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Enjoy Travelling? Here Are 3 Services That You Might Find Worthwhile!

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Ok, I know the title of this blog post might sound rather cheesy or maybe I sound like I am going to market and sell WorldVentures DreamTrips but no, I am not going to do that. Rather, I am going to share 3 travel services that you might find useful when planning for your next staycation/vacation/holiday or whatever you call it.
Klook

I first chanced upon Klook in August this year and I must say, it was and is still a worthy find because they offer some very interesting itineraries and attractions at really attractive prices. For my upcoming honeymoon to Thailand, I bought entrance tickets to Art in Paradise Bangkok, Nanta Show, and Safari World Bangkok and they were pretty value for money.

Honestly, what I really love about Klook is that they also offer some out-of-the-ordinary itineraries and tours. Some of such itineraries and tours include a Hangover Tour in Bangkok, a Submarine Adventure in Jeju, South Korea, and a Tokyo, Japan Helicopter Cruise!

In 6 days’ time, I will be going for a Paramotor Flight in Hua Hin, Thailand and I am very excited about it. Can’t wait to share our honeymoon itinerary when we’re back from Thailand!

Well, if you are planning for a unique holiday, you might want to consider booking some of the unique tours that Klook has to offer! I’m sure Klook has something that will interest you.

OneThreeOneFour

Want to book your dream wedding photoshoot anywhere in the world but don’t know where to begin?

OneThreeOneFour comes to the rescue! Founded by the dynamic couple, Scott and Eve, OneThreeOneFour is a Singapore-based start-up that allows couples to discover and book wedding photographers from anywhere in the world.

I know some couples (us included) like their wedding photos to be taken overseas and it can be quite a tedious process to search for a trustworthy and reliable wedding photographer especially when they’re based overseas. If you have been to wedding shows, you might have come across some overseas wedding studios selling their wedding photography packages but what you are probably concern about is whether they will close shop and part with your hard earned money.

With OneThreeOneFour, you can find specially hand-picked and verified wedding photographers from around the world and browse through their portfolios. What’s more, you can chat with the photographers, confirm the photoshoot date, book and make payment all on OneThreeOneFour!

So… if you are planning to have your wedding photos taken overseas, OneThreeOneFour might be just the platform to begin your search and when you’re done with all those photoshoot, be sure to also check out Klook for some wacky tours and itineraries.

ZenPass

How would you like if you could receive four mysterious 3 Days 2 Nights travel holidays a year for just SGD$99 a month (SGD$1188 a year)?

Well, the idea of a subscription service is not new especially since subscription boxes are a pretty big hit but a travel subscription is almost unheard of and what makes ZenPass so interesting is that you won’t quite know what you will be receiving or where you will be going until 1 month before your flight.

Every three months (subscribers would have paid SGD$297 by then), subscribers will receive 3 different combinations of 3 Days 2 Nights package that includes flights and accommodations to a destination in Southeast Asia and there won’t be any itinerary. Out of those 3 different choices, all you have to do is just choose one and you’re ready to go!

And what if none of the 3 Days 2 Nights package offered isn’t to your liking?

ZenPass guarantees that you can get all your money back if you don’t like the options presented to you and you are given the flexibility to cancel anytime!

Should you like the idea of a mysterious 3 Days 2 Nights flight and accommodation package that cost SGD$297, do also set some realistic expectations because for such a price, I hope you are not expecting 5-star accommodations and first class flights.

Want to be well-travelled?

Sign up for ZenPass here and because you’re travelling somewhere with no itinerary, you might want to check out Klook to see if they offer any interesting tours at your destination!

Ok, in case you’re wondering, I’m not trying to hard sell Klook or anything like that. In fact, Klook, OneThreeOneFour, and ZenPass are all start-ups and I feel that all three of them complement each other really well.

In fact, A Winsome Life (our start-up that provides Personal Concierge Services) complements all three start-ups too and it is with great pleasure that we share about their intriguing and useful services!

Alright, that’s all for now.

Counting down to 3 more days before we leave for our honeymoon!

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Snap Food Photos & Win SGD$50 Isetan Shopping Voucher & SGD$28 Golden Village Gift Card

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We all know that Singapore is a food haven and there is absolutely no way anyone could go hungry in Singapore as there are so many dining options that are available for people to choose from. However, what really troubles us Singaporeans are often the questions, “What should we eat?” and “Where should we eat?”
We know it is funny but it is also very true that sometimes we even argue with one another over what to eat and where to eat! This is the dilemma that we constantly face every day and making dining decisions can be really tough at times.

What about you? Do you often find yourself asking where to eat in Singapore?

Well, with the OpenSnap App, this problem can now be solved and what is even more intriguing to us about the OpenSnap App is that it gives us pretty good suggestions as to which Restaurants and Dishes in Singapore we should try!

Not only that, the dish rating system in the OpenSnap App is really helpful as it guides us to decide what we ought to order at a restaurant!

One feature that we like about the OpenSnap App is that it allows us to bookmark our favourite topics, offers, restaurants and photos so that we can revisit the bookmarks as and when we wish and find out what are the latest promotions and offers that are available.

What we like the most about the OpenSnap App is that it also features restaurants and dishes from other regional countries like Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries! This is truly one app you don’t want to go without if you are a frequent traveller to Asian countries!

Also, just for all you foodies and food photographers, we are organising a special giveaway for all of you and this is a giveaway you don’t want to miss because if you frequently take photos of your food dishes at restaurants and even hawker centres, winning this giveaway is going to be a stroll in the park for you!

All you have to do is just download the OpenSnap App, snap photos of what you’re eating, upload the photo, and hashtag #awinsomelife! It’s really that easy and this time round, we will be giving away two prizes; a SGD$50 Isetan Shopping Voucher and a SGD$28 Golden Village Gift Card!

As long as you download the OpenSnap App, snap photos of what you’re eating, upload the photo, and hashtag #awinsomelife; you will stand a chance to win the SGD$50 Isetan Shopping Voucher through a random lucky draw and if you don’t feel that lucky at all; fret not because if you upload the most photos, you will walk away with the SGD$28 Golden Village Gift Card!

Just make sure you remember to use the hashtag #awinsomelife so that we can keep track and tally the number of photos taken using the OpenSnap App!

All photos uploaded from 24 July 2015 to 24 August 2015 will be considered for the contest and the person who uploads the most food pictures and uses the hashtag #awinsomelife will walk away with the SGD$28 Golden Village Gift Card!

So what are you waiting for?

Download the OpenSnap App and start snapping away!

For Android Users | For iPhone Users

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FUN TAIPEI Pop-Up Café At Bugis+ Atrium From Now Till 19 July 2015

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Although Jacqueline and I are regular visitors to Taiwan, it has been a long while since we last wrote about this beautiful country and during a recent media event that was held at Bugis+, we had the opportunity to listen to officials from the Taipei City Government who introduced to us four new FUN TAIPEI ‘Free and Easy’ itineraries.

With the introduction of the four new FUN TAIPEI ‘Free and Easy’ itineraries; the Taipei City Government has also worked with travel partners such as China Airlines and Scoot to roll out travel packages with deals and savings worth up to SGDS$1,950 and if you sign up for the travel package from today till end-November, you will also take home a limited-edition FUN TAIPEI Energy Pack that contains F&B and shopping vouchers and as well as an EasyCard [our EZ-Link equivalent].

If you are keen to find out more information and get a preview of selected street-culture highlights from the four new travel itineraries, do drop by the FUN TAIPEI Pop-Up Café at Bugis+ Atrium from 17 July 2015 to 19 July 2015.

At the FUN TAIPEI Pop-Up Café, you can look forward to hands-on sessions with a stamp-making craftsman and a tie-dye print expert from Studio inBloom, and take home unique pieces of creative Taiwan art.

You can also get another taste of the local cultural scene as renowned Taipei street performers Jiang Mu Chen and Jacky Ho will wow audiences with their sensational performances.

Foodies can get an update on the latest trending street foods in Taipei, as handpicked vendors such as Sun Merry Bakery, SUGAR & SPICE Nougat, and Mao Kong Da Cha Hu will share their most delectable snack offerings with visitors.

With the aim of drawing travellers to enjoy the vibrant Asian city through its unique street culture; travellers on the lookout for new experiences can now count on Taipei City to offer novel sights and sounds to add to the already never-ending list of things to do in the city.

Just so you know, the first 30 travellers who sign up for any of the FUN TAIPEI ‘Free and Easy’ packages at each day of the roadshow will bring home an additional goodie bag worth SGD$50 and as well as the opportunity to take part in a lucky draw where the winner will walk away with a pair of return air tickets to Taipei!


Image Credits to FUN TAIPEI In Singapore

If you are heading down to the FUN TAIPEI Pop-Up Café, pop over to the “Fun Taipei in Singapore” Facebook Page, ‘Like’ the page, and you can redeem a free cup of bubble-milk tea at the Pop-Up Café.

For more information about the new travel itineraries, you can either visit FUN TAIPEI Official Website or tune in to the widely popular variety show, “Super Taste” also known as 食尚玩家 in Mandarin, during which the hosts will share their experiences as they discover novel sights and sounds around Taipei City. These episodes will air in August on the TVBS Asia cable channel.

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Launch Of The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future

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A few days ago, I was very privileged to have been invited to cover the launch of The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past Present Future at Nanyang Polytechnic and I am glad that I was there!
Image Credit to Nanyang Polytechnic

Author of The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future, Executive Chef Tony Khoo [Marina Mandarin Singapore], signing the new cookbook at the event

In celebration of Singapore’s 50th year of independence, Nanyang Polytechnic launched The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future, to pay homage to Singapore’s food culture, in particular, hawker food.

Authored by Tony Khoo, Executive Chef of Marina Mandarin Singapore and co-authored by Dr Leslie Tay, Singapore’s profound Food Blogger; the 240-page cookbook showcases the history and original recipes of 12 popular dishes and how Singaporeans enjoy these dishes today. These include the famous Hainanese Chicken Rice, Old-style Chilli Crab and Oyster Omelette, also known as “Orh Luak”.

Image Credit to Nanyang Polytechnic

Nanyang Polytechnic Diploma in Food & Beverage Business student, Mohamed Noorhadi Bin Habib Mohameed, searing lamp flaps for his re-interpretation of the Kampong Satay dish at the launch of The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future event

Looking to the future, it also features avant-garde re-interpretations of classic local dishes by two Nanyang Polytechnic students and 10 renowned local chefs.

Image Credit to Nanyang Polytechnic

The futuristic re-interpretation of the Kampong Satay dish by Nanyang Polytechnic Diploma in Food & Beverage Business student, Mohamed Noorhadi Bin Habib Mohameed

My Opinion Of The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future?

Having read the entire 240-page cookbook page-by-page, I felt really emotional because it reminded me of my growing-up days. I recalled how my mum would cook our favourite chilli crab using fresh live crabs from the wet market and how she would also skilfully use charcoal to cook claypot rice. My mum does not believe in taking shortcuts when cooking in the kitchen and even till today, she still continues to whip up delightful meals for the family.

As an educator teaching youths how to cook and bake, it has never cross my mind to teach people how to cook local dishes but having attended the launch of The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future at Nanyang Polytechnic, it has strengthened my resolve to include some local dishes in my lessons.

What is also very interesting about the cookbook is that it traces the history of each dish and evolution to its present form, and explores how it can be invigorated for the future through new and exciting re-interpretations.

I certainly hope that there will be considerations to make The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future available for retail. From what I understand, The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future is currently only up for auction and proceeds from the auction will be donated to various beneficiaries.

Image Credit to Nanyang Polytechnic

Author of The Singapore Heritage Cookbook: Past, Present, Future, Executive Chef Tony Khoo from Marina Mandarin Singapore [left], together with Mr Peter Knipp from Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd [right], presenting the cookbook to Mr Chan Lee Mun, Principal & CEO of Nanyang Polytechnic [middle]

Just so you know, the Singapore Heritage Cookbook is published by Food2Print Asia, the publishing arm of Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd and I am very privileged to own a copy of the cookbook which will aid me greatly when I teach about local dishes. While I am not exactly sure when and where it will be available, I really believe that this is the cookbook that every Singaporean household should have in their bookshelf!

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5 Places You Can Visit In Singapore During The June School Holidays!

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Not sure where to bring your children now that the June School Holidays is here?
Well, fret not because we will be sharing with you 5 places in Singapore where you can go to spend some fruitful quality time with your children without burning a big hole in your pocket!

1. Singapore Changi Airport [for the little ones]

Image Credits to Changi Airport Group

The Singapore Changi Airport is not just a place for departures and arrivals. With so many dining, shopping, and entertainment options to choose from, the Singapore Changi Airport can also be an ideal place for a family outing. While your children are plane spotting at the viewing deck, your wife can also do some shopping! What’s more, she can save 7% GST on her purchases at participating retail stores and earn some points which can be used to redeem for travel miles and tickets to local attractions. And when your wife is done shopping, tell her to bring the kids to the wood block rubbing station or Singapore’s tallest slide to have some fun while you go check out the spectacularly new wines and spirits flagship duplex store by the DFS Group at Terminal 3.

Image Credits to DFS Group

Don’t miss this as it is the first of its kind in the world.

2. Singapore Expo [for the little ones and the not so little ones]


Image Credits to Singapore Expo

The Singapore Expo is just one MRT station away from Singapore Changi Airport and though there isn’t much dining options to choose from, food is probably your secondary priority because what you should be seeking for are the great deals and bargains that are available. Just so you know, there are many great sales happening in the month of June and we’re sure you won’t want to miss out on them. Some pretty awesome sale events happening in the month of June include The PC Show 2015, Robinsons Expo Sale, MPH Book Sale, Yummy Food Expo 2015, BHG Expo Sale, Baby Expo 2015 and many more! If your children enjoys shopping like you do, going to the Singapore Expo can be quite an interesting family outing that can occupy the whole of June.

For more information about the dates for the various sales, click here.

3. The Cinemas [for the little ones and the not so little ones]


Image Credits to Tech Goondu

We’re pretty sure everyone enjoys watching movies and if you want to reward your children with an outing to the cinemas, consider going during the weekdays as the ticket prices will be cheaper. If you hold a HSBC Credit Card, the HSBC’s Movie Card [All Day] is a really great promotion by Golden Village should you prefer to visit the cinemas during the weekends. If you are a SAFRA Card Member, you can enjoy daily discounted tickets at Shaw Theatres.

Some movies that will be releasing in June include Jurassic World, Minions, Barely Lethal, and Terminator: Genysis

4. Mount Faber Park [for the little ones]

Image Credits to Mount Faber Leisure Group

There are lot of things you can do at Mount Faber Park. One of the oldest parks in Singapore, Mount Faber Park is also part of the Southern Ridges, which also comprises Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve.

Boasting panoramic viewpoints of the Southern Waterfront including Sentosa and other Southern Islands, and as well as Singapore’s Central Business District and iconic HDB estates, Mount Faber Park offers various walking trails that will give your family a good workout.

Whether you decide to do some nature appreciation, bird watching, or hop onto the cable car to enjoy the stunning view of the horizon from above, we’re sure your children will definitely enjoy themselves and not forgetting the fact that there are a couple of dining options such as Spuds and Aprons at Faber Peak Singapore.

For some ‘hands on’ activities at Mount Faber Park, there are the Singapore Cable Car Wooden Keychain Workshop and the Singapore Cable Car Sand Art Workshop available for your little ones.


Image Credits to Mount Faber Leisure Group

Singapore Cable Car Wooden Keychain Workshop

Date: 6 June 2015, Saturday and 7 June 2015, Sunday
Time: 11.00am to 4.00pm
Venue: The Lookout, Level 2

Singapore Cable Car Sand Art Workshop

Date: 20 June 2015, Saturday and 21 June 2015, Sunday
Time: 11.00am to 4.00pm
Venue: The Lookout, Level 2

5. Downtown East [for the little ones and the not so little ones]


Image Credits to Downtown East

Home to Costa Sands Resort, Singaporeans’ favourite resort away from home, and the popular water park, Wild Wild Wet; Downtown East is Singapore’s premier lifestyle, recreational and entertainment hub catering to the wide interests of modern youths and families by bringing exciting activities and fun facilities all under one roof.

The entertainment and leisure centre E!hub features a cinema, an arcade, a bowling alley, and eXplorerkid, one of Singapore’s largest indoor family playground.

Singapore’s slimiest integrated sports festival, the Nickelodeon Slime Cup, will also be taking place at Downtown East from Saturday, 6 June 2015 to Sunday, 7 June 2015. The event aims to encourage children and their parents to bond and get active through play.

Besides meeting Dora the Explorer, Diego; SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star; and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, your children can also stand a chance to take home some Nickelodeon goodie bags and instant photos.

For more information about the Nickelodeon Slime Cup, do visit the Nickelodeon Slime Cup Official Website!

So there you go, we present to you the 5 places that you can bring your children to during the June School Holidays to spend some quality family time!

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[Bridal Studio Review]- Destino Bridal Gallery @ Johor Bahru

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Taking up a bridal studio package overseas has its own set of pros and cons and it can even be rather risky too. There were many what-ifs when we signed up for our bridal photography package at Destino Bridal Gallery but we went along with it anyway.

We felt that it would have been useful if Destino Bridal Gallery has a website but all they have is only a Facebook Page when we did a Google Search. Our guess is that they market themselves on a word-of-mouth basis or they probably have got no time to maintain a website.

When we first arrived at Destino Bridal Gallery, we were very impressed with its large compounds and what impressed us the most was the two-storey photography studio space they have for indoor photography! Inside the two-storey photography studio space, there are many different backdrops and decorations that are real [not those pull-down paper backdrop] and Destino Bridal Gallery changes the theme of the backdrops every 6 months.

The bridal package that we took up is pretty standard and common but highly customisable according to our needs. Being practical people, we took out some items in the package and got them replaced with other items that we thought were more practical and useful for us.

What We Like About Destino Bridal Gallery:

• Very affordable [about SGD$2700 after taking into account the currency exchange rate]
• Destino Bridal Gallery has a very good reputation and is an award-winning bridal studio
• The photographers and assistants are all very helpful, patient, and understanding
• The photography props and background are all real
• The outdoor photography locations are beautiful and scenic
• The indoor photography studio space is cosy and comfortable
• Make-up and hairstyling are all done in-house
• Car park space is available and the place is quite safe and secure
• All wedding gowns and suits at the bridal studio is not restrictive and available for selection
• Our indoor photography photos turned out well [the photographer was Keith]

What We Don’t Like About Destino Bridal Gallery:

• Long travelling time from Singapore to Johor Bahru, especially during the weekends
• At least 7-8 trips to Johor Bahru required
• The video montage did not meet our expectations; hence, we created one on our own
• Our outdoor photography photos did not turned out so well [the photographer was Ah Hui]

Their Video Montage [which looks like it was produced by amateurs using Windows Movie Maker]

Our Video Montage [after we do some DIY ourselves]

Overall, we were very pleased with the bridal photography experience at Destino Bridal Gallery and if you don’t mind the frequent trips to Johor Bahru and have planned to do your bridal photography in Malaysia, we will definitely recommend them.

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[Wedding Venue Review]- One Degree 15 Marina Club @ Sentosa Cove

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Nestled within the exclusive Sentosa Cove enclave, One Degree 15 Marina Club is part of the emerging hip, upscale luxury neighbourhood that is positioned to become one of the world’s most well-integrated waterfront lifestyle communities. Evoking the glamour and elegance of Monte Carlo, One Degree 15 Marina Club offers world-class marina facilities and is replete with a comprehensive range of luxurious private club amenities catering to both boaters and non-boaters alike.

[Image Credits to One Degree 15 Marina Club]

There were a lot of reasons why we decided to have our wedding dinner banquet at One Degree 15 Marina Club and the reasons are:

• One Degree 15 Marina Club is a very unique, beautiful, and scenic place for weddings
• The wedding banquet is priced competitively when compared to other wedding venues
• The wedding banquet package is very attractive with quite a fair bit of goodies
• There are a lot of positive reviews on the Internet
• The kitchen and banquet operations is helmed by experienced chefs and service staffs
• They have a Halal-certified kitchen that can cater to Muslim guests
• The food served is of the right temperature and are of excellent quality

For an 8-course Chinese wedding set menu during the weekends, the price of SGD$1574.83 [after including the 7% goods and services tax and 10% service charge] is priced rather competitively when compared to upscale hotels like Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Pan Pacific Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Singapore and etc.

[Image Credits to One Degree 15 Marina Club]

With a premium address, One Degree 15 Marina Club offers an exclusive and intimate wedding setting.

The Catering Sales Manager who saw to our every need was Mr Kurt Tan and he was very helpful in coordinating and advising us on the wedding banquet programme. Joyston and Ling Zhen, the Banquet Captains for our wedding banquet were also very professional and they took care of our every need; even till the next day when we were due to check out. We must say, the banquet operations team did a very fantastic job in managing our programme for the evening.

The chefs also prepared a very delightful dinner for all our guests and everyone gave very positive feedback and comments about the excellent quality of the food; including the Halal food.

Well, every wedding venue has its cons too and for One Degree 15 Marina Club, the cons are:

• One Degree 15 Marina Club is rather inconvenient and inaccessible for guests
• The ballroom can only accommodate up to 360 guests
• Full payment is required before the wedding event

To counteract the cons, we had shuttle buses to transport our guests to and fro Harbourfront MRT Station and One Degree 15 Marina Club; and just so you know, all of our guests had their admission fees to Sentosa waived off when they presented our wedding invitation card at the booth gantry. What makes it even a sweeter deal is that there are ample parking spaces for all our guests and parking is complimentary. As the number of guests whom were expected to attend our wedding amounted to less than 360, the maximum capacity of the ballroom definitely wasn’t an issue for us but if you have more than 360 guests, you may have to consider choosing another venue.

[Image Credits to One Degree 15 Marina Club]

We’re not sure if the full payment policy applies to other venues but for One Degree 15 Marina Club, it definitely is and you need to be prepared to start saving up early. We highly suggest you use your credit card for the payment so that you can earn rebates and points at the same time but of course, don’t forget to pay your dues on time.

In case you are wondering, One Degree 15 Marina Club do have accommodations available and that makes it really convenient especially if you are arranging the accommodation for your guests who are coming from overseas. It is a pity that we didn’t have much time to spend in the room because the room is really so nice, cosy and had a fantastic view of the yachts that were docked at the club! We will definitely be back and book a staycation there for our 1st anniversary.

[Image Credits to One Degree 15 Marina Club]

Overall, if you were to ask for our opinion, we would highly recommend One Degree 15 Marina Club as a choiced wedding venue in Singapore and really, we have no regrets having our wedding banquet there.

For more information, do check out One Degree 15 Marina Club Official Website and like One Degree 15 Official Facebook Page!

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[2015 Mother’s Day Special]- 3 Atas Ways To Pampering Your Mothers At Sofitel So Singapore

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Mother’s Day is just round the corner and although I have to admit that this occasion by itself is quite commercialised, our mums definitely ought to have a well-deserved break on their special day.
If you have ultra-deep pockets, you may want to consider 3 atas [luxurious] ways to pampering your mum at Sofitel So Singapore.

The First Atas Way, A Luxury Hotel Staycation at Sofitel So Singapore

Book your mum a luxury hotel staycation at Sofitel So Singapore, Singapore’s newest luxury designer hotel that is housed within an iconic heritage building built in 1927 on Robinson Road. Every room at Sofitel So Singapore invites guests to dream with high ceilings and bespoke light boxes featuring images of palatial glass domes inspired by the traditional architecture of Europe and modern constructions in Singapore.

For a special rate of SGD$427++, your mum can indulge in a sumptuous breakfast served in the luxurious room, a bottle of Champagne on ice to be savoured any time during the stay, and a thoughtful gift of chocolate or flowers offered upon arrival. What’s more; your mum can also enjoy a late check-out at 4:00pm and the facilities that Sofitel So Singapore has to offer.

The Second Atas Way, A 5-Course Spa & Massage Indulgence at So SPA

Located at So SPA at The Singapore Resort & Spa Sentosa, treat your mum to a soothing day of pampering with the Oh-So Spoiled 5-course Spa indulgence which includes a 15-minute foot ritual, a 45-minute revitalising Neem Body Polish, a 60-minute So Relaxing Massage or a luxurious Neem Healing Facial, a healthy juice, and a full day of relaxation with access to the spa gardens, float pool, galaxy steam baths and mud pools!

At a special price of SGD$255++, So SPA will tempt your mum to come back for more with a complimentary SGD$50 return voucher for her next retreat.

For bookings and enquiries, you can drop an email to H9474-TH4@accor.com or call +65 6371 1288 for more information.

The Third Atas Way, A 4-Course French Epicurean Dining Experience at Xperience Restaurant & Bar

Crafted by the young but talented Resident Culinary Designer Chef Anne-Cécile Degenne, the 4-course Mother’s Day Menu at Xperience Restaurant & Bar at Sofitel So Singapore is a thoughtful French epicurean dining experience that mothers will surely love.

The tantalising starter made from Sri Lankan crabs, fresh pomelo pulp, and garnished with luxurious French caviar is served with coriander salad that gives it an earthy but refreshing twist.

The second starter, Seared Foie Gras and Truffle Emulsion with Mushroom Ravioli, is inspired by Chef AnneCécile’s beloved home town, the port city of Bordeaux in South-Western France. The buttery foie gras, combined with freshly imported white mushrooms and porcini wrapped in parcels of homemade dough will warm both palates and hearts.

Following the starters is the menu’s piece de resistance; the main course of Grilled Scallop and Lobster, Fennel, Orange and Basil. Meaty Hokkaido scallops grilled to light-brown perfection are paired with fresh, springy Boston lobster and cooked with fennel, rosemary, orange juice, and olive oil. This ensemble creates a juxtaposition of earthy, natural, yet delicate flavours that are soothing and gentle.

A satisfying meal can only conclude with an equally satisfying dessert. Here, Chef Anne-Cécile gives the diners a pleasant surprise; a deconstructed Black Forest. This re-imagining of a well-loved classic dessert offers a different experience with each bite. The taste of rich, dark orbs of Varlhona chocolate mousse is balanced with either sour cherry jelly or the Griotte cherries nestled in the mousse.

Each dish from the menu is carefully paired with a selection of wines to enhance the dining experience. Your mum will also receive a rose and one Shiseido beauty kit worth SGD$47, featuring choice picks from their Vital-Perfection White range, Makeup Lacquer Rouge and the highly-raved Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate. Complimentary valet parking is also available should you decide to drive her there.

The Delicate Mother’s Day Quartet Dinner Menu from Xperience Restaurant & Bar is priced at SGD$128++ per person, or SGD$168++ per person with wine pairing.

Below are the available dates and timings for the Delicate Mother’s Day Quartet Dinner Menu:
9 May 2015: 6.30pm – 10.00pm | 10 May 2015: 12.00pm – 3.00pm

With 3 atas ways to pamper your mum on Mother’s Day, you can even consider having a fourth atas way to pamper your mum by combining all the 3; but of course, this won’t come cheap and will probably cost you at least a thousand dollars for all 3.

If you are on a budget but would love to pamper your mum luxuriously, I would personally suggest treating your mum to a meal or a spa and massage package as the prices are pretty reasonable.

Anyhow, I hope this article has given you some Mother’s Day ideas to think about and if you have any ideas to share with me, do feel free to share with me by commenting below. 🙂

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[Attraction Review]- World’s First Puss In Boots Suspended Roller Coaster Launched At Universal Studios Singapore

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Editor’s Note:
This blog post is written by both Alvin and Cheryl and they are the two new members working alongside with Jacqueline and myself. We are happy to have them in our team and this article will be their debut for our lifestyle blog.

Hola Amigos! Universal Studios Singapore debuted today Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey, the world’s first suspended roller coaster themed after the franchise. Guests embarked on a larger-than-life adventure with everyone’s favourite feline, Puss In Boots. The launch of the new ride headlines the theme park’s fifth anniversary celebrations, with more exciting events coming up in the year.

At the Far Far Away themed zone, the Giant’s Castle sits ruined, entwined within a giant beanstalk. The quest, nine lives in the making, begins here as Puss In Boots and Kitty Softpaws go in search of the precious golden eggs in a bid to save San Ricardo’s Orphanage, which has fallen on hard times. Guests will join in the legendary exploits of Puss In Boots as they take off on an anti-gravity swashbuckling flight.

Onboard one of Humpty Alexander Dumpty’s latest flying machines, guests set off from the Giant’s kitchen in search of the legendary golden eggs. The mission runs into trouble when they are spotted by a Tattletale gosling who alerts the Great Terror of their presence in the castle. Once exposed, riders are rocketed through plenty of twists and turns as they are pursued by the Great Terror, who turns out to be one big Mama Goose!

Telling an original tale with 23 animatronics characters, the approximately two-minute ride with a track length of about 0.5KM will provide guests, thrills and excitement with sensations of flight and anti-gravity as they navigate their way to through the castle on their mission. After the adventure ends, Puss In Boots merchandise exclusive to the park are also available for guests to bring home the memories.

Our Personal Opnion & Review of Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey Suspended Roller Coaster

Yesterday marks the day of the grand opening of Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey! First and foremost, we want to take this opportunity to thank the organisers from Resorts World Sentosa for this kind invitation! Cheryl and I are definitely honoured to be one of the first few to experience this suspended roller coaster ride!

The ride itself is very unique. Almost similar to a building lift that escalates to the top, the special thing about the ride is that it spirals upwards instead of vertically going upwards. The awesome thing about this ride is that it has 4 drop zones which comes very sudden and will surely catch theme park-goers by surprise. We highly recommend you to take the last row of seats as you will have a stunning view and experience the full gravitational force of the ride.

All in all, the world’s first Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey Suspended Roller Coaster is a good ride that is worth the wait. Just so you know, the suspended roller coaster ride depicts a story and to avoid spoiling the surprise for you, we will not be saying it here so that you can go and experience it for yourself!

In case you are wondering, the ride is suitable for both the adults and children and a long line of people queuing for this ride is expected. If you have visited Universal Studios Singapore before, the Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey Suspended Roller Coaster is definitely another reason for people to visit again.

Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey Suspended Roller Coaster

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Have a Taste of Singapore at Chinatown Food Street

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Apart from being well known as a clean and green city, Singapore is also very famous for its local food. Last week, both Jacqueline and I were at Singapore’s Chinatown Food Street for a “makan” [eating] session with other bloggers and we had a very delightful time.
Located on Smith Street in the heart of Chinatown, the revitalised Chinatown Food Street seeks to create the most authentic Singapore dining experience for locals and tourists alike. From a tantalising plate of Char Kway Teow, to sticks of mouthwatering Satay, Chinatown Food Street offers a diverse spread of local delights, with iconic food from local cultures all represented on one street.

Ngoh Hiang from Chong Chong Ngoh Hiang Prawn Fritter

A unique Hokkien and Teochew dish that is served in many of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore’s hawker centres and in Cebú in the Philippines. It place of origin is in eastern China. It is essentially a dish that is made up of various meats, vegetables and other ingredient such as cucumber, century egg, ginger, deep-fried beancurd, fishball and many others. It is usually served with chili sauce and sweet sauce. Many stalls in Singaporean food courts and hawker centres sell fried bee hoon [vermicelli] with Ngoh Hiang.

If you happen to be in Chinatown doing some late-night shopping for New Year goodies and you are feeling famished, Chinatown Food Street is certainly the perfect place for supper because from 30 January 2015 till 18 February 2015, the operating hours of Chinatown Food Street will be extended to 2am.

Kueh Pie Tee from Maxwell Road Soon Soon Popiah . Laksa

Kueh Pie Tee is a thin and crispy pastry tart shell that is filled with a spicy and sweet mixture of thinly sliced vegetables and prawns. It is a popular Peranakan dish. The shells are made of flour and though some stores will make them from scratch, they can usually be found ready-made in most supermarkets. Similar to popiah, the main filling is shredded Chinese turnips and carrots, and usually these two dishes are sold by the same stall in hawker centers.

However, do also note that Chinatown Food Street will be closed on 19 February 2015 [first day of the Lunar New Year] and will resume operations on 20 February 2015 with its original operating hours of 11am to 11pm.

In case you are wondering, the prices of the dishes from the 24 different street hawker stalls varies from SGD$2.50 to SGD$10, with the exception of Yu Sheng which cost SGD$28 for a small platter and SGD$38 for a large platter. Check out our guide to organising a Lo-Hei/Yu Sheng session at home or the office!

Furthermore, if you spend SGD$10 in a single receipt at Chinatown Food Street, you will get a 20% discount voucher off Trick Eye Museum admission tickets.

Roti Prata from Serangoon Raju Indian Cuisine

Roti Prata is a fried flour-based pancake that is cooked over a flat grill. It is usually served with a vegetable or meat based curry and is also commonly cooked with cheese, onion, banana, red bean, chocolate, mushroom or egg.

Chinatown Food Street is certainly the perfect place for night owls to tuck into a lip-smacking spread of local delights. From traditional dishes reminiscent of yesteryear to modern cuisines of present times, there is definitely something for everyone!

In need of a quick fix? Chinatown Food Street is definitely the place to go!

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