Singapore comes up tops in many things except for one – space. And with COVID-19 restrictions keeping us grounded, we quickly envied those large countries with regions and states which allowed their citizens some consolation with domestic travel. The good news is, Singapore’s been making good progress in the viral spread, and is one of…
Category: Travel
CRUISES FIND THEMSELVES THE FIRST REPRIEVE FOR TRAVEL-STARVED SINGAPOREANS
It’s the only way most will get to go “over seas” for now. What worked for us is also working against us. Singapore’s tiny land mass has allowed for one of the most remarkable COVID-19 recovery stories, but is also keenly felt by locals as they stay landlocked. Minus the few business exceptions and job…
BELFAST NEED NOT PLAY SECOND TO NONE
The second-largest city in Ireland has plenty to offer to warrant inclusion in your itinerary. Think of Dublin and you think of grand Irish cheer and charm. Think of Belfast and you think of nothing but conflict. But is it warranted? In this piece for Expedia, I check in and find plenty to discover in…
JAPANESE ETIQUETTE 101: REMINDERS FOR YOUR NEXT VISIT
Renowned as one of the most courteous and systematic countries in the world, I wouldn’t blame the first-time visitor to Japan for being overwhelmed. And even if you manage to figure out the subways and navigating the rush hour throngs, there is always the fear that one might make some social faux pas and that…
CAPELLA UBUD, BALI, JUST NAMED NO.1 HOTEL IN THE WORLD
AS AWARDED BY Travel + Leisure 2020 World’s Best Awards Somewhere between the lines of the idyllic and the elegant, a winner emerged on 8th July 202 at the annual World’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure. Not only did Capella Ubud, Bali receive top honours, but parent company Capella Hotels and Resorts also won…
SYDNEY AND ITS SURROUNDS WILL FOSTER NEW MEMORIES FOR OLD FRIENDS
The city of Sydney needs no introduction. A vibrant city that brings art, shopping, and world-famous dining experiences in one spot. But to add another layer of excitement, the greater area of its surrounds promises a natural escape that few are familiar with. Hot air balloon rides over vineyards and world-class whale-watching sites are some…
QATAR AIRWAY’S NEW LOUNGE IN SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT IS THE NEXT GENERATION OF LUXURY FOR BUSINESS FLIERS
Last year’s winner for World’s Best Airlines, Qatar Airways has catapulted itself as a brand. I remember how I took one of its first flights when it began, and was already impressed by its high standards. But never one to rest on their laurels, the airline has been striving to add to their value. Their…
HOW A BUCKET LIST MIGHT RUIN YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Raise your hand if you have a bucket list. Ever since the titular movie propelled the word to common vernacular, travel has slowly been shaped by a traveler’s list of places-to-see-before-I-die. But I can’t help but wonder, is it a good idea to travel with this macabre overtone? One must also ask, have we ended…
LIVING IT UP AT WALDORF ASTORIA BANGKOK
It’s not everyday I spend SGD$400 on a night’s stay at a hotel. But I did from 26- 28 March 2019. Hear me out. I’m not someone who necessarily is in that income bracket to easily drop that kind of money, but remember what they said about experiences? My first encounter with Andre Fu‘s work…
THE DOUBLE LIFE OF JIUFEN
There was already so much I was looking forward to. The pretty tea houses. The scenic views. The romantic lanterns along the street. The only thing better, was to experience it for longer. So for my visit to Taipei in 2014, my focus became more about Jiufen than it was about the main city. And…
THE SNOW THAT WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE: HOW A SHANGHAI & SUZHOU TRIP GOT EXTRA MEMORABLE
It was freezing. And haven’t been one to have seen falling snow before this, I ventured if something like that would happen from my local friend. She sniffed, an incredulous expression dealt to my suggestion. “It hasn’t snowed in over 50 years!” Oh well. But a few hours later, heading back to the hotel, she…
IS CYPRUS THE NEW GREECE?
There’s nothing quite like Greece of course. In fact, there’s never any real replacement for one particular country when you get down to the details. That said – if one is asking for a little twist from the (currently) Instagram hotspot, without loosing that formula or sun, sand, sea and stunning history, then Cyprus is…
RACE START – HOW COMPETITION MAKES A DESTINATION COMPELLING
Every competition and race comes with a clash. Thankfully, it’s more of energy and excitement than anything negative. From World Cups to the Olympics, sports have pulled fans to events across the world and will continue to do so. While big brands such as the above, along with others like Formula One and Wimbledon, continue…
SIGNATURE EVENTS TO WITNESS IN 2019 AND 2020
Every season its mood, every country its character. Festivals are often the pinnacle of expression for both, teeming with plenty of culture and activity. Some of these might have been around for centuries, while others are sparks that exploded into wonder, but each of these events have become iconic to these destinations, and sometimes even…
GLAMPING IN THE MOUNTAINS: DHARAMSHALA’S CAMP LUNGTA
The Himachal Pradesh region is often chosen for its adventure – both into the natural and spiritual realms, and the mountainous area with its otherworldly beauty, is believably straddling between the realms. Dharamshala is best known to be the location where the Dalai Lama has chosen for his official residence, and unsurprisingly, has made the…
MORE THAN JUST AMALFI
Because of how famous it is, the Amalfi Coast is often thought as just a small stretch around the town of Amalfi itself. But in truth, there’s 50 km of coast to drive down, dotted with quaint towns, villages and hamlets each with their own specialties. If you need a guide on which of these…
BEYOND THE LITTLE MERMAID
It’s one of my all-time favourites – the originally dark story of the sacrificial mermaid may have had significant impact on my love life, but that’s a story for another day. Because of this, Copenhagen‘s iconic statue has always been a beacon for me when it comes to sights to see. It may not be…
ENCOUNTER ALL THE SHADES OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
If you self-drive or love coach tours, Western Australia’s routes will give you a bang for your buck. All along the coast and inland, you will find a smattering of sights to keep you engaged along the route. The colours stood out clearly for me in my mind’s eye, so I wrote out these itineraries…
THE WAYS YOU CAN FROLIC IN FIJI
It’s true that Fiji isn’t the most accessible place, even if you live in the nearest countries of Australia, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea. But isn’t that the case for anywhere that’s really out of this world? Fiji may be most widely known for that bottled water, but ditch that plastic and go to…
FAMILY FESTIVAL FUN – SEE 23 OF THE WORLD’S BEST
With kids in tow or the elderly involved, it’s not easy for the average family to design a holiday that will please everyone. That’s where festivals come in. Festivals are amazing showcases of a country’s culture, often bringing everything to one spot. Food, fun, cheer, and plenty of activities for the young and old, they…
THE -30 SIBERIAN FAIRYTALE
Friends know I love the cold. My ideal climate range is 0-20 degrees celsius, where I could sit out and be forced to down a cup of hot beverage quickly before it turns cold, and then hop around with a scalded tongue. Yeah I’m weird that way. But weird goes easier when you’re rewarded by…
MAKE IT COUNT – 7 SOUVENIRS THAT REALLY REPRESENT RUSSIA
Put those magnets down and back away slowly. As much as it’s tempting to get your souvenirs in one fell swoop at a gift shop, giving some thought to them can be a rewarding investment. Not only does it make you attach specific memories to each piece you select, but the stories and cultural references…
REDISCOVERING BALI
The legendary island promises a mystical adventure of self-awakening, but the reality greeting travellers is usually more crowded beaches and overpriced restaurants. So can we ever find the Bali that once was? The answer, is yes. The busy throngs at Kuta is still largely contained there, with some spillage to Seminyak. Canggu is fast becoming…
HOW TO HAVE A LOCAL BREAKFAST IN TAIPEI
Without a doubt, breakfast is the most important meal when travelling in Taiwan – and we’re not talking about the hotel buffets please! Getting up and heading straight to any soy milk joint in Taipei means a hearty affair of savoury food and bustling affairs conducted without regards for the nosy tourist. Which is great,…
HOW TO SLEEP TRENDY IN HONG KONG ON A BUDGET
The city of Hong Kong is renowned for their sky-high real estate, and this means that those documentaries of their poorer boxed-up citizens may sometimes become a reality for budget travelers, but thankfully only temporarily. A quick search will find “hotels” in the price range of SGD$100s to be either non-descript, terribly small, remotely located…
CHIANG MAI IS HOME TO THE WORLD’S DREAMIEST LIGHT-UP
Even though the environmental repercussions are being debated, and solutions to the impact being investigated, there’s no denying the spectacle that the Yee Peng Festival in Chiang Mai accords. Thousands of paper lanterns float into the sky, an illuminated glowing cloud, and with the more widely-known Loy Krathong following the festival days, seeing candles drifting…
WHEN JUST VISITING JAIPUR
Visiting just one city in India sounds like an impossible decision to make if one had limited time, but if you had to, Jaipur stands as one of travellers’ top choices. The Pink City has old-world charm in spades, and a reputation that has been catapulted thanks to its ‘gram-able facades. As you wander about,…
HERE BE DRAGONS AND BEACHES
It’s an unlikely combination. Flores means flowers and yet there are dragons crawling about the beaches of this peninsula island in Indonesia. There’s adventure to be found – and yes, you can go dragon spotting – but Flores Island is probably best know for it’s colourful landscape. From pink beaches to multi-hued craters, the remote…
A NIGHT AT JEWEL CHANGI – EXPERIENCING YOTELAIR
Staycations aren’t something I do very often given that a trip is so much more worth the moolah. But when YotelAir opened up a micro-hotel in the new Jewel Changi, that caught my attention. I figured this was more than just a staycation, but also an overnight experience at our latest mall-park hybrid destination that…
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND MEANS BUSINESS
While we often see Disneyland as a childhood dream destination, business incentive groups are finding new use in the theme park. Hong Kong Disneyland has big plans to harness this interest, and recognising their Disney and Marvel IP as key draws, the focus is now on year-on-year thematic projects and a third Marvel attraction to…
MORGAN AWYONG 