Category: Uniquely Singapore

A Suaku Singaporean’s Virgin Visit To Fortune Centre Ended With A $10 Aura Reading

You’ve probably heard about Singapore’s booming food scene. However, what people don’t really tell you is that we’re also pretty religious. From various divination methods to geomancy (also known as fengshui), Singapore has no shortage of local occult practices and quirks.

Recently, I came across an intriguing little thing known as Aura Photography and as someone who enjoys reading up on horoscopes and zodiacs (don’t judge me), this is just right up my alley.

So I decided to try and get my aura read because why not?

Now there are 2 different ways of discerning and deciphering your aura – Aura Reading and Aura Photography.

We initially headed to Fu Lu Shou Complex at Albert Park because there’s a shop there offering Aura Photography services but turns out they increased their price for it. $30 for Aura Photography? Not today, Capitalism. Not today.

So we went off to Fortune Centre in search for another aura reading option. For those who don’t know, Bencoolen and Albert Park is a hotspot for occult practices. I’m not talking about voodoo shenanigans.

The area is full of stores selling amulets, trinkets, sculptures of Taoist deities and the like. Fortune Centre is a building that seems to cater to Buddhists due to the sheer number of vegetarian eateries in and around the mall.

While the mall itself has an interesting collection of shops, from tiny hobby shops, to Geomancy services and even a calligraphist, we didn’t find any aura reading services.

We were going to give up because we had our auras, but we had no one to decipher them. What a struggle. How am I supposed to know if my love life was about to improve in the next 3 months?

As we were heading back towards the famous Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple along Waterloo Street, we saw it. Aura reading for $10.

This was the sign we needed so in we went to inquire about the process of aura reading. This was the more basic aura reading that uses different crystals instead of aura photography.

There were quite a bit of disclaimers though. According the lady who was conducting the aura reading, the result of the reading is not set in stone and it is subject to change just like my mood and external circumstance. Just like EVERYTHING in the universe.

That’s not all, the reading is only valid and “applicable” for the following 3 months. That’s if my mood and external circumstance doesn’t change it first.

So, now that I’ve had the terms and conditions read to me, we got started. I was skeptical as to how accurate this was going to be, so I thought, I might throw them some false information when asked.

The lady told me to pick out 11 crystals from a bag and place them on a labelled cloth.

After successfully picking out 11 crystals that resemble the colours in my wardrobe (lots of dark or neutral tones), it was time to get my aura read.

Career

The first thing she said was that there were no changes (good and bad) to my career. I was asked if I was in a creative industry. I told her I was an accountant (lol) but she told me I wasn’t meant for desk-bound jobs because I hate being restricted or limited and the creative industry would suit me better.

Well, while that sure sounds good, it’s also pretty generic. I mean, who likes being restricted? This isn’t 50 Shades of Grey.

Interpersonal Relationships

According to the cubic crystals of fate, I’m very good at forming and maintaining interpersonal relations. I’m incredibly likeable as you can see.

However, the lady also divined that I had to stay alert for there are darker forces working against me. “Beware of backstabbers”, she warned. Oh my, I didn’t know I was famous enough to have haters and backstabbers.

That’s not all, along with my backstabbing haters, I do have benefactors although they don’t seem to be as strong as the searing hatred of my backstabbers.

I’m sorry, my dear benefactors. Saranghaeyo.

Romance

I’ve been single for my entire life and considering my passive attitude towards finding a partner, I’m pretty sure that nothing’s changing in the near future.

So imagine my shock when she mentioned that my love life seems “promising”. She even confirmed with my colleague who was sniggering – “He’s very popular with the girls right?” All my colleague could muster was an unconvincing “Sure jan” nod.

Honestly though, she said my love life is blooming.

First of all, WHAT. Where? If someone was coming into my life, I think I would’ve seen it by now. But the crystals have spoken, so it must be true. WHERE ART THOU, MY BELOVED?

Health

This aspect wasn’t a good read. Apparently I should be more careful about my legs because they’re prone to injury. But, I don’t even do anything physically demanding.

Next, I need to take better care of my digestive system and drink more water. Is this a warning? It’s true that I skip lunches at least twice a week and hold my bladder for hours. But drink more water?

I’m the biggest advocate of drinking water among my friends so this is a lie. Any increase of water intake might probably lead to water poisoning, to be honest.

The kind divination lady ended off the aura reading session with a summary – drink more water, stay alert of backstabbers, be careful of leg-related injuries and keep my eyes open for potential romantic partners.

While I’m still skeptical about the reading, I’d say that it’s at least 60% accurate. If you’re feeling a little lost or confused or experiencing a quarter life crisis, then this might help to point you in the right direction and give you a little more clarity about your life.

Now that I think about it, maybe these ladies are just really good at judging reactions and tailoring their responses to match. But who knows?

Also read A Suaku Singaporean’s Virgin Visit To ‘Little Thailand’ Golden Mile Complex

(Header Image Credit: DiscoverSG)

Old Chang Kee Returns To Rex With A Flagship Coffee House And A Bigger Menu

Let me start by saying that fried food is a blessing. Whoever thought of frying nuggets of meat, you’re a genius.

And nobody in Singapore does fried food better than Old Chang Kee. Nobody. Don’t argue with me on this.

Old Chang Kee has been around since 1956, way before Singapore was independent. It was operating as a small stall in a coffeeshop outside the former Rex Cinema along Mackenzie Road in 1986.

Now, Old Chang Kee has opened its first flagship coffee house in the place where it all began, at Rex along Mackenzie Road.

Old Chang Kee: Homecoming

The 50-seater coffee house occupies 3 shophouses along Mackenzie Road, a stark contrast from its humble beginnings as a small stall.

I remember there were a few Old Chang Kee outlets around the island that were offering more substantial mains together with their usual fried food. But they eventually discontinued the mains and my days were darker than before.

Drama aside, I (still) love their Beef Stew and the best part is that this is one of the dishes that can be found at the Old Chang Kee Coffee House.

The Baked Beef Stew Rice With Cheese ($10.90) is served in a mess tin, an odd reminder of my days outfield in NS.

That’s not all, there’s the interesting Flower Bread with free-flow gravy of your choice. Options include Chicken Stew, Beef Stew and Curry Chicken.

If you’ve seen any Tasty video or Pizza Hut commercial, you’d have seen pull-apart bread and the likes and this is pretty much it. Pull-apart buns with a bowl of gravy in the middle for dipping. Comfort food at its best, to be honest.

Other dishes available include the Dry Laksa Goreng ($8.50), Nasi Lemak With Dry Curry Chicken ($8.90), and the Bubur Chacha ($5).

Of course, as with every Old Chang Kee outlet, they also have their usual fried finger food available. Which means I can have both my favourite Crab Nuggets and the Beef Stew. This is a win.

This Old Chang Kee flagship coffee house is a place you need to check out because who else knows old school food better than a brand that’s been around since 1956?

Old Chang Kee Coffee House
Address: 19/21/23 Mackenzie Road #01-01, Singapore 228678
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 11am – 9pm, Fri – Sat: 10am – 10pm, Sun: 10am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6732 1665
Website

Also read Beerfest Asia Celebrates Its 10th Beer-thday With A Bigger Venue And Limited Edition Booze

(Header Image Source: Old Chang Kee Singapore)

You Can Now Find Free Books Around S’pore Thanks To This Emma Watson-Backed Movement

Growing up, I’ve always enjoyed reading as a hobby and it was never a chore. I never understood why some of my friends cannot stand the thought of reading a book.

After all, when you’re on social media, aren’t you reading too? For all my fellow bibliophiles, there’s an international movement that’s gone global and has spread to more than 100 countries – The Book Fairies.

Books that have been hidden by book fairies can be identified by a green ribbon wrapped around the book, as well as the signature “The Book Fairies” sticker.

This international movement is not an exclusive thing though. Anyone can join in.

All you have to do is buy their green ribbons and stickers from “The Book Fairies” shop here, wrap a book of your choosing, pick a secret public location (but not too secret please, we WANT to find them) and hide the books!

Also, with International Museum Day coming up on 18, 19 and 20 May 2018, The Book Fairies are encouraging book fairies to hide books in and around museums around the world.

So that’s a clue to finding books this coming weekend.

Now, what book should I hide next….

Also read If You’re Living On A Budget, Here’s A List Of Crazy Cheap Eats In S’pore For Under $2

(Header Image Source: The Book Fairies,

If You Only Have Half A Day In Singapore, Here Are 10 Places You Must Visit

So you’ve just landed in Singapore for a short weekend getaway.

Splendid choice. Singapore’s a melting pot of cultures so there’re plenty of options to choose from when it comes to food and places to try and visit.

We’ve come up with a list of must-visit places in Singapore regardless of the length of your visit in Asia’s Little Red Dot.

1. Changi Village

Hidden away in the eastern coast of Singapore, on the northern point of Changi, is Changi Village.

It is situated far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, past the industrial buildings and next to the airport runway. The main reason people even come to Changi Village is for the food, and Pokemon Go. Rare Pokemon spawn here apparently.

The place is hard to get to unless you’re driving and it might seem a bit too out of the way to travel to, but the place possesses a quiet charm.

And that’s not all, it’s also a favourite haunt of NSFs who are posted to Pulau Tekong. After all, the SAF Ferry Terminal is just 5 minutes away.

If you’re there, be sure to head to Changi Village Hawker Centre. Don’t miss the International Muslim Nasi Lemak, easily the most iconic dish of Changi Village.

Also, hit up 89.7 Supper Club. No it’s not a radio station, but a popular 24-hour halal supper spot. Heads up, they serve really good halal dim sum.

That’s not all, Changi Point Ferry Terminal is also the connecting point for a ferry to Pulau Ubin.

So if you’re looking for some greenery and wilderness, it’s just a boat ride away.

2. Gardens By The Bay

The Gardens By The Bay is one of Singapore’s most popular attractions, and for good reason too. Opened in 2012, the sprawling park is home to some of the world’s most unique plants and flowers.

The Flower Dome is a marvel. Designed to resemble a giant seashell, this cool conservatory houses exotic plants from over 5 different continents.

The Cloud Forest is another spectacle, featuring unique tropical plants as well as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 35 metres. The journey through the conservatory will take you through the mist-filled Cloud Walk and you can even marvel at the views from up top on the Treetop Walk.

That’s not all, step into the SuperTree Grove and stroll through the towering Supertrees. It’s almost as if you’re in the world of Pandora from James Cameron’s Avatar.

The Gardens By The Bay is easily one of the most prominent attraction in Singapore, opposite the iconic Singapore city skyline.

Don’t forget your camera.

Gardens By The Bay
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Opening Hours: Daily: 5am – 2am
Contact no.: 6420 6848
Image Credit: Wikipedia[/caption]

It is Singapore’s largest outdoor art gallery and remains as a treasure trove of Asian culture, philosophy, history and religion.

The most iconic attraction in Haw Par Villa is the ‘Ten Courts of Hell‘.

[caption id="attachment_34380" align="aligncenter" width="825"] Image Credit: Ten Courts of Hell

If you’re wondering, ‘Lau Pa Sat’ is literally Hokkien for ‘Old Market’ and it was named so because it used to be a wet market when it was still situated in its original location by the waterfront, before it was moved into the financial district.

It was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973 and converted into the hawker centre that it is today.

The hawker centre is a collection of the best local food. You’ll typically find tourists and executives from neighbouring MNCs having a pint here after work, with an accompanying platter of satay.

The Lau Pa Sat hawker centre also has a 24-hour Cheers convenience store, a shoe repair shop, a laundry store and a tailor.

Your Singapore experience isn’t complete without having at least one meal here.

Lau Pa Sat
Address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Opening Hours: Mon: 10am – 11pm, Tue, Thu – Sun: 10am – 10pm, Wed: 10.30am – 9.30pm

5. Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

In the past decade, the most prominent building to rise in the Singapore city skyline is Marina Bay Sands.

The hotel has become the most iconic building in Singapore and one of the must-visit spots is the Marina Bay SkyPark.

Sitting at 57 levels above the heart of the city, the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck offers 360 degrees of unblocked panoramic views of Singapore.

If you’re there at night, be sure to stay for Spectra, a 15-minute, free-for-public outdoor light and water show displayed at the Event Plaza along the promenade.

Be sure to bring your cameras because you cannot get any better views of Singapore anywhere else.

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Address: Level 57, Tower 3, 10 Bayfront Ave, Sands SkyPark
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 9.30am – 10pm, Fri – Sun: 9.30am – 11pm
Price: Adult: $23, Children Aged 2 – 12: $17, Senior Citizen: $20, Children Under 2, Hotel Guests: Free
Website

6. Maxwell Food Centre

Maxwell Food Centre is easily one of our favourite spots to eat.

A few minutes walk away from Tanjong Pagar MRT station, the food centre is a treasure trove of good food.

While people usually queue for Tian Tian Chicken Rice, we suggest that you ditch the queue and go for something more exciting.

Go for gravy goodness at the Hainanese Curry Rice stall or have a healthier meal with the Sliced Fish Soup from Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon.

These are our 2 favourite stalls in Maxwell Food Centre.

Maxwell Food Centre has perpetually snaking queues in majority of their stalls. So come early, come hungry, and bring a friend so you can try as many dishes as possible.

Maxwell Food Centre
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184

7. Mustafa Centre

What initially started out as a store selling readymade garments in 1971 has since grown into a 24-hour, six floor, two-building shopping heaven.

Your first visit here may feel overwhelming as you’re bound to bump shoulders with tens of thousands of people squeezing their way through Mustafa’s narrow aisles.

You’ll find everything from homeware and electronics to clothes and groceries. With over 3,000 products on sale at bargained prices, you’re bound to fill your baskets with snacks, a random pair of sunglasses and perhaps a kettle that you managed to convince yourself that you’ll “eventually” need.

If you find yourself feeling a little peckish while doing your shopping, there’s a 400-seater restaurant called Kebabs ‘n Curries opened at the rooftop of Mustafa’s spanking new wing. You can enjoy everything from naan to dum briyani without the fine dining price tag.

Mustafa Centre is the one-stop place for everything. Just be sure to control your urge to buy everything while you’re here.

Mustafa Centre
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Little India, Singapore 207704
Website

8. National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore is an art gallery that houses the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art, with over 8,000 works of art.

Located in the Civic District, the National Gallery Singapore consists of 2 national monuments, namely the former Supreme Court and City Hall and is the largest visual arts venue and museum in Singapore.

The National Gallery also collaborates with international museums to jointly present Southeast Asian art in the global context.

Be sure to check out their website for updates on current exhibitions.

National Gallery Singapore
Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 7pm
Contact no.: 6271 7000
Website

9. Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens, was opened in 1973.

The zoo houses over 315 species of animals with about 16 percent considered to be threatened species. Look out for the white tigers!

Set in a rainforest environment, the Singapore Zoo is known for their ‘open concept’ where animals live in landscapes and environments that simulate their natural habitat.]

That’s not all, they have various live shows featuring Birds of Prey and Sea Lions!

If you’re looking for a world-class zoological experience, then you should pay a visit to the Singapore Zoo.

Singapore Zoo
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Opening Hours: Daily: 8.30am – 6pm
Contact no.: 6269 3411
Website

10. Southern Ridges & Henderson Waves Bridge

Singapore has always been known as Asia’s Greenest City and what better way to experience the natural greenery on our island city, than taking a hike on the Southern Ridges, a 10km trail that connects the parks along the southern ridge of Singapore.

The Southern Ridges trail connects Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park.

Mount Faber Park is one of the oldest parks in Singapore and is connected to Telok Blangah Hill Park by the Henderson Waves bridge.

If you’re looking for great photo opportunities and amazing views of the sunset, keep walking until you reach Henderson Waves bridge.

It is Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge with a unique wave-form design that forms alcoves that double as shelters with seats within.

The wave-forms are lit with LED lamps at night from 7pm to 2am daily, so you can pop by anytime.

It’s quite cathartic to just be there. Do pack bug spray though; mosquitoes are vicious.

Southern Ridges & Henderson Waves Bridge
Address: Henderson Road, Mount Faber Park, Singapore 099203
Website

Also read 7 Unique Sports Experiences That Can Only Be Found In Sentosa

(Header Image Source: Unsplash)

7 Unique Sports Experiences That Can Only Be Found In Sentosa

Home to 3 pristine beaches, Universal Studios Singapore theme park, 120 F&B dining options and more, Sentosa is the biggest must-visit tourist destination in Singapore.

Bearing the title of the “State of Fun”, Sentosa also offers a whole bunch of unique sports experiences that can only be found within the island.

Break your routine and head to Sentosa for mega fun ways to exercise!

Only In Sentosa

1. Watch The Singapore MX Beach Race For Free!

The Singapore MX Beach Race is back for another round of high adrenaline action on the beaches of Sentosa!

The Motocross beach race has riders racing their dirt bikes in the sand, a challenging terrain even for the most experienced racers.

This year’s event will see riders battle it out over 3 rounds of racing for the coveted title of Singapore’s first-ever Motocross National Champion.

If you’re an extreme sports fan or just looking for some excitement, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Singapore MX Beach Race
Venue: Siloso Beach
Date: 5 – 6 May
Time: 11am – 6pm
Price: Free
Website

2. Bungy Jump At AJ Hackett Sentosa

AJ Hackett houses Singapore’s first and only bungy tower, standing 50m above the ground on Sentosa’s Siloso Beach.

There are 3 activities for you to choose from to get your adrenaline pumping.

Drop and swoop on the Giant Swing with your family members or test your will and conquer your acrophobia on the 47m Bungy Jump.

From now till 30 June 2018, experience the Bungy Jump for just $139 NETT (U.P: $199), or bring 2 friends and try the Giant Swing together (good for 3 pax) for just $99 NETT (U.P: $237).

AJ Hackett Sentosa
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 1pm – 7pm, Sat – Sun: 12pm – 8pm
Website

3. JetPack/JetBlade At Ola Beach Club

Ola Beach Club is a watersports centre, beach club, family playground, as well as a wedding and party venue rolled into one.

The most unique watersport activity here? The JetPack and JetBlade.

These are water-propelled jetpacks that can elevate you up to 30 feet in the air. Basically, you’re flying thanks to controlled water pressure blasting you into the air.

If you feel safer on the water, go for a relaxing kayak or paddle around on a Paddleboard.

To experience the wind in your face, hop on the Banana Boat that can accommodate up to 10 riders.

Head over to Ola Beach Club on a Tuesday and you’ll get to enjoy the ‘Twos-Day 1-For-1’ deal where you and your friend will get to enjoy 2 watersport activities for the price of 1.

That’s not all. On weekends, Ola Beach Club is offering a ‘Hangout Weekend’ package where you can experience 4 different watersport activities (Standup Paddleboard, Donut Ride, Banana Boat, Kayaking) for just $85 NETT (U.P: $110).

These 2 promotions are available till 30 June 2018.

Ola Beach Club
Opening Hours: Sun – Fri: 10am – 10pm, Sat & PH Eve: 10am – 12am
Image Credit: Sentosa[/caption]

The Wave House Sentosa Flow Jam 2018 happening on 5 May is a flowboarding competition featuring a sunset BBQ, DJ sets, and high-performance surf shredding action!

Wave House Sentosa isn’t just for the adults. Kids can try their hand at surfing at the Flow Camp on 22 June 2018!

Suitable for kids aged between 5 and 13, the Flow Camp will include a 2-hour Flow Riding session, a ride on the Singapore Cable Car, educational tours at the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Beach Games and Safety Talk, as well as DIY Snack making.

The Flow Camp can take up to a maximum of 30 participants so be sure to register early!

At Wave House Sentosa, you’ll also get to enjoy 1-for-1 promotions on their food, drinks, and wave rides on Wednesdays!

Wave House Sentosa
FlowBarrel
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri – Sun: 12.15pm – 8.45pm, Tue, Thu: Closed

FlowRider
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 12pm – 9pm, Sat – Sun: 11am – 9pm
Website

5. Indoor Skydiving At iFly Singapore

iFly Singapore is the world’s largest themed wind tunnel for indoor skydiving.

As part of the iFly Singapore indoor skydiving experience, you will receive professional training and guidance from their certified instructors, complimentary gear rental, as well as the actual skydiving experience.

If you’ve always wanted to try skydiving but you’re still unable to conquer your fear of jumping out of a plane, then iFly Singapore is the place to go.

They have multiple packages for different audiences and occasions.

Currently there’s an ongoing ‘First Timer Challenge Package’ promotion where you get the 2^nd package at 30% discount when you buy the first package ($119).

This is the perfect opportunity for you and a friend to experience indoor skydiving!

iFly Singapore
Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu – Sun: 9am – 9.30pm, Wed: 11am – 9.30pm
Website

6. Zipline At Mega Adventure Park

Mega Adventure Park at Sentosa is home to the MegaZip, MegaClimb, MegaBounce, and MegaJump.

At 75m high and 450m long, the MegaZip is the first 3-wire zipline that takes you from the jungle canopy of Imbiah Hill to Siloso Beach at speeds of 60kph.

If that’s not exhilarating, we don’t know what is.

If you’re up for a challenge, the MegaClimb is a high ropes adventure course for you and your friends.

The MegaJump lets you replicate the experience of a free fall parachute jump with a 15m drop with a stunning view of ocean, jungle and white sandy beaches.

For the young ones, test your acrobatics on MegaBounce, the dynamic bungee assisted trampolines! bounce up to 8m high on any of the 4 trampolines on the beach with instructors and harnesses ensuring safety throughout.

From now till 30 June 2018, buy any 2 packages at Mega Adventure and get 1 package for free!

Mega Adventure Park
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am – 7pm
Last entry for Conquerer package: 5pm
Last entry for High Flyer package: 5.30pm
Last entry for Thrill Seeker package: 6pm
Website

7. Segway Through Sentosa With Gogreen Segway

While not necessarily a sport, we argue that controlling a Segway is tougher than it looks.

The Gogreen Segway offers a fun and unique experience of exploring Sentosa.

The Segway Fun Ride is an introductory riding experience along Siloso Beach that will allow you to master the Segway and explore Sentosa. Buy 2 Fun Rides (800m) at $25 each from now till 30 June 2018, and get 1 free!

There is also the Eco Adventure which takes you on a scenic ride along the beaches of Sentosa. The 30 minutes Eco Adventure brings you to either Siloso or Palawan Beach.

Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 7.30pm
Website

If you’re not looking for any intense unique sports experiences and just want to do your ‘own thing’, Sentosa has plenty of cycling, jogging and walking trails, as well as 3 beaches for beach games such as volleyball, soccer, and even frisbee!

Sentosa is the one-stop spot for adrenaline junkies, athletes, sports enthusiasts and even families looking for a fun day out!

Have you planned your next visit to Sentosa?

Also read FIFA World Cup 2018 Is Kicking Off Soon – Here’s A Lineup Of 11 Places To Catch The Action

(Header Image Source: Wave House Sentosa)

7 Staycation Spots In S’pore Under $150 For A Good Urban Getaway

Not all of us can afford airfare to a faraway place. Some of us are just looking for a weekend away from home that does not involve leaving the country.

If you’re in need of a good break but you don’t want to burst your budget either, we have some ideas for where you and your partner, friends or family can go for a holiday, right here in Singapore.

Best part, they’re all under $150!

1. Hotel Mono

Hotel Mono is a chic hideaway set in six historical shop houses of modern design. This hotel is black and white inside and out – which definitely gives you clean Kinfolk Vibes.

[caption id="attachment_33980" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image Credit: Hotel G Singapore Facebook[/caption]

Hotel G Singapore is a chic lifestyle hotel that is conveniently located few minutes away from Bugis and Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.

They have a grand total of 308 rooms that are divided into Good, Great and Greater categories.

Their room comes equipped with all modern comforts in a stylish vintage decor and are decked with the hotel’s trademark dreamcatcher lighting.

Image Credit: Hotel G Singapore Facebook

As Hotel G is conveniently located at Middle Road near Orchard, this means that food and entertainment are just a couple of steps away!

Hotel G
Price: Starts from $127/night
Address: 200 Middle Road, Singapore 188980
Contact No.: 6809 7988
Website

3. Rabbit Carrot Gun

If you want a change of pace from hotels and boutique hotels, here’s a staycation spot that’s more unique – Rabbit Carrot Gun.

Rabbit Carrot Gun is a restaurant and ‘hotel’ rolled into one. On the ground floor of this refurbished shophouse is a bustling casual dining restaurant that serves up all your brunch favourites, while the second storey comprises 3 rooms for guests.

Encapsulated in a 1925 traditionally built Singaporean shophouse, these suites will mesmerise you the moment you step in.

If you don’t live in the East side of Singapore, this would be a great opportunity to explore parts of Singapore you’ve never ventured to before. Our tip? Bookmark all the good food you want to try in the area to make the best of your stay in the East.

Rabbit Carrot Gun
Price: Starts from $139/night
Address: 47 – 49 East Coast Road, Singapore 428768
Contact no.: 6348 8568
Website

4. XY Hotel Bugis

Located in Kampong Glam, XY Hotel Bugis’ design and rooms feature a unique blend modern art, while staying true to the local heritage.

While its exterior is deceptively minimal with its black and white design, step inside and you’ll find a space that’s overflowing with personality and interiors punctuated with bright pops of colour.

Think rattan chairs in bold hues of pink, green and indigo, and neon lights in the common areas. All 15 of their rooms also feature quirky murals.

Located just minutes away from OG hipster area Haji Lane and Arab Street, you won’t have to venture far for some amazing – and halal – food.

XY Hotel Singapore
Price: Starts from $130/night for Superior Room
Address: 47 – 49 East Coast Road, Singapore 428768
Contact no.: 6348 8568
Website

5. Arcadia Hotel

Arcadia Hotel is a stylish modern hotel at Hamilton Road, in the heart of the vibrant Jalan Besar district of Singapore.

It’s vibrant white and green facade looks like it came out of a Wes Anderson film.

If you intend to stay in the room all day, every room comes with a set of L’Occitance bath amenities as well as a 42-inch flat-panel TV for you to Netflix and chill.

Some of the hotel rooms comes with a balcony that looks out to the Jalan Besar streets. Perfect for winding down in the evening with a couple of drinks!

Other than their comfy rooms, there’s a rooftop terrace shaded by tropical trees featuring a hot tub for you to sit in and enjoy the city views.

Arcadia Hotel
Price: Starts from $130/night
Address: 32 Hamilton Road, Singapore 209201
Contact no.: 6718 0700
Image Credit: @hotelcollab[/caption]

This hotel is situated at the start of Keong Saik Road, lined with quaint cafes, bistros, bakeries and restaurants so you definitely won’t go hungry if you’re staying here.

The good location and amazing hospitality is met with an equally gorgeous interior. Guests have also mentioned that it strikes the perfect balance between value and warmth!

Head on over to their spacious patio after a long day for a breath of fresh air. This is definitely the place to relax and chill!

Hotel 1929
Price: Starts from $125/night
Address: 50 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089154
Contact no.: 6717 1929
Image Credit: Village Hotels & Residences[/caption]

Rooms at Village Hotel Changi carries a simplistic elegance and comes with a stunning sea-view.

(Header Image Source:

This S’pore-Made Lightsaber Will Fulfil Every Geek’s Fantasy Of Being A Jedi

For true-blue Jedis, owning a lightsaber is a mark of training and honour.

I’ve always dreamt of being a Jedi Knight but there’s just one problem – you can’t get legit lightsabers in Singapore.

You only have the option of the plastic lightsabers from Toys R Us or you end up buying a lightsaber from the US which can get pretty expensive.

However, this dream of mine is about to become a reality thanks to Singapore company SaberMach, that specialises in high quality combat illuminated sabers.

The Force Is Strong With This One

SaberMach is a Singapore brand focused on building high quality sabers for Star Wars enthusiasts.

Started by two budget-conscious Singaporean Star Wars fan who could not afford lightsabers from the United States when they were in their teens, they joined forces to create the most badass sabers we’ve seen to date.

Unlike the licensed replicas found in toyshops, SaberMach lightsabers are manufactured in-house and made for one purpose – combat duelling.

This means that you can pretty much fight with these lightsabers but your body parts won’t get sliced off!

The Sabers

For the lightsaber fanatics, the Master Series sabers ($759) is the ultimate choice for the complete saber experience.

There are 7 hilts available from the Master series. I gotta say, they look pretty badass to me.

The Master Series saber provides up to 16 different LED colours in a single saber hilt and a flash-on-clash effect which is a flash of any color of light when your saber impacts on your opponent’s saber.

Best part, if you’re a collector, your saber comes with an acrylic casing for you to display your amazing hilts.

If you’re looking for a saber that’s more suited for combat duelling, SaberMach came up with a Sportz MACH model ($549) which is meticulously handcrafted for faultless precision handling.

Designed with serious combat in mind, its lightweight and sleek chassis is perfect for speed and accuracy.

Fans can also choose to personalise their sabers by engraving their names or logos onto it.

If you’re looking for a one of a kind lightsaber. SaberMach has expanded their services and is now taking custom 1 of a kind saber commissions.

The custom sabers will come with the quality of their standard SaberMach products together with the electronic chassis system found in their premium sabers.

Just as a Jedi knight builds his or her own lightsaber by hand, every single SaberMach saber is hand-crafted from an anodized aluminum tube at Sabermach’s factory in Singapore.

Owning a lightsaber has always been every geek’s lifelong dream and I can’t wait to get my hands on their creations!

SaberMach
Address: 9 Yishun Industrial Street 1 #03-86, North Spring Bizhub, 768163
Contact No.: 9859 2016
Website

Also Read Take First, Try Later – Stuff Your Bags To Your Heart’s Content At Carousell’s Clothes Buffet

(Header Image Source: SaberMach Facebook)

Think Out Of The Toastbox – Must-Try Kaya Toasts In Singapore You Will Love Regardless Of SES

Kaya toast is what I’d describe as the “strawberry jam with scones” of England. It’s a classic Singaporean breakfast that is best enjoyed with kopi gao and two soft-boiled eggs.

Skip your usual Ya Kun Kaya and Toast Box and go for the more traditional coffee shops that will not disappoint.

The Classic Singaporean Breakfast

1. Chin Mee Chin Confectionary

This place has been a long-running favourite among the locals. Located along East Coast Road, this nostalgic coffee shop is a nice change to modern joints.

Known for it’s decor typical of 1950s Singapore, with retro marble top tables, floor tiles, and ceiling fans. It’s also known for their traditional kaya toasts.

Instead of the kaya toast bread you’d typically see, their Kaya Toast is served in a hamburger-type bun and slathered with their homemade kaya and a slice of butter.

These buns are made in house and toasted till they are slightly burnt for that nice “char” taste. This place can get pretty busy so try and avoid peak hours if you’re looking at dining in.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
Address: 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 8.30 am – 4pm, Closed on Mondays
Contact No.: 6345 0419

2. Dong Po Colonial Cafe

Located along Kandahar Street, it’s common to see this coffee shop packed with office workers during lunch hour.

Using only authentic recipes from the 50s and 60s, this colonial cafe lets you savour the taste of the past.

The kaya toast is generously slathered with their homemade kaya which is available for sale as well!

Here’s a tip, skip the teh and get their kopi. Be it Kopi-O, siew dai, gao or whatever, trust me. The auntie here knows how to make a legit cup of kopi.

Dong Po Colonial Cafe
Address: 56 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198904
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs: 8am – 6pm, Fri – Sat: 8am – 10pm, Sun: 8am – 8pm
Contact No.: 8748 0828
Image Credit: Medha Lim Facebook[/caption]

Enjoy your kaya toast with a cup of kopi gu you (coffee with butter) which will definitely elevate your breakfast experience.

Heap Seng Leong
Address: Block 10 North Bridge Road #1-5109, Singapore 190010
Opening Hours: 4am-8pm daily

4. Tong Ah Eating House

Tong Ah is one of the most iconic coffee shop in Singapore. Since 1939, they’ve been serving cups of kopi and kaya toast at the junction of Teck Lim and Keong Saik Road.

They’ve since relocated a few units farther down Keong Saik Road.

If you prefer crispy thin bread, then you’ll love the kaya toast served at Tong Ah.

Tong Ah Eating House
Address: 35 Keong Siak Road, Singapore 089142
Opening Hours: 7am – 10pm daily
Contact No.: 6223 5083
Website 

5. Good Morning Nanyang Cafe

The kaya toast at this cafe looks like a masterpiece.

The Orange Peel Ciabatta Kaya Toast includes bits of caramelised orange peel baked into the thick bread which leaves a zesty taste lingering in your mouth.

It’s definitely not your traditional kaya toast but it’s perfect if you’re looking for something different to start your morning.

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe
Address: 32 Maxwell Rd, #01-05, Singapore 069115
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 5.30pm, Sat: 8:30am – 2:30pm, Closed on Sundays
Website 

6. Coffee Break

Run by the third generation of kopi hawkers, they serve both traditional and modern fare to cater to the different generations.

Just look at that butter!

As much as I love the traditional kaya butter combination, Coffee Break serves up a couple of unique combination such as the Rum and Raisin which features a light and refreshing cream.

The Black Sesame combination is one of their best-sellers as well. The black sesame and butter combination goes surprisingly well together.

Coffee Break
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road #02-78, Singapore 069111
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 2.30pm, Closed on Sat and Sun
Contact No.: 8100 6218
Website 

7. Toast Hut

Run by a young local hawkerpreneur, Toast Hut is the place for your traditional kaya toast set and kopi at any time of the day.

Melvin Soh, owner of Toast Hut opened his stall at Old Airport Road in 2007 selling kaya toast with home-brewed traditional coffee.

They have several different bread for you to choose from. You can opt for the traditional crispy bread or french toast.

The best part is, their kaya isn’t overly sweet. So it’s not too jelak.

Toast Hut
Address: 51 Old Airport Rd #01-52, Old Airport Rd Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 6.30am – 2.00pm, Sun: 6.30am – 12.00pm, Closed on Thursdays
Contact No.: 8125 7729
Website 

8. YY Kafei Dian

This coffee shop is a hidden gem that offers authentic Hainanese fare such as chicken rice and Claypot E-fu Noodles.

However, they’re well known for their soft pillowy kaya buns that are perfectly baked in house.

Expect a generous amount of kaya on your buns, topped off with a slab of savoury butter.

YY Kafei Dian
Address: 37 Beach Road #01-01, Singapore 189678
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 9.30pm, Sat – Sun: 8am – 9.30pm
Contact No.: 6336 8813
Website 

Also Read This Stall’s Affordable Halal Salmon Bowls Are The CBD Lunch Crowd’s Latest Craze

(Header Image Source: Burpple User Foodslut_ )

Singapore Already Has A MasterChef And His Instagram Is Basically Food Porn

With the drama surrounding Mediacorp’s decision to air the upcoming MasterChef Singapore on Channel 8, let me just take the time to inform everyone that technically, Singapore already has a MasterChef.

That’s right. Everyone seems to have conveniently forgot about MasterChef Asia, and that we had Singaporean contestants participating in said competition.

It gets better. The winner of MasterChef Asia is Singaporean. Meet Woo Wai Leong.

The 30-year-old home cook won the coveted title of MasterChef back in 2015.

Food Porn By A MasterChef

If you love food like I do, then allow me to introduce the Instagram account of MasterChef Woo Wai Leong to you.

The MasterChef Asia winner uploads some of the most interesting dishes he’s tasted, as well as his wonderfully quirky and interesting creations, on Instagram and every dish is a gastronomical delight.

As someone who enjoys reading menus to see what unique food combinations chef come up with, Chef Woo’s Instagram captions are informative and interesting to me.

I mean, just look.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWCIcL6DfHm/?hl=en&taken-by=woowaileong

He takes Instant noodles to the next level. Mascarpone and Instant noodles! Genius. This dish leaves even the best Maggi Goreng you can find in Singapore, in the dust.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVd6g5MjCY1/?hl=en&taken-by=woowaileong

Salad You Tiao (dough fritters) meets Ngoh Hiang. And the entire You Tiao is wrapped in caul fat before it was deep fried. I am shook, honestly. I’ve never seen anyone use caul fat except maybe in a cooking anime.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWeY3bIj1Z-/?hl=en&taken-by=woowaileong

If you’re sick of regular vegetarian pizzas, feast your eyes on this tofu pizza. Traditionally asian ingredients in an Italian staple. How is tofu butter even made? Tofu butter isn’t the only unique butter that Chef Woo makes. Check out this next dish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXFy03sjRAY/?hl=en&taken-by=woowaileong

Did you know that the most intense flavour of a prawn lies within the head? Chef Woo managed to bring out that flavour, turned it into prawn head butter and used it in his own rendition of Char Kway Teow.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdl8TzSjxyw/?hl=en&taken-by=woowaileong

Just reading the description of this literal sin on a plate is about to give me a heart attack.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be93-T1jmoW/?hl=en&taken-by=woowaileong

Another one of Chef Woo’s Indomie creations. This one uses Shaoxing beurre blanc (reduced white butter sauce) and topped with Chinese caviar. Is that even Indomie anymore?

If you enjoy Chef Woo’s gastronomic creations, you can see more on his Instagram.

He will also be at the District Design Dialogue – Holland Village in the Locked-In-A-Room Session: Ask Me Anything, as one of the guest speakers.

Who said Singapore has no talent?

Also read This New Tom Yum Ramen Brings Together The Best Of Both Thai And Japanese Cuisine

(Header Image Source: Australian Network News)

We Tried A Chatbot That Lets You Play A Character In A Local Novel – Here’s How The Story Ended

I love reading. Though nowadays the few things I read seem to be emails, text messages and articles on social media.

Did you know that Singapore has quite an extensive collection of local literature?

To get people to read and explore local literature, the Singapore Book Council (SBC), in collaboration with DDB Singapore, has launched “Chatbooks“.

As its name implies, Chatbooks is a chatbot that mimics authors messaging users, to share their stories.

This comes as part of the #BuySingLit movement – an industry-led movement created to encourage people to discover and embrace Singapore literature.

Chatbot For Bookworms

Chatbooks combines a chatbot with books by local authors. The user receives text messages that leads them to the heart of the story, and allows them to participate in the story by making decisions as the story progresses.

Intrigued, I tried Chatbooks for myself.

First up, head to the BuySingLit Facebook page, click on “Send Message”, then “Get Started”.

The chatbot will prompt you to select a book to read. Currently there are 5 titles for readers to choose from. 2 in English, 1 in Mandarin, 1 in Bahasa Melayu, and 1 in Tamil.

Because I jiak kentang, I went for an English one.

I’m going to be honest.

I was a little creeped out when the first message I got after selecting a book title, was an audio clip. Thank goodness it was just an annoying audio clip of an alarm clock ringing. You know, to set the mood.

If my Macbook had started laughing like Amazon’s Alexa, I would’ve tossed it out of the window.

I don’t need a haunting. Not again.

None of the options had me sprinting out of bed to the office. And calling in sick was an option apparently.

“Hello boss? Yes I’m aware that the Merlion Alpha Delta satellite has crashed. But I’m having the runs. Going to see the doctor now.” *hangs up*

Moving on.

Well I wasn’t thinking of butterflies. But now I am. There are 2 options. Back to bed or go for a walk. What about the 20 messages from office and the crashed satellite?

Okay, to be fair, I thought going for a walk would lead me to office, so that the story could progress instead of having me lying in bed.

Casual existential crisis. FINALLY, I have an option to just get to work. And BAM! Dead phone.

Just get me to the office already!!!

Okay, I should’ve gone to work, since I was so eager. But I actually thought about this and decided to charge my phone because a dead phone is dead weight.

Don’t judge. I was already fully immersed and emotionally invested in this narrative. Next.

This is some Cloverfield Paradox situation that we have on our hands. I was in full white-girl-in-horror-movie mode at this point.

“OMG another me behind me? Let’s reach out and touch it!”

I honestly cannot even. It was getting good!

At the end of the experience, the bot even tells you a bit about the author, which is great. Because I need to know the person who brought my casual existential crisis to life.

Chatbooks is incredibly immersive. Prior to trying it out, I wasn’t even aware that it was a synopsis.

It almost felt like a game, given that I had control over the character’s decision-making process. Now I have to find the book by Tania De Rozario, to find out whether my character lives or dies or has a clone.

Though there are only 5 titles available currently, I hope that Chatbooks will continue adding to their library.

We need a zombie survival title for Chatbooks. That should be interesting.

Also read Inflatable Animals And Mythical Creatures Take Over Marina Bay This March

(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)