24th Dec2012

What to do in Finland – 1.2 km Toboggan Ride in Saariselka, Finland

by Min

Saariselka, Finland

We chose Finland for our honeymoon destination which a lot of people found unusual or weird. :) Although my husband and I hate cold and do not enjoy any winter sports at all, we chose Finland to catch the Northern lights. Moreover, our wedding was in late autumn and to go somewhere further from Singapore, such as Europe or U.S. all were getting cold. We thought if it’s going to be cold in any where we go, let’s just go somewhere really cold that we would not normally choose to go. There you go, that’s why we decided to go Saariselka, Finland.

Sarriselka is a small town in Lapland. Lapland is the name of northern part of Finland which is closer to Arctic Circle. I’ll write the series of posts about Saariselka and Helsinki, and this post is about what I recommend people to do who plan to go to Saariselka.

What to do in Saariselka, Finland – The Longest Toboggan Ride in Finland

We heard about that Saariselka has the longest Toboggan ride in Finland, however, we could not find the exact location of this hill. We walked around a bit and it turned out it was not so far away from the Saariselka town.

What to do in Saariselka, Finland - Toboggan, sleigh ride 5

It took about 40 min to walk up the hill (yes.. it’s uphill but it’s worthwhile!) and took less than 4 mins to come down. Scenery is so beautiful while we were walking up and it took longer time not because we were physically tired, but because it was so beautiful and we could not stop taking so many photos and video on the way up.

What to do in Saariselka, Finland - Toboggan, sleigh ride 6

 What to do in Saariselka, Finland - Toboggan, sleigh ride 2

Verdict?

It’s a ‘Must-do’ in Saariselka! I loved the Toboggan ride so much!!! I think it was better than the husky rides. ;) It was so good that we took again. Initially, I didn’t know how to steer the sleigh well but the second time, the speed was so fast that I had to break it pretty much all the time.

Detailed information is in this video and you can see how it is like to be on the sleigh in the longest (1.2km) toboggan ride in Finland.

Wanna go to Finland? Check out the airfare here!

www.zuji.com.sg

 

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30th Jan2012

Hyang To Gol 향토골 – Korean Restaurant in Singapore

by Min

Where to eat Korean food  – 향토골 Hyang To Gol

In Lunar New Year (Korean New Year is the same date as Chinese New Year), Koreans eat 떡국 (Dduk Guk), which is sliced rice cake soup. Koreans believe that by eating 떡국 (Dduk Guk), you become one year older and it’s part of Korean New Year culture.  So, I went to Hyang To Gol, one of my favorite Korean restaurant in Singapore to eat 떡국 (Dduk Guk).

 

향토골 (Hyang To Gol) is located on the 2nd floor of Amara Hotel in Tanjong Pagar. I called the restaurant to see if it was open for New Year and if 떡국 (Dduk Guk) was available. 떡국 is on its menu and I didn’t have to make a reservation.

떡만두국(Rice Cake & Dumpling Soup) and 된장찌개 (Soy Bean Paste soup)

My boyfriend and I ordered 떡만두국 (Dduk Man Du Guk) which is sliced rice cake and dumpling soup, and 된장찌개 (Dwen Jang Jji Gae) which is soy bean paste soup. As soon as we ordered, all the side dishes came in.

 

Soon enough that we were enjoying the side dishes ( salad, 2 pieces of pancake, 2 kinds of kimchi), our main dishes came.

It was a pretty big portion for one person like me. I think 2 people can share this.

떡만두국 (Dduk Man Du Guk) with Kimchi was soooo good!!

 

Here is 된장찌개 (Dwen Jang Jji Gae). It comes with one bowl of white rice and it was as good as home-cooked one. A bit spicy!

Lastly, for dessert, I was expecting a Korean style dessert but a scoop of chocolate ice cream came. It was good to cool down all the spiciness in my mouth.

For price-wise, 떡만두국 (Dduk Man Du Guk) was SGD 22 and 된장찌개 (Dwen Jang Jji Gae) was SGD 15 or 16. I found 떡만두국 (Dduk Man Du Guk) a bit expensive but I don’t eat it everyday, only once a year, so it was alright.

I like 향토골 (Hyang To Gol) because pretty much every time I go, it maintains good quality of food and my favorite food there is pork belly BBQ and 된장찌개 (Dwen Jang Jji Gae).

향토골 (Hyang To Gol) is located on the 2nd floor of Amara Hotel in Tanjong Pagar.

Website: Hyang To Gol Korean Restaurant

 

Here are some photos for Chinese Temple on the way back home. This is how it looks like in Chinese New Year.

 

 

Happy New Year Everyone!    Hello 2012!

 

 

Category : Everything Korean, Travel
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25th Jan2012

Tokyo – Where to go – Roppongi Hills and Midtown

by Min

Where to go in Tokyo – Romantic Place

What a romantic night! – Roppongi Hills

Roppongi Hills – Gorgeous Christmas lights and view of Tokyo tower! We got to visit Roppongi Hills Residence (one of the most expensive apartments in Tokyo!) as my boyfriend’s friend is staying there and we went to top floor (42nd or 43rd??) to enjoy the view. It was so gorgeous!

This is the view from his terrace.

After his apartment tour, we headed down to Roppoingi Hills.

There was a spot where you can take a great picture of Tokyo Tower.

Then, we headed to Roppongi Hills Garden where there were more Christmas lights.

It was quite magical and so romantic!

Jack, then, took us to Midtown where the famous Illumination was. My boyfriend and I just wowed as soon as we got to see this!

 

My birthday was the very next day and this moment was the pretty much last moment (almost 11pm) of my 20s… I was so happy to spend my last 20s with this magical views! Lovely and Romantic Night!

This is the video on Midtown Illumination. The light show was amazing!! You should check it out! or You should check it out in person by flying to Tokyo!! 5 Days 4 Nights Tokyo (Flight + Hotel) fr $718 (all-in). Guaranteed at the best price.

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10th Jan2012

Tokyo – Where to eat in Shibuya – Kaikaya By the Sea

by Min

Tokyo Restaurant – Shibuya – Kaikaya By the Sea

A friend, Jack, who has been living in Tokyo for more than 5 years invited us for dinner and we met up in Shibuya. Yes, of course, in front of Hachiko statue. (It seems that it’s the meeting point in Shibuya for all people both Japanese and foreigners.)

Jack took us his favorite seafood restaurant in Shibuya which is very popular among Japanese. He led us to the restaurant, and it means, unfortunately, I cannot trace back how to get there. :(

Well…It was Friday night and Jack made a reservation in advance and the restaurant was full house.

The ambience was lively, people talking a bit loud, Surf boards, a bit rustic sea themed with its motto ‘No Fish, No Life’… This restaurant is all about seafood and it’s not traditional Japanese style seafood restaurant. It’s more fusion of Asian and Western seafood style and after having its first dish, I could understand why Jack thinks that this is a hidden gem.

Our dinner began with a glass of Ebisu Draft beer and with ginger beer for non-alcohol drinkers.

My favorite Ebisu draft beer!

Ginger beer in copper cups.

Jack pretty much ordered all the food for us and this dinner was one of the best dinner we had in Tokyo.

 

It started with, a place of fish Carpaccio ( SENGYO no CARPACCIO in menu).

 

I really liked the next dish, Prawns with prawn sauce! Prawns were so fresh! I’m not a big fan of prawns but I enjoyed this!

We gotta have sashimi when in Japan. This was 2 person-serving assorted sashimi.

This is the house special, called ‘Tuna Spare Ribs‘. It’s not actually Spare Ribs, but it’s Tuna cheek. After I tasted it, I could understand why it’s called Spare Rib. It was so meaty and tender. This was the best dish of the night!

Next was the last dish and it’s called “HOTATEGAI no RISOTTO OKOGE”. It was a Gorgonzola risotto in pancake-style, topped with sliced scallop, baked on griddle. Gorgonzola cheese taste was not overpowering and it was just right and scallop was fresh.

This was what we ordered for 3 of us and all of was full.

I highly recommend this restaurant if you’re in town, especially when  in Shibuya. The price was reasonable and we all enjoyed the food and the atmosphere very much.

Kaikaya by the Sea has English menu and for more information, please visit its website.

Kaikaya by the Sea: http://www.kaikaya.com/

English Menu Link : English Menu

How to Get there:

For more info and opening hours, please check out its website.

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08th Jan2012

Tokyo Hotel – the b Ochanomizu

by Min

Where to stay in Tokyo – the b Ochanomizu

Tokyo has many hotels. I mean ‘MANY’ hotels, but due to a budget constraint, I usually stay in business hotels. Not sure if anyone stayed in business hotels before, but it’s basically pretty small space with a clean bathroom and internet.

My boyfriend and I decided to stay in ‘the b Ochanomizu’ mainly because of the location. It was close to my sister’s place but we liked this hotel and we may stay there again.

Location, Location, Location

This hotel is located in Awajicho. Hotel name is ‘Ochanomizu’ (I picked this hotel simply because I thought it’s in Ochanomizu), but it’s closer to Awajicho subway station. From Ochanomizu station, it’s about 12 min walk while from Awajicho station, it’s less than 1 min. The hotel was easy to find and the location was really convenient. You get off via A5 exit of Marumouchi Line (Red Line) and you’ll see ‘Tully’s Coffee’. Standing Tully’s Coffee on your right, you walk up about 20m and you will find a Music store. Once you’re near the music store, you will find the hotel, behind the main street.

Awajicho station has 3 subway lines (Green, Red and Shinjuku line) and it’s a walking distance to Akihabara (electronic shops area) and JR line is available in Akihabara station. It was convenient to go to Tokyo station, Ginza, Roppongi, Shibuya and Omotesando and pretty much major areas.

Room

For Japanese hotels, we should assume that the rooms are really small. Some hotel rooms I find suffocating. We booked ‘Economy Double Room’ and it’s 15 sqm and bed width was 140 cm. Here are the room photos.

This pic is out of focus, but I wanted to show how little the closet space was. My luggage did not fit in. :(

It looked like pants/shirts presser for business travelers. We never used it.

This little kettle was cute and useful, but it took longer time than electronic kettle.

Breakfast

Breakfast was included in our package so one morning, we decided to try. It was western style, comes with Coffee, egg, bread, salad, orange juice, etc. It was not bad but we didn’t enjoy that much. It was just basic, nothing much.

Internet

Wireless internet was free in the lobby area and you need to ask for the password at the reception. There’s one laptop in lobby area you can use for free,too. In room, LAN internet access is available as long as you bring your laptop. Wireless internet access was not available in room, but I managed to use wireless internet via my boyfriend’s laptop.

Language/Service

Many times I encountered difficulty in communication while traveling Japan, this time was not that bad. The staffs were friendly and their English is good. I asked for the direction to go to Akihabara, and the staff explained in English along with English-written area map, which was really helpful. The service in general was good.

 

What I liked

- Location : It was convenient to go around major popular places in Tokyo.

- Value for Money: It was reasonably priced for the good location. Zuji package was good! Check out the latest price! ZUJI Singapore

- Hot shower : It was cold while we were there and we loved the hot shower in the bathroom everyday. I ended up spending 20 min under hot shower almost everyday.

- Convenient stores nearby : There were couple of convenient stores nearby and it was good to take a walk at night to get some food at convenient stores.

 

What I didn’t like

- Breakfast : It was just basic.

- Room size: It was small size room, compared to hotels in other countries. But it’s an average size in Japan hotels.

 

Will I go back?

I don’t mind.

Check out the room rate or Travel Package!

- Zuji.com : ZUJI Singapore

- Agoda.com : the B Ochanomizu

- Booking.com : Booking.com

- Hotel’s website: For more photos and direct reservation. Check out other ‘the b’ hotels in Tokyo, too!

 

 

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24th Nov2011

Tokyo Tokyo!!

by Min

This is going to be a short post as I have to leave home to catch a 6am flight. (Now it’s 2am and just finished packing…)

Yes, I’m going to Tokyo! I’ve been to Tokyo many times, but this time, I’m going there with my boyfriend as a celebration of both my birthday (Nov 26) and his birthday (Dec 1). After so many thoughts on where to go, (our candidate places were Turkey, Capri, Santorini, Hallstatt & Vienna and Tokyo. Finally, we decided to go to Japan.

I have my elder sister living in Tokyo and a close friend, so for me, it’s great to play with my little nephew who started to say a couple of words recently and I can’t wait to meet my friend there as well. For my boyfriend, he’s got a potential business partner(??) who will take us to all those hot spots/ must-go places in Tokyo this time.

We booked a package at ZUJI Singapore “the b Ochanomizu” because it’s near to my sister’s place and the location is actually quite convenient. I will write a review about this hotel once I return and of course, nice places to go in Tokyo as well.

It’s a free wifi in the hotel, so hopefully I have time to write some posts while in Japan, and hopefully I’m not too tired after all the walking. (Japan is too expensive to take a taxi like I do in Singapore.)

Still haven’t decided where to go or what to do on my birthday (I’m turning 30 in a couple of days!!! OMG!), but I’m thinking of going to Tokyo Tower… It’s been a while that I went to Tokyo tower last time and it will be special to go there with my boyfriend.

So so, please check out my blog in a couple of days later and I’ll keep you posted on my Tokyo trip!

 

 

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26th Oct2011

Ubud, Bali Hotel – Komaneka Bisma

by Min

Komaneka Bisma – Total Bliss

While I was working for Microsoft, my only hope to survive the work stress was to daydream about where to go for the next holiday. My favorite destination is Bali. Till then, I’ve stayed only near Kuta, Seminyak so I decided to stay in Ubud for 2 nights before my friend joined me at Seminyak. After a long search for hotels in Ubud, (tell me about it.. so many hotels in Ubud!! ) I decided to stay in Komaneka Bisma.

Komaneka Bisma was slightly above my budget (my usual budget per night when traveling alone is USD 100-200), but it was my special treat for myself for working like crazy for past 3 years.

Upon my arrival, I was blown away with the view at the lobby area and its serenity. The hotel staffs were friendly and very welcoming for all guests. One thing to highlight during the whole stay, the service in this hotel was excellent.

Room

I booked ‘Bisma Suite’ and the room was spacious with a huge bathroom (which I love). The view was facing rice paddy and it comes with Apple TV. I ended up watching 2-3 movies a day without stepping out of my room.

Enjoyed the free movies and vast choices of music while taking a long bath

View from my bed next morning

Pool

Pool is important for a beach-girl like me. If you see any Komaneka pool photos by professionals, it is better, but this was what I took with my little camera.  It has two pools and Komaneka has this beautiful umbrella (or parasol?) and I was very happy and relaxed to lie down and enjoy the sun.

2nd Pool and it’s more for family and kids.

Food

You can have your breakfast in your room or restaurant on the first floor. So, one morning I had it in my room and the other morning at the restaurant. The interior design of the restaurant is tasteful and I really like the theme of door all around this hotel. Food was great, especially this Muesli and fresh fruit juice. Pancake was so-so and too thick for me. Muesli itself was very filling for me. Also, as many of Ubud hotels, Komaneka provides free afternoon tea everyday and it was great. If you are not a big fan of strong Bali coffee, go for Earl gray. Also, I ordered dinner in one night and Nasi Goreng was amazingly good!

Breakfast in my terrace

Restaurant

Restaurant

In room, free afternoon tea (You must try the cookies in the jar! So good!)

I enjoyed the afternoon tea by the lobby while watching the rain

What I Loved

The owner of this hotel is the owner of Neka museum. You can feel his appreciation of art all around the hotel. You can get free entry to Neka Museum. Attention to details in the hotel is something to highlight. In the closet, mosquito repellent, basket, and hats are available. The turn-down service at 8pm daily was something that I looked forward to. The room changed its mood to a romantic setting with candles on and Komaneka pajamas were laid out on the bed. I loved the pajamas! Silky and soft feel. I wanted to buy one but my size was out of stock.

Location

The only downside of Komaneka Bisma was the location. It is not located at Monkey Forrest road where most of shops, restaurants, and spas are. It’s slightly off road from the main road. The hotel has a frequent shuttle to Ubud Market and Neka Museum and other places. The shuttle service was nice and nothing to complaint about. You can walk to major spots but I would not recommend.

Komaneka now has 4 hotels in Ubud. If you must stay at a hotel at Monkey Forrest road, you can stay at “Komaneka at Monkey Forrest’. Komaneka Bisma is its 3rd hotel in Ubud. Now a new one, Komaneka Rasa Sayang, is open and it’s closer to Monkey Forrest road. You can see the locations of its hotels.

 (Map from Komaneka website)

Price

I recall the price per night was around USD 250 including taxes in Sept last year (2010). But as I check the prices these days, it seems the price has gone down slightly.  It’s ‘above budget’ price range for me, but I think it was worthy.

Agoda.com : Komaneka Bisma Room Rate

Zuji.com: ZUJI Singapore: Travel Your Way

Will I Go Back?

Yes, Definitely! I want to take my boyfriend here soon!

Check out more professionally taken photos from Komaneka Website.

Komaneka Website

 

 

 

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