Top 10 Things to Do in Singapore

My friend Dilek recently visited Singapore before flying to Thailand for a Bangkok and Phuket trip. I requested her to compile a to-do-list in Singapore and here is what she has written:

Singapore attracts many visitors, travelers and tourists into the region combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a tropical climate, with tasty food, and good shopping malls. The culture of Singapore is composed of mainly Chinese, Indian, British, and Malay cultures. There are many things you can do in Singapore. During your first visit, you can start with these top 10 things to do in Singapore.

1. Going to Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. It is located along Marina Bay waterfront with 3 cascading hotel towers, 2,560 rooms, Sands SkyPark, floating crystal pavilions, lotus-inspired ArtScience Museum, shops, restaurants, theaters and nightclubs. Sands SkyPark offers 360-degree views of Singapore’s skyline. You may buy tickets for Sands SkyPark Observation Deck online http://www.marinabaysands.com/Sands-SkyPark/Tickets/ Observation Desk is open 7 days a week (Mon-Thurs:09:30 am-10:00pm/ Fri-Sun: 09:30 am-11:00pm).
Marina Bay Sands Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands Singapore. Sands SkyPark is on the deck hovering at the top of 3 hotel towers

2. Riding The Singapore Flyer

Standing at 165 meters above the city, The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel in Singapore that was constructed between 2005 and 2008. It is located near the shore of Singapore’s Marina Bay. The Flyer’s height is of a 42-storey building  and it is taller than famous London Eye. If you ride on  the world’s tallest observation wheel, you will have chance to catch the magnificent view of Singapore’s iconic and historical landmarks as well as views from the Marina Bay to the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang.

3. Going to Night Safari

The Night Safari is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore. Actually it is the world’s first nocturnal zoo.(Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by activity during the night and sleeping during the day.) The 40-hectare park houses 1,040 animals representing 120 species, of which 29% are threatened species. The length of visit recommended is 2-3 hours. You may explore the park either walking on foot or riding on the tram. You can purchase your night safari tickets online http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/ Indeed by buying online tickets, you can save around 5%. Just visit Night Safari Park, catch the animals of the Night Safari before they go to sleep.
View from Night Safari Photo by Dileka

4. Visiting Singapore Botanic Gardens

The 150-year old Singapore Botanic Gardens attracts many visitors as well as the local residents. This Gardens has an array of botanical and horticultural attractions with a rich history and a wonderful plant collection of worldwide significance. The Singapore Botanic Gardens is the only botanic garden in the world that opens from 5 am to 12 midnight every single day of the year. Admission to the Gardens is free except for the National Orchid Garden. There are different sections at the garden. These are National Orchid Garden, Rainforest, Evolution Garden, Ginger Garden, Healing Garden, Botany Center and Tanglin Gate and Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. You can find more than 10,000 types of plants, many heritage trees, and three lakes, namely Symphony Lake, Eco-Lake and Swan Lake. Since there are many sections, you may spend 2-3 or more hours at Singapore Botanic Gardens.

5. Visiting Jurong Bird Park

Another tourist attraction in Singapore is Jurong Bird Park managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Like its motto, it is Where Colour Lives. Jurong Bird Park has an area of 202,000 square meters and it is currently the world’s largest bird park in terms of number of birds, and second largest both in number of bird species and land area. There are 5,000 birds of 380 species in Jurong Bird Park. The park is separated for different exhibitions. These are Waterfall Aviary, Dinosaur Descendants, Birds of Prey, Southeast Asian Birds Aviary, Jungle Jewels, Lory Loft, Hornbills & Toucans, Royal Ramble, Scarlet Ibis, Spoonbills, Penguin Coast,  World of Darkness, Pelican Cove and Parrot Paradise. Don’t be surprised, if you encounter magnificent birds in front of you while you are walking.

6. Going to Sentosa Island

You should visit Sentosa Island definitely. Sentosa is a popular island resort in Singapore and it is visited by some five million people every year. Sentosa offers a variety of attractions, museums and other facilities to provide a variety of experiences, recreation and entertainment to visitors.

7. Being at the Southern Most Point of Continental Asia

While you are in Sentosa Island, do not forget to visit The Southern Most Point of Asia. It stands at the edge of continental Asia right on Palawan Beach at Sentosa Island. It is accessible via a suspension bridge. Actually the bridge has very nice view. After you reach at the Southern Most Point of Continental Asia, you can spend some time for viewing the island.

8. Spending time at the Orchard Road

Visiting and going around Orchard Road is another suggestion. Spanning almost 2.2 kilometer-long, Orchard Road is the retail and entertainment hub of Singapore. Orchard Road is a one-way boulevard including distinctive and iconic shopping malls, restaurants and hotels. It attracts many tourists.

9. Visiting Little India

As its name promises Little India is the center for the large Indian community in Singapore. It is shopping destination for many travelers visiting Singapore. Since in Little India, Singapore, you may have chance to see many spice stores, restaurants, backpacker hostels, art galleries, sari shops and Bollywood record shops. It is known for many festivals and it is one of the most colorful and attractive places to visit in Singapore.

10. Going to Chinatown

Singapore’s Chinatown is an ethnic neighborhood featuring distinctly Chinese cultural elements and a historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population. I’m sure you will enjoy your experience in Chinatown since it is full of many little shops selling everything from plastic Buddhas to the products you name it.  Furthermore, you can purchase souvenirs from Chinatown because it is where the cheapest souvenirs are. Chinatown Heritage Centre is located in Pagoda Street and all buildings are so colorful which provides you with some great photographing opportunities.

WCKD:MAG - Singapore based online magazine for men

When it comes to online product recommendation and shopping, the Singapore is flooded with sites catering to women. But there are significantly less number of online sources catering to men. So for men, the best way to find cool stuff is to surf the internet on their own instead of going to several online sites doing this job for them.

But "less" does not mean "none". There are some online websites for men in Singapore. One of them, WCKD:MAG, is a Singapore based online magazine which is about cool and innovative stuff for men, gadgets and toys that men would desire.

WCKD:MAG lists cool, affordable and actually practical stuff for men and since the site is Singapore based,  products featured are mostly available here in Singapore (or you can buy them online and delivered here anyway).

The site also categorizes things nicely and in an easily accessible way. For example there are price categories such as below $100, $100 - $200, $200 - $300, etc (if you want to fly high there is also a $100 and above category which lists things like Zoom Electric Scooter).

Most of the stuff are catering to modern, gadget savvy men who also loves to travel and discover. There are some fun stuff listed too like this "Scratch me Kitty" a.k.a "X MAN Wolverine Claws replica" :) Although targeting mainly Singapore men, if you are planning to visit Singapore, you can take a look at the site to see what cool stuffs could be available for you in Singapore.

The site does not sells the items directly but recommends them. If you wish to purchase the items or simply find out more, the site directs you the respective sellers.

Singapore based WCKD:MAG offers reccomendations for cool and affordable stuff desired by men.

The  WCKD:MAG web site is available at http://wckdmag.com. You can also follow this cool site on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wckdmag. You can also follow the web site by simply entering your e-mail to Follow box (see the main page of the site).

B P International Hong Kong Hotel

I am in Hong Kong for a business trip and this time my company booked a room in B P International Hong Kong Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. The hotel has an excellent location which is right next to Kowloon Park (a large public park in Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon Peninsula). It is 3 minutes walk from Jordan MTR Station and there are a lot of amenities around like a Seven-Eleven with opportunities for cheaper breakfast if you have not bought a room with breakfast. I will not be able to comment on the breakfast of the hotel because the dude in my company did not buy it!

The hotel and the rooms are clean. As in many hotels in Hong Kong, the rooms are small and the furniture are a little old. Hotels self-service laundry at 13th floor is quite handy where you can wash, dry and iron your clothes. The

One problem with the hotel is its size. The hotel is huge. And there are a lot of guests. This makes it quite crowded in every facility, Lifts are usually packed and full and occasionally you need to wait for the next lift because the one arriving is full. The hotel is also tall so try to choose a higher floor room looking towards the park because the view is quite good.

The event I am attending is in a quite high end hotel, The Mira Hong Kong. B P International Hong Kong Hotel is 5 minutes walk from this hotel and is much cheaper to stay in.

I am still staying one more day and I will update the post after I leave the hotel. It seems like a good choice if you are looking for relatively budget, central Hong Kong hotel near an MTR Station.

B P International Hong Kong Hotel from Kowloon Park

B P International Hotel is at 8 Austin Road, Jordan, Hong Kong. For latest room prices, price comparisons and details like customer reviews, you can check B P International Hong Kong Hotel page.

Ellen Adarna nude photo leak

Ellen Adarna became the latest victim of nude photo leaks today. It seems like sexy Filipino actress of Chinese and Spanish descent has posed nude to Esquire but none of the photos would be published as they were. But some how the unedited photos have leaked online and widely shared.

Esquire Philippines issued a statement condemning the leaked photos from their shoot with Ellen Adarna.  Here is the statement in full:
“Esquire Philippines and Summit Media condemn the unauthorized distribution of photographs of Ellen Adarna that were originally taken from a shoot the magazine had staged for its April 2014 edition. She had agreed to be featured in Esquire Philippines with the understanding that no nude photographs taken of her then would be published or disseminated. The recent circulation of such sensitive photos without her (or our) knowledge or consent is in blatant violation of her privacy, and her right to dignity. We share her outrage; we are deeply angry; we will not hesitate to take the appropriate legal action.

“The images in question, staged with photographer Jake Versoza, were never used in the magazine itself, and in most cases, were never even in the possession of the magazine. The images we did use from the shoot were treated to make sure any sensitive areas were artfully covered or obscured, as had been the agreement.”

“It is apparent as well to Esquire magazine that its own rights, as well as that of photographer Jake Versoza, have been infringed. We will take the proper measured action to protect its rights. Most importantly, we urge all not to participate in the dissemination of sensitive images that were not intended for public by the one person whose rights and dignity above all else’s should be respected at this time.”

Back in April 2014, Esquire Philippines published two versions showing Ellen Adarna naked but covered with the Esquire’s captions. But early September 17th, leaked photos of Ellen Adarna that show her completely naked were published on a Philippines gossip blog.

26 years old Ellen Adarna is an actress, comedian and model and quite famous in Philippines and Asia.

Secret of Karma

Karma (or kamma in Pali) language is one of the pillars of Buddhism yet it is one of the least understood aspect of Buddhism even by Buddhists. Karma is the result of an action with “will” and although it is similar to “cause – and – result” relationship it is different in 3 ways:

An action needs to be done by “will” to be karmic. For example if you kill a cat which jumps onto street while you are driving with normal speed and tried to avoid the cat, this killing will not create bad karma because you did not have will to kill the cat. On the other hand if you torture yourself emotionally with this accident, you are willingly harming someone (yourself) and you create bad karma.

Second, you can balance the net karma. If you have been a bad person up to now, you can start to be good and act with wisdom and if you are blessed with a long enough life, you can have net good karma from this life. But again “will” is the key here : “good” actions coming from a plain scare of the consequences of having bad karma will not erase a lot of bad karma. But a sincere remorse as a result of will to train your mind, to get rid of the mind of greed and selfishness will create huge positive karma.

And third, the consequences of karma can be seen in this life or in the next life(s). So some really bad things happening to good people may be a result of their karma coming from their past lifes.
Many people only know the actions with bad karma and the actions with good karma. But there is also something which is not well known: actions with no karma. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to attend to a state of mind where actions generate no karma. Actions with good karma are needed to stay in the favorable realms of samsara like human beings and deities.  Only from these planes of existence one can rise to nirvana.  And for nirvana, one needs actions without karma.

There are many secrets of karma to know. For more detailed information, you can take a look at Create Karma Points.

September Specials @ Wala Wala Cafe Bar

This September, fantastic drink specials at the iconic Wala Wala Café Bar are guaranteed to make party goers and music lovers happy.

Exclusively for WATSinsiders, Wala Wala is offering a bottle of Chivas 12 years for only $170nett (UP $210nett, SAVE $40). The discount is exclusive to those who download the WATSinside app from the App Store or Google Play.

Chivas is a blend of many different malt and grain Scotch whiskies, matured for at least 12 years. This smooth blend balances style with substance and tradition with a modern twist. Rich and fruity, Chivas 12 bursts with the smooth taste of ripe, honeyed apples, and notes of vanilla, hazelnut and butterscotch.

Wala Wala is also offering in-house promos (available to all), including:

Beer Lao Lager Beer @ $9 per bottle 

Beer Lao is a premium authentic rice beer brewed from a unique blend of the finest European and Laotian ingredients, a fusion of the best traditions of East and West. Brewed in Laos with hand-picked indigenous rice varieties, spring water originating from the foothills of the Himalayas, Hallertau hops, German yeast and French malted barley.

Absolut Vodka @ $150 per bottle, $270 for 2 bottles

Absolut Vodka is made exclusively from natural ingredients, and unlike other vodkas, it doesn’t contain any added sugar. In fact Absolut is as pure as vodka can be. Still, that purity has a certain taste: Rich, full-bodied and complex, yet smooth and mellow with a distinct character of grain, followed by a hint of dried fruit.

The Glenlivet 15 @ $240 per bottle

The Glenlivet 15’s distinctive character is the result of selective maturation; a proportion of the spirit is matured in a selection of French Oak casks for a limited period, so as not to overpower the final result.resh, golden yellow colour with hints of jade, this flagship cuvée’s abundant bubbles, both fine and elegant, demonstrate the finesse of this champagne.

Head down to Wala Wala with friends for a truly special bonding time over drinks and live music!

Address: 31 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Singapore 277689
Phone: (65) 6462-4288
Email: info@walawala.sg
Website: http://www.walawala.sg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walawala.sg

Opening Hours

Mon to Thurs: 4:00 pm - 1:00 am
Friday: 4:00 pm - 2:00 am
Saturday & Public holiday eves: 3:00 pm - 2:00 am
Sunday & Public holidays: 3:00 pm - 1:00 am

Happy Hours: From opening till 9:00 pm every day

Trilive @Kovan Condominium in Singapore

Trilive @Kovan (formerly Yi Mei Garden) is a 18 storey condo in Singapore. This luxury Singapore condominium project is in prestigious private housing estate named Kovan and is a few minutes walking distance away from Kovan MRT Station. It is an ideal place for those who wants to live in a quite, green place in Singapore but also would prefer conveniently near the public transportation to reach the city center easily.

Trilive @Kovan is a free hold condominim project. It is a rare FREEHOLD project since it is hard to find freehold condoninium in Singapore's northeast region. Working professionals will be able to access Singapore City Center via MRT and Seletar Aerospace Park, Halus Industrial Park and Defu Industrial Estate are also relatively nearby.

Why Trilive @Kovan?

Trilive @Kovan offers luxury resort living surrounded by nature like gardens. The luxury Singapore condo is well connected to MRT and Expressways. The location also offers wide selection of amenities such as NTUC Fairprice and Hougang Plaza. There are reputable schools nearby such as Xinghua Primary Schhol, Yuying Secondary School, Holy Innocents' Primary School and Serangoon Junior College.

The facade of Trilive @ Kovan condominium project.
Photo : Property Review

Location

Trilive @Kovan is ideally located within walking distance of Kovan MRT Station on the North East Line (Purple Line). This puts the residential condominium on 111 Tampines Road right next to Heartland Mall and just 1 station away from NEX Shopping Mall, one of the largest heartland malls in Singapore. The neighbourhood of Kovan is a suburb and part of Hougang, in the North-East Region of Singapore. Although this prestigious  area is a private housing estate, where majority of the residents live in terrace homes, semi-detached and bungalows, in recent years there are new condominiums constructed in the area.

Trilive @Kovan Condominium in Singapore
Photo : Property Review

For more information like facilities, floor plans, location map and preview info for this exiting luxury Singapore condo, you can visit Trilive @Kovan Property Review.

Wireless speakers in Singapore

Wireless speakers entered the market just a few years ago but their popularity is in exponential growth. As the number of players in wireless speakers market is growing as well as the prices are falling, consumers are opting more for this convenient option.

Wireless speakers allow people to play music from their smart phones remotely and since the number of smart phone users increased dramatically, market is wide open for these type of wireless devices. You can now find wireless speakers in every major electronics retailer here. And since Amazon is shipping free to Singapore, you can also buy many models online if you cannot find them in physical stores.

Wireless Speakers are also becoming cheaper. When wireless speakers first entered the market, yhey were expensive and sold for around 500 - 600 SGD. This was more than a year ago. A wireless speaker cost was about 189 SGD last year and now you can buy a wireless speaker for about 145 SGD.

One of the most popular application of wireless speakers is the commercial usage. For example if a cafe owner chooses wireless speakers for his business, he does not need to hire someone for wiring and often drilling holes on the walls for the wires.

There are many wireless speakers in the market now for all types of tastes and budgets. Speakers vary greatly in size, shape, and even the type of wireless system. Some wireless speakers include wireless transmitters built in and some do not come with the transmitters.

You also need to decide do you need a Bluetooth wireless speaker or AirPlay wireless speaker. Some wireless speakers support Apple AirPlay,  Apple's wireless audio feature that lets iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac users stream their iTunes libraries, and allow users to stream music to multiple speakers simultaneously. But you cannot stream music to these speakers from Android devices such as Samsung Galaxy phones. And AirPlay wireless speakers tend to be more expensive than the Bluetooth ones. They are also larger and consumes more power. If you need a battery powered wireless speaker so you can carry your speaker around, you will have hard time to find one.

Here are some of the best Wireless speakers according to PC Mag:

Braven BRV-X - (194.90 USD in Amazon with Free shipping) Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, the Braven BRV-X booms with 12 hours of music play fit for rocky canyons, powdered slopes, raging rapids, sandy dunes or even backyard barbecues. The BRV-X is designed with an IPX7 certified waterproof , shock absorbent, portable body and features a powerful 5200mAh power bank to charge external devices. Customize your listening experience for any environment by choosing indoor or outdoor mode. For an immersive left and right stereo experience, pair two Braven BRV-X speakers together using True Wireless.

Harman Kardon Aura - ($399.95 with FREE Shipping) The Harman Kardon Aura, a home audio system combining the ultra-modern performance and precision of a hi-fi luxury sound system, also boasts a unique, iconic design. The Aura’s has a sound as rich and rewarding as its appearance with six high- and mid-range transducers plus a built-in subwoofer delivering superior, Omni-directional, 360º sound – while elite features like built-in Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay lossless audio streaming and DLNA introduce you to the convenience and multi-function advantages of complete connectivity.

Marshall Stanmore Bluetooth Speaker System - ($399.00 with FREE Shipping) The Marshall Stanmore Bluetooth Compact Active Loudspeaker offers loads of ways to connect to your speaker, whether via your phone, vinyl player, TV or wirelessly via the latest version of Bluetooth, featuring APTX technology. With multiple music source options, you can connect to the Stanmore wirelessly via Bluetooth with APTX technology or through one of three audio inputs: 3.5mm input, RCA input or the optical audio input.

Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III - ($299.00 & FREE Shipping) Meet the speaker that brings your music and friends together—with a style that’s all your own. The SoundLink Bluetooth speaker III is our best-performing mobile Bluetooth speaker. It plays louder and longer than its popular predecessor, with advanced Bose technologies that reproduce the fullness, clarity and depth of your music. And a colorful assortment of optional covers let you personalize your speaker.

Weekday Singapore Yacht Cruise Deal

If you have always wanted to cruise in Singapore waters in a luxury yacht while takin in the magnificent city sights from the sea, this deal is for you. You can enjoy 4-hours yacht cruise in the company of friends, loved ones or fellow adventurers. You can party while aboard a luxury yacht built with wonderful features and amenities. You can also spend your day soaking under the sun while sailing away through the sea.A perfect stress relief solution!

For only 450 SGD for 8 people instead of the usual price of 1,450 SGD (69% OFF), you can enjoy 4 hours of weekday yacht cruise in Singapore waters with on-board BBQ station, kayak, snorkeling and fishing rods. It is great to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and even for small company events. The luxury yacht comes with 1 captain and crew member and will anchor in calm waters off St John's beach.

This is as cheap as it gets. You can find the details of the deal here : Celebrate On High Seas: Only $450 for 4-Hour Weekday Yacht Cruise For 8 Pax - Includes Onboard BBQ Station and Free Use of Facilities + Kayak, Snorkel Kits and Fishing Rods. For other Singapore activity deals you can visit here.

Weekday Singapore Yacht Cruise Deal

Rendezvous Hotel Singapore Ayuthaya Spa Deal

If you are looking for a  real “Royal Thai Spa Experience” in Singapore, you can find a very good one in the middle of the city : Newly-refurbished Rendezvous Hotel Singapore's Ayuthaya Spa offers 90-Mins Royal Thai Indulgence which includes 60-min Full body massage, 30-min Anti-stress head & shoulder massage and Shower.  Best Thai Massage in Singapore by Bazaar Spa 2010, Ayuthaya Spa offers 5 star Thai massage experience.

And here is the deal. Normal price for 90-Min Royal Thai Indulgence is about SGD 226. With this SPA deal at Ayuthaya Spa, you will only pay $78 for one Session of 90-min Royal Thai Indulgence. Indeed there are 3 options :

• $78 for One Session of 90-min Royal Thai Indulgence (worth $226)
• $228 for Three Sessions of 90-min Royal Thai Indulgence (worth $678)
• $458 for Six Sessions of 90-min Royal Thai Indulgence (worth $1356)

Valid for new and existing customers who have not visited for the past 6 months only. this deal is also only valid for Singaporeans, Singapore PRs and valid work pass holders. 

Click here for other wellness, SPA and Relaxation deals.

Leave your worries and bask in the therapeutic Royal Thai Indulgence for only $78 at Ayuthaya Spa.
For a rejuvenated body, beam in contentment as trained staff will work their magic and de-stress your
mind and make you feel comfortable in this luxurious treatment that consists of
body massage, head and shoulder massage.

Singapore Marriott Hotel - 5 star luxury hotel in the middle of Orchard Road

Holiday in Singapore is never complete without a visit to city's shopping disrict, Orchard Road. Indeed, Singapore holiday can be best enjoyed if you stay in Orchard Road. The road and surrounding area is one of the most upscale areas in Singapore and offers many beautiful hotels.

Singapore Marriott Hotel at the junction between Orchard Road and Scotts Road is probably the best located hotel in Orchard Road. The location is almost in the middle of Orchard Road and right next to Orchard Road MRT Station (you can actually go into hotel directly from MRT link) so it is very accessible. The location is not only for shoppers, it is also very good place for business travelers : Orchard Road MRT Station is just 2 stations away from Singapore's Central Business District's Raffles Place MRT Station.

We have stayed here in 2009 and again much later in early 2014. The experience is quite different : Singapore Marriot Hotel was renovated in 2012 and it is now more modern and luxury. The large, comfortable beds, clean and luxurious bathroom and the great view from the rooms (choose a high floor room looking towards the Orchard Road) makes it a special stay.

Marriott is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world. If you would like to take a look at new discounts, voucher codes and deals, you can take a look at http://www.newvoucher.co.uk/retailer-1782-marriott-international-uk-ireland.

Iconic Singapore Marriot Hotel is right in the  middle of Orchard Road and makes it very convenient to move
around in Singapore even under heavy rain.

When we are in there, we had a chance to visit major Singapore attractions : Sentosa Island, Singapore Zoo, Singapore Bird Park and Singapore Night Safari. The hotel's location is very near to the service buses for these attractions so you do not need taxi or MRT. The food in the restaurants are good (breakfast is very good) but if you need suggestions about what to eat, skip Orchard Road and just walk to FarEast-Plaza on Scotts Road. This old and not so bright looking mall has very good restaurants on the higher floors and is a popular place for locals. 313@Somerset food court was also quite nice. We did not like the food courts in Ion Orchard and Ngee Ann City but the restaurants in these two malls are quite upscale and nice.

Singapore Marriot Hotel is neighbour to a building named Shaw House which has a 3D IMAX movie theater. Try to catch a movie there. We also liked the upper floors of Paragon Shopping Mall nearby which had a nice indoor playground for kids and a lot of kid oriented shopping opportunities. 

The 5 Best Luxury Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam's vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), still often called Saigon, is an electric destination, a thriving metropolis bursting with energy. Among the luxury hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, below 5 are the top hotels.

Park Hyatt Saigon
2 Lam Son Square, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),  Vietnam 

Situated at Lam Son Square in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) centre, the 5 star Park Hyatt Saigon is walking distance from the elegant Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, and other Saigon main tourist attractions. The hotel is also very near the business district in Ho Chi Minh City and will also appeal to business travelers. The hotel has an Italian Restaurant, a Vietnamese Restaurant and also houses 2 Lam Son martini bar, one of the Saigon's top nightlife destinations. Hyatt’s 244 rooms & suites redefine urban luxury, blending sophisticated design and décor with the latest modern comforts as the leading Ho Chi Minh hotel. Honoured by Business Traveller Asia Pacific as the Best Business Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon is a prestigious destination for corporate conventions and weddings.

Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon
17 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Sofitel Saigon Plaza is located on peaceful tree-lined Le Duan Boulevard just a moment from the citys commercial centre with its fabulous shopping dining and landmark attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace. Newly renovated rooms and suites offer guests contemporary 5-star hotel style with a blend of modern French design and Vietnamese influences. Each room features spacious elegance while the Imperial Suite is the largest in Saigon. Situated in the business district and offering a full range of expert services the hotel is ideal for business as well as leisure travellers to Ho Chi Minh. Its fabulous conference facilities make it a preferred host for magnifique weddings and events.

Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon

Hotel Nikko Saigon
235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hotel Nikko Saigon is a five star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and offers business and leisure travelers relaxation in attractive hotel accommodations, cuisine that will please even the most demanding gourmet, and staff that gives top priority to ensure that guests enjoy a relaxing stay. Hotel Nikko Saigon has 334 rooms, suites and 53 apartments in 23-storey building. With an average room size of 40sqm, the main guestrooms are among the most spacious rooms in Ho Chi Minh City. Earth tone color theme with minimalist design is characteristics of Japanese, relaxing and brand new rooms promise all guests a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Caravelle Hotel
19-23 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Caravelle Hotel is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s leading international 5-star hotel – in the Heart of Saigon and in the centre of the business, shopping and entertainment district, 8 km from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Caravelle Hotel has 335 superbly appointed rooms, suites, exclusive Signature Floors, Signature Lounge, non-smoking floors, specially equipped room for the disabled. Amenities include satellite television channel, facsimile, mini-bar, tea and coffee-makers, coffee and espresso machine and in-room safe. Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet in-room & throughout the hotel.

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon is on Saigon's riverside.

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
8-15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1  Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam 

Located in the heart of Saigon's business district, the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon offers first-class amenities and hospitality. Choose a deluxe room or suite with large desk and ample lighting, luxurious bedding, in-room coffee and tea service, high-speed Internet, safe and well-stocked mini-bar. After a day of meetings or sightseeing, relax at our poolside terrace or enjoy a leisurely dinner at Kabin, known as one of the finest Chinese restaurants in the city. Free wifi offered at Atrium Lounge. Take a dip in our rooftop pool and visit our Health Club for an invigorating workout. When planning a conference or social event, our upscale business hotel in Saigon features event planning and culinary delights to make every event unforgettable. Whether your travels to Ho Chi Minh City are for business or leisure, you'll find ultimate luxury at the Renaissance.

Shake It Baby for Chuchok

According to Buddhist legend, Chuchok was an old beggar from Kalingkarat Province and thanks to the good deeds he has done in his previous lifes he has became very rich from being a beggar. And although he was quite ugly he has married to a very young and attractive woman. Today, Chuchok is thought by many Thais to be one of the very best amulets for bringing wealth and granting wishes.

There is at a small shrine in the suburbs of Bangkok which is quite an interesting place to visit. But what makes it truly remarkable are the coyote dancers(*)!

The story is this: a few years ago someone won very big in lottery thanks to Chuchok. He has decided to reward the beggar with scantily clad dancers and a new tradition has started. If you want to have good fortune, a lot of money and a beautiful lady, all you need to do is to offer this old Brahmin a nice show! If you are lucky enough, you can enjoy to watch one of these offers when you visit the shrine.

Thai dances in front of statues of Chuchok

The shrine is privately-owned and run by a ultra colorful lady named Kung Kemika who also lives there. She tells that her legal name is “Madam Boobs-slap Na Songkla” because her occupation is boobs slapping, face slapping and bitch slapping. Well obviously she also runs a business doing breast slapping and do not ask me what kind of service is this (you can watch a demo in the video below).

10 years ago she was suffering from final-stage kidney disease and she made an oath. She asked Chuchok for once-in-a-life-time miracle and she had unexpectedly received a donated kidney. She then made an oath that she will love, worship and nurture him for the rest of her life.

For the story of Chuchok you can refer here: Story of Chuchok.

(*) - The coyote dancers are a bunch of highly energetic, young girls who are highly professional dancers. They are engaged by bar owners at dance bars, clubs, karaoke joints in Bangkok as well as in parties and festivals to perform and entertain the crowd.

Coyote dancers are not go-go dancers. Coyote dancers are professional or semi-professional dancers, who are hired to perform at bars to entertain guests.

Best hotel rooftop pools in Singapore

Singapore is hot and humid and it is important that the hotel you are staying has a nice pool. After a long and hot day, it is quite a necessity to just throw yourself into the pool and forget everything for a while. And since it is always summer in Singapore, a nice rooftop pool in a hotel is a big plus.

A nice rooftop pool offers a great experience for visitors of Singapore as well as the residents on staycation. In this post, we have listed the best hotel rooftop pools in Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands Singapore - SkyPark Infinity Pool
This is not only Singapore's but also one of the world's most stunning and beautiful rooftop pool. Located 200 meters above the ground on the futuristic SkyPark of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the rooftop infinity pool offers once in a lifetime experience. The view from the pool is stunning and if you go early before the crowds of this largest hotel in Singapore jumps into the pool, it is quite an enjoyable pool on its own.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel SkyPark offers one of the best rooftop infinity pools in the world.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel - Rooftop Pool
The Fullerton Bay hotel's rooftop pool on the 5th floor offers a splendid view of Singapore’s Marina Bay and with the large open space around the hotel, it feels like you are swimming in a very big lake rather than a pool.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel - Rooftop Pool

The Westin Singapore
Occupying levels 32 to 46 of Asia Square Tower Two at Marina View, The Westin Singapore offers a gorgeous infinity pool to its guests with an unobstructed view of the south coast of Singapore.

The Westin Singapore pool

Naumi Hotel Singapore - Rooftop Infinity Pool
Naumi Hotel Singapore is one of the best located luxury boutique hotel in Singapore and also offers one of the best rooftop pools in the city. Right next to City Hall MRT Station and very closed to Singapore Central Business Distict, Suntec City, Bugis and Orchard Road, the hotel offers a very nice stay. The hotel building is not very tall but the rooftop infinity pool offers a fantastic view and a great hideout for its guests.

Naumi Hotel rooftop infinity pool view

Sofitel So Singapore Rooftop Pool
Located in the heart of Singapore Central Business District, Sofitel So Singapore is a luxury boutique hotel which offers a fantastic location with Sofitel So luxury. The heritage building it occupies is quite stunning but the rooftop pool in the middle of skyscrapers offers a very unique experience, especially in the night when the lights on the tall buildings are on. The hotel also has a nice rooftop pool bar to enjoy.

Rooftop pool of Sofitel So Singapore

PARKROYAL on Pickering Hotel

The stunning pool of 5-Star PARKROYAL on Pickering Hotel does not qualify as a rooftop pool but still its high floor location and fantastic view made us put it in our list. The outdoor infinity pool offers a relaxing atmosphere and a great escape from the busy city center, in the middle of the city center.

PARKROYAL on Pickering Hotel outdoor infinity pool

Village Hotel Changi

Ideal place to escape from the busy center of Singapore, Village Hotel Changi offers a great staycation alternative and a very nice hotel for those who would like to stay in the East near Singapore Changi Airport. The hotel has a very nice pool located on level 8, which comes with breathtaking views of planes making their final approach into Changi International Airport.

Village Hotel Changi pool

Oasia Hotel Singapore

Oasia Hotel Singapore in Balestier has an utterly convenient underpass leading to Novena MRT station. The stylish 4-star hotel is just a stroll away from the well-know shopping Orchard Road.

Hotel's high-floor pool is just amazing with great view and a perfect secluded retreat from the hussle and bustle of Singapore city.

Oasia Hotel Singapore Pool

Sofitel So Singapore luxury boutique hotel

In terms of location, no other luxury hotel in Singapore can beat Sofitel So Singapore, Located in the middle of Singapore Central Business District right next to historic Lau Pa Sat Food Center, Sofitel So Singapore offers on foot access to most of the CBD buildings and businesses. This brand new hotel occupies an iconic building with neo-classical façade. You can easily walk to Raffles Place, Raffles Place MRT station, Singapore Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, Marina Bay Sands and Marina Bay Business Center from the hotel. Since it is minutes away from the Singapore attractions, landmarks as well as business core, it appeals both to business and leisure travelers.

Sofitel So Singapore is a luxury boutique hotel. The Sofitel So brand is built upon luxury hotel brand Sofitel and the hotels in the chain are designed by internationally renowed designers from the world's art of  fashion. Sofitel So Singapore, the third hotel in this rapidly growing label’s portfolio, will have its emblem created by the famous fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.. Kenzo Takada was the artistic director at Sofitel So Mauritius, while Mr Christian Lacroix put his signature on Sofitel So Bangkok in Thailand.  Sofitel So addresses that will join the ranks between now and 2015 are: Sofitel So Mumbai, Sofitel So Rio and Sofitel So Sydney.

This luxury boutique Singapore hotel offers large rooms with comfortable beds and luxury amenities. The historic building is completely restored to host a modern, luxury, business oriented hotel and its brand new air (the hotel has just started accepting guests in 2013) is well blended into the neighboring skyscrapers and Manhattan like atmosphere of Singapore CBD.

Sofitel So Singapore's rooftop pool is fantastic. After a hot and humid Singapore day, you can just throw yourself into the cool waters of the pool and later also enjoy some cocktails in the rooftop bar.

Newly opened Sofitel So Singapore offers one of the best locations in Singapore.

Hi So Pool Bar is the hotel's sexy and trendy rooftop bar and takes socialites out of the city's conventions for spirited after-work and week-end parties.

Sofitel So Singapore offers one of the best hotel rooftop pools in Singapore

Sofitel So Singapore is located at  35 Robinson Road, Marina Bay, 068876 Singapore. For more information as well as a detailed room price comparison list from major hotel booking sites, visit Sofitel So Singapore page.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in Singapore

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date in Singapore is expected to be late September 2014, and according to Singapore hardware zone web site, the new Galaxy Note will  be released in Singapore on September 26th 2014.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has just unvailed the new Galaxy Note 4 features a crisper, 5.7-inch display in a metal frame in Berlin. The display size is same with galaxy s3.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 price in Singapore is not revealed yet (actually it is not revealed anywhere yet).

Before Samsung Galaxy Note series, it was received to be ridiculous to hold such a large screen to your ear and talk. But since the introduction of the phablet in 2011, Samsung's large screen-size became a standard for high end smartphones. I use Samsung Galaxy Note 3 now and I am quite happy with the screen size. After this phone, it feels very ackward to use iPhone 5S.

Samsung is struggling to keep up with rivals and although it is the largest smartphone maker in the world now, its profits are falling. Nevertheless, Samsung made Android devices very popular. In 2011, you could hardly see a Samsung smartphone in a Singapore MRT train. 2 years later in 2013 and this year, most smartphones in peoples hands are Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S and Galaxy Note).

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has the same design and screen size with Note 3 but it has a metalic frame. 

But according to market analysts, Samsung Galaxy S5 was a big disappointment (compared to the traffic Samsung Galaxy S4 page got, Samsung Galaxy S5 page in this blog was very low which makes me agree with them). Even the latest version of now very old iPhone series oversold S4.

My opinion is that Samsung should stop Galaxy S series and focus on Galaxy Notes. It seems like when smartphone age started with iPhone, they were very small and when tablet age started with iPad, tablets were too big. Now this "size" problem is converging in the middle on a smartphone line called phablet. And Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is the best representative of this line.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Specs:
Display : 5.7in AMOLED QHD, 2,560x1,440
CPU      :  Exynos 5433 octa-core CPU (4 cores at 1.9GHz and 4 cores at 1.3GHz) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core chip
Camera  : 16-megapixel rear and 3.7 megapixels front facing

Ladies Bootcamp Singapore is back!

Lose Weight. Make Friends. Earn a Medal.

Ladies Bootcamp is BACK !

Even better that our previous sessions, we have updated it to be more compact and over in 6 weeks instead of 3 months previously.

Happening every Saturday and Sunday for 6 weeks straight, it will combine cardio with strength training.
Location will be @ Bedok and Serangoon.

The first session will start on 11 Oct.
Coach Fei and Annika will be your trainers.

Sign up by 13 Sep, $88 for 12 sessions.
Signups after 13 Sep, $98 for 12 sessions.

Did we say we offer MONEY BACK GUARANTEE ** ???
** Subject to conditions.

To sign up, visit our page
https://www.facebook.com/events/277307572464850/?ref=22

PS : Guys, do let your ladies friends know. Thank you :)
https://www.facebook.com/ladiesbootcampsg

Ladies Bootcamp Singapore is a series of 12 weekly sessions to improve conditioning and fitness for ladies. 

Kate Upton Nude Photos Leak Online

One of the more than 100 victims of massive iCloud celebrity hacking victim was Kate Upton nude photos leak online show her and in some photos her boyfriend Justin Verlander. The photos were leaked on Sunday by a 4chan user apparently to collect bitcoins. According to the media, an iCloud bug has let hackers to intrude to celebrity phones and steal the photos. According to one of the victim,  Mary Elizabeth Winstead, her leaked photos were taken and deleted long time ago and it must really be hard to retrieve and leak them.

In two of Kate Upton selfies, she is seen nude with her boyfriend, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, in a bathroom mirror.

Kate Upton was very angry and tweeted : "I will send that A-hole to jail!" The list of celebrity victims is long : Jennifer Lawrence, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Mary Kate Olsen, Cara Delevingne, Kate Bosworth, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Kate Upton, Kirsten Dunst and Kaley Cucoo are some of the 100 + victims. It seems like everyone in Hollywood and US music industry are taking selfies like this and posting it to the cloud.

Word of the images began spreading early Sunday, amid reports that the photos had been obtained by allegedly hacking iCloud accounts. Several celebrities has denied the authenticity of the photos. "These so called nude photos of me are FAKE people" Victoria Justice wrote on twitter. Ariana Grande’s representatives have since dismissed speculation that naked photographs of her were real.

While Kate Upton has never been so dressed and she has always made all her curves very clear, the model has been careful not to reveal it all.

A graphic picture allegedly showing Kate Upton and her boyfriend Justin Verlander has been circulating online.

This is probably the biggest photo leak of the history and the list of celebrities hackers announced to release is quite long.