Fun Fun Fun

Monday, 18 March 2013

Vietnam free and easy : Ho chi minh Cuchi tunnel and Cao Dai Temple Tour

Sinh Tourist. The more famous agency where most people booked their cuchi tunnnels and other tours.

I booked from Viet vacation travel because I find the sinh tourist has more people on each tour bus and also I don't like the crowd I see in there.

Actually is ok to book from any of the travel agencies at the backpackers area. My tour bus picked up people from various agencies. We booked from different agencies but end up on the same bus and tour group.

Price may differ by a bit and you can pay in USd or dong.

There are smaller group tour but it will be slightly more expensive.

The bus and our English tour guide. His English was ok. There are times I don't understand what he is talking about.

He is a nice and friendly guy.

Some random shots on the bus ride

We stop by for a drink, snack and toilet break before arriving at Cao Dai Temple.

The toilet is clean and dry.

Cai Dai Temple.

I don't think it was really worth the few hours ride.

We watched the prayers for a few minutes and walk around the temple.

Then went back to bus because there was nothing much else to see and the weather is like hot and humid. It was around 30+ degress

Stop for before going to cuchi tunnels.

The food was quite bad. and the restaurant was hot and humid with no fans or air conditioning.

I will recommend you pack your own lunch and enjoy it on the bus.

MAn demostrating how they hide in the small hole in the olden days.

Roofs on the ground and houses built underground.

Deathly traps.

sounvenirs?

If you are buying empty bullets, remember to keep them in your check in luggage and not hand carry luggage. If not, it will be confiscated.

Shooting range.

Durable shoes made from tyres.

The sunset.

Overall. The trip was cheap but bring your umbrella, food and cold water as weather is hot, sunny and humid.

Cuchi tunnel was definitely more interesting than the temple.

I will suggest a half day city tour which just bring you to cuchi tunnels.

Sunday, 17 March 2013

Just EAt : Singapore Halia at Raffles Hotel

The hallway

Ordered two small dishes( Celraic Lasagne and oriental pulled duck) and three big dishes(HAlia Chilli Crab, Seafood in Saffron Orange broth and Sous Vide Baharat chicken Leg) for four girls.

Sides can be added.

My friend likes the Celraic Lasagne. I like the toasted mushrooms that is scattered on the Lasagne.

As I am a meat and seafood lover, I prefer the Seafood in Saffron Orange broth as there are seafood like mussels, salmon, cod, prawns. It does not taste spicy. More of a milky and sweet soup.

Halia chilli crab taste good but the taste of the crab is not really prominent so is more of a chilli crab sauce with pasta for me.

The Chicken leg was tender and the skin crispy.

The oriental pulled duck is a no for me as I don't like sesame oil and the soba is coated with sesame oil.

The Desserts:
Ginger Nougaut PArfait, Sticky toffee pudding and white chocolate mousse.
We were not customed to the taste of ginger so it taste a bit usual. However, it taste better when eated together when the caramelized pineapple.
The Sticky toffee pudding is more of a moist and dense sponge cake. Eat is with the ice cream and caramel. Average.
I enjoyed the white chocolate mousse the most, the white chocolate is sweet and the chocolate ice cream taste good with the crumbs.

As the original shop is situated at botanical gardens, I think that is why there is a number of fake trees in the restaurant.

We did not order drinks. The bill came up to around $170.

The service is good. Waiters and waitresses are friendly and attentive.

Quiet place for a Saturday evening.

Around half of the restaurant was filled.

Singapore Food: Porridge Buffet at Crystal Cafe

The food available.
Is not fantastic but I think is worth the price.
for people who want a simple but traditional buffet.
Good place to bring elderly who prefer chinese and not too expensive food.

Orchard Grand Court
131 Killiney Road
Tel: 68302020

Available: 12pm-2:30pm; 6pm-10pm
Monday - Thursday Lunch and Dinner
Friday Lunch
Lunch $13.80 for adults $11.80 for child.

Friday Dinner.
Weekends, eve of public holidays and public holidays
$15.80 for Adults $13.80 for child

not inclusive of gst and tax

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Vietnam free and easy : Ho chi Minh TAxi Transfer and 3G sim card

On the plane.

Ho chi minh airport is quite small. You can see this counter after you exit the area which you pick up your luggage.

There are various package available for both sim, micro simcard and nano simcard.

You can pay in both USD or VND.

The person at the counter will help you set up your phone.

If you just need the data plan, is only 3 USD.

We went out and enquired about the taxi rate. It is only around 1 USD difference if we book from the taxi counter inside the airport. Therefore, we decided to take the taxi from the taxi counter as it is much safer.

Singapore Food: Antoinette

Went to Antoinette at Mandarin Gallery for brunch.

The food was good and there is quite a selection of food and desserts available.

Enjoyed both the food and desserts

Will visit the place again, there are so many more desserts and food that I want to try.

I like the comfortable armchairs, good place for girls to gather and talk and enjoy desserts. However, the table seems a bit small.

www.antoinette.com.sg/

Saturday, 2 March 2013

Singapore food : Rabbit Carrot Gun

The restaurant.

Warm vintage and cozy feel to it.

Is quite a small place.

The menu.

Quite limited.

Wanted to try the pasta but their stove is under repairs.

Ordered the fish pie and Quiche(bacon)

The food is delicious.

The fish pie contains chunky fish and prawns and potatoes. I think I taste scallops too. So is more like a seafood pie.The fish pie came with a salad.

There were 3 flavours for the Quiche. I took the bacon Quiche.

I like the Quiche too because I like food a bit burnt and this is slightly less cheesy.

The Quiche came with choice of two salads, can choose from the huge variety of salads available. There were cooked vegetables, brown rice, potatoes and ....

The portion is average. More fulfilling than it looks.