My stay at Phuket-Letong Beach Hotel

I just came back yesterday and my stay at Letong Beach Hotel Room 205 was a disappointment but anyway i was well prepared. My friend's room 204 was 10 times much more better than mine. Maybe we were not lucky enough. It wasn't comfortable staying there because the rooms are old and dirty. I saw few ants crawling around the bed and even saw 2 earthworms crawling in my room on my last night. The bed was hard and they do not have hot flask, iron, hair dryer and safe deposit box. Worse still, Letong Beach Hotel was beside the nice and well built Novotel. It is not near to popular places like bangla road and shopping mall, Jungceylon. We walked about 20 mins to Jungceylon but on the way you can see a lot of pubs and discos. However there are few plus points about this hotel, it is near a very nice restaurant called Baan Rim Pa. This restaurant has unsurpassed view and excellent food. It is near patong beach and it is about 5-7 minutes from the seasports area not the one directly infront of the hotel. Every rooms has a balcony. I guessed this hotel is quite safe from tsunami because everything seems unspoilt but judging from the furniture and the building. If you are someone who is on budget and wants somewhere not near the crowd, maybe this hotel could be the right choice.

Rating: (5- best 1-worst)
Services: 4
Location: 2
Food: 2
Facilities: 1
Overall: 2


Will I go back to this hotel again?: NO....

Phuket

I am going to Phuket tomorrow and will be coming back on the 28th. At this moment, I am feeling excited and worried. Thinking of the tsunami 3 years back, it brings chills down to my neck but i told myself not too worry. Will there still be colourful corals under the sea after tsunami? Mmm... I hope so because i can't wait to see. It was a last minute idea of spending my christmas day at Phuket because i saw Tiger Airways coming back flight was only 9.98 and so I decided to go for it. Haha. I was also having a hard time in booking the hotels. After going through much hassles and rejections, we finally settled it down at LeTong Hotel. I am praying hard that hotel will not be as bad as what the reviews mentioned but because of budget and a lot of hotels are fully booked, we had no choice but to go for Letong Beach Resort. I shall come back with great photos and reviews in my next post. Merry Christmas! :)

The Wine Company at Dempsey Road

Are you a wine lover? At The Wine Company, you will find quality wines from most wine producing countries in the world. If you are planning for a wine spree, this is one of the best option to consider. They have varieties of wines with all kind of prices for you to choose.

The Wine Company
Address: Block 14-3, Dempsey Road Singapore 249688
Tel: 6479 9341
Fax:6479 9351
Operating Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 3 pm - 12 midnight
Fridays and Eve of Public Holiday: 3 pm - 1 am
Saturdays: 12 noon - 1 am
Sundays and Public Holiday: 12 noon - 11 pm
Website: http://www.thewinecompany.com.sg/

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

Singapore Sales Updates

Here come another crazy sales especially Mango.

Mango(Vivocity)- Storewide Sales(Some having 50% Off)
Prada(DFS)- 40% Off for selected range
DFS Galleria Scottwalk- Annual Discount from 30% onwards

Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice

The first time i ate their chicken rice was about 9 years back in one of their outlet in balestier. Boon Tong Kee (Chinese Name: Wen Tong Ji) is one of the most renowned chicken rice restaurant chain in Singapore. It has attracted tourists, local and regional celebrities. What is so great about their chicken rice? Tender, Fresh and most importantly not oily. I like their chilli sauces and the soy sauce. YUMMY.

Add: 1) 401 Balestier Road Singapore 329803 Tel: 6254 3937

2) 470 MacPherson Road Singapore 368188 Tel: 6746 2774

3) 34 Whampoa West #01-93 Singapore 330034 Tel: 6299 9880 (Beside Boon Keng Mrt)

4) 425 River Valley Road Singapore 248324 Tel: 6736 3213

5)18 Cheong Chin Nam Road Singapore 599742 Tel: 6463 2289

6) 199 East Coast Road, Singapore 428902 Tel: 64781462

7) 3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-025/045 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983 Tel:6884 4185

Website: http://www.boontongkee.com.sg/

If you find that ordering their white chicken rice is not enough, you can also order their Zi Char (Home Style Cooked Food) from their Zi Char stall (Tai Hoe Ee, Chinese Name: Da Ke Yi) in their balestier outlet. A MUST TRY for their Crispy Bean Curd and their Oyster Sauce Vegetables. Although their price for chicken rice maybe abit on the high side but it is definitely worth the money. Beside this, they are also quite fast in their services. One thing that you must take note. Eating the chicken rice there is better than dabao(take away).

I would rate them 4.5 stars out of 5

Singapore Sales

-Gap: 30% for most of the items
-Armani Junior/Baby Guess/Burberrys and DKNY Babies: 30% off + additional 10% for Takashimaya Card
- Adidas( Suntec): 30% for selected items. (Usual: about $70 for a track pants became $49)
- Nike Factory Outlet Sales: Up to 50% ( until 30 Dec 2007)
Address: Wing Tai Industrial Centre
105 Tampines Road
Singapore 535 129
Hours: 12pm -7pm (Daily except for Monday)

Singapore End of the year SALES

We have all been waiting for this moment very long. Finally i waited for the sales that i have been longing for. I went to Orchard Road on Monday and GUCCI was on Sales. 30% for selected items. Wow! I am yearning to buy that handphone pouch which cost $354 before 30% and after discount is about $247. Should i buy or don't buy? I have already overspent my budget for this month. Gosh! I believed more sales are coming. What to do? Coach at DFS orchard is also having sales from 30% onwards. I will be heading down to orchard later and hope to get some great stuff at a greater discount.

Gucci(Dfs): 30% onwards for selected item
Coach(Dfs): 30% onwards
Prada: I got a feeling it is coming soon.. Haha

What presents should i buy for christmas? Mmmm... I am hoping that i can control my spending and i am trying very hard to cut down my expenses to less than 1k a month

Food That Causes Cancer

There are many news banning certain food off the shelves in Singapore. One of my favourite food is Maling Luncheon Meat. Tinned meat has been hard to obtain since AVA suspended all the imports from the 2 china factories. In all these products, the AVA has found traces of nitrofurans, a banned antibiotic fed to pigs to treat illnesses. Best of all, the banned of this canned food has cause the price of similar product to rise. (Sigh.....) My house still have 3 cans of Maling Luncheon Meat and my mother has been hesitating to throw away.

Another of my favourite is Pringles BBQ Flavored Potato Chips. I know eating chips is very unhealthy but it seems like i can't stop myself from popping into chips. It was found to contain cancer causing substance. Some industry people say the stocks in China maybe fake Pringles Potato Chips. Anyway, I shall just ban myself from eating this brand but will not stop eating other brands like Lays and Ruffles. Hahaha!

Nightlife Hangout at The Arena

I just went to the Arena last Saturday. This newly opened nightspot gives you the feeling that you are watching a rock concert. A lot of people were dancing and singing with the music. It was great with the live performance of Da-Remix(6 piece band) from USA. This band was playing popular hits by Akon, Beyonce, Black Eye Pea and Nelly Furtado....

The Arena
Address: 3B River Valley Road
#01-08 Clarke Quay
Singapore 179021
Tel: 6338 3158
Fax: 6338 3159

Email: admin@thearenalive.com.sg
Website: http://www.thearenalive.com.sg/

Cover charge: No cover charge but need to buy at least one drink to gain entry

Dress Code: Smart, Casual ( I saw a foreigner wearing shorts and sandals but i don't know it is because he is a tourist, they let him in).

Spread over a sprawling 10,000 square feet and costing 3million to renovate. This place have nice concept but the lightings should be improved. Attracting mostly the tourists and the working class people(alot of girls too). The live band try to hype up the atmosphere getting the clubbers to dance with them. Drinks are considered reasonable cheap. If you open a bottle of Vodka before 9. It is about $128sgd and after 9pm is about $168 sgd.

Overall, I feel that the crowd and myself enjoyed it.

I would rate them 3 stars out of 5.

Night Life Hangout at Zouk

Zouk/Phuture/Velvet Underground/Winebar
Address: 17 Jiak Kim Street

Tel: 6738 2988 Fax: 6738 3988

Operating Hours:
Zouk: Wed-Sat: 10pm till late

Phuture: Wed - Sat: 9pm till late

Velvet Underground: Tues - Sat: 9pm till late

Winebar: Mon: 6pm - 1pm Tues - Sat: 6pm till 3am

Charges: $20 for Ladies

$25 for Gentleman

Age Limit: Zouk, Wine Bar and Phuture: 18 years and above

Dress Code: No Flip Flops and Open Toe Shoes for men. Dress Stylish and Clubby

Age Limit:Velvet Underground: Mens: 23 onwards, Ladies: 21 onwards
Dress Code: No Flip Flops, Open Toe Shoes and Bermuda for men. Dress Stylish, smart and casual.

Email: reservation@zoukclub.com

Website: http://www.zoukclub.com/

http://www.zoukout.com/

http://www.zoukclub.com.my/

Zouk has revamped itself many times. The last revamped was a $7million deal for refurnishing and entire complex. Zouk was launched in March 1991 and is one of the oldest club in Singapore. One thing i like about Zouk is they really have have TOP name Djs and Superstars like Jay Chou, Carl Cox, Chemical Brothers also patron Zouk. This phenomenon has been reflected by many international publication such as The Face(UK), Arena(UK), South China Morning Post(Hongkong) and many more.
Zouk has four different clubs namely the Phuture, Velvet Underground, Wine Bar and the main Zouk Room.

Zouk attract most of the young, hippies and "funky" people. A lot of patron who goes zouk are most welcomed by the students. You also get to see alot of "Act Funky" people around. Different theme of songs for different night.
Velvet mainly attract the working class people. You get to see some of the air crews people here. Music are totally different from Zouk, mainly soulful, brazillian, jazzy to deeper techier grooves.

Phuture crowd is about the same as Zouk. Music are mainly the Hip Hop, Breaks, Drum n Bass...

I personally prefer Velvet Underground and i always use my citibank credit card to gain free entry.
I would rate them 3.5 stars out of 5.

Night life Hangout at Ministry of Sound (MOS)

Ministry of Sound (MOS)
Address: Blk C, The Cannery
River Valley Road
#01-(02)-(07) /02-(01)-(08)
Clarke Quay
Singapore 179022

Tel: 6235 2292

Website: http://www.ministryofsound.com.sg/

Age Limit:

Dress Code: No Slippers and Shorts for guys...

Charges: Ladies / Men
Weds : FREE / $20 for 2 drinks
Thurs : $20 for 2 drinks / $20 for 2 drinks

Fri/Sat: Before 10.30pm / Before 10.30pm
($12 for 1 drink) ($15 for 1 drink)
After 10.30 pm / After 10.30pm
($20 for 2 drinks) ($25 for 2drinks)

The first time i went to MOS was last year. It was so crowded that i had difficulty finding a space to stand although their place is huge(Imagine the crowd they are getting, Phew!). MOS is one the biggest night entertainment in Singapore with a 40,000 square structure designed with both avant-garde audio and visual effect systems - set to satiate the aural and visual senses of the discerning clubber. They have really good DJs around too. Cater to different clubbers's preference, they have different theme of music for each ground like house, funky beats, electro, hip-hop/R&B, disco and soulful house. Hence the crowd drawn are of different age range too. You can ask for a waiver on the cover charges if you decided to open a bottle of hard liquor. If i don't remember wrongly, i opened a bottle of bicardi and it waived 4 person.

They have also been awarded one of the best nightspot experience 2006 from the tourism award.

I would give them 3 stars out of 5. Of course, they still have room for improvement.

He Ji Noodle

He Ji Noodle 何记

Address:

1)273 Jalan Kayu

Singapore 799501

Tel: 6853 5782 Fax: 6483 2682

2)910 Up Thomson Rd

Singapore 787112

Tel: 64514228 Fax: 64832682

Operating Hrs: -Mon-Fri : 10am - 10pm,

-Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 8am - 4pm

6pm - 10pm
(Closed on every 2nd and 4th week Monday)

Email: hejinoodle@singnet.com.sg

Charges: $3 for a bowl of wanton mee

This is one of my favourite noodle, i will eat their noodles at least twice a month as it is near my house. He Ji Noodle was originated in 1945. The founder of He Ji Noodle, Mr. Ho, was born in China. After the Second World War, in his early 20s, he came to Malayan and learned the art of noodle making from his great uncle. Through his perseverance, he managed to master the art of noodle making and opened his first wanton mee stall. Customers that had tasted his noodle were full of praises and as the years passed by, more stalls were opened up. People all over the world who have heard of He Ji would come to taste his wanton mee. Especially Singaporean, would ask for takeaway to bring back to Singapore for their friends and relatives. Luckily now we can enjoyed He Ji Noodle in Singapore.

Their wanton mee are different from those you taste it in hawker centre. Their noodle are chewy and spongy. Their chilli sauce is also nice and i heard it is their secret recipe. I am also a big fan of their deep fried wanton. I would always order the $3 portion. Their deep fried wonton is very crispy and it reminded me of home cooked food. Simple and Delicious.

I would rate 4.5 stars out of 5. I really love them.

Padang Palace Restaurant

Padang Palace Restaurant

Address: 2nd Level Singapore Recreation Club B

Connaught Drive

Singapore 179682

Tel: 6338 9595

Operating Hours: Mondays to Sundays

Website: http://www.padangpalace.com.sg/

I went to try their food last sunday as it was my grandma's birthday. I would give them 4 stars for their customer service. We were given a VIP room because of grandma's birthday. The manager came in personally to wish grandma and we felt so welcomed by his service. He gave us free longevity bun and change one of the our dish, fried rice to longevity noodle as a birthday treat to grandma. Their steam pomfret in teochew style is really very fresh and good. Thumbs up for their steam prawns too. The layout and the garnishes were excellent. We paid around $388++ per table for 10 person and were given expensive dishes such as pomfret, shark fins, abalone and lobsters etc in totaling of 8 dishes. It is really worth the deal man!

Beside this, Padang Palace were voted Number 1 for the most popular chinese cuisine restaurant and the top 10 favourite restaurants for the 3rd year.

I would rate them 4 stars out of 5 stars.

My Thoughts

The death of the five singaporeans dragon boat rowers left alot of people tears and sorrow. When i knew the news of the missing five dragon boat rowers, my heart sank. I was thinking if there are really hope for them. I was praying hard for them just hoping for that miracle but it did not happen. This tragedy not only saddened the Singaporeans but also the people in Cambodia. If they are wearing life jacket, things could have turn out differently. I believed this has taught alot of people about the safety measures for any form of sports. It is always the case that if such things don't happen, people just take it for granted. Likewise for myself too. Everytime when such cases happened, i start to ponder about the meaning of life. Life is really short and unpredictable.

Whenever i think of death, i think of the people around me. I am glad that i am being loved by alot of people around me. If you are reading this post, start to think of your love ones, friends and the happy moments you enjoyed.. Do you have any friends/love ones you quarrelled? Do you hate them? Do you want them to die? Erase the hatred if you have. Open up your heart and love the people around you. Start saying "thank you", "I appreciate that" , "I love you"... It brightened up your day and theirs.

The world is beautiful. It lies in our heart, mind and soul......

Fish Head Curry

Chye Lye Restaurant Fish Head Curry
再来鱼头餐室
Address: 1 Jalan Legundi,
Sembawang Garden Arcades
Singapore 759263
Operating Hours: Everyday (Closed on Monday)

Tel: 6257 1396

One of their signature dishes is fish head curry. I really love their fish head curry. Unlike other fish head curries, they really use the freshest fish head and their sweet and sour taste makes you want to crave more... I personally know their boss. I guessed he is in the mid 50s and he is very humble and down to earth nice man. They have won many accolades from various food media such as Singapore food etc.

Beside curry fish head, you may want to try their Spring Chicken too.

In all, i would rate them 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Japanese Buffets

1) Minori Dining & Sake Bar
Address: 81 Clemenceau Ave #03-15/16
(UE Square Shopping Mall)
Singapore 239917
Tel: 6737 3353
Opening Hours: Lunch (11.30am-2.30pm)
Dinner (6pm - 10.30 pm)
(Closed on Monday)
Charges: $28 sgd per pax ( Exclude GST)
Website: http: http://www.minori.com.sg/

This newly opened japanese restaurant offers alacarte buffet menu where you can enjoy a harvest of more than 120 items of sashimi, sushi, tempura, summiyaki and teppanyaki. One thing i love the most about this restaurant is their freshly cut sashimi, octopus and paper steamboat. Although just opened, this restaurant has already start to gain some popularity among japanese food lovers. Best of all, i heard that this restaurant is endorsed by well-known celebrity Moses Lim.

In all, i would rate them 4 stars out of 5.

New born baby

This is my 2nd blog in blogspot. What am i going to write this time? I shall start off with nice food haunts in singapore. In this blog, i will include topics about food, my thoughts and news.