Bangkok guide (part 2)

Dining in Bangkok is generally quite easy.  Food is cheap and widely available.  Take this for example - Nobu Shabu is a Japanese shabu shabu restaurant that offers both ala carte and buffet dining.  For buffet, you'll only be paying 399++, which works out to be about 520 baht or S$22 per head.  Considering that the quality of food is good & it is healthy, I'll highly recommend this restaurant to any visiting Singaporean.  Just take note that you'll be required to compete your meal in 1.5 hours if you're having the buffet.  

I found this restaurant by accident some years back when I was in Bangkok alone.  I never found another place that offers such delicious food.  The soup base becomes really tasty after you've had 1 round of vegetable & meats cooked in it.  The meat is very thinly sliced (as with all shabu meat), so you can eat it easily and without guilt since its lean. 

Nobu Shabu is located on level 7 in zone B, near to the cinema.  Best if you can drop by earlier in the day to make reservations but if not, you'll probably won't have to wait too long.  Opens from 10am to 10pm. 

These sauces are available for you to conjure up your own dip. As you like it

The selection of vegetables, squid, beef, chicken & pork

 

My dip with a generous helping of garlic, spring onions, bean paste, a dash of shabu sauce and losta vinegar!

Our pot filled with vegetables & lean meat. Very healthy! 

 If you walk around Central World, you may come across this massage and spa outlet.  You may think that it would likely cost more since its so well done up, but no.  Prices are the same as anywhere else.  I had a nice foot massage and I'm pretty satisfied with the ambiance and massage.  

City-Airport
Now for the final piece of advice.  This is probably the best thing that has happened to Bangkok in a long time.  The new airport city rail has 2 lines.  One that's express and plies between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Makkasan railway station.  The airport city rail station is located at Basement 1 of the airport.  This will cost you 150 baht one way.  From Makkasan station, you'll need to take a taxi to wherever you're staying.

The other line is also part of the BTS line (I think).  It goes beyond Makkasan station to Phaya Thai station and its only going to cost you 45 baht.  After you get to the last station at Phaya Thai, get out and walk to the Sukhumvit line.  The BTS station has the same name Phaya Thai.  The duration of travel on this airport rail is about 25 minutes and I think the interval is 20 minutes.  Pretty fast if you don't have to wait for the next train and convenient if you're not with lots of luggage.  Once you get to the Sukhumvit line, go to wherever your hotel is and viola!  Its easy to navigate and you can always ask for help if you need.

Have fun!

Bangkok guide (part 1)

Here it is... my guide to visiting Bangkok.

First of all, most of you will be concerned about how to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city.  There's a few options - taxis which will set you back about 350-500 baht if the traffic is bad, the airport express bus which costs 150 baht and the new airport rail link that costs 150 baht.

Since I wasn't too familiar with the new airport rail link and the websites didn't give much info, I decided to take my time and take the airport express bus.  This is where you can get your150 baht  tickets.  All you need to do is to tell them where you're heading and they'll recommend the route that you should take (fyi, there's 4 routes to various parts of Bangkok).  Then you wait outside for your bus to arrive.  Its kinda simple for tourists since the staff there will confirm your intended destination and work out the sequence for the bus stops and tell each passenger when they should alight.  The rest is up to you.

Unfortunately, I took 2 hours to get to the hotel because of Friday's rush hour traffic.  I literally got stuck in a spot and stayed there for 20 mins without moving.  Definitely not for the weak bladders.  So finally, after waiting in the bus for 2 hours, I suspected that I was near my hotel and checked with the bus driver.  I was right, so I alighted and carried on my journey on foot.  I took only 5 mins more to reach the hotel!  OMG... At the last of my Bangkok posts, I will share with you how I went to the airport. This is probably one of the fastest and cheapest way, so I'd recommend this for anyone anytime!  Go look for that segment later..

Centara Grand

The hotel I stayed at was Centara Grand, next to Central World.  Its quite convenient since its near the Siam and Chidlom BTS Stations.  Here's how the rooms look like.  Good yeah?  The only gripe I have is that there isn't much for you to sit.  There's a reclining chair and a desk chair but nothing else to sit on.  So if there's more than 1 in the room, its already a problem.  Good thing though, is that they have a pillow menu!  All hotels should have pillow menus to allow their guests to have a comfortable night's rest.  Don't we all deserve it?  

Kinky bathroom, with a window that opens into the room.  =)  But the bathroom is nice and spacious.  Has a shower area and a bathtub with SUPER HUGE mirrors.  Recommended for those who can't stop looking at themselves.

One of the shops in Central World is Naraya.  This shop is pretty big and is always packed with tourists.  Why?  Because the products here are locally made, are cheap and make perfect souvenirs for friends and family.  There's also a shop in VivoCity, but that's a lot more expensive.  

Mah Boon Krong

MBK - the must go place for tourists.  For me, I go there for43 things - pharmaceuticals, gadgets/accessories for electronics, foot massage and contact lenses.  There's lots of pharmacies in the building, but this one - April 27 is my favourite.  You can get your medication here at a very low price.  Make a list of all the medicine, creams, etc that you need and buy here.  Sometimes, they may even give you discount for buying in bulk.  

This place, Porntip Beauty Centre, is where I get my foot massages.  Located on the same level as the electronic gadgets, you need to make a pit stop for 1 hour and get a foot massage. Its only going to cost you 300 baht for 1 hour.  Shiokness!

Siem Reap trip in Feb 2010 (part 1)

I went on a short trip to Siem Reap in February 2010.

Here's the run down on the places to visit if you're on holiday at Siem Reap.  Almost all the famous sites are enclosed in the Angkor Archaeological Park, but its pretty big, so you will need a few days to cover all the places.

Map

Bayon - temple with many 4-faced reliefs
Built in the latter part of the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, Bayon is one of the most widely recognised temples in Siem Reap because of the giant stone faces that adorn the towers of Bayon. There are 54 towers of four faces each, totaling 216 faces. 


The best to visit Bayon when there is plenty of light (i.e. from 10am - 4pm).

South gate of Bayon

This is the spot to see the most number of 4-faced carvings

Flowers contrasting against the b/w stone carvings

As I was walking, I saw an elephant approaching. I thought that it would make a good picture.  Fyi, elephant rides take you from the gate into Bayon and will set you back US$10 per person 

Elephant rides

Phimeanakas - a Hindu temple with a tower on top of a pyramid.  Legend has it that the king spent the first watch of every night with a woman thought to represent a Naga in the tower.  During that time, not even the queen was permitted to intrude.  The queen only gets to spend time with the king in his palace in the second watch.  If the naga did not show up for a night, the king's days would be numbered but if the king did not show up, calamity would strike his land.   

The stairs to mount Phimeanakas

The reverse - looking down

Showing how steep & treacherous it is

Phnom Bakheng - best place to see the sunset

Phnm Bakheng from mid hill

As the sun sets, a hot air balloon rises on the left

Angkor Wat - Star attraction since its the national icon, but also good for sunrise.

First of all, arm yourselves with a good torch.  We were unprepared and this is what you'll see (or rather, can't see) when you don't have a torch.  Yup, its pitch black.

After a while, you'll see the sky change colours as the sun rises bit by bit.

We then decided to venture into Angkor Wat for a while before heading back to the hotel for breakfast and then coming out again to sightsee.  The picture below shows you where we were and how many more people there were fighting for space and the best photo spot in the dark.  It definitely helps to be tall!

At around 7ish, after we were done touring Angkor Wat, we then realised that's the best time to take pictures because you can then see the reflection of Angkor Wat in the lotus pond.  Wahhhhh..... So depending on your preferences, you need not go to Angkor Wat at 5am just to wait for the sun to rise because that's not the best time to get your perfect pictures.  My personal recommendation is to arrive at 6.30am and stand by for the perfect timing at around 7am-7.30am when the sun is high enough to be reflected in the pond.

This is the reflection of Angkor Wat in the lotus pond.

More places I visited in the next Siem Reap post...

The definitive travel guide to Hong Kong (part 3)

What are my favourites?

Needless to say... OUTLETS are the first places you should target.  Get the best bargains and then look for the other things you want.  After that, then make a beeline for  your favourite brands.  It helps to do a little research so that you make the most out of your trips to various parts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

The list below is my personal recommendation.  Depending on your taste, this may be useful...

• Elements mall (level 1, water wing) - usually less crowded and you may thus get a better haul than any other Zara shops.  
• Harbour City (level 2) - usually very crowded, so this may be challenging if you have to try out sizes.  But location is good since there's Playlord in the same building and H&M is opposite at Silvercord centre.
• Times Square (level 3) - There's nothing much in this building except Zara, so only make this trip here if you've other places to visit.  One benefit of coming here is that the cantonese roast goose place Tai Hing Roast is nearby.  Read my other post on food in Hong Kong. 
• Hong Kong Airport - Be spoilt.  Even when you're at the airport, don't think that you can keep your HKD for the next trip.  There's a Zara shop at the departure transit lounge, so check your airport directory and spend the last dollar on something you like to end your trip on a high note!

 - god's gift, especially if the're on sale!
There are 5 H&M shops in Hong Kong/Kowloon, but in my opinion you only need to target 3 (at least for the men's selection).

• Silvercord centre (the side facing Canton Road, on level 2) - worth visiting more than once.  You never know if you missed out anything right?  So it doesn't hurt t check back again and try on stuff you eyed yesterday and are still thinking about.  
• Queens Road in Hong Kong Island (basement level) - variety for menswear isn't that fantastic but the ladies selection here is reputed to be the biggest.  So if the lady decides Queens Road it is, then you better make the best out of it.  
• Elements mall (level 2, water wing) - this shop is generally less busy, so you get to choose your clothes in peace and won't have to wait long to try your clothes. Zara is also very nearby so if the lady isn't done with the shopping, hop over to Zara on level 1 and start "work". :p

i.t. : carries lower end brands and street wear which are not so expensive.

• Citygate (level 1) - make sure you scan the shop thoroughly to make sure you haven't missed anything out. 
• The ONE - this is a relatively new place as this shopping mall wasn't even open when I visited in July/August 2010.  

I.T. outlet: usually have very odd apparel from designers like Dolce & Gabbana & Jean Paul Gaultier which means they're super expensive and very thin (hahaha.. I mean it).

• Silvercord centre - Having said that, I managed to score a paid of Crumpler shoes at 70% discount.  My stars were definitely aligned that day cuz all I did was wander in, spied with my big eyes a pair of suede Camper shoes, tried the size and viola!  Happy feet!!

Playlord: has an interesting range of clothes that almost looks like its tailored to fit you only.

• Harbour City (level 2) - found this store by accident.  Their clothes are quite nice, but you must stay that size/shape to continue wearing their shirts.  :p

Well, that's my usual haul whenever I make a trip to Hong Kong in July.  In my opinion, these brands suit me quite well.  I may end up with an occasional purchase from Esprit, Giordano, etc.  But these brands are usually what I am most satisfied with.  Hope you get the same satisfaction too.  

The definitive travel guide to Hong Kong (part 2)

The usual questions for travellers to Hong Kong are: where to eat & where to shop.  The following are some of my recommendations.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do

Eating

糖朝 (Tong Chew/Sweet Dynasty) is located at the Tsim Tsa Tsui area along Canton Road.  If you're taking the MTR, exit at A1 at TST station, walk along Haiphong Road towards Canton Road.  Once you arrive at Canton Road, turn right and walk against the traffic till you see the restaurant.  Its common to see a queue formed outside, so be prepared to wait a little.

You may consider dining here after shopping at Harbour City.  It opens till quite late (1am I think) so having supper there is fine too.  This restaurant serves main dishes as well as desserts.  Some portions are quite large, so do check with the wait staff before ordering or you might be ordering a dish that's meant for two.  Some of their more interesting desserts are the DURIAN PASTRY.  This you gotta try if you like durian.  Its baked, so its hot on the outside and slightly cool on the inside.  Tip: order this way before you're prepared to eat your desserts or else you'll end up waiting a long time (prep time: 20mins).  The other is their home-made bean curd.  It comes in a tub, very interesting and this also has to be ordered about 15-20 minutes so that they can prepare this dessert.

Durian pastry - to die for!

The home made bean curd

See how deep the container is?

Some of the desserts we tried

稻香 (Dou Heung) has many branches.  There's one near the Mong Kok MTR station and one along Nathan Road.  This place was recommended by locals, so you know you can't go wrong with that.  Its very authentic and the prices varies according to the time of day.  Obviously you will be paying more for the more popular hours of the day.  So plan ahead to beat the crowd and get the best value for money.  From past experience, having a super solid breakfast (buuurrrrp) here will set you back at most S$15 per person.

What I liked here was (1) the dim sum, (2) specifically the 虾饺 (har kow), (3) braised rice (btw, the sauce they pour on the rice kicks ass!!!) and (4) the custard buns (steamed buns with custard and salted egg yolk).  If you don't order these, you're missing out a lot I tell you.  Okay.... I hope you're salivating by now..

Har kow has BIG prawns

太兴 (Tai Hing Roast) is highly recommended for their roast goose and 烧腊. Prices here are a lot cheaper than the overrated Yung Kee restaurant in Hong Kong island (near Lan Kwai Fong).   This restaurant is a mid-priced restaurant that the locals go to, so you can't go wrong.  Btw, only foreigners visit Yung Kee.  Ask any local and they'll tell you that place is overpriced.

When you are there, try their yuan yang (coffee & tea drink).  Its really neat and it comes in a plastic takeaway cup placed in a bigger bowl laid with ice cubes.  In this way, you don't dilute your drink but you still get it chilled.  Thoughtful right?  Alternatively, either the tea or coffee can be served chilled in the same manner.  Of course, I'm missing out on the highlight.  Try their roast goose and their roast pork.  For the roast pork, ask for the belly.  Its called 烧肉 (siew lam yoke).



Roast goose



Roast pork belly



Chilled tea/coffee/yuan yang

蛇王二 - If you haven't tried eating snake (no pun intended hahaha..) I'd recommend that you try this.  Located in Causeway bay, this old restaurant has very nice snake soup.  Don't worry, you can't tell that its snake.  Like all other things, the snake meat tastes like chicken hahaha. For HKD 52, you get a nice warm bowl of thick soup with crunchy crackers and chrysanthemum petals.  Give it a try, then you can tell your friends that you've ever really eaten snake before.  =)

Also, if any of the restaurants you're dining at serves 焖米 (stewed beehoon), order it.  Its usually very tasty and you can't go wrong with it.  Basically, what you'll get is almost like fried bee hoon except that its a little wet and the 上汤 that its been fried with is just bursting with flavour.  Trust me on this.

Its kinda late, so I'll continue tomorrow when I have time..

The definitive travel guide to Hong Kong (part 1)

I make it a point to travel to Hong Kong in July every year since 2006.  Yup, so I can proudly say that I'm very well versed having been to Hong Kong 5 years and counting.  In the rest of this post, I'll share my tips so you can benefit too.


TIP #1

Go in July.  Why July you might ask... Well, for obvious reasons because July is the time when the Summer sale happens.  The period where the sale is held varies from year to year but having gone in June, July and August, I can pretty much say that the safest period to go get your wardrobe overhaul is in July.  The earlier the better because if you haven't shopped enough to figure this out - the earlier you arrive at the sale, the more variety there is.  The later part of the sale is good for 1 thing - better discounts.  But consider this - if the items on sale can't even fit you, what's the point?  So the final verdict is JULY.  Yes, July.  Go any later and you're just wasting your plane tickets.



One often heard comment is "You're going in July? Isn't it super hot in Hong Kong then?".  Do not fret and do not let this affect your confidence.  Think people, THINK!  Isn't it hot in Singapore?  What difference is it going to make in Hong Kong.  Well, there are times when it gets a little scorching and the bad air in Hong Kong doesn't ease the stress on your lungs.. But are you going to be walking around in the hot sun?  The answer is NO WAY.  Who will do that?  You will be (I repeat - you will be) in the shopping malls in the day time.  So it doesn't matter whether its hot or its cold.  The air-conditioning in Hong Kong is so much better than in Singapore, so you will feel cool in the shopping malls.  You might be thinking - what about Temple Street and Ladies Market? Well, they open at night don't they?  So that throws the HOT weather argument out of the window.

I rest my case.

Tip #2

Book early.  You're probably embarking on a bargain trip so whether its fly budget or booking hotels, early is always better.  This also applies to getting your Hong Kong Dollar as well.  Monitor the exchange rates and buy when its in your favour.  Since you already know you are going to Hong Kong, it will be to your advantage if you plan ahead.  There are a few airlines that fly from Singapore to Hong Kong - Singapore Airlines (SQ), Jetstar Asia (3K), Tiger Airways (TR), Hong Kong Airlines (HX), Cathay Pacific (CX), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Thai Airways (TG), United Airlines (UA), Philippine Airlines (PR) & Royal Brunei Airlines (BI).  There are about 270 flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok a week, so don't tell me you can't find any airtickets.

For hotels, try Agoda.com, Asiarooms.com, Hotels.com and Booking.com.  Remember to check out the ratings of the hotels you're intending to book just to make sure you get something that is generally well-received.  Personally, I will visit Tripadvisor to see the ranking of that hotel and what other fellow Singaporeans reviewed.  Knowing how critical our fellow kinsmen are, you can't go wrong if you heed their reviews and base your judgement on them.

Tip #3

"How much money should I budget?" you may ask.  As a guide, I recommend at least a hundred and fifty Singapore dollars a day.  That's for someone like me who's going to shop and eat.  No Disneyland, no Ocean Park, so lavish restaurants in Hong Kong.  Just shopping and eating.  If you think S$150 isn't enough, it doesn't hurt to bring a little more cash.  The worst that could happen is that you don't use up all your HKD and you just gave yourself another reason to go back to Hong Kong next year.  Right?

Remember that you're going to Hong Kong during the Summer Sale, so things are supposed to be cheaper.  If discounts on average are at 40%, then your $$ is already buying you more than what you can get in Singapore.  Lastly, on money matters, you can also consider bringing spare Singapore dollars just in case you bust your budget and decide to change more Hong Kong dollars.  Whatever you don't use can be deposited into your bank account the moment you arrive in Singapore.  However if you do need to get your spare Singapore dollars changed, look for a bank that you have an account with.  Remember this... Membership has its privileges.  If you are a DBS bank account holder, bring along your DBS card and your passport (note: foreigners changing money in the banks need proof of ID).  If  you are a HSBC account holder, do so likewise.  The banks are likely to waive any transaction costs if you are an account holder.  Make it a point to ask first to avoid any misunderstanding.  Remember that you are a tourist, you need to ask questions.

Tip #4

Where to get your best exchange rates?  I say Raffles Place.  If its just too crazy to make a trip there (especially if you have to drive thru' ERP gantries and park at ridiculously expensive car parks), then any of your trusty neighbourhood money changers will suffice.  Money changers at Parkway Parade and Chinatown have pretty good rates too.

I will share more in the upcoming posts.  Stay tuned for more tips!