What is the number 1 thing to do in Zagreb, Croatia? Is it visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art or The Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary? Could it be checking out the sculptures at the Mirogoj cemetery? Or perhaps having a picnic in Maksimir Park? Well well.. You could do all of that and end up rushing from one end of the city to the other on public transport and foot and end up killing yourself at the end of the day.

I'm an easily bored traveler with ADHD. Churches, old buildings and museums kinda look the same after a while (I call this the European traveler fatigue). The only things that get me going through them is 1. the entrance fee and 2. the effort it took me to get there. Of course there are certain attractions that i MUST SEE but i'd rather spend the time chilling out and exploring back alleys than running around taking pictures just to show that i've been to a particular city/country. That kinda takes the joy away from traveling don't you think? 

So here is my recommendation! Number 1 thing to do in Zagreb is..... (drumroll...)

Segway City Tour! 

I used to think that it's super uncool to ride on a Segway and it's meant for old foggies but this is SO FUN. This is probably the fastest and breeziest way to visit most of the attractions in the city. It's not boring because you only spend a couple of minutes at each site and there is a local guide to transfer bite size bits of history (the more interesting parts). Absolutely effortless. I highly recommend this if you visit Zagreb. Heck. I'd do this at every city i visit. 

If you are interested, read on. Here is how you get your tickets. 

It's been 5 years since I last visited Genting Highlands but that was for an entire week of work (was interning at MTVAsia). There was hardly any time to simply relax and enjoy even though I did sped a lot of time at Highlands Hotel The Bakery (they have decent sandwiches and desserts) and Coffee Terrace for their International buffet.
Fast forward 5 years and I was given the opportunity to visit the place again as a tourist. Was invited by Nuffnang to join LadyIronChef for a foodie trail plus catch Khalil Fong's concert. It couldn't get better than this.
Decided to bring my aunt (affectionately known as my Mama) with me on the trip. This is the most important woman in my life (mum comes second) and I love to bring her out to experience new things like trying new cuisines or visiting new places together.

Anyway, Genting remained the same as I remembered. Best way to get away from the heat in Singapore, thanks to the cool weather. I'm not too sure if predictability and consistency are good traits that RWG should maintain (in certain aspects) because the facade was as dated as back when I was a kid. It's almost like stepping into a time capsule. A little nostalgic but I don't quite appreciate it that way.
I stayed at Resorts Hotel previously which has quite decent amenities and the interior was a little more polished. This time we were put up at First World Hotel and let's just say this would never be on my accommodation list if I were given a choice. Even the easy going Mama was complaining about the lack of bath items and how spartan the deluxe room was and she is a very simple lady. Well I guess it really boils down to your budget. If you want a cheap and no frills lodging, this would be it. It's comfortable enough for a short weekend. If you want something more luxe, go for the better rooms/suites at Highlands Hotel, Resorts Hotel or The Maxims.

Lodging aside, the plus points of First World Hotel is that it has the largest shopping arcade and tons of dining options ranging from fast food, hawker to mini restaurants. Entertainment wise, there is 1 cinema and a karaoke lounge as well as an indoor theme park which is perfect for the kiddies. In fact, the Mama and I woke up early to catch the 4D Little Prince ride because she really enjoyed the Shrek one at Universal Studio Singapore. For RM8 per pax, I think it's inexpensive for a 20min ride and thus I can discount the lackluster 4D experience (to me it was just 3d with the rocking chair motion). We spent more money on the photograph they took of us (rm30).

What we both enjoyed was our little excursion to the Farms. Along with some other bloggers and Brad, we headed to the lower Skyway area and that's where the Strawberry, Lavender and Mushroom farms were located.

The simple pleasures in life. Plucking our own mutant strawberries. It's RM6 for 100g. We only picked a few because the prettier ones are already in boxes (RM15/box). Well I still prefer those that I had in England. These are skinnier and more tart.
Marveling at the wonders of Nature's creations.
The Mama has green fingers and she loves the fruits and plants in the farm. She kept wishing she had a pair of scissors so she can graft the roses back home. Haha.

The Lavenders were not in season yet and we only saw a few pitiful stalks. This made me miss Croatia with all her vibrant and flourishing wild lavender bushes.
Too bad they don't have a mushroom restaurant here. They really ought to do something like Mushroom Pot here though. I would love to sample the fresh fungi. That would definitely trump the diluted strawberry milk tea that they were selling just next door.

How to get there- cab from the resorts on meter would cost you about RM20. To prevent us from getting conned, the Genting people helped us book cabs for our journey. It costs RM35 per way. Just tell the driver that you want to go to the Lower Skyway Strawberry Farm, which is together with the mushroom and lavender farms.
Another highlight was obviously the Khalil Fong concert. I love this dude even though I haven't been following him actively. The other bloggers were surprised to know that Mama actually knows this guy. This lady watches Taiwanese variety shows. She was clapping enthusiastically during the concert. So cute. The bloggers were given different class tickets from our plus 1 and I wasn't very pleased about leaving her somewhere else during the show. Zyon, an ecoblogger, was really nice to exchange tickets with us so that Mama can sit in front with me. Anyway, i gotta say that the Arena of Stars is quite a good place to have a concert. Hsiao Jing Teng is gonna be performing there soon.

We even managed to grab a backstage pic with Khalil after the show.
Bleah. Too many cameras and they didn't coordinate at all so I ended up looking at the wrong cam. Grr. Nevertheless, cool dude, great songs and performance. I like how he's a little awkward and in his own world.
So yeap. This is what we did other than all the eating. It's supposed to be a food trip after all. Thanks for Nuffnang and Resorts World Genting for the trip. My little old lady enjoyed herself quite a fair bit and that's what matters to me the most. More on my favorite eats in Genting in the next post!

Malaysia on Dwellable

I hate packing for a trip. It's so much trouble really. I'm not sure how many share my sentiments on this but S surely doesn't. He just grabs a couple of tee and shorts and jeans and he's done. "It's ok to wear the same thing again", he says. Me? It's a lot more complicated than that.

So how do I pack? Well.. First, make a mental list of the places we'll go and the activities we'll participate in. Also, check for dress code for restaurants. Then begins the whole fashion parade in my room which involves changing in and out of various permutation and combination of tee, blouses, jeans, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, jumpers... I'm not even being specific here with the rompers, jumpsuits, midi, maxi etc.. Accessorizing is another ballpark altogether. This is why packing is torture for me.
As you can tell, I'm not one of those people who think that it's absolutely okay to wear your lousiest clothes on holidays just because people don't recognize you. It is a matter of aesthetics! Some people just don't get it, even at home where they'd be recognized. These people should not be let out of their houses really. Oh my burning retinas. It's one thing to have confidence but another to be delusional about what clothes fit you. I do not claim to be a fashionista but at least I dress to hide my flaws and I look decent in public.

I digress. Back to the topic of packing. I've tried various methods over the years in order to maximize my luggage space just so that I can look well coordinated and presentable and yet have space to bring home more shopping.

Tip 1: Never fold your clothes individually
They take up way too much space. There are air pockets that are hard to eliminate when you pack this way. I only use this methods for bulky items like jeans. Then again, i'd wear jeans on board just so that I can save precious space in the luggage. ;)

Tip 2: Roll up clothes that don't crinkle
In my earlier years I would simply roll each piece and store them neatly. It's easy to identify which one I wanna wear as well. The prob is that everything ends up being quite crumpled and I would have to hang everything up once I get to the hotel and even iron them sometimes. Not something you can do if you're gonna be on the road the whole time.

Tip 3: Lay them, Stack them, fold into half
This is my current preferred method. Since my clothes aren't bulky, it's easier to just lay them on top of another. I would categorize them by types as well so that it'll easier to find what I wanna wear. Once done, fold them into half and store. This reduces wrinkles too!

Tip 4: Vacuum Bag Everything
This is the trick to getting extra space. Air is useless and you don't wanna be carrying them. Get these vacuum bags from Daiso (only S$2 each, various sizes). I'll put all my clothes in and proceed to squeeze all the air out. You can even do it manually! I've managed to bag a ski suit, 1 long and 1 short wool coat into a Vbag and it didn't even take up much of my luggage space!

Tip 5: Go For Basics
I'm obviously not one who packs light, as hard as I try. This Croatia trip alone I have with me 5 pairs of footwear, 1 outfit for each day, gym wear, 2 sets of swimwear and sleepwear as well. Not the best person to give advice but here is my wardrobe's worth. The above picture is only missing 1 shoebag, and my Longchamp travel bag. Not bad for a heavy packer like me!

For Her: A pair of dark colored shorts and jeans, tank tops, a girly blouse, a pair of heels/pumps for party, a versatile dress that brings you from day to night. To change the look of your outfit, simply accessorize.

For Him: A combination of tees/polo, shorts, slippers, loafers, a proper shirt could bring you anywhere you need to be. Suit up if you must. You have plenty of room in your trunk anyway. Guys have it much easier. Some people say that a man's best accessory is his partner. Apart from his watch and ride. ;)

Ok. Hope this helps if you are packing for your trip! Oh all these don't apply if you have a huge 29" luggage (which i do, coincidentally) Just throw everything in and go! I like mine organized though. :P Or if you have plenty of dough to spare, just buy everything overseas. At least people won't be wearing the same stuff as you back home.

Tata people. My holiday beckons.

XOXO,
C.

When it comes to beach destinations, most would consider Maldives for a luxurious and decadent getaway ie expensive or Bali and Phuket for something affordable and accessible ie touristy. Well, for somewhere that has the best of both worlds, I recommend Boracay, Philippines.

Boracay is about 6 hours away from Singapore (inclusive of flight and land-boat transfer to hotel) which makes it doable for a short getaway. That said, I'd recommend at least a full 4 days for a relaxing trip. The problem with me and beach holidays is that i get bored easily. Thankfully, the accessibility to a host of activities kept us sufficiently occupied. Other than lying on the beach and chilling out, here are some things you could do in Boracay.

Island hopping 

While it may sound like a tourist trap, I quite enjoyed my morning out at sea. We did a private island hopping tour which only costs a wee bit more than the group package. The privacy was certainly worth it as we scooted around in our personal boat plus guide for a good 4-5 hours or so. This would cost about 1600PHP/US$36 per pax.

Do not give Crystal Cove a miss when you are in Boracay. There are caves and coves to be explored and turquoise waters to be admired. I didn't think i'd see such blue in the SEA region (the last time was Croatia!)

Tip: Make sure you get those waterproofed pouches for your camera and phone. We were pretty much soaked just getting to the caves. And here's S before the waves came crashing in and up towards him.

Snorkeling was included as well and the gears were provided for. I find that it's not necessary to dive because you can see the fishes so clearly from the top. Plus snorkeling is way more convenient than diving. That said, diving is pretty affordable in Boracay is about 1600PHP/US$36 per dive.

Whatever you do, DO NOT go Helmet Diving (1500PHP, 30mins). It's kinda lame but included in our itinerary anyway. It was this or banana boat and I rather be bored than be thrown at high speed into the waters. Though the thought of our oxygen supply being cut while underwater. Anyway it was a lame 15mins of our lives feeding fishes and being photographed/videographed while at it. Do not waste your money on this.

Another lame activity (part of the island hopping tour) was fishing. It involved a primitive way of baiting fishes using a 'fishing rod' made out of a string and a plastic bottle. We felt like we were being forced to catch some fishes just to kill time. Thankfully that was just a short filler. 

After swimming with the fishes, we had a seafood lunch by the beach. Nothing fanciful- some satay, soy meat, stewed vegetables etc. The highlight was the steamed/boiled crab.

We didn't expect too much from this sad looking crab. Well I've been too pampered by the flavorful and fancifully cooked crabs in Singapore so this didn't look too appealing to me. That was until we were showed how to eat this crab. Little wooden blocks were provided for the purpose of bludgeoning the crab to pieces Flintstones way. The red amours were cracked, sweet and briny juices spilled, and finally succulent white flesh devoured. Yums!

Kite Surfing. Boracay has really good winds and calm waters at Bulabog Beach and the conditions are ideal for kite surfing. We woke up to pretty kites every morning when we were staying at 7 Stones Boracay Resort. There are many kite surfing schools for your picking and the prices are cheap in the region.

Other water sports such as Stand up Paddling and Kayaking are available too. 

Sunset Sailing is certainly recommended. You can do it on a Paraw, which is a traditional long  sail boat with two outriggers and sails (1000PHP for 2pax, 1h). We lay on the nets right above the waters with our feet just skimming the surface and enjoyed the view of the burning sun. Parasailing is a good option if you're not afraid of heights (2200PHP/pax, 15mins).

Dining and Shopping at White Beach, D'Mall. White Beach is the life of Boracay. Most of the hotels are on the White Beach and there are many dining options ranging from budget meals and fast food to specialty restaurants. 2 restaurants that i'd recommend are CYMA Greek restaurant and Dos Mestizos for some really good Spanish Tapas. Quench your thirst with some yummy fruit shakes at Jonah's Fruit Shake & Snack Bar. Their Mango Shake is must. 

You could also shop for some local produce such as dried mangoes (do not forget them!) and other dried goods.

Scoot around in tuk-tuks to explore parts other than the White Beach. I'd recommend heading over to Shangri-La for an awesome view of Boracay. Go for a spa session, do dinner and drinks after. Better yet, book yourself into one of their fabulous villas. ;) We also had a great 4h session at Mandala Spa Boracay.

Of course, if you're not interested in any of the above, it's perfectly fine to just hang by the beach, or your private pool, get a tan, read a book, do whatever. 

So what would you do on a beach holiday? Share with us!

XOXO

Travelerintransit

2012 has been a good year for me. It's been a year since i started this blog and i'm grateful for all the people i've met and all the opportunities that have come my way. So thank you yall! 2012 was the best year of eating and traveling for me. I doubt it could be trumped once i start on my new job. A recount of all the places i visited this year: Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok (check out my best view in BKK post), Genting (with the Nuffies), Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Bali (luxing at Alilas Soori), Hong Kong, Kyoto and Osaka.  

So, to end off my year with a big bang, i'm off The Big Apple and Cuba. Ta da!! The 2 cannot be more opposite. 2 seasons, 2 vastly different countries, a mishmash of cultures, worlds apart in technological link up (oh how will i survive Cuba without Internet) among a million other things.

Credits: Whatyourbucketlist

I cannot tell you how hard it was for this trip to materialize. There was little information from this region's travelers (ICA tells me few Singaporeans go to Cuba) and the troublesome VISA application (we don't have a Cuban embassy in Singapore). But the stars aligned for us and now it's one more place off my bucket list of places to go before i die! :))

Credits: http://josvo.tumblr.com/

I'll be backpacking for the first time in my life and taking the public transport from city to city in Cuba. (Only in Cuba. My Balenciaga and BaoBao will be put to good use in NYC). We usually drive but it's not advised due to the poor road conditions. Anyway, don't expect your regular backpacking with me, I believe i have a planned outfit for every day of the 2 weeks that i'll be there. Heh. That will definitely be a funny story to tell (probably from S's point) so watch this space. 

Credits: http://josvo.tumblr.com/

Hit me with all the passionate salsa dancing, neat Cuban rum and refreshing mojitos and Cuban cigar. I'm ready for it. 

If Cuba were all torture (i highly doubt that), the reward of the Upper East Side (no less) and Fifth Avenue would certainly cheer me up come Christmas. That's when i would unleash the starving monster in me and visit all the fabulous restaurants in New York City. They include Daniel, Momofuku, Le Bernardin, Stanton Social, Balthazar and Babbo among the many others that i'm gonna check out. You guys will be in for a treat.

Don't worry, the blog won't be dead. I've been working very hard to schedule regular posts over the next 3 weeks so you guys won't starve while i'm gone. 

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram or Facebook to get instant updates from the US of A. 

See you folks! And have a Merry Holidays!

XOXO,

C.

Media Invite

Was invited by the cool folks at Heineken to learn more about their beer pouring technique coined the "Heineken Star Serve". I was quite psyched because Frank Yu, the one and only Heineken Draught Master, was going to teach us how to pour the perfect pint. I think it's every guy's dream to open a bar and a female bartender is like woah COOL? Pardon this little fantasy of mine.

The event was held at The Exchange (more about their food later) which is located at Asia Square Tower, right smack in the CBD area. Nice place to chill out after work but not exactly conducive for teaching inebriated bloggers how to pour themselves a beer (hee hee). I swear we were all kinda dancing to the music with beer in hand. :P

Back to Frank. He's Singapore's one and only appointed draught master who has gone all the way to Amsterdam, the birthplace of Heineken to undergo intensive training sessions before he was awarded the coveted title of Heineken Draught Master. The training in Amsterdam is the first of its kind to be conducted by Heineken's Global Draught Master, Franck Evers, and only 8 were selected from all over the world to participate in the programme.

I think most of us were thinking it couldn't be THAT hard to pour a glass of beer. But as proven by the  picture above, things could obviously go quite wrong. Frank was really patient with all of us as he went through the different steps. We learnt that the foam (head) is quite essential. Too much and you don't get your drink, too little and it'd be too flat. 2 cm of foam is just about right. The temperature and cleanliness of the glassware will also affect the taste of the beer. I guess i wasn't that high after all! A+ for being attentive. :))

There are 6 steps to pouring the perfect pint. 1. Rinse the glass and then tilt it 45deg to let the water drip evenly. Excess and uneven water droplets will cause the foam to collapse. 2. Tilt the glass at a 45deg and let the beer run into the glass. Make sure the nozzle isn't too far from the glass. This will prevent too much foaming. 3. When it's almost gonna overflow, gently tilt the glass up. 4. Stop the tap when the glass is about full. 5. Let the beer rest and then level the foam by a scraper (not sure what it's called). 6. Serve the pint with the Heineken logo facing the customer and place it on a Heineken coaster. 7. Shout Yum Seng! (i'm kidding about point 7).

My first pint didn't have enough foam because i was too careful! Didn't want it to foam too much. Frank let me have a second go and it turned out to be the perfect serve! Whee! Now now, who wants to hire me as a bartender? ;)

I'm not trying to promote Heineken or anything. In fact, i'm not even a regular beer drinker. I think i only drank a little more when i went to Croatia because beer is so cheap and it's a lot smoother than what we have back home. Most of the time i'd have ciders in Singapore or if i have to, i'd go for Erdinger. I recently tried Heineken, prior to the event, and found that it's quite easy to drink. It goes down quite easily, isn't too gassy or bitter (unlike a popular brand in Sg). Definitely my choice of beer (if i really have to drink one).

Beer on a Monday night? Why not? Think it's the perfect way to get over the dreary Monday blues! :)) Cheers!