Instagram Beauty Min Chen

Malaysian beauty Min Chen 明禎 has become a sort of celebrity in Asia when her photos in her Instagram account (Minchen333) wene viral. After becoming the "new favourite Instagram account" of Rocketnews24, many unusual photos of her holding onto things in her Instagram photos made her very famous. Of course the main reason for her to go viral is her cuteness otherwise there is hardly any other quality in her photos to deserve the hype. But thanks to the stupid obsession with cute and beautiful in this part of the world, she will enjoy her celebrity status for a while.

She has also surprised the fans recently when she has announced that she was dateless on Valentines Day and using dating application Paktor (do not jump to app blindly this may well be a viral advertisement campaign using a viral photo celebrity).

The online buzz on this South Korean-looking Malaysian woman (thanks to the popularity of K-Pop culture all beauties in Asia now has South Korean looks anyway) has increased as netizens realized that she has an equally good looking sister and a youthful mother. She lives on just the other side of the Strait in Johor Bahru.

Here is Min Chen's Facebook page.

Samsung Galaxy S6 in Singapore

Samsung Galaxy S6 is almost certain to be launched on 1st March 2015 at a special 'Unpacked' event by Samsung in Barcelona at MWC 2015. Korean electronic giant has just posted a teaser video for its March 1 event where you can have short glimpses to the upcoming Galaxy S6.

Samsung Galaxy S6 will probably be released in April 2015. Both Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5 were launched in April 2013 and April 2015. But still there are also rumours that Galaxy S6 can be launched as early as March 22.

Samsung Galaxy S6 price is expected to be higher than Galaxy S5. 32 GB Galaxy S6 will be USD 855, 64 GB will be USD 970 and 128 GB will be USD 1085.

There is no official information released about the smartphone but there are several Samsung Galaxy S6 leaked images circulating in the internet.

We wıll update this post regularly as more information comes.

Life of PI on MediaCorp Channel 5 timeline

Tonight MediaCorp Channel 5 is bringing Life of Pi,  2012 American 3D adventure drama film based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel of the same name. Life of Pi will be given in two parts : Part I will start at 7:15 PM and Part II will start at 09:30 PM, after the news.

The movie is about a boy named Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel who has survived a ship wreck with an adult bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Directed by Taiwanese-born American film director Ang Lee, Life of Pi received widespread critical acclaim, with praise directed towards the visual effects, Ang Lee's direction, David Magee's screenplay, Mychael Danna's musical score.

The powerful book turns into a master piece in Ang Lee's direction, who shows that 3D effects are not just for action adventure movies with almost no plot but can be used to create a strong story telling piece

Life of PI

Where to stay in Johor Bahru?

Johor Bahru (JB) is one of the most visited Malaysian destination for Singaporeans thanks to its proximity, easy access, plenty of attractions as well as cheap shopping and accommodation options. Although it is perfectly possible to visit JB and come back to Singapore on the same day, a more relaxed and different approach is to stay in Johor Bahru at least a night.

Thanks to the leisure and business visitors from Singapore, there are now plenty of hotels in JohorBahru to choose among. Here we have listed some of the best hotels in JB for you to choose among.

Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel - Located half an hour from the Senai International Airport, and just 10 minutes from Singapore, luxury Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel offers 5-star elegance and personalized service for its visitors. Equipped with a fitness center, pool and meeting event space, this Mariott Group hotel is located between Johor Bahru city center and the port of Pasir Gudang. The 5-star Johor Bahru hotel makes for a perfect weekend getaway.

Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour - This luxury 4-star Johor Bahru hotel is the first international hospitality brand in Nusajaya, strategically positioned in the heart of a 688-acre waterfront precinct. The hotel offers modern lifestyle components, world-class facilities and an excellent network of infrastructure. Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour is also close to renowned theme parks (LEGOLAND Malaysia and Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park) and Johor's administration capital, Kota Iskandar.

Legoland Malaysia Hotel - Legoland Malaysia Hotel is in the Legoland Malaysia Resort and offers the besr hotel to stay in Johor Bahru if you are visiting Legoland Malaysia. Dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 to 12, LEGOLAND Hotel provides a unique overnight experience in a LEGO themed environment.

Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru

Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru - Located in the Central Business District, within walking distance of the Persada Convention Center, the contemporary DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru overlooks the surrounding city and the Straits of Johor. Minutes away from Singapore Causeway, the hotel is close to shopping, dining, entertainment and Johor Bahru attractions, including LEGOLAND® Malaysia.

Tune Hotel Danga Bay - Located in Johor’s waterfront city, Tune Hotel Danga Bay is located just minutes away from great dining, shopping and entertainment for all ages! With 218 rooms, the hotel has 155 Double rooms, 63 Twin rooms, with 2 wheelchair-friendly Double rooms. Families can now enjoy the comforts of the new Quad rooms with a capacity of accommodating 4 occupants.

Thistle Johor Bahru - Thistle Johor Bahru is a luxury 5-Star Johor Bahru hotel  all the facilities you could wish for, access to free Wi-Fi in guestrooms and public areas, swimming pools and health spa to restaurants and bars.

Legoland Malaysia Hotel

Rooms Boutique Hotel - Rooms Boutique Hotel is a contemporary theme boutique hotel in Johor Bahru consisting 34 unique rooms each custom designed for the ultimate exploration and pleasure. All the boutique rooms are one of a kind and you won’t find this in any other place. The hotel features a number of exotic rooms such as “The Capsule”, “Tilt Bed”, “The Platform”, “Hangin’ Bed”, “16 Mirrors” and “Aloft”.

The hotel is situated in Taman Johor Jaya which is home to numerous night life entertainment venues and restaurants. It is about 10 minutes drive from the Singapore/Malaysia causeway and the city, and is strategically located in between the Pasir Gudang Highway, Jalan Tebrau & the North-South Highway. Head round the corner to Taman Molek business district where a string of over twenty local and multi-national banks such as the Public Bank, Maybank, HSBC, OCBC, Bank of China operates. Huge shopping malls including Jusco Tebrau City, Tesco and Giant are only a couple of minutes drive away.

Bliss Boutique Hotel - Only 2 minutes drive to Johor Bahru City Centre and the CIQ (Customs Immigration & Quarantine) leading to Singapore, Bliss Boutique Hotel is 15 minutes drive to North-South highway. 20 minutes drive to Senai International airport and 10 minutes to Johor Bahru's ferry terminal. It is a stone's throw away to food courts, restaurants, fast food outlets,entertainment, wellness, sports and shopping complexes. Bliss boutique hotel has 16 Boutique Rooms, 30 Designer Rooms and a Luxury Suite. Have a date with us to experience our warm hospitality and uniquely designed rooms.

For a more complete list of JB hotels as well as details like price comparisons and customer reviews, check out the Johor Bahru Hotels page.

Singapore staycation deals 2015

There is a more up-to-date version of this post here : Singapore Staycation Deals 2017

Staycation in Singapore has been a popular way of making holiday for the residents and as in the previous years, many hotels are offering Singapore staycation deals in 2015. In this post, we have compiled some of the best Singapore staycation promotions for you.

With its lofty sky gardens and an exclusive rooftop Orchid Club lounge, Park Royal on Pickering offers its popular Weekend Wind-Down weekend staycation package in 2015. From 275 SGD per night in one of this hotel-in-garden's superior rooms, you will have access to modern and 5 star facilities of the hotel such as wellness floor with infinity pool, spa and a 300 meter walking track high above the street level.

Right next to Orchard Road, The Quincy Hotel has a popular weekend staycation package called The NEW Qool Weekend which includes:

- One night stay at The Quincy Hotel's Studio Room (twin-sharing)
- Buffet breakfast for 2
- All-day light refreshments by Dean & DeLuca and Modesto's
- Evening cocktails
- One bottle of red wine
- Complimentary in-room mini-bar
- Local calls
- Unlimited Wi-Fi access

5-Star Rendezvous Hotel Singapore is another centrally located Singapore hotel offering a weekend staycation package in 2015. Rendezvous Weekend Getaway deal starts from S$298 and offers 1-night stay in refurbished Club Room, 1-hr Thai Aroma Oil Body Massage, Exclusive access to Club Rendezvous lounge, Continental Breakfast, Daily comfort food, Free-flow evening cocktail & canapés and more.

Marina Mandarin Singapore offers a Singapore weekend staycation package which starts from S$258 and includes free parking, free buffet breakfast, free Wi-Fi, complimentary upgrade of room. This is a weekend staycation offer so it is available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Pan Pacific Singapore hotel in Marina Bay area also offers a staycation package which is name SG50 Staycation which includes a complimentary breakfast for two, SGD50 daily in-house credit, internet access and 20% savings for dinner at Atrium, Edge, Hai Tien Lo, Keyaki and Pacific Marketplace.

Valid until May 31st 2015, Swiss Hotel Stamford Singapore offers long holiday weekend staycation package. The promotion is valid from Friday to Sunday, and Thursday, Monday or Tuesday on Public Holiday long weekends and includes :
- Overnight accommodation in a Classic, Swiss Advantage, Harbour View or Grand Room and 25% off regular room rates.
- 20% discount at selected F&B outlets.
- 20% discount at Willow Stream Spa for any 90-minute body massage treatments.

Grand Hyatt Singapore on Scotts Road is a very luxury Singapore hotel which also offers a weekend staycation package. WEEKEND 24 allows check-in to luxury accommodation in the heart of Orchard Road, and check-out after a full 24 hour stay. Exclusive to Grand Hyatt Singapore, book a WEEKEND 24 stay and enjoy 10% off room rates with complimentary buffet breakfast at StraitsKitchen for all registered guests, and internet access.

WEEKEND 24 starts upon check-in and ends after 24 hours, and is valid on Fridays and Saturdays only, with no minimum length of stay.

Set amidst the historic Singapore River and opposite of Singapore night life spot Robertson Quay, Riverview Hotel Singapore is a very nice staycation hotel. Its riverside location and proximity to Robertson Quay full of very nice restaurants, bars and cafes to spend the night (a more local and prime version of Clarke Quay). Great World City Shopping Mall and famous Zouk Night Club are also nearby.

The Weekend Promotion is perfect for a short stay-cation, getaway or stopover. The deal comes with 20% off room rates, free Internet everyday, free cancellation (until 12pm, 48 hours prior to arrival).

The fantastic view from Sands SkyPark and the experience of Infinity Pool 200 meters above the sky makes Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore one of the best places to spend your staycation budget, at least once in a life time. You will probably spend most of your time in and around the iconic 150-metre rooftop infinity pool with a bird’s eye view of Singapore. To enjoy it more, sleep and wake up early and swim at the pool opening hour. All pool with a fantastic view will be yours.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel offers a unique experience with its SkyPark and Infinity Pool at the top of hotel towers.

See our Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore Staycation review here.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong diagnosed with prostate cancer

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (63) has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and  will undergo surgery to remove his prostate gland on Monday 16 February 2015 according to a press release published by Prime Minister Office[1].

According to the press release, a suspicious lesion was discovered in MRI in January this year and a biopsy unfortunately showed that PM Lee has prostate cancer. PM Lee will go for the surgery tomorrow (Monday February 16th). The robot-assisted keyhole prostatectomy will be carried out by Prof Christopher Cheng, the lead Urologist at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

PM Lee is expected to recover fully.[2]

Lee Hsien Loong, the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore, and has been in office since 2004. He is the elder son of Singapore's first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the development of cancer in the prostate, a part of the male reproductive system that helps make and store seminal fluid. Age is an important risk factor alongside genetics, diet and obesity. 99% of the prostate cancer cases are in males over 50 years old.

According to Prime Minister's office Data from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre show that patients with similar medical profile and treatment have a cancer specific survival rate of 99% at 15 years.

[1] - STATEMENT FROM THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
[2] - PM Lee diagnosed with prostate cancer