My Travel Itinerary - Taiwan (Part 1)

Hi guys,

Just want to share with you my itinerary during my recently concluded trip to Taiwan. I must say I miss it so much that as I write this post, beautiful memories keep flowing back into my mind..

Day 1
Arrival at Taoyuan International Airport - We took Kuo Kuang bus all the way to Taipei train station. Scenery was beautiful but I couldn't open my eyes all the way to see it. I took a night flight there.. phew~
Took train all the way from Taipei train station to Hualien, where we will be staying at a Minsu (known as Hualien Bay 洄澜弯). Nice boss, nice food and nice people there. Some of the highlights for first day ---

Our shelter for 2 nights! Nice and Cosy!

"If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone..."

The first eatery recommended by Minsu Boss cum Driver.. Steam Meat Dumplings and Buns

"Bian Shi" - A local delicacy. Meat Dumpling... in Singapore we call it "Wanton"

Food Inspiration "Dosai" - India

Dosai... One of the many rich foods in Bombay, India.

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88 things to do in Hong Kong this Summer

Hong Kong summers: so much to look forward to.



Hit the beach
Popular Hong Kong beach Shek O1. With more than 100 beaches in Hong Kong, it is possible to go to a different one for every day of summer. Start with 7 of Hong Kong's best beaches.

2. After hibernating all winter, you may want to get some pre-tanning action in rather then turn up for the first beach day of the season looking like an under-cooked sausage. Bronze it up at Califonia Beach Club.

3. Or fake it like a pro at Om Day Spa.

4. Your tan is great, but the love handles less so. Milk the various summer promotions at the gym for a few less tyres around your middle. Try any of the giants for a good deal, such as Pure, California Fitness, Fitness First, Physical, Action Waterfall.

5. Or take advantage of the big natural gym: the great outdoors. Tackle a killer hike like the Dragon's Back, which has spectacular views and ends at Big Wave Bay, one of Hong Kong's best beach.

6. Loving the beach but not the hike? Shek O is reachable by public transport and is a great place to indulge in low-impact activities like people watching, general lazing about, and a barbecue. See Hong Kong's best public barbecue sites.

7. When we can't bear to leave the seaside after just one day we rent a beachside apartment in Cheng Chau and spend the weekend exploring.

8. A beach without its beachside drinks shack feels incomplete. Check out the awesome smoothies at Ooh La La on Pui O beach, or anything at one of Hong Kong's best beach bars.

9. Cross your fingers that Tai Long Sai Wan, Hong Kong's last pristine area, will be developed responsibly.

Jump in the water

Surf is up this summer10. Hit the waves at Tai Long Wan or Big Wave Bay for some gnarly (ish) board action. It's not the peak season for big waves in Hong Kong, but it's a helluva lot warmer.

11. When surfing alone is not enough of a challenge, head over to the Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre, where gold-medalist Lee Lai Shan was coached.

12. Already a baron of the board and a wizard at windsurfing, then maybe kitesurfing is the challenge you need. Check out Shui Hui Bay and Pui O in Lantau for the best sites.

13. Watch the pros at the Hong Kong Wakeboard Open Championship in August (date TBC).

14. Actually see some of the sea-side scenery, rather than whizzing through it, by renting a kayak for some leisurely paddling.

15. If you want to tackle something bigger than a canoe, you can also try your hand at sailing. Aberdeen Boat Club offers instruction and rentals.

16. Take a junk trip. Hong Kong's de rigueur summertime activity. Watch out for Kinky Ginko's annual Mega Junk party where around 400 people take a junk trip together.

17. Or do it low-key and catch a sampan ride around Aberdeen harbour during a warm summer night.

18. Realise that sedate seafaring is just not pushing your buttons and charter the "Black Mamba" Power Boat for a full-throttle adventure instead.

19. Go diving in Hong Kong and discover that it's not actually that polluted underwater after all.

Please go to CNNGo to find out all 88 things to do this summer in Hong Kong.


Book your hotels here!

Shopping in Bangkok, Thailand

Whenever I mention the word "Bangkok" to my friends, food, shopping, ladyboys come to my mind. This capital city of Thailand has successfully branded herself as one of the main shopping destinations in Asia.

Here's why:

1. MBK Center

MBK or Mahboonkrong is a huge shopping complex with eight floors and has around 2000 shops. Knock off items, leather goods and electronics are the most common items that you'll find in MBK.

2. Siam Discovery Center and Siam Paragon

Just a short walking distance from MBK , you'll find a lot of authentic foreign and local branded goods.

3. Pratunam

You could take a tuktuk from Siam Center to Pratunam Area or you could walk your way and pass through numerous malls such as Central World, Big C and Gaysorn for more shopping. One you arrive in Pratunam you'll see Platinum Fashion Mall and other smaller shopping malls. These malls are specializing in trendy clothes for the modern fashion enthusiasts.

4. Pantip Plaza

Just a short walking distance from Platinum Fashion Mall is Pantip Plaza. This mall is a huge shopping complex for gadget enthusiasts like me. Pantip specializes in selling electronics such as cameras, laptops, celphones, tablet pcs, gaming paraphernalia and other electronic devices. There're also numerous computer and mobile repair shops in case you need one.

5. Patpong Night Market

Infamous for the pingpong shows and other Go-go shows, Patpong also offers shopping option for the night owls. There's a night market that sells knockoff goods and locally made shirts. It's not as cheap though as Pratunam or Chinatown.

6. Bo Bey Market and Chinatown

A short walk from Hua Lampong station will lead you to Chinatown where you could buy textiles, garments and gold. Enter the small alleys and you'll find a lot of wholesalers selling toys, bags, shoes and women's accessories. A short tuktuk ride or a 20-30 minute ride will take you to Bo Bey Market which is another big wholesale market for garments.

7. Khao San Road

Aside from bars, guesthouses and drunk tourists, you'll also find Khao San as a nice place to shop. There's a variety of items being sold here that appeals a lot to young travellers. T-shirts, novelty items, travel souvenirs and handmade leather bags and shoes abound. Walk toward Soi Rambuttri and you'll find local craftsmen making leather bags, wallets and miniature tuktuks made from beer cans.

8. Chatuchak Weekend Market

This would probably be the largest weekend market in Bangkok where you could find almost anything that might interest you. From clothes, shoes, bags, handicrafts, food, travel souvenirs and even pets. This market is not only popular to tourists but to locals as well.

These are just some of the popular markets that you can find in Bangkok and there're still so many to choose from. Go  and visit Bangkok and enjoy shopping!

Hotels to Usher in the F1 Race in Singapore

It's that time of the year again, when Singapore is roaring with anticipation for the 2011 Singapore F1,from 23 to 25 September. Besides catching all the race action and concert headline acts, visitors and locals alike can take the opportunity to check yourselves in for a staycation over the F1 weekend.

With just a few more weeks to the Singapore Grand Prix, we find the best hotels to catch the action at, many offering views of the race from your own hotel room window.

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands, pretty much an attraction in its own right, is our first picks this Singapore F1 season. Since the race only starts at night, spend your days in the infinity pool on the SkyPark, check out the nearby newly opened ArtScience Museum, and, of course, try your luck at the casino.



If guests book a three- or four-night package, they’ll enjoy privileges and discounts such as 250 Krisflyer miles and unlimited complimentary access to the Sands SkyPark Observation, which has a bird's eye view of the night race.

Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore

One of Singapore's tallest hotels, Swissotel The Stamford is located in City Hall, or more importantly at Turn 9 of the race circuit, which means that it offers a great views of the night race. Additionally, Swissotel is situated on top of the Raffles City Complex, a shopping and convention centre, so you can shop to your heart’s content even with all the road closures due to F1.


Three-night packages from 22 to 25 September 2011 start from S$3,450++ and include breakfast for two and exclusive views of the Singapore F1 race from the guest room balconies.




The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore

With views of all the Singapore F1 action and a location only a few minutes away from the race pit building, the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore is sure to be ground zero for many F1 fans.

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

If you want to be right on top of the action – not just watching from afar - the Fullerton Hotel Singapore is where you want to say. Located at the circuit's hairpin turn at Anderson Bridge, The Fullerton Hotel provides track-side views of the race, right from your balcony.

Room rates start from S$1,000* per night for a Courtyard room which includes daily American buffet breakfast for two people at Town Restaurant and in-room Internet service.

*A minimum of three-night's say is required from 23 to 25 September 2011, both dates inclusive. Suite and group rates are available.

So go ahead and secure your "seats" in your favourite Hotel now! Check out the best offers on your right!

Tips for Cheap International Travel

Pack Light

1. Packing Light -- As in "CARRY ON ONLY". Avoiding luggage fees is one major point; you also save time upon departure and arrival by not checking-in bags and/or claiming them. Taxis and shuttles sometimes charge you excess baggage fees, so this makes sense in a number of ways.

And if you happen to buy a few things overseas (who doesn't?), it helps to leave a little extra baggage room for those. Pack some laundry wash strips (which can be cut and divided for multiple loads), and wash/dry in your room... or use a coin-op nearby, if that's an option.

2. Do Your Own Homework. Look for recommended hotel, air and car rental sites -- like this site. Your savings will usually be proportionate to the work you put in. Compare several options, including venere and Kayak, and also Google for the actual site because savings and/or special deals may be available only on their own website.

Don't be a glutton!

3. CONTROL THOSE FOOD EXPENSES: For some folks, an all-inclusive  experience might be Savings... but for those of us who perhaps eat and/or drink a bit lighter, we avoid walking into the "tourist" themed food options and instead look to keep at least lunch OR dinner on the cheap. Finding one or two good bargain places to eat and repeat-visiting gives you the chance to try out more of the menu, as well as managing the flow of your cash. Find the places that the "locals" like by searching in forums -- usually great food at much lower prices -- plus the "authentic local flavor". Such options are both entertaining & priceless.

4. LEARN (AT LEAST SOME OF) THE LANGUAGE! A quick 6-month study (and using Internet TV to "get your ears" for a new tongue as well) can pay huge savings dividends. Ditto for using Google Translate or other tools to break down native-language sites when there is no English option... or even, sometimes, when there is.

Another New Measure by Gov~~

Gov says "Scrap scheme for siblings to buy flats"... and so we listen and obey.


Read the story...

Another group of buyers just flew out of my hands.. just like that..

Well.. I just got to work around government's policies and see how things come along. At least, there is still work to be done. :)

How to Save and Invest for Your First Property Downpayment

The recent rise in the property market has added worry to those who has yet to own a home. To many people, especially the young families, will find it increasingly challenging to save enough for the downpayment of a house. If you belong to this category and wonder what can you do to put yourself closer to the reality of owning a house, there is a link which I want you to read.

http://www.propwise.sg/how-to-save-and-invest-for-your-first-property-downpayment/
courtesy of: propwise.sg

Enjoy and be enriched! Congrats to those who got their BTOs recently. :( I didn't get mine.

Non Landed Homes Decline 0.7%

According to the Singapore Residential Price Index (SRPI) of the National University of Singapore (NUS), non landed homes in the private sector saw a decrease of 0.7% after a consecutive increase of 1.1% in August and September.

Going forward, experts say that mass market homes should moderate further given the large supply of development sites being opened up for Government land sales. However, it will have little impact on mid-tier and luxury home prices, which could see further increase given the positive economic outlook in 2011.