Tag: "Holiday"

Antarctic Dream: Blogging My Way There

kelvinlls | July 22, 2009 | Comments (3)

My Quest To Get To Antarctica

Antarctic Penguins

Antarctica – the final frontier. The southernmost continent on Earth has been a subject of my fascination ever since my younger days, and I’ve always wanted to see the white continent. I’ve met a few people who have been there and have recounted their experiences in the remote continent, and I must say that my fascination grew more and more.

I’m writing this post not because I have been there, but to appeal to you my readers to help me get there so I can share my experiences with you. I recently signed up to a competition for a chance to travel to Antarctica and blog about the experience. I thought that this is such a great opportunity for me to experience the place and to be able to share it to you my loyal readers. As it is, Antarctica is a tough place to get to, and a tough place to travel around on. Apart from the freezing temperatures, there are no public transports readily available, and only a few trips a year go to this isolated continent. Thus, getting a chance to be there and witness it is a great gift, and I would love that opportunity to get there. So if you’re reading this and would like to help me get there, please click the link below to vote for me, and please tell your friends to support my cause.

http://www.blogyourwaytoantarctica.com/blogs/view/354

Thank you in advance for your support and I do hope to have the chance to be able to share my experiences with you from there!

Here’s to the next Fabulous Journey!

AntarcticCentre Antarctic Dream: Blogging My Way There

Me at the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand

Kelvin Lim

Places to Watch Sunsets

kelvinlls | July 16, 2009 | Comments (2)

One of the things I look for when I go travelling is to find a spot (if at all possible) to watch a magnificent sunset. Sunsets are one of nature’s great wonders, and the light and shades that it produces can be very dramatic and awe-inspiring. If you get to catch a glimpse of a fantastic sunset, you can say that it is one of the best light shows on earth! I recently wrote an article on the best spots to watch sunset in Australasia, which was published in the BootsnAll travel network.

Love The Sunsets

I was inspired by the outcome of my work that I decided to write more about it here on my blog. From my other travels, I’ve found a couple of other great places where you can watch a beautiful sunset. There is definitely more to be found around the world, and I’m looking forward to witnessing them as I travel the rest of the world bit by bit!

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap

siemreapsunset Places to Watch Sunsets

The majestic temples of Angkor Wat are a sight to behold. Most people recommend seeing Angkor Wat for sunrise, as the sun rises behind the temples and gives it a unique glow. However, you can go into Angkor Wat itself, and watch the sunset from the top of the temple, it can be a great sight to see. You will see it set into the Tonle Sap Lake. Alternatively, if you want a more unobstructed view (apart from the many tourists that flock to see) of the sunset, you can head to nearby Phnom Bakheng (Bakheng Hill) where you can see it better. As mentioned, the only setback is that there are so many tourists who would want to get a piece of the action and watch the sunset from there.

Along the way from one of the temples in the archaeological complex, I went past numerous empty farmland, and at one point, saw the sun glowing brightly as it was about to set. It was possibly the best sunset I’ve seen while I was in Siem Reap, and one that I really remembered.

Manta Ray Island Resort, Fiji

fijisunset Places to Watch Sunsets

Manta Ray Island Resort is on one of the islands in the Yasawas. It’s a 3 hour journey on the boat from the port of Denarau on the main island of Viti Levu. The resort has a couple of beaches, one is the main beach where everyone goes for a swim and snorkel and is the bigger of the 2 beaches. The other one is called Sunset beach, and the name says it all. The guests from the resort only go there to watch the sunset happen, and it’s absolutely gorgeous! You can get yourself a can of Fiji Bitter and sit on the sand and watch the sun slowly go down into the Pacific Ocean.

I hope you have enjoyed viewing these couple of sunset photos. And, please do check out that article in Bootsnall for more inspiration on the best places to watch sunsets!

Til the next Fabulous Journey!

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Places to Watch Sunsets

Temples And Gardens Of Kyoto

kelvinlls | July 9, 2009 | Comments (1)

Traditional Japanese Garden - Ginkakuji, Kyoto

Shoguns, Bonsais And Zen Tranquility

It is the ancient capital of Japan. Its history is very rich with warriors, emperors and shoguns. There are so many beautiful temples, gardens and palaces. Coincidentally, it’s Japan’s seventh largest city. Kyoto is one place that managed to strike a balance between the ultra-modern and the ancient traditional way of Japanese living. I visited this place only knowing that this was Japan’s old capital before Tokyo, yet I had no idea on what to expect.

While I was on the plane to Osaka, I was still frantically reading the guidebook I borrowed from a friend of mine. I had no clue what I can see in Kyoto and where to go. I just boarded the plane and hoped for the best. It was a total last minute decision as I managed to get great last minute deals from Sydney to Osaka, and it was too good to refuse! I was fortunate enough to be seated next to this Japanese student who was returning home to Kyoto from her 2 years of English studies in Hobart. She asked for help in filling out the immigration forms, and I helped her out. Our conversation then led to asking where she lives and then I asked for tips on what to see and do in Kyoto. She was really kind enough to tell me where to go and what to see.

Getting There

Kyoto is about an hour on the train from Osaka. The closest airport is Osaka. From Kansai International Airport, you can take either the JR Express train to Osaka, and then change to the JR Kyoto line. Alternatively, you can take the slower train to Umeda, from where you have to change to Shin Osaka to take the JR Kyoto line. I was glad I had my newfound friend helping me onmy way to Kyoto, as the train lines can be very confusing if you’re not familiar with the place, and especially if you can’t read and speak Japanese! The vending machines for the tickets are all in Japanese, and the only signs that are in English are the train stations. If you opt for the slower way, it will take you an hour and a half to get to Kyoto, or 2 hours if you miss some connections.

Temples And Gardens To See

Kyoto is full of great temples and gardens. Nearly each temple would have a lovely traditional Japanese garden. The gardens are so simple yet so pleasing and calming to the senses. The essence of a Japanese garden is really in its simplicity and harmony with its natural surroundings. Here are some of my favourite temples and gardens to see in Kyoto:

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu Temple - Kyoto

This wooden temple is located up in the hills surrounding Kyoto, and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan. The name Kiyomizu means clear and pure water and the history of the temple dates back to 798 A.D. It has been rebuilt since and the current structure dates back to 1633. What makes this temple unique is that it doesn’t use any nails to hold the entire building structure! It’s all made of well-crafted hinges that locks the planks of wood to each other. Considering that this has been in existence for centuries, this is very remarkable for a wooden structure, as they easily get destroyed by fire, earthquakes or perhaps termites and natural decay.

One awesome feature of this temple is the view that you get of the entire city of Kyoto. It’s a very peaceful place to visit (if you can avoid the times that the tourists flock in) and if arrive early in the morning, you are more guaranteed for it to be quieter. There is a waterfall that can be seen from the nearby hills, and this is where the name Kiyomizu came from.

Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkakuji - Kyoto

Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavillion) is a Zen Buddhist Temple that was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for a local shogun before being converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The current structure is actually rebuilt in 1955, after a monk tried to commit suicide by burning down the original structure in 1950. The current structure is gilded with gold-leaf, and has a much thicker coat of gold than that of the original structure.

This golden temple sits in front of a big pond, and surrounded by some gorgeous Japanese gardens. Visitors cannot go inside the temple, but you can go close to it and have a closer look at the 3-story pagoda structure.

Ryoanji Temple and Rock Garden

Ryoanji - Kyoto

Ryoanji is another Zen Buddhist temple that is well known for its rock garden. This temple is another UNESCO World Heritage site. The rock garden is thought to have been built in the late 1400s. It is comprised of raked gravel and 15 moss covered rocks. The rectangular garden has been designed such that only 14 rocks are visible at any angle (apart from an aerial view) when viewing the garden. The simplicity and stark dry landscape of the garden creates a stunning and calming presence while viewing the gardens. This is one of those zen gardens that would be perfect to just sit and reflect and meditate on.

Ginkakuji Temple

Sand Garden in Ginkakuji Temple - Kyoto

Ginkakuji (The Temple of the Silver Pavillion) was built originally as another place of rest and solitude by one of the shoguns in the 1400s. It eventually was turned into a Zen Buddhist temple. There were initial plans of putting a silver foil on the exterior, but this did not materialise. Yet, the name “Silver Pavillion” or Ginkaku-ji stuck with it through the centuries. At the front of the temple complex is a beautifully crafted sand garden. It has a fan-shaped design carved on it and a conical mound of sand that is thought to represent Mount Fuji at one end of the garden. As with the other temples, Ginkakuji is surrounded by a magnificent Japanese garden, which I thought looks much better than the Kinkakuji temple.

Nijo Castle

Kyoto - Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle may not be a temple, but this structure is worth a mention for its gardens and the unique way some of the buildings have been built. This castle was built by the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 1600s, and was the residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Nijo Castle has 2 concentric rings of fortifications around the castle, consisting of a wall and a wide moat. Inside the castle are several palaces, the most distinguished one is the Ninomaru Palace. There are several rooms for meeting and greeting visitors, depending on the rank and position of the person arriving. What is unique about the Ninomaru Palace is the way the wooden floors in the corridors are built. They are called “Nightingale Floors” and it is all because they made a squeaking sound with every step you make. It was designed as a warning system in case assassins enter the palace at night.

The castle grounds have numerous great gardens, the most impressive one being the Ninomaru Gardens just outside the Ninomaru Palace. The garden has a large pond with 3 islands in the middle, each having stones carefully laid out with a pine tree on them. The gardens are definitely worth the visit.

When visiting Kyoto (as with the rest of Japan), the best time would have to be during the Cherry Blossom festival (known as the Sakura festival). The cherry blossoms make the temple gardens look very pretty with its bright pink, white and red colours. It is, however more expensive at this time of the year, as it is the most popular time for tourists. If you want a great bargain, you would have to come in the early part of the rainy season (June), as the weather is generally warm, but the rain and potential cyclone discourages the tourists from visiting.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. Til the next Fabulous Journeys!

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Temples And Gardens Of Kyoto

Sentosa – Island Resort of Singapore

kelvinlls | July 1, 2009 | Comments (0)

Welcome to another edition of Fabulous Journeys! This post will feature the island of Sentosa, which is Singapore’s recreation island. I had the opportunity to visit Sentosa while I was in Singapore in May. I was amazed at how organised everything is! I thought of it as an island with some degree of roughness, but I should have known better that Singapore will not settle for anything rough and rustic.

Getting to Sentosa Island

Sentosa Express

Sentosa is accessible via 4 ways: car, bus, cable car and the Sentosa Express. There is a bridge that links Sentosa to the main island of Singapore, and this is where the cars can pass through. There is a $2 entry fee per person or per car to the island. If you don’t have a car, you can take a taxi or the orange Sentosa bus from Vivo City shopping mall to get to the island. The easiest way I found was to take the Sentosa Express, which is a monorail that runs from Vivo City and to 3 stations within the island. It costs $3 for a day trip ticket between Sentosa and Vivo City, and you can hop on the different station within Sentosa Island as many times as you want within the day.

Alternatively, if you would like a more scenic way to get to the island, you can take the cable car from Mount Faber. It costs $18 return, which is more expensive than the other options, but worth trying if you want to enjoy the view and the novelty of taking a cable car to the island. For more information on ways to get to Sentosa, check out their website here.

Getting Around

There are several buses around Sentosa, and all of them are free of charge! There is a blue, yellow and red line which would go to different areas on the island. They also have 2 beach tram lines, which would take you to the 3 beach locations on the island (Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong). It’s very easy to get around Sentosa, and most of the attractions are covered either by the Sentosa Express or the buses that go around.

Sentosa Attractions

sentosa merlion Sentosa Island Resort of Singapore

Merlion – Sentosa has the biggest Merlion statue in Singapore. The Merlion, the national symbol of Singapore, is a mythical creature that is half-lion and half fish. The Merlion in Sentosa is a huge building that houses a display of various underwater mythical creatures including sea dragons, mermaids, and the Merlion itself, and some animation features and shops. At the top of the Merlion statue/building is the Mouth Gallery viewing deck (called because it is on the mouth of the Merlion statue), which offers a 360degree view of Sentosa and the southern end of Singapore.

sentosa imagesofsingapore Sentosa Island Resort of Singapore

Images Of Singapore – This is a museum that celebrates the ethnic and cultural diversity of Singapore. It showcases how the 4 different major ethnic groups have settled into Singapore through the centuries. Displays of their lifestyle, celebrations, customs and traditions of each of the 4 different races can be found inside, as well as vintage furniture and a display on the 1819 Founding of Singapore. As with the many attractions in Sentosa, there is a souvenir shop where you can find all things unique about Singapore (including food and condiments).

sentosa fortsiloso1 Sentosa Island Resort of Singapore

Fort Siloso – Before Sentosa became a recreation island, it was used by the British as a defence fortress for the ships that pass through the straits to get to the rest of Southeast Asia. It was then called Pulau Blakang Mati, which referred to a Malay village on the hill. There were 2 other forts on the island, but Fort Siloso is the only one that was preserved. The island was renamed Sentosa (Peace and Tranquility in Malay) in 1972 when it was designated to be a recreation island. This area has one of the largest collections of World War 2 artillery in Asia. There are a lot of displays of the Second World War and the Japanese occupation of Singapore. The Surrender Chambers is one of the most distinct exhibits and houses a life-size wax display of the actual surrenders of Singapore: the British surrender to the Japanese in 1942, and the Japanese surrender to the Allied Forces in 1945. It’s a fascinating place to learn about how life was during the war in Singapore, and thus, a piece of history of this modern island nation.

Here’s a video I made at Fort Siloso, while viewing all their artillery collection:

sentosa tigerskytower Sentosa Island Resort of Singapore

Tiger Sky Tower – This is a revolving viewing deck that goes up 110 meters, offering a fantastic view of Sentosa, the Singapore skyline and some islands of Indonesia and Malaysia from a distance. The viewing deck lowers to the ground level to pick up the passengers, and then slowly shoots up to 110 meters. The platform is fully enclosed and rotates around, offering a great 360 degree panoramic view of Singapore and the South China Sea.

sentosa silosobeach Sentosa Island Resort of Singapore

Siloso Beach – This is the most popular beach in Sentosa. I wouldn’t classify it as a great beach, but if you just want to feel the sand and play some beach volleyball, then this is the best spot to do it in Singapore. There are cafes and restaurants on this beach, and the facilities are great. Nearby is the Shangri La Rasa Sentosa resort, if you fancy going to a more upmarket kind of establishment.

Songs of The Sea – This is the nightly musical fountain display of Sentosa. The Songs of The Sea replaced the original musical dancing fountain that Sentosa was known for, and was opened on 26 March 2007. It is the world’s first permanent show set in the sea, and has amazing lights, water jets, lasers, computer graphics animation and pyrotechnic displays. Entry normally cost $10 per person.

These are some of the great attractions at Sentosa. It’s very accessible from mainland Singapore, and is worth a visit if you want to take a break from the usual shopping and city scene. The place is a refreshing change from the full-on packed city life of Singapore, and is a popular weekend destination for the locals. If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to go during the middle of the week. I hope you enjoyed this post!

If you’d like to find great ways to travel to Singapore, check out Zuji for fantastic deals to this modern and vibrant island nation.

Til the next Fabulous Journeys!

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Sentosa Island Resort of Singapore

The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

kelvinlls | June 14, 2009 | Comments (2)

Welcome to another edition of Fabulous Journeys!

I just got back from admiring the awesome light displays at the Vivid Sydney event on the Sydney Opera House that it inspired me to write this post. At the Vivid Sydney exhibition, the Sydney Opera House was lit up with various artistic designs and motifs and turned the Sydney Opera House into something like an artist’s canvas. The projections are all so amazing, and it is changed every 10 minutes roughly. This event happens once a year, and would be only one of the very few occassions that the Sydney Opera House would show some different moods to the general public.

I’m very lucky to be living amongst one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, and a lot of people all over the world come to visit Sydney to see the Sydney Opera House. The Sydney Opera House has become one of the symbols of Australia. It’s not what you would expect an opera house would look like, and yet its design has become a marvel of the abstract art and architecture world. So much so, that in 2007, the Sydney Opera House was nominated as one of the finalists for the New 7 Wonders of the Modern World!

I’d like to share with you some of the photos I’ve taken of the Sydney Opera House over the years, both from a normal day and night, and also from the recent Vivid Sydney event. Note that these photos are my original photos, and none of these have been edited using any photo-editing software or tools. Totally 100% Pure, Unadulterated Sydney Opera House!

sydneyoperahouse day The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House - By Day

sydneyoperahouse dusk The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House - At Dusk

sydneyoperahouse redblue The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House - Vivid Sydney Projections 1

sydneyoperahouse redblue2 The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House - Vivid Sydney Projections 2

sydneyoperahouse green The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House - Vivid Sydney Projections Green

sydneyoperahouse brown The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House - Vivid Sydney Projections Brown

sydneyoperahouse hotlava The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House - Vivid Sydney Projections CloseUp

sydneyoperahouse hotlavapan The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House - Vivid Sydney Projections Lava-like

If you are inspired by these photos to see the Sydney Opera House for yourself, you can hop on the next plane and visit Sydney. I’d recommend checking Zuji for the best deals to get into Sydney and the rest of Australia.

I hope you enjoy this photo blog post!

Til the next Fabulous Journeys!

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The Many Moods Of Sydney Opera House

Litchfield National Park

kelvinlls | June 11, 2009 | Comments (2)

G’day from Fabulous Journeys! I hope you enjoyed the last post on Darwin. I had a fantastic time there, and I love the laid-back feel of the city. It was all the more made special by the company of my great friends who showed me around and gave me a taste of the local lifestyle!

Litchfield Or Kakadu?

While I was in Darwin, I had been meaning to go and see Kakadu National Park. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the place from the media and other people that I thought it would just be fantastic to make a trip there. However, my friend Trixie told me that Litchfield National Park is much better than Kakadu, and is more accessible from Darwin itself. I thought about it, and decided that perhaps I should just do Litchfield National Park, as I only had a day to go outside Darwin on my schedule (which I only fitted in between my internet marketing sessions). I was in a dilemma on where to go, but I did consider Trixie’s recommendations, as Litchfield can be more manageable as a day trip than Kakadu, just because of the distance and size of the place. Kakadu is a much bigger place, and people recommend that you spend a few days exploring the area instead of just taking a day trip.

Trixie’s Tours

I was going to go with my friend Sharon on a tour bus from Darwin, and the day before we were supposed to go, we started inquiring about tour prices and availability. We completely ignored the fact that it was dry season in the Top End, and that it was tourist season! We tried one after another, but to no avail. There were no available seats for us on the tour bus! Our friend Trixie, who was our host, kindly offered to take us all the way there! It was a very generous offer from her, as we didn’t think she wanted to go. She was more concerned about her car getting through the unsealed road ahead! Well, the guy at the tour desk told us a lie about Litchfield Road being sealed all the way through, and we only found out when we got there! Well, lesson learnt, take your 4WD on Litchfield Road as part of it is still not sealed. So, that’s how Trixie’s Tours came about (featuring Steve, Trixie’s husband, as the coach driver.. LOL)!

So, on to the topic of Litchfield National Park. Here are some of the great things you can see in the National Park:

Termite Mounds

There are numerous termite mounds in the area, some small, but some are really massive! There is a specific type of termite mound that is unique in the area, and they’re called the Magnetic Termite Mounds. These mounds look more like tombstones of a graveyard. They’re flat and they have a roundish end. The reason they’re called magnetic is because of the way the termites designed these mounds. They all align from north to south! It seems like they have some sort of compass that makes them build these structures in that direction! It’s just fascinating how these creatures can build such structures, and they’re unique to the Northern Territory!

Buley Rockhole

The Buley Rockhole is a series of rock pools on the Florence Creek that cascade down like springs. It is spring-fed and has a good flow all year long. People can swim in the various pools on the different levels. This is one area that is croc-free and jellyfish-free, so people can enjoy them! I didn’t bring my swimming gear when I went there, as I didn’t think it would be tempting to go swimming. The water felt cool and refreshing, and on a nice hot sunny day in the Top End, it’s worth jumping in!

Florence Falls

Florence Falls is one of the biggest falls in Litchfield National Park. You can walk 1.7kms from the Buley Rockhole to get to this waterfalls, or you can drive and park, and the lookout point for the falls is a few meters from the car park. The lookout point offers the best views of the falls. If you want to get closer and swim in the falls, you can take the 135-step staircase down to the lagoon and enjoy the falls itself. The view is not that great from below, unless you go and swim in the lagoon (which we didn’t).

Tolmer Falls

Tolmer Falls is another one of the 3 major falls on the Tabletop Range in Litchfield National Park. The lookout to the falls is also a few meter from the car park, and you can enjoy great views of the outback further afield. The rock formations and the gorge looks stunning. If you have more time, there is a walk you can take to Tolmer Creek.

Finniss River

One of the major rivers near Litchfield National Park is the Finniss River. You will come across it when you travel through the gravel road from Litchfield Road. It’s not one of the places that the tour buses stop, but we found a nice spot to stop and have a look at a typical river in the Northern Territory. It is known to be croc-infested, but at the time we stopped, no crocodiles were in sight. It was just nice to see the pandanus trees on the river and some native birds around.

Berry Springs

This is technically just outside Litchfield National Park, but was on our way back to Darwin from Litchfield National Park. Berry Springs is a series of springs that have been developed into a recreation park and is ideal for swimming. There are a couple of pools in the area that you can swim on, and it’s all natural pools, with some fish swimming along in the water. When we arrived at Berry Springs, there were already a few people swimming, but it was so calm and peaceful in the area. There’s also a small exhibit on how Berry Springs used to be, and where the source of the water is. One interesting display they have there is an original dunny, which is quite common in the remote regions in Australia.

Litchfield National Park is only an hour and a half’s drive from Darwin, and is much closer to Darwin than Kakadu. Kakadu, while it is be bigger, takes more than 2 hours from Darwin, and some people recommend that we see it from the air, as it is more spectacular that way. I’m planning to visit Kakadu next time when I have more time to spare in the Top End, and just do a 2 to 3 day tour there. I enjoyed my trip to Litchfield National Park, and I’m glad I took this option over Kakadu for a day trip.. You can cover more attractions to see in and near Litchfield, especially if you only have a day to spare.

Til the next Fabulous Journeys!

Sponsored Links: AllTerrain4WDSafaris
Sunset CB walkabout150x322 Litchfield National Park

Singapore Sling Part 2 – Singapore Flyer

kelvinlls | May 25, 2009 | Comments (0)

Part 2 of Fabulous Journeys‘ Singapore escapade. I hope you have enjoyed my update on what I’ve been up to in Singapore. This will be a brief post on the Singapore Flyer. The Singapore Flyer is the world’s tallest observation wheel. I had the opportunity to take an evening flight to view the awesome Singapore skyline. Here are some of the snaps I took at the Singapore Flyer:

singaporeflyer1 Singapore Sling Part 2 Singapore Flyer

Singapore Flyer - wheel view

singaporeflyer2 Singapore Sling Part 2 Singapore Flyer

Singapore Flyer - Millenia Tower view

singaporeflyer3 Singapore Sling Part 2 Singapore Flyer

singaporeflyer6 Singapore Sling Part 2 Singapore Flyer

Singapore Flyer - City Skyline

singaporeflyer5 Singapore Sling Part 2 Singapore Flyer

Definitely great views from the Singapore Flyer. If you’re ever in Singapore, don’t miss this attraction.

Til the next update from Singapore!

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Singapore Sling Part 2 Singapore Flyer

Singapore Sling – Part 1

kelvinlls | May 24, 2009 | Comments (0)

Welcome to another post for Fabulous Journeys!

I’m writing this post in Singapore, while I visit some family and taking time to check out some of the new things that this island nation has come up since I last visited. It’s amazing how a small island can pack so much stuff in it, and also still have room to grow! The last time I visited Singapore was only 2 and a half years ago, and already so much has changed. Singapore is definitely one of Asia’s most dynamic city.

Flying Into Singapore

I booked my flight through Zuji, and flew on Singapore Airlines. This is one of the best (if not, the best) airlines in the world, and the service is just impeccable! I always try to get a flight on Singapore Airlines when I can, as their safety record is close to perfect, and I feel like I’m a very valued customer. Their pilots are also very experienced and well trained. The flight was not as full as I expected. Perhaps it’s due to the economic downturn that people have cut back on their travels. I wish more people would learn to trade the markets successfully so they don’t have to worry about such things as a recession! Anyway, it was great because I got the 3 seats to myself!

My original intention for this trip was to see my sister and my little niece Zara who has grown up substantially since the last time I saw her. My sister and her family live in an apartment on the East Coast of Singapore. The property they live in is very close to the beach and to the East Coast Park. They have huge swimming pools, tennis courts and a gym and spa, and it really feels like being in a resort! It’s just an awesome place!

Some of the new things I’ve experienced in Singapore since I last arrived here are:

Vivo City

This is the biggest mall in Singapore, and is facing the resort island of Sentosa. Lots of great international brands and food places are in store, and they have a cinema at the top. There is a rooftop pool that children can play around and cool themselves off, and it offers a fantastic view of Sentosa Island.

Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is Singapore’s latest attraction, having opened about a year ago. This is currently the world’s tallest observation wheel, with the top height of 165meters. The Singapore Flyer has managed to beat the London Eye for this record by 30 meters. It offers a fantastic view of the city skyscrapers, the South China Sea. During the day, you can view some of the nearby islands of Indonesia and Malaysia. There is also an integrated resort (IR) being built at the moment, the biggest infrastructure project in Singapore since its independence in 1965, and the scale of the new developments can be viewed from the Singapore Flyer

Sentosa

Sentosa - Fort Siloso

The resort island of Sentosa offers a wide variety of facilities for entertainment, leisure and fun. This is where Singaporeans go to get away from the city, and to enjoy the beach. There are a number of resort hotels around the island, and great attractions like:

Underwater World – an aquarium containing a great collection of marine life from the Pacific and South China Sea.
Fort Siloso – a fort built to protect Singapore during World War 2, and is now a museum
Universal Studios (currently under construction)
The biggest Merlion statue in Singapore
Musical Fountains
Marina / Yacht Club

I was fortunate enough to have experienced going into the One Degree 15 Marina Club in Sentosa, which is a members-only marina club (my brother-in-law is a member of this club and took me there). They have fantastic facilities like a swimming pool, gym, a lounge bar, and a couple of good restaurants.

Arab Street/Arab District

Arab District - Singapore

The Arab district of Singapore offers a great display of distinctive shophouses that have been built at the turn of the last century, and have been preserved since. If you’re looking for great Malay or Middle Eastern food, this is one of the best places to go in Singapore. There are also many fabric shops in the area, and there is so much Islamic and Malay character to the place. One street that I particularly enjoyed is Bussorah Street. it is a partly pedestrianised street with all the shophouses, and at the end of the street is a beautiful mosque called Sultan Mosque.

Little India

Little India is buzzing with all things from the Indian subcontinent. The area has a lot of old shophouses that look similar to the ones in the Arab District, except that they are distinctly Indian. I had a chance to sample some great Indian food at this place called Apollo Banana Leaf. They have great South Indian curries, and this is its specialty. More recently, they have offered some North Indian cuisine, and they are really good as well! On top of great food, there are a lot of great Indian shops selling saris, Indian jewellery, Indian groceries, and anything you can think of. One great shop to check out is Mustafa’s. This is a 24-hour department store that offers anything and nearly everything, from grocery items to watches, electronics, furniture and clothing. Mustafa’s offer some of the most competitive prices in Singapore, and they are great value.

I’ll be writing more about my experience in Singapore in the succeeding posts. In the mean time, I’m off to the pool and enjoy the hot weather here in Singapore and having some Singapore Sling!

To more Fabulous Journeys!

Serene Sukhothai

kelvinlls | May 13, 2009 | Comments (2)

wat1 Serene Sukhothai Sawasdee! This Fabulous Journeys post will take you to hot exotic Thailand, to a city that is slightly off the beaten track for tourists who visit Thailand. This city has a great historical significance to Thailand. Because this place is not commonly visited by tourists, you can really feel the real, traditional Thai town without the tourist haunts.

The city of Sukhothai is one of the ancient capitals of the Thai Kingdom. Sukhothai is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed site with all its ancient temples and monuments dedicated to Buddha. The city itself is divided into 2 section: Old Sukhothai and New Sukhothai. Old Sukhothai is where the actual Sukhothai Historical Park (the ancient temples) is located. New Sukhothai is the new commercial and business district of Sukhothai.

Getting to Sukhothai

bangkokairwaysplane Serene Sukhothai I arrived in Sukhothai on a direct flight from the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. It was the start of the rainy season, and a week before I arrived, the area experienced some serious flooding. It was quite evident as the plane was landing, as apparently the airport runway was also flooded and had just been cleared at that time. The airport in Sukhothai is very quaint and well presented. The only airline that services this airport is Bangkok Airways, which is an award-winning regional airline for Asia, and they also built and own the airport.

The Adventure Begins

sawngthaew Serene Sukhothai My adventure started from the time I landed at the airport. I was supposed to stay near the Old Sukhothai. When I took the airport taxi, however, it would only take me up to the New Sukhothai, and to get to the Old Sukhothai, I had to take this public transport called Sawngthaew, which is essentially a converted truck with 2 long benches at the back (facing each other). The Thais are not known for their strict adherence to safety regulations, so this vehicle was overloaded to the brim, to the point that I can hardly get off. The interesting part was, no one can speak English at all! I didn’t know how to tell the driver to stop! Lucky there were a few students who took the ride and are learning some English at their school, so they were able to help me communicate with the driver.

Old Sukhothai

sukhothai hotel Serene Sukhothai I got off at my accommodation near the Old Sukhothai. The place I stayed at was this small motel which had a lot of Thai character to it. The buildings had the Thai-style roof, and it was beside a small canal. It looked quite picturesque. After checking in, I went for a brief wander towards the Old Sukhothai, in search for the Historical Park. It wasn’t far from my accommodation, a good 15-20 minute walk. I spoke to some of the locals, but I struggled to communicate with them, as none of them understood English, and if they did, it was extremely basic and they couldn’t understand me.

Sukhothai - Wat Si Chum

I eventually found my way to the Historical Park. It’s a really well maintained park, and I’m really impressed about it. Inside are a whole collection of temples and statues of Buddha that used to be the capital of Thailand before it was moved to Ayuttaya, and later Bangkok. There are numerous temples (or Wat, as it is called in Thai) to see, and it is divided into sections. It could take a whole day to go around the park. The park even stretches all the way to the nearby mountains and I only managed to view a segment of those in the mountains. It is where I found one of the biggest stone statue of Buddha around, and it’s called Wat Si Chum. This is one of the highlights of the entire Historical Park.

I hardly saw any tourists around, and I can only count with my fingers the number of tourists walking around (unless it is truly off peak season, though I still found heaps more tourists in Chiang Mai). By chance I met a group of kiwis who were riding scooters around the park but didn’t have any maps, and are a bit lost. I had to show them where things are, and gave them a copy of my map, as at that point I was already about finished with the park. Well, I guess in the Old Sukhothai, this is the only place worth checking out. Most of the Old Sukhothai is residential.

New Sukhothai

Sukhothai - Dream Cafe

I ventured into the New Sukhothai, as I was curious what it’s like to be in a Thai city that doesn’t get many tourists around. I took the public transport again, but this time, with the help of the hotel staff, I asked them to write in Thai that I want to get off at the Old Sukhothai, near the markets. I just showed this piece of paper to the driver of the sawngthaew, who understood me and happily dropped me off where I wanted.

As I expected, hardly anyone spoke English. It totally different from being in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, where a lot of people can speak English (somehow) and you have a better chance of being able to get around without any problems. I went around the shops, but to be honest, none of them looked interesting. The only thing that fascinated me was how laid back the town was, and how different it is from the rest of the cities in Thailand. People are friendly, I must say, and it was well worth looking around for. I read in the Lonely Planet guidebook that there is this nice cafe called Dream Cafe that served great meals. I went there and the first thing that impressed me was the exquisite 19th century Thai antique decors. This is possibly one of the best finds I had while in the New Sukhothai.

If you have a chance to spend more time in Thailand and want to get out of the busy cities and tourist haunts, you should consider visiting this laid-back ancient city of Sukhothai. It’s a totally different experience from the rest of Thailand, and you get to appreciate the great ancient history of this warm kingdom. There are also other ancient ruins in nearby towns from Sukhothai that are worth visiting, but I just didn’t get the chance to explore them. Though I had some challenges getting around, it has been well worth exploring, and the locals are as warm and friendly as what Thais are known for.
Til the next Fabulous Journeys!

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Serene Sukhothai

Top 8 Things to Experience in Edinburgh

kelvinlls | May 4, 2009 | Comments (3)

Welcome to another post from Fabulous Journeys!

The Scottish Capital

edinburgh1 Top 8 Things to Experience in Edinburgh I was just chatting up with one of my friends who now lives in Edinburgh the other day, and it reminded me of my previous visits to this historical Scottish capital city and how much I’ve missed the place. I’ve visited this place over three times already, and each time I always feel enchanted by it. The city has so much character and history and its people celebrate it with a great flair with the numerous festivals throughout the year. From the picturesque Princes Street Gardens to the imposing Edinburgh Castle, this place will give you a great impression the minute you see it. Edinburgh is definitely one of my favourite cities in Europe.

Edinburgh – Getting There

I’ve arrived into this city by train from London and by flight. The train from London is a great way to see the English countryside and some of the Scottish countryside. It generally takes 5 to 6 hours by train from London, and similarly on the bus. I also managed to fly to the Scottish capital on bmi Airlines, the best value airline I found flying from London Heathrow, and it only takes an hour to get there (which saved me a lot of time on my second trip).

Edinburgh’s Best

Edinburgh’s charm is evident once you get into the historic centre. You’ll find old Georgian and medieval style buildings, monuments, the winding road up to the cobblestoned Royal Mile, and the Edinburgh Castle. The city’s rugged and hilly terrain makes it a very picturesque city.

There are a lot of things you can see, do and experience in Edinburgh. Here are some of the top 8 things you can do and experience in Edinburgh (these are in no particular order):

Edinburgh Castle

edinburghcastle Top 8 Things to Experience in Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle sits on top of a hill and overlooks the old town of Edinburgh. The castle can be seen from Princes Street Gardens and Waverley train station. It has been in existence since the medieval times, and over the centuries have been destroyed by numerous wars and uprisings and then rebuilt. Its last purpose is as a military garrison, and up to this day, has some military significance to it. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo happens each year on the castle grounds, and is a military exhibition by the British armed forces.

On the castle itself, you will find fantastic views of the city of Edinburgh and a glimpse of Leith and the eastern shores of Scotland. There are numerous displays of what the castle used to be like and a great detail of the history of this castle. Names of famous Scottish legends like William Wallace (for those movie buff, the main character of the movie “Braveheart” by Mel Gibson) and Robert the Bruce.

The Royal Mile

edinburghroyalmile Top 8 Things to Experience in Edinburgh This cobble-stoned strip of road starts from Edinburgh Castle and stretches all the way down to the Holyrood Abbey. It has a great collection of medieval and Georgian buildings including St. Giles Cathedral, a distinctive feature on the Edinburgh skyline, the Scottish High Court building, and many more conjoined buildings that have now been turned into shops. There are small passageways in between some of the buildings, and some offer a great view of the old town. This is a well-preserved historical area of the city, and it takes you back in time as to what the high street (or main street) of a medieval town must have looked like.

Princes Street and Scott Monument

waverley1 Top 8 Things to Experience in Edinburgh

Edinburgh - Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street is the new high street of Edinburgh. This is where you find all the UK high street label shops and boutiques, and where Edinburgh’s very own Jenners department store is situated. Jenners is Edinburgh’s version of Harrod’s in London, and is a great Scottish institution. Along Princes Street is also where you’ll find the Princes Street Gardens. Princes Street Gardens hold a distinctive monument called the Scott Monument, a gothic-style edifice dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, a great Scottish novelist and poet in the 17th Century. It’s a nice place to sit around and enjoy the view of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town on the other side of the gardens.

Arthur’s Seat

This hill starts from the Holyrood Palace and is situated on the opposite side to the Castle Rock, where Edinburgh Castle is located. It climbs to about 250m above the city and is a popular walk. It offers breathtaking views of the New Town, the Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile. On New Year’s Eve, fireworks are planted on this area, as well as around the 7 hills surrounding Edinburgh, and can offer a great vantage point.

Rosslyn Chapel

edinburghrosslynchapel Top 8 Things to Experience in Edinburgh This medieval chapel used to be a small not-so-visited church in the village of Rosslyn, which is around 15 minutes away from Edinburgh city. However, in the recent years, it suddenly gained significant popularity. It’s claim-to-fame is its inclusion as one of the location of Dan Brown’s mega-popular bestselling novel “The Da Vinci Code”, which has already been turned into a Hollywood blockbuster. I have heard of this chapel being mentioned by my friend on my first visit, years before The Da Vinci Code novel came out, as it has a lot of intricate stonework and great history around the chapel. I didn’t take much notice and wasn’t in my must-visit places. But since I read the novel and became a fan of it, I made it a point to see this chapel on my third visit to Edinburgh. I must say that the hype made the novel has done me a huge favour, as it is one of the best preserved medieval churches that I’ve ever visited in the UK! It’s really worth the visit, with or without the hype.

Haggis and Scotch Whiskey

edinburghhaggis Top 8 Things to Experience in Edinburgh Oh, the Haggis! This famous (or infamous, depending on how you see it) Scottish dish is something you must try while in Edinburgh. There are a lot of pubs that offer this, and is typical served with turnips and gravy. I won’t describe the Haggis on my blog, as it may not be very appetising to those who don’t know it, but being a traditional Scottish dish, it is worth a try. If you just ignore or refuse to know what it’s made of, it actually tastes great! Another great contribution of the Scots is the Scotch Whiskey! There are a number of shops that offer whiskey tasting, and it’s definitely worth checking them out. I’m not a big fan of scotch, so I can’t recommend any, but there is definitely a wide range to choose from.

Edinburgh Ghost Tour

This may seem odd to some people but it is one of the most worthwhile tours to do if you’re into spooky things! Edinburgh had a dark past. Being an ancient city that has gone through wars and conflict, it definitely has its fair share of horror stories and gruesome deaths. The boom in the medical profession in the late 19th Century and Edinburgh’s reputation as a great centre of learning for the medical field led to a shortage of fresh dead bodies to be used for experimentation and learning. This led to several mysterious murders around the city which were done all for the sake of science. The Ghost Tour will take you to the places where these have taken place, into some old, cold underground caves, cemeteries and cathedrals that is guaranteed to spook you out! According to the guides, some of the tourists who have a strong sense of the spirit world have seen and heard the ghosts appear and speak to them!

Hogmanay

edinburghhogmanay Top 8 Things to Experience in Edinburgh Hogmanay is perhaps the biggest festival that Edinburgh puts out each year. It happens during the week of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and is a week-long celebration. Legend has it that this started out as a Viking tradition that has become part of the Scottish tradition. Princes Street Gardens is covered with an ice skating rink, a giant ferris wheel, and lots of small booths selling goodies and products. There are processions and activities in the lead-up to New Year’s Eve, where they have lots of bands and stages performing around the city. Fireworks around the 7 hills is one of the great spectacles. It’s one of the liveliest New Year’s celebrations in the world, and the biggest in Britain.