Singapore Airlines will increase services between Singapore and Copenhagen

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will increase services between Singapore and Danish capital Copenhagen from current three weekly flights to five flights per week from 31 March 2013 (subject to airport slot availability). The announcement came after Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has cleared the joint venture between SIA and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, on November 1st.  The joint venture will mean joint operations for SIA and SAS including the co-ordination of flight schedules and joint sales activities.

“We are very pleased to announce an increase in frequency to Copenhagen now that regulatory approvals have been obtained for our wide-ranging partnership with SAS. We look forward to further building on our ties with SAS to provide more travel choices for our customers,” said Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr Mak Swee Wah.

Singapore Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines have been code-sharing since December 2010. SIA adds its code to SAS-operated flights beyond Copenhagen to Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm, while SAS has been codesharing on SIA-operated flights between Copenhagen and Singapore, and on selected flights between Singapore and Bangkok. According to press release by Singapore Airlines, an expansion of codeshare ties is currently under discussion and new services between Singapore and Scandinavia will also be explored, subject to market conditions.

SIA will fly 5 times a week to Copenhagen from Singapore.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a major regional center of culture, business, media, and science and has become the centre of the increasingly integrated Øresund Region,

Singapore Airlines Services between Singapore and Copenhagen

Flight number	Days of Operation	Departure Time	Arrival Time
SQ 352 - From Singapore to Copenhagen	Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat	00:05 hrs	06:45 hrs
SQ 351- From Copenhagen to Singapore	Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat	12:30 hrs	06:30 hrs + 1 day

Value Hotel Thomson - Singapore

Are you looking for a hotel in Singapore which is below $100 per night? Then Value Hotel Thomson is a very good alternative with you. This budget hotel is the newest hotel of the Value Hotel chain (the chain has 3 cheap hotels in Singapore : Value Hotel Thomson, Value Hotel Balestier and Value Hotel Nice) and is the largest hotel of the chain. Like other 2, it is situated on Balestier Road, relatively central location known for its good food and budget hotel options in Singapore.

This hotel is one of the hotels I recommend to people who ask me for an advise on cheap hotel in Singapore under $100 per night value. First, unlike other budget hotels in its class, Value Hotel Thomson offers a luxury which is quite handy in hot and humid Singapore: a swimming pool! Second it's location is quite convenient. You can walk to Novena MRT Station which is 2 stations away from Orchard Road and Balestier Road is one of the most authentic places in Singapore with good food. Third although the rooms the hotel offers are small as all other budget hotels in Singapore, they come with all basic amenities like a comfortable and clean bed, an LCD TV with a few cable channels, air con, free WiFi, en-suite shower, safe deposit box and complimentary beverages.

Hotels in this price range and with this quality are usually not in a central location like this so for location, good value for money and several other factors, this small budget hotel shines in cheap alternatives in Singapore.

As with most budget hotels in Singapore, I would suggest to check several things before booking a room in Value Hotel Thomson. Some rooms are inner rooms with no windows and if this will be a problem with you check it before booking a room.

In-room internet is free which is also a bonus for a budget hotel.  

Singapore hotel room rates may be very expensive but still there are relatively cheap hotels in Singapore for cost-conscious travelers. The rooms in these hotels are very small and some are far outside the city. But there are still some cheap hotels in or around city center. 3 hotels of budget hotel chain of Value Hotel Singapore are good alternatives for budget travelers or for those who would like to enjoy their money outside instead of burying it to an expensive hotel room.

Below is a video of Value Hotel Thomson - Singapore by Asia Travel Tips.com.

Value Hotel Thomson

Some other central budget hotels in Singapore:

Victoria Hotel Singapore	Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen Hotel	Fort Canning Lodge

Xin Yuan Zhang: People's Beauty of China

Xin Yuan Zhang, a 22 years old Chinese model, gained fame as the number one beauty of China after she has posted a picture of herself on the internet. In the media, she is announced as China's most beautiful girl (she is pretty but come on she is not the most beautiful in China!) and her beauty is said to be one in a billion. Well her nickname is "People’s Hottie of China" in a country of 1.3 billion.

Xin Yuan Zhang first uploaded her photos on internet in 2008 when she was 18 years old. Unlike many hotties of her age from China who look like robotic, artificial dolls, she has a more classical and natural look which captured the hearth of many in the mainland. Graduated from the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, she now works as a model and her photos from 18 years age onward are circulating in internet.

You can see some of her photos here : Meet China's most beautiful girl or here.

Xin Yuan Zhang: People’s Hottie of China

Olivier Desbarres dismissed by Barclays after outburst

You remember the angry expat who made headlines in Singapore after he has angrily trepassed into 2 noisy construction sites near his home and threw a lot of f***** words and building materials at Wimborne Road, in the Katong area on Saturday, Oct 20, close to 9am. His outburst in one of the construction sites is caught on video and the video made its way to YouTube. The video and the news found its way into international media. The angry Caucasian man is Olivier Desbarres, former head of FX strategy for Asia Pacific excluding Japan at Barclays. Former because he was fired from Barclays after the outburst according to The Wall Street Journal:

The firing of Olivier Desbarres, former head of FX strategy for Asia Pacific excluding Japan at Barclays, was first reported by the Times’ City Diary blog. A former colleague confirmed the banker was shown the door after Barclays executives viewed the clip.  

Darrell Wright, a spokesman for Barclays, declined to comment on the matter. Attempts to reach Desbarres via mobile phone and Facebook were unsuccessful.[1]

Unison, the contractor of one of the sites, has agreed with Olivier Desbarres to start work at 9 am, 1 hour later than what is allowed. But on October 20th, the workers have started the work at 08:45 AM. So he lost his cool.

Never ending and almost round the clock construction noise is a very annoying problem but Olivier Desbarres did much more than going and shouting at them. He has used racial slurs and vulgarities and threatened the workers to burn their houses and construction equipment. He has shouted (you can also watch in the video below) "“I’m gonna go after you. I’m gonna burn your f****** house down, You have no respect. You know what? You are f****** animals. Chinese f****** animals."[2]

Olivier Desbarres, who has joined Barclays in August 2011 and has appeared on financial networks such as CNBC, got more angry when he realized that he was being video taped:

"You’re filming me? You think that’s good? Put your f**cking phone down because I’m going to wait for you to come out and take that phone and shove it up your f**cking ass."[3]

Olivier Desbarres shouting at construction workers
2 neighbors The Straits Times talked told that they have made police reports on him after he has threatened them and their family because of the noise of their dogs. Olivier Desbarres is 37 years old according to The New Paper and believed to be a French.
Unison Construction, the firm whose workers were threatened, filed a police report after the incident, a spokeswoman for the firm said. The Singapore Police Force is investigating, a police spokesman said.[1]
[1] -  Barclays Dismisses Asia FX Banker After Outburst [2] -  Barclays’ far too candid camera [3] - Ex-Barclays Trader Reportedly Caught On Video Terrorizing Construction Workers In Singapore

Fernloft City Hostel - East Coast

I met Fernloft City Hostel on East Coast with a very absurd twist in my accommodation in Singapore. We had to stay with some distant relatives of my wife for a month when we were in between two rental apartments. And just during this time, a friend of mine came to visit me in Singapore. He was staying short and was on budget so I have decided to place him to The Matchbox Concept Hostel for a few days before heading to Bali. But unfortunately, just for that week, Matchbox was closed so I have decided to check this small hostel at a very nice location on East Coast. I see its sign while going to work by bus so I have just dropped by and checked.

The hostel is just ok with basic facilities you would expect from a hostel. The place is 20 minutes away from the Singapore Changi Airport and 15 minutes away from the Singapore downtown. Other than standard dorm rooms, it also provides two double rooms with a little bit more privacy (no attached bathroom). I have paid (yes I was the one who couldn't provide a bed to friend so I have paid) 20 SGD per person per night. The hostel is quite small but has a very friendly environment and I liked the warm meeting space to chill out.

Fernloft hostel group has 4 hostels in Singapore and Malaysia: Fernloft Chinatown, Fernloft East Coast and FernLoft Liddle India are in Singapore and Fernloft Kuala Lumpur is in Malaysia. Fernloft City Hostel on East Coast is the original Fernloft, where it all started.

Fernloft City Hostel on East Coast

If you choose to stay here, do not forget to visit the area where East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Road intersect. This area is one of the most beautiful and authentic places in Singapore with peranakan style shop houses and is famous for its peranakan cuisine, countless eateries and colorful nightlife. The bus number 14 can directly take you from the hostel to the area.   The East Coast are itself is also known as a multicultural food paradise and you can find a belt of eateries nearby, offering the best of local cuisines such as Chinese, Indian, Malay, Peranakan and best of local exotic seafood.

As it is written in travel fish blog, with a backpacker budget, Fernloft City Hostel on East Coast is the best choice for people looking for a hotel/hostel near Singapore Changi Airport.

Here is my friends review of the hostel: Fernloft: A cheap option to stay in Singapore

You can check the room and bed rates in the hostel for some bargain deals here.

[1] - Hotels near Singapore’s Changi Airport

Hotels near Singapore Changi Airport

The nearest hotel to Singapore Changi Airport is 5-Star Crowne Plaza Hotel Changi Airport which is linked to Terminal 3. The hotel is closed to Singapore Expo and Changi Business Park, so may be a perfect business hub for many. It is also an ideal for stopovers or for travelers with early connections, it may not be for everyone or every budget. 4-Star Capri by Fraser - Changi City may be a better alternative for those who want to be very near to Changi Business Park and prefer an accommodation hybrid of a hotel and serviced apartment. This brand new hotel, which was opened in 2012, provides rooms with with kitchen and many business oriented facilities for those busy guys who do not have time to go out of the hotel.

Both Crowne Plaza Hotel and Capri by Fraser - Changi City are quite outside the city so if you wish to be both near Changi Airport and experience a little bit of Singapore, or you simply do not want to pay a small fortune to an expensive 5 or 4 Star Singapore hotel, there are many other alternatives.

You should look for a hotel in the East, between city center and Changi Airport. If you really want to have a good taste of Singapore, Singapore cuisine and night life, you should book a hotel in the Katong Area.

The most ideally located hotel, in my opinion, is Santa Grand Hotel East Coast on the East Coast Road. The hotel is only 10.2 km from the city center and around 8-10 km away from the airport. But the location advantage comes from its neighborhood. It is right next to one of the most colorful nightlife spots of Singapore : Joo Chiat Road. It is also on the best part of Katong and East Coast Road in terms of great local dining alternatives nearby (the road is full off local restaurants) which is cheaper and much better than the ones in Singapore downtown. The road is home to some of Singapore's best shophouses and Katong is best known for its wonderful eating houses specializing in Peranakan cuisine (the area was formerly dominated by wealthy Straits Chinese families). The place is one of the most beautiful and authentic part of Singapore.

Heritage shop houses along Joo Chiat. The area is known for Peranakan delicacies

Less than 500 meters away, there is another pleasant hotel named Le Peranakan Hotel. This boutique hotel in Singapore is near the East Coast Park beach and the famous local eateries of Katong. As for Santa Grand Hotel, just steps away from the hotel, there are a myriad of excellent restaurants to choose from. And as we have said above, the area where Le Peranakan Hotel is situated is also one of the best area for nightlife in Singapore. Le Peranakan Hotel single rooms are priced around 80 USD per night but in hotel price comparison sites like HotelsCombined.com, you can find around 60 USD per night.

If you want to be near the airport and away from the busy Singapore city life, Village Hotel Changi by Far East Hospitality provides a tranquil location in the tree-lined village of Changi, just 15 minutes from the Singapore Changi Airport. The hotel is situated adjacent to the Changi Golf Club and the Changi Civil Service Club and is surrounded by nature trails. It is also just a short stroll away from Changi Beach Park and the Changi Sailing Club.

Changi Village Hotel by Far East Hospitality provides a tranquil hotel stay
near Changi Airport.

Discover Qatar with Qatar Stopover program

You can discover Qatar with Qatar Airways Qatar Stopover program. Whether you are travelling for business or leisure, Qatar boasts attractive facilities and activities for everyone. So next time instead of jumping over Doha International Airport, you can book a couple of nights and enjoy activities like desert safari, shopping excursion, museum visit, or round of golf on the 18-hole championship course.

What can you do in Qatar? You can take tours like Inland Sea Safari at Qatar's famous Inland Sea,  Arabian Night Safari, Dunes Discovery Tour or Qatar Explorer Tour around the capital city Doha & a comprehensive view of Qatar’s Inland Sea Desert.

Originally a pearling and fishing settlement, Qatar has a long history as an important trade hub in the region. Today it is a dramatic mix of traditional and contemporary culture as seen along the Corniche where traditional dhow boats coast along Gulf waters amid a backdrop of dazzling modern skyscrapers.

You can visit several attractions during Qatar stay. Museum of Islamic Art is located on the Corniche. Designed by renowned architect, I.M. Pei, it houses a unique collection detailing the spirit, intricacy, and variety of Islamic art from the 7th to 19th century. History enthusiasts can delve deep into local history with a special visit to Sheik Faisal’s Museum to view his enviable collection of Arabian antiquities. Meanwhile, modern art lovers will appreciate the newly opened Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art.

Approximately an hour outside of Doha, the Inland Sea, or Khor Al Udaid, is a naturally formed inlet of the Gulf. This remarkable landscape is home to awe-inspiring 40-metre high sand dunes and an abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals. Schedule a desert safari or dune bashing trip to traverse this untouched part of Qatar and get in touch with your inner explorer. Adventurers will also appreciate the many water and beach sports available at various resorts and hotels throughout Doha.

Sports enthusiasts will also enjoy a chance to golf on Doha’s championship course or take in a football match or horse race. For a taste of local sporting traditions, attend a camel race held during the late fall through late winter.

Discover Qatar with Qatar Stopover program

Traditionally in Arabian towns, shops were grouped according to goods they sold. In Doha, this custom is still found among the city’s many souqs. Souq Waqif, built in the style of these historical marketplaces, is the place to go for Arabian souvenirs, handicrafts, spices, incense, and perfumes. Locally harvested honey, handmade camel riding equipment, pottery, incense, and flowers can be found at the Omani Souq. The Gold Souq is the best place to browse beautiful gold and silver jewellery or order a specially handcrafted piece.

Fashionistas will appreciate shopping the latest trends at one of Doha’s many grand malls. Located in the heart of Doha’s breathtaking skyline, City Centre mall offers 300,000 sq. m. of shops, restaurants, two ice skating rinks, a climbing wall, a cinema, and bowling alley. Villaggio mall is designed in the style of an Italian village with a 500-metre long Venetian canal and gondolas. In addition to its array of shops and stores, Villaggio mall also houses a cinema, bowling alley, ice skating rink, and family amusement park. Or, stroll through the Pearl-Qatar, a manmade island built on an old pearl diving site off the coast of Qatar. This Arabian Rivera offers an exclusive selection of 5-star restaurants and upscale designer boutiques.

See the details here at Holidays Page.

Singapore YMCA Hotel

It is really difficult to find a cheap hotel in Singapore's over-priced hotel market. It gets more difficult to find a cheap hotel, "cheap" here is of course relatively cheap, in the central area. There are some cheaper options compared to the other very high priced hotels.

Sitting in the middle of the Orchard Road, where hotel prices are the highest in Singapore, 3 star Singapore YMCA Hotel offers a mid range accommodation which falls into almost budget hotel room category in the city state. The building is relatively old but do not judge a hotel with its facade. The facilities are renovated and the rooms are comfortable. But since as a budget hotel with great value for money and very good location, it is highly sought after so you need to book really in advance to find an empty room in the hotel.

YMCA International House Hotel on Orchard Road is one of the best hotel choices in Singapore which offers great value for money for almost all type of leisure or business travelers. There are student beds in a dormitory setting for students (the hotel is right next to Singapore Management University, Chicago School of Business and some other private schools), superior deluxe, family suites and junior suites.

Young man there's a place to go in Singapore ...
It's fun to stay at Y-M-C-A :)

Singapore YMCA Hotel is very family friendly and its family suites are first to consider for travelers with kids and tight budget. There are two room sizes to choose for families: a smaller room capable of hosting up to three people and a larger one housing a maximum of four. The Superior (Single / Twin) rooms goes around 150 USD per night while family deluxe goes for around 175 USD per night (as we have said, relatively cheap!). If you would like a student dormitory bed, it is around 32 USD per night.

YMCA offers a very comfortable stay, great location (in central Orchard Road area) and amenities around. It is very near to central business district, 2 MRT Stations (Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station and Bras Basah MRT Stations), several budget eateries such as food courts (Plaza Singapura near this hotel has a very nice Food Court). The hotel also provides a rooftop swimming pool and a gym.

There is a Coffee Shop on the premises, which serves all meals including value-for-money set meals.You can also eat near the hotel. There are several eateries in the SMU buildings, in Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station and in Plaza Singapura which is less than 10 minutes walk away from the hotel. You can discover Orchard Road on foot from the hotel and some central attractions like Fort Canning Park, Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum and Chijmes (a Neo-Classical style building which houses some of Singapore’s most exciting dining and entertainment venues) are very near.

Some other central budget hotels near by

Victoria Hotel Singapore	Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen Hotel	Fort Canning Lodge

Thailand hotel deals during Loy Kratong

Loy Kratong or Loi Krathong is Thailand’s most romantic and beautiful festival celebrated annually on the night of the 12th full moon. During the festival, people honor and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha, for her help in providing the most basic of all human necessities. Since Thailand was, and still is, a largely agricultural society, a healthy supply of water has long been central to the country’s prosperity and development. On the night of Loy Kratong, rivers, ponds, lakes and canals across the country are thronged with people making their offerings, just as they have done for centuries.

Kratong (the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water) is the central piece of the Loy Kratong ceremony. Kratong is usually made from a cross-section of a banana tree or wood. Modern krathongs are more often made of bread or styrofoam. A krathong is decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks and a low value coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. The person releasing the kratong to the river light the candle and incense, say a prayer, make a wish, and float – or loy – the kratong on the water.

Another aspect of the Loy Kratong festival is  releasing floating lanterns, called khom loy, into the sky. This is more common in Chiang Mai than Bangkok, and you’re likely to see thousands upon thousands of the lanterns rising slowly into the night in the northern Thai city.

 People releasing  khom loy, floating lanterns, during Loy Kratong
- Source : Thai Nice on You

During this Loi Krathong festival, which falls on November 28th, Asia’s leading hotel booking site agoda.com is helping travelers to find great deals. To get the most out of this beautiful Thai holiday, make sure to check out agoda.com’s hotel deals below.

If you book at least 3 days in advance at 5-Star Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa, you can get 15% off the value of your booking.

If you book at least 7 days in advance at 5-Star Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, you can get 10% off the value of your booking.

You can get 11% off the value of your booking at 2.5 Star J & J Guesthouse in Sukhothai City until November 30, 2012.

You can get 10% off the value of your booking at 4 Star Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel until November 30, 2012.

You can get 20% off the value of your booking at Ayodhara Village in Ayutthaya until November 30, 2012.

See details here : agoda.com lights up Thailand with fabulous Loy Kratong deals

Peninsula Bangkok Hotel

Peninsula Bangkok Hotel is one of the best hotels in Bangkok and South East Asia, the best city to travel according to Travel + Leisure magazines World's Best Awards.  It has been voted to the top spot many times in the past: World’s Best Hotel Overall in ‘03, 3rd Best Hotel Overall in ‘04 and World’s Best Business Hotel in ‘05 by Travel and Leisure Magazine Readers’ Survey. And in 2012, it is again voted as the top city hotel in Asia by Travel + Leisure readers.

Peninsula Bangkok Hotel is located at Bangkok Riverside on the Thonburi side of the Chao Praya River just opposite the Sapan Thaksin BTS Skytrain station. Hotel's "W" shaped design ensures that each of its 370 rooms to have a panoramic view of the Bangkok skyline over the Chao Phraya River.

The 5 star hotel provides rooms ranging from Deluxe to : Deluxe rooms, Grand Deluze rooms with V shaped windows for panaromic view, Balcony room, Deluxe Suite, Grand Deluxe Suite, The Thai Suite, The Terrace Suite (190 sqm living and dining space with outdoor jacuzzi), The Grand Terrace Suite (240 sqm), The Dublex Suite and the Peninsular Suite which comes with a rooftop helicopter pad! There are only 10 rooms and 2 suites per floor which guarantee peace and tranquility.

Peninsula Bangkok Hotel

Peninsula Bangkok Hotel is famous for its central location, fantastic SPA (The Peninsula Spa by ESPA), location, river transportation access, excellent service, fabulous rooms and its spectacular palm tree-lined turquoise pool. The hotel is located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Praya River just opposite the Sapan Thaksin BTS Skytrain station (a very good and fast transportation alternative compared to sitting in a slow moving taxi in the traffic jam). It provides a 18-room, E-SPA which offers several luxurious SPA treatments such as Spirit if Peninsula Body Treatment, Thai Yoga Massage and Oriental Life Dance; two restaurants (Mei Jiang- Cantonese Restaurant and Thiptara Riverside Thai Restaurant), River Cafe and Terrace, The River Bar, located at the far end of the River Cafe Terrace and Thiptara and The Peninsula Pool Bar.

This is a luxurious hotel and it is quite expensive in Thailand standards. A check with HotelsCombined.com shows that Deluxe Room prices start around 290 USD.

Other 5 Star hotels in Bangkok

Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok (The best seller)	Kempinski Residences Siam (The best location)	Oriental Residence Bangkok (The best staff performance)