Euro Travel & More

I’m a very proud Singaporean living overseas (Canada) today – why? because there is a Universal Studio in Singapore!!!  woohoo!! the next time I go back home – you know where my kids and I will be heading to.  I know if I do return – I would be needing  some good diets for quick weight loss because of all the good food but the Universal Studio is definitely a plus for enticing the kid to fly 28hrs on the plane.

My best friend was invited for the soft opening in February – therefore I had a sneak peak of what it looked inside.  It’s pretty amazing eh .. such a small tiny weeny country – a red dot – has a universal studio.  When Disneyland opened in Hong Kong – I felt quite sad that they didn’t choose Singapore .. but Universal Studio is just as good if not better.

They looked exactly like the ones I’ve seen in Australia and Orlando but now Asian kids don’t have to travel to USA to see what Universal Studio looks like.  While the Japanese and Hongkies have the DisneyLand – we have the Universal Studios to call our own.

I don’t think it is going to be cheap.. but you definitely save on the airplane tickets eh.

Check out the Princess Belle’s castle is a must for my kid.

Some souvenirs anyone?

A taste of Egypt anyone?  Going home is looking more and more enticing these days.

A little further than Las Vegas but definitely worth every penny .. and the time.. if i have to say so myself.  If we didn’t own our own business… i would be getting individual health insurance right now.. and flying off just about now.The Singapore Skyline has changed so much, I am wondering if i will recognised most of the buildings when i go home for a visit.

Simply beautiful.. and it’s making me miss asia .. very much.  I missed all the convenience.. of shopping .. food .. and entertainment.. that i don’t get here.

Business class hotels with no frills didn’t just happen overnite.  In fact, i know so .. because i used to work for an important group of hotels back in Asia some 15 – 20 yrs ago.  When i moved from a 5 star hotel.. and worked for this new brand of hotel.. everyone thought i was crazy .. but little did they know that the no frills hotels are the way to the future not only for the hoteliers & share-holders of the hotels.. but also for the tourist and the frequent traveler as well as businessmen.

Yes, unlike the Orlando vacations that we take now that we are living in the West,  one definitely can fall in love with these Business Class Hotels with no frills.  Why..?? not only are they cheaper.. but they are actually a branch from a bigger hotel – meaning a sister hotel to a chain hotel.  Definitely value for money.. especially if you join their club floors.. where breakfast and cocktails in the evenings are free.  Free use of the club floor room for your business meetings and etc.  So if you hear hotel with no frills, donch get the wrong idea.. that the hotel isn’t good.. they are just as good. except .. to expect an empty mini-bar.. but you can always request for them to fill it up.. if you are on company’s account.

Many had asked me about my migration to Canada from Singapore and my experiences thus far.  Of course, I have lots to tell.. and loads of story to share.  From making the big step to going onto the plane and now settling in Canada after 9 yrs.  Immigration procedures .. and all that I’ve faced .. with different culture .. different work ethics .. and even moving from one town to another using moving trucks instead of getting help from family and friends, is all new to me.  But i can tell you one thing for sure .. and that is migrating is no fun.. and even though it is an adventure.. it was an emotional ride for me.  More stories later.

Rasa Sentosa Resort is a holiday spot not only for travelers but for the locals as well.,  A ferry boat ride away .. or even by car or cable car, you can even arrange for an airport transfer.. if you are coming right from the airport.

Owned by the Shangri-la group.. the resort had come a long way and from the looks at the recent pictures.. they also had a lot of additions.. and renovation work done.  Rasa Sentosa resort is not a new resort by any means.. in fact.. it must be like more than 20 yrs old now if not more.

The swimming pool of course..!

Staircase leading to the pool.

Steep looking stairs.

The pool.

If you are on vacation in Singapore, you’ll have to visit the Night Safari in Singapore. World’s first wildlife park specially built for night visits only. The Night Safari is not like any other zoo. Officially opened on May, 1994, by the then Prime Minister of Singapore.. now the Mentor Minister Goh Chok Tong. An experience you must not miss .. or you’ll regret it.

Opens from 6pm right up to midnite if i am not wrong.  The Night Safari has animals out in an open area.. while you ride on a tram .. around the zoo.  But you can also choose to take a walk around the zoo .. if you wished.. and hop onto another tram anytime you want.  I think the entrance fees were like $16 per person. .and in the night safari.. they had bird shows and other kind of animal shows once a night.

You can find fast food like McDonald and a local food court there .. for you to eat and rest after a long walk.  Children can buy souvenirs at their souvenir shops around the zoo. The Night Safari is in a different location from the day zoo.  Just a tip for those going for the Night Safari, flash lights are not encouraged.. so if you want to take pictures.. you have to get some kind of special night camera.. and the video that we took .. didn’t turn out well either.  It was a real pity.. it just wouldn’t focus.

“Nestled in 40 hectares of lush secondary forest, the Night Safari offers guests the unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Through the use of subtle lighting technique, guests are able to view over 1,000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in vast naturalistic habitats.”

An opening act.

For frequent flyer like myself, i am sure .. you will be pleased to know that at Changi Airport Terminal 2′ SATs lounge.. had been newly renovated again.  I am guessing they are sprucing up because of T3′s recent new lounges.. and cannot leave this old one.. without doing anything eh..??   They had udon, chicken rice.. and the works.. that I liked.. my g/f reported.  And the buffet spread is longer too.  For those traveling thru’ Changi Airport.. don’t forget to check out the new lounges.

The Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore.. has a very special place in my heart… not only did i worked here for a year.. i also became a long-staying guest for another 2 before leaving Singapore.. and embarking on my new adventure. I got to see the hotel.. its management.. as an employee and as a guest. What a twist of fate.. i’ll have to say… that the company i worked for .. decided to use The Stamford as their resident hotel… but that was more than 10 yrs ago.

Touted as Southeast Asia’s tallest hotel, Swissotel (formerly known as Westin, The Stamford) offers a panoramic views of the neighbouring countries.. like Indonesia and Malaysia. With more than 1200 room, you can guess as much as I that the Swissotel, Stamford is used mostly by tour groups.. wherelse.. The Plaza is mostly for businessmen.

The locality of the hotel is right smacked in the middle of town.. near MRT .. buses.. shopping centres.. the museum.. and just about anything and everything. The hotel houses restaurants and cafes .. italian.. japanese, szechuan.. and it even has an observation deck now call Equinox.

Of course the room are not cheap… but I think you can get good rates with the right tour agent or if you have a corporate account with them. Meeting rooms and convention center is readily available of rental.. and the bustling of life at the hotel can overwhelmed some… but a good stay at the Swissotel is expected.. because they really take care of all your needs.. from spa, swimming pool.. fitness center.. and food, room services.. and just about anything you can think of.

1263-rooms

Having flown Singapore Airlines countless of times, you can imagine how pleased i was to find that they had upgraded the seats this time round for my flight to New Dehli.  The last time I flown a SQ777 .. they still had their old seats.. which weren’t the best and most comfy .. i’ll have to say. The new business class lived up to its name.. and the seats as you can see here.. were wide enough to fit at least 2 person .. or looked like it.

I didn’t have any stewardess hovering over me.. but they were very nice and discreet and had asked me a few times if i needed a juice or even milk .. before saying goodnite.  I had a pretty good meal on board too.. i heard the meal that nite was prepared by a celebrity chef in Mumbai, sorry no idea what his name was… but it was pretty good.  And by the way.. i was most pleased with the washroom, they had deeper sink in them.. so i don’t have to have water splashed all over my lower blouse or jeans, while trying to wash up.

The Merlion was my home once upon a time.  I’ve had many good memories in Singapore.  Born and raised in Singapore and now migrated to Canada in the name of love, I cannot but remember this beloved country of mine .. where everyone took for granted.

Sure it had lots of fines and restriction .. but if it didn’t have all these.. would Singapore have a reserve that my fellowmen here in Canada be envy of..??  The garden city is a place .. one can always be proud of.. and long for every couple of months.  There are just too many wonderful things to say about this shopping paradize.. where do i begin.