Max Brenner Esplanade

This was the reason of our weekend getaway in Singapore (June'12): a cup of chocolate from Max Brenner:D Heard about this chocolate cafe from our cousin Celia, and this cafe has become our must visit place to hang out in Singapore. The one we always visit is their branch at the Esplanade, so we can sit down at the cafe waiting for the sunset, and enjoying Singapore River afterwards. 

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Roti Pratha at CMK Resto

I am a roti pratha big fan, and visiting Singapore means eating Pratha every single day! Hehee.. One of my fave place is at the CMK Resto, a moslem resto at the intersection of Mustafa Center Little India. If you walk from Mustafa heading to Jalan Besar, you will find CMK on your right side.



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Fragrance Hotel Emerald

Frankly speaking, I have been avoiding staying at Geylang area Singapore all this time because of the area is famous for its red light district. Until a friend of mine asked my opinion about Fragrance Hotel Emerald. I read tripadvisor review on Fragrance Hotel Emerald, and to my surprise, the reviews were overall ok. There are other Fragrance hotel in Geylang area, but the one with better reviews is the Fragrance Emerald.

We booked this hotel on the first night of our Singapore weekend getaway. We booked through Agoda, utilized our Agoda point, and therefore our room was only IDR 400,000 without breakfast. So cheap!

We arrived at Changi at about 1 am, and took taxi to the hotel which cost SGD 25, of course because of the midnight fare. Normal fair will not be more than SGD 15. When we were heading to the hotel, we passed the red light district and there were still many people arount at about 1.30 am!

The hotel located at Lorong 6 Geylang, which is far enough from the red light district. I might say that Lorong 6 is "clean"

We checked-in, and were upgraded to a deluxe room:) Though space was limited in the room, it was a very clean room and it also has a bathtub. We still had space beside the bathroom to do our muslim prayer. The downside of the room was the ceiling's height. 

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The Singapore River

Everytime I go to Singapore, I always go to the Esplanade. It's so relaxing to enjoy the Singapore river at the Esplanade. I don't take picture with merlion, I can sit and just enjoy the ambiance for hours, waiting for the sunset. How I love cities with beautiful river anywhere in the world:)


The last time I went there (June 2012), there was a National Day Parade pre show, lucky us! So we could enjoy the show, and also the fireworks show. Too bad we didn't take pictures of the fireworks. Visit the NDP 2012 website if you're looking for another pre-show schedule. 


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Marina Barrage

We made this post after visiting Marina Barrage for the second time. First we went there in the evening to enjoy Singapore lights, and on our second visit, we went there to see the sunset. Marina Barrage is a reservoir for Singapore, it gives the city 3 benefits; water supply, flood control and lifestyle attraction. 

To reach this place, we took MRT red line to Marina bay, and from there we continued our journey using the free shuttle bus. The signs were very clear when you exit Marina Bay MRT station, just follow it, you will not get lost. To enter this place up to my visit in June 2012, it was free of charge.


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Tree in Lodge Hostel Singapore

This is our first experience to stay in a dorm ever, and we are glad that our first experience was not disappointing. We decided to book Tree in Lodge after reading all the positive review on Tripadvisor. First we tried to find on their website whether they have private rooms. But they only have dorms. So we booked one bed in the female dorm for me (SGD 29) and one bed in the 6 bed mixed dorm for rene (SGD 29).

This hostel is located 3 minutes away from Bugis MRT. It is so close to the Marrison hotel Singapore, you may read the review of Marrison hotel that I have posted in tesyasblog. Tree in Lodge is located on the second floor of this building, if you have luggage, don't worry lift is available.

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Murtabak Zam Zam Singapore

I first tried murtabak Zam Zam Singapore during my 6 mos stay in Singapore back in 1998, that time my host parent introduced me to this place. I have never come back to this place ever since, and when SK from Tree In Lodge recommended this place when we checked in at their hostel, we went there to have our brunch. We walked from Tree in Lodge about 10 minutes, to Zam Zam. The resto located on the North Bridge Road just opposite the Sultan Mosque. It was about 10.30 am on Sunday, this place were very hectic, that we had to sit outside the resto.

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The Matchbox Hostel Singapore

Another weekend getaway in Singapore for me and rene. This time we stayed at three different hostel : Fragrance Emerald, The Matchbox and Tree in Lodge. We will have them reviewed one by one starting by the Matchbox. 

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Lok Baintan Floating Market

It was my first time ever visiting Banjarmasin for my business trip. To our surprise, our friends in Banjarmasin had organized visiting the famous Lok Baintan floating market. I have been to Damnoen Saduak floating market before, but really, the Lokbai Intan floating market is much more beautiful! Let me share my pictures (this time taken by myself not by Rene:p) to show you how beautiful it was.

We were picked up at 5.30 at Mercure Banjarmasin, and went to one area where our boat was there waiting for us. Too bad as everything was organized by our friends in Banjarmasin, I could not tell you where to rent the boat and how much it was.

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Gubug Udang Cibubur

We found this resto when we were looking for Taman Lalu Lintas Buperta Cibubur. It was lunch time when we finished our visit at Taman Lalu Lintas Buperta Cibubur, so we went inside the resto. All the Gubug (wooden hut) were occupied so we had to eat at the garden area. On our second visit, we made a reservation, and succeeded getting a little gubug for the four of us. Kiddos were really excited playing with the fish.


There are resto area, garden area and the pool area surrounded by wooden huts. This place is so lovely. Compared to Telaga Sampireun Bintaro, I prefer Gubug Udang, food here are also much affordable compared to Telaga Sampireun.


We ordered their speciality, grilled shrimp with honey.Beside that we also ordered steam fish for our kiddos.



This place is always crowded on the weekends, so reservation is highly recommended. You may call to Gubug Udang phone number; 021-84304874, 021-95291341 or 082122055572.

written on July 4, 2012


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Sushi Tora Riau Junction

We went to Riau Junction Bandung for our grocery shopping, and we were surprise to see a new resto at Riau Junction called Sushi Tora, located just in front of the ATM area. After our shopping, we stopped by Sushi Tora to try the food. Although small, the resto has a relaxing ambiance.

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One Day Tour around Phuket

On our last day in Phuket, we rented a van from Daj cost 2,300 baht, including hotel pick up, one day tour around Phuket and also an airport transfer. We shared our cost with other Indonesian traveller we met on our first day tour to Phi Phi island. So every person only paid 250 baht, including the tip.

The other group stayed at APK resort Patong. So after picked them up at their hotel, we began our tour by visiting Kata & Karon view point. Before reaching the view point, we passed Kata area, with so many cafes and shophouse along the road. Hmmm..next time I visit Phuket, I will be staying in Kata area:)

The viewpoint was free of charge. From the top we could see Kata and Karon Beach.


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Banzaan Market Phuket

Banzaan market in Patong area, during the day time sells fresh food like fruit (fruits, veggies, meats), but in the evening when the market is closed, we could find street food outside the market.


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