As we entered, we were given a token at the entrance. It was a gold coin. We were then ushered into a small theatre to watch a short clip of how the “Merlion” came about. After the movie, we dropped our coin into one of the many merlions at the entrance of the lift and exchanged for a gift card. You can then claim your gift at the souvenier shop as you exit the Merlion.

We went to level 10 where the teeth of the Merlion was. We caught several shots here.

Stairs from the mouth of the Merlion to the head
Stairs from the mouth of the Merlion to the head
View Through the Merlion's teeth
View Through the Merlion’s teeth
The cyclone (view from the merlion)
The cyclone (view from the merlion)
View from the merlion's head
View from the merlion’s head

There was also a staff there ready to take a picture for you. After that, we went to the top of the Merlion. The view was spectacular. It covered the whole of Sentosa, including the rides and castle at the Universal Studios, the hotels at Resorts World, a golf course, the cable car ride, the sky tower. Over the distance, we could see our Central Business District (the CBD) as well as views of the ocean and our world famous sea port. Take a look at this video!

We took the lift and exited the Merlion. We were directed to exchange our gift cards for a souvenir and we got 2 hand held fans with Merlion imprinted on it.

Tiger Sky Tower

Tiger Tower
Tiger Tower
Tiger Gondola
Tiger Gondola

Our last stop was the Tiger Sky Tower. It wasn’t our first time but we still enjoyed the spectacular views that it offered. Enjoy these pictures!

Harbourfront from the Tiger Tower
Harbourfront from the Tiger Tower
Merlion from the Tiger Tower
Merlion from the Tiger Tower
Rasa Sentosa from the Tiger Tower
Rasa Sentosa from the Tiger Tower
Reflections at the Bay and Keppel Club from the Tiger Tower
Reflections at the Bay and Keppel Club from the Tiger Tower
Skyride from the Tiger Tower
Skyride from the Tiger Tower
View from the Tiger Tower
View from the Tiger Tower
View of Sea from the Tiger TOwer
View of Sea from the Tiger TOwer
Sunset view from the Tiger Tower
Sunset view from the Tiger Tower

Dinner @ Ramenplay

We went back to the hotel and lazed in the pool again before heading out for dinner. We wanted to catch the butterfly park but missed it as it was closed at 6:30pm. We had visited the one in Cameron Highlands before, so not much regrets there. We missed the trapeze because we aren’t that adventurous. For those who have tried it, do leave a comment on how it went!

We decided to stay in Sentosa for dinner and we ate at Ramenplay. There was a deal with DBS cards. If you order 2 mains, you’d receive a plate of 2 fried meat balls (Dango). The ramen was good. Remember to order the one that comes with the pork broth because it is simmered for a long time to achieve that taste. The meat was generous and the ramen was Q (also known as springy). The Unagi hot pot was not fantastic, but the unagi itself was delicious. Though a little bit on the expensive side, the meal was thoroughly satisfying. We also ordered the bamboo chicken and Chicken/Leek Yakitori to complete the meal. Yum.

Bamboo chicken Ramenplay
Bamboo chicken Ramenplay
Chicken and Leek Yakitori Ramenplay
Chicken and Leek Yakitori Ramenplay
Yummy ramen at Ramen Play
Yummy ramen at Ramen Play
Yummy Unagi from Ramenplay
Yummy Unagi from Ramenplay

Overall, it was an excellent staycation and we enjoyed all the attractions that Sentosa has to offer with the Day Play Pass. Go stay in the hotels at Resorts World Sentosa while they are still new and nice!

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in and around Sentosa right here!

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Related Posts

Check out some of the other Singapore Staycations that we’ve done!

City

Fairmont Singapore Staycation Review: Balcony Views Of Marina Bay Sands And Breakfast At Prego Awaits!

Rendezvous Hotel Singapore : Staycation In The Heart Of The Art District!

Raffles Hotel Staycation Singapore : Relax & Rejuvenate!

Orchard Road

Mandarin Orchard Singapore Staycation Review: Best Views From “Top Of The M” Meritus Club Lounge!

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel Staycation: A Post-COVID Review

Novotel Singapore On Stevens Staycation: An Urban Oasis

5 Reasons Why You Should Do A Staycation At Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore’s Newly Refurbished Club Room!

A Letter To Jen (Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Staycation)…

Quincy Hotel Qool Weekend Staycation : Singapore’s ALL-IN Staycation!

National Day Staycation At The Regent Singapore – A Four Seasons Hotel!

Chinatown

The Clan Hotel Staycation Review: Sky Gym and Sky Pool Views That Mesmerise!

AMOY Hotel Singapore : Why You Should Stay Here During Your Next Visit

Marina Bay

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore Staycation: The Complete Review

Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel Harbour Studio Staycation!

Ritz Carlton Singapore Staycation: Simply Shiok!

Clarke Quay

Swissotel Merchant Court Executive Room Staycation : Right In The Heart Of Clarke Quay!

Bugis

Mercure Singapore Bugis Staycation: Executive Loft Room Review!

Novena

Oasia Hotel Staycation Review!

Katong

Grand Mercure Roxy Singapore Staycation : The Studio Suite!

Uniquely Singapore Staycation At Village Hotel Katong!

Downtown East

D’Resort @ Downtown East : A Perfect Staycation For The Entire Family!

Changi

Village Hotel Changi Staycation : Rediscover The Gems Of Singapore!

Sentosa

The Ultimate Family Staycation At Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa!

Amara Sanctuary Resort Staycation Singapore Sentosa 2 Bedroom (BR) Villa With Plunge (Private) Pool

Hardrock Hotel Singapore (Staycation / Holiday / Vacation At Sentosa Singapore – Things To Do And Attractions At Sentosa Island Singapore)

Malaysia – Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur

Things to do and attractions in Cameron Highlands Malaysia

So we caught the overnight seater and arrived early on Saturday morning. It was about 5 am and the bus was already ascending the Cameron Highlands. At about 6:30am, we reached the town and were given the short break to have our breakfast. We had our usual fill (2nd time to Cameron) of Wan Ton noodles and hopped back to the bus where they took us to our hotel – Strawberry Park Hotel

Strawberry Park Hotel

I used to think that the Strawberry Park Hotel either grows strawberries or is very near a strawberry garden. Neither of which was there. However, it is a quaint hotel with french architecture. It really just offers tranquility and peace of mind when you enter the hotel.

The hotel seemed a little old on the outside. But as we entered the rooms, it offered a whole new perspective to us. The view from the balcony offered lush greenery while the entrance of our room had views of the highland.

The bed was big and comfy. The best part of it was that the bathroom was HUGE. The bathtub was located right in the middle with showers and toilet located behind. Facilities include a playground as well as an indoor heated pool. It was really clean and offered “country-club” like facilities at the bathrooms. The pool stared out at the garden and was a good place to chillax.

We quickly unpacked and headed out for our first stop – Ee Feng Bee Centre

Ee Feng Bee Centre

We joined a mini tour from our tour agency – Titiwangsa. The driver took us to Ee Feng Bee Centre and we were given free time ourselves to roam about. We were able to have up close view of the bees while the bees busied themselves with gathering of the pollen.

Butterfly Garden

The next stop was the butterfly garden. It was an interesting experience as it was the first time that I saw so many butterflies all in an enclosure. There were in fact so many of them that many were just crawling all over the floor. Be careful not to step on them! We also saw a koi feasting on one of them…ew…

Next, the guide at the butterfly garden took us to see some exotic insects. They included stick insects (really have to stare hard to locate them), lizards as well as scorpions! The pictures will show you the guide ‘playing’ with the scorpion and placing it on other tourists.

Strawberry Garden

There are several strawberry gardens in the highlands and the next stop was at one of them. There was a choice of picking strawberries with a given fee. Kate and I were not keen to eat that many strawberries, so we settled for a yummy strawberry milk shake and bought some jams as well. It was nice to observe the strawberry as well as its flowers in its natural form. The guide even teach you how to correctly pluck the strawberries.

Rose Centre

The Rose Centre should be biggest exhibit on show. There are so many kinds of flowers and cacti here. We spotted several unique flowers like the horse-shoe flower as well as the “butterfly” petals (you have to take 2 of it to form a butterfly)

Roses were blossoming prettily and the sunflowers were as large as the palm of my hand! We also climbed to the viewing point and had a spendid view of the city. Warning : The climb can be exhausting.

T-Cafe

In the evening, we took a stroll down the hills to the town nearby to enjoy desserts at T-cafe (located above Marybrown). We ordered Tom Yam Bee Hoon and Claypot Kway Teow as mains. Apple juice and mango lassi as drinks. They were quite enjoyable, but what we were really after was the dessert. We ordered the chocolate cake which was rich and creamy, the apple pie that was how an apple pie should be, as well as the strawberry scone, a nice addition to the meal.

We went to the cab stand nearby and took a short ride back. Literally because the driver was a hell-rider who charged at every curve on the way back. We had to hold on to our seats as we swayed side to side. We were back within 4 minutes flat.

Breakfast

Breakfast at Strawberry Park Hotel was enjoyable. The chef made prata fresh on the spot. Each time he serves his lot, the guests would clear it. I had to order several in advance. They were crispy yet delectable. Together with the curry, it was a oh so awesome!

Kuala Lumpur City

We then proceeded for the next part of our trip to KL city. We stayed at the Swiss Garden Hotel and were presently surprised by its stylish contemporary deco. We ventured out to the city in the evening but encountered a short downpour. So we hid ourselves at Nando’s and had unlimited drinks with a spicy mango burger.

The rain subsided and we began shopping nearby. Soon it was time for dinner and we had claypot rice as well as some satay. Street hawker food is still the best!

The next day, we ventured out to KLCC and had an excellent view of the Petronas Towers (See slide show). There was also opportunity to shop at KLCC as well as the surroundings. We rounded off the evening with more hawker food such as popiah and char kway teow.

He says : I particularly enjoyed the fresh air of the highlands. It is so relaxing just to breathe in the fresh air and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind. Views of the Petronas Towers were also magnificent up close.

She says: I love the cheap malaysian street food and the shopping!!!

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Cameron Highlands right here!

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Perth City to Bunbury – An Australian Road Trip

Perth City to Bunbury Australia

Perth: 25th – 30th Dec 2008

THE DECISION 

A sunny Christmas? Or a white Christmas? It was a dilemma. A cold country would mean bulky unflattering winter clothes, less luggage space for shopping loots and hot chocolate/soups. A warm country would mean that we can wear comfortable clothings, pack light and drink lots of SupaShakes! We were tempted by the strong Singapore dollar against the Australian dollar, and so Australia it is!

Perth: Cloudless skies, clear waters, sandy beaches, wineries!

Additional pull factor: Cheap Tiger Airways tickets!

Sunset as seen from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park 3
Sunset as seen from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park 3
View from the plane from Singapore to Perth
View from the plane from Singapore to Perth

THE PLAN

We did some research on the internet and decided to do a “free and easy”, “fly/drive” holiday. It is convenient to rent a car at the airport and it is fairly cheap. $45/day for an economy car; $90/day for a convertible. We thought: “We would never drive a convertible in Singapore anyways (too expensive and lack of long roads where you can drive at fairly high speed to feel the wind in your face).

We had a basic plan of spending 2 nights in Perth City and 3 nights in Bunbury. To make this little road trip exciting, we kept it flexible for anything in between, but Margaret River wineries and chocolate factory were definitely on the To-Do/See-List!

Our Opel Astra Convertible for Road trip from Perth to Margaret River
Our Opel Astra Convertible for Road trip from Perth to Margaret River

PERTH CITY

So after a 5 hours flight (it’s Christmas Day but the crew didn’t do anything special on the flight!) we arrived in Perth. By the time we got our car key from the Avis rental desk, the skies had already turned dark. The car park lacked lighting unlike in Singapore and we had difficulty finding our car. Then, we saw the family of four who were in front of us at the car rental queue, and they appeared unsure of their car’s location as well. So quietly, we followed behind them. It was like the blind leading the blind. Soon, they found their car and we deduced that we were in the right area. Tom started to frantically press the car remote, and the convertible started blinking its headlights on us and it “found” us.

Although we were in a hurry to get out of the dark deserted car park, we were somewhat distracted by the convertible function. Being “sua ku” (read mountain tortoise – a local dialect to describe someone who is not up to date with current trends), we took 5 minutes to realise that you have to “press and hold” the “convertible button” then the mechanism will work (before that, all we heard was mechanical whirring without any movement).

HE SAYS: Ask for specific directions to your car and limit your amazement of the convertible function to 5 minutes tops.

Leaving the car park, we head towards our accommodation for the night, Perth City Hostelling International. Kate memorized the route and directed me to the Hostel. It wasn’t long before we got to the hotel (shows how near it was as we were driving at a very ‘cautious’ speed – being dark, driving a convertible for the first time and all). It had a parking space for customers at a daily fee of AUD$10. When we checked in and got our room keys, we asked where we could get dinner for the night. The receptionist told us that at this hour of the night, the places we could go would be Macs down the street or Knightsbridge (a rather new night spot to hang out). Being too dark and unfamiliar with the area, we decided not to venture. Not wanting Macs for dinner either, we retired to our lovely little bed room.

Facade of Perth City YHA
Facade of Perth City YHA
Bedroom at Perth City YHA...with TV!
Bedroom at Perth City YHA…with TV!
Toilet and Shower at Perth City YHA
Toilet and Shower at Perth City YHA

The room was perfect; no frills design, a comfortable bed, a small TV, and an ensuite bathroom. However, we could hear the sounds of our ever joyful residents walking pass the corridor every now and then (even in the wee hours! – youth hostel…). The hostel also has a reading room, a kitchenette and a small chillax pool.

SHE SAYS: $100 per night for a private room with ensuite bathroom for 2 was great! The kitchenette was a good place for you to meet new people 🙂

What is the day after Christmas? Boxing Day! And what is associated with Boxing Day? Boxing Day sales!!! Kate had already prepared shopping money for this trip and got up real early that day. The shops were slated to open at 11am but there was already a long queue in front of David Jones at 9am!

Xmas deco in Perth City
Xmas deco in Perth City
More Christmas decorations in Perth City
More Christmas decorations in Perth City
Swan Bell Tower aka Rocket Perth City
Swan Bell Tower aka Rocket Perth City

We roamed on the streets, took photos, and we decided to grab some MacDonald’s breakfast (somehow Kate and I are suckers for MacDonald’s breakfasts – hash brown and pancakes!) With our breakfast in our hands, we made our way towards Kings Park. We took more photos along the way…it was a cloudless day; clear blue skies!  Here, we caught a glimpse of the Swan Bell Tower. Continuing our way towards the park, we were greatly rewarded with this view…

Attempt to walk to Kings Park
Attempt to walk to Kings Park
View from the cycling path
View from the cycling path
View of Perth City
View of Perth City

The breeze was cool and welcoming while the morning sun brought warmth and lifted our spirits (not forgetting the essential Vitamin D :P). People around us were relaxed. They were walking their dogs (we were careful not to sit on any poo on the grass fields), brisk walking, cycling. Looking out at the lake, some were having a relaxed morning sailing in the bay…ahhh…wish we can retire in Perth…

Energised by the morning walk and breakfast, we quickly headed back to the malls for the sales.  Tom took several photos of the malls while I popped in and out of several shops. My total damage: AUD$151 for a total of 13 items of clothings! *Happiness* After the retail therapy, we stayed focused and according to our itinerary that Kate has so diligently prepared, we were going to visit Fremantle today. 

Shopping malls in Perth City
Shopping malls in Perth City
 London Court Perth City
London Court Perth City
Cool words at London Court Perth City
Cool words at London Court Perth City

SHE SAYS: Great finds in the quaint little shops! 🙂

FREMANTLE

Fremantle is known for its market and we planned it such that we would arrive on a day when the market’s open (weekends). The day had already started to turn hot. But in order to utilize the convertible and get a nice tan, we lifted the top and we’re off! Fremantle’s a short drive from Perth but we took a little diversion and took some pictures at Cottesloe Beach. We also picked up our favourite Australian drink, SUPASHAKE!! And had little picnic at the beach. Moving on, we arrived at Fremantle, drovepast the old chapel and found a parking lot close to the markets. 

Cottlesloe Beach enroute from Perth to Fremantle
Cottlesloe Beach enroute from Perth to Fremantle

We started venturing into the market and were greeted with shirts of all sorts of prints at the entrance. The classic boomerangs and didgeridoo were frequently sighted as well. Then…we stumbled upon a tart store and we kept staring at the tarts. Though we were not hungry, we thought, what the heck, and we bought us this lemon lime tart. Of course, Kate just wanted to give it a try and I gobbled down the rest. *Happiness for Tom* 

Fremantle markets
Fremantle markets
Rules and regulations for the Fremantle markets
Rules and regulations for the Fremantle markets
Inside of the Fremantle markets
Inside of the Fremantle markets
Yummy lemon lime tart from Fremantle Market
Yummy lemon lime tart from Fremantle Market

That night, we concluded our stay in Perth City by splurging at an Italian restaurant (Positano Restaurant) for dinner. We had yummy parmesan veal and margarita pizza. We loved the huge portions in Australia!

Kate's wine and Tom's beer at Table 7
Kate’s wine and Tom’s beer at Table 7
Veal Parmigiana
Veal Parmigiana
BBQ chicken pizza with brie and avacado
BBQ chicken pizza with brie and avacado

HE SAYS: Boxing Day sales must have been real good. You should have seen the big smile that hung on Kate’s face that day! : )

 

BUNBURY

Leaving the hostel, we drove along the scenic coastal route. We took frequent breaks and enjoyed the clear waters and sandy beaches. Somehow we took the wrong turn and got lost! But that wrong turn led us to Point Peron with stunning views! We even managed to get yummy cheesecake from The Cheesecake Shop tucked away in the small town (Kate had been craving for them ever since she tasted them in Brisbane). Helpful and friendly Aussies at the look-out point then orientated us to the direction of Mandurah.

Very clear waters!!!
Very clear waters!!!
'Private beach'
‘Private beach’
Somewhere in between Perth and Mandurah
Somewhere in between Perth and Mandurah

SHE SAYS: Remember to book your car rental with unlimited mileage for such unforeseen detours! 🙂

We had lunch at Mandurah and decided to have steak-and-cheese pie and apple turnover.

Steak and mushroom pie
Steak and mushroom pie
Apple Turnover
Apple Turnover

Unfortunately we were caught in a 2hour traffic jam from Mandurah to Bunbury due to a traffic accident on a one lane road (there were also more cars then usual because people were heading to a festival down south).  By now we could not withstand the mid-day sun and had to put the top down and turn the A/C on at max.

Traffic jam from Mandurah to Bunbury due to an accident
Traffic jam from Mandurah to Bunbury due to an accident

We arrived at the Dolphin Retreat Bunbury around 5pm and discovered that it was more “no frills” than the Perth City Hostel. We almost missed it as it was a typical Aussie house along a residential street. It has parking space for about 5 cars. There were only communal toilets and a small lounge area for the residents to hang out.

Our sunny room in Bunbury YHA
Our sunny room in Bunbury YHA
The rather creaky bed
The rather creaky bed
Beautiful Sunset in Bunbury
Beautiful Sunset in Bunbury
An iconic checkered Lighthouse by the beach at Bunbury
An iconic checkered Lighthouse by the beach at Bunbury

But with the low price, it was decent enough (AUD$60 for a private double room). Thankfully, the summer days were long and we could still stroll along the beach and watch the sunset. 

It was a long stretch of beach right beside the street where the hostel is situated. For one of the dinner, we bought a whole roasted chicken from Coles and had a picnic by the beach. The houseflies were interested in our dinner too! :/ With the amount of walking along the beach, I think we had enough exercise for the week 😛

SHE SAYS: I love endless beaches and the warm glow from the sunset!! 🙂

 

Margaret River

Sunrise is early during summer in Australia and we weren’t quite used to it. But looking forward to a big breakfast (literally and figuratively), we ordered the “Big Breakfast” at Café Bean. We gobbled down our food and almost forgot to take pictures!! Here in this picture, you can see the remnants of the fried mashed potato, the sunny-side-up, button mushrooms and the sausage. We had our fill and we made our way to the wineries!

Close up pic of half eaten breakfast - not too bad right?
Close up pic of half eaten breakfast – not too bad right?
But in reality, the half eaten Big Breakfast looks like this! :P
But in reality, the half eaten Big Breakfast looks like this! 😛
Yummy Chai Latte
Yummy Chai Latte

Enroute to the wineries, we HAD to stop at the famous Margaret River Chocolate Factory (for free samples of white, milk and dark chocolate buttons!) The products were quite pricey so we settled for a souvenir cup (filled with honeycomb choc) and a piece of almond choco block. 

Nice paperbag from Margaret River Chocolate Company
Nice paperbag from Margaret River Chocolate Company
Cute cup with honeycomb chocolate from Margaret River Chocolate Company
Cute cup with honeycomb chocolate from Margaret River Chocolate Company

HE SAYS: Don’t be shy! You can go for as many chocolate samples as you want. We even took a handful for the road! 😛

There are SO MANY wineries in the Margaret River estate! We had a map with us with the wineries numbered (you can get this map from the local hostels/hotel and in some of the wineries). We kinda each randomly picked a few numbers to visit but we had to visit…

Huge vineyard at Vasse Felix
Huge vineyard at Vasse Felix
History of Vasse Felix vineyard
History of Vasse Felix vineyard
Rows of grapes at Margaret River vineyards
Rows of grapes at Margaret River vineyards
1st vineyard at Margaret River
1st vineyard at Margaret River

Vasse Felix! It is the first vineyard to be established in the Margaret River region (1967). The compound was huge and we enjoyed the free wine tasting. We tasted an expensive dessert wine which was really really really sweet 😛 After sampling wines at 2 other wineries, we began to feel a little bit tipsy.  

So Tom suggested that we head back but stop by a brewery this time. Duckstein Brewery was our next stop. This brewery had gardens for the children to play and restaurant that serves huge portions of German food and beer for the adults to partake. We settled for the common German fare of roasted pork knuckle and hefeweisse (white German wheat beer). We then had a nice little stroll in the park but we had to fight off the incessant “harassment” of the houseflies.

Duckstein Brewery Swan Valley
Duckstein Brewery Swan Valley
Pork knuckle and Hefeweise at Duckstein Brewery
Pork knuckle and Hefeweise at Duckstein Brewery
Relaxing at the Park at Duckstein Brewery
Relaxing at the Park at Duckstein Brewery

HE SAYS: Flies are a common sight during the summer months in Perth. Some may even “hitch a ride” on your back as you stroll along the beaches.

Cape Naturaliste

Next on our itinerary was a guided tour up the Naturaliste Lighthouse (built in 1903). The tickets were priced at AUD$11 per pax and the tour guide gave an informative narration of the lighthouse’s history. He described the shipwrecks that took place off the coast, lives of the guards who used to work in the lighthouse, as well as the advancement in technology (use of crystal prisms) of the lighthouse. We could see the Sugarloaf rock from the top of the lighthouse (it’s a short lighthouse but it is built on a 110m hill). The winds were strong that day and it totally messed up Kate’s hair while I “hid” behind the tour guide (he was a “rolly-polly” man :P)

Short lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste but on 110m hill
Short lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste but on 110m hill
Close up of lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste
Close up of lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste
Naturaliste lighthouse
Naturaliste lighthouse
Crystal prism at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Crystal prism at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Nice beach as seen from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Nice beach as seen from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Sugarloaf rock as seen from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Sugarloaf rock as seen from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Aussie flag at Cape Naturaliste
Aussie flag at Cape Naturaliste

Dolphin Discovery Centre

One of the reasons why we chose Bunbury as the second leg of our road trip was its close proximity to the Dolphin Discovery Centre. For a mere AUD$5 (adult tix; valid for 2 days in case the dolphins did not turn up at the shore on the first day), we could learn about the dolphin habitat via exhibitions and videos in the centre. It was amazing how the wild dolphins interact with the humans along the shore. We were instructed to stand in a straight line facing the ocean, making coordinated movements forwards without alarming the dolphins. The staff of the discovery centre was able to identify the dolphins approaching the shore by the scars on their fins. The playful dolphins would circle around some of us and even allowed us to touch them.

Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: Dolphin fins
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: Dolphin fins
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: A pod of dolphins
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: A pod of dolphins
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: A Cruise ship going out...
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: A Cruise ship going out…
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: Close up shots of dolphin
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: Close up shots of dolphin
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: Close up shots of more dolphins
Dolphin Discovery Centre Perth: Close up shots of more dolphins

Tom was then distracted by the seagulls at the beach. I specifically told him not to feed them but he adamantly took bread pieces and fed them. It seemed fun at first, but soon, more seagulls gathered around us. We tried to leave by calmly walking away but they followed after us and cast shadows upon us as they hovered around. It was frightening!!!

SHE SAYS: Do not feed the seagulls!!!! (I told you, already!) Husbands, please listen to your wives.

We spent the last day leisurely at the beach. The hostel had boogie boards for guests to use for free. Tom took up the challenge and tried the boogie board for the first time. The water was freezing!!! I, on the other hand, lay on the soft sand and enjoyed my sun tan, watching Tom being washed ashore over and over again. That evening, we sat by the beach, blessed and contented, watching the sun set in the horizon.

After dinner drive along the beach - beautiful sunset
After dinner drive along the beach – beautiful sunset

 Conclusion

SHE SAYS: The convertible was a good experience and the budget accommodation was fine with us as we spent most of the day sightseeing anyways. I loved the blue cloudless skies and white sandy beaches! We did so much yet we didn’t feel rushed and tired at the end of the day. I wanna go Australia again! But first, I have to wait for the currency to weaken…(as of 2011)

 HE SAYS: Well worth the money! We enjoyed the splendid scenery, great food and wine. The sale was great as well. In fact, we are planning for another trip just to do Boxing Day sales all over again! I enjoyed the drive. Miles of uncrowded roads is not something we have in Singapore. The whole holiday was relaxing and I was all charged up, energized and ready to go for the new year.

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Berjaya Hills – Colmar Tropicale Jun 2011

Morning view from 3rd level of tower

Introduction

Berjaya Hills is located near to KL and Genting Highlands. It is about 800m above sea level (Genting is about 2000m) . Hence, the drive up the hill is relatively smooth and short compared to the long and windy roads of Genting. The drive up the hill from the main road is only about 15 mins.

The entire development is done up by the Berjaya Group and currently consists of the Colmar Tropicale, Golf/Country Club, Rabbit Farm, Horse Trail as well as the Japanese/Botanical Garden. The Chateau (A French themed resort and spa) will be opening in July and there are also talks of a German, Italian and Spanish themed resorts.

The temperature is about low to mid 20s though it may reach about 30 degrees on hot days.

Souvenier shop and carriage
Souvenier shop and carriage
Morning view from 3rd level of tower
Morning view from 3rd level of tower
Colmar Tropicale
Colmar Tropicale
More koi with mini waterfall
More koi with mini waterfall
Japanese Garden Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills
Japanese Garden Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills
Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills
Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills

Japanese and Botanical Gardens

Cost : Free

One of our favourite attractions at Berjaya Hills has got to be the Japanese Garden. As the roads were under construction, the shuttle from the resort dropped us off a distance from the gardens itself. The beginning of the walk was a 45degrees inclined path which exhausted us quite a bit (or at least Tom). However, if you tread the path slowly, you would enjoy the scenery of the hills, the overhanging trees and the birds.

The gardens are filled with Japanese themed plants and flowers. Pebbles lined the pathway. Heading towards the Japanese teahouse, we were pleasantly surprised by the koi fish pond as well as the gentle streams and mini falls. The sounds of the water really together with the serenity of the gardens really does allow one to unwind.

Along the way there is a spa as well as a guest house. We think that the prices are quite exorbitant but still the architecture adds genuine flavour to the gardens.

The Japanese gardens is linked to the botanical gardens via a short walkway. For the botany enthusiasts, you will find that the plants are labelled meticulously, some with their scientific names.  The entire walk, at a leisure pace will take about an hour or so. Do take your time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the nature!

 

Horse Trail

Cost : 1 hour trail costs 100RM on weekdays and 120RM on weekends

It was the first time that we rode a horse. Hence, Wan (the receptionist @ the Horse Trail) recommended that we had a half hour introduction to riding before half an hour on the roads. We gladly accepted his recommendation and we never regretted it.

The first half hour was basically about confidence building. When you first mount the horse, you will feel a little tensed. After the introduction, we all felt quite relaxed and had a great time on the trail.

The introduction covered riding (riding in circles within a pen while the horses trotted) without hands, without legs and without hands and legs. After which, the sequence was repeated without hands while the horse galloped.  We were also taught how to angle our heels and be at at standing position such that when the horse is climbing up a slope, we sort of ease the burden on the horse a little.

After the introduction, we were relaxed and confident about riding our  horses (mine was called Miss Penelope while Kate’s was called Indiana Rose). The trail took us out on the main road for about 2 kilometres or so and we were able to just chat and enjoy the scenery that Berjaya Hills had to offer.

On a side note, the rabbit farm was close by and it costs only 3RM for entry. We peered in from the outside and saw that the kids were thoroughly enjoying themselves. A recommended place for family time.

 

Golf/ Country Club

Although we are not golf enthusiasts, we can see that the condition of the golf course was quite well maintained. It should be a place that golfers will enjoy. The club house offers archery, billiard, bowling, squash, tennis, swimming and badminton.

But the highlight of the country club (at least for us) has got to be the cafe! This is because, up on the hills at Tropicale, the restaurants charge exorbitant prices (A large pizza costs 36RM while the buffet was 55RM++) At the cafe of the clubhouse, the jumbo hotdog that comes with fries and salad costs only 11RM! Noodles and rice were about 13RM.

 

Colmar Tropicale

We stayed in a 2BR suite and had views of the hills and swimming pool. The view of the ‘main street’ (about 100 metres of it) is really modelled/inspired by the French town of Colmar. At the end of the ‘main street’ is a tower, overlooking the hills, golf course and resort itself. Here is a video of it…

 

 

There is even complimentary acrobatics as well as magic shows at several timings throughout the day!

 

Our Take

He says: I have thoroughly enjoyed the trip especially the walk through the gardens. Breathing in the fresh air of the hills and taking in the greenery does relaxes the soul.  I also enjoyed the horse trail and learning how to ride a horse. Since I drive, Im also glad that the drive uphill was actually only about 15 mins…phew…

She says: I enjoyed the cool weather and the landscape of the hills. I think I had enough pastries for the remaining half of the year. I was scared to ride the horse but Im glad I did it in the end as it was actually quite fun!

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills
Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills
[Going on Vacation?] Your support helps to keep our content on 2bearbear.com fresh each week! 🐻🐻✈️🧳Buy us a Coffee☕🍩🥐 OR
This is default text for notification bar