Travelling

Courtesy of: Travel Thoughts PH

 

I first traveled out of my home country at the age of 11. I was very lucky indeed being to travel in such a young age, not only to one, but 3 countries (Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan) and transit in Singapore (first time touching my feet there). But before that, I had been travelling all around the islands where I lived in car with my parents and siblings, and domestic plane or even boat to my father's hometown.

Then I studied overseas as young as eighteen and to further country when I was twenty. While on school holiday, I traveled mostly by trains to other cities and neighboring countries. Sometimes, it took me three flights and trip more than 24 hours to reach the other side of the world, to cut cost (the more you transits, the cheaper your flight is).

Since my late 20s, after diagnosed with SLE, I started to travel to countries I wanted to visit. First on the list, was Tibet. But sometimes, fate led me to countries I even had never heard before - so many of them - thanks to my parents who led me visiting them as they brought me along as their company. Countries like Bhutan and Nepal, Iceland, Baltic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia), Russia, and so on.

Fate brought me to explore India. My dream to meet Dalai Lama has not come true yet. It has been years since my failed attempt, and until now, I still have not made them realized yet. But the company had brought me to Buddha pilgrimage places - I had been dreamed visiting them since my middle school time. Not only that. I also managed to explore Sikkim, including Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and visited many Tibetan temples.

Through good friend, I managed to visit Sri Lanka (never ever thought visiting the country before), Vietnam, Thailand (the Golden Triangle), Myanmar, West America (LA, Las Vegas, SF). Later on, I managed to make my dream came true by visiting UK, Central Europe (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech), back to my school in Switzerland, and second visit to Denmark and Sweden.

Later on, I started touring with group tour to places that were more convenient to go with the tour group, such as: Balkan countries (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Slovenia, plus Venice in Italy), Mongolia, Central Asia - the five -Tans (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan), and recently to the East America and Canada.

I never count how many countries I ever visited but I think it should have been more than 50 countries. And it does not stop here. As long as my feet, body, mind, leave, and wallet allows, I will still travel and explore to visit other parts of the world. 

The job has made the travel slow, but it allows me to earn and save the money to travel. With the mercy of my Boss, it allowed me to spend time with family too apart from days taken for traveling. 

There are still a lot of country I have not visited yet. But I hope, one day, I will able to visit all of them, one at a time, slowly, but sure :D

What apps to download before going to China from Singapore

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower

With the advance of the technology, I would say we are very lucky to be able to live in the world these days. The last time I went to China was in the end of 2018 and I could not use the Chinese payment apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay. I had to use cash to pay wherever I went. And sometimes, I would not be able to purchase something (like using the vending machine to buy drinks). I was reluctant to use my credit card to pay too, since the exchange rate given by the bank was awful and there was other charges for using it. 

Trust Visa Debit/ Credit Card (Photo source: Trustbank.sg)

First of all, if you live in Singapore, the digital bank and cards like Trust and YouTrip are the two great assets that you must have beforehand, because they offer the online currency rates - not far from what you usually check from XE.com, there is 0% foreign transaction fee (not even the 1% Visa charges), and also no annual card fee to pay. You manage all your money using the apps on your fingertip. 

For the Trust saving, you can earn up to 2.75% p.a. interest rates on your first S$800k depending on how much you put your money in and earn up to 11% savings on groceries and food at Fairprice Group when you spend on your Trust debit card. You can read more details in here. You can also apply their VISA credit card to earn up to 15% cashback on your preferred category and unlimited 1% cashback on all other eligible spend. Read more details here. If you do not have one yet and interested to get one, you can let me know and I can give you a referral code and get yourself S$10 Fairprice e-voucher as a lovely start :) 

YouTrip Mobile Wallet link with Mastercard 
(Photo source: You.co/sg)

As for YouTrip, you can sign up using your local Singapore mobile phone. It is a multi-currency mobile travel wallet with linked Mastercard and money changer in the app.  There are currently 12 wallet currencies in which you can do the money change without having to go down to money changer. The currencies available as for now are: SGD, MYR, AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, HKD, NZD, CHF, SEK, and THB. 

You can first top up your SGD money using PayNow or to link your bank account for easy transfer. You can also top up using a Visa/ Mastercard but there will be 1.5% fee for Visa Credit. Fees waived for all Mastercards and Visa Debit. 

After topping up your SGD into the account, you can then start the exchange between those 12 available currencies and keep your money there. But when you want to use it overseas, you can pay in any currencies (not only those 12). For example, you can use it in Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, and so on. They will convert the currency automatically and deduct it from your SGD or other currency balance that you stored. Just tap your card (they will issue and send you a physical card once you sign up), and key in the passcode on the credit card machine for a more secure transaction. And Voila! If you do not have one yet and interested to join, you can let me know too. I will send you the referral link and get yourself S$5 on your account upon confirmation and acceptance :)

With YouTrip, you can also transfer money overseas or send to other YouTrip User. And if you want to take your SGD money back into your bank account, you can do the withdraw through PayNow or transfer back to your local bank account. So it was up to you how you want to manage  your money. You can link WeChat Pay and Alipay with similar cards like Wise or Revolut too, if you already have one. Once you have them, you can link the above cards (no more required to have a local China bank account and credit card) with WeChat and Alipay. 

I post this blog because more people are travelling to China recently due to more available direct (some budget) airlines between countries, the easy access to pay using the Apps, available translation apps (I use Google translation apps so far), available maps App using English (fyi Google map in China does not give an extensive locations and accuracy, some even are misleading), convenient to travel using public transport such as Metro, bus and ferry, with the downloaded Metro apps that were linked to WeChat or Alipay - just scan the QR code at the entry and exit gate, more world class entertainment parks, such as: Universal Studio in Beijing, Disneyland in Shanghai, Pop Mart theme park or Pop Land in Beijing, Legoland in Shanghai (opening in 2025), and so on. 

Chinese apps to download

So, from my recent trips to Shanghai, I did some research before going, and here are the list of the apps I downloaded before going:

1. WeChat

If you have not had the account yet, you can sign up using your local mobile number. Then you can click here on how to link your credit card with WeChat Pay. I linked my YouTrip Mastercard with WeChat Pay. You need to submit your Passport information as a verification, otherwise you cannot use it. 

2. Shanghai Metro apps (linked to WeChat pay). Once you download the no. 1, next you can download the metro apps. In my case, I downloaded the Shanghai Metro app - Discover, Mini Programs, Search Shanghai Metro App - the red color one - and registered. To use it, you need to turn your bluetooth on, then it will produce the QR code, which you can scan when entering and exiting the metro gate. The fee will be charged into the credit card that you linked with in your WeChat Pay.

3. Alipay

This is another very useful payment apps in China, it works similar like Google pay, but with more services. You can click here for more information on how to register your Alipay. Same thing, you need your passport information for verification plus your photo. Then add your foreign credit card under the Bank Cards. For Alipay, I link it with my Trust Visa card. 

The apps can be set in English and there is the floating translation button that you can click too for easier translation from Chinese to English while using the app. 

4. Shanghai Metro apps (linked with Alipay)

Once you download the Alipay, I search e.g. Shanghai metro - I choose Shanghai Metro Daduhui - registered, saved it, and could find it under the My Apps (My Mini-apps). I can copy this apps button into my mobile home as well for easy use. 

Same with the no. 2, you need to turn on your Bluetooth when scanning the QR code at the entrance and exit gate. It is much more convenient than buying the metro ticket manually at the ticket machine. It will save you a lot of time in taking public transport. 

5. Didi Travel (linked with Alipay)

If you go in larger group with elderly or children, you might want to travel around using hire transport service like Grab and Gojek. In China, you use Didi. You can download the mini-app in Alipay or WeChat for Didi service. Follow the instruction on how to use it. I did not try it during my trip in Shanghai as I travel alone and metro is very convenient public transport to go anywhere.

6. Amap

It is very useful map that you can access during your trip in China. You can enter search using English and Chinese language. Click 'Route' to find out how to get there - by driving, metro or bus, cycling, and walking. Just turn your location button on and it will give you various alternative to reach your destination :)

7. Disney Resort

As I visited Disneyland in Shanghai, I downloaded this app beforehand. Here, you can purchase your ticket based on your needs. There is a Super Early Bird One-Day price ticket if you know already when you are going to visit and choose it to get discount, at least 15 days in advance, or Early Bird One-Day price ticket at least 10 days in advance. In fact, so many options to choose. Weekdays and weekend prices are different, so if you visit many days in Shanghai, I recommended you to choose weekdays than weekends.

You can pay the fare using foreign credit card. However, with additional 3% charge. In this case, I tried other alternatives such as: Klook, Traveloka, and Trip.com. At the end, I bought it through Trip.com as it offered the best price among all.

With Disney Resort app, you can use it during your stay in Disneyland. You will use the map function the most. There, you can see how much is the waiting time for each rides. How to get there from your location (you need to turn on your location button) and how many minutes to reach. Where you can have your lunch, snacks, or dinner. Where to shop if you need to get something to bring back home, and so on. They also tell you the schedule of the parades of the day, and toilet locations.

There are more apps you can download based on your needs during your travel in China. I myself is a newbie and not very well in reading Chinese words. It will be better if you have friends from China who use more Chinese apps and have time to explain to you what to download and how to use.

Actually I would love to use their share bike to go around Shanghai by myself, but with the limitation of the area/ location knowledge, plus not knowing much Chinese words, taking metro is more than good to go. But I was lucky enough being able to cycle around in the middle of the Shanghai city with the guide and help of my local Shanghai friend who is familiar with the road there. He also helped me to unlock the bike - using 2 different bike apps from 2 different companies :) 

Meituan share bike in Shanghai

The traffic for bikes have lessen up these days unlike more than 2 decades ago. Now people take more metro, bus, electronic motorcycle, didi, or car to travel around. But it is good for me and they still have bike lane for bicycle and motorcycle users. Many road was covered with big trees at left and right, giving cool shades for riders like us. I was very lucky experiencing it and hope can experience it more next time :D

Oh ya, for mobile access, you need a SIM card that allows you to access Google, what's app, Facebook, or Instagram. In Singapore, you can purchase your physical China SIM or e-SIM from Lazada or Shopee SG. I purchased the ICC China Mainland 3-30 days Unlimited Data SIM card (China Mobile Network). It worked very well during my stay. Just insert it (if you buy physical card) when you reach there, turn the roaming and mobile data on, and you can start using it.

I hope the above info can help you a little in preparing your visit to China. And wish you a wonderful trip to China soon!!! :)

Koshpendiler Alemi Ethnoaul - The Universe of Nomad - 5th World Nomad Games 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan

Koshpendiler Alemi Ethnoaul (Universe of Nomads): the heritage of the steppes in the center of the metropolis

The Koshpendiler Alemi Ethnoaul or the Universe of Nomad - the heritage of the steppes in the center of the metropolis - was organized at the Kazanat (horse racing) hippodrome. It was the day when we watched the horseback archery competition, we visited the Ethnoaul, which happened to be held at the same place. I had heard about it from the World Nomad Games website, but I had no idea on how it was going to look like.

So I was so thrilled and exciting upon entering the area. They organized it in a way where everyone would be able to immerse themselves in the rich world of the Kazakh people and be acquainted with the original culture of nomadic peoples. It was simply amazing!!! It was just like an open-air museum showcasing the nomadic civilization. No words could describe how lucky we were to experience it in such a short visit in Astana.

Altybakan - Kazakh wooden swing (Ethnoaul in Astana, Kazakhstan)

After checking out our ticket at the main entrance, we saw this big wooden swing, which later on I found out its name to be Altybakan - literally meaning six pillars. The Kazakh swings were built of six pillars. The ends of which were drawn with a strong rope with a cross-pole established on the top, and a pair of ropes for legs and a seat was secured (a big plank of wood). People stood out or sat down on it and swaying front and back. My roommate and I tried swaying on it. Well, it was easier to see than be done. Hahahaha... Perhaps, if we had this during our childhood, we would not have difficulty in swaying it around :P 

Shygys Bazary (Oriental Bazaar) - Ethnoaul in Astana, Kazakhstan

As we walked, we were entering the Shygys bazary (Oriental Bazaar) and smelled the delicious golden flaky Kazakh Samsa with savory goodness!!!Too bad that we just had our breakfast from the hotel. Therefore, we had to give it a miss and continued browsing around. Basically the bazaar was built in a row of yurts (nomad tents) - restaurants or cafes inside the tents - where people could taste the local authentic Kazakh national dishes, snacks, and delicacies.

Sheberler Auyly (Village of Craftsmen) - Ethnoaul in Astana, Kazakhstan

We passed by the Sheberler Auyly (village of craftsmen) where you could purchase a variety of souvenirs. It was said that more than two hundred artisans from all over the country would present their unique products and share the secrets of their craft.

Outdoor music performance from Atyrau and Almaty Region - Ethnoaul in Astana, Kazakhstan

The things that I found it most interesting there were the display of different styles of ethno-tent, which came from different regions in Kazakhstan. People were wearing their beautiful and colorful traditional dresses, completed with the head, shoes, accessories, and they were singing, dancing, playing the musical instruments, inside and outside, welcoming the guests from all over the world to visit their tent. They displayed their animals too, such as the Tazy hunting dog, hunting eagle, etc. Not only that. They were even displaying their food, and let us try their local delicacies, everything that were on display.

Beautiful eagle and handsome owner :D - Ethnoaul in Astana, Kazakhstan

For the photo below: Initially they were outside the tent. So we asked them if we could take a photo together. After taking photo, they invited us to enter their tent. Inside, there was a display of their local food. Again, we took a group photo inside. Then, they asked us to taste their food, whatever we wanted. This warm hospitality was called "konakas" - a tradition of hospitality by providing the guest with the most delicious food and do everything to make them feeling safe and comfortable. 

Inside the Kostanay-tent - Flatbread, varieties of kurt (dried cheese), horse and camel milk, etc. - Ethnoaul 

Wow!!! I heard about their hospitality before I came here by reading the article online, but I never expected that they really offered their food from inside the tent. I thought that it was only for display.

There were so many varieties of snacks and food, with some that I never tasted before, on the table, such as: kumys (mare's milk), shubat (camel's milk), kurt and its varieties (Kazakh dried cheese) - including the colorful ones, qazi - traditional Kazakh horse meat sausage that only the wealthy could afford in the past, dried fruits (apricots, raisins, dates), nuts (walnuts), zheti shelpek - the round flatbread, roasted in oil, "bauyrsaq” - a round or diamond-shaped doughnut - a symbol of brotherhood, unity, and abundance, butter, cheese, samosa, etc. 

If you never heard before, the traditional Kazakh cuisine revolved around lamb and horse meat, as well as a variety of dairy milk products. It was our second day of the trip and we had not tasted the horse meat yet because we did not know how it tasted like. We worried that if we ordered it in the restaurant as a dish, and if it happened not nice, then we would waste the whole dish. So when they offered us to try it, we did not hesitate a single second and gave it a try to it immediately!

Inside Kostanay tent - Shuzuk and qazi - horse meat delicacies tasting. Yum!!!! - Ethnoaul in Astana

I tried both kumys and shubat. Kumys was a bit sour. Perhaps they had kept it too long outside and not that fresh. Shubat was ok. Not really my favorite but I was glad that I tried. Then we tried all things in the plate that contained kurt (dried cheese). Some a little bit salty, some hard, some soft. Nice experience!

Then, it was the horse delicacies or qazi. I tried 2 types. First the one shaped like a cut sausage, but inside was lots of yellow fat. Another one also like a cut sausage, but more like mixture of meat and fat. If I was not wrong, it was called shuzuk. They usually smoked and dried it, and served it in slices as an appetizer. It was made by combining the rib meat and fat in an intestinal casing. Interesting right? Moreover, I was surprised that it tasted reaaaalllyyyy gooodddd..... hahahaha... really tasty!!! From there onwards, we ordered horse meat dishes a lot when having our meals in Kazakhstan :D They entertained us by singing and playing dombra - a long-necked musical string instrument - after that. 

Wedding ceremony from Karaganda Region + Shashu - scattering candies - Ethnoaul in Astana, Kazakhstan

In another tent, we experienced another Kazakhstan culture, which was the wedding ceremony that usually performed in the Karaganda region. They showed us the whole processes with music and singing, and at the end, they also performed "shashu" ritual, literally meaning 'scattering', by tossing out sweets, dried cheese, chocolates, etc. at the end of the ceremony, while reciting “nūr zhausyn” (may the light of heaven fall upon you). This ritual was done as a symbolic act of wishing everyone wealth and happiness. 

Dumandy dala (joyful steppe) concerts at Ethnoaul in Astana, Kazakhstan

We also had a chance to watch the Dumandy dala (Joyful Steppe) concerts representing the best regional groups from all over the country, consisting the ethno-folklore ensembles, Kazakh national orchestras, soloists, dance groups in the traditional ethnic style, poet reading, and so on. Btw, I was almost mistakenly that I had met Abai Qunanbaiuly, a very famous Kazakh poet, composer, philosopher, and also a founder of the modern Kazakh literature.

My Almaty's guide thought I saw his ghost. Hahahahaha.... It turned up that he had passed away long long time ago back in 1904, but Kazakhs people considered Abai, through his nationalism poetry, as one of the first cultural heroes to penetrate the surface of the entirety of their national awareness and the one who opened up Kazakhstan to many opportunities for education and philosophical diversity.

450 Kurak-korpe recorded in the Books of Records of Kazakhstan - Ethnoaul at Astana, Kazakhstan

At the ethno village, one of the unique events took place and I was lucky for witnessing the 450 Kazakhstani seamstresses breaking the world record by embroidering a patchwork blanket (1.5m x 90cm kurak-korpe with same size, technique, pattern, ornament and color scheme), when joined together, formed one huge beautiful carpet measuring 252m x 40m - included in the Book of Records of Kazakhstan "KINES", and nominated for the International Guinness Book of Records. 

Various Kazakh souvenirs from different regions - Ethnoaul at Astana, Kazakhstan 

And more artisan souvenirs from the Sheberler Auyly (Village of Craftsmen) at the photo above. 

There were a lot more things to see and experience but too bad we did not have so much time to spare. It opened from 8 to 13 September though. If I were to visit on my time, I would browse the tent one by one and experience everything there and immersed myself in the beautiful culture of Kazakhstan (also beautiful and handsome looking people of Kazakhstan) Hahahahaha.......

Seriously!!!! Since we landed in Astana airport, we had already felt amazed with the beautiful and handsome looking people of Kazakhstan as many Nomad Games volunteers were waiting there to fetch their guests. You could witness it yourself from the photos I shared in my blog ;)

More photos - Ethnoaul in Astana, Kazakhstan 

So, I hope you enjoy reading this and could imagine yourself how it looked like if you were there by just reading this. Bye for now :)

5th World Nomad Games 2024 - Astana, Kazakhstan

Central Asia - 5 countries in 22 days (Itinerary Map - Reeverking.blogspot.com)

It was my dream to visit Central Asia. As someone who did not usually read news and did not learn about the world history, actually I had no idea what countries are they. I only knew that those countries mostly ended with "-stan", which mean "land of" according to the Persian suffix. It consist of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan (finally I knew how to spell each country while reading and researching the itinerary :D). 

Looked forward for the 5th World Nomad Games 2024 - Astana, Kazakhstan

After around 8 months and so, we finally realized our dreams. We traveled to these 5 countries in 22 days. Our first stop was Astana or formally known as Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan. I looked forward for this trip because the 5th World Nomad Games happened to be held there in Astana from 8 to 13 September 2024. 

"The World Nomad Games are international sports competitions in ethnic sports. The competition is based on folk games of historically nomadic peoples of Central Asia. WNG are aimed at the development of ethno-sports and ethno-cultural movement as a heritage of human civilization." - worldnomadgames.kz

Kok Par/ Kok Boru/ Buzkashi/ Ulak Tartysh - 5th World Nomad Games 2024 - Astana, Kazakhstan

The World Nomad Games were also included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The 21 competitive games included horse races, national types of wrestling, horseback wrestling, traditional intellectual games, competitions in martial arts, traditional archery, national types of hunting with birds, horse racing, folk games, horse-back archery, kok par or kok boru, and so on.

5th World Nomad Games Opening Ceremony - 8 September 2024

We reached Astana on September 7th. And we were fortunate being able to get the opening ceremony ticket and watched it 'live' at the Astana Arena Stadium. It showcased the masterpieces of musical and choreographic culture in theatrical way. 

Famous local bands and singers were performing there too, such as: Dimash Kudaibergen with ”Kieli Meken” (Holy Land), Abyroy group sang “Rukh” (Spirit), Ulytau band playing Adai, Ayree with Oiladyn Ba, and so on (Fyi, I found out all about them only after returning back home. I would be crazy if I knew earlier about them and was watching them 'live' like that. Hahaha.... They were really super talented people and I loved hearing their music and songs). There were cultural performance and dances as well.

"The ceremony’s cultural performance took the audience through Kazakhstan’s history, featuring pivotal moments from the Tengri period, the legend of Altyn Adam (Golden Man), Tomiris, the Silk Road and the rise of the Kazakh Khanate, also known as Ulus of Jochi. The show of tradition and modernity highlighted Kazakhstan’s role as a unifier of nations, symbolized by the shanyrak, a Kazakh symbol of unity and peace." - Astanatimes.com

Singapore team at the 5th World Nomad Games - Astana, Kazakhstan

Just like Olympic games, the World Nomad Games had also a parade introducing each country's flag and participants of the games. I was surprised that Singapore had also sent athletes to participate in the games. Indonesia had also sent their athletes there and Reno Suri, the female athlete, won 1 gold and bronze medal for the archery competition. Well done!!! :)

Central Asia Head Leaders - 5th World Nomad Games 2024 - Astana, Kazakhstan

Since Astana was our first destination in our trip, I really had no idea on many things in Central Asia, including the their leaders and Presidents. So after coming back, I was so thrilled and surprised knowing that many of them were present during the opening ceremony, sitting together in one room with me :D 

Those who were there included: President of Kazahstan - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Uzbekistan - Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Kyrgyz Republic - Sadyr Zhaparov, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan - Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan - Rustam Minnikhanov, the Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) - Aisen Nikolayev and former Mongolian President - Nambar Enkhbayar.

Representatives from international organizations, including UNESCO, the UN World Tourism Organization, the Organization of Turkic States and the European Union, also attended the ceremony.

5th World Nomad Games - Astana Arena - Kazakhstan

The games were held every two years. I really recommend everyone who are interested to visit Central Asia to come during the event (the future event) to experience a very rich and diverse cultural activities that you could get from the opening and closing ceremony, from watching the sport games competition, and also the Ethno-aul - the Universe of Nomads.

Fyi, the first World Nomad Games were held in Kyrgyzstan. The city of Cholpon-Ata has hosted international competitions three times (in 2014, 2016, and in 2018). The 4th World Nomad Games were held in 2022 in Iznik, and the 5th was in Astana, Kazakhstan. So, stay tune on where the 6th will be held in 2026 :)

My Types of Books

Find your right book - J.K. Rowling quote (Source: Google.com)

I love reading but I do not just love any books that come into my hands. If I would say, it requires fate to be able to read my type of books. Recently I realize that only my type of books would give me a kick, a motivation to keep reading it, until the end.

I did try reading just any book. It was not thick. It was not heavy (in terms of topic and content). By right, in my opinion, it should be easy to read and fast to finish. However, despite it was being just beside me, for one and half month the post it notes that I pasted into, was still stuck there at the same page and finally I decided to return it back to the library. The book did not call me to open. My heart was not willing to open it as well, to continue where it had stopped. I bet any fellow reader would also feel this way before.

So, my type of book. I could say I was very lucky to be met with them. Let me share them with you.

1) The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

  

The Little Liar - Mitch Albom

" A powerful novel that moves from a coastal Greek city during the Holocaust, to America, where the intertwined lives of three survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption. Eleven-year-old Nico Krispis never told a lie. When the Nazi’s invade his home in Salonika, Greece, the trustworthy boy is discovered by a German officer, who offers him a chance to save his family. All Nico has to do is convince his fellow Jewish residents to board trains heading to “new homes” where they are promised jobs and safety. Unaware that this is all a cruel ruse, the innocent boy goes to the station platform every day and reassures the passengers that the journey is safe. But when the final train is at the station, Nico sees his family being loaded into a large boxcar crowded with other neighbors. Only after it is too late does Nico discover that he helped send the people he loved—and all the others—to their doom at Auschwitz. Nico never tells the truth again. In The Little Liar, his first novel set during the Holocaust, Mitch Albom interweaves the stories of Nico, his brother Sebastian, and their schoolmate Fanni, who miraculously survive the death camps and spend years searching for Nico, who has become a pathological liar, and the Nazi officer who radically changed their lives. As the decades pass, Albom reveals the consequences of what they said, did, and endured. A moving parable that explores honesty, survival, revenge and devotion, The Little Liar is Mitch Albom at his very best. Narrated by the voice of Truth itself, it is a timeless story about the harm we inflict with our deceits, and the power of love to ultimately redeem us." - Goodreads

You must have heard or familiar with the author. This American author is not only a book writer, he is too a musician and a journalist. He has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, books and stories that inspired people all around the world. Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day, Have a Little Faith, The Time Keeper, The First Phone Call from Heaven, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, Finding Chika, The Stranger in the Lifeboat, and the most recent one, The Little Liar. 

I believe you may have read at least one of the titles I mentioned above. And some, might have read all of them :)

The Little Liar was not only inspirational. It was very sad too. How sadistic war was. How could human behave in such ways. So many how I questioned as there was no humanity, no love, no compassion, nothing. Instead, there were many lies spoken that many people believed, just to dupe them into life that they had never imagined. 

It was my type of book because I could relate the story and the places mentioned with those I had travelled to before - the shoes on the Danube River bank, the exhibit inside the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives, next to the Dohány Street Synagogue and the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park, and so on. 

2) From a Mountain In Tibet: A Monk’s Journey by Yeshe Losal Rinpoche

From a mountain in Tibet - Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche

"The extraordinary story of how a wayward boy escaped his war-torn country, found himself, and became the leading Tibetan monk in the West. Lama Yeshe didn't see a car until he was 15-years-old. In his quiet village, he and other children ran in fields with yaks and mastiffs. The rhythm of life was anchored by the pastoral cycles. Food was carefully apportioned and eaten together, everyone was family. The arrival of Chinese army cars one day in 1959 changed everything. In the wake of the deadly Tibetan Uprising, he escaped to India through the Himalayas to start over as a refugee. One of only 13 survivors out of 300 travellers, he spent the next few years in America, experiencing the excesses of the Woodstock generation before reforming in Europe. Now in his seventies and a leading monk at the Samye Ling monastery in Scotland—the first Buddhist centre in the West—Lama Yeshe casts a hopeful look back at his momentous life. From his learnings on self-compassion and discipline to his trials and tribulations with loss and failure, his poignant story mirrors our own struggles. Written with erudition and humour, From a Mountain in Tibet shines a light on how the most desperate of situations can help us to uncover vital life lessons and attain lasting peace and contentment." - Goodreads

This book told us the story what the Tibetan went through during the Chinese army's arrival to Tibet. It changed fate of many. Lama Yeshe was lucky enough being able to escape, although he had to go through difficult times - food scarcity, sickness, uncertainty, no clue where to head to, etc. He also told us the story on how he could change himself to where he is now. I enjoyed his story very much and very grateful that he could share his life journey to all of us in this book. Many things I could learn from him. By now, you must have already known what type of books I love reading.

3) A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East by Tiziano Terzani

A Fortune-Teller Told Me by Tizian Terzani

"Warned by a Hong Kong fortune-teller not to risk flying for an entire year, Tiziano Terzani—a vastly experienced Asia correspondent—took what he called “the first step into an unknown world. . . . It turned out to be one of the most extraordinary years I have ever spent: I was marked for death, and instead I was reborn.”

Traveling by foot, boat, bus, car, and train, he visited Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Geography expanded under his feet. He consulted soothsayers, sorcerers, and shamans and received much advice—some wise, some otherwise—about his future. With time to think, he learned to understand, respect, and fear for older ways of life and beliefs now threatened by the crasser forms of Western modernity. He rediscovered a place he had been reporting on for decades. And reinvigorated himself in the process." - Penguin Random House

I found out about this book from one forum in Facebook. Not knowing what it was about, the title and the picture were enough to draw my attention. As I unfolded each page, I fell in love with the way the author telling his story. And yes, fortune-teller, phii or spirit, war story, Buddhism, travel journey to places I had ever been to, were among the topics that I had interest with. Plus life learning from other people's story and experience, inspirational story, they were priceless!!! That was how I loved and enjoyed reading his book. I would check the google map too sometimes for the places he mentioned to imagine where they were located as he moved around to many places in Southeast Asia and I bet many readers also did the same :D

I am hoping to read more on these types of books. If you happen to have any books to recommend me to read, please drop your message below. Who knows I will have fate with that books. 

Books quote (Pic source: Google.com)

So, what have you read lately? I hope all of you read too sometimes, despite your business in life, in study, family obligations, traveling, and so on. Reading is really good for our mind. It can give our life inspiration and reminder to keep going upward and moving our butts off!!! Hehehe... if you know what I mean. Anyway, I hope you can find your types of books to read and enjoy reading ya!!! Cheers!!! :)

Dream To Fulfill This Dragon Year :)

The dreamer is back!!! :) (IG: Rimareyka.writes)

It required fate to form friendship. I felt very grateful that in my life journey, I had met many wonderful people with whom I could learn many life lessons from, especially from the older ones. It just happened that I had befriended many as older as my mom's age. One of them was my current boss.

It was fate that we worked together again after 20 years. In this small office, it was just two of us. I, the introvert, the quiet one, and she, usually she was the one who started the conversation - about her life, her family, her life experience, and so on. I had learned many things from her for the past few months - her calm encounter when facing challenges in life, her appearance (it inspired me to dress better even though no one saw me), her cheerful demeanor when telling the happy story, her generosity, etc. It just inspired me to be a better human being. 

To all my supportive friends and family, thank you :)

I met a group of friends recently for dinner. We did not realize that ten years had passed since we traveled together to Russia in a group tour. After the tour had over, we had met sometimes and usually for a meal. But for the past few years, I met them less often as I was busy travelling (before Covid), and after I started working (during Covid and after). 

So recently, one day when one of them invited me for the gathering and I happened to be free, I agreed to it immediately. I did not realize that it had really been many years since I attended the dinner gathering with them. And in between, things happened. I mean, all of us were getting older each year. Those much elder than me would obviously faced a physical change, such as: not being able to walk or hike as much as they were ten years ago when travelling and one faced greater challenge, like sickness. Luckily her positive attitudes towards life and the will to fight it had made her recovered.

There, they kept reminding me, to travel while I still young and could walk far. Time waited for no man. Health was the main issue for keep going in life. Taking care of health the best we could, if we wanted to walk longer in this life journey. 

From there, they too, ignited the sparks of hope in me, to travel again, to the destinations of my dream. even after I started working. I did not have many leave days in a year, so it was kind of constraining my travel lately and many priorities in life might limit my travel destination and dream places to go.

Dalai Lama quote - My all time inspiration :)

The word from young boy - to follow my dream - had also motivated me to be right on a track - of my dream - to travel to new places, place I had never been before. Actually I had this thought before but since I just started working, I thought I should not focus much on travel first, but to focus on my job, as I had not familiarized myself with the busy and less busy period throughout the year. I mean, I had to find out which period I could and could not travel since every job had different period of busy-ness. 

I was still in the cycle and few more months to go, but I could already see where I wanted myself to be this year. That group of travel khaki had already had places in their mind of where they wanted to go this year and hopefully, I could join them this year. Finger cross, let's hope that I could join them and fulfill my dream, at least for this current year :)

May all of you find what you want and fulfill it this year too - at least for now :)

What and where to eat local food in Singapore

Memories of hawker center and its good food

Many of my friends come to Singapore and they often ask me this question, "What should we eat (local food) in Singapore? And where?", especially for the first timer.

I have been living here for more that twenty years now but it does not mean that I have tried every nice local food here because of many concerns. First, the location. Yes, Singapore is a small country and you can go almost everywhere using the public transport such as MRT and bus. But for me, I do not eat out every day. Even if I do, I just go to the places nearby where I live or work. Otherwise, when I eat out while meeting friends or family members.

Second, the queue. Many eating places in Singapore are famous for its food. But famous often relates to long queue. I would not waste my time queueing too long to eat nice food.

Third, the price. The more famous the place, also the more it nears to city center, shopping belt and other touristic places, the higher the food price would be. For tourist who comes to Singapore once in a while, they would be ready to spend more money for the delicious famous local food. P.S. For eating in restaurant, you have to fork out additional 10% for service charge and 8% (9% in 2024) of GST - Goods and Service Tax, apart from your bill.

But still, I will give some suggestions of what to eat and where. Whether they want to go ahead with it or not, it will be up to them.

First, you might want to experience to eat at the local hawker center. 

"A hawker center or cooked food center is an open-air complex commonly found in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. They were built to provide a more sanitary alternative to mobile hawker carts and contain many stalls that sell different varieties of affordable meals. Dedicated tables and chairs are usually provided for diners." - Source: wikipedia.org

As mentioned above, it is usually slightly more affordable, no air-conditioning, no service provided (mostly self-service - queue, order, and collect your food), using plastic (not easily break) bowls, plates, cutleries with plastic trays as well, clean the table yourself after finish eating (otherwise you will get fine - Starting 1 September 2021, enforcement officers will continue to advise diners to properly clear their dirty tray, crockery and litter and enforcement will apply to diners who do not heed the officers’ advice. First-time offenders will be issued with a written warning. Subsequent offenders may face composition or court fines of S$300 - Source: NEA.gov.sg), more varieties of food sold, more local ambience or feel - especially with the sight of those uncles occupying table with bucket beers, groups of uncles aunties occupying table, each with glass of kopi or teh on the table, some playing Pokemon, some with shopping trolleys below the tables - usually during breakfast time, and so on.

There are many hawker centers you can experience in Singapore. I will list those nearer to the city center (as more tourists living there).

Maxwell Food Center

1. Maxwell Food Center - nearest MRT: Maxwell/ Chinatown. This place is famous for Fu Shun Shao La Mian Jia (selling roasted meat, char siew, wanton noodle, etc), Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (long queue but price has increased a lot and tastes so so for me), Fried Kway Teow • Fried Prawn Mee • Fried Oyster • Carrot Cake stall (01-53), Rojak · Popiah & Cockle (which you can share with your group - the mixed fruit rojak with peanut crunchy sauce), ( China Street Hum Jin Pang (selling local fried dough - either filled with red bean or made with five spice powder - with a cup of black coffee, Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake (one of my favorite local snacks - must eat with the provided chili sauce), Heng Heng Ondeh-Ondeh & Tapioca Cake (if you want to try the sweet stuff/ local dessert - freshly made every day).

The middle picture - Baguette Huong Viet (Vietnam food) and Bold x Braised (Taiwanese food) - that are located side by side, are recommended by local in case you do not feel like eating local food. Portion, price, and taste are all good.

2. Old Airport Road Food Center - nearest MRT: Dakota. This place is famous for To-Ricos Kway Chap Old Airport Road (delicious pork organs dishes with silky, smooth and chewy white flat noodle - must eat for pork lover!!!), Roast Paradise (roasted pork and char siew with rice), Xiang Ji Lor Mee (thick noodle with dark brown thick broth and fillings), sweet icy desserts at Nyonya Chendol,small little dessert (min jiang kueh or traditional pancake with peanut, red bean, coconut fillings, etc.) at Munchi Pancake, locally craft beer at Hello Ren Min, etc. 

3. Chinatown Complex Food Center - nearest MRT: Chinatown. It is located at the second floor. There are many delicious local food that you can eat and drink. Try the local coffee or tea at the 1950's Coffee “五十年代”. You have not eaten local food in Singapore if you have not tried the breakfast set that contains the traditional kaya toast, half-boiled egg, and tea/coffee. Not all coffee stall gives you a nice cup of coffee though as different stall sources different type of coffee beans. Fret not, if you do not have time to visit hawker center, you can just go to Yakun Kaya Toast to have a taste of this local breakfast set. You can find it especially near shopping area. 

I recommend you to visit this hawker center in the morning time as with empty stomach, you can eat more and they have so much variety of food here. 

Ann Chin Popiah from Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre 

Jia Ji Mei Shi offers local breakfast food such as: chee cheong fan, yam cake, triangle rice dumpling, soon kueh, taro cake, peanut porridge, fried bee hoon, etc. You can buy one each and share it with your accompanies. Ann Chin Popiah offers delicious wrapped cooked turnip, veg, bean sprout, grated peanut, crispy bits, and boiled egg. Personally, I love this very much! You can also try their kueh pie tee (with crispy made cup instead of wrapped with popiah skin). 

You can try chwee kueh as breakfast too at the Bedok chwee kueh 水粿. Chwee kueh is a steamed water with rice flour and combination of other gluten-free flour served with cooked preserved turnip/ chai poh and chili - originated from Teo Chew. The chili is a bit oily but taste better with it than without.

If you like fried kway teow, you can try Hill Street Fried Kway Teow. They still cook it with cockles, prawns, preserved sausage, and crispy pork bits. When your body needs some nourishment after so much walk, you may want to try the herbal soup from Herbal Soup 瓦罐煨汤. The soups are cooked using the clay pot burnt with charcoal. If you not sure what to eat, you can ask the seller which soup is suitable to your needs. 

For lunch, you can have the soya chicken, roasted pork, and/ or char siew rice or noodle at the famous Hawker Chan 香港油鸡饭面2/F, the origin store. You may need to queue though.

Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice

If you have time to spare for dinner (open from 4.30 to 10.30pm), you may want to order the clay pot rice at Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice. It may take at least half an hour for the food to be ready but it is prepared fresh and from scratch upon ordering and cooked on top of the charcoal, which gives it a fragrant rice as a result. Inside the mixed rice, they put the chicken chunks, mushroom, preserved sausage, salted fish, and vegetable. Before serving, they will pour dark soy sauce and shallot oil. This shop has more than 40 years history and recognized as one of the Michelin-Bib Gourmand stalls. 

When you go Chinatown, you sure want to taste some Chinese food. Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao 中国拉面小笼包 is famous for their xiao long bao (steamed juicy pork dumpling made with thin skin), pan fried or steamed dumplings, beef noodle, zha jiang mian (fried bean sauce noodle), and so on. You have to queue and wait for your food though because they prepare it fresh upon ordering.

For dessert, you may want to try the peanut/sesame/red bean ball soup (ginger or peanut soup) at the 75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup. You can try other local dessert at 一 一五糖水 115 Tang Shui. They sell sesame paste, peanut paste, combination of both, bobo chacha, walnut paste, almond paste, and so on. For cold dessert, you can taste delicious Chendol at Old Amoy Chendol.

4. Hong Lim Market and Food Center - nearest MRT: Chinatown. Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist is famous for local. Long queue is expected during peak hours (lunch and dinner). Take note on the opening time as the stall close in between. If you crave for laksa, you can try it at the Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa. They also sell mee siam, which is also my favorite! This hawker is famous for curry chicken noodle from Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee. So, if you are fans of curry noodle, join the queue and try it! The Tai Wah bak chor mee (minced pork meat noodle) is famous too but usually at a long queue. So does with Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee. If you have enough time, join the queue!!! If you like the combination of chicken cutlet curry noodle, you can try it at the Cantonese Delights - 廣東小吃. Try to avoid peak hour though!  

5. Tekka Market and Food Center - nearest MRT: Little India. It is just finished being renovated and now has opened for business starting beginning of October 2023. Indian food lover, you can head here and eat some delicious Indian such as nasi Briyani at the Allauddin's Briyani, Yakader Muslim Food, roti prata at the Prata Saga Sambal Berlada, Ar Rahman Royal Prata, various Indian Muslim food including roti prata, briyani, rice with meat or fish curry at Zham Zham Muslim Food, etc. 

You can also find non-Indian local food here, such as prawn noodle from 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles, duck rice from Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice, mee siam and Chinese rojak - not the fruit rojak by the way - from Grandma Mee Siam 燻鲨鱼五香虾饼, and so on. Talking about rojak, you can taste the Indian rojak at the Temasek Indian Rojak. You can not even find it in India :D if you know what I mean. So, fulfil your craving of various Indian food at this hawker center!!!

6. Golden Mile Food Centre - nearest MRT: Nicole Highway. I have eaten the chili mee (noodle) from Chung Cheng Chilli Mee/崇正辣椒面 since many many years ago, and still love it!!! The mee is topped with prawns, pork ribs, fish cakes, taupok, slices of boiled egg, bean sprouts, and of course, chili, accompanied with a bowl of soup. If you can bear spicy food, you can try it!!!

Chung Cheng Chilli Mee - Golden Mile Food Centre

If you love the fried Hokkien prawn mee, you may want to try You Fu's. Just by looking at the photos from Google map, it makes me drooling and craving for it :D For prawn mee soup, you can try it at Liang Seah Street Prawn Noodle.

The Chinese beef noodle and Singapore style beef noodle are different. Have you tried one? If you are a fans of it, or curious how it tastes like, you can try one at the Bugis (Longhouse) Lim Kee Beef Noodles. You can choose soup type or the thick gravy type. Try both if you cannot decide, but personally if I am alone, I would choose the dry (thick gravy) one. It uses white round noodle poured with gravy and topped with salted vegetable, and a small bowl of soup at the side.

Keng Heng Whampoa Teochew Lor Mee serves good lor mee. Apart from the usual fish cake, pork belly, fried fish, and ngoh hiang, the seller put in fried fish skin and wanton as well. The gravy is thick and nice. Do not forget to put some garlic and chili, plus drizzle some black vinegar on it. Guarantee, you will love it!!! :)

For duck rice lover, you may want to join the queue at the Ah Xiao Teochew Duck Rice (亞笑潮洲卤鸭). Many people recommend this place.

Have you ever tried the peranakan dish Singapore style? “Peranakan” generally refers to a person of mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage. The peranakan food is the result of blending Chinese ingredients with various distinct spices and cooking techniques used by them. The taste is somehow heavy depending on various spices they use. I never try the food here myself, but one day I would love to bring my friend who loves eating peranakan food to eat at Charlie's Peranakan Food. The price is not very cheap but I think it is worth it as it really needs right spices both in quantity and types in order to make a delicious ones and the portion is quite a lot. They sell varieties of it, such as: babi ponteh, itek sio, sambal lengkong (spicy fish floss), ayam buah keluak, etc. The names itself are exotic and make you wonder how the taste would like. Go down and try it if you are curious! :) The dishes are supposed to be eaten with rice, so do not forget to order plain rice with it.

Tulang (bones) lover must have known Deen Tulang Specialist very well!!! The stall has been there since more than 2 decades ago. Expect for a queue!!! Must try - sup tulang merah (red mutton bone marrow soup - originated in Singapore). Use your hand to pick, eat, and suck the bones. Use the other end of the spoon or even straw to take the filling out from the bones - just be creative with it! Be careful not to dirty your clothes or people's clothes surrounding you hehehe... And better not wearing white shirt here! :D Can try the mee goreng too! 

For dessert, a bowl of icy grass jelly would be perfect for such a hot Singapore weather!!! You can get it at the Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly. You can add toppings like nata de coco, palm seeds, longan, and sea coconuts. Or head down to Thong Sum Hot & Cold Desserts 糖心糖水 for a more variety desserts!!! 

7. People's Park Food Centre - nearest MRT: Chinatown. Back to Chinatown area. I think this place is a favorite place for Chinese people who come from China to work in Singapore since many food stalls here are selling the Chinese food that suit their taste buds. Chinese noodle and dumpling, Mala hotpot, grilled fish, cold dishes, etc. Sunday will be the worst day for you to visit as this place will sure be very crowded. There are two sides of seating area though. So when one side is crowded, try to sit at the other side. 

Ri Ri Hong Mala Xiang Guo - People's Park Food Center, Chinatown

Ri Ri Hong Mala Xiang Guo 日日紅麻辣香鍋 used to serve the best Mala hotpot. I brought so many friends to eat their food. But after the recent renovation, I personally feel that the standard has dropped. It has become dried and less tasty (perhaps they cut down on their spices when cooking the ingredients. They have two stalls. One in front, and another one at the back. I have tried them both recently and do not reach my expectation. But you may want to give it a try because you may like them. 

Hong Peng La Mian Xiao Long Bao is my most favorite shop in this hawker center. I have purchased from them since long time ago, since before they moved their shop from the other side. They serve the best Zha Jiang Mian or fried bean paste noodle and kuo tie or fried dumpling, in my opinion. Their xiao long bao and hot sour and spicy soup are delicious too! They make the dumpling fresh almost every day. In the past, he even pulled the noodle in front of you upon ordering, but now he uses machine as the quantity ordered increased and only few of them work. Try it and see if you agree with me :)

I am not a fans of braised duck, but this stall - Lek Kee Authentic Teochew Braised Duck - are liked by many. People say the stall serves a very good Teochew braised duck dishes. 

Yong Xiang Xing Dou Fu 永祥興豆腐 always draws long queue. Fyi this shop sells clear soup with variety of tofu (beancurd) with fish cake products and fish ball. Most customers are elderly but they keep coming back. It must be one of the comfort food for them and their ingredients are freshly made.

If you want to try homemade local delicacies, you can head to Fatt Soon Kueh. They sell soon kueh (Teochew style steamed crystal skin dumpling filled with jicama, bamboo shoot, black fungus and carrot), ku chye kueh (made of chive), and png kueh or rice kueh (Teochew glutinous peach-shape kueh).

8. Seah Im Food Centre - nearest MRT: Harbour Front. Usually I will have breakfast here before starting my morning walk to Mt Faber and Henderson Waves. But after renovation, I have not gone there yet, maybe soon. This hawker center has lots of Indian and Muslim food. I will usually order teh tarik or teh halia here as they will usually pull the tea in the making. With the tea, epok epok (curry puff) from Makan Boleh and some other fried stuff would be the perfect companion, like sardine puff, jemput jemput (sweet fried banana balls), bakwan (vegetable fritters), and goreng pisang (fried banana).

I love having roti prata (Indian flatbread dish served with curry) for breakfast too, also perfect with my teh tarik and teh halia. You can get it from Mohamad Arafat Muslim Food.

If you crave for Malay food like mee rebus, mee soto, soto ayam, lontong, gado gado, satay, etc. you can try the Daliman's Corner. If you love chicken rice, you can have it from the Aspirasi Food Galore.

At Shi Ji Noodle Stall, you can order prawn soup noodle and braised duck lor mie. If you crave for fried kway teow, you can have it from Seah Im Fried Kway Teow Mee. Fish ball and minced meat noodle from Lucky Fishball Noodle Stall 好運魚圓麵攤 is nice and coffee and tea from Coffee Queen stall is recommended too!

9. Changi Village Hawker Centre - nearest bus terminal: Changi Village. There is no MRT nearby and more accessible by taking the public bus. Located at the eastern side of Singapore, it offers varieties of delicious food that sometimes people come all the way just to eat. 

I love nasi lemak, the fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk, eaten with fried egg, ikan bilis (small fried salted fish), fried peanut, cucumber, and sambal chili. It is best eaten with additional fried chicken wing and otah (grilled fish paste wrapped in banana leaf). I used to go to this hawker center just to eat the nasi lemak here from Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak. It was my favourite! However, there is also another stall - International Muslim Food Stall Nasi Lemak - where you can buy. 

One of my favorite faraway hawker center - Changi Village

Later on, other food is proven to be good there too, apart from nasi lemak. Weng Kee Original Taste Ipoh Hor Fun serves a delicious Ipoh Horfun, added with chicken chop. Do not forget to add the sour green chilli! You will crave for another bowl! 

If you like satay bee hoon, you can try Ho Guan Satay Bee Hoon. There is lesser people selling this local food nowadays, hard to find, especially good one. Satay bee hoon is rice vermicelli with kang kong (morning glory), cuttlefish, pork slices, bean sprout, prawn, with lots of chili-based peanut sauce. I eat them once in a while. Really good!! If you have not tried it yet, order one and share.

On your way home, do not bring empty hand. You have traveled far to this place. Dabao (takeaway) some fried stuff snacks from the Million Star Fried Banana and Mei Xiang Goreng Pisang (美香炸香蕉,as it would be prefect with a cup of coffee or tea for the evening tea time. They have various snacks to choose from. I always dabao goreng pisang or fried banana from Warung Nenek. Their bananas are always sweet, its outer layer is crunchy, coated with sesame seeds. It is cheap too. You can always air-fry them at home before eating. Or you can eat them at the nearby Changi beach park :)

Wahh... so many food to eat and all at different places!!! So you know now why I never ever slim down in my life? Hahahaha.... ^^" Singapore is really heaven for food, as many people would eat outside rather than cooking at home. For singles and married couple or even small family with only 1 or 2 children, the cost of eating outside would be more or less or even cheaper than buying food ingredients and cook at home. Not yet count the amount of time and energy required to buy the ingredients, carrying it all the way to home, washing, cutting, preparing, cooking, and again, washing the dishes after eating. When you go to hawker center, you just have to spend time to queue and order your food (sometimes to find seat during peak hours), and money to buy the food you required. At least you do not have to wash the plates afterwards.

But of course, eating out every day would not be a good choice to maintain good health and diet. Exercise is needed and balance meal is important as well (perhaps includes the oatmeal / other healthier options on your daily food intake, choose more vegetable dishes or even salad, and not forgetting to take fruits or dairy like milk, yoghurt) to fulfill the required nutrition for your body. 

As and when I am free, I will update more on the hawker center and food list onto this post.

P.S. I do not do any advertisement or receive any benefit from posting this here. I just want to help my fellow friends who come and visit Singapore and want to know where and what to eat here, especially local Singaporean food, which will add their eating experience from this part of the world. Hope it helps! :)

Almost forgot!!! Please check the location, opening time and day, directions, from Google Map. Thank you!