From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

The Red Bull Dark Knights is Singapore’s only night-time mountain bike downhill race and ever since its debut in 2011, the Red Bull Dark Knights has gained much popularity and its comeback this year at Pearl’s Hill City Park has attracted quite a number of riders from all over the world.

I have to say this, although I have been living in Singapore for the past 25 years, I have never been to Pearl’s Hill City Park and it was my virgin trip there. A look at the National Parks Website reveals that there is a restricted reservoir on top of the hill and if you’re clueless about where Pearl’s Hill City Park is, it is tucked away in the corner of Chinatown. It’s location is rather accessible as there are a couple of buses that serves the area and the nearest MRT Station is Outram Park Station, NOT Chinatown Station [unless you don't mind walking a longer route].

Pearl’s Hill City Park.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

The Restricted Reservoir at Pearl’s Hill City Park.
[I bet not many people know that there's a reservoir in Chinatown.]

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

The walk from the carpark to the event ground was really quite a distance and there wasn’t any signages around to guide us.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

This was the one and only signage that we spotted on our way to the event ground.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

When we arrived at the Race Village, it was bustling with activities, and tentages that sold food, drinks, and bicycle gears were set up.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

The rider in the lead gets to sit on this hot seat!

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

Visitors were also entertained with a special screening of Red Bull Media House’s feature film, “Where the Trail Ends”. The 81 minutes long movie showcased the world’s top freeride mountain bikers search and ride unraveled terrain around the globe, making their expedition the most progressive and ambitious mountain biking ever attempted.

The DJ for the evening was electrifying. The music that he played were heart-pumping and groovy.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

When we checked out the profiles of the riders whom were competing in the competition, we were quite surprised to find out that a majority of the competitors were Singaporeans.

Honestly, capturing photographs of the riders were extremely difficult as there was insufficient lighting and the riders were moving really fast. Although we were cleared to use flash photography, we decided against it as we do not want to affect the performance of the riders. Thankfully, we managed to get some good shots as we had access to the restricted zone.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

Keeping in the theme of knights and castles, the obstacles were interestingly named arrowhead, slingshot, and the dragon’s back, and each of the obstacles tested the tenacity of all the riders whom participated in the competition. In fact, we witnessed quite a number of riders falling off their bikes but their sheer determination and perseverance pushed them beyond their physical limits to complete the entire course. For that, we salute all the bikers whom took part in the race.

One of the riders completing the dunes obstacle.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

The ballista obstacle is definitely a tough one because riders must have a solid control of their bike in order to prevent themselves from veering off-course.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

An overview of the slingshot obstacle.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

One of the riders completing the slingshot obstacle.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

The saddleback and pitchfork were perhaps the hardest obstacles for the riders.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

Truly, the obstacle-filled race that is part urban part trail isn’t easy and one must have loads of guts to tackle the challenging obstacles.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

Rider Ng Chee Keong sitting on the hot seat for a moment.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

The champion for the Red Bull Dark Knights 2013 is none other than 37-year-old Daniel Sprague from Australia. Daniel has been competing in off-road cycling events for 31 years and he has won 2 World Amateur BMX Championships, 7 Australian Championships, and 29 Western Australian Championships across both gravity MTB and BMX. He was also the champion for Red Bull Dark Knights 2011.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

In second and third place respectively are Ditra Pranata, a 23-year-old professional biker from Indonesia, and 20-year-old Agung Fambudi.

Ditra Pranata, winning 2nd place at the Red Bull Dark Knights 2013.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

Agung Fambudi, winning 3rd place at the Red Bull Dark Knights 2013.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

A photo of the top 3 riders at the Red Bull Dark Knights 2013.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

Although we didn’t have quite a lot of good shots, we did managed to video down portions of the event and if you’re interested, you can check out the following video.

Truly, the Red Bull Dark Knights 2013 was an eye-opener and the Singaporeans didn’t fare that badly because most of them are in the top 10 positions. In fact, we were quite impressed by a 16-year-old Singaporean rider, Shadiq Putra, whom gotten 7th placing for the race.

From Red Bull Dark Knights 2013

Well, although we pretty much fed the thirsty mosquitoes, the action that we caught at Red Bull Dark Knights was definitely way more exciting than watching the Formula 1 Race and we hope that this blog entry will create a greater awareness of the local mountain biking scene. Cheerios~!

The new Audi A3 Sportback Car! By the way, the backdrop that you see in the background is designed by LASALLE Students

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

From featuring the world’s most revered designers and International top models to red carpet fashion galas and glamorous after-parties, the Audi Fashion Festival Singapore is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and is highlighted as the biggest fashion event of the year.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

Themed “Crafting the Future”, this year’s festival will feature 5 days of shows featuring a mix of emerging and established top-class names from the international world of fashion including Carolina Herrera, Hussein Chalayan, Peter Pilotto, Tsumori Chisato, Collette Dinnigan, RAOUL, Ashley Isham, Zardoze, Jun Okamoto and Ong Shunmugam.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

Audi A3 Sportback

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

Quoting from Audi Singapore’s Website, the cost of the new Audi A3 Sportback starts from $168,910 for the 1.4 TFSI S-tronic Model and its design is a statement for poise and vast energy. You would have notice from the photograph that the new Audi A3 Sportback sports a flatter, more masculine, and more dynamic appearance thanks to its distinctive tornado lines, roof contour, and integrated roof-edge spoiler. Available in more than 10 colours, the Audi A3 Sportback is definitely a car that YOU MUST CONSIDER, especially if you are looking for a futuristic, innovative, and fuel-efficient sporty car!

Before we move on to share with you the technical details of the new Audi A3 Sportback, here’s some shots that we took when we test-drove the Audi A3 Sportback on a custom-built course at the Singapore F1 pit lane. This test-drive experience that we had was really unique, challenging but fun as well.

The A3ttraktion Zone is where we registered for the Audi A3 Sportback test-drive.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

We must say, the test-drive experience was really professionally-organised.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

Here’s a photo at the Briefing Room and at that point in time, my heart was pounding madly with excitement because I didn’t quite know what to expect.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

Here’s a photo of the driving instructors whom were going to guide us through the obstacles when we test-drive the Audi A3 Sportback.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

So here I am in the Audi A3 Sportback with my driving instructor on my left and also with Jacqueline seated in the rear passenger seat documenting the process.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

A closer view of the front.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

Smiling for the camera while waiting to move off.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

The custom-built course for the test-drive consists of 4 stations; See & Saw, Score!, Slalom, and Garage.

For See & Saw, I basically had to drive the Audi A3 Sportback up the ramp and wait for the ramp to descend before moving off. It wasn’t really that difficult but it requires a certain level of coordination because moving off too fast would cause the ramp to slam down rather quickly.

For the second station, Score!, I had to accelerate the Audi A3 Sportback Car, hit the gigantic soccer ball, and try to score a goal. We were given two attempts and I failed quite miserable in the first attempt. However, the good news is, I scored a goal in the second attempt and my name was entered into a lucky draw where the grand prize is a VIP trip to catch Bayern Munich and AC Milan in action at the Audi Cup 2013 in Munich, Germany!

The third station, Slalom, requires me to navigate the Audi A3 Sportback Car in between the cones that have been placed and it is very much like weaving in and out of the cones. It wasn’t too difficult and I managed to complete the obstacle rather smoothly.

The last station, Garage, requires us to jam our brakes really hard and the purpose is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Anti-lock Braking System [ABS] onboard the Audi A3 Sportback.

A photo with my Driving Instructor after the Test-Drive

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

We really enjoyed driving the Audi A3 Sportback and the experience was truly awesome.

If you’re interested to find out more about the Audi A3 Sportback Car, do read on!

The interior of the Audi A3 Sportback is really classy and it also offers plenty of space with its surprisingly large knee space in the rear passenger compartment. There’s also a separate air-conditioning system for the rear passengers.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

The rear bench seat can be split-folded 40:60 to increase the luggage space and when folded down completely, it creates 1,220 litres of space that is sufficient for two large luggages.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

The horizontal instrument panel architecture emphasises the size of the interior and the 3D inlays seem to embrace the driver.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

For the individual seating position, the optional electric seat adjuster and the intelligent automatic climate control option provide a pleasant atmosphere.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

The glove compartment at the front passenger’s seat.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

The air vents in jet design set further stylish trends. Also, the air flow can be adjusted to provide a concentrated stream of air or to distribute air evenly, all with variable levels of intensity.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

A closer look at the steering wheel of the Audi A3 Sportback.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

The central control unit; the optional MMI® navigation plus with MMI touch, is a touch-sensitive control panel integrated in the rotary/push-button control for intuitive operation. It offers drivers a new and intelligent way of controlling the navigation and telephone functions by “writing” letters or numbers on the control panel with the finger. Drivers can also operate the functions supported by the optionally available Audi connect via the MMI touch. The slim 7-inch colour display, which pops up electrically, presents all the information in a new look and with impressive clarity.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

The S tronic® transmission onboard the Audi A3 Sportback.

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

The S tronic transmission combines the low fuel consumption of a manual transmission with the benefits of an automatic. The control ensures fast and consumption-reducing gear shifting in automatic mode. The very large transmission-ratio spread of the S tronic allows the last gears to be used at very low engine speeds.

Audi A3 Sportback Car Driving Experience

Practical, efficient, powerful and oh-so-agile, the all-new Audi A3 Sportback is at the forefront of urban vehicle technology and it is a car that features inspired applications of technology that really needs to be driven in order to be appreciated.

During the test-drive, the Audi A3 Sportback handles the corners pretty well and we felt very safe in the car as it was quite sturdy.

When I pedalled hard on the accelerator, the Audi A3 Sportback picks up speed really fast and the engine was really quiet. The driving experience was smooth and the gear transmission was intuitive and responsive. What’s really great about the Audi A3 Sportback is its fuel efficiency!

Tested in accordance with UN ECE R101, the fuel consumption of the Audi A3 Sportback is 5 litres per 100 km; in other words, the Audi A3 Sportback consumes 1 litre of fuel for every 20km travelled.

If you decide to purchase the Audi A3 Sportback, you can also get a rebate of $15,000 under the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle [CEV] Scheme Banding.

Truly, the five greatest strengths of the Audi A3 Sportback are sportsmanship, driving dynamics, comfort, functionality and style.

We had an awesome time with the Audi A3 Sportback Car and we want to thank Audi Singapore for hosting us. Personally, I really like the Audi A3 Sportback and if I have the dough, I would have bought it! Or maybe, I should emigrate to Australia permanently and live there because the Audi A3 Sportback only cost Australian Dollars $35,600 [equivalent to Singapore Dollars $43,535]. That is about a quarter of the price for an Audi A3 Sportback here in Singapore!

From Audi A3 Sportback 2013

For more updates and information about the Audi A3 Sportback, do check out Audi Singapore’s Website!

In our next “Automobile” Post Series, we will be featuring the Citroen C4 Diesel Variant so stay tuned!

From Kia Soul 2013

Here’s a Photo of My Kia Picanto and the Kia Soul, side by side.

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

Kia Soul

From Kia Soul 2013

The Kia Soul is a really sporty hatchback car and it does have the feel of a SUV [Sports Utility Vehicle]. When we were at the Kia Car Showroom at Alexandra Road, the Kia Soul was very distinctive and we really like its sporty and adventurous outlook. We actually attracted quite a few stares while test-driving the car, and the Kia Soul was really a head-turner. Costing $99,999, the Kia Soul comes in a choice of 11 colours and is fitted with standard 16-inch steel wheels.

A picture of the standard 16-inch steel wheels that comes with every Kia Soul. If you wish, there’s an optional upgrade to an 18-inch wheel that will make the Kia Soul look even more like a SUV.

From Kia Soul 2013

Kia Soul’s Exterior

From Kia Soul 2013

Parked next to a Mini or Volkswagen Beetle, it doesn’t look that shabby at all. Comparing with most of the Hatchback Cars in the automobile market, the frame of the Kia Soul is slightly bigger and sports a very contemporary look. The squared-off, cubic design of the radiator grill is also very stylish and combined with the LED daytime running lights, it gives the Kia Soul a high-tech, luxurious and futuristic image. The front bumper of the Kia Soul has also been given extra prominence, thanks to beefed-up proportions and sculpted mouldings around the license plate.

Side View of the Kia Soul

From Kia Soul 2013

Kia Soul’s Interior

From Kia Soul 2013

The cabin of the Kia Soul is very cosy and it provides lots of legroom. There are 4 interior colours to choose from and it lets you match the car to your taste and personality. The Kia Soul features textured fabrics made by advanced PVC moulding process, nano-tech fabrics that guard against liquid spillages, and premium-like fabrics produced by high frequency heat embossing.

On top of a huge cabin space, the Kia Soul also has a large boot space that can accommodate your shopping bags pretty well. If that’s not enough, you can fold down the rear seats and the backrests to create approximately 57 litres of space that can accommodate two mountain bikes.

From Kia Soul 2013

A Closer View at the Kia Soul’s Large Boot Space

From Kia Soul 2013

The Boot Space Can Be Increased By Folding Down the Rear Seats and Backrests

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

Underneath the boot space lies a rear storage tray that is deep enough for you to keep all sorts of items out of sight. This could include your emergency care kit, lanterns, umbrella, sports shoes, and any other items that you seldom use but wish to have onboard.

From Kia Soul 2013

This is how the Kia Soul Looks Like from the Rear

From Kia Soul 2013

At all the four doors of the Kia Soul, there’s a slot for you to put a standard 600ml bottle of water and if you’re wondering whether it can fit a Starbucks Venti Takeaway Cup, yes it can but we do not highly recommend you to put a cup of hot/cold beverage because any spillages can be rather messy and disastrous.

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

Seating at the front seats, the exquisite dashboard of the Kia Soul does gives a feeling of luxury and exclusivity.

From Kia Soul 2013

Moving on to the front passenger’s seat, there is a glove box compartment that allows you to put quite a couple of items such as the car’s manual, parking coupons, and music CDs. It is generally large and deep enough for A4-sized folders as well.

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

The sun visor has a built-in mirror and a separate lighting mechanism on the roof that allows you to touch up your make-up [for the ladies] and hairdo [for the gentlemen] on the go.

From Kia Soul 2013

The driver’s seat is where things start to get a little more interesting. To get a more comfortable driving position, drivers can adjust the seat in 6 directions, whether it is up and down, front and back, or further and nearer the steering wheel. Although the driver’s seat has been ergonomically-designed to help drivers obtain the right seating and driving posture, I personally find the seat to be a tad too tough for my liking.

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

The manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel can be adjusted both up and down, and forward and back, so that you can find the ideal position for comfortable driving.

From Kia Soul 2013

On the steering wheel, you can find controls that allows you to adjust the volume and skip tracks on the audio system, and perform other functions without taking your hands off the wheel for safety and convenience.

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

It is also interesting to note that although the Kia Soul is a Korean-made car, the dashboard has a continental design and the controls to the left/right signals and wipers are positioned differently from that of a Japanese-made car or even my very own Kia Picanto.

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

The Dashboard of the Kia Soul

From Kia Soul 2013

We found the factory-fitted audio system of the Kia Soul to be good enough for basic use and it does look funky with its red-lit buttons. The audio system also has a Bluetooth streaming capability for handheld devices like smartphones and it also allows you to make phone calls. A handy storage area that opens/closes with a push lid is located above the audio system in the center fascia and you can store items such as your sunglasses.

From Kia Soul 2013

The lights around the in-door speakers respond to the music that is playing on the audio system, varying in brightness depending on the volume, bass tone and beat of the music. If you wish, you can also control and change the light colours from red, blue, and green with a turn of a switch.

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

You can turn on/off the Parking Assist System with a push of a button and also hook up your MP3 Player or Ipod to play your favourite music tracks on the sound system. There’s also a cigarette lighter socket and an additional charging socket which allows you to charge your mobile devices on the go.

From Kia Soul 2013

For smokers, there is a removable cigarette ashtray bin which you can use to put cigarette butts but if you’re a non-smoker, the removable cigarette ashtray bin can double up as a mini trash bin for tissue papers and sweet wrappers.

From Kia Soul 2013

From Kia Soul 2013

The rear view mirror features an ElectroChromic Mirror [ECM] function that will dim any light glare from headlamps behind you.

From Kia Soul 2013

Kia Soul’s Driving Performance

The Kia Soul is powered by a 1.6-litre 6-speed CVVT DOHC Gasoline Direct injection (GDi) engine and when we test-drove the car, we found the auto-transmission to be rather smooth-sailing at low speeds.

From Kia Soul 2013

With that said, overtaking of cars can be somewhat of a challenge because the Kia Soul picks up speed at a rather slow pace and when we floored the accelerator pedal to gain speed, the sound of the roaring engine was rather loud and could be heard in the cabin. However, when we switched the transmission to manual-style shifting, the pick up was faster and way smoother. Although the drive was a little bumpy, driving the Kia Soul was a pleasure.

Although the Kia Soul operates on Auto Transmission, drivers can also switch to manual-style shifting.

From Kia Soul 2013

Equipped with a dual-airbag system that will deploy during an impact to cushion the force on the occupants, and the bumper-mounted parking assist sensors that will help to prevent collisions when reversing, we felt quite safe and secure in the Kia Soul.

The Remote Keyless Entry System and the Engine Start/Stop Push Button also provides the added convenience of operating the car without much of a hassle.

From Kia Soul 2013

Having spent hours photographing the Kia Soul and writing this blog entry, we enjoyed the experience with the Kia Soul and we hope that you enjoyed reading this short review. If you’re a Hatchback Car Lover like us and you’re planning to purchase a car soon, you might want to put the Kia Soul on your list for consideration.

From Kia Soul 2013

For more updates about the cars that Kia Singapore has to offer, do check out Kia Singapore Facebook Page and if you’re specifically looking for information about the Kia Soul or if you’re a Kia Soul Owner, do check out the Kia Soul Facebook Page!

I have to say this, though I dislike the wet market, I do miss those times that I spent with my mum at the wet market just looking, touching, and smelling, the vegetables, fish, meat, and fruits. The produce at the wet market are definitely the freshest and honestly, you don’t really know how fresh the produce at the supermarkets/hypermarkets are because for all you know, they might have been on the shelves for days and moreover, those with cheap price tags are usually the ones that are near the expiration date.

Well, if you share similar sentiments, here’s some good news.

Just last week, Jacqueline took some time off with her family to visit PasarBella, the first multi-sensory grocery shopping destination in Singapore and it sure looks exciting after seeing the more than 300+ photos that she took.

With over 30,000 square feet of market space housing more than 30 unique stalls from around the world, PasarBella is the embodiment of its namesake, which is derived from the local term for ‘market’, and the Italian term ‘beautiful’.

From Parsabella 2013

PasarBella was conceived by the founders’ dreams to provide a one-stop food and lifestyle experience, all under the same roof and it was inspired by the sights, scents, and vibes of other global markets that the founders sought to offer a similar experience here in Singapore.

Housed within a warm community-based environment, PasarBella encompasses a seafood market, meat, dairy, fresh produce, wines and craft beers, global cuisines and personal services.

From Parsabella 2013

Because there are more than 30 over unique stalls at PasarBella, we are only going to introduce 10 stores that you absolutely must visit when you’re there.

1). Oceans of Seafood

From Parsabella 2013

Oceans of Seafood pride themselves in providing seafood of the highest quality at affordable prices and it is especially evident from the photos that Jacqueline took.

Fresh Seafood from Oceans of Seafood

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

Yummy Fresh Oysters!

From Parsabella 2013

A Gigantic Fish Head Selling at Oceans of Seafood

From Parsabella 2013

Oceans of Seafood has two restaurants at PasarBella and they serve Japanese and Western cuisine. From fresh sashimi to boiled lobster in butter sauce, Oceans of Seafood is no doubt the best place for high quality and value-for-money seafood. For more information about Oceans of Seafood, do check out their Facebook Page.

2). Charly T’s

Famous for their “Best in the City” signature rotisserie chicken and wallet-friendly prices, Charly T’s serves comfort food from around the world that are prepared with the freshest local ingredients.

From Parsabella 2013

The secret behind their rotisserie chicken, which is crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside – lies in the freshness of the ingredients used, along with a signature preparation method. You might be surprised to know that all Charly T’s chickens are marinated for 13 hours, before being slow-cooked rotisserie-style. Seriously, their rotisserie chicken is a MUST TRY!

From Parsabella 2013

For more information and updates about Charly T’s, do check out their Facebook Page.

3). The Cheese Ark

What is so special about The Cheese Ark is that they gather rare cheese from cheesemakers who belong to the Slow Food Presidia that protects unique regions and ecosystems, and recovers traditional methods that are at risk of disappearing.

From Parsabella 2013

I know this sounds cheesy but these are more than just artisanal cheese, these are cheese that are about to be extinct.

From Parsabella 2013

If you’re a cheese-lover and you’re passionate about cheese, head down to The Cheese Ark and have a taste of the rare authentic cheese they offer. For more information and updates about The Cheese Ark, do check out their Facebook Page.

4). Bella Bakery

Get away from the stress of urban living and step into a little space of your own where you can enjoy a comforting and simple meal with an authentic European ambience with Bella Bakery.

From Parsabella 2013

Along with the rustic and laidback stall ambience, Bella Bakery offers a wide variety of freshly baked loaves, muffins and croissants in the traditional European style. Unfortunately, we don’t have much information about Bella Bakery but if there’s anything you must try, it has got to be their croissants!

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

5). The Great Beer Experiment

The Great Beer Experiment is not just another craft beer venue but it is also a playground which promises to “Tickle, Test and Tempt” all palates and preferences.

From Parsabella 2013

At The Great Beer Experiment, you can tickle and tempt your palate with new and limited-edition craft beers from around the world or partake in the Food & Beer Pairing Trails which takes you across the market.

From Parsabella 2013

Check out the different kinds of beers The Great Beer Experiment has!

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

Personally, I really like The Great Beer Experiment because it’s a really nice place for chilling out and furthermore, an assortment of beers from all over the world is available here. I’m pretty sure beer lovers would love this place as much as I do. For more information and updates about The Great Beer Experiment, do check out their Facebook Page!

6). Little Provence

From Parsabella 2013

Little Provence specializes in importing, distributing, and retailing Singapore gourmet products and wines from Provence, a place well known for its quality of life, savoury food, and wine. In case you’re wondering where Provence is, it is located in southeastern France and with Little Provence at PasarBella, you don’t have to buy a ticket and fly 14 hours to France just to have a slice of Provence!

The food product range from Little Provence encompasses a wide choice of tapenades, olive oils, vinegars, truffles, artisanal jams, chocolates, and lavender products.

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

To taste, experience, understand, and enjoy the wonderful products and the spirit of the Provence way of life, head down to Little Provence at PasarBella! For more information about what Little Provence has to offer, do check out their website.

7). Tangy Tangerines

From Parsabella 2013

Tangy Tangerines combines the highest quality fresh fruits with personalised service that has always been offered by their family grocers of yesteryear. At Tangy Tangerines, you can get the widest range of hand-picked fruits that are reasonably priced. Whether it is tropical fruits or seasonal fruits, you definitely can find it at Tangy Tangerines.

For more information and updates about Tangy Tangerines, do check out their Facebook Page.

From Parsabella 2013

8). The Organic Grocer

From Parsabella 2013

The Organic Grocer has a wide variety of organic and natural products ranging from fresh organic produce and meats, wild caught seafood, to dairy products and cooking essentials. For all things organic, The Organic Grocer is the place!

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

They even have organic cotton bodysuit for babies!

From Parsabella 2013

With over 1000 products to offer, pick up a basket and start shopping at The Organic Grocer!

For more information, do check out The Organic Grocer’s Website for more details.

9). The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.

From Parsabella 2013

The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. was started with the original intention of elevating tea beyond a standard beverage to a special gift item meant for loved ones. They have an interesting selection of gift teas and tea accessories that will definitely delight your tea-loving friends.

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. also has a “Tea Indulgence Corner” where you can sample and experience the flavours and freshness of The 1872 Clipper Teas.

From Parsabella 2013

If you’re a tea-lover or you’re planning to get gifts for a tea-loving friend, you might want to check out The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. at PasarBella. For more information, you can check out The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. Website for more details.

10). Bonheur Patisserie

From Parsabella 2013

Bonheur [bo-nur; Fr. baw-nœr] in French means Happiness and Patisserie [puh-tis-uh-ree; Fr. pah-teesuh-ree] in French means a Confectionery. At PasarBella, Bonheur Patisserie presents 30 different macaron flavours ranging from Classical, Asian and Fusion flavours.

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

Here are some really tempting-licious cakes by Bonheur Patisserie

From Parsabella 2013

From Parsabella 2013

What is interesting to note is that Bonheur Patisserie has a pastry cafe at 70 Duxton Road and they also specialise in customized orders for special occasions such as weddings, engagement parties, birthdays, or anniversaries.

For more information, do check out Bonheur Patisserie’s Website.

——————–

So, there you go! We have shortlisted 10 unique stores at PasarBella for you to check out and if you’re wondering how you can get there and what are the operating hours, do read on!

Operating Hours:

Rain or shine, PasarBella’s doors are open for business seven days a week, every week except on selected public holidays. Although some stalls will stay open till 10pm, it is better to call and check because the stalls have the autonomy to set their own operating hours.

With that being said, 9:30am to 7:00pm would be the general operating hours.

How to Get There:

From Parsabella 2013

PasarBella is located at The Grandstand (formerly Turf City), which sits right in the heart of Bukit Timah. Easily accessible by car or public transport, there is also the added convenience of FREE PARKING on-site.

If you’re travelling by Bus:
You can take the following bus services number: 66, 67, 74, 151, 154, 157, 170, 171 and 174. You will then alight at the bus stop opposite Sixth Avenue Centre or the bus stop after Swiss Club Road.

If you’re travelling by MRT:
The nearest MRT stations are Farrer Road, Holland Village and Botanic Gardens.

If you’re planning to take the shuttle bus:
You can take the FREE shuttle bus services that are available daily at designated bus stops such as Newton MRT (B40181), Botanic Gardens MRT (B41021), and Toa Payoh MRT (B52189).

If you’re travelling by car, key the following address into your GPS System:
200 Turf Club Road Singapore 287994

If you have any questions pertaining to PasarBella, you can contact their general hotline number at +65 6887 0077

Groceries shopping has never been so fun and entertaining, so bring your family members and friends down to PasarBella for a happy and fun time of groceries shopping! Cheers!

On this note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those whom have made my birthday an awesome one.

To My Dearest Jacqueline [a.k.a Baby]:

Thank you for being the Chief Organiser for my birthday celebration. You have done so much for me that I am really thinking hard about how I can make your upcoming birthday celebration a blast! Though we both agree that Tajiyama at Vivocity would have been a much better place to dine at, I really enjoyed having dinner with you at Rocku Japanese Charcoal Grill Restaurant. The lovely birthday card that you handmade for me is so real that a lot of people thought that we were going to fly to Taiwan yesterday. I really appreciate all that you have done for me and thank you for the unconditional love and blessings that you have showered upon me.

The Tiramisu Cake that Jacqueline bought from Four Leaves

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

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Japanese Charcoal Grill Dinner at Rocku, Bugis Plus.

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

It’s my third time dining at Rocku and to be honest, the quality of the food has dropped. A normal weekday dinner buffet at Rocku cost $32.84 per person and we decided that after this dining experience, we would probably stick to Tajiyama at VivoCity [although Tajiyama is slightly expensive].

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

The Lookalike Scoot Boarding Pass Birthday Card and Famous Amos Birthday Cookie.

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

Everyone really thought that I was going to fly to Taiwan last night when I posted a photo of the lookalike Scoot boarding pass birthday card on Instagram. The idea for the birthday card was cleverly thought out by Jacqueline and she’s amazingly creative in making cards and gifts. Maybe she should start a business selling handmade cards. With that said, we would probably be travelling to Taiwan next month if nothing disrupts our plan.

The Famous Amos Birthday Cookie is really tasty and sweet. However, it might be a little too sweet for certain individuals. For me, I like it a lot!

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

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To My Encouraging Family Members & Relatives:

Thank you all for celebrating my birthday last Saturday at Beppu Menkan Japanese Noodle Restaurant. Over the last 25 years of growing-up, all of you have been my pillar of encouragement and I really appreciate all of your presence during last Saturday’s gathering. Truly, as the saying goes, “No family is perfect. We argue, we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times, but in the end, family is family, the love will always be there”.

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

The Awesome Swensen’s Ice-Cream Cake that My Brother Bought

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

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I have dined at Beppu Menkan Japanese Noodle Restaurant a couple of times in the past and I really like their food. They used to have many outlets in Singapore but it seems that the outlet at China Court is the last surviving Beppu Menkan Japanese Noodle Restaurant.

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

The pricing is average and the service has room for improvement. Nevertheless, if you’re into super duper spicy ramen noodles, Beppu Menkan Japanese Noodle Restaurant is the place.

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

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To My Supportive Brother and Cheryl:

Thank you to the both of you for taking some time off to hold a separate birthday celebration for me at The Straits Wine Company last Saturday. I had a relaxed time chilling out with the both of you over a bottle of Italian Moscato D’Asti and a bottle of New Zealand Merlot Red Wine and I really enjoyed myself.

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

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The Straits Wine Company is honestly my favourite place to chill out. As a matter of fact, both Jacqueline and I frequent there so often that we have bought more than 20 over bottles of wine till date. The cosy ambience is really inviting and personally, I like The Straits Wine Company because it is a really lovely place for sipping glasses of wine while chatting with friends. Furthermore, The Straits Wine Company’s wine collection is vast and the price is rather reasonable. In fact, we’re planning to engage them to supply bottles of wine for our wedding banquet unless there’s other distributors that provides the greatest value for money.

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

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To My Awesome Cellgroup Members:

Despite not having seen you all for such a long time, it was really nice of you all to plan a surprise dinner for me at Manhattan Fish Market. I had a really fabulous time catching up with you all and I do look forward to more meet-ups and catching-ups. Thank you all for the lovely hoodie that keeps me warm at work.

Here’s a Photo of Me Wearing the Hoodie that my Cell Members Bought

From Melvin’s Birthday 2013

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I’m no stranger to Manhattan Fish Market and they have always been my favourite place to dine at. When we dined there for my birthday, they had a Fish and Chips Set Meal Promotion that cost $10++ and it includes a soup or ice-cream and a drink. The portion size is really huge and it is really value for money. Having tried a few variations of Fish and Chips in Singapore, I personally feel that Manhattan Fish Market’s Fish and Chips is the best!

From Bugis+ Food Trail 2013

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To My Friends On Social Media [Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogosphere]:

To be honest, I am really overwhelmed by the number of birthday wishes on my Facebook Timeline and though we hardly meet/see each other, I really do appreciate all of your well-wishes. Thank you for not forgetting me!

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With this, I would like to end off by saying a big ‘thank you’ to all of you whom have made my birthday a really joyful one.

Meanwhile, do check out my very first song cover, “Telling the World” by Taio Cruz. This was the same song that I sang for Jacqueline when I proposed to her last year.

God bless!