Blue Bottle Coffee Debuts in Southeast Asia: First Café Opening on 3 April 2025

Malaysian coffee lovers, get ready! Blue Bottle Coffee, the globally renowned specialty coffee brand, is making its much-anticipated debut in Southeast Asia. The brand’s first café in the region will officially open its doors on Thursday, 3 April 2025, at LUMINE SINGAPORE in Raffles City.

A Legacy of Specialty Coffee Excellence

Discover the Magic of Singapore with AirAsia's New 'Love, Singapore' Aircraft Livery

AirAsia, in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Gardens by the Bay, and Mandai Wildlife Group, has just unveiled the stunning ‘Love, Singapore’ aircraft livery. This exciting launch is part of a joint campaign aimed at boosting inbound travel to Singapore from Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, particularly during the bustling year-end travel season.

Changi Airport Terminal 2: A Marvel of Nature-Inspired Design and Seamless Travel Experience

After three and a half years of meticulous engineering and expansion works, Changi Airport proudly announces the full reopening of Terminal 2 (T2). The completion of T2 not only marks a significant milestone but also restores the airport's four-terminal operations, meeting the growing capacity requirements in anticipation of a full travel recovery to pre-Covid levels in 2024.

Pika-Pika Your Way to Singapore, Japan and South Korea

Pokemon fans, get ready to book your flights via Scoot to Japan and South Korea because you're in for a treat!

The Pokemon Company has launched its Pokemon Air Adventures in Singapore, commemorating the project with a partnership with Scoot Pte Ltd (Scoot) for an exclusive Pikachu Jet TR in Singapore. This will be the first time aviation and Pokemon fans will be able to see the unique Pokemon-themed flights outside of Japan.

Paul Immigrations Reviews: How to Apply for Singapore PR

In terms of standard of living, Singapore has been ranked one of the best in the world. This should come as no surprise given its stellar healthcare and educational systems, modern infrastructure and low crime rates. Furthermore, the nation has long been known for its racial harmony and vibrant multi-cultural and multi-racial society making it easier for foreign visitors to feel welcome and accepted in this small but developed nation.

Singapore by Victor Gracia on Unsplash

Zafigox 2019: For Women by Women

Founded by Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, ZafigoX, the highly-anticipated two-day annual event was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Hannah Yeoh in Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel.

Brought to you by AirAsia and Zafigo, the third instalment of the women-only travel event returned better and bolder with a diverse group of 26 extraordinary women (and 1 man), travel experts and service providers; as well as exciting opportunities to discover new travel experiences and destinations, participate in workshops and discussions, and learn how to travel smart and savvy.

7 Tips to consider when engaging a renovation contractor

There are many properties for sale in Singapore and you can always look for the project details for the properties that you are interested in, such as the condominium Turquoise’s project detail. Have you recently just bought a property?

Year End Celebrations in Marina Bay Singapore

From now till New Year’s Eve, Marina Bay will be pulsating with activities as Celebrate in the City, an exciting line-up of events and experiences, brings the public together to usher in 2019. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), in partnership with key event organisers, is bringing together all the major events happening in Marina Bay under the umbrella of Celebrate in the City to highlight the wide variety of offerings available to the public during the year-end holiday season. Revelers can look forward to eight marquee events catering to all ages and interests, culminating in the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown celebration on 31 December 2018. 

AirAsia Launches World’s First Freedom Flyer Programme

AirAsia yesterday unveiled the world’s first Freedom Flyer Programme aimed at making it easier, faster and better for loyal guests to earn AirAsia BIG Points. The overhauled loyalty programme, powered by AirAsia BIG Loyalty, is based on a unique membership status system determined by how often guests fly - the more guests fly with AirAsia, the faster they will earn BIG Points, regardless of how much they spend on fares.

 AirAsia BIG Loyalty CEO Dato' Eddy Leong flanked by AirAsia Executive Chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun (centre left), AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (centre right) and cabin crew at the Freedom Flyer Programme launch. 

How it works 

The four-status system starts with Red status for guests who fly 13 or fewer one-way short-haul flights in the preceding 12 months, through to Gold and Platinum, and all the way up to Black for those who fly 50 or more times with AirAsia.

Coastes Restaurant Siloso Beach, Singapore

We came across Coastes in Sentosa Singapore by luck. We were hungry and tired, having just ran through a 10km, 10+ obstacles OCR, Viper Challenge. Post race, we returned to Costa Sands resort, my hotel on Sentosa to freshen up before heading back to the beachside strip in search of food.

Thankfully, Coastes caught our nose and our eyes with the delicious scent of seafood and its blue and white hues perfect for the beachside setting.

Budget accommodation on Sentosa Singapore - Costa Sands Resort

Finding a reasonable place to stay on Sentosa island, Singapore is near impossible. I say near impossible because I or rather my mother found a freakishly reasonable hotel called Costa Sands Resort. If you're expected a rundown dodgy hotel with loose windows, cobwebs in the ceilings with an eerie silence, you couldn't be more wrong. Although not at its prime, Costa Sands offers all the facilities needed for an enjoyable restful stay on the island.

Costa Sands is located on the hillside above Siloso beach with a staircase leading straight to the beach road and the row of restaurants located at the seaside. Being placed on the hillside amidst a jungle and a trail gave it a lovely hideaway, back-to-nature concept especially with its Kampung Hut chalets.

Viper Challenge Sentosa 2016, Singapore

When I got the announcement that Viper Challenge was heading to Sentosa Singapore, I was like 'hell yeah! Sign me up!' mainly because I've never been to Sentosa island. So my team and I signed up and come 23 Jan we all headed South.

I stayed at Costa Sands resort, a budget hotel about a ten minutes walk to the race village and start line on Palawan Beach. On race day, we were all (amazingly) on time and rearing to go in the first wave. After a 15 minutes delay, we were off.

Running along the beach was a different experience for many of us who have never done an obstacle race on the beach. For one thing, it was really scenic. Sentosa island really had the perfect setting for a race like this. The cloudy overcast with a cool breeze from the pristine (freaking clean) sea was perfect for a run on the beach.

Spartan Sprint Singapore 2015

I missed Kuala Lumpur's first ever Spartan Sprint in October due to my adventures in Sydney-Melbourne (which I have yet to blog about. Stay tune!). The busybody in me wanted to see what a Spartan Race in Asia was like so I registered for Singapore's first ever Spartan Sprint which took place on 15 November 2015 alongside Nicoll Highway.

Some initial impressions based on prior obstacle races I've done in Singapore: Singapore is too urban and clean for it to be a Spartan Race experience like Australia and at the same time, have a lot of rules to abide by when it comes to cleanliness. I figured these factors would affect the race setup and indeed it did.

Spartan Race Singapore Giveaway

Harloooo, people!

In November, I'll be heading to Singapore to take part in the Spartan Race Singapore! This is the first time Spartan Race will be held in Singapore and also Malaysia! I've blogged about Malaysia's Spartan Race already which you can read about it here.

The Spartan Race has been major factor in my life this year as I am pursuing the elusive Trifecta medal so joining Spartan Race Singapore Sprint only seemed like the natural thing to do. I've been training and dieting my ass off for my races and after a year or so, I think I can ready to conquer that damn rope climb obstacle! Yeh!

Hotel Clover: Eat like a local for SG50 Celebration

If you are looking for a food adventure in Singapore, then think about booking a stay at Hotel Clover, Singapore from this month until 31st October 2015 in conjunction with Singapore's 50th celebration.

There is no better time to celebrate the multi-cultural metropolis of Singapore than though a discovery of its cuisines. A melting pot of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Peranakan and Eurasian cultures, Singapore is nation of foodies bound by their ardent love and devotion to food! Hotel Clover brings you a one-of-a-kind room-stay package that will have you arrive to Singapore a food novice and leave armed with culinary skills to boast of.

Hotel V Bencoolen, Singapore review

Right down the road from the famous Orchard road is the strategically located Hotel V Bencoolen. I say strategic because ten minutes away are two MRT stations, Dobby Ghaut and Bras Basah. Well, soon to be three stations because a new MRT line is being constructed right in front of the hotel, soon making it one of the most connected locations in town.

However because of this construction, the entrance of hotel is not quickly visible with the road taken up by barricades and construction materials. The best landmark to follow would be the big 7-11 store beside a 24 hour food court, Hotel V Bencoolen is just a few meters down.

Ibis Hotel Novena, Singapore review

One thing I like about the Ibis Hotel chain is their array of hotel lines that cater to all sorts of travelers of different budgets and taste. There is the main Ibis, the more business-y end of the hotel line, identifiable with its red logo. There is Ibis Styles, the quirky boutique-like range with its green logo and finally, for the thrifty traveler who still wants some comfort and the basic needs, Ibis offers Ibis Budget in blue.

While I was in Singapore for work, my company had my colleagues and I stay in the Ibis Novena as it was the most reasonable hotel that could accommodate three people in a single room. From Changi airport, it was a S$20 cab ride to the hotel.

Check-in was fast as they only required the booking number and the paying credit card's details to open a tab. Payment of the room was to be made upon checking out. The lobby wasn't big with only limited seats for waiting. The attached restaurant Oopen Grill and Pasta serves as the morning buffet spot but that comes with an additional cost.

Singapore's Cat Museum

Move aside cat cafes because Singapore now has a Cat Museum. Not a building housing dead cats detailing the history of felines though the years (like Malaysia's cat museum in Sarawak) but rather one that is home to real life cats rescued from the streets. 

Having only opened officially in January 2015, this cat museum occupies the upper floors of a traditional shoplot along PURvis street (haha, geddit? Credit to Isabel for that pun). Spotting it from the street can be tricky as there is no clear signboard to look out for but after walking up and down once, I finally spotted the little stairwell beside a lovely red lot leading up to kitty paradise. The walls of the stairs are decorated with cat motifs and quotes from well-known personalities indicating their admiration for the feline kind.

24 Hours in Singapore

So I was in Singapore recently for a work thing and since it spilled into a weekend, I decided to extend my trip by an extra day so that I could explore more of Singapore.

One would think that Singapore is too pricy and much too similar to Malaysia to be any more fun. Well, yes and no. Yes, it is rather pricey especially to visit its main attractions like Universal Studios. And no because there are tons of things to see and do whilst on a budget and all within 24 hours. 

9am - a lazy morning exploring the eateries in front and around Ibis Novena, my hotel for the first night. Unlike Malaysia where coffee shops and mamaks are plentiful, the area was sparsely and lacking in food choices. 

Travel 2014: 5 Countries in a Year

Yes, it's that post. That last post of the year, the post that recaps the year. That post. 

 

Because, truth be told, 2014 has been a good year for me - wanderlust-wise. With everything that has been going on at posting time, it may seem insensitive but it has made me grateful that I got to travel safely and got to experience what I did in five different but distinctively beautiful countries.

Not as many as some people who have jetted to seven countries in a span of 12 months (I am looking at you, mom!) but still a feat for me who is used to traveling once or twice a year.