TOP 10 DESTINATIONS SINGAPORE

Singapore has been my second home since I started working here way back in June 2011. There will always be something new to try & more places to visit despite it's small land area. One night while I was browsing my old photo albums, I decided to create a blog post to compile my most memorable & should I say picturesque shots that I had during my whole stay in this wonderful city. Once you have the chance to visit "The Lion City", make sure to visit this places that I will be sharing & I will tell you it's definitely worth it!

MERLION PARK (MARINA BAY)

Bangkok Pad Thai Restaurant

Everyone loves Thai food especially when its authentic, fresh & eating right from the city where it originated. Listed at No. 5 on World's most delicious food, this stir fried rice noodle dish is a must- try in Bangkok. It is commonly served as a street food & at casual local eateries in Thailand. So for all the Pad Thai lovers out there, here's one secret restaurant I discovered in Thailand where they offer one of the best Pad Thai I have ever tasted so far.

Pad Thai from a local eatery in the busy street of Bangkok.

Nando's Restoran

Finally I had a taste of this talked about Nando's Restoran in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. They actually do have an outlet here in Singapore but comparing SGD to RM price range, I bet you would prefer to try it in Malaysia. What makes Nando's Restoran special is that their chickens are marinated for 24 hours in its secret sauce until the flavour goes right through the bone. They're then flame-grilled and basted in your choice of Nando's Peri- Peri sauce. The result is ultimate perfection.

The have this what you call as the PERI-Ometer where you can choose your heat (spice level) before you eat. This varies from Lemon & Herb, Mild, Hot & Extra Hot Peri-Peri. They also have platters to share that is perfect for groups - sharing is what Nando's is all about (Meal, Full & Jumbo Platter). You can also make it as meal with their various sides options (chips, coleslaw, potato wedges, corn-on-the-cob, garlic bread, spicy rice & mediterranean rice & grilled vegetables).

With it's great customer service, relaxed ambience & practical price range, you should have a try of Nando's Restoran when you visit JB Sentral. We spent a total of RM 160.00 not bad for 4 person sharing (around $16/head).

Mild Peri-Peri Grilled Chicken (Jumbo Platter) RM 53.00

TOP 10 MUST-TRY IN VIETNAM

Take a fresh approach to Vietnam with these Top 10 must try in Vietnam from irresistible walks and tours down to the best food in town to show you the best way to link the sights and taking you beyond the beaten tourist track. Once you visit Vietnam, this Top 10 guide will definitely make your experience in Vietnam unforgettable.

Vietnam is a free (no-visa-needed) country. Just bring along your passport, ticket plus guide & you're good to go.

Baphuon Temple Cambodia

Cambodia has a special place in my heart. I went here due to some personal dilemmas that I needed to escape out of Singapore. For travelling never fails to refresh my mind & give me new ideas in liffe. Anyhow, here's the third part of my Cambodia trip last month. This blog post is all about my half day tour to what I call "Temple Run" popularly known as the Baphuon Temple. 

Angkor Thom: Large temple- mountain in Angkor Thom. Recently re-opened after an extensive and troubled restoration. The project began in the early 1970s with archaeologist dismantling much it, but abandoned in 1975 due ti war. The records were lost during the war years, leaving an enormous rock jigsaw puzzle. The restoration was restarted in the 1990s and the temple finally reopened just last year. Note the unique animal carvings at the walkway entrance. Similar carvings are visible on West Mebon. Also note the impressively large reclining Buddha on the west side, which was added to the temple in the 16th century.

The Temple Run.

Ta Prohm Angkor Cambodia

Ta Prohm is a sprawling monasteric complex that is only partially cleared of jungle over-growth. Intentionally left partially unrestored, massive fig & silk- cotton tress grow from the towers and corridors offering a "jungle atmosphere" and some of the best "tree-in-temple" photo opportunities at Angkor. Unfortunately, massive numbers of visitors and the recent installation of wooden walkways are detracting some from the "jungle atmosphere."

Ta Phrom is still well worth an extended exploration of its dark corridors and open plazas. This temple was one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects. Ta Prohm was dedicated to his mother. (Preah Khan, built shortly after Ta Prohm in the same general style, was dedicated to Jayavarman VII's father.) Ta Prohm was originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery and was enormously wealthy in its time, boasting of control over 3000 villages, thousnads of support staff and vast stores of jewels and gold. Of the monastic complex style temples, Ta Prohm is a superior exmaple and should e included in almost any temple itinerary.

The entrance gate to the temple of Ta Prohm.

Angkor Wat Cambodia

This is one big check for the things I need to do before I die. To be in Cambodia & witness Angkor Wat right with your naked eyes is such a fulfilling dream anyone can experience. Considered to be world's largest religious monument, Angkor Wat is a must see place & definitely worth visiting for. In this blog post, I will share more details of my travel experience, preparation, budget & itineraries to help everyone make the best of your Cambodia's infamous Angkor Wat one of a kind experience. Here we go.

Angkor literally means "Capital City" or "Holy City". In its modern usage, "Angkor" has come to refer to the capital city of the Khmer Empire that existed in the area of Cambodia. It represents the pinnacle of the ancient Khmer architecture, art and civilisation.

There are dozens of temple ruins in the Siam Reap area, many of the most significant within the Angkor Archaeological Park just north of the city, others further afield. The temples vary in importance, interest & condition and are spread over a large area, often kilometres apart. Your itinerary should depend largely on the length of your visit and your level of interest, though some ruins are must-sees. Any itinerary should definitely include the legendary Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 metres from ground level. Angkor Wat is the centerpiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. 

FOOD: XI SHUA SHUA RESTAURANT

Dreams really do come true if you will only continue to strive & never give up on it. One of my dream destination is the country of Cambodia. Finally, I conquered this country & can't wait to witness the infamous Angkor Wat. We arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport & went straight to the bus terminal going to Siem Reap. Since we arrived early, we had some early food hunting and came by

this restaurant to have a taste of Cambodian food offering.

Xi Shua Shua Restaurant offers modern Cambodian food cuisine that includes traditional Asian rice & noodles food selection. We had a taste of their grilled chicken rice & Phnom Penh Noodle Soup. They also offer Dimsam, sticky rice, chicken porridge & American breakfast menu.

The service was excellent & they offer quality & great tasting food items. If you ever visit Cambodia, have a try of this food haven to experience the best of life through good food.

Cambodian Dining Set-up.

Grapevine Cafe Bar & Restaurant

It's been a long time since my last blog post way back on my series of Vietnam travel & food escapade.

I've been through some major life events yet as what they say, you will always go back to where your heart belongs to. Now let me share with you this cozy place for chilling out while here in Singapore.

Grapevine Cafe Bar & Restaurant is a place that can be seen if you are travelling along Serangoon Road. It is a nice place to chill out & the cafe has a nice ambience to it. The price of the food & alcohol are quite high but still affordable. With good service & good company, you will surely enjoy this place & will make it a good night.  

Variety of shots to choose from.