TIOMAN ISLAND juillet 10, 2008
Jerome and I booked a package thouh a travel agency for going to Tioman Island. Where is it? It is a wonderful island located at he south east of Malaysia. This package includes bus, ferry, accomodation, breakfast and one hour snorkelling. It costs us 250 SGD pe person (125€) for 3 days and 2 nights.
It took us 4 hours by bus, 1hour and half by fast ferry. If we wanted to go faster, we could fly but we prefered by land because the plane was very small and I was not confident…
Once we arrived, we were greeted by a welcome drink but vey surprised because it was 3pm and our room was not ready… Then we figured out that the shower does not work. Until then, it didn’t matter for us but we had to change rooms 3 times for finding a shower works. However, it was pretty nice because we were upgrated : so cool! We have moved from a standard chalet to a superior. I wonder not so much but i appreciated the gesture! I took advantage of the stay to enjoy with a manicure and pedicure: something very rare for me! The last time was for my wedding, three years ago…
Except this problem, everything was good : facilities, activities, food, landscape, weather… The second day, Jerome and I went to snorkelling all the morning. I had already tried and I loved it. The program of the day included 3 stops : the first one around Coral Island, the second one was on Marine Park for swimming, Tioman Island has a marine park protected and safeguarded, the third one was the favorite because we saw a little shark. I can confide you that I was a little scared about this meeting but fortunately it was in the deepths… Therefore, the place was very famous for diving, canoeing.
For the afternoon, we had rest in front of the transparent sea sipping a fresh coconut. In the evening, we strolled on the beach and listened a concert the only animation of the hotel. 3 days flies but it was very relaxfull…
NATAS FAIR : Saturday 1 march mars 9, 2008
Jerome, a couple of friends and I decided to go to Natas Fair last week end, a tourism fair where there were interesting packages all over the world.
The entry fee was only 3SGD (1,50 €), nothing comparing to France!
We visited numerous of booths. We first went to Malaysia’s booth, it is the nearest destination, you can go there by taxi, coach, boat, plane, for cheap price. But if you go in the North, it is better to take the plane, if you do not waste your time!
After, we walked towards the Australia’s one, the biggest one. Australia is huge and it is an ideal destination because there are various sceneries : mountains, deserts, beaches, …
Then, we had a look at India. This country fascinates me by its culture and colors but I will wait to save for a long trip.
In anticipation of the arrival of my brother Fred at the end of March, I was looking for the best price for Indonesia and especially Bali. Bali is a must do if you go to South-East Asia! I was so happy because I found a package only for 448 SGD per person for 4 days. What a big deal!!! I have even bought the”lonely planet” of Bali and Lombok.
Singapore is the best place to go to the paradise islands. the only way of writing on my blog is to travel, it is really hard life!
MY FIRST GUEST IN SINGAPORE! mars 2, 2008
What pleasure to have a friend who visit you!
Anne -Laure, a friend from Paris, decided to come and visit me for one week after travelling two weeks in Thailand. It was a very sunny week. I was enjoying to share my new life and she discovered a lot of things (not about me but the town). I had planned with enthousiasm a program. Here it is.
First day : First of all, we walked on Orchard, the must beginning. Why? Simply because this is the most famous place for shopping! Moreover, Anne-Laure found her hapiness, a “Guess” watch at discounted price. After, we went to “Little India” by walk. We stopped to have dinner in my favourite Indian restaurant “Muthu’s curry”. So delicious… We finished our evening at Clarke Quay, a district for entertainment. We danced until 2am to the rythm of a Singaporian band.
Second day : We walked in Chinatown, the favourite district of Anne Laure. After walking, we needed a break, we set up an appointment with Aurélie at Royal Plaza Hotel. We had one drink or rather 2 drinks( you drink one the second is free) at the Heat Ultra Lounge, a bar at level 2. So, I tried the litchi Caïpinrinha twice. The ambiance was very relaxing in this baroque and design bar. In addition, I got my first membership card. So chic!
Third day : Anne-Laure and me joined on East Coast Parkway some friends for a BBQ. Unfortunately, Jérôme stayed at home because he had fever. 
In the evening, we went out to the CHIJMES, a former convent for girls.
Fourth day : Anne-Laure and me went to Sentosa, the artificial Island in the South of Singapore. We met at KM8, a trendy beach bar, different preople of all nationalities who invite us for having a champagne toast (again!).
Fifth day : We went to Bintan for all day, my favorite Island, located in the south east of Singapore (see my post last November). How I can summarize this trip? Just R-E-L-A-X in front of the sea… I know sometimes my life in Singapore seems to be very hard!
Sixth day : Anne-Laure and I discovered the “Orchid Garden”in the Botanic Garden of Singapore. 30000 species of orchids, it is impressive, isn’t it? We admired the VIP Orchids, my favorite is Nelson Mandela one. So nice to stroll there!
Seventh day : the come back day. After a great week, it is time to say good bye. Anne-Laure came back to the “real world” with memories…
KRABI décembre 12, 2007
Singapore is located in the middle of Southeast Asia that means you can travel more easily and faster. At the moment, it’s the period of the monsoon : incessant rain, thunderstorms. Currently, it is better not to go out.
Jérôme and me had decided to go to KRABI. This is the “must” as PHUKET, KO PHI PHI, KO LANTA. This the best time to visit these paradise places. Krabi, located in the Andaman Sea, is well known for its beaches and landscapes. We had booked a flight tickets and an hotel in front of the sea a month in advance.
When we arrived at the Budget Terminal last Friday evening, we noticed during the chek-in that our flight would be delayed for 40 minutes. It does not matter because it is common. We boarded one hour late. During the flight, there was a problem of air-conditionner : It was very hot. We had the feeling that something was wrong. The cabin crew seemed little reassured and reassuring. In fact, the captain announced that the aircraft was turn back towards Singapore because of a technical problem. I said to Jérôme : “What communication, our weekend stars well…”
Once in the airport(of Singapore, of course!), we have waited until 2 am (it means 3 hours) to heard that the flight was canceled. Bye bye, see you tomorrow !(I’m exagerrating just a little bit). We had to go back home and come back at 9.30 am. Thank you “Tiger Airways” for your understanding and your efficiency…
The next morning, we have taken the plane almost on time towards Krabi. When we arrived in Krabi,1 hour and 25 minutes, the bad experience with “Tiger airways” was behind, Jérôme and I wanted to benefit of each moment.
It took us 40 minutes to go to our hotel by taxi and has cost us 600 Bath Thaï (12 euros). Our hotel, “Phra Nang Inn”, was very well situated, plenty of facilities : beach, restaurants, bars, shops,…
We chilled out around the wonderful swimming pool. The next day, we left to visit several Islands 45 minutes away by speed boat. The first stop was “Bamboo Island” : a white sandy beach. The second stop, “Losahmah Bay”. Then, we enjoyed snorkelling at “Pileh Bay” : it was fantastic to see colourful coral! What I preferred was “Maya Bay”, situated on the West Coast of PHI PHI LEE; the famous beach in the movie “La plage” with Léonardo! After, we hawe lunch on PHI PHI LEE Island. We kept on snorkelling a “Monkey Bay”.
The day of our departure, Monday, we said us that it would be a shame not to try “Thai Massage”. It was A-MA-ZING!!! Getting a massage in front of the sea.
After some inconvenience, this trip went well. I give you some advice : DON’T TAKE TIGER AIRWAYS.
BINTAN : SEA, SAND AND SUN novembre 18, 2007
“Bintan” belongs to islands of Riau’s archipelago. This archipelago include more 3 000 islands and Riau is an indonesian province, its capital “Tanjung Pinang” is situated in “Bintan”, the main Island. This last one is the largest, its area of 23 000 ha, it is almost double that of Singapore.
Bintan, located in the south-east of Singapore, is highly prized by the residents of Singapore, they go because of its close proximity. That’s why Jérôme and me decided to go there for one day, yesterday. It just took us 50 minutes to cross by ferry. We were lucky because we had not pre-booked ticket for the boat. Its cost for one trip per person : 54 SGD. I think it is not expansive at all to get access to paradise!
In the North, the Island has an area for the development of tourism and leisure. We took a shuttle to “Bintan Lagoon Resort”. We crossed the great golf courses, golf is the”must”, it is the number one activity. Maybe, we will try later…
I can swear you the scenery was awesome! A wonderful sandy beach about ten kilometers, a transparent blue sea, Jerome and me lying in the deskchair, there is nothing better.
As I’ve already said, life is too tough…
PULAU UBIN novembre 11, 2007
Pulau Ubin is an island situated in the notheastern corner of Singapore. It looks like a boomerang. Jerome and a couple of friends, Aurélie and Arnaud, decided to go there yesterday all the day.
We took a bumboat from “Changi Point Ferry Terminal” near “Changi Village at 10 o’clock. The bumboat set off when there are twelve passengers. Despite of the bad weather, it was raining, it was full very quickly. It took us to ride to Ubin just 15 minutes.
Aurélie and I had prepared a picnic because some friends warned me that the restaurants on site weren’t famous.(I think we play our roles of housewives perfectly). Of course, Jerome and Arnaud had the responsability to bring the food.
When we got at the jetty of Pulau Ubin, we rented bicycles at the main village. Life on Pulau Ubin is the opposite of Singapore : no modern utilities, there are generators for electricity;the main part has remained in its natural state which it means the jungle. We had the feeling to come back to Singapore in the 1960’s. There are still about a hundred villagers who live there.
We walked on the Coastal Boarwald in “Chek Jawa Wetlands”, in the east of the island. Then, we kept into the Mangroove Loops : we’ve seen many mangroove trees with special roots. After, we climbed the “Jejawi Towers”, vista point 360 ° : there was a great sea and jungle view!
We enjoyed this trip in wilderness but not mosquitos…
SENTOSA ISLAND octobre 21, 2007
When Singaporean residents want to have fun and entertainment, they go to “Sentosa”. It’s convenient, they don’t have to take the plane.Even if it’s not my cup of tea, I went there yesterday. At least, I could say I did it.
Sentosa means “peace and tranquility” in Malay. Otherwise, in the old days, it was called “Pulau Blakang Mati” meaning “Death Island”. Indeed, pirates were hidden on “Pulau Brani”, another island, attacked the sell vessels and left the corpses on “Pulau Blakang Mati”. Hard to believe that when you see its restful image today… In the late 1800s, the islands was used as a major harbour defence by the British. They set up four coastals artillery positions which still exist, from west to East : “Fort Siloso”; “Mount Imiah” ; ” Fort Serapong” and ” Fort Connaugh”.
There is nothing easier to go to Sentosa. I decided to go by the “Sentosa Express” located on the third level of Vivocity, a shopping mall. It took me five minutes to arrive in the heart of the Island. There are also different ways, a bridge links Singapore to Sentosa : by bus ( from the Harbour Front MRT station); by car(you have to pay 2SGD per person for the admission); by cable-car(from Mount Faber or Cable Car Towers at Harbour Front) or ferry (from World Trade Center).
Sentosa is completly artificial : imported sand from Malaysia. There are a lot of activities : sea sports, cycling paths, hiking trails, golf courses, museums, aquariums, spas… The biggest attractions are situated in “Imbiah”. I started with “Underwater World”, an impressive oceanarium. In my opinion, the best attraction, I walked into a large tunnel via 83 meters, there is also a travelator . It was fantastic to approach so close the marine life and so peaceful! With this ticket, I’ve seen the show “Dolphins Lagoon”, the other side of the Island on the afternoon. No comment.
Then, I had lunch to the “Coastes” restaurant on the famous “Siloso Beach” at the southern. I LOVED this place, just in front of the sea, listening lounge music and drinking cocktails. The only black spot on the board that there were a few freighters but you can’t have everything…
After, I tried the “Sentosa 4D Magix”, an interactive movie about pirates. Uninteresting and expansive just for 10 minutes I paid 16 SGD. That’s why, I didn’t try “Cineblast”.
I visited the “Images of Singapore exhibit”. I was enjoyed to discover the rich cultural traditions and history of Singapore. This exhibit takes place in a former British Military Hospital. In the room of “Pioneers of Singapore”, I saw the most important personalities in Singapore’s history since Raffles landed in 1819. Wax figures represent each community (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian) and traditionnal children’s pastimes and occupations. I learnt more about their life in the past with photo albums, artefacts… The other room deals with “Festivals of Singapore”. It shows the rituals, festivals and cultural pratices of each community. A village is recreated in a lively manner with its celebrations, the color and fabrics of the dress bride are wonderful. I would try to write about it in a next article.
Near the replica of the “Merlion”, I admired a long fountain of ties, it looks like “Gaudi” style. It was amazing!
Results of the day: not so bad. I haven’t visited everything. Sentosa offers a panel of activities that will satisfy both young and old. But, It remains an island without charm. I name it “too much”.
