Sparklette Magazine » Travel

Play & Win: The Great Aussie Escape by Dynasty Travel

Veron Ang — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:02:40 +0000

Have you ever wanted to go to Australia and visit the attractions like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef? Now, you can learn more about these places virtually by playing the The Great Aussie Escape Facebook game.

To play the game, you would first need to Like the Dynasty Travel Facebook page.

Through this fun game, you can visit 8 of Australia’s most scenic views in Queensland and New South Wales and try to earn as many tokens as possible.

What You Can Win

The top scorer wins a new iPad!
Every 30 tokens earn you a lucky draw chance to win trips to Sydney and Brisbane.
Refer a friend to play the game and Dynasty Travel will add S$1.50 to the Jackpot. For every successful referral, you earn a lucky draw chance to win this Jackpot as well as tickets to Sydney and Brisbane!

I really like the scenic visuals and animated sequences in the game and have already finished all the stages. The fact that the game play is really easy also helps, because I generally don’t have the patience to get into a complicated game. As of now, I’m still trying to better my previous score!

Apart from playing the game, you can also click on “Explore Australia” to learn more on various Aussie attractions and enquire on these tours directly with Dynasty Travel.

The contest ends on 30 June 2012. Start playing now, and more importantly, have fun!

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Angry Birds Land in Finland [Photos]

Veron Ang — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:26:30 +0000

Colour me excited. Angry Birds Land is now open at the Särkänniemi Adventure Park in Tampere, Finland. Angry Birds fans can not only play the popular game on their mobile devices, but in real life as well!

This themed land has 12 rides, an adventure course, food stands and games based on the popular mobile game by Finnish video game development company Rovio Entertainment.

Credit

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Starbucks “The Bank” Concept Store in Amsterdam

Veron Ang — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 05:29:25 +0000

Take a look at The Bank. No, this isn’t a Hollywood movie, but the name of a beautiful Starbucks concept store in Amsterdam.

Opened on March 8, 2012, the 430 square metre (4,500 sqf) store is located in the vault of the historic Amsterdamsche Bank. Among other things, it features a floor-to-ceiling mural celebrating the history of Dutch coffee traders, repurposed Dutch oak throughout the space, antique Delft blue tiles, a ceiling sculpture created from 1,876 hand-cut wooden blocks, and a wall clad in recycled bicycle inner tubes.

At the Coffee Theatre, baristas will “develop new coffee brewing methods” and offer “small batch reserve coffees available nowhere else on the continent.”

If you are a Twitter user, you can try following Starbucks’ tweets. For example, the bakery tweet out ‘warm cookies’ the minute a fresh batch rolls out of the oven.

Credit: Starbucks

Have Your Say!

What do you think of Starbucks The Bank? Do you know of any other unique Starbucks concept stores in the world? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Starbucks The Bank
Herengracht 595 1017 CE
Amsterdam
The Netherlands

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Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter – Last Remaining World War II Civilian Shelter in Singapore

Veron Ang — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:45:48 +0000

To mark the 70th anniversary of the beginning of World War II in Southeast Asia, the Tiong Bahru air raid shelter is open to the public for the first time.

Located at Block 78 Guan Chuan Street in one of Singapore’s oldest public housing estates, the facility is believed to be the last civilian air raid shelter on the island. When the Japanese bombarded Singapore between December 1941 and January 1942, residents in this area dashed here for cover. Singapore fell to the Japanese on February 15, 1942.

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Two guided tours, each lasting an hour, take place every Saturday at 10am and 11am in February, with each tour accommodating a maximum 25 participants. The February slots are already full, but I hear that March slots have been open. So you can still try your luck to register by emailing lee_bee_cheng@nhb.gov.sg.

The tour starts at Tiong Bahru Market, where there is a showcase of various news articles from the pre-war years.

The term “air raid shelter” was used loosely in those years. An open trench or a space under a staircase could be considered one. Apparently, the colonial government told people to run to an open area and lie flat on the ground in the event of an attack. Obviously the suggestion was not very well received, so various vendors including Alexandra Brickworks started offering air raid shelter construction services.

In 1938, Block 78 was built by the then Singapore Improvement Trust, the colonial predecessor to the Housing and Development Board. It was believed to be the only public housing to incorporate an air raid shelter. The basement shelter is about 1,500 square metres in size, equivalent to the size of 13 five-room flats.

No dumping is allowed at this piece of national history. But here’s the irony. Apparently before it was recently open to the public, it was used to store rubbish bins by the Tanjong Pagar Town Council.

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This is the old entryway used by residents back then. It wasn’t as dark originally as there were skylights, which have since been cemented along with the entrance. Back then once the first planes are seen in the sky and the sirens were heard, families would grab their kids and run through here to safety.

Apparently, the Japanese dropped bombs that landed in Tiong Bahru because they missed their target at the Singapore General Hospital!

The first thing that hits you when you enter the air raid shelter is not the sight of the exposed brick walls, but the musty smell. The guide already warned us beforehand that the ventilation isn’t fantastic. And it’s not hard to see why.

For such a huge shelter, there aren’t that many windows. In fact, we only spotted these tiny windows in a few rooms. Apart from that, much of the shelter with its many rooms and narrow corridors is enclosed.

It is worth noting that all fluorescent lights were retrofitted. So without windows and lighting, the bunker was very dark originally.

Some of the old bricks from Alexandra Brickworks can be seen.

If you have watched the movie Life is Beautiful, you may find this photo above familiar. In the movie the Jewish in the Nazi death camp slept on beds like these.

But over here, no one knows for sure whether these wooden shelves were used as bunk beds or storage.

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“BHS” probably stands for Bukit Ho Swee, which is strange because it is a fair distance away from Gong Chuan Street.

I have no idea what this metal/wood structure is. Leave a comment if you do!

These photos can be found pasted on one corner of a wall near the ceiling. They look to be in good condition. I can’t tell if they were there since the 1940s or much later. Do you recognise the stars in the photos?

Can you tell what these are?

Credit

The video below includes accounts of the Pereira family who sheltered here during the war.

It just feels so strange to be walking through an air raid shelter right here in Singapore, imagining what life was like back in those wartime years. Most of us have never experienced war, and have known only peace throughout our lives. But only a couple of generations before, our predecessors had to live in fear about bombs and enemy attacks.

The only reason why we are better off than the people back then (and the people in any war-prone nation now) is the fact that we are lucky enough to be born at the right place at the right time. A humbling experience and a reminder of how fortunate we all really are.

Have Your Say!

Do you have any story to share about the World War II? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

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Hong Kong Disneyland (Part 2) – Adventureland, Tomorrowland & the New Toy Story Land [Photos & Videos]

Veron Ang — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:10:20 +0000

Let’s continue with Part 2 of my trip to Hong Kong Disneyland!

If you missed it previously, here is Part 1 of this Hong Kong Disneyland trip, with loads of photos and videos of

The awesome Flights of Fantasy parade
The gorgeous Main Street USA
The Golden Mickeys show
Fantasyland

When visiting Hong Kong Disneyland, be sure to look out for this signboard. It shows you where the various attractions are, and more importantly, the waiting time for each of the rides/shows.

Click to enlarge

Toy Story Land

Here we are at the newest land of Hong Kong Disneyland (as of 2012) — Toy Story Land!

Say hi to Woody!

The Toy Story films are my absolute favourite from Disney/Pixar. Being here just feels so dreamy. All of Andy’s toys — Woody, Rex, Slinky — are in giant sizes so you feel as though you have been shrunk down to the size of toys!

Themed after the Bucket O Soldiers, The Toy Soldier Parachute Drop is an enjoyable ride where you go 25 meters up in the air with feet dangling in nothingness, then fall like a simulated parachute drop. It’s really fun!

Once the ride begins, the feeling up there is top-of-the-world awesome. I think this is one of the highest points you can reach at Hong Kong Disneyland. You get a true bird’s eye view of the park, and perhaps more unexpectedly, a glimpse at the lands that are still under construction. The view is just fantastic!

You can also ride in Slinky at the Slinky Dog Spin, which I guess is more catered to kids. It goes round and round, as though Slinky is trying to catch his own tail.

If you’re in the mood for something scarier, take the RC Racer!

RC Racer is a high speed U-shaped coaster similar to the pirate ship rides at amusement parks. From the ground, it sure looks like one heck of a scary ride. In fact, it took me a long while to contemplate whether to go on it or simply stick with the kiddy ones like the Slinky Dog. I finally decided that it’s now or never! Who knows when is the next time I’ll get to visit Disneyland again, right?

I opted to sit in one of the centre rows as I’m not much of a daredevil (though I did bungee jump once). But if you are, jump into a seat in the last row. Actually regardless of what you choose to sit, you definitely still feel those stomach-churning drops.

It starts off rather slow at first before quickly building up to the climax. That’s when the ride reaches its maximum height and a near vertical position as you brace yourself for the highest drop. What a thrill! Boy, even just writing this gets my adrenaline pumping. You may wanna mentally prepare yourself before the ride. Or not. Just go with it and enjoy the speedy ride!

And at Toy Story Land, even the toilets have a sign made from huge Scrabble tiles! When you are a Toy Story fan, Toy Story Land is truly the best place on earth to be in!

Adventureland

Entering Adventureland is like walking into an exotic tropical jungle a la The Lion King and Tarzan. It is filled with lush greenery and foliage, complete with Tiki torches and even a river!

For a ride on the wild side, take the Jungle River Cruise. It is available in three languages — English, Mandarin or Cantonese — so do make sure you join the right queue. The vessel also goes round Tarzan’s Treehouse.

The wait can be quite long, but once your turn comes, you are rewarded with an entertaining jungle ride led by a very humorous skipper. The route passes Cambodian ruins, and into Africa where you get to meet animals like elephants, gorillas, zebras and rhinoceroses.

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At one point, you even see people climbing up a tree trying to escape from an angry rhino and a pack of laughing hyenas.

The most exciting part has to be the head hunter territory, which has skulls impaled on sticks as a warning to visitors. Need I say more?

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This is one adventurous journey that is filled with water and flames and gives you one heck of an experience!

Within each land, there are a number of restaurants and cafés where you can rest your feet and grab a bite. Each one is themed after the land it is in.

Tahitian Terrace is a casual eatery in Adventureland that sells several Asian dishes such as Penang laksa, tandoori lamb kebab and tom yum noodles.

Chinese style roast chicken
HK$65

Served with steamed rice and chicken broth, the Chinese style roast chicken is quite similar to the soy chicken rice dish in Singapore, except with the obvious difference that the rice isn’t oily.

Tandoori chicken
HK$75

You will also find a surprisingly large selection of Indian dishes, including quite a few vegetarian items. The tandoori chicken is accompanied by Makhani sauce, biryani rice and some vegetables.

Tomorrowland

For more thrills and excitement, you gotta check out Tomorrowland. This is where the legendary Space Mountain ride is, along with other outer space-themed attractions like the Orbitron:

Can this be the spaceship that Buzz Lightyear was looking for in Toy Story?

This is also where we chanced upon an unexpected visitor… Push, the Talking Trash Can! He looks exactly like any other trash can at the park, except that well, he moves about and speaks in a robotic voice! I was half expecting him to say “Waaaaaall·E”.

You gotta check out the video above. This cute talking trash can sure amused us onlookers! You know you are in Disneyland, but no one expects to see a moving trash can!

Here’s the iconic Space Mountain that houses a dizzying indoor roller-coaster. This is also where I took the scariest ride of a lifetime.

It is almost completely dark during the ride, so dark that you can’t even see the person seated right next to you. In the midst of all that darkness, you are sent through continuous rapid twists and 180 degree-turnarounds without knowing what lies ahead, when the next turn will come, or when the journey will end. Seems like forever!

I’m known to friends as being quite brave, but this Space Mountain ride really scared me. From the looks of the other passengers who came out after the ride with pale faces and wobbly legs, I know I’m not just being a scaredy-cat! A couple of hours after the ride, one guy was still rubbing ointment on his temples! Has anyone taken the Space Mountain ride at Hong Kong Disneyland? Please share your experiences! Do you find it as scary?

Even after having taken the same ride at Tokyo Disneyland, I don’t remember it being this terrifyingly thrilling. Strictly not for the weak-hearted. You have been warned!

After the pitch-dark ride, it got me wondering about what really is in there. If you are just as curious, search for “space mountain lights on” on Youtube. There are quite a number of videos that show the ride with the lights on. And my, it really is awesome. I don’t mean awesome as in the “oh my god wasn’t Toy Story 3 just awesome” sense of the word. I mean awesome as in literally awe-inspiring. The steel structure is just a majestic work of art! You have to see it to believe it.

For now, let’s go to my most favourite ride at Hong Kong Disneyland — Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters!

To infinity and beyond!

“Whooooaaaa…”

Before the ride begins, you are given a briefing by Buzz himself in this video below. During the ride you sit in neon coloured cars, go through a tunnel filled with minions of the evil Zurg, and shoot at them with laser guns. In so doing, you will help Buzz Lightyear protect the Galaxy from the threat of invasion from the evil Emperor Zurg, sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance! (Yes, he actually says that in the movie.)

Whilst shooting at enemies, you earn points at the same time. Just be sure to aim the red laser point correctly at the targets. This ride is so fun and interactive, I took it twice just to see if I could better my score the first time! I’ll gladly take it again the next time I visit Disneyland. It is that fun! My friends who have taken the same ride concur too.

Hong Kong Disneyland Merchandise

The various merchandise stores and kiosks at the park sell a wide range of gifts and toys, including the ones from Toy Story!

The Woody toy even comes with a pull string that makes him talk, just like in the movies!

Of course, Buzz Lightyear the coolest toy in the world is available too.

So is Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear who looks oddly cuddly here.

Precious Moments Monsters Inc

Of all the toys, I am most entertained by these Minnie and Sulley (from Monsters Inc) dolls that dance when activated by sound/touch. They’re just adorable!

Painting of Main Street USA

The sweets shop is another world altogether. I don’t think I have ever seen so many different kinds of candies all in one place. This has got to be a kid’s paradise!

The sweets and cookies come in different shapes and colours, resembling various Disney characters.

Hong Kong Disneyland Street Performance

Apart from the regular shows and rides, there are also street performances that surprise the crowd.

One juggler, Mickael Bellemene from France, puts up a great performance that is filled with deft skills and comedy.

He’s so funny!

If you’re staying or dining at one of the two Disneyland hotels, you can catch a free bus ride there.

Ever wonder what it’s like to have breakfast with your favourite Disney characters? Stay tuned for Part 3 for Disney-themed food and the Disneyland hotels!

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Hong Kong Disneyland (Part 1) – Main Street USA, Fantasyland & the Castle [Photos & Videos]

Veron Ang — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:41 +0000

I can’t think of a better way to start off this series of posts than stating the fact that I love Disneyland! It doesn’t matter how old or how young you are. Being in a Disneyland theme park is always such a… magical experience.

Those of you who have been following Sparklette on Facebook and Twitter would have seen me micro-blogging from Hong Kong Disneyland. This isn’t my first Disneyland visit (I went to Tokyo Disneyland before) but it’s my first trip to Hong Kong Disneyland. Amazing experience nonetheless!

I’m excited to be sharing more photos and videos from the happiest place on earth and hope these would make you happy too.

Getting to Hong Kong Disneyland by MTR

If you are going to Hong Kong Disneyland from the Hong Kong International Airport, the easiest (and cheapest) way is by cab. But if you decide to commute by Mass Transit Railway (MTR), you get to hop into this cute Mickey Mouse themed train!

How often does one get to ride in a cute train like this?

Apart from the windows, the handle bars are made in the shape of Mickey’s head too! There are also glass capsules containing bronze sculptures of Disney characters on display within the carriages.

Finally, we arrive at Hong Kong Disneyland!

Better get your admission passes ready.

Toy Story Land, the newest “land” in Hong Kong Disneyland (as of 2012) opened in November 2011. That is probably why the tickets feature Toy Story characters. I’m especially thrilled because the Toy Story films are my favourite Disney/Pixar movies, and the characters feature quite heavily throughout various attractions in the park. Plus, you can keep these passes as souvenirs afterwards.

Here it is, the Disney Train Station and the iconic Mickey Mouse head made out of colourful flowers and plants!

And we’re in!

Flights of Fantasy Parade

One of the best highlights at Hong Kong Disneyland is the Flights of Fantasy Parade. You should get there about 15 minutes in advance to secure a good viewing spot along Main Street USA.

So it begins!

The Disneyland Band

Dumbo

The parade includes seven elaborate floats and various Disney characters such as:

Mickey and friends
Dumbo
Winnie the Pooh
Snow White
Cinderella
Belle
Simba
Tinkerbell
Stitch
Woody & Buzz Lightyear

That’s Mickey’s Magical Airship! Can you spot your favourite Disney characters?

The Romance Takes Wing float is such a looker with the gorgeous Disney princesses! Who’s the fairest of them all?

Probably the largest float of all is the Jumpin’ Jungle Jam float. I’m ashamed to admit that I actually don’t know most of the characters on it.

It’s not just about the floats though; there is also music, the Disneyland Band, dancing, acrobatics and various performers coming together to put up a continuously entertaining parade. Don’t just take my word for it though; watch these videos I recorded to get a feel of this one-of-a-kind experience!

My favourite float has got to be To Infinity and Beyond, featuring — who else — the Toy Story characters! It’s so cool to see the female version of the Buzz Lightyear costume, and of course Buzz Lightyear himself, along with Woody, Rex, Hamm and even the army guys (not so plastic in real life)! They are such fun, as you would see in this video:

Main Street USA

One of the attractions that I have very much been looking forward to seeing at Hong Kong Disneyland is Main Street USA, designed to resemble an early 20th-century Midwest town.

Why don’t we have such nice houses here in Singapore?

The beautiful houses and shops lining the street from end to end make you feel as though you’re in a different place and time!

Every tiny detail such as the pastel colours of the façades, the names painted in the windows, and the fonts used on the signs are a work of art.

I can’t get enough of how pretty the sweets shop looks. I love the baby pink and blue shades, the deep red awning and the large sweet displayed at the side of the store entrance.

Even the vehicles at Main Street USA are so unique. You can hop onto turn-of-the-century vehicles like an old-style double-decker bus or an automobile that will take you to other areas of the park.

A Mickey Mouse waffle for you? We get to eat loads of it at the various Disney restaurants afterwards. Topped with chocolate sauce, no less!

Fantasyland

Finally, here is the Sleeping Beauty Castle! You can see its multiple blue-roofed turrets from afar, juxtaposed against the mountains in the background.

The gold swirls that glisten under sunlight are pixie dust, decorated by Tinkerbell.

Here’s a picture of the castle from the other side. Photo bugs tend to get only the frontal shot, whilst the back of the castle is neglected. Even with the medieval look, it still looks so pretty in pink!

Recognise which film this bronze statue of Mickey comes from?

The Cinderella Carousel is just gorgeous.

I took the colourful It’s a Small World ride in Tokyo previously and recorded some videos during the ride. You can check out my Tokyo Disneyland post to see what it’s like. Basically it has a lot of happy music and tiny people throughout.

Apart from rides, there are quite a number of entertainment shows and even a 4D movie that you can sit in to watch with special glasses.

The Golden Mickeys show

The Golden Mickeys is a musical/theatre show played live on the stage. Disney characters and dancers in character costumes perform songs from these films:

Toy Story
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Tarzan
Mulan
Lilo and Stitch
The Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast

It even thrills you at times with aerial acrobatics, martial arts and good looking cast members.

The whole show has me hooked from the beginning to the end, but my favourite part is again the Toy Story segment. It features the cheery You’ve Got a Friend in Me (a song which I love to bits) from the movie soundtrack. Check it out in the video below. Plus, ever wonder what Mickey will sound like when he speaks in Cantonese? You can hear him at the beginning of the video. I have no idea what he says though!

Love this show!

When it’s time for the Disney in the Stars fireworks at night, that’s when you truly get to see how many visitors there are at Hong Kong Disneyland. It’s like going to Chinatown on Chinese New Year. Everyone in the park is gathered at the front of the castle to catch the colourful fireworks.

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And what a massive show it is. The fireworks last for the whole of 12 minutes! Very impressive. You can hardly ever get tired of fireworks regardless of how many times you’ve seen them. The fact that it all takes place at a fairy tale castle just makes it that much more magical.

If you can’t get enough of the castle, various replicas of it are available at the merchandise shops. One in particular, is made of jewels and diamonds!

Fit for royalty

Next: Continue reading Part 2 for more photos and videos of Hong Kong Disneyland, including thrill rides and the new Toy Story Land!

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Sentosa Flowers Festival 2012 – Enchanted Spring [Photos]

Melissa Koh — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:27:02 +0000

Since 2005, the annual Sentosa Flowers festival that takes place on Sentosa island in Singapore has been a flourishing success. Guests are greeted with brilliant colours and delightful scents of spring with inventive themes each year.

Into its seventh year, this highly popular event carries the theme “Enchanted Spring” for 2012, featuring educational trails and 16 colourful and interactive photo points for families to share enjoyable moments together. This being the Year of the Dragon, at least half the exhibits are inspired by the mythical creature.

Stretching across Imbiah Lookout, Merlion Plaza, Beach Plaza and Mount Faber, Sentosa Flowers 2012 showcases a massive 100,000 flowers and plants, including 800 species, varietals and cultivars.

Sentosa Flowers 2012
22 – 29 January 2012
10am to 10pm daily

Free entry (usual island admission charges apply)

Enter Sentosa Flowers through the majestic Dragon Gate; it is just a few steps away from the Imbiah Station. This picture-perfect set-up is bedecked with an abundance of plants!

As you walk along the flower trail towards the Merlion, you will spot the pink Floral Zodiac Dragon.

This dragon figure is embellished with an uncountable number of petals; you would probably not come across such a sweet-scented dragon again ever!

Sea World

Head over to the Sea World, minutes away from the Beach Station, where you will encounter an array of sea animals made of flowers!

Imbiah Lookout Highlights

As you enter a garden filled with brilliant hues of spring, flower fairies are here to look after the plants, keeping them strong and healthy.

Spring Melodies

Perk up your ears and listen to the joyful and soothing melodies of springtime, accompanied by flowers pieced together to form musical notes and instruments!

Look out for flowers that have yet to bloom; I’m sure when they do, it will be the most amazing sight!

Even dragonflies are not left out in this dragon-themed event!

The yellow chrysanthemum symbolises comfort, joy and rejuvenation; many Chinese people are fans of this flower as it represents lifelong happiness and good luck!

Dinoland

Join in the educational trails and learn fun facts about dinosaurs!

Can you figure out the different dinosaur species?

Trees of Life

Six larger-than-life bird figures surround a bed of blush-pink petals; this spot is picture perfect!

Sand Sculpture

More highlights of Sentosa Flowers 2012 include its first ever Sand Sculpture, specially created for the event at the Imbiah Lookout.

A majestic sand sculpture — spanning six meters in length, three meters in width and three meters in height — is named “Dance of the Dragon”, brought to life by internationally-acclaimed sand sculptor JOOheng Tan.

The intricate detailing of the sand sculpture is evidence of the time and effort spent.

Awakening

The dragon theme continues with the “Awakening”, a concept derived from an olden tale where a famous painter brought a dragon to life by dotting the eyes. Here, you can pick up a giant brush next to this giant floral painting and give the finishing touches.

The majestic dragon comes alive with a glint in its eye!

Sweet Love

Head to Sweet Love, where flowers in full bloom line the Love Tunnel. Take a stroll with your loved ones through the tunnel and soak in the romantic scents from the beautiful blossoms.

As you reach the end of the tunnel, a pair of adorable dragons forms a picturesque background for couples.

Mount Faber

Cable car rides
S$26 for round trip, S$24 for one way

If you’re feeling a little adventurous, hop onto a cable car to Mount Faber where you can enjoy Chinese tea in the Dragon Gate Inn at The Jewel Box.

Sentosa Flowers 2012 is the ideal venue for family bonding and capturing fun memories together. Amongst the colourful flowers, you can learn fun facts about plants with the Chinese character for “dragon” in their names, dinosaurs and even tea processing at the six educational trails available.

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Sparklette is going to Hong Kong Disneyland!

Veron Ang — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:00:54 +0000

That’s right; we’ll be at Hong Kong Disneyland this weekend! I’m totally psyched!

While this isn’t my first visit to Disneyland — I went to Tokyo Disneyland previously — being in the world of Disney is always one heck of an amazing experience. This is one of those places that should be on anyone’s bucket list.

One perk that we will have this time round over the last Tokyo Disneyland visit is the cool weather in Hong Kong, which will definitely make the trip far more enjoyable compared to the 40C summer heat in Japan.

Sleeping Beauty castle at Hong Kong Disneyland (Credit)

The newest attraction of Hong Kong Disneyland is Toy Story Land that just opened in November 2011. The land is themed after the excellent Disney/Pixar Toy Story film series, and will house thrill rides such as the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop, a ride that dangles people 25 metres above ground then drops them like they’re parachuting.

I can’t wait to:

See the Disney characters come to life (as long as they don’t fall like one particular Care Bear).
Indulge in some Disney-themed food, like dim sum or Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles.
Stay at Disney’s Hollywood Hotel.
Take all the rides I can handle, such as the RC Racer, a horseshoe-shaped roller-coaster ride that reaches up 27 metres.
Check out the interesting buildings along Main Street USA, designed to resemble an early 20th-century Midwest town.
Watch the fireworks at the Sleeping Beauty castle.
Share the experience virtually with you.

Did I miss out on anything? Please feel free to share any tips on Disneyland or Hong Kong in general in the comments section!

I’ll be updating on Facebook and Twitter with photos and snippets of our Hong Kong Disneyland experience. So be sure to check over there for all the colourful Disney updates from Hong Kong!

Update: Check out Part 1 of my trip to Hong Kong Disneyland!

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Hot! Hot! Hot! Shirtless Male Models at Abercrombie & Fitch Singapore [Pictures]

Veron Ang — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:55:22 +0000

40 Abercrombie & Fitch male models posed shirtless outside the American apparel chain’s new flagship store at Knightsbridge, along Orchard Road in Singapore. These “shirtless greeters” are part of the company’s tradition that accompanies the opening of its flagship stores. It certainly leaves an impression!

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The beautiful men gamely took photographs with passers-by and admirers. If you missed the meat fest when these hot male models strutted their stuff at Abercrombie & Fitch Singapore, here are some photos that may alleviate the pain (and give us the perfect excuse to post something yummy other than food). You are welcome.

Credit

Yum! For more action, check out this video clip. You’ll wanna watch it in high definition, full-screen mode:

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Disney/Pixar ‘Up’ House in Real Life

Veron Ang — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:17:32 +0000

One of my favourite Pixar movies is Up, a beautiful animated film with heart and comedy. The story is centred around a 78-year-old widower, who along with an unlikely child companion, sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream of visiting the mystical Paradise Falls. Their choice of transportation? A colourful house lifted by a bunch of helium balloons, obviously.

Now, the same whimsical house has been brought to life in Utah.

Credit

Very impressively, the builders and designers have taken care to include various details from the movie, such as the mailbox, framed photographs of Carl and Ellie hanging on the walls and that glass jar with “Paradise Falls” written on it.

Credit

This, along with the Harry Potter theme park, would be one great addition to any movie buff’s list of film-inspired places to visit.

Credit

When completed, the 2,800 square foot house will be sold for a cool $400,000, which amazingly is still cheaper than the average public housing (3-bedroom apartment) in Singapore. Personally, I would love to see it remain as a mini museum that pays tribute to a brilliant film.

Video tour

Take these video tours to see the furniture and furnishings inside the Up house.

Flying Up house

This isn’t the first time the colourful house has been built in real life. National Geographic successfully launched a lovely replica up into the air with a cluster of 300 weather balloons! It flew for an hour, reaching an altitude of over 10,000 feet.

This is filmed for the network’s new series called How Hard Can it Be?. Check out these photographs to see how they achieved this incredible feat.

The people in the floating house are the balloon pilots. They managed to launch and land it!

Tell me, didn’t that just make you smile? :)

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Hotel Re! Staycation – Re!Treat with Massages and Candlelight Dinner

Veron Ang — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:00:26 +0000

When was the last time you took a break? As a mouse potato who works full-time in front of a computer, the last time I truly had time to relax was during that idyllic trip to Chiang Mai. Thankfully, our favourite hotel Hotel Re! has rolled out a series of attractive staycation packages — great for some much-needed R&R.

For a truly relaxing stay, we opted for the S$320++ Re!Treat package that includes:

Luxurious 1 night stay in Deluxe room
Buffet breakfast for two
Key to Your Heart candlelight dinner for two
45-minute full-body massage for two at Re!Fresh Wellness Centre
Complimentary early check in and late check out (subject to availability)
Complimentary wireless internet access
Complimentary local calls
Complimentary mini bar

Deluxe Room

One of the unique features of the Hotel Re! rooms is that each one is brightly coloured, featuring the silhouettes of iconic stars from the 60s and 70s, such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

The room is clean and modern, with a nice 42-inch LCD TV and decent cable channels. If you have a thing for nature and greenery, the hotel is perched on Pearl’s Hill and the room windows overlook the Pearl’s Hill City Park, which is a popular spot for joggers and trekkers.

The complimentary mini bar offers the usual bottled water, instant coffee and tea. Extra brownie points for including free snacks like Twisties, biscuits, assorted nuts and canned drinks. These are replenished, or should I say re!plenished, daily.

I like these little tubes of shampoo, conditioner, bath gel and body lotion. The other bathroom amenities you get are toothbrushes and toothpastes, cotton buds, shower cap, soap, cotton pad and even an emery board for your nails.

Massage

If your room package includes full-body massages, these will take place at the hotel’s wellness centre. It is a cosy little place that also provides services like manicures, pedicures, facials and oil massages.

Under the good hands of Hazel the masseuse, I enjoyed a very relaxing full-body pressure point massage. After the 45-minute long session, I’m seriously considering taking up a long term massage plan with the hotel! This coming from someone that has never been a fan of massages; my past massage experiences only caused me pain and hence more anxiety. But after this particular massage, I had a good night’s sleep and for days after that, felt like all tension had been relieved from my body. Is this what a really good massage feels like? Feel free to share your massage stories!

Candlelight Dinner

Key to Your Heart candlelight dinner
S$88++ (included in Re!Treat room package)

Apart from the massages, the other highlight of our stay is the candlelight dinner at Re!Fill, the hotel’s flagship restaurant.

This is an actual candlelight dinner, decked out in a very pretty table setting with multiple tealight candles, pink fabric and flowers. The best part is that you have an entire room to yourselves! Definitely a memorable experience where both the food and the ambience may be savoured to the fullest. If you would like to treat that special someone to a 4-course dinner, the Key to Your Heart candlelight dinner is available outside of the room package for S$88++.

Crab fellutin with mango avocado salsa

You start with the excellent crab fellutin with mango avocado salsa, presented in half an avocado. Oodles of sweet crabmeat enhanced with tangy mango cubes and embellished with sesame dressing, this is one of the most delicious things I have had in my mouth in a long while.

Essence chicken with ravioli and medallion of crayfish

The soup is less impressive, though still passable. The ravioli wrapping around a prawn reminds one of prawn wonton. The crayfish is a little tough from being cooked for too long — a pity. Having said that, the soup is rich and flavourful from the essence of chicken and shellfish.

Grilled US scallop, prawn with black pepper sauce

Next, you move on to the grilled scallops and prawns. These ample-sized offerings are drizzled in an invigorating black pepper sauce and served with chickpea mash and vegetables.

What a treat for seafood fans!

Chicken cordon bleu stuffed with turkey ham

The second part of the main course is the chicken cordon bleu that is stuffed with turkey ham. I like that the melted cheese on the side comes in a little shot-glass so you can have as much or as little of it as you wish.

Temptation Delight

Be sure to leave room for desserts. This is none other than the restaurant’s popular Temptation Delight, a quartet of petite-sized bites. On this day, we are treated to fruit pudding, éclair, cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Buffet Breakfast

For breakfast, the buffet spread features fares like salad, fried rice, fried omelette, chicken sausages, meat buns, French fries, juices, coffee and tea.

Hotel Re! Staycations

Apart from the immensely relaxing Re!Treat package, there are four other themed stays that include various treats such as cable car rides, a fun-filled day at Sentosa and sightseeing river tours. So should you be planning to visit Singapore or pamper yourself with a weekend stay, you can take full advantage of these packages. All activities are already arranged for you, so all you really need to do is show up and have fun.

Have Your Say!

What is your most memorable hotel staycation? Share with us in the comments!

Hotel Re!
175A Chin Swee Road
Singapore 169879
Tel: +65 6827 8228 | Website

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Tang Shifu – Nourish Your Body Here

Guest Writer — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:00:50 +0000

Mee sua with dried scallops and abalone slices (RM12.90)

You have seen our fish ball noodle meal at Ah Koong Restaurant in Taman Sentosa, Malaysia, followed by a sumptuous seafood feast at Jade Garden Seafood Corner in Sungei Rengit, Pengerang. After all the indulgent food, it is time for a healthier meal!

Our Johor food trail ends off at the Tang Shifu restaurant in Jusco, Tebrau City. Tang Shifu promises you a “nourishing life” with a great variety of double-boiled herbal soups and nutritious dishes.

Interestingly, the shop front resembles a Chinese medicinal hall, with various Chinese herbs and dried products on sale. The dining area is partitioned from the store, boasting posh décor with crystal lights and leather high back dining chairs. It is a blend of luxury and nostalgic ambience.

Guava with tangerine peel
RM2

The appetiser of guava with tangerine peel is an instant hit. It is refreshing with a sour after-taste.

Nourishing soup with American ginseng
RM21.90

Every dish on the menu bears an informative description of the herbs and ingredients used, as well as their health benefits.

Dried scallops and abalone mixed rice
RM13.90

Our regular orders include the following:

Dried scallops and abalone mixed rice
Nourishing soup with American ginseng
Dried mee sua (thin noodles) with dried scallops and abalone sauce
Mee sua with dried scallops and abalone slices
Dried scallops brown rice porridge

Dried mee sua with dried scallops and abalone sauce
RM14.90

Dried scallops brown rice porridge
RM11.90

While the soups sound similar, my favourite item is the dried scallops brown rice porridge. It tastes better if the Huai Shan (yam root) is cooked over a longer time, so you can enjoy its softer texture.

Bird’s nest with rock sugar
RM19.90 (half price)

Perhaps it is our lucky day. The bird’s nest with rock sugar is on a half-price promotion at just RM19.90 — a real steal! You are presented with a bowl of loose bird’s nest strands swimming in rock sugar solution. Of course, at that rock bottom price, we can’t really complain.

Dried pear with Chuan Bei
RM5.90

For dessert, go for the dried pear with Chuan Bei (Fritillaria). The moderately sweet combination nourishes both the throat and lungs.

Visiting Johor? Check out Part 1, Ah Koong Restaurant, and Part 2, Jade Garden Seafood Corner, of our Johor food trail.

Have Your Say!

Know of any good eats in Johor, Malaysia? Share with us in the comments!

Tang Shifu

Taman Ungku
1, Jalan Bentara 1, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai, Johor.
Tel: +607 558 8772

Jusco, Tebrau City
Lot No. S50, AEON Tebrau City Shopping Centre, No 1, Jalan Desa Tebrau, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru.
Tel: +607 353 9772

Jusco, Bukit Indah
Lot No F20, Aeon Bukit Indah Shopping Centre, Taman Bukit Indah, 81200 Johor.
Tel: +607 239 1772

Jusco, Bandaraya Melaka
G38, AEON Bandaraya Melaka Shopping Centre, Taman I-Lagenda, 75400, Melaka
Tel: +606 281 8772

Sutera Mall
Lot No: L3-011&012, Level3, Sutera Mall, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor.
Tel: +607 559 9772

Website | Facebook

This article was contributed by Mary Goh. You can view more of her food photos and reviews at SoShiok.

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Travelling Somewhere? Find Your Local Guide on Shiroube

Veron Ang — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 11:21:03 +0000

When visiting a new city, many of us would spend hours doing research on what sights to see, where to eat and how to get around. Wouldn’t things be much simpler if you could ask a local? Better yet, have a local guide bring you around. You can explore the city from a local perspective rather than following a tourist guide book or guided tour that may not have all the hidden gems that a local person would be more familiar with.

The question now is: Where would you find a good local guide? That’s where Shiroube enters the picture.

Shiroube is an online marketplace that helps you find a local guide in more than 1,000 cities in the world. The website is used by both guides and travellers.

Guides post their profile on the website, indicating their gender, age, languages they speak and activities they are familiar with (outdoor, arts, food, nature, night life, etc).

Travellers can browse these profiles to hire the right guide. I like the feature where you can view the photos and sometimes even the hourly or daily rates of the guides, which makes finding the right person who would suit your travel plans and budget very convenient and hassle-free. From their profiles, you can also get a rough idea of their language proficiency.

If you are looking for a guide on Shiroube, the service is completely free. So take your time to browse and find the right person to show you around at your next destination.

Be safe and travel happy!

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Jade Garden Seafood Corner – Fresh Crabs & Lobsters in Pengerang

Guest Writer — Tue, 31 May 2011 03:00:06 +0000

Once we are done with the fish ball noodle meal at Ah Koong Restaurant in Taman Sentosa, Malaysia, we make our way to Pengerang. If you travel there by car, it should take you about an hour.

After passing numerous palm plantations, we finally arrive in the town of Sungai Rengit. Our favourite seafood restaurant Jade Garden Seafood Corner is packed with diners. Apparently, three tour groups have just arrived. Luckily we had called earlier to reserve our live lobsters!

Lobsters
RM110 / kg

Though we are still full from breakfast, we cannot resist ordering our food after braving the long drive. We place orders for eight lobsters, boneless chicken salad, two types of crabs, a vegetable and a mushroom dish. The total bill for the eight of us comes up to RM700.59.

We prefer our lobsters to be cooked in superior stock so as to taste its freshness and sweetness. The eight lobsters weigh in at 2.2kg, boasting very succulent meat.

The choices available for the crabs are quite a disappointment this time. At RM55 per kilogram, the 3.1kg of crabs that we have cost RM170.50. Looking at the many broken crab legs, I would say that the quality of the crabs isn’t as good as before.

Salted egg crab
RM55 / kg

The salted egg crab still tastes wonderful, although the sauce is more watered down this time.

Curry leaf crab
RM55 / kg

The curry leaf crab is such a disappointment that my friends coin it the “Bangla” crab. This style of crab is served at Lao Beijing in Taman Sentosa in a dry rendition. The version that is presented at Jade Garden is wet with spices added. The curry leaf fragrance and flavour is lost, overpowered by the spices used.

Pomfret
RM110 / kg

The biggest catch of the day is the pomfret, priced at RM132 for 1.2kg. At that price, it costs as much as the live lobsters! This is also the biggest pomfret that we have seen. It is a challenge to steam a fish this size perfectly and uniformly. Fortunately, it is well-steamed at the right temperature and the flesh is tender.

Boneless chicken salad

The boneless chicken salad is also promising. The crispy chicken is deep-fried with sesame at its base. Instead of serving the mayonnaise on the side as a dip, it is already spread on the plate before laying the boneless chicken over it.

Bai Ling mushrooms with vegetables and coconuts

After the awesome lunch, we are filled to the brim. Luckily our next destination is a shopping trip at Tebrau City to burn the extra calories!

Visiting Johor? Check out Part 1, Ah Koong Restaurant, and Part 3, Tang Shifu, of our Johor food trail.

Have Your Say!

Have you ever tried this popular seafood restaurant in Pengerang? Share your experience with us in the comments!

Jade Garden Seafood Corner
54 Jalan Kerisi
Sungai Rengit
81620 Pengerang, Johor
Tel: +607 826 5460
Opening hours: 11am – 11:30pm

This article was contributed by Mary Goh. You can view more of her food photos and reviews at SoShiok.

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Ah Koong Restaurant – Famous Fish Ball Noodles in Malaysia

Guest Writer — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:10:26 +0000

My friends have been curious about the much raved of live lobsters in Pengerang, Malaysia. To satisfy their craving, we decided to embark on a food trail to Johor. As there are 8 of us, we chartered a minivan so that we can keep each other company without having to drive two cars.

We started our journey from Singapore at 8:30am and arrived in Johor Bahru within an hour. Our first stop was at Ah Koong Restaurant in Taman Sentosa, which is famous for its fish ball noodles.

Fish ball noodles
RM5.50

On average the price is RM5.50 a bowl with reasonable servings of ingredients like fish ball, fish cake, seaweed, lettuce, deep fried dumpling and ngoh hiang.

We like the QQ texture of the mee pok (flat noodles).

Crispy fish cakes
RM3.80 per piece

The signature crispy fish cake is at RM3.80 per piece.

Curry laksa
RM5.90

The curry laksa has gravy that tastes similar to the famous fish head curry at Jalan Wong Ah Fook.

With a full stomach, it’s time to start our 90 minute journey to Pengerang.

Visiting Johor? Check out Part 2, Jade Garden Seafood Corner, and Part 3, Tang Shifu, of our Johor food trail.

Have Your Say!

Do you regularly travel to Malaysia to hunt down the good eats? Share your food escapades with us in the comments!

Ah Koong Restaurant

Johor Bahru

City Square Johor Bahru, Lot J2-12, Level 2
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: +607 221 1843

No. 266, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa
80150 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: +607 331 3621
Opening hours: 6:30am – 11:30pm

Kuala Lumpur

No. 172 Ground floor
Jln Changkat Tambi Dollah (off Jalan Pudu)
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 214 33477
Opening hours: 9am – 9pm

Subang Jaya

No. 47 Ground floor
Jalan USJ 9/5P, Subang Business Center
47620 UEP Subang Jaya
Tel: +608 024 1554
Opening hours: 9am – 9pm

Skudai, Johor

No.42 & 44, Jalan Jati 1, Tmn Nusa Bestari Jaya
81300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: +607 511 2200
Opening hours: 8:30am – 11:30pm

Website

This article was contributed by Mary Goh. You can view more of her food photos and reviews at SoShiok.

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AirAsia Meals – So Who Says Airline Food is Bad?

Veron Ang — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 09:15:12 +0000

I have a confession to make… airline food fascinates me. I feel like an astronaut each time I unwrap hot food packaged in cellophane and sealed containers thousands of miles above the ground. Admit it — you feel the same way too.

On our AirAsia flight back from Chiang Mai, Thailand, we decide to order some of the in-flight meals and join the mile-high makan club. We have eaten food from non-budget economy and business class flights, but it’s the first time we’re doing so on a budget carrier. Curiosity and sheer boredom got us interested in getting something from the crew’s trolley as they push it down the narrow aisle.

The selection includes a range of sandwiches, Malaysian dishes and drinks that include a $2 paper cup of Old Town White Coffee. AirAsia, being a budget airline, does not provide free meals on board. Our hot meals cost about S$4-5 each, and you get it even cheaper when you pre-book the meals online before your flight.

Uncle Chin’s chicken rice
Rating:

The stewardess hands over a couple of aluminium foil containers along with plastic forks and spoons. Great, we’re all set. As I open my box of Uncle Chin’s chicken rice, I can’t help but notice the envious glances from other passengers.

As I take my first bite, my first thought was “hey this doesn’t taste half bad”! The roast chicken has a rather soft texture, as though it has been slow cooked and reheated over and over so much so that you can cut it easily with a plastic fork. Other than that, the food actually tastes pretty good when you throw on the sweet chilli sauce that comes in a translucent packet.

Pak Nasser’s nasi lemak
Rating:

As for Pak Nasser’s nasi lemak, it looks kinda dreadful at first especially with that soggy meat. Is it chicken? Is it fish? No one can tell. And what’s with that lone strand of vegetable at the centre?

Truth is, it does have most of the things you would expect on a regular plate of nasi lemak, albeit the tiny portions. The food is strangely palatable, and the sambal chilli paste is quite delicious! Oh lord I can’t believe I am praising the food on a budget airline. Maybe my palates and senses have been dulled by the recycled air-conditioning and altitude. Interestingly, these two dishes are highlighted as the “crew’s choice” on the menu, so they’re probably the best of the lot.

I also make it a point to collect the stuffed bear from every airline. Here’s the AirAsia teddy bear from their merchandise catalogue. Amongst my collection, I still find the Cathay Pacific pilot bear the cutest and most snuggly. You can check out the business class meal and stuffed bear on my Cathay Pacific flight to Thailand.

Have Your Say!

What are your thoughts on airline food? Share with us in the comments!

AirAsia
Website

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Chiang Mai, Thailand – Wat Phan Tao in Old City

Veron Ang — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:14:50 +0000

If I was to ask you, where would you find a field of tulips in bloom? You will probably say, Holland. Would you believe me if I said that you can find it in Thailand?

From browsing Flickr photos on my Lenovo laptop, I chanced upon this particular shot of a tulip garden in Chiang Mai surrounding the golden Buddha statue. I have never seen a tulip field before. Excited, we hurry down to the site — Wat Phan Tao. Finding this temple is easy enough; it is situated in Old City directly next to Wat Chedi Luang, one of the biggest temples in Chiang Mai.

Wat Phan Tao is relatively small. At the Sunday Walking Street Market, we manage to spot the striking white stupa with its golden tip peeking out above the short buildings.

Credit

Built in 1846, the temple is constructed with teak wood. At its front façade is the image of a mosaic peacock standing over a dog, the zodiacal animal for the birth year of King Chao Mahawong who ruled from 1846 to 1854.

But our main purpose in coming here is to see the tulip garden, possibly the one and only in Thailand.

In this Flickr photo taken in February 2011, it looked like this:

Credit

To our utter dismay, it now looks like this on our visit in March:

Where have all the beautiful flowers gone? The lone Buddha statue looks desolate in that newly barren spot.

Whilst it is rather disappointing that we don’t get to see the tulips, we can still admire the teak building and beautiful white stupa.

For anyone that happens to be terrified of dogs, you may wanna stay away from Wat Phan Tao. Within the temple compounds we have seen as many as a dozen dogs roaming around freely, including a few muzzled ones, that are looked after by monks.

Have Your Say!

What other must-see temples are there in Chiang Mai? Tell us in the comments!

Wat Phan Tao
Old City
Phra Pok Klao, Sri Phum, Mueang
Chiang Mai 50200
Thailand
Opening hours: 7am – 5pm daily
Admission: Free

(A) Wat Phan Tao | View larger map

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Chiang Mai, Thailand – Vieng Joom On Teahouse, Possibly the World’s Pinkest Café

Veron Ang — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:00:36 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, today you are going to see the pinkest eatery in Chiang Mai, and quite possibly the world. The Vieng Joom On Teahouse, or simply VJO, occupies a striking pink building on the eastern bank of Ping River. Under this gorgeous setting you can enjoy a wide assortment of western teas and cakes. What a wonderful way of spending an idyllic afternoon.

VJO Teahouse is located within a five-minute walk of The Riverside Bar & Restaurant. I would give you proper directions, but you probably won’t need that when the building stands out like a beacon.

Whilst doing research on my Lenovo laptop for places to go in Chiang Mai, I learn that this is one of those eateries that locals would bring their foreigner friends. After all, it’s not everyday that you get to hang out in an all-pink tea house, is it?

Upon entering the building, you pass through the shopping section that sells tea blends, teapots and other accessories that are beautifully wrapped in specially designed paper bags and tins.

Then, you arrive at the spacious dining area and finally see what everyone has been raving about. This place looks like a dream!

Under a fuchsia canopy, the lounge area is attractively decked out in floral décor and water features on the dark wood floor. Obviously much attention to detail has been paid to the interior design.

Soothing English songs play in the background as you settle into the cushioned seats of varying hues of pink. A well-stocked magazine rack is available for your reading pleasure. For those of you with your wireless devices, there is free wi-fi, too.

The breezy outdoor area with umbrellas overlooks Ping River.

We pick a cosy spot and go about our orders. Even the menus featuring the cursive logo are pretty.

VJO high tea for two
495baht + 10% service charge
Rating:

The VJO high tea for two is presented in a three-layered cake stand filled with cakes, sandwiches and fruits. All the pastries here are made in-house.

For the cakes, you get a range of petit fours that taste as good as they look.

The mini sandwiches come in two varieties — cucumber and some form of egg custard. Notice the cute little beaded picks that are stuck in each one.

As for fruits, they arrive as a colourful salad of dragonfruit, green apple, pineapple and strawberry.

Rose tea
Rating:

To wash down the delicious treats, the high tea set includes a large pot of tea, for which we choose the rose tea.

How very quaint, and so very girly! We see mostly locals, a few tourists, and even an all-male group at one point. The tea, desserts, soothing music and laid-back garden setting all make for an incredible way to chill out. By the time we have to leave the place reluctantly, it feels as though we have enjoyed a lengthy spa treatment!

Have Your Say!

How do you find the all-pink concept at VJO Teahouse? Guys, would you come here? Are there any other similar establishments out there? Share with us in the comments!

Vieng Joom On Teahouse
53 Charoenraj Road
T.Watgate A.Muang
Chiang Mai 50000
Thailand
Tel: +66 5330 3113 | Website

Operating hours: 10am – 7pm daily

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Chiang Mai, Thailand – Wat Chedi Luang, Temple of the Big Stupa in Old City

Veron Ang — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 03:00:44 +0000

Two of the largest temples in Chiang Mai — Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Sing — are located within a ten-minute walk of each other in Old City, the historic and cultural district of Chiang Mai. Here’s how we have planned our visit to Old City. We would first hit the popular Sunday Walking Street Market. Then, once we tire of the shopping, we would hop into a temple for some history juice. Sounds like a plan, right?

Built in 1441, the chedi (monument housing a Buddha) was one of the tallest structures and the grandest chedi in the city in its heyday. Even as it lies in partial ruins, it still remains a majestic sight to behold.

Notice that part of the summit has collapsed. It toppled during a severe earthquake in the 16th century. Originally it was around 80 metres tall. Today, it measures about 44 square metres at the base with a height of just 60 meters.

The multi-headed naga (mythical serpent) sculptures guard a stairway to the stupa housing a Buddha image. If nagas were real, they would be totally fearsome creatures, wouldn’t they?

Five elephant sculptures stand on the pediment on the southern side of the chedi. It seems that elephants are much revered animals in Thailand. At the same time, elephant rides are widely advertised as a tourist attraction in the country. From a conversation I had with a few friends recently, they feel that these animals are being exploited and are at times ill-treated and malnourished. Do you agree? Would you refrain from taking part in such tourist activities?

In a nearby pavilion lies an eye-catching statue of a reclining Buddha measuring almost 9 metres long and 2 metres high. Made of gilded brick and plaster, it is believed to have been created during the reign of King Phra Muang Kaeo (1487 – 1517), the eleventh monarch of the Mang Rai Dynasty. The head of the statue is orientated towards the south and faces the chedi.

An image of a sitting Buddha dressed in red robes is located within the same pavilion.

If you are entering Old City through the eastern Tha Phae Gate, keep going straight and soon you would approach Wat Chedi Luang (Temple of the Big Stupa) on your left. Don’t forget to also drop by the beautiful Wat Phan Tao directly next to it.

Have Your Say!

What other must-see temples are there in Chiang Mai? Tell us in the comments!

Wat Chedi Luang
Old City
Phra Pok Klao, Sri Phum, Mueang
Chiang Mai 50200
Thailand
Opening hours: 6am – 5pm daily
Admission: Free

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Full Moon Wine Coolers from Thailand – Cheaper than Water

Veron Ang — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 03:00:26 +0000

Have you ever seen wine that is cheaper than water? I sure have not, until I decide to walk into a convenience store in Chiang Mai.

On this trip, our hotel is conveniently located near a convenience store, manned by a local that I enjoy having little conversations with and polish up my Thai at the same time. One night, while browsing for some interesting snacks and drinks, these wine coolers catch my eye. (Okay, so they are wine coolers, not wine per se, but still!)

As you would see here, the labels look quite attractive with a vintage feel. The bottle caps are the screw-on variety so there is no need to hunt for a bottle cap opener.

Full Moon wine cooler
28baht

These wine coolers come from the Thai Full Moon brand and are available in two flavours — red and white. Each 300ml bottle has a 5% alcohol content which is hardly detectable in taste, but it’s there all right if you know what I mean.

The drink tastes mostly sweet, almost exactly like grape juice. I like it so much that I’ll go back for a second round.

And can you believe that it only costs about a dollar each? At that price, it really is cheaper than water.

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