thedaintycandy-International-Business-Times-UK: Travel

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Friday, December 6, 2013

River Safari

The hubby brought me to the River Safari today. It's our first time here since the place opened early this year. The key characters in this attraction are the two Pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

River Safari is the newest addition to Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s portfolio of award-winning parks. Nestled between Singapore’s two award-winning wildlife parks – Singapore Zoo and Night Safari – River Safari offers an unforgettable adventure inspired by the world’s most iconic rivers. This $160-million attraction features state-of-the-art exhibit design, Southeast Asia's largest panda exhibit as well as the world's largest freshwater aquarium. Housing one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater fauna, the park features over 5,000 animals including 42 endangered species. And that includes Singapore’s resident giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

Take a leisurely stroll and meander through the park on an exploratory river adventure of the Mississippi, Congo, Nile, Ganges, Murray, Mekong and Yangtze rivers. With the pristine Upper Seletar Reservoir as a backdrop, River Safari is also home to the Giant Panda Forest, Squirrel Monkey Forest and the enchanting Amazon Flooded Forest.

River Safari opens at 9 in the morning, and we were there a little after 9. Although we were there on a Friday, a working day, but we still wish to go earlier to avoid crowds, so that we can enjoy ourselves more.

And our journey starts...

Can you spot the crocodile? It's SO HUGE. Scary.

Big fishes swimming in the tank.

Panda Observatory. Here's the Red Panda. So fluffy cute. Like a soft toy. There are two Red Pandas. One of them is sleeping very soundly and did not move at all.

The red panda or lesser panda is said to be the original panda, having been discovered about 50 years before its giant counterpart. Also known as the firefox due to its bright rust-coloured furry coat and fox-like face, the red panda is slightly larger than size of a domestic cat. it shares some similar traits with the giant panda as both feed predominantly on bamboo and have extra "thumbs" to hold their food.

And here's Kai Kai. He's so cute. I have got the urge to want to hug him.

The upper region of the Yangtze River is where the elusive giant panda calls home. One of the world’s most adored and protected rare animals, this peaceful creature is considered a national treasure in China. With only 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild, it has become the world’s most recognised symbol for wildlife protection and conservation.

Kai Kai is chomping on the bamboo shoots.

Can you see his tongue?

More chomping...

And he decided he needs a nap. Yawns...

And snooze..

Snooze......

Jia Jia is no where to be found. I walked back and forth and back, but she is just too shy.

She's not even seen in the CCTV in her den.

We had a little snack at the Mama Panda Kitchen.

At one corner, the chairs are so cute. All pandas.

And to get into the Panda theme, we ordered two Panda buns, one Red Bean and the other Chocolate Custard. The soft drink comes with a souvenir cup. All pandas. To be honest, I was like a kid, being all excited with all the pandas.

After the snack, we continued with the journey. The boat ride down the river was under maintenance. So we missed the ride and all the other animal attractions that are part of the boat ride.

We saw squirrel monkeys next. The monkeys are free to roam around in their enclosure. We are very very close to them.

Among all primates, the squirrel monkey has the heaviest brain in proportion to body mass and having a large brain, makes them an intelligent animal.

Red-Bellied Piranha. A real Piranha. But after reading the description off the board, they are not as scary as those movies make them to be.
Despite a blood-thirsty reputation, the piranha usually consumes dead or weakened animals. It acts as a scavenger and keeps rivers clean. When food is scarce, it may resort to cannibalism.

Manatee 海牛. Manatees are more closely related to elephants. Like elephants, they can live up to 70 years. The Ammazonian manatee is the smallest of the manatees. It weighs up to 480kg and lives only in freshwater. West Indian and West African manatees can be found in marine and freshwater habitats. Large individuals can weigh over 1000 kg.

I love these manatees. They are really really huge. My photos give no justice to the scale of their size. Even though the manatees are huge and can flatten me if they decided to land on me, they seem to be a very gentle specie. Maybe is my own imagination, but the manatees seem to always swim near to me. Heehee...

The hyper active pair of Giant River Otters. Carmen and Carlos.
Hunted for years for its velvety fur and almost driven to extinction, the world’s largest otter, that can grow up to 1.8 metres long, finds refuge within the flooded forests where it can feel safe. Here for the very first time in Asia, observe these beautiful amphibious creatures via a viewing tunnel that runs through their underwater exhibit. Appreciate its gracefulness as it swims or watch them basking lazily on fallen tree trunks above the surface of the Amazon Flooded Forest.

Sad that we were unable to take the boat ride, and missed out on seeing alot of animals.

As we were going out to take the bus back, we saw the mascot for Kai Kai and Jia Jia. So happy. Managed to take a photo with them.

The River is Calling...

River Safari
http://www.riversafari.com.sg/
80 Mandai Lake Road
Singapore 729826

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Weekend : KSL City Mall

A one day holiday trip to our neighbour with the hubby and fil. I suggested going to KSL City Mall as the place is pretty new and both of them had not been here before. Initially, the idea was to take a cab from the immigration. But we took a gamble and headed for the bus interchange. We were on board bus IM17 in 5 minutes. It costs RM1.50 per person. Cheaper than taking a cab.

I wanted to rebond my hair as the mane is getting more and more difficult to manage. Haha I look a mess even after trying hard to tame it. It took me 4 hours in the salon. My tummy is growling from hunger. I should have planned my lunch before sitting here for this long. All this while, the hubby and fil shopped, massaged and lunched. This is the reason why I am scared to do anything about my hair. It takes way too long and I'm bored stiff sitting here.

I did my hair at RCS Hair Studio. Rebond for my hair length at RM 240 (includes cut and wash). The stylist cut away all my existing rebonded hair, so he only worked only virgin hair. My hair length came up to a little below my shoulders. Pretty short, at least 3 inches gone.

I also asked to do treatment for my dry, damaged hair. RM 150. Kérastase from Loreal. The stylist recommended the green with orange combination. Green bottle for the "cement" to close up the pores of the hair, as the heat from rebonding opened them up. Orange for the "moisture", to add moisture to the heated up hair.

Finally I'm done with my hair. For four long hours. The hubby and fil was already outside when I was done. I guess they were already bored with the place. I had my lunch at Causeway Bay Hong Kong Cafe.

The hubby's Macau Pork Bun. So nice of him to accompany me eat when he is already very full from his lunch and break. Haha..

I did not managed to walk in KSL City Mall, as both the men were bored of the place. Hence I suggested we head back to City Square, take a walk and we can head back home after that. My, City Square JB changed alot. Bought some snacks and we were on our way back. Many others were on their way back to Singapore too. Pretty long queue at the Malaysia Immigration, and an even longer queue at the Malaysia bus station. The queue reaches the stairs down from the Immigration.

I wonder when would be my next overseas trip. Haha..

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Win a trip to Boracay

Fancy winning a trip for two to Boracay, a tropical paradise located on a small island of Philippines? Boracay has been recently ranked number 1 on Travel + Leisure’s ‘World’s Best Islands’ list. The recommended time to visit Boracay is during the Northeast wind season, between October and June, with moderate temperature (25–32 °C), little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the NorthEast.

Read more on http://blog.omy.sg/boracay-island-escapade/about-boracay or on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boracay

Image borrowed from http://contests.omy.sg/boracay-island-escapade/

Stand a chance to win a trip for 2 to Boracay Island, Philippines.
Vote for your favourite blogger. There is only one winning voter though.

1 lucky voter will be picked to win a 5D4N trip for 2 to Boracay*!

Voting ends: 12:00PM 30 August 2013

The prize includes:

Return airfare on Tigerair Philippines from Singapore to Kalibo and fuel taxes.
4 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast
Return coach-boat transfers from Kalibo to Boracay
Selected water sport activities (fly fish, helmet diving & island hopping tour)

Prize excludes:
Personal expenses, Meals, Gratuities, International terminal fee of PHP550/person, Travel insurance, Check-in luggage allowance

See Terms and Conditions

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Staycation in JB: KSL Resort Hotel

My gf was itching for a trip/travel/vacation, to mark the end of her "torture". She's finally graduating from her one year long project. Congrats girl~

Exterior view. It was very hot outside.

So, we went JB Malaysia's KSL City & Resort Hotel, one of the newer mall and hotel in the area, for our one night staycation during the weekends. We had pre-booked a Superior Room online via their website but due to some mixed up, we were upgraded to the Deluxe Room with no additional charge. Our room is located on the 22nd floor and I feel it's considered quite small. There's a bathtub in the bathroom, and also WiFi connection that requires login that only allows two devices to login per room at one time.

Our room

We were quite unlucky as there was a jam in the morning on our way in. But after we got there, we did lots of stuff there: Manicure - Pedicure, Massage, Shopping, Movie (We watched Hangover 3), and ate lots. I went for a hair cut too (and the hairstylist is cute and handsome *drool*). The mall is quite huge. To a point that we keep getting lost initially. Somehow we got a little more orientated on where we should head to after some time.

We did our nails at Nails Studio (L2-103). Not really recommended. GF1 did her gelish nails and pedicure that cost her RM135, that was completed in less than an hour, and comments was that end product was quite rough, not to standard. GF2 and I did classic pedicure, RM38 and same feelings, we felt short changed.

Alot of chairs and manicurists. There's not so much biz in the early afternoon. There's free WiFi here.

I did my hair at RCS Hair Studio (L2-11) for RM45, that includes a shoulder massage, wash and cut. My hairstylist, Leslie, is quite good looking LOL. My hair looks great for the day.

*drool*

We went for a massage at QS Reflexology & Therapy. Foot massage 40minutes for RM30, Shoulder massage 30minutes for RM35. Very shiok, very pain lol.

We ate at these places

Cawan Mas Cafe (L1-101) - Breakfast. All that we ordered was nice! Either that or we were too hungry. Hot coffee, tea, curry puffs and toasted sandwiches.

Breakfast~

Causeway Bay Hong Kong Cafe (LG-39 & 40) - Love the Cheesy noodles.

... Photos to be updated ...

Sushi King Japanese Restaurant ( LG-49 to 51) - Oh man.. I ate lots of the salmon sushi and salmon belly sushi.. Love~~ But the service alittle slow. We showed ourselves in and after a long time someone finally asked if we needed drinks, and after a reminder, they then serve the drinks.

Salmon at RM4 per plate (or was it RM5?)

Taroyami (10, Jalan Serigala, Taman Abad, 80250, Johor) - This dessert stall is located outside the mall, one street away. We ordered a Taroyami Black & White [RM7.90] and White and a Sour Temptation [RM6.90]. I prefer the first, as the latter is too sour for me.

Yummy, but not much business though, quite empty

Taroyami Black & White

It was a great trip with my girlfriends. Finally we got to travel together for the first time.

Some things to note though:

The official taxi counter charges us RM10.90, when the meter jumped only to RM5.10. And for our trip back, the taxi uncle charged us RM8. So now you know the market rate to haggle the next time you go, anything below the first price =P
WiFi connection is stronger in the corridor than in room
No worries about missing your favourite Mediacorp shows LOL
The swimming pool is considered.... a public pool.
The tap card system at the lift does not work. Anyone is able to go up.
Shut the curtains before going to sleep. The morning sun blinded us LOL.

KSL City
http://www.kslcity.com.my/

KSL Resort Hotel
http://kslresorts.com.my/

33 Jalan Seladang Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor 07-288 2888

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Cruise Holiday on Costa Atlantica - Day 4

Day 4. Last day of our holiday. Time passed by so quickly especially when you are having fun.

I woke up with a strained neck *sobs* I am unable to turn my head at all. Even when I wanted to laze on the bed for a while more, the neck screamed pain. Sigh. What a way to start the day.

We have to vacant the room by 10am (although we are docking in Singapore at 3pm), so even with my super painful neck, we prepared and went for breakfast at Deck 2's Tiziano Restaurant as we were quite sure that the Self Serve Restaurant at Deck 9 is already crowded with people.

Very pretty spread of pastries. Yummy

Breakfast - so many eggs

After filling our tummies, we went back to our cabin and packed our stuff and vacanted the place by 10am. Costa Atlantica provided us a service to help us hold on to our hand luggages while we continued to enjoy ourselves onboard. The queue was LONG.

While queuing, we saw this. Someone bought TV during the trip?? Wow. Amazing.

Our number tag for the hand luggages

Even though we should enjoy ourselves with the remaining time, we were not sure what to do. Can't go swimming or gym or anything that will induce sweating since we no longer are able to go back to our cabin. We just sat around watching Running Man on the tablet and went shopping in the shops.

Hot guy in pink shorts and shell bikini (sorry for the lousy photo. paparazzi shot)

I'm not too sure why, but both of us were feeling tired and exhausted. Is it the sun? The heat? Or the boredom from waiting? But we sure were happy to see the Marina Bay Cruise Centre to come to view. And before going to the theatre to wait for our cabin's color to be called for disembarkation, we grabbed two slices of the yummy pizza =P

Welcome back to Singapore.

Our last 2 slices of yummy pizza on board. Really YUMMY =D

The trip is fun. But the waiting time and doing nothing is not. And my stupid neck even made me cranky on this last day =(

My Cruise Holiday Posts:
Cruise Holiday on Costa Atlantica - Prelude
Cruise Holiday on Costa Atlantica - Day 1
Cruise Holiday on Costa Atlantica - Day 2
Cruise Holiday on Costa Atlantica - Day 3
Cruise Holiday on Costa Atlantica - Day 4

Cruise Holiday on Costa Atlantica - Epilogue

Costa Cruises

http://www.costacruisesasia.com/pao/costa_atlantica.html

Cruise Holiday on Costa Atlantica - Day 3

Day 3. Happy 5th year AD wedding anniversary. And it's Vesak Day, a public holiday in Singapore. Today we are disembarking at George Town, Penang. But the duration is much shorter than the disembarkation in Malacca. We intended to wake up earlier, but we unintentionally snoozed =P

We have docked at Penang

Breakfast at deck 9. All vegetarian for the hubby but I still ate meat >.<

There are lots of pretty pastries today ^^

Today, we do not need to take a transfer ferry to the port. The ship is docked next to the port.

The front of the ship

Did our last minute homework at the port. They have maps of George Town around the exit of the place.

We Are Here

Our first stop: Jubilee Clock Tower (wiki). On the map, it looks far, but it's actually very near and we almost missed it.

To commemorate Queen Victoria's 1897 Diamond Jubilee, a Jubilee Clock Tower was constructed in George Town, Penang (at the time a British Straits Settlement) in the same year at junction of Lebuh Light (Light Street) and Lebuh Pantai (Beach Street). Built in a Moorish style, the tower is sixty feet tall, one foot for each year of Victoria's reign.

The clock tower from different angle.

Second stop: Fort Cornwallis (wiki). We bought our admission tickets and exposed ourselves to sun and cannons. Lots of big and small cannons surrounding the fort.

Fort Cornwallis - Bringing history life

A fort of 'nipah palm' was built in 1786 by Captain Francis Light & named after the then Governor-General of India. Rebuilt in 1810 with a moat; this star shaped fort was used for administration rather than defense. First recorded marriage in chapel 1799, when Light's widow, Martina Rozells married John Timmers.

The star-shaped Fort Cornwallis stands at the place where Francis Light and his crew landed in 1786, to 'take possession' of Penang island. At first a stockade made of nibong palm trunks was erected, but this was quickly replaced by a brick fort. In old paintings and postcards Fort Cornwallis can be seen surrounded by a moat and containing a number of buildings within its walls: of these the Christian chapel and a gunpowder magazine still stand. Fort Cornwallis is the best-preserved fort in Peninsular Malaysia.

Fort Cornwallis was gazette on 8 September 1977, under the Antiquities Act 168/1976, as an Ancient Monument and Historic Site.

Opens Daily 9am to 7pm
Ticket Price- Adult RM2, Children RM1

The entrance. We braved the sun and walked a big round to look for it. lol

Captain Francis Light's Statue

The gunpowder magazine inside and outdoors

Third stop: Kuan Im Temple. Initially we wanted to go to the Indian temple since it's Vesak Day and we saw a road sign for it. We were in Little India, and walked a few streets but could not find. Nevertheless, we found a Goddess of Mercy Temple, and we prayed there.

The Kong Hock Keong Kuan Im popularity called Goddess of Mercy Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in George Town. It was established in 1800 by early settlers as a centre for their religious and communal activities. In the past, the Kong Hock Keong Kuan Im at the temple tribunal often provide mediation to settle disputes within the community. Today, it is still a spiritual landmark for the Chinese in George Town

There were alot of people today.

Fourth stop: Break time. We rested a while at this coffeeshop and enjoyed a Penang white coffee and a plate of Penang Char Kuay Teow.

Quite alot of locals here.

Fifth stop: House of Yeap Chor Ee. Our last stop too. When we arrived at this destination, I was feeling giddy from the sun and heat. Time was another factor too. I have decided to write up another post for this museum as there are alot of information and pictures for this legendary Chinese man. Read more in the other post (coming soon...).

The House of Yeap Chor Ee was the first home of Yeap Chor Ee, a young immigrant who came to Penang in 1885 and worked as a barber before becoming a captain of industry at the turn of the 20th century.

The building was turned into a Social History Gallery in 2008. Through the journey of Yeap Chor Ee, the gallery gives an insight into his remarkable life and the lives of immigrants who arrived on the island from China, more than 100 years ago.

It was a very educational tour. Now I know why people like museums. But it's important to have good audio guide =)

The weather was a killer even after the last stop. I wanted to run back to the ship so that I can reach there quicker, but the problem is just that I have no more energy. We saw Star Cruise Libra docked at the pier too. Very significant difference in size. First thing we did getting back onboard, was to head to the restaurant. Hydrated ourselves with ice cold lemon tea (self made) and lunch. LOL.

The port/pier. On the left, Costa Atlantica. On the right, Star Cruise Libra. Can see which is bigger? lol

After we got our rest, we went up to the upper decks to see our ship leave the pier. At the upper most top level, there's a sports area. Basketball, football and jogging track. There were other passengers who also thought of being on the top deck to see the departure

The sports area

Can you see the Penang bridge?

Since we had an hour before the disembarkation briefing, and not sure what to do, and we decided to go find a basketball to loan. But while we were leaving, a family came up with a basketball. Sigh... And then we saw a table tennis table, why not? The loaning of the rackets are free, but for two balls, USD1. Wow...

Let's play ping pong.

45 minutes later, I'm exhausted and losing focus. Rehydrated ourselves and headed to the theatre for the briefing. Strong aircon~~~ The briefing was a little late, and the hubby was busy crushing candy. Haha.. The briefing was quite confusing, cos he loop-explained some of the points and the actual keypoints, I feel, if they jus put into paper, it's so easily understood, save us an hour. Even the survey, we have to be debriefed =.=

The disembarkation briefing

It's rest time in our cabin. All we did was just shower, laze around, and watched sunset. Rest. I like the feeling. Not rushing to go anywhere do anything but see the open sea and watch the sky.

The clouds approaching the sun.. Turning dark and I thought no more sunset but the clouds cleared after a while

The dark clouds moved off but the sun is still partially covered by the clouds

Panaroma view

After dinner, we headed to the Caruso Theater for a magic show by White Magic with magician, Michael White and his partner, Hulan Svobodova. It was very interesting at the second half of the show when they did illusion magic. COOL. Follow them on twitter @WhiteMagicShow.