Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Honeymoon Destination in Asia

So Mr Teddy and I decided to tie the knot this year end. We are planning for a short honeymoon trip (4 days) right after our solemnization. Due to our commitment for house renovation and banquet in 2017, a short trip in Asia will be ideal for us. It is within our budget and suitable for a short trip.

Our considerations for the honeymoon are that it must be within our budget, relaxing and ideally a beach area. Below are the destination within our consideration for our honeymoon.

1. Danang, Vietnam


Danang has grown to be one of the popular holiday destination in the recent years. There are beautiful beachfront resort or villa, authentic local delights etc. Direct flight is available from Singapore, operated by Jetstar and Silkair. Enjoy the beach and sun. A perfect place for honeymoon.

2. Bali, Indonesia



Bali has been our all time favorite place for holiday. Both airfare and accommodation expenses are manageable. Most importantly, the food is awesome and inexpensive compared to Singapore. We enjoy having our breakfast at Kudeta, taking a scroll by the beach, rest at the sunbed, having fine dinning at Ultimo etc. Find out more about Bali: 10 Things Which you can do in Bali for Free4 Must Go Restaurants in Bali

Why Do We Need Holidays?

Every year Mr Teddy and I would go for holiday at least 2-3 times. At least 1 short holiday (3-4 days trip) and 1 long holiday (usually 2 weeks) yearly. However, this year due to our busy work schedule, we only manage to went Phuket for a short trip in March. As a result, now I strongly understand why people keep saying "I need a holiday".



1. Something to look forward to
I would forward for holiday and would even count down to it. However, as we do not have any plan for holiday this year, there is nothing much to look forward to. Day in day out is all about work. As a result, I lost motivation and find the routine life boring.


Hiking Trail in Singapore

Trekking, walking or hiking is a simple form of exercise. It is a common exercise for Mr Teddy and I. Not only that it helps to burn fats, it helps us to distress as well. We prefer places which are more tranquil and quiet so as to have the "get out of town" feel. Singapore being a small and bustling city, you will be surprised that there are quite a number of hiking place which gives the tranquil feeling.


1. Mount Faber Park 
Address: Telok Blangah Rd, Singapore 099448

Mount Faber Park is one of the oldest parks in Singapore. It is also one of the popular tourist attraction as well. Mount Faber Park is part of the Southern Ridges, which also comprises Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve. The park also provide cable car service to Sentosa. 
You can start from the foot of Mount Faber on Telok Blangah Road, hike up its narrow eponymous road past Faber Lodge. The hilly terrain at Mount Faber Park and seamless connection to the Southern Ridges make it an ideal place for a good workout. 


D.I.Y Travel Insurance, Why Pay More

There has been an increasing awareness of the need to buying travel insurance over the recent years especially with the increasing news on terrorism and illness such as zika, ebola etc. At such we would want to travel safe and ensure that we are well covered.




At times, I would question that do I need all the coverage listed in the policy. For example, I am travelling to Malaysia by car from Singapore. I do not need baggage delay or flight delay coverage. However, as most insurance company coverage is fixed, no choice but to buy it even if I do not need all.

I have been searching for customized travel insurance plan and happen to come across Columbus Travel Insurance Singapore from a referrer website. Columbus Travel Insurance Singapore provide a D.I.Y travel insurance plan! That sounds interesting isn't it? But the next question I have is how reliable is Columbus Travel Insurance Singapore

Columbus Insurance Holdings Ltd, owned by parent company The Collinson Group Ltd., is a leading travel insurance specialist in Europe and Australia. The Collinson Group is now expanding its footprints to Asia launching Columbus Direct Pte. Ltd. (Columbus Insurance) in Singapore as a strategically key regional market. Read more about Columbus Travel Insurance

So what makes me attracted to Columbus Travel Insurance Singapore and buy my travel insurance from them?


Road Trip in Australia - Yorke Peninsula

Yorke Peninisula was our last stop of our road trip. It was a 4.5 hours drive from Wilpena Pound to Yorke Peninsula. Yorke Peninsula has a laidback lifestyle feeling and you will get to see people fishing, surfing and picnic.

Mr Teddy and I totally in love with the beauty of the magnificent scenic. So what do we do or see during our stay at Yorke Peninsula?

1. Walk the Yorke

We get to see the spectacular coastline of Yorke Peninsula. I would personally say that this is a must do or see at Yorke Peninsula. It is a 500 km of walking or cycling trail. We did not all the trail all the way. We drove in and walked a portion of it. Enjoyed the nature and the breeze from the ocean. It was amazing.


2. Innes National Park

Innes National Park is a protected area on the southwest tip of Yorke Peninsula. Innes National Park provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities including bushwalking, camping, picnic areas, bird watching, and a perfect place for photography. Do note that there is an entrance fee for entering the park.

Road Trip in Australia - Wilpena Pound (Flinders Ranges)

For people who loves to drive like Mr Teddy, doing a road trip in Australia is awesome. Taking a 4 wheels drive (4WD) into the outback or Flinders Ranges's dirt track was a fantastic experience. Flinders Ranges was definitely one of the highlight during our trip. We get to enjoy the magnificent nature. We definitely enjoy it the most since we came from a cosmopolitan country.

It was a close to 4 hours drive from Clare Valley to Wilpena Pound. Along the way, we drove pass quite a number of small towns. There is nothing much in the town, not much of cars nor people. It is a quiet little town which I personally enjoy it. It is definitely something which we can never experience in a bustling city like Singapore.


We would usually grab our lunch (usually only sandwich and coffee) from the supermarket from the supermarket in the town and head to a park have our bites. Enjoy the majestic scenic which eating is awesome. Enjoy the wind and the scenic. Nothing around us but only the clear blue sky and mountain.


Wilpena Pound is a well-known Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Most people would stay at the Wilpena Pound Resort as it is located at Wilpena Pound itself. Easily accessing to the parks and hiking trail. However, Mr Teddy and I decided to stay at Rawnsley Park StationRawnsley Park Station is located near Wilpena Pound. The initial thought of staying in outback was that it is back to basic. However, to my surprise, Rawnsley Park Station has all that you need. The accommodation is an like an apartment. It has kitchen, a dinning area and the bathroom is amazingly clean. 



What can we do at Wilpena Pound? If you are a person who love hiking and nature, Wilpena pound have all that you are looking for. There are multiple hiking trails. Each hiking trail has its own difficulties. Hence, you can choose accordingly to your stamina. Of course Mr Teddy and I went for a hike as well. As I was not aware of the difficulties, during the hike, I was cursing and swearing during the hike. However, I must say that it is definitely a good experience. Needless to mentioned that hiking is a great workout, you can to enjoy the magnificent scenic as well. 


During our period of stay at Rawnsley Park Station, other than hiking, we drove around Wilpena Pound to enjoy the scenic and the National Park. 









Road Trip in Australia - Clare Valley

Clare Valley is just about 2 hours drive from Adelaide, approximately 140km.  Clare Valley is one of Australia's oldest wine regions and is best known for its Riesling wine. Clare Valley has more than 40 wineries, most of which are located between the towns of Auburn and Clare.

What are the attractions of Clare Valley?

1. Riesling Trail
Best way to explore Clare Valley I would say. You can rent a bicycle and take a ride at the Riesling Trail. Riesling Trail runs for 36 kilometres between Auburn and Clare and passes through all the major towns of the Clare Valley including Leasingham, Watervale, Penwortham, and Sevenhill. In each of the town, there are wineries and you may stop by to visit. It is a 35km track, suitable for beginners to medium level fitness fanatics.

2. Sevenhill Producers Market
The market is held on the last Saturday of every month from 8.30am to 12.00pm at Madonna Hall in Sevenhill. It does not open daily. At such, should you be interested in visiting the market, do plan your itinerary carefully. The market sells fresh fruit and vegetables, capers, honey, preserves, olive oil, olives, dukkah, fresh bread and pastries, dried fruit, nuts and fresh flowers. Outside the hall, the local fishmonger from Grandax Seafood offers fresh fish, prawns and oysters!! 

3. Winery 
Winery visit is a must in Clare Valley. Popular winery includes Mount Horrocks Wines, Sevenhill Wines, Annie's Lane, Crabtree Wines etc. 


Recommended Accommodation:
We stayed a night at Clare Valley Motel during our trip. Clare Valley Motel is located a few minutes from the centre of Clare in the heart of the Clare Valley. Convenience to settle our meals as the centre have all that we need. 

The motel is clean and neat. We are able to park our car just outside the unit. The only cons is that the wifi connection is really bad. Most of the time we are unable to connect to the wifi. But that is least of our concern as holiday is not meant to surf net. It is meant to relax and enjoy the surrounding.











Road Trip in Australia - Glenelg and Barossa Valley

Driving is the best way to see Australia. Not only does road tripping allow you to see Australia vast natural splendors, but it also offers a very cost effective way to explore Australia’s most significant sights and attractions.

Adelaide is our starting point. We pick up the car from the airport and hit the road.

Glenelg
Had a one night stay at GlenelgAtlantic Motor Inn. The drive from Adelaide Airport to Atlantic Motor Inn is relatively short, a less than 15 min drive (7.8 km). Atlantic Motor Inn is a 3.5 star motor inn. From the exterior, it looks kind of old. However, the interior is very clean and well maintained.





Glenelg is a beautiful and peaceful town. Atlantic Motor Inn is situated at strategic location in Glenelg, just a five minutes walk to Holdfast Marina and The Beachhouse. Holdfast Marina is a great place to enjoy Glenelg's magnificent sunsets. It is also the departure point for the dolphin sailing tours. The sandy white beach is perfect for chilling, surf, snorkeling or scuba dive.


Just minutes away from Harbour Town, there are a massive range of shops on Jetty Road. The number of cafes and shopping are unlimited. There are food and dining, banking and finance, healthcare, major supermarket such as Coles, florist etc. All that you need can be found in the town. We enjoy having breakfast and take a scroll at the beach. 


Barossa Valley

We took a drive to Barossa from Glenelg for a half day tour. The journey from Glenelg to Barossa is approximately 85km, About a 1 hour drive. In every town of Australia, you will be able to find a visitor center. You can get the map from the visitor center before setting off. That is the beauty of Australia. It is definitely a tourist friendly country to visit.


Barossa valley is renowned for food and wine. A long the way, you will see a lot of grapes plantation. It is such a beauty. There are tones of winery you can visit and have a taste of their wine. For a wine lover like us, this a a perfect place to hangout. We went into quite a number of winery and had the a few wine tasting. It is awesome. It is cheap also. Some of the winery has very unique wine name as well. 



Why do you need Travel Insurance

Whenever I book an air ticket from an airline or travel agent, upon checkout I will be asked if I would like to add on travel insurance. I am sure that this is uncommon to a lot of you. But how often would you buy than? Especially when you are traveling to neighboring countries.

A few years back, when I travel to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Phuket etc, I will not buy travel insurance. I do not see the need in buying travel insurance because the travel period is short. However, in the recent years, I will buy travel insurance wherever I travel to. The main reason is to have a peace of mind.


Customize your coverage with MyTravelGuard

Travel insurance gives us a peace of mind for our holiday to the following:
1, Trip Cancellation and Interruption
Travel insurance reimburses you non-refundable travel costs if your trip is cancelled or seriously delayed due to a natural disaster, illness, or the carrier goes out of business.

2. Emergency medical
When you're traveling abroad it is important to stay covered in case of accidents.

3. Terrorism
In some of the travel insurance, the coverage includes terrorism as well. Many policies only cover you for your trip if an act of terrorism occurs in the specific country you're traveling to or from. And they set limits on how close an attack has to be to your destination before it goes into effect. You generally must buy the policy before violence erupts to be covered. But almost all policies will not cover any losses caused by war or threat of war.

4. Travel company gets into default/ shut down
In some of the travel insurance, the policy covers the incident such as the recent case of a popular travel agency, 5 Stars Travel Agency, abruptly shut down over night.

In order to give myself a peace of mind, I will strongly advice everyone to buy travel insurance,






The Historical Beauty Of Beijing

Been to Beijing a few years back and it is one of the city in China which I have a deep impression with as it is one of the city in China that is rich in history. Despite feeling uneasy at time due to the culture difference, I would say that China is a place definitely worth visiting as it has many breath-taking scenic.

Refer to the article on what are the Things to Take Note Before Visiting to China

1. Forbidden City (故宫)




You may have heard of the Forbidden City in a lot of Hong Kong or Chinese drama and Forbidden City is definitely a must visit place in Beijing. The palace is huge. You can visit the Forbidden City independently and take your time fathoming the map of the City or see the Forbidden City on an organized tour. 

The museum carries out a south-to-north unidirectional itinerary. Visitors can only enter through the Meridian Gate (Wumen) and leave from the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen) or East Prosperity Gate (Donghuamen). 

Note: You need your passport to buy your ticket and there are a limited number of visitors admitted each day so if traveling in peak season come early.

How to get there:
Entry is allowed only through the Meridian Gate, the south gate of the museum.

Subway:
  1. Take subway line 1, get off at Tiananmen East Station (Exit A) or Tiananmen West Station (Exit B), find the Tiananmen Tower, and then walk north to the Meridian Gate;
  2. Take subway line 2, get off at Qianmen Station (Exit A), walk north through the Tiananmen Square, pass the Tiananmen Tower, and then find the Meridian Gate further north.


2. Tiananmen Square (天安门)



Tiananmen Square is the front door of the Forbidden City thus, you are likely to see this attraction on your way to the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) constructed in 1415 which once marked the entrance to the Imperial City and stands on the northern edge of the square.

How to get there:
Subway:


  1. Take subway line 1, get off at Tiananmen East Station (Exit A) or Tiananmen West Station (Exit B), find the Tiananmen Tower, and then walk north to the Meridian Gate;
  2. Take subway line 2, get off at Qianmen Station (Exit A), walk north through the Tiananmen Square, pass the Tiananmen Tower, and then find the Meridian Gate further north.
3. Summer Palace (頤和園)




Not to be confused with the Old Summer Palace this site is dominated by Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. This huge site is divided into 6 scenic areas on the front hill, back hill and lake area where there are three islands. Highlights of the Summer Palace include the Stone Bridge

The construction started in 1750 as a luxurious royal garden for royal families to rest and entertain. It later became the main residence of royal members in the end of the Qing Dynasty. 

How to get there:
By Subway:
Subway Line 4: get off at Beigongmen Station (Beigongmen means the North Palace Gate); or get off at Xiyuan Station, get out of the station from Exit C2 (southwest exit) and walk west to the East Palace Gate.

4. Great Wall (長城)




The Great Wall of China is a must visit attraction in Beijing. The Great Wall can be visited at several access points along the length of the Wall. The mostly recommended one would be Badaling as it is the best-preserved, and famous for its deep-rooted culture, magnificent sights and complete military facilities. 

The Great Wall is by far the most important and recognizable landmark of the country. The fortified wall was constructed over the course of 7th century BC with most of the Wall built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Wall measures approximately 21,196km if you count all the branches.

How to get there?
Suggest to arrange a land tour.

5. Hutong (胡同)


Hutong is culture in China. In Beijing, even though it has modernized, you are still able to see a lot of Hutong around the city. 

10 Recommended Hutong:
  1. South Gong and Drum Lane (Nanluogu Xiang)
  2.  Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street (Yandai Xiejie)
  3.  Mao'er Hutong
  4.  Guozijian Street
  5.  Colored Glazed Factory Street (Liulichang Culture Street)
  6.  Jinyu Hutong
  7.  Dongjiaomin Lane (Dongjiaomin Xiang)
  8.  Xijiaomin Lane (Xijiaomin Xiang)
  9.  Ju'er Hutong
  10.  Bada Hutong

6. Temple of Heaven (天坛)


Temple Heaven is the most popular imperial temple. It was used by the Emperors to worship during the Winter Solstice when they would come here to pray for a successful harvest. 

The Temple is divided by two encircling walls into an inner part and outer part. The main buildings lie at the south and north ends of the middle axis of the inner part. The most magnificent buildings are the Circular Mound Altar (Huanqiutan), the Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) from south to north.

How to get there:
By Subway: 
Subway Line 5: get off at Tiantan Dongmen Station, Leave from Exit A and you'll find the East Gate of the Park. 

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10 Things to Take Note Before Visiting to China

Been to China a few years back and it leaves a deep impression. China is a country with rich history and is definitely worth visiting. While China’s modernization has meant that many western amenities are available nowadays. However, there are still a few things you should take note before visiting China.



1. Booking hotels in China
When come to booking hotel in China, do read and make sure that the hotel allows foreign tourist. In China, apparently some hotels only allows local visitors.

It would be better if you book through the hotel website such as Expedia, Hotel.com or a international hotel chain.




2. Purchase Travel insurance
While China is a safe country with relatively low crime, it pays to be prepared. Book travel insurance and be sure to insure more valuable items such as cameras, laptops etc.



3. Drinking Water
Tap water in China is not drinkable. Do purchase mineral water at most restaurants and stores. Do prepare some medicine for stomach discomfort as well.

4. Air pollution
At times, air pollution is relatively bad in China. I was having flu throughout the period of stay there. Thus, do wear mask and prepare respiratory medicine should you have weak respiratory system.

5. Hand sanitizer
As China is quite polluted and dusty at times, carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you just to be sure.

6. Spitting
The Chinese do not use handkerchiefs and tissues to clear their noses, and instead spit.

7. Personal space
China is a crowded place, and the locals have become accustomed to a much smaller personal space than we are accustomed to in the west. Don’t be surprised if you’re jostled or shoved when queuing. It is just part of Chinese culture.

8. Eating street food
Chinese street food is delicious and it is everywhere! When choosing which vendor to purchase from, check to see where the locals are dining. If you see a queue, it’s likely to be a safer bet.

9. Pharmacies
Chinese pharmacies offer both western and eastern medicine at very reasonable prices. Prescription medication can usually be purchased without a prescription.  Western medicine can be easily purchased from the pharmacy.

10. Doctor
Chinese hospitals can be crowded and daunting, but most major cities also have specialized hospitals catering to foreigners living and working in the country.

Biking Trails in Taiwan

Cycling is a very popular activity in most countries now. The beauty of cycling is that you are able to exercise and at the same time, enjoy the scenic. In Taiwan, there are a lot of biking trails with beautiful scenic. These trails are rich in natural and cultural attractions such as mountains, river, lakes etc.  There are a lot of hotels in Taiwan also provide bike rental service to guests.

1. Coastal Bike Route at QiXinTan (七星堂)

QiXinTan (七星堂) is located along the edge of the Pacific Ocean at Hualien. Cycle along the coastal and enjoy the breeze. The coastal trail immerses you in the landscape of one of the most popular beach spots in the city.

The bike way starts from Qixingtan to Beibin Park, the total distance is around 15km with the great view of Pacific Ocean. You will pass by Hualien Fishing Harbor as well. Along the way you can see many locals fishing at the beach.

QiXinTan Coastal Bike route is a great choice to have a relax and enjoyable biking experience for beginner biker.


2. Taroko National Park

Taroko National Park is also located at Hualien. It is one of the popular biking trail for cyclist. Cyclists can choose between leisurely riding along the nature-carved marble Taroko Gorge via the half-kilometer Swallow Grotto Trail or simply riding a scenic section along the road. You will get to enjoy all-encompassing aerial views of the deep-cut valleys dotted with cypress trees, layers of shift rock, and striking textures and curves, all glowing in different shades of green.


3. Yuchi Township (Sun Moon Lake)

The designated trail is called the Yuetan Bike Path. The entire route is well-maintained and marked, and takes you around the beautiful Sun Moon Lake, with its shimmering light turquoise waters dotted by colorful fishing boats. On land, you’ll be surrounded by a mix of nature and tradition. Three-quarters of the route is pleasant and easy while the rest is very challenging with many uphill climbs. 


4. Water Bird Park Byway

Water Bird Park Byway is located at Tainan. Water Bird Park Byway has beautiful scenic. It also allows you to veer off and explore nearby attractions. Along the way, signs will point you to top Anping sites like the Anping Tree House, Old Fort of Anping, Waterbird Lakeside Park and the Anping Oyster Shell Cement Kiln Museum. 


5. Shanha to Kenting

The biking trail from Shanha to Kenting combines scenic and  riding through lively cities. The entire ride is about 14 kilometers (9 miles) total.You will have to maneuver riding with traffic a bit, but it is worth it for the views, especially when the outlying peaks of the Central Mountain Range and whimsical windmills come into view. 













Hiking Place in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is well known for food and shopping. However, there is another thing which will definitely inspire you, hiking in Hong Kong. It is the best way to take advantage of the forests, wild beaches, and stellar city views.


1. Dragon's Back
It is one of the most popular hikes in Hong Kong as it is easy to hike, short, simple and its beautiful coastal scenery. It is easy to access from the city as well.

How to get there?
From MTR Shau Kei Wan Station Exit A3, take bus 9 at Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to To Tei Wan, Shek O Road.

Average hiking time: Approx. 4 hours
Distance:Approx. 8.5 km
Difficulty: Moderately difficult


2. Lamma Island
Lamma Island is relatively easy to hike as most of the paths are paved and there are vistas around every corner. It is a small island whereby you can easily wander around the network of trails and discover hidden gems. 

How to get there?
Take a 30-minute ferry ride from Central Pier 4 (MTR Hong Kong Station Exit E1, walk through ifc mall and the footbridge) to Yung Shue Wan.

Average hiking time: Approx. 4 hours 
Distance: Approx. 7 km
Difficulty: Fairly Easy


3. Lantau Peak
Lantau Peak is the second-highest summit in Hong Kong. It is one of the perfect place to catch the sunrise. 

How to get there?
MTR Tung Chung Station, Exit B. At Tung Chung Ngong Ping Cable Car terminal take a 25-minute cable car ride to the Ngong Ping terminal. Then follow the signs and walk along the Lantau Trail for approximately 25 minutes.


Average hiking time: Approx. 2 hours 


4. Sai Kung Peninsula Hike
The hike covers Section 1 and Section 2 of the MacLehose Trail. It is one of the best ways to see the amazing hexagonal volcanic columns of High Island. 

How to get there?
From MTR Diamond Hill Station Exit C2, take bus 92 to Sai Kung Bus Terminus. Then at Sai Kung Town, take bus 94 for Wong Shek Pier and get off at Pak Tam Chung Station. After getting off the bus at Pak Tam Chung Station, you’ll find the Pak Tam Chung Barrier Gate. Walk along Tai Mong Tsai Road for five minutes to the starting point of the trail.

Average hiking time: Approximately 7hours
Distance: Approximately 14 km


5. Peak Circle Walk
Peak Circle Walk winds around the highest point on Hong Kong Island. It has the best view of the Hong Kong City and its famous Victoria Harbour. 

How to get there?
Take bus 15C from Central Pier 7 or walk from MTR Central Station Exit J2 to take the Peak Tram from the Peak Tram Lower Terminus on Garden Road

Average hiking time: About 1.5 hours
Distance: 3.5 km