Travelwhenever
Tag

restaurant

Browsing
In Thailand

Sights & Sounds: 4D3N at Khao Yai, Pak Chong District

No Comments

Be frivolous. Be brave.

TravelWhenever

Day 1 Highlights

Rai Maneesorn (Sunflower Field)

Midwinter Green Khao Yai (Restaurant)

Day 2 Highlights

Khao Yai National Park (Important Information)

Haew Suwat Waterfall (in Khao Yai National Park)

Haew Narok Waterfall (in Khao Yai National Park)

Khao Yai 30km. View Point (in Khao Yai National Park)

Dinner at ครัวหญ้าคาเขาใหญ่ (Thai Restaurant)

Day 3 Highlights

Palio Khao Yai

The Chocolate Factory Khao Yai

PB Valley Khao Yai Winery

TIPS?!

IGTV

Best time to visit Khao Yai:End November to Early January
Recommended length of visit at Khao Yai:~ 3 nights (max. 4 nights at best, and really stretching it!)

With the constant advertisements on the things to do beyond Bangkok city itself, we have places like Hua Hin (~ 2.5 hours from Bangkok) and Khao Yai (~ 3 hours from Bangkok) popping up every so often. Which reminds me, I should probably start working on my Hua Hin article soon huh. 😀

Khao Yai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khao Yai National Park is the third largest and probably the most visited! If you were to do a quick google image search on Khao Yai, you would probably see quaint-looking buildings that you would not believe they are actually located in Thailand. The buildings / hotels are designed to make you feel like you are in some European scene immersed in lush green calmness. Well, at least that was my impression of Khao Yai even before I went. Oh and also not to forget the amazing sunflower fields filling the entire vista!

J and I trying to catch the sunlight.

There are so many luxurious themed hotels that will take your breath away and be just spoil for choices, so I will not delve into that. Let me bring you through my 4D3N stay at Khao Yai – things in my itinerary you can probably forgo and things that are must dos!

Day 1 Highlights: Rai Maneesorn (Sunflower Field)

Operating Hours:07 00 – 18 00 daily
Entrance Fee:Foreigner: 80 Baht / pax

Local Adult: 40 Baht / pax

Local Child: 20 Baht / pax

(collection of fee happens at the carparking area; someone will signal you to wind down your window and pay up as you are parking your vehicle)
Recommended length of visit:~ 1 – 2 hours

(depending on how intense you want your sunflower selfie game to be)
Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

We arrived at the sunflower field at about 16 30. Considering that the sun would be setting in about 1.5 hours’ time, there were not many visitors. The evening air was cooling and crisp! There was not much I could ask for. Everyone could find their own little spot around the big vast field to have plentiful of beautiful pictures with the sunflowers and not be obstructed. The distant sunset as the backdrop added an awesome texture to the whole peripheral vision I must say!

You will not be stopped by anyone when you step onto and between the rows of sunflowers on the planting field. Just make sure you are gracious enough to do not pluck, destroy or stomp on any sunflowers in the process! 😀

As there are not much shady areas to hide from the sultry afternoon sun, I suggest visiting the field in the morning or evening! I would prefer the evening.

This sunflower field is a must visit place when in Khao Yai. You have to make sure you do not miss it!

Day 1 Highlights: Midwinter Green Khao Yai (Restaurant)

Operating Hours:10 00 – 22 00 daily
Personal Breakdown Rating: (out of 5)Ambience 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Service 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Food Quality 🙂 🙂
Overall Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂
Total Damage (per pax):~ 1150 Baht

(This also depends on what exactly you are order. We had 2 mains and 2 sides.)

The WOW factor of course came from the ambience. I have to say it is probably one of the most romantic dinner spots I have seen, especially the outdoor seating – which by the way, has people queuing for. We decided to take the indoor seating as it was a pretty cold night and I was already freezing my arse off just walking from the parking lot all the way to the restaurant.

Outside Midwinter Green restaurant.

The outdoor seating took my breath away with its dim lightings and candles on each table. There was also a stage outside with a live band. I would say it would make a perfect date night! However, being me, I could not appreciate it that much as I wonder how long would anyone’s bowl of cream of mushroom soup remain hot out in the cold? 15 seconds or less? Haha! 😀

The restaurant’s property is amazingly lit. Alas, food wise… … I would say for the price I paid for, it was definitely going to the ambience. I could get better food with such a price point elsewhere I reckon, but of course that is just my opinion.

Unless you just want to splurge and have a chill expensive dinner night out, I would think you can just give this restaurant a miss.

Khao Yai National Park (Important Information)

Address:There are 2 entrances into Khao Yai National Park.

Khao Yai National Park Southern Fee Entrance Station
Noen Hom, Mueang Prachinburi District, Prachin Buri 25230, Thailand

Khao Yai National Park Northern Fee Entrance Station
Lam Takhong Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

I would reckon most of us would be coming in from the Northern entrance as most accommodations are located there.
Operating Hours of  Khao Yai National Park:06 00 – 18 00 daily
Entrance Fee: (one-time payment into the park will allow you to see all the sights within the park)Adult Foreigner: 400 Baht / pax

Child Foreigner: 200 Baht / pax

Local Adult: 40 Baht / pax

Local Child: 20 Baht / pax

NOTE: Entrance ticket is only valid for 1 day. If you are setting up camp or staying in some bungalows in the National Park, then the ticket is valid for 3 days!
Recommended length of visit:~ 6 – 8 hours
Overall Personal Rating of National Park: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 (a brush of fresh air in the outskirts)

Day 2 Highlights: Haew Suwat Waterfall (in Khao Yai National Park)

Operating Hours:follow that of Khao Yai National Park
Recommended length of visit:~ 1 hour
Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

We were there at about 09 00 and there were already quite a handful of people. From the parking lot, we had to walk 200 m on uneven ground and down a series of flight of stairs. Definitely wearing firm gripping shoes is much needed.

You need to navigate through loose rocks underfoot and boulders before having the waterfall directly right in front of you.

To get a more artistic angle of the waterfall, venture further towards a mini cave-like indent on the right. Not much people would manoeuvre their way there, so you have quite a bit of personal space to enjoy the waterfall!

This sight was definitely a nice way to start the cold morning!

Day 2 Highlights: Haew Narok Waterfall (in Khao Yai National Park)

Operating Hours:follow that of Khao Yai National Park
Recommended length of visit:~ 1 hour
Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂

We were there at about noon,  and oh boy the crowd was man insane. By this time, the weather was not very forgiving. The humidity, together with the mosquitoes, were starting to get to our skin.

We started with a gentle descend on concrete ground for about 10 minutes followed by crossing a wooden bridge. There was a rest point and a viewing area of the river before a flight of steps up.

View from the wooden bridge.

Thereafter, we had to make our way down a series of incredibly narrow steep steps to the viewing deck of the waterfall. Good thing there were handle bars on each side for people to have an additional grip, as it can be proven a challenge for some visitors.

There is no rush, so just take your time to make your way there!

Comparing Haew Suwat Waterfall and this waterfall, I would prefer the earlier. I guess the part of manoeuvring through the boulders and getting into the little cave-like indent still gets to me instead of just mere viewing the waterfall from the top deck down.

On a side note, not related to this waterfall… …We settled for a simple lunch at Noen Homme Café (just outside Khao Yai National Park, exiting the Khao Yai National Park Southern Fee Entrance Station), about 15 minutes’ drive from the waterfall.

Oh I have to say, their sliced cake was so so good. I am not sure if it was because I was so hungry, but it was really good. Haha! 😀

Day 2 Highlights: Khao Yai 30km. View Point (in Khao Yai National Park)

Mountainous vista from view point.
Operating Hours:follow that of Khao Yai National Park
Recommended length of visit:~ 20 minutes
Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂

After speaking with Noen Homme Café owner, we took a longer respite and decided to forgo the other attractions that was planned. She recommended that we headed back as the sun was setting and the drive to the Khao Yai National Park Northern Fee Entrance Station was a distance away. She mentioned that wild animals tend to start roaming at dusk and can be a little dangerous.

Hence, we decided to just take our time to drive back to our accommodation up North now that we had quite a bit of time to spare having forgo an attraction or two!

This viewing point was unplanned. There were many cars parked on the side, and that caught our attention. We decided to follow suit and did not regret it! The view was amazingly calming! You can see the distant hills and the valley just below. It was evening and the cool breeze now envelopes the surroundings. A nice way to end of a day trip in Khao Yai National Park!

Day 2 Highlights: Dinner at ครัวหญ้าคาเขาใหญ่ (Thai Restaurant)

Address:101/3 หมู่5 ตำบลหมูสี ปากช่อง Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Operating Hours:10 00 – 20 00 daily
Personal Breakdown Rating: (out of 5)Ambience 🙂 🙂 🙂
Service 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Food Quality 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Overall Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Total Damage (per pax):~ 425 Baht (this also depends on what exactly you are order)
For only 2 girls, we sure did order a hell load!

It was a random Google searched restaurant just 5 minutes’ drive from our accommodation. We wanted to eat something local. For the price range and quality of Thai dishes, I would imperatively say I would go back again. Really not a bad Thai restaurant! Yum yum! Ah how I miss Thai food!

Day 3 Highlights: Palio Khao Yai

Operating Hours:Sunday – Thursday (08 30 – 21 00)
Saturday & Public Holiday (08 30 – 22 00)
Recommended length of visit:~ 1.5 – 2 hour
Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂

We started the day by ambling through a shopping complex that is Tuscan village-themed. I would say there are probably only 3 reasons for you to decide on heading to Palio Khao Yai.

Uno: You are into little handmade trinkets and quirky-looking items for gifts and souvenirs.

Dos: You want a nice place to relax and have a cuppa; soaking up the chill Sunday vibes.

Tres: You want to have an Instagram-worthy shot or shots.

If you want none of the above, I would say just give this a miss. You are not really missing out. Haha! I would not go back to this place again. Not because it is not nice, but I guess themed places maybe isn’t my cuppa, if you know what I mean. Of course, if you are referring to themed parks then that’s totally different! 😀

But I must say this place would definitely score you some insta-worthy shots! That’s for sure!

Day 3 Highlights: The Chocolate Factory Khao Yai

Operating Hours:09 30 – 21 30 daily
Overall Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂
Total Damage (per pax):Approx. typical pricing in a café.

Aye… … I do not know how to put this gently, so just ‘no’ would suffice. That is basically all I can say. Unless you want to buy chocolates home as gifts or even just for yourself, I would not come here. I do not know if the chocolates are nice, because they do not give out samples, but J did bought like a couple back.

Her review and direct quote? ‘It’s not a must buy. Just buy for fun… …to show your support and presence there (Khao Yai).’

Well… ok my darlings, if you want to show your support for local products, then I guess, go right ahead.

We did not dine at the restaurant, just at the café, and had ordered 2 items off their menu. I suggested ordering a third item afterward, not because they were good, but because I wanted to wash down the previously 2 items ordered. It was just not to our taste.

I would say if you love After You Dessert Café in Bangkok, then just stick with that. You can skip this.

Day 3 Highlights: PB Valley Khao Yai Winery

Operating Hours:Sunday – Thursday (08 00 – 20 00)
Friday & Saturday (08 00 – 22 00)
Recommended length of visit:~ 1.5 – 2 hour

(if you are dining at the restaurant, then of course it would be longer)
Personal Rating: (out of 5)🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Other than the sunflower field which I was excited for, visit to this winery was also one of the top things I was looking forward to! I have never been on a vineyard, so I guess new experiences are always refreshing!

PB Valley Estate is the largest vineyard in Khao Yai. The Estate has wine tasting tours that includes a professional guided tour around the vineyard and the explanation about the various wines and grapes.

Guided tours are conducted 6 times daily, and it is about 70 minutes. For more details and booking, click here.

J and I on a working tractor, mind you. Haha!

We took the latest tour slot. I would suggest for that as it is much cooling in the evening and fewer people as well. You could also end off your tour with dinner at the restaurant!

TIPS?!

1If you want to visit the sunflower field, then December is the golden month for you. We went during the first week of December. The flowers bloomed perfectly and plentiful! As we were driving around Khao Yai, we saw many other smaller sunflower patches, so it was not only at Rai Maneesorn.
2We did not fully explore Khao Yai National Park, as it is pretty huge. However, there is one sight I thought it would be nice if we had gone to. Khao Chiew Viewpoint (Pha Diew Dai Cliff). Maybe you can check that out and see it for yourself! 😀

IGTV

I would say this mini road trip to Khao Yai was quite an all rounded one; covering some waterfall attractions, a sunflower field and a vineyard. If you are looking for a sweet escape from Bangkok’s city buzz, then Khao Yai is definitely a scene for you!

So let’s believe that there’s just so much more out there in this world. Believe that there’s so much beauty in this world and Travel Whenever!

For now, let’s just stay home until it is safe.

Dee

by
Continue Reading
In Sights & Sounds

Sights & Sounds: Singha Park (Boon Rawd Farm), Chiang Rai

No Comments

How to get there? 

Best time to visit? 

Getting around Singha Park? 

What you might experience? 

TIPS?! 

Address:

 99 Moo 1, Mae Korn, Amphoe Chiang Rai, Chaing Rai, Thailand 57000

Operating Hours:

 Daily 09 00 – 18 00
Entrance Fee:

FOC; but you do need to pay for other activities you would like to engage in

(e.g. zip lining or wall climbing etc.)
Recommended length of visit:

~ half to a full day

(depending on how intense you want to immerse yourself)

I was blown right away by the picturesque sight I got when we first arrived at Singha Park. Singha Park is the largest agricultural tourism destination in Thailand. Located 450 metres above sea level, and with hectares of fertile soil, this park just blooms beautiful flora all year round!

There is so much to do at Singha Park, from just mere strolling and enjoying solace, to having an awesome bike ride through the tea plantations and lakes to even zip lining and wall climb, and of course, good old fashion chilling at a quaint café enjoying a nice cuppa or two!

Singha Park, owned by Boon Rawd Brewery (the company that manufactures Singha Beer), thus the name Singha Park, would disappoint any visitor who thinks that he/she would find breweries after breweries and endless supply of Singha Beer. This park in the countryside is a family-friendly establishment that really has more hectares of land for tea plantation beyond the horizon than beer supply.

Opened to the general public in 2012, Singha Park was previously known as Boon Rawd Farm. The rich fertile soil that sprawled was once used to grow barley for the beer production. Currently, some areas of Singha Park are left for the original barley fields, but most large land are now for orchards and tea plantations.

 

How to get there?

Car

Since we had the rented car, getting there was pretty simple and so straightforward; with the help of Google Maps of course! We stayed at The Imperial River House Resort in Chiang Rai, quite centrally located I would say.

From the resort, it was approximately a 30 minutes’ drive to Singha Park. You know you have arrived when you see the huge iconic landmark of the Singha mascot!

Tuk- Tuk/ Taxis

Not renting a car? Then the tuk-tuk or the taxi are probably the next most convenient alternative! I am sure you can haggle over the price with them too. But I suggest a rented car or even a motorcycle is still imperatively more convenient.

 

Best time to visit?

Singha Park is open all year round, but visiting the park at the end or early start of the year would render you with much more special memories! Here are 2 reasons why!

1. Cool Season

Firstly, the cool season in Chiang Rai is between November and January. With Mother Nature on your side warding off the sultry humidity, it makes every activity you do so much more bearable right?

Minus the heavy downpour during our first visit to the park and had to seek refuge at a restaurant to have lunch and tea whilst waiting for the rain to subside, the weather was really inundatedly perfect on the second visit. Though a little melancholic and drizzly at intervals, it was cool and breezy; just perfect for strolls and explorations!

2. Singha Park’s Organised Events

When we were there, organisers were setting up for Farm Festival On The Hill. Alas, we were scheduled to leave, if not, we would probably jump at the opportunity for an experience! This annual Farm Fest is the largest music fest in the North of Thailand; with leading music artists all across Thailand coming together and jamming.

Yeah sure it’s not Coachella, but hey we can always embark on new experiences at least once right? Sure I would totally not understand Thai lyrics, but I would probably still enjoy the positive ambience flowing!

And not to mention the International Balloon Fiesta? If I could travel during the period Singha Park was organising the event (14 – 18 February 2017), I would totally go for it. This annual event is a hot air balloon festival and international hot air balloon race. It is also a food fest and a concert by Thai artists. It is basically a whole package of joy where we could get to see an array of colourful giant balloons float up to the sky. I can only imagine a picture-perfect moment!

So if you want to have the full experience at Singha Park, I suggest you click here for more updated details on their upcoming events!

 

Getting around Singha Park?

Walk

Your legs can take you far but frankly not far enough. To rely on your legs to walk close to the entire park would be a little insane, right?

But that was apparently what we did. We must be crazy at that point in time. I recalled towards the end of the day, we were quite tired and we were sort of lost. Haha! We were to tempted to just hitch a ride out to the entrance.

Now the reason why we didn’t rent a bicycle at the entrance was because we knew that  we would spend a long time in the park. We also knew that we wanted to chill for lunch and all that jazz. You know, just have a chill lazy day at the park.

And knowing the fact that we had to return the bikes where we rented from and not return it at another rental bike shop inside the park, we weren’t really sure it was a good idea to rent the bike at the entrance. Since we wanted to explore more deeper into the smaller roads and not solely on the bike trials, we decided to just walk.

Well, with hindsight, if I would redo this first/second visit again, I would still walk. Haha! Yes yes I know, my legs would kill me, but I got so much more experience from walking. So why not?

Bicycle

Now I know I’ve said that I would prefer walking, but… …in hindsight, IF I had been to Singha Park many times, then my option of getting around the park would be definitely using a bicycle. Haha!

With the bike, I could cover more grounds, and quicker! Since I would have seen most of the attractions already, visiting the park would be more of a touch and go and less immersing. So it is really up to your personal preference on how you want to enjoy your visit.

The bikes were for rent at 150 Baht/hr for the tandem, 100 Baht/hr for the mountain bike and 50 Baht/hr for the children’s bike. There are various bike trails to choose from the information map which indicates the length of the ride in kilometres and level of difficulty for each trail. Do note that all cyclists are required to register at the bike desk before setting off on any trails in the park.

Tram

The tram ride carries visitors to key highlights of the park. From the entrance, to the orchards, to the blooming flowers, to the petting zoo and also the zip lining and wall climbing area. Tram tickets are sold at the information counter at the entrance. The pricing at 50 Baht for an adult and 25 Baht for a child. On busy periods, like the weekends, the wait time to board the tram may be longer, so do be prepared for that. Trams run at ½ hour intervals between 10 am and 5 pm. This is a definite family-friendly option if you are visiting Singha Park with children.

 

What you might experience?

We covered everything by foot (in roughly this order), minus the petting zoo and the zip lining/ wall climbing- we did not do those. So yeah, it is possible. You could totally do this by walking! Just remember we did have intervals of respite at restaurants etc. We were, after all not visiting Singha Park to torture ourselves. Haha!

1. Golden Singha Mascot (labelled #1 on the Singha Park’s map)

This salient golden Singha mascot kings over the entire open field at the entrance opposite the carpark. Because it would be the first and last icon every visitor would see, naturally it was an obligatory selfie/wefie shot for everyone! Haha! 😀 If you did not have your photo taken with this Singha mascot, then you have not been to Singha Park.

Want a little intimate time with just the Singha mascot and you in the photo? Either you arrive early in the morning or have your photo with it when the park is about to close at 6! Perfecto!

2. Sunflower Patch (labelled #2 on the Singha Park’s map)

This attraction is by far the one I would remember forever. On the official Singha Park’s map, it is close to #2 (near the swan lake).

I have never seen a sunflower field before. And yes, this is not exactly a huge sunflower field that stretches for hectares on end. But hey, I would take it gladly! I remember being so excited for it.

I was literally screaming with excitement and running towards it. It was actually quite hilarious. We spend quite a bit of time snapping photos and just being in awe for these sunflowers. They were just so perfect. The only thing that compelled us to move on was when the drizzle started, if not, we probably would have stayed longer. Haha! 😀

3. Swan Lake (labelled #2 on the Singha Park’s map)

So because the drizzle which started small, soon got a little heavier, we ran up the hill from the sunflower patch towards the swan lake. Unplanned for it all, we took shelter under a tree while we watched the swans oblivious of it all, and just minding their own business.

Wish I could be like them, would life be so must simpler and happier? 😉 There is a tint of peace just watching the swans and being in the drizzle; like your worries were nothing but a phase and they really don’t matter at all.

4. Bhu Bhirom Restaurant & Tea Plantation (labelled #3 on the Singha Park’s map)

We needed to respite for lunch and to take shelter from the heavy drizzle. In the far distance, we espied a building which looked like a place we could fuel up. And unplanned to even have lunch at the Bhu Bhirom Restaurant, we brisk walked our way there anyway!

I reckoned the food was good, because on both days we visited the park, we had our meals at the same restaurant! The first time we were there, we ordered shrimp pad thai, minced meat tofu, fried calamari rings and green tea latte. On the second visit we ordered much more! It was either we were ravenous or we just decided to splurge a little because the ambience was just so prefect and we just wanted to have a nice hearty meal! We had shrimp tom yum soup, fried chicken, beef fried rice, and fried calamari rings (yes, again)!

Since the weather was really lovely on our second visit to Singha Park, we requested to sit at the area with an unimpeded view of the tea plantation sprawled beneath us. With the gentle breeze brushing against our skin all so softy, and the air crisp, it was such an invigorating experience accompanying a picturesque expansive sight of the tea plantation indeed. Such an awesome meal with an amazing view. I really couldn’t ask for more.

Bhu Bhirom Restaurant which opens every day (11 am – 10 pm), not only serves North Thai specialities, they do have Western options. This place is imperatively worth a try!

5. Petting Zoo (labelled #6 on the Singha Park’s map)

This area probably attracts the young kids most. With the chance to get up close and personal with the animals such as the giraffes, cows, and zebras, I am sure it would be such a joy. You could have an opportunity to feed the animals too!

6. Barn House/ Farm Fest Area (labelled #5 on the Singha Park’s map)

This area is officially known as the Sports & Recreation Centre. To us, it is also known as the chillax café area. At the Farm Fest Area, there is a bike rental shed. You could also shop for merchandise and souvenirs. This area is also grounds for any Singha Park’s organised events like the Farm Festival On The Hill or the International Balloon Fiesta mentioned earlier.

Just opposite the shed is a quaint Barn House café! With the quiet ambience, the outdoor benches make chilling with a coffee and a cupcake really perfect! And with the cooling weather (at that time) to add into the mix, all just was in a cosmos! A prefect respite gem!

7. Zip Lining & Wall Climbing (labelled #7 on the Singha Park’s map)

For someone who is more intrigued by adventure, and has the budget for it, then this is the place for you.

Near the Barn House/ Farm Fest Area is the zip lining platform, which would give you the opportunity to have a panoramic view of the park and all its glorious tea planation. Alas, this zip lining experience is at a steep cost of 800 Baht per person. On the other hand, the rock wall climbing stands at 9 levels high which costs 150 Baht per person to have a try at it.

Unless you are into such activities and want to try it at least once, I reckon strolling or biking to immerse into the Singha Park’s ambience is really divine enough. Haha! 😀

 

TIPS?!

Go EARLY!

Because we didn’t know we wanted to spend so much time at the park, the first time we arrived at Singha Park was around lunch time or slightly later, and with the downpour that kept us stranded at Bhu Bhirom Restaurant, we really did not have much time to explore.

In hindsight, it is always nice to go earlier so you could really have a nice chill experience at the park! I am sure you would be kept very busy snapping photos as I did! 😀

Singha Park is a definite MUST-DO when in Chiang Rai. Duly thought through, the park is landscaped with bike trails, romantic lakes and meadows all making this a great attraction for locals and tourists!

So remember to Travel Whenever and have a nice stroll into the great beyond!

Dee

 

by
Continue Reading
In Indonesia

Sights & Sounds: Private Tour with Safari Tours & Travel Co., North Sulawesi (Day 2)

11 Comments

Day 2 Highlights

Wooden Houses of Woloan Village 

Vegetable Fields in Rurukan Village 

Mount Mahawu 

Lunch at Astomi Restaurant on Lake Tondano 

Lake Linow, Sulfur Lake 

TIPS?! 

This is a continuation of the pervious article on engaging a private tour with Safari Tours & Travel Co. in North Sulawesi for the whole family!

Click here if you are interested in how we spend our Day 1 with Safari Tours & Travel Co. at Manado! 

So now, let’s just dive right into Day 2 experiences! Since Day 1 was all about getting wet at Bunaken Island, near Manado city, so the following day, it was all about soaking up the sun and all its concomitants in the more rural areas!

Honestly, I did not expect to be inundated by the marvellous beauty of the mountainous countryside of North Sulawesi. Near the city of Tomohon and Tondano, you get to experience quirky villages, lakes that are so serene and air so amazingly fresh as you travel up the hills passing lustrous greens of vegetable fields. It was such an enrapturing encounter, especially for nature enthusiasts, where you can get a little taste of what the local area has to offer! Just amazing!

 

Day 2 Highlights: Wooden Houses of Woloan Village

The journey was about an hour’s car ride from our Mercure Manado Tateli Beach Resort to our first highlight of the day- the quirky little village of Woloan just about 2 km away from Tomohon city centre!

The sky was in its perfect cerulean blue and placid white fluffy patches of clouds pasted randomly all over. It was a pretty amazing day for exploration in the countryside. Since Tomohon is located on the mountainous region of North Sulawesi, the vicinity around it, like the Woloan village, experienced much cooler temperatures ranging in its 20s oC!

When we got out of the Safari Tours & Travel Co. van to take a nice walk around, we experienced the perfect bucolic surroundings of Tomohon. With temperature at about 20 oC odd, definitely much cooler than at Manado city (which was sweltering), and accompanied by the slow paced vibe of the countryside; everything all seems to be in the perfect cosmos as we wandered off to look at the incomplete (yet accessible for viewing) humble wooden knocked down houses.

To me, Woloan village is described as quirky because it really wasn’t like the typical village we would normally have had in mind. It was basically a place where the making of wooden products happen. In Woloan village, you could see how the Minahasan style houses were being built by the carpenters. You get to see the knocked down parts of a wooden house that were ready to be shipped or delivered.

For someone who is intrigued by carpentry and wooden house craft, this is probable a nice pit stop! According to our tour guide, the humble houses that we saw, which were built along the roadside, were actually up for sale. If you were interested, you could buy it straightaway. The house you were interested to purchase would be knocked down, and shipped to your address, along with an assembler, so you need not worry about assembling the house yourself!

And of course, a quirky little village calls for a few quirky family shot initiated by the brother truly; and photographer: the girlfriend. Haha! 😀

Because these wooden houses are known for its quality and good workmanship by the skilled carpenters, Woloan village receive orders even from resorts at Bunaken Island. Interesting… …

 

Day 2 Highlights: Vegetable Fields in Rurukan Village

Next up, was to drive towards Mount Mahawu, but to get there we had to pass Rurukan village, which had the most beautiful vegetable fields I have ever seen. Located at the foot of Mount Mahawu, this is a must stop place en route up Mount Mahawu. Just a 20 minutes odd drive from Woloan village, this place just screamed perfection; where the blues meets lustrous greens.

I reckoned this wasn’t part of our itinerary pit stop, it was meant for a pass by to Mount Mahawu. But after looking at the beauty that passed us by whilst in the van, it was just such a pity not to ask the tour guide to let us out to see the view and fill our lungs with the amazing cool crisp air (which, I will not lie, has a tinge of fertiliser smell- if you know what I mean). Of course, it had to have that smell, we were, after all, in an agricultural vicinity right? 😀 #ecotourism?

Hectares of plant terraces and hills that stretched beyond, and overlooking the city sprawling beneath it, just sunk me into the whole agricultural scene that I don’t get much off back home. A really pleasant experience with a good change of scenery once in a while!

 

Day 2 Highlights: Mount Mahawu

An approximately 5 minutes’ drive upslope from Rurukan village and we finally made it to Mount Mahawu! Or at least 1 step closer to the vantage point at Mount Mahawu! Really excited I was! I mean, it was my first time up a volcano! 😀

Well saying it was ‘1 step closer’ really is just a figure of speech. ‘Cause looking at the entrance, it was a hell load of steps up up up to the viewing point! There was no rest benches for respites (if I did recall correctly), only hand railings were built in the middle of the steps all the way to the top (which is better than nothing huh?).

Elevated at 1324 metres above sea level, the crater of Mount Mahawu is 180 metres wide and 140 metres deep with a distant backdrop of Mount Lokon. Once up at the viewing deck, we all had an unimpeded view of the dry crater beneath us. Though the sun shone fiercely at us all with darting sunrays, but since we were at least a thousand metres above sea level, the weather wasn’t really warm and humid. Cool breeze and all… …

The tour guide informed us that we could take a walk around the volcano. It would probably take about ½ to 1 hour? We decided not to do so, since it was already past lunch time. Hence, to ensure we made the most of it, considering the fact that we had actually arduously climbed a bunch of steps up, we decided to just follow the trekked path slightly inwards to see what other angular views of the horizons we could be getting.

And boy, was it amazing. Though, the tall grass and all were hindering our views, but we could definitely see the city sprawled beneath us. It was pretty doped! It reminded me of when I was up on Mount Wellington when I was in Hobart, Tasmania.

Just the thought of overlooking upon everyone down below was, to me, just a very serene experience somehow. It made me feel that the world is so huge, and sometimes, our problems aren’t really that big a deal and we should just think positive and move on- one deep breath at a time. 😀

On a side note, I believe it is my duty to inform everyone that at the entrance of Mount Mahawu laid a toilet facility. Thank you to whoever decided it was a great idea to build one, seriously. Having been on the road for a few hours from Manado City and having a few respites and all, sometimes nature calls are really larger than us, you know? ;P

 

Day 2 Highlights: Lunch at Astomi Restaurant on Lake Tondano

Address

Jl. Peleloan, Maesa Unima, Tondano Sel., Kabupaten Minahasa, Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia

Personal Rating:

 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Total Damage  (per pax)

~ IDR $117500

We were definitely ravenous after all the climbing at Mount Mahawu, and it was time to have our late LUNCH! About a 30 – 40 minutes odd drive from Mount Mahawu down to Lake Tondano, Astomi Restaurant it was!

This restaurant stood on stilts on the waters located along the ever so tranquil Lake Tondano. We had to walk on a gangway made of wooden planks to cross over.

Never did I expect to be so impressed by the food that was served at this restaurant. I am not exaggerating at all when I say how prefect the food was. From the side dishes of stir-fried Kang Kong (Water Spinach), and some other vegetable (I have no idea the name of), to the corn and fish fritters and of course, the main star dish: mini lobsters, oh my goodness, they were all amazingly delish! For those who are allergic to prawns and lobsters, fret not. Another good option could be fried Tilapia fish. It was really good too!

We ordered a set each; 5 mini lobster sets and 1 fried Tilapia fish set. Each set came with a plate of vegetables, and 1 – 2 plate of fritters? I really do not know, ‘cause when the dishes came, they came in a swarm! I reckoned that because we ordered so much, they combined a few fritters into a single plate for us all to share. But what was definite, was that the mini lobsters was a plate for each person; which mean 1 person had about 5 – 6 mini lobsters! Oh man, that was mini lobsters heaven for me and my belly jelly!

Astomi Restaurant was so kind, they threw in 1 more extra plate of mini lobsters no charge at all. More lobster delights for all to share! Perfecto! With an amazing feast on the table, and the serene Lake Tondano as the backdrop, it was a lunch not to forget. I really wouldn’t mind heading back there again for a taste of the delish lobster at that reasonable price!

It was an impeccable late lunch experience by the lake, as we felt the cool lake breeze and enjoyed the calming waters and scrumptious meal prepared for us! My only issue was the pesky houseflies that kept hovering hungrily for our food and drinks. But for the delectable served with such a perfect backdrop, the houseflies aren’t even going to bother me. We just had to exercise some arms swiping whilst eating! 😀

 

Day 2 Highlights: Lake Linow, Sulfur Lake

It was already evening, with our bellies all well-fed after that incredible lunch. Even during lunch, we could already see the sun slowly creeping back into the horizon. If we had more time, our tour guide mentioned that we could go to the hot springs which was actually en route to Lake Linow. But since it was already quite late, we headed straight to Lake Linow, passing the hot springs.

Either because the sky was getting dark and most tourists had already visited Lake Linow earlier in the day, or the vicinity around Lake Linow was undergoing revamping hence most tourists wouldn’t want to visit this place for the time being, but either way, there wasn’t a soul there other than us.

It was quiet and melancholic. As compared to the afternoon at Rurukan village and up on Mount Mahawu, the scene at Lake Linow was a 180 o change. Gloomy and a little depressing. Lake Linow, when I visited, reminded me of those movies or dramas where the actor would take his row boat out into the lake in the thick fog, and just disappeared- no screams no body found, just vanished into the thick fog.

I was a little disappointed because I was pretty excited to see the change in the colour of the lake. The tour guide mentioned earlier in the day that waters in Lake Linow could change colour due to the sulfur content present in the water body. The sulfur present in the lake was said to be due to the Mahawu eruption that happened years years ago.

With the sunrays reflecting and refracting on the lake in the bright morning or afternoon, and accompanied with the sulfur content, that would explain why the waters in Lake Linow changed colour. Since sulfur is yellow, the water in Lake Linow would change between hues of yellow, amber, green and blue. But because, it was already close to dark, all we saw was a single shade of murky green. Haha! #maybenexttime

By right we should be able to smell the pungent odour of the sulfur from the lake. But when we were there, we didn’t really experience that. Probably if we had come earlier in the day, we might smell the rotten egg odour of the sulfur?

Alas, when we visited Lake Linow, the facilities were in renovating progress; the side roads and all. The café was also not in operation, and all lake activities also seized operation. We saw some Swan Leg-Paddle boats, which, if they were operating, could allow visitors have a go at wandering along the banks of the lake. That sounds intriguing… …

If you are wondering if swimming in the lake is allowed, then maybe we should all take a deep breath and think twice if we would want to soak our delicate bodies in high sulfur content? Haha! That should be your answer right there. 😛

 

TIPS?!

(a) Early morning at Lake Linow (reshuffling of itinerary sequence?)

As you would know, I wished we had the opportunity to see the changing colour of Lake Linow, but due to the timing of the day we were there, we experienced a melancholic sight. But hey, it was still all pretty cool and all.

Hence, I do suggest the best time to visit Lake Linow would be in the early morning when the air would still be crisp, the surroundings in serene and the temperature by the lake still being cool and chill. I bet the experience by the lake in the morning would bring about a pleasant and tranquil moment that would fill anyone up with wonderful memories and beyond!

Thus, probably putting Lake Linow as the first sight of the day to visit would be a better choice? Followed by Mount Mahawu before lunch? That could be a suggestion.

(b) Set off from Manado City earlier

It was literally a whole day affair, and we still missed out certain little aspects of the tour itinerary. Not that the whole trip wasn’t fun and all, but in hindsight, the timing can be adjusted a wee bit.

By the time we were up on Mount Mahawu, it was already slightly past lunch time, and had we set off slightly earlier, we would be right on track. I reckoned a comfortable timing to set off from Manado City would be around 8.30 am or even earlier if you would like to visit Lake Linow at an even much earlier timing in the morning.

(c) Proper footwear please?

Regrets in life happened at specific moments of the day when you thought to yourself how brazenly you felt you could survive climbing up and down a volcano with slippers on. What was I thinking at that morning? Hey, I have no idea… …

Climbing up a gazillion steps to the vantage point on Mount Mahawu was not at all easy with slippers. With poor gripping underfoot and walking on unlevelled ground, wearing slippers does make me feel that the strap was about to snap and give up on me. Oh imagine if that had happened… … Then I would have to walk around barefooted, and how enhancingly close to nature I would have been. Hhhhmmmm… …

Picture does speak a thousand words, but trust me when I say, you need to be there to really believe it. Believe that there’s just so much more out there in this world. Believe that there’s so much beauty in this world.

So get out there, and explore! Remember to Travel Whenever!

Dee

by
Continue Reading
In Indonesia

Sights & Sounds: Private Tour with Safari Tours & Travel Co., Manado (Day 1)

9 Comments

Day 1 Highlights

Snorkelling at Bunaken Island + TIPS? 

Christ Blessing Statue 

Dinner at Wisata Bahari Seafood Restaurant 

Manado, capital city of North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. With majority of the locals being Christians, it is not uncommon to see so many churches just within walking distance from each other. Sitting in the van, passing through a village or city centre, the number of churches that zoomed us by was just endless, initially befuddling I have to add. A peaceful place to visit for a nice relaxing getaway with the entire family.

Blessed with weather that was perfect enough despite being close to wet/rainy season (November – April), was something I cannot complaint about. Surely it was not blazing shaft of sunlight piercing through the cloudless sky, such that the waters in the surrounding seas are crystal clear with no washed up debris. But at least, it was not raining or melancholic that water activities would have to be unfortunately cancelled.

It was a short family vacation of just a few days, and 2 of those days were imperatively well spent with Safari Tours & Travel Co. in Manado. So let’s jump right into Day 1 of it!

 

Day 1 Highlights: Snorkelling at Bunaken Island + TIPS

To me, snorkelling was the highlight activity during this entire Manado trip. I was very much excited for it. This was my first time snorkelling with my family as sidekicks. The most recent snorkelling was in the Philippines- whale shark watching (which I hardly feel it was snorkelling at all, considering the fact that I was trying to brave through my fear, haha!)

Click here if you are interested in my whale shark watching experience!

For those ardent scuba divers, Bunaken Island which is just a quick boat ride away from Manado, would definitely be a top diving spot. I am not a diver, but even just mere surface snorkelling and glass bottom boat viewing was quite enough to entice me. Could only imagine a whole new world if I would be able to dive into the sea at least 1000 metres down under to appreciate the walls of the magnificent coral gardens and the amazing biodiversity!

IMG_7554

The Safari Tours & Travel Co.’s van came to pick us from our resort at around 9.30 am to the jetty, and by 11 am (ish), we were engaged in the first mini activity of the day: glass bottom boat viewing of the corals and marine wildlife!

The boat ride to the viewing vicinity of corals was about a half hour or so. It was definitely a nice start to the morning with the sea breeze just howling and pressing against your skin as the boat advanced towards Bunaken Island!

The glass bottom boat viewing was pretty nice; we get to see some vivid colours of coral colonies, fishes, turtles, and even blue starfishes! It was pretty cool. And for members of the family not into snorkelling, at least they wouldn’t miss out on this aspect.

After glass bottom boat viewing, we disembarked on Bunaken Island for just a short while to get our entrance ticket/tag to the Bunaken National Marine Park. It was IDR $150k per person, and the validity of it is an entire calendar year. You will get a waterproof laminated entrance tag that you will need to bring along with you as proof when there would be any random checks by the park rangers on land or at sea. The laminated tag was also a nice souvenir to bring home! 😀

Then the main highlight of the day: snorkelling! YAY! 😀

We got geared up with life vests provided and into the ocean we went! While everyone was all busy fitting into their life vests, first into the waters was my elder brother- all so very eager to try out his new snorkelling gear in the ocean.

It was an enjoyable and definitely memorable snorkelling experience, for the fact that my father got drifted quite away from the main coral colony; and the boat man had to throw in a safety float to pull him in towards the boat.

It was close to wet season, thus the water current was a little strong. We all had an arduous swim just to remain in the same position and not being carried away by the current. I, myself, was inching away slowly despite swimming hard and looking at the corals. #multitasking

It was how calm my father was at that moment when he realised he physically wasn’t able to fight against nature’s current that he very much so casually called out for help. And because he did it so casually, my brother’s girlfriend, who was up on the front deck, thought that he was joking, and didn’t thought it was a crisis.

As a result, she did not really panic to get help from the boat man. My mother, who wasn’t out at the front deck, even thought that it was my younger brother who wanted the float instead. Basically, I could only imagine the whole scene on the boat to being very calm, while my father was out in the open sea drifting away, and away… …

It was hilarious, just thinking of it now- how dramatic!

It was only until much later when we all went up to take a breather for all the arduous swimming that we realised what had happened. It was hilarious because of how calm my father was; and not alarming the masses when he needed saving! Hah… …!

After all the swimming and fighting against the current, oh boy were we jaded and mad hungry. On Safari Tours & Travel Co., lunch was provided back on Bunaken Island. A nice simple meal of rice, fish and vegetables to share. It was a nice satisfying lunch, excluding the fact that stray dogs and cats were lurking around us for scraps of our food. 😀

TIPS?!

(a) Combat motion sickness?

The boat ride can be a little bumpy; so for those who are seasick prone; do get ready some small puke trash bags, and prior to the boat ride you could pop in a seasick pill if you need.

I am quite prone to motion sickness; and I recall the most recent encounter was en route to Phi Phi Island, back in Krabi, Thailand. I wasn’t prepared then; and neither was the guide on board. Haha! Luckily she managed to find a giant trash bag for me or I might had puked all over myself on board.

So this time, yes, even though I didn’t pop in any seasick pills, I decided to try a method I like to call: Getting on with the flow… … Though it wouldn’t work for all situations; so maybe popping seasick pills and trash bags are your next best friends.

So how this works is; when I feel like sitting on the boat was making me soon-to-be queasy, I stand right at the front deck of the boat. You know like in the movie: Titanic, when Jack opened Rose’s arms, and she thinks she was flying scene? Yeah, but not asking you to re-enact the scene with your lover, ‘cause that could be very dangerous considering the fact that you would by now be feeling dizzy and all. Haha!

Just stand near the front deck with no peripheral obstructions, grabbing on to any handgrips, and just look towards the sea horizon right in front of you. Look far and wide. Get on with the flow of boat; moving up and down, according to the waves as it crashes against the boat. And at the same time, just enjoy the unimpeded view! Going with the flow of the boat, and seeing the motion of the boat helps your body and mind adapt to it, and hence, voilà, no feeling of puking! What’s not to love about this method right? 😀

Of course this method works only if you are on a private tour; where all the passengers on board are basically people you know; and of course if you are not on a fast chase speed boat. I reckon this method would totally be disengaged when I was on the group tour on the way to Phi Phi Island in Krabi, Thailand. The guide would imperatively tell me to sit my arse down like everyone else, as we were on a speed boat and all.

(b) Do not panic, just call out for help

When it comes to you against nature; what I have learnt from this trip and seeing how many father handled it amazingly is to be calm. Panicking will make everyone panic along with you and getting those who can save you (probably) have a mental block; which doesn’t work in your favour. Of course, it is definitely easier said than done. And I wonder if I was the one in my father’s shoes how will I react.

Hhhmmm… … Maybe I will just scream for help; and drown my lungs with salt water; and yup… … the rest is history.

 

Day 1 Highlights: Christ Blessing Statue

We returned back to shore on Manado towards the late afternoon. Seeing that we still had some time before dinner, my father told our tour guide, Freddy, to drive us to the Christ Blessing statue located at the peak of the CitraLand residential estate.

This Christ Blessing statue stands at 98.4 ft which is fairly much comparable to the world most iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Built by a protestant property developer, this statue has now become a new icon of Manado city as of the recent years!

A very calming sight to see on top of a hill; where the local residential houses were sprawled all below your peripheral vision; and with what it seems like Bunaken Island as the backdrop? Though I am not too sure if it is really Bunaken Island or some other.

 

Day 1 Highlights: Dinner at Wisata Bahari Seafood Restaurant

Address

 Bahu Mall Complex, Jl. Wolter Monginsidi 1, Kota Manado, Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia

Personal Rating

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Total damage (per pax)

~ IDR $227241.66

Oh seafood oh seafood; glorious fresh seafood! Dining at Wisata Bahari Seafood Restaurant was basically having dinner with a view and amazing sea breeze! It was so cooling that evening after a slight rain earlier, that everything was just perfect.

There was a variety of fresh seafood, from crab, to mantis shrimp, to lobsters for your choosing. We ordered 2 crabs cooked in different sauces, 2 grilled mantis shrimps cooked in butter garlic, grilled fish, a mixed vegetable dish and 1 hotplate bean curd. It was the a satisfying seafood dinner after a long day at sea. Really delicious!

With the amount of seafood we had ordered at such a reasonable pricing, and with a view so beautiful, there really isn’t much complaints at all. Just all in a perfect cosmos.

The epically dramatic snorkelling trip with the family, the nice mini city sightseeing to Christ Blessing statue, and amazing seafood dinner at Wisata Bahari Seafood Restaurant; all these just sums up our first day trip with Safari Tours & Travel Co. in Manado!

Oh boy, wait till we experienced what was installed for us the next day! That would be interesting!

Picture does speak a thousand words, but you need to be there to really believe it. Even for the not so avid divers, Manado is a nice place to chill, have relaxing snorkelling (on dry season; when the sea current is not strong) and have yummilicious seafood everday! Manado is imperatively a nice getaway for the whole family!

So let’s believe that there’s just so much more out there in this world. Believe that there’s so much beauty in this world and Travel Whenever!

Dee

by
Continue Reading
In Philippines

Sights & Sounds: Eden Resort, Santander, Liloan, Cebu

6 Comments

How to get there?

Amenities?

Things to do around the resort?

Cleanliness of room

 🙂 🙂 🙂

Location of resort

 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Facilities

🙂 🙂

Service of staff

 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Morning breakfast

🙂 🙂 🙂
Overall Rating

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

During my trip to Cebu, Philippines, we practically resort- hopped our way around. And let’s just say, alas, my definition of a resort is widely differing from what I experienced whilst I was there.

On the bright side, having stayed in so many different resorts within my 2 weeks in Cebu, I would imperatively hit the bull’s-eye on a resort that I would especially love, right? Eden Resort was one that left a better memory to the whole trip in Cebu!

To be honest, a reasonably good resort/hotel you come back to after a long day of exploration is definitely much needed. We do need to pamper ourselves once in a while, and of course not at an overbearing costs to the wallet! I believe we can have the best of both worlds; we just need to search a little deeper to find good deals!

Away from the city, surrounded by serenity, it was definitely a vacation close to paradise at Eden Resort in Cebu, Philippines.

 

How to get there?

From Cebu City, you can take the bright yellow Ceres public buses at Cebu South Bus Terminal; located near Elizabeth Mall. Get on the bus that is bound for Oslob-Liloan Terminal or Liloan Port (you can stop at small villages en route to Liloan too).

The place you should be looking to alight is at Liloan Port. This is a mini bus and ferry port a.k.a Puerto Del Sur Passenger Terminal, Lilo-an Santander Cebu. You do not need to be afraid if you do not know where you should alight because this Liloan Port is the terminal end for the Ceres bus!

For more information on how to get there, click here and read ‘How to get there? + TIPS?!; Option #2: Cebu City to Liloan (Santander) to Dumaguete to Bohol’:

How to get to Eden Resort?

Once you are at Liloan Port a.k.a Puerto Del Sur Passenger Terminal, walk for approximately 10 minutes and you have reached the resort! It’s actually very convenient!


 

Amenities?

Room type we stayed in Twin Room
Rate/night (PHP $) 3695

So what exactly are you paying for at PHP $3695 a night at Eden Resort?

Well, for starters, the enticing ocean view with your own private balcony! And when night falls, you hear (other than the resort bar close by playing slow music and people chitter-chattering away) is the gentle crashing of the waves against the shore just below.

Oh boy is that calming; especially when you close your eyes and abandon yourself to the sea breeze brushing against your skin. Everything just seems to fall into place perfectly- like you were always meant to be there. Now that is an experience that is behooved when on a relaxing vacation, isn’t it?!

The interior design of Eden Resort is not like any of your modern day resorts. With rustic brick tiles as walls that are so irregularly stacked, the entire room just gives off somewhat a bucolic, yet Egyptian Mummy lair style kinda vibe, in my opinion. The somewhat modern(ish) rattan furnituring of the chairs and tables add a hint of beach and homely vibe to it too. I would say all is in a perfect cosmos.

Apart from complimentary breakfast meal set each day, and free WIFI access at the restaurant, Eden Resort also provides complimentary mountain bikes for their guests to explore the quiet humble vicinity! That could be something you can add to the itinerary of things to do!

 

Things to do around Eden Resort?

1. Whale Shark Watching

Because the location of Eden Resort is close enough to Oslob, where it is famous for the Oslob whale shark watching experience, we got the resort staff to arrange for us a car ride to the place for some whale shark watching! Whoo Hoo!

I honestly cannot remember exactly how much did we each fork out, but I would say approximately PHP $ 500?

What I do remember vividly is what is inclusive of the amount we paid: the entrance fee, the mini sampan boat ride, snorkelling gear etc. Basically, a one time payment to the Eden Resort staff will settle any miscellaneous payment later on at the whale shark watching site! This provides a pretty hassle-free experience as there is not need to bring any money along with you. Just your swimwear, and a swim cover-up! Even towel is provided for your afterwards!

So it was my first time encounter with this sort of without-barriers-wildlife-viewing, hence for me, it was both enthralling and nerve-wracking all in one! Now let me bring you through my seem-to-be-mere-5-seconds-lightning-flash-past whale shark watching experience! It was so quick, it ended even before it started!

Basically, upon arrival, you would sit in for a short briefing to be held by the staff on the rules and regulations. For instance, you cannot swim too close to the whale shark, for very obvious safety reasons for both yours and the animals’.

After which, you would make your way to the sampan boat, which could hold about 5 odd passengers (excluding the boatman). The boatman would then paddle you out to sea. It is not very far off shore though. So if anything really does happen, well I don’t know, at least there’s comfort in knowing that you could swim for your life back to shore? Oh wait, add swimming with the whale sharks back to shore to be exact! 😛

There would be other boatmen already there within the whale sharking watching site and these men were task to feed and lure in the whale sharks from the vast sea early in the morning.

With the whale shark enticed by the food thrown into the sea by the boatmen, I recall there were a herd of close to 15 odd or more whale sharks gliding through the waters gracefully below our sampan boat! It was amazing and heart-racing!

Then the clock started ticking. Once our sampan was hovering at its designated spot, the boatman would have already made a mental countdown to 30 minutes for us to jump into the waters to see the whale sharks. Well, not really jump with a huge splash, but maybe slowly enter the waters? You don’t want to scare the whale sharks now do you?

In short, you only have half an hour to conquer your fears of the open waters, and jump enter gracefully into a sea with a zillion whale sharks swimming with you.

Yup, totally not afraid. Totally. #yeahright

In hindsight, it was actually quite manageable, you just gotta get over the initial fear of the whale sharks swimming with you, and all that is separating you and the whale sharks is well… … NOTHING! ;P

I recall one instance when a whale shark was swimming towards me with its jaws wide open. Oh goodness me, its mouth was so huge and deep, I panicked! Luckily the boatmen distracted it with the food, and it made a turn and swam in the other direction. Gheez… …

Overall, it was an unforgettable experience, with loads of videos and pictures as memento! I would so do this again, and this time, I would be less afraid (I hope), and maybe try to venture out further away from the sampan boat. HHhhmm… … And maybe I could swim a little faster? Would that help? 😀

TIPS?!

(a) Sunscreen? Just like Meghan Trainor says, ‘Nah to the ah to the NO, NO, NO’.

Do not slather on sunscreen lotion prior! The chemicals in the lotion are not at all beneficial to the whale sharks near your vicinity when in the sea. Hence, during the briefing by the staff on site prior to you boarding the sampan boat, they would advise you to wash away any body lotion products on you at the open shower outside the toilet.

(b) Just jump, Or NOT! You only have 30 minutes!

As this was my virgin experience to coming extremely close to a wild creature at sea, with no barriers whatsoever, naturally I would have a hint of fear lingering inside me. But honestly, in hindsight, it really isn’t that all scary. I would say, it is more thrilling and exciting. So just jump! I mean, just enter the water with grace! ‘Cause you ain’t got time, the clock is ticking!

2. Day Trip To Dumaguete

Dumaguete is just a quick boat ride from Liloan Port. It is just so convenient for a day trip especially for those staying at the Eden Resort!

We went on a food galore upon arrival. Took the tricycle from the port at Dumaguete to Lab-as Restaurant; a seafood place. We were mad excited! Think we ordered so much more than we could stomach! Way too much! Haha!

Address Negros Oriental Flores Avenue, Dumaguete City, Philippines
Personal Rating 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Fresh crab that was of our choosing. Fresh fish that was so tender. Shells that were just perfectly cooked. Yummylicious!

Because there is always space for desserts no matter how full you are right?

After the seafood lunch, we went to hunt for desserts! Fried ice cream at this Panda Ice Cream shop! I’m not sure was it because we were way too stuffed from lunch, but I would say the fried ice cream was not really worth trip there purposefully. There was nothing really special about it. It was just an ice cream with a layer coated with fried breaded shell.

Address

 No. 3 Silliman Ave, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines
Personal Rating

🙂 🙂

However, if you want to a nice quiet place to chill, and beat the heat, then I reckoned this place is a nice place to respite!

After which we decided to take a little time to explore some landmarks in Dumaguete. The St Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral (a.k.a Dumaguete Cathedral), and the Belfry Tower just beside the Cathedral are nice places to find solace amongst the busy city in Dumaguete.

Known for its intricacies and extravagance in rich old history, this cathedral is the oldest stone church in Negros Oriental. The massive old Belfry Tower was build in 1760 to warn residents of invading sea pirates! Now this Tower houses Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where people can light a candle and pray.After which we decided to take a little time to explore some landmarks in Dumaguete.

We ended the day trip at Dumaguete by making a final stop to a cake and pastry shop! Like I mentioned earlier, we went on a food galore when in Dumaguete right? Haha! So of course we had to stop by a cake shop or a café! 😀

Address

 Ground Floor Robinsons Mall, Lamberto macias Road, corner Calindagan Road, Dumaguete, 6200 Negros Oriental, Philippines

Personal Rating

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Sans Rival Cakes & Pastries is a popular café hot spot amongst local and tourists! Crowded at any time of the day, this café serves a wide variety of desserts for the sweetest of sweet- toothers! Spoilt for choices, there were too many mouth-watering, super duper affordable cakes I wanted to buy! Brownies. Cupcakes. Muffins. Sliced cakes. It was a dessert-person’s heaven! * mind blown *

Eden Resort has a strategic location, and if I were to return to Santander, Liloan-Cebu again, this resort would imperatively be on my list! Affordable, with good humble service and amenities, there’s nothing much to fault on really!

Until next time, remember to Travel Whenever!

by
Continue Reading
In Sights & Sounds

Sights & Sounds: Cataract Gorge, Launceston

3 Comments

How to get there?

Best time to visit?

Sights & Sounds within Cataract Gorge

Recommended Walking Route

Have a lazy Sunday to spare in Launceston CBD?

Well… … Cataract Gorge is imperatively a place to visit for days when you feel like giving your feet a shot at being the mode of transportation.

No car. No bus. No train. And frankly, no grappling with maps or GPS! Whoo hoo…!

A super frivolous weekend focused solely on nothing, really. With no major agenda for the day… … Just let your feet bring you places! We all definitely need days like these in our itinerary; what I like to call ‘Buffer Days’. A whirlwind vacation is no vacation at all- if you know what I mean. 😀

During such ‘Buffer Days’, I am basically the lyrics of Bruno Mars’ The Lazy Song. Just a sinuous minor change to a few phrases and it will all make perfect sense. Watch this… …

Today I don’t feel like doing anything

I just wanna walk aimlessly

Don’t feel like picking up my phone (GPS)

So if I get lost, just let me be

‘Cause today I really don’t feel like impelling

Ooh hoo Ooh hoo

So… … Maybe I am not a songwriter for the obvious reason, but hey, the lyrics really nailed it spot on!

What’s perfect about Cataract Gorge is that even if you get lost (which is highly impossible), no worries! You are still very close to the vicinity of the city- which means there will be loads of people to ask for directions, ’cause it’s after all the day you don’t feel like picking up your phone (GPS), right? *winks*

 

How to get there?

Address

 Operating Hours
Cataract Gorge Reserve, 74-90 Basin Road, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia

24/7

Note: Certain sights within the Gorge are not 24/7

a) On foot- The Healthier Choice!

We stayed at Hotel Launceston (Address: 3 Brisbane Street, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia), so it was approximately a 2 km walk to Cataract Gorge; roughly 30 minutes tops.

If you decide to stay at Hotel Launceston too (which was not a bad stay- reasonably decent), here are the directions.

Directions from Hotel Launceston to Cataract Gorge (~ 30 minutes walk)

1. Leisure stroll pass Launceston City Park on Brisbane Street.

2. Make a turn right onto George Street and a left onto Paterson Street.

3. Continue straight all the way on Bridge Road, passing Kings Park.

You will know you are near the ‘entrance’ of the Gorge when you espy the iconic Kings Bridge suspended over the Tamar River/ South Esk River. Just tranquil when the morning sun hits the bridge with the dense trees as backdrop and the calm river sprawled beneath it. Definitely a enthralling way to start the odyssey into the Gorge! 😀

b) By car

If your stay is further away, or just don’t wanna walk, a quick car journey of approximately 15 minutes tops from the CBD will get you to the destination.

Main parking area is located at the First Basin- follow the signage from York and Frederick Street.

If it isn’t already obvious enough, the mode of transportation unquestionably will be on foot. You get to have the experience of walking through the streets, and to take your time to see the humble buildings together with the less salient landmarks- plus points! 🙂

The walk on Bridge Road just before seeing Kings Bridge (near Stillwater Restaurant & Café) has this quirky wall graffiti. I don’t know about you, but it is such little sights (though seemed to be very mundane) along the way that makes the whole walk so much more meaningful.

Zooming by in the car does get you to the destination fast, but you are really just missing out the smaller yet better things in life! It’s not about the final reach, it’s the climb, no? ;D

 

Best time to visit?

Summer. This is by far an understatement, but yeah. Summer is definitely the best time to do any outdoor activity. It is also the time when facilities are open; and open for longer hours. Facilities include the outdoor swimming pool at the First Basin.

A time when you get to see the Gorge’s open field suffuse with sunlight. And many locals welcome Summer in a paroxysm of joy with evidence of enjoying a picnicking or sunbathing- the perfect time for a nice family and friends chillax.

 

Sights & Sounds within Cataract Gorge

There are just way too many larking activities to do and sights to see at Cataract Gorge. Here are just some suggestions (in no particular order).

Sights & Sounds #1

 Address/ Telephone Operating Hours Admission Fee (Inclusive of GST)
First Basin Chairlift Located near the First Basin Café.Address

69 Basin Road

Cataract Gorge

Launceston TAS 7250

Australia

 

Telephone

(03) 6331 5915

(Chairlift Office)

 

 DailySpring & Fall09 00 – 17 00

Summer

09 00 – 17 30

Winter

09 00 – 16 30

Adult

AUS $12 (One Way)

AUS $15 (Two Way)

Concession (Seniors & Pensioners)

AUS $10 (One Way)

AUS $12 (Two Way)

Children (< 16 years old)

AUS $8 (One Way)

AUS $10 (Two Way)

NOTE: Children < 4 years old can travel for FREE.

This is the world’s longest single span chairlift, that covers approximately 457 metres with the terminal ends at the First Basin (near the Basin Café), and at the Cliff Grounds (near The Gorge Restaurant). You could hop on for a ride on either terminals.

The low speed chairlift provides an opportunity for a wide- angled pseudo aerial view of the ancient rock gorge. You probably will not be blasé about the view you are receiving from up there.

Sights & Sounds #2

 Address Operating  Period Admission Fee
Swimming pool Located near the First Basin Café.Address

69 Basin Road

Cataract Gorge

Launceston TAS 7250

Australia

 November – March

FOC

The outdoor swimming pool is just located below the First Basin Café. During Summer, we saw loads of families and groups of teens having a day of fun chilling by the pool, and picnicking on the open field around the pool vicinity. The atmosphere was shrouded with inordinate amount of giggles, shrieks and staccato laughter here and there. It was an experience that just screams a definite Summer!

Sights & Sounds #3

 Address Operating Hours Admission Fee
Alexandra Suspension Bridge Located near the First Basin Café.Address

69 Basin Road

Cataract Gorge

Launceston TAS 7250

Australia

 

 Daily

FOC

This is probably a must- snap landmark, aside the Kings Bridge (at the ‘entrance’ of Cataract Gorge). Situated just upstream from the First Basin, this bridge gives the view of both sides of the Gorge.

Standing in the middle on the suspension bridge will present you a distant view of the swimming pool, the Cliff Grounds and the First Basin from a slight elevated angle. Turning your attention to the back, you will see a gentle current flow of water down the South Esk River which pours nicely into the First Basin.

We managed to catch local teens in action as they set their air floating mattress to sail onto the First Basin. We also saw adults standing near the edge of the ‘cliff’ and making several plunges into the waters of the Basin, which was then followed suit by the kids as well.

Hhhmmm… … How safe was it? I don’t know. I was kinda not in congenial with the whole idea of plunging into the waters like that, but hey, who am I to judge right? They looked like they had done that way too often, so I guess swimming in the First Basin is a yes? I really do not know.

Sights & Sounds #4

 Main Walking Tracks
Short Walks & Treks

1.      Cataract Walk

2.      Duck Reach Circuit

3.      Zig- Zag Track

There are so many tracks at Cataract Gorge. Some are mere short ones for those who just want a sneak peek on the tracks and the vistas it provides, and a few longer tracks for the energetic who wants a punch at it. I reckon the more popular walks would be the Duck Reach Circuit Track, and the Zig- Zag Track.

The Duck Reach Circuit Track, though rates level 3 with some uphill sections, is still suitable for children. This circuit leads further up the Gorge to the Second Basin and to the Duck Reach- which is the earliest municipal hydroelectric power station in Australia. This hydroelectric power station is now a popular tourist attraction, open as a museum (Interpretation Centre) since 1995. The walk takes about 1.5 hours to complete one full cycle.

Cataract Gorge is just too huge with most of the tracks somehow connected. The added bonus is that the Gorge is definitely well-maintained with clear signage to inform you which track you are leading to.

Depending on what you want to see, the many tracks to choose from will get you spoilt for choices! Imperatively a great morning walk for the entire family!

 

Recommended Walking Route

Route:

Cataract Walk–> The Gorge Restaurant–> Causeway Track –> First Basin Cafe –> Alexandra Suspension Bridge –> First Basin Cafe –> Zig- Zag Track

Difficulty:

 🙂

Scenery:

 🙂 🙂 🙂

This is definitely not the must- walk route to take, but I feel through this route, we sort of cover most of the Gorge. We get to see the highlights Cataract Gorge has to offer, so I’m pretty much satisfied with it.

Cataract Walk

The Cataract Walk starts from the ‘entrance’ of the Gorge, at Kings Bridge. There are two ‘entries’ into the Gorge. The one on the left takes you through the Zig-Zag Track, and the other takes you through the Cataract Walk.

You might really want to consider the latter option, as the Zig-Zag Track from the ‘entrance’ takes you up steeper incline, whilst the Cataract Walk basically bring you through levelled ground. So unless you want to get your adrenaline pumping right at the beginning, the latter option just describes a way to pass a lazy Sunday!

The leisure Cataract Walk takes you through picturesque cliffs and rock formation with the semi-serene South Esk River flowing down the bank. After a distance of walking, you will notice a flight of steep ladder steps that leads you to a lookout, where you can espy the Alexandra Suspension Bridge from afar. The mounting up stairs to get the elevated view does give the Gorge a new perspective to it all.

The Gorge Restaurant

The walk to The Gorge Restaurant could be your respite for lunch. There are quite a few peacocks, peahens and their peachicks running loose outside the eatery. Toddlers and all were pretty much fascinated by the beautiful creatures. Playground facilities for kiddies are in this area as well.

The First Basin Chairlift terminal is also around this vicinity. Hence, if you are feeling kinda sluggish, a ride across the First Basin could be your ticket with a majestic view! 😀

Causeway Track

I do strongly suggest a walk through Causeway Track instead of taking the chairlift. I can vouch a nice photo along the way with the backdrop of the iconic Alexandra Suspension Bridge! I don’t think you would want to miss that!

First Basin Café

We had our lunch at the First Basin Café. The food portion was huge (for us), and the coffee wasn’t too bad. Best of all, the Café has a nice landscape view of the swimming pool and open fields below. You could also see the chairlifts passing by.

Not fancying Café food? A food kiosk just outside the Café has light snacks too!

I would recommend the Café though. #justsaying

Alexandra Suspension Bridge

The stroll to the suspension bridge was definitely a great way to walk off lunch. Just a short amble pass the swimming pool and you can get an awe-inspiring view of the vicinity! Without a doubt, a time to snap a hell load of pictures!

Zig- Zag Track

To get back to Launceston CBD, we had to get to the ‘entrance’ of the Gorge; either retracing our steps through Cataract Walk, or out through the Zig- Zag Track.

Well… … We all know retracing steps can be a little dreary, so Zig- Zag Track it was! Now going via this route is undeniably efficient-making in terms of energy consumption. Because most of it was descends. And when gravity works with you, life is so much easier. 😀

So that was how we ended a lazy Sunday (with gravity working in our favour) at Cataract Gorge!

Notice that I did not include the Duck Reach Circuit Track. Reason being we weren’t that all prepared for the walk all the way to the power station, and back. Besides, it was a lazy Sunday after all, so a simple easy- to- do track that covers the main highlights is good enough for us.

It all depends on what you want to get out of from the walk. If I were to visit Cataract Gorge again, then the Duck Reach Circuit Track will absolutely be the route I would take! 😀

It was definitely a gratifying laidback day packed with simple walks, good company and enchanting views. Totally no frets at all, just the way I like it on a weekend! If you are ever in Launceston CBD, I would definitely recommend a lazy weekend day trip at Cataract Gorge!

Remember to Travel Whenever!

Dee

by
Continue Reading
In Food Hunt

Food Hunt: One Dim Sum (一點心), Hong Kong

No Comments

 

 

Address 15 Playing Field Road, Prince Edward

(Along Tung Choi Street)
Operating Hours  Weekdays: 11 00 – 01 00

Weekends: 10 00 – 01 00
Personal Rating 🙂 🙂

How to get there?

TIPS Anyone?

Dim Sum Ordered

Would I return?

They say Hong Kong is a food paradise.

Agree.

I was constantly ravenous throughout the entire trip- which was so unlike me. Not that I would starve myself during past vacations; I just wasn’t as famished as I was when in Hong Kong.

My mind was relentlessly thinking about the next day’s lunch when we were still living the day before. It’s bonkers, I know. But hey, what’s vacationing in Hong Kong when we are not in constant hunt for local foods, huh?

Food hunt in Hong Kong was an eye-opener for me. We have tried the best goose rice like ever! Well roasted until the skin was well crisp, simultaneously, the meat was juicy and tender with every mouthful. People, that was one awesome goose. Oh, and don’t get me started on the Portuguese egg tarts, and white egg milk custard- heavenly. 😀

 

How to get there?

Getting around Hong Kong is really like in Singapore- MTR for Hong Kong, and MRT for the latter. Their subway is so efficient and really affordable. They operate with the Octopus card which can be purchased at the airport.

Just to digress a little (like I always do), since we’re at this topic on transportation! I love how the people working in the subway are so friendly and knowledgeable. They could instantly (literally) tell us which exit to go towards when we enquired where was a certain road or street. For this I would love to applaud them- they do know their stuffs! 😀 Probably there are many other commuters asking the same thing day in day out, so maybe they could remember it by hard. But still, I reckon they deserve some recognition right? 😀

Alright, back to topic… … To get to One Dim Sum… …

  1. Alight at Prince Edward MTR station, and exit through Exit A.
  2. Turn right, walk (< 5 minutes) down Playing Field Road towards Tung Choi Street.
  3. The restaurant is just on the left of Tung Choi Street. You won’t miss it as you will see lots of people waiting along the street. 😀

 

TIPS Anyone?

Get a queue number

J got our queue number upon arrival, and we waited along the street like everyone else until our number was called upon.

I don’t know about the practices in other countries and restaurants per se, but back home, there isn’t a lot of restaurants that require us to get a queue number. And if the restaurants require so, they would have a queue number signage broadcasted outside the restaurant- so it was obvious.

For One Dim Sum, it wasn’t so obvious as queue numbers were being call out, instead of broadcasted. Hence, we did saw some people who were clueless as they stood outside the restaurant thinking they should just wait; and only to realise they needed a queue number sometime later.

Get a menu

While waiting, J took a paper menu and a pencil so we could indicate what we would like and make the order immediately when we entered the restaurant. Alas, the menu was all in Mandarin, so it was my turn to enter, and got a English menu with pictures. Way easier like this- Haha…

We had plenty of time to see what to order, and of course snapped pictures- DUH… … That’s what we do best. Haha…

Sharing (a table) is caring

After all, this is a 1- star Michelin restaurant, and there was only the 2 of us against a huge crowd. As such, we had to share a table with 2 other dudes- probably from Taiwan; judging the way they spoke. Didn’t mean to eavesdrop on them alright- don’t judge. 😀

Sharing a table is indeed really common as long as you are at a fairly decent eatery with small square metres of floor space. We just had to get use to it.

After awhile, it becomes- Sharing (a table) is caring!

 

Dim Sum Ordered

As usual, we split our orders into two sections, so we had time to savour the dishes and not feel inordinately overwhelmed by the meal as the table start to be awash with piling dim sums.

First dish was Steamed Minced Beef Balls. The beef balls were good. Juicy as they were, and in a cosmos with the sauce drizzled on them.

Next up was the Deep Fried Spring Rolls W/ Leeks (Popiah). Self- claimed as J’s favourite. Reason? Every time we eat dim sum, she wants to order this. And every time I will try to stop her- for spring rolls are quite standard. I mean, how can spring rolls go wrong right? But somehow this time she prevailed, and we ordered.

Based on my 2 cents, they tasted like any other spring rolls anywhere else really. It was alright; just nothing fancy.

Fried Skin of Beancurd Roll followed up. This was crispy and flavourful, with a substantial amount of prawn filling. I like mine with a dash of soya sauce. Yum Yum… …

Next up was my worst nightmare- Fried Egg Stick (a.k.a Dan San). I have never tried this before, so when J said to order this I had no qualms. There are two options- either you have the Dan San with honey or condensed milk. We went with the latter because J said she read somewhere that it tastes better.

So when the odd-looking dish presented itself, with the waitress pouring the condensed milk on it, I thought to myself, “Okay… … What is this again?”

For those who have never tried this before, let me try my best to describe the texture that lingered in my mouth.

Dan San is an extremely crispy odd-looking thing (I am sorry, I don’t know how else to describe its shape). When I first bit through it, it was too brittle that it broke into a million crumbles in my mouth. Just imagine eating a mouthful or two of finely chopped biscuit crumbs- that was how it felt like in my mouth. The crumbs felt very airy and light. It was washed with an after taste of condensed milk.

I do love sweet, and the condensed milk was suppose to be helping me deal with the explosion of crumbs happening in my mouth, but I guess it wasn’t of much aid.

Basically, Dan San and I can’t be together. Maybe this Dan San requires a much more sophisticated palate to appreciate it. I guess I don’t make the cut. :S

Steamed Rice Noodle Roll (Zhu Chang Fen) was next. We chose the one that was stuffed with BBQ pork. I love rice noodle roll that do not stinge in their fillings; and this was one of them! The rice noodle is not too thick and has the right amount of springy texture to it!

How can we forget about the steamed dumplings when eating dim sum? So for the second section, it was all about the dumplings! Steamed Sui Mai (Steamed Pork Dumplings), Steam Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow) and Steam Shrimp Dumplings W/ Vegetable Seedling.

 

Now typing this, it is no wonder J got so sick of shrimps. I grasped it now. Haha…! 😀

Because the 2 dudes in front of us were happily sharing a plate of vegetable with oyster sauce, I was so tempted to just reach forward with my chopsticks and kidnap 1 or 2 stalks of veg if they weren’t looking. 😀

As our final dish, though we were pretty much full- we ordered a plate of Boil Chinese Vegetable. Okay, not we… I decided that we should order the vegetable- ’cause if we didn’t I might actually reach forward and help myself to a stalk or two.

 

Would I return?

The total bill was approximately HK$166. For this number of dishes at this price, it was really inexpensive!

But the big question is would I want to go back there when I am in Hong Kong? Hmmm.. … Most probably not. Why?

There is no lack of good dim sums in Hong Kong. And some eateries we went are really underrated. Sometimes all we need is a little fate to stumble upon a good eatery which is not widely mentioned, and you will feel like you have found a bonanza.

Since I had dined in One Dim Sum, and the food is well as good as other restaurants, then I reckon that a onetime experience was all I needed. I do not feel a call for to go back there and join the long queue for a meal which I could easily get at other restaurants in Hong Kong- probably with better ambience too.

But having said this, it is just my 2 cents. No offense to people out there who love this eatery! 😀

Remember to travel whenever to get yourself some DIM SUM!

Dee

by
Continue Reading
In Food Hunt

Food Hunt: Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant, Singapore

No Comments

 

Address

 191 Jalan Besar Singapore 208882

Operating Hours

 

Monday – Sunday (6pm – 6am)

Closed on Tuesdays
Personal Rating

🙂 🙂 🙂

 

Prelude

Dim Sim Order

 

Prelude

This dim sum place probably isn’t as inordinately talked about as compared to you know who. But, based on my two cents worth, I would say it is definitely comparable or maybe better for a few reasons.

So here goes… …

The wait time is definitely shorter, and the variety of dishes available on the menu is wider. It is imperative that you would be spoilt for choices, to a point that you wish you could have a disposable stomach in exchange for your current one so you could add in more delectable delights. In addition, the staff are very accommodating and efficient to make your entire dinner experience a pleasant one.

I went there twice, but had only tasted the food once. Yup, silly us went there when the restaurant was closed on its off day. To think that in this modern age with Google all so accessible, we actually made such an embarrassing mistake! So dearest, DO NOT go there on a TUESDAY! Alas, we were compelled to settle for something less satisfying and more pricey. What a downer it was.

We didn’t need to wait at all when we arrived at around 6 in the evening on a Wednesday. There were probably 2 groups of hungry gastronomers who arrived at around the same time as us.

The restaurant location, Jalan Besar, is not in your usual urban city district. Surrounded by the typical Singaporean’s quaint looking shop houses at almost two to three storeys high, this neighbourhood brings you back to the time during History lessons in school where you saw black and white photographs in textbooks of vintage houses in the 1800s or 1900s. With the surrounding plain concrete walls cracking and floors less maintained as compared to the urban part of Singapore, this area is good to somewhat preserve the history of Singapore.

Though it is within the near vicinity of the famous local street shopping district- Bugis Street, they are just worlds apart. Bugis Street is a place awash with youngsters clad in street fashion and accessories, loud music blasting in the atmosphere and bright luminous lights spotlighted on every corner to attract patrons. To get cheap buys and bargains this is the place to be at for tourists. On the other hand, Jalan Besar is a more reserved street and not jam-packed with people, and not as brightly lit.

 

Dim Sum Ordered

Given a fairly huge table for 2 people, we kept the orders coming in slow. We like having the food piping hot, so ordering them in intervals allowed us to have buffer time to appreciate the small dishes.

We started off with a plate of pan-fried dumplings and fried Mee Sue Kueh. Heavily coating the glossy dumplings in vinegar and topping it with a good bunch of thinly shredded ginger, is definitely the way to go for me. The harmony of the succulent juice oozing from the piping dumping as my teeth sink into it; together with the vinegar and ginger is just a cosmos.

The Mee Sue Kueh is just divine. My first time having this dish, and I would say I had a pleasant experience. The Mee Sua (Chinese noodles made from wheat flour) is well seasoned; flavourful, and compact such that the nicely cut cubes of the Mee Sue Kueh will not fall apart went picked up with a pair of chopsticks. Something quite unique I must say.

Of course a dim sum dinner cannot be called as one if a plate of Siew Mai (pork dumplings) is not ordered, now can we?

What I like about a Liu Sha Bao (Golden Custard Bun), is the oozing of the molten salted egg custard from the bun as it melts in your mouth mixed in saliva. Alas, I could say I have tasted better Liu Sha Bao.

I would have to say so too for the fried carrot cake and the Zhu Chang Fen (Rice Noodle Roll). Nevertheless, to each his own I reckon- everyone has different taste buds right?

IMG_6645

The plate of fried tofu (bean curd) topped with pork floss was well fancied by J. On the other hand, I had my qualms. They are a little jarring to my palate.

The last dumpling dish was of course a plate of steamed Har Gow (Prawn Dumpling). You can never leave a dim sum house without trying their Har Gow. One thing I would say is that this house doesn’t scrimp on the prawns. Packed loaded with quite a decent amount of prawns within the cavity of the dumpling skin, this Har Gow is sure a good way to end off a satisfying dinner and move on to “dessert”.

As usual, we always end an exquisite dim sum meal with our kind of desserts- egg tarts and Char Siew Soh (Baked BBQ Pork Pastry). I adore Char Siew Soh more than egg tarts in general. So there’s not fight here- I admit my biasness on this. I love how the crispy crust meets the savoury sweet (mostly sweet) red pork inside- the combination of them both is just luscious.

Overall a delightful trip to this dim sum place with additional baggage of treats (egg tarts, and Char Siew Soh) brought home for the family to sample on! 😀

Travel whenever and remember to get yourself some DIM SUM! 😀

Dee

by
Continue Reading