http://sparklette.net/travel/china/hong-kong-disneyland/ http://sparklette.net/travel/china/hong-kong-disneyland/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:41 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1288 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

Stay tuned for Part 2 for more photos and videos of Hong Kong Disneyland! Thrill rides and the new Toy Story Land are coming up next!

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http://sparklette.net/travel/singapore/sentosa-flowers-2012/ http://sparklette.net/travel/singapore/sentosa-flowers-2012/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:27:02 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1284

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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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!

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]]> 4 http://sparklette.net/travel/singapore/abercrombie-fitch-models/ http://sparklette.net/travel/singapore/abercrombie-fitch-models/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:55:22 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1248

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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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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

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.

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

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]]> 4 http://sparklette.net/travel/malaysia/tang-shifu/ http://sparklette.net/travel/malaysia/tang-shifu/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:00:50 +0000 Guest Writer http://sparklette.net/?p=1177
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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/travel/shiroube-local-guide/ http://sparklette.net/travel/shiroube-local-guide/#comments Sat, 18 Jun 2011 11:21:03 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1170

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 needs 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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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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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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).

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

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.

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

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

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FlightLover Singapore costs US$2.99 “for a limited period”, but we are giving out free promo codes to 5 Sparklette readers with the fastest fingers. Scroll down to find out how to win.

FlightLover Singapore Features

FlightLover Singapore sports one of the most beautiful interface designs I have seen in iPhone apps. I especially like the pleasing earthy colours and how easy it is to shop for a flight. The developers must have spent a massive amount of time experimenting with various ways to browse and filter the flights.

First you pick a destination, travel duration and date. A list of available round-trip options will then be displayed, sorted by price (inclusive of taxes). Ticket bookings can be made over the phone or online.

Globetrotters can take advantage of the alerts feature to be notified immediately when the flights to your favourite destinations go below your budget.

Currently the app only includes AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Lion Air, Jetstar and Tiger Airways flights. I would love to see it expand to non-budget airlines and cities in Europe and the Americas.

Promo Codes Giveaway!

As promised, we have 5 promo codes to give out so that you can download FlightLover Singapore for free. To participate, simply leave a comment here along with this message:

• I want a promo code for FlightLover Singapore!

The first 5 people that leave a valid comment will each receive a promo code to redeem the app in iTunes.

Hurry!

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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.

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

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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.

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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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!

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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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.

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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The shopping street starts from the entrance at Tha Phae Gate, stretching through the entire length of Rachadamnoen Road and its side streets.

Comparing between this and the Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok, the Chiang Mai Sunday market is of a relatively smaller scale, although decidedly less congested. Many of the products sold in the two markets are quite similar.

The Thais are an artistic bunch and you can see it in their paintings and handicrafts, such as wood carvings, leather sandals, and ornamental animals made from some form of string.

Should you tire of shopping, hop into one of the temples, eateries or the Black Canyon Coffee joint located at the eastern gate. Plus, many makeshift massage stalls along the alleys provide foot massage services on the cheap.

Or, you can simply grab a stamina-boosting snack from one of the food stalls.

Here’s something I really love:

Satay! The meat skewers are pork, not chicken. But at the incredibly low price of 20 baht (less than a dollar) for ten sticks, I would eat anything. Except for those Thai fried insects, that is.

Each set of satay includes a packet of peanut sauce, cucumber, chilli and onion slices, plus a packet of relish that I haven’t seen in the Singapore version. This additional sauce is made from vinegar, sugar and salt and complements the cucumber extremely well.

We spot a number of vendors selling tiny partridge eggs.

I have no idea how these taste. Like regular eggs?

One stall is dedicated to selling just strawberries!

If you wish to shop in as little human traffic as possible, you can beat the crowd by coming here just after 4pm. That’s when the roads are blocked off to vehicles and the vendors start setting up shop.

At night, you can take a stroll or a tuk-tuk to visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar along Chang Klan Road. You would find mostly the same type of products and foodstuffs sold here.

I mentioned yesterday that the locals love animals. Seen here near the night bazaar are a couple of dogs lying casually along the roads, oblivious to the traffic whizzing dangerously close by.

One common joke among farangs is that vehicles do not stop for pedestrians, but they would screech to a halt when they see a dog crossing the road!

Have you ever been to the Sunday Walking Street Market or Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai? Share your experiences with us in the comments!

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This time round, in Chiang Mai, I notice that the café does coffee art. The staff recommends it with cappuccino. And it looks absolutely gorgeous! Move over, Oriole Cafe; check this out!

Cappuccino
65baht + 7% VAT
Rating:

The froth is drizzled over with really thick chocolate syrup. It not only looks pretty but tastes divine, too. Even if the drinks here are obviously much pricier than those from street vendors, I do appreciate the small touches of detail.

One trademark of Black Canyon Coffee is that every cup of joe is served with a teeny container of cute biscuits in the shapes of alphabets and numbers. I really like the taste of those.

There’s free wi-fi here, too. Perfect for checking mail and doing some quick research on the travel itinerary while you’re enjoying a caffeine pick-me-up.

This is the Black Canyon Coffee joint at Chiang Mai Old City, located just within the eastern Tha Phae Gate. The café has an L-shaped row of seats on the outside where many tourists can be seen sipping coffee, using laptops and people-watching.

Have you ever visited any Black Canyon Coffee outlet in Thailand? Share your experiences with us in the comments!

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Today, this area is brimming with tourist attractions, temples, restaurants, backpacker accommodation and shops. From the east, the Tha Phae Gate opens the way into Old City.

We head here on a Sunday with the intention of checking out the popular Sunday Walking Street Market, an event not to be missed if you are a tourist and/or bargain hunter. The Sunday market stretches along the entire stretch of Rachadamnoen Road before spilling outward through the gate.

Wherever you are in Chiang Mai, it is as though all major roads lead to the Old City! Armed with a map, it is easy to navigate around. Taking a walk along Tha Phae Road, we spot several interesting buildings that we use as landmarks.

Here’s one three-storey building with a prominent L letter on it.

Passing by a beautiful wat (Buddhist temple). I forget the name of this one. When you have visited Thailand enough times, you do get sort of “templed” out.

One thing that strikes me about the locals in Chiang Mai, even more so than in Bangkok, is how kindly they treat animals. There are many “temple dogs” that get looked after at temples. Cats aren’t seen that often around here, although we do chance upon one kitten taking an afternoon nap on an ice cream container. Neither the shopkeeper nor the customers seem to mind, and that makes me smile.

Nearing the Tha Phae Gate, there are a couple of shops that are impossible to miss, thanks to all the greenery outside. They sell handicrafts made by people from hill tribe villages.

Here’s something for you coffee geeks — a three-storey Starbucks located at the end of the road.

Then, we spot the wall. Actually, we spot it from hundreds of metres away. Even from a distance, the orange bricks are unmistakable.

The wall is quite a sight in itself. Built 700 years ago, it still remains well preserved, complete with arrow slits that were used to protect against invading armies.

On Sundays, street vendors start setting up shop at around 4pm, peddling their wares, crafts and foodstuffs.

Check back soon for the interesting sights located within Old City!

Ever been to Old City? Tell us what’s interesting there in the comments!

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From my research done on the Lenovo V470 laptop that I brought along on this trip, there are a few river cruise operators in Chiang Mai, including at least two that provide dinner on board. I quickly decide on The Riverside Bar & Restaurant, mainly due to their large variety of menu items and boats that don’t look too shabby. I placed a dinner reservation through email, to which the restaurant confirmed within a day.

The dinner cruise runs nightly with two boats plying the river. All passengers pay a fee of 110 baht each for the boat ride, and extra for food and drinks. Each boat accommodates about 40 diners — ten tables of 4 — and is even equipped with a toilet!

We board the boat at 7:15pm, then place our orders. There is an impressive galore of Thai dishes and a large selection for liquors and cocktails; this is a bar after all.

(Warning: Shoddy photos ahead. The boat is very dark except for some candles and a couple of dim ceiling lights!)

Stir fried chicken with basil leaves
95baht
Rating:

At any Thai restaurant, one of my must-order dishes is stir fried chicken with basil leaves. The minced chicken is extraordinarily tender, the flavours marvellously intense, totally tickling one’s taste buds. What a great way to start a Thai meal.

Spicy green curry with chicken
95baht
Rating:

By this time, I am dying for some authentic Thai green curry chicken. After having my expectations built up, this one turns out to be somewhat of a letdown. Sure, there are ample slices of chicken in it. But the curry is overly salty and lacks that balance between sweet and salty.

The Riverside special fried rice
115baht
Rating:

To go with the dishes, I highly recommend the “special” fried rice. This is a savoury combination of chicken, ham, sausage and pineapple, with a tinge of curry, and crowned with fried egg. The result is mouthwatering!

When placing our orders initially, we had deliberated over whether to get an additional dish. Turns out there’s no need for that as the portions are delivered with a generous hand.

All food and drinks are served promptly. By the 8pm departure time, most passengers have finished their food. Once the journey begins, all lights are switched off and the boat is pitch black except for the lone candle placed on each table.

The dinner cruise goes at a leisurely pace up north, drifting past riverside eateries and passing under bridges at times. Seen here is the iron bridge, which bears a resemblance to the famous bridge over River Kwai, more popularly known as the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi.

The journey lasts a little over the hour and gets quite chilly. You get to see what’s happening on both sides of the river — mainly stretches of music bars intersected by total darkness, and a surprising number of people fishing. At some point, the boat turns around and goes south, right past the dock, before heading back. Piece of advice: Pack a sweater and wear shoes! I made the mistake of having my feet clad in skimpy sandals and got bitten by pesky mosquitoes underneath the table.

If you have a couple of hours to spare in the evening, definitely go for the dinner cruise. It is an affordable and unique way to see the city of Chiang Mai.

What is your most memorable dining experience in Chiang Mai? Share with us in the comments!

The Riverside Bar & Restaurant
9-11 Charoenrat Road
Chiang Mai 50000
Thailand
Tel: +66 5324 3239 / +66 5324 6323 | Website

Boarding time: 7:15pm daily
Departure time: 8pm
Duration: 75 minutes
Admission: 110 baht per adult; 55 baht per child aged 5-10 years

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