Coffee Factory, Kuching review

When it comes to hipster cafes, Kuching city is the last place one would think of to indulge in a cup of carefully brewed coffee. And why not? After all, Kuching is more famously known for their hawker street food like Sarawak Laksa, Kueh Chap and Kolo Mee. However, on my recent trip there over the long labour day weekend, I found my perception to be proven wrong. 

Because Kuching do have hipster cafes (several in fact!) and one of them was the isolated but strategically placed Coffee Factory. I loved its location because it wasn't in the city center and was in fact closer to the airport than anything else. This meant a more niche crowd and therefore fewer people at the cafe.

AirAsia introduces limited edition T-shirts to raise funds for MAKNA

AirAsia has produced #AirAsiaMAKNA t-shirts - a new, limited edition designed t-shirts to raise funds for the National Cancer Council of Malaysia (MAKNA), retailing at RM30 each. The t-shirts are available for males and females in adult and children sizes.

Designed and produced internally by AirAsia Allstars (employees), the t-shirts feature the iconic AirAsia Captain and cabin crew uniform, which carries the MAKNA logo and its tagline ‘A Meaning To Life’ at the back of the t-shirts; sending a message of positivity as part of the CSR campaign.

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.

Jarrod and Rawlins Bangsar review

It’s no secret that breakfast is the most important dish of the day and Jarrod and Rawlins knows this. Their breakfast meals are huge and the ideal representation of what is available in an English breakfast. Because, you see, Jarrod and Rawlins aka J&R, having hailed from England, have been in Malaysia for 10 years and has since become a household name for English breakfast amongst locals and expatriates alike.

To start, I ordered the J&R English Fried Breakfast which was served with two lovely organic sunny side-up eggs, sausages, bacon, grilled tomato, hash brown and toasted bread. The Weekend Brunch menu set comes with a coffee or tea and a freshly squeezed orange juice. As expected of the English kind, everything on the plate complimented each other with the toasted bread acting as a nice palate cleanser for the heavier stuff such as the sausages and bacon. 

Under Armour has landed in Midvalley!

It has been an exciting week for me because not only has Avengers hit the big screens but also because one of my favourite sports apparel brands has finally opened up its third outlet within Malaysia in my territory Mid Valley!

Every time my friends and I traveled abroad to do whatever crazy obstacle challenge race or climb some random mountain, we always find time to go hunting for an Under Armour store in that country because we just like the brand that much and also previously it was unavailable in Malaysia. Well, not anymore!

TGV's Superhero Bash at Jaya Shopping Centre PJ

Avengers: Age of Ultron is opening soon on 23 April and I can't wait! Call me a cray cray Marvel fan but I don't really care. I have my tickets booked two months in advance for its screening at TGV's Cinemas.

In conjunction with the opening of Avengers, TGV Cinemas is organising a bash dedicated to celebrate all things relating to our favourite superheroes (and supervillains too!) The event is open to the public with all sorts of activities lined up for the whole family. Think along the lines of...

Summer at Starbucks

Summer has arrived at Starbucks!

And by summer I mean pretty sweet looking, colourful tumblers and mugs as well as new drinks to beat the famous Malaysia heat (or rainy days, the weather is so unpredictable nowadays). Oh, and like with all Starbucks tumblers paid with a Starbucks card, one Summer collection merchandise will get you a free grande-sized drink.

Besides that, Starbucks has also introduced two new drinks with a Panna cotta based. Upon recommendation from the barista, I ordered their Summer Berries Panna Cotta frappacino.

Spartan Sprint IS coming to Malaysia!

A few days ago I received this email.

If you remember my post from last month (read it here), this pretty much confirms it. Reebok Malaysia is bringing Spartan Race to Malaysia (and Singapore too). I was thrilled and disappointed at the same time. Thrilled because it's Spartan. Disappointed because it was a Sprint and not a Super. Because this would mean I would still need to jet to Australia to join a Super in order to obtain the elusive Spartan Trifecta medal.

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.