Category: Travel

It’s hot in Singapore, so hot that I wondered why people like to dine in open air places (like Clarke Quay). Been there, done that … and in fact the restaurants there are equipped with air conditioners. But how ?

And here is it … check out the eclipse-shaped openning / duct on the left of the photo, behind the chair.

Lesson Learnt: Be creative.

It was my number X visit to Singapore already and the trip was for a conference about “Service Oriented Architecture”. The two days’ conference was actually quite boring but I did have a good time there … let’s start with some photos from the tourist rip-off zone – Clarke Quay …

Clarke Quay was a very colorful place, even all the food there are very very pricy. The proof (the colors, not the food) …

Lesson Learnt: Let’s forget the price for the moment, but why the tourist spot in our city cannot be designed as colourful in Lion City ?

May be I am blind, or may be I am not Googled enough … but where can I find a good Travel Planning tool / web site ?

As far as I can tell, most of the so call “travel planning” tools or sites only let you plan your flight schedule, car rental, hotel stay etc. etc. And in M.Y. term, they are only “how you gonna transport” and “where you wanna stay” planning tool.

What I want is a tool to let me plan out where to go, how / when to get there, what to explore, what to wear, where to dine, where to shop, how much shall I pay etc. etc. – i.e. a tool on how to utilize all my time in the destination. That will be a bonus as well, if we can link in photos, reviews, shopping list, forum etc. etc.

Some friends asked me why I have to cram my holidays and yes, they are right … but I want options !!

Lesson Learnt: There are thousands of travellers like me out there and please someone develop such a web site for us – or else, I will develop one 😎

Hmmmm …. how many Wonders of the World have you visited ? Of course, the first question we need to answer is what are the Seven Wonders of the World in our generation.

So, what about vote your own Wonders … Here.

What about a short trip to a beautiful garden and three good London museums in one day ? Sounds challenging, so get ready with a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

Let’s start …

• It’s a long day, so get up early and have a good breakfast in the hotel first. Or pop in any of the coffee shops around your hotel, get a good cup of coffee and a scone.
• Take the Tube to the Glocester station (served by Circle line).
• The station is a small one and find your way to the Cromwell Road. Walk towards East, since it’s the morning, the sun is in front of you 8-).
• Around 10 minutes later, you will be in the intersection of Queen’s Gate and Cromwell Road. Turn left, cross the road and towards North.
• Another 15 minutes or so, you will find the entrance to the Kensington Gardens. Have your camera loaded.
• In no time, you will see the extravagant Albert Memorial. It is a monument to the memory of Queen Victoria’s beloved consort, Prince Albert – it has to be seen to be believed.
• Across the road is the Royal Albert Hall, a auditorium capable of holding 8,000 people.
• Leave the garden and walk along the Exhibition Road (south bound). Soon you will find the Science Museum, the first museum of the day.
• You will probably spend two hours or so there. The admission is free. There are special shows all day long, and their collection of computers is facinating.
• It is good idea to take a break here, have a quick lunch there. And then continue your trip to the next museum, along the same Exhibition Road.
• Around the corner of Exhibition Road and Cromwel Road is the impressive Natural History Museum. The admission is free but it is a good idea to buy the museum guide. You will find outstanding exhibition of dinosaurs, whales, birds and all kinds of animal (including man).
• Another two hours or so (you have to be a quick walker 😎 and just in time for an afternoon tea break.
• What’s next ? Just next to the Natural History Museum is the “V & A” – Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s probably the world’s greatest collection of the decorative and applied arts. Another two hours there …
• Ooops … the museum is going to close. Yes, you shall spend more time in these great museums. Pick another day.
• Find a good restaurant around Glocester station and wrap up the day with a good Italian, English or American dinner.