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Hotel Review: Shangri-la Singapore Horizon Club Business Room

May 19, 2023 by Bino Leave a Comment

Shangri-la Singapore recently reconfigured some of its guestrooms in the Tower Wing to launch a new room category – the Horizon Club Business Room. These rooms take on the same slightly diagonal + alcove layout that typically distinguish rooms in the Tower Wing but with added furniture suitable for remote work thrown in. This is in contrast to the Valley Wing’s opulent style or the Garden Wing’s resort aesthetics.

I recently stayed at the Shangri-la Singapore as a guest of the hotel to check out this room category. As someone who occasionally works on the go, I was curious to see how easy it was to work remotely from the hotel.

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Explore Batu Pahat and Muar with This 2-Day Itinerary

May 17, 2023 by Bino Leave a Comment

Batu Pahat and Muar are two cities in the Johor state of Malaysia that are known for their rich heritage, delicious food and friendly locals. With only two days to explore both cities, visitors can experience the best of what each city has to offer with a short Batu Pahat and Muar itinerary. If you don’t have enough time to spare for an overnight trip, you can also use this itinerary for a Batu Pahat day trip or Muar day trip.

In Batu Pahat, visitors can go cafe-hopping and check out the local museum. Moving on to Muar, visitors can take a stroll along the river and admire the stunning views of the city’s short but distinctive skyline. They can also visit the parks for picnics and outdoor activities or go for a cultural walk. Finally, visitors to Muar should not miss out on the famous Muar Otak-Otak, a delicious local delicacy made from fish paste.

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Review: Revolver Launches the Bullet 9 Experience

May 15, 2023 by Bino Leave a Comment

Roughly 1.5 years since the restaurant first opened, Revolver in Tras Street has launched “Bullet 9” and will serve it until the end of June 2023. This is the 9th iteration of their menu.

Tras Street is buzzing with restaurants, boutique hotels and bars – with other establishments such as Levant and Hiryu just nearby.

The latest menu is a showcase of spring’s bounty and interpreted through the restaurant’s signature visceral style. Ingredients are sourced from the finest seasonal picks from around the world. For instance, their signature Paneer is air-flown to Singapore 3 times a week from Delhi.

Entering the restaurant for the first time and sitting by the counter, I could not help but notice how skilled the staff members are with the flames. There are plenty of opportunities for diners to witness the actual flame-grilling and even from my seat, I could feel the heat.

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How to Get a Schengen Tourist Visa in Singapore For Filipinos, Indians, Indonesians & Others With Helpful Tips For Visa Approval (2023 Update)

May 15, 2023 by Bino 212 Comments

Many of my long trips over the past five years have been in Europe and since I require a Schengen visa to enter most countries in the continent, I have applied in various embassies here in Singapore. Generally, my experiences applying for a Schengen tourist visa have been very procedural. Several documents are required for presentation but as long as one manages to fulfill them, there are barely any questions asked — unlike the application process for other countries for example.

In this guide, I aim to show how nationalities such as Filipinos, Indonesians, Indians and others that are not visa-exempt can get a Schengen visa in Singapore.

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5 Unforgettable Trip Ideas Under S$10,000 For Your Next Vacation

May 1, 2023 by Bino Leave a Comment

5 Trip Ideas to Let Your Travel Desires Run Wild

One of the main considerations when planning for a trip, aside from deciding where to go, is the budget to allocate for the whole journey. The dollar amount varies greatly and differs from person to person. Some may not set any budget at all and only have the destination in mind.

Regardless which of the two categories you fall under, it is safe to say that spending S$10,000 for a trip would allow for something rather comfortable, or even luxurious. Depending on the duration as well, one can squeeze in business class flights, stays in high-end hotels and resorts, degustation meals and perhaps even personal guides to show you around. Here are some of my top picks for that once in a lifetime trip.

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My PERFECT Kuching Itinerary With Heritage Walks, Where to Eat & Day Trips From Sarawak’s Capital

April 23, 2023 by Bino Leave a Comment

To outsiders, it would be a mistake to merely classify Kuching as just another city in Malaysia. It has had a long history as the capital of a self-governing state distinct from the affairs of the Malayan peninsula or even from Sabah. Even until this day, Sarawak has a separate immigration regime from the rest of Malaysia. All this means that visitors who come can expect something different from Kuala Lumpur, Penang or even Melaka. The streets are brimming with history and a casual walk through the older parts of town can attest to that. This despite Sarawak being sparsely populated and mostly forested.

The fact that much of Sarawak is still filled vegetation presents plenty of eco-tourism opportunities. It is possible to go to the beach in the morning, go hiking through a hill or cave in the afternoon and come back in the evening for a great meal and a night cap. Speaking about food, this is also one of Malaysia’s food capitals with dishes such as Kolo Mee, Sarawak Laksa and Ayam Pansuh closely associated with the city as well as the state.

I have visited Kuching a number of times and love the laidback vibe of the city. In this article, I aim to show how one can do Kuching in 1, 2, 3 or even 4 days with a Kuching itinerary that can easily be adapted depending on one’s interests.

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DBS Vantage Card | What You Need To Know (A Quick Guide & Review)

April 12, 2023 by Bino 2 Comments

DBS has launched the Vantage Card as its attempt into the mass affluent income cards segment. The other DBS “exclusive” credit card is the DBS Insignia which is more geared towards high net worth individuals with a 500k per year income requirement. The new DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card requires much less – 120k annual income.

As with other credit cards for the affluent such as the Citi Prestige or the UOB Visa Infinite, the DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card comes with a host of benefits. In summary these are:

1.5 mile per S$1 local spend / 2.2 miles per S$1 overseas spend
Ability to switch to cashback (2.2 miles = 2.2%)
Accor Plus Explorer Membership (worth S$408)
Dining privileges (through partnership with Dining City)
10 complimentary airport lounge visits per year with Priority Pass
Visa concierge

The DBS Vantage Card also normally comes with a sign-up bonus of 25,000 miles applicable for both new-to-DBS and existing DBS cardholders with every payment of the S$5894 annual fee. Until 30th June 2023 (11:59PM), DBS is giving an extra 35,000 miles (new cardholders) / 15,000 (existing cardholders) upon signing up after payment of the annual fee and spending S$4,000 within 30 days of receiving the card. This adds up to 60,000 / 40,000 miles. You can sign up here.

You can also check the latest credit card sign-up promotions from other banks here

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits:

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New Restaurant Promotions in Singapore (April 2023)

April 5, 2023 by Bino Leave a Comment

Man Fu Yuan

Man Fu Yuan is having an 8-hands – Taste of Yesteryears curated showcase of heritage Cantonese cuisine from 4 well-seasoned chefs including Man Fu Yuan’s own Executive Chinese Chef Aaron Tan. The other chefs in this collaboration are Chefs Pang Lu Tin, Fok Wing Tin, and Peter Tsang.

This special menu will be served throughout the entire month of April 2023 for both lunch and dinner. The menus are presented as sets of 6 or 7 courses, with individual or group versions. Highlights include the Braised Silky Bird’s Nest Soup, Crab Meat with Superior Pumpkin Bisque as well as the Braised 12-Head Australia Dried Abalone with Goose Palm. Wine pairings are also available. The special menus are launched as a collaboration with Lee Kum Kee and Monopole wines.

Man Fu Yuan is located at the 2nd level of InterContinental Singapore in 80 Middle Road, S188966

Wan Hao

Wan Hao is bringing back its Exquisite White Eel Creations – which will be made available for both lunch and dinner until 30th April 2023. For this month, diners can choose 8 eel-centric delicacies using Cantonese cooking methods.

One can’t go wrong with the likes of “Bi Feng Tang” Style Crispy White Eel or the Wok Fried White Eel Filled with Fermented Black Bean Paste. For something a bit different, Wan Hao also serves Claypot Rice that substitutes the usual chicken with eel, along with foie gras and chinese sausages.

Wan Hao is located at the 3rd level of Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza in 320 Orchard Road, S238865. Reserve here

Peppermint

Peppermint at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is collaborating with Michelin-starred Nyonya restaurant Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery for a Peranakan buffet experience until 30th April 2023. Highlights include Ayam Buah Keluak (Chicken with fermented pangium edule seeds), Itek Sio (Braised duck leg with tamarind and coriander), Black Angus Beef Oxtail Pongteh (Angus beef oxtail, stewed with fermented soy bean paste), Blue Pea Rice Lemak, served with Spicy Coconut Floss and more.

Until 21st April, diners aged 55 and above can also enjoy weekday lunch at S$55 net.

Peppermint is located at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay in 6 Raffles Boulevard, S039594

La Dame de Pic

La Dame de Pic at Raffles Hotel Singapore unveils its spring menu for 2023. The lunch and dinner sets showcase the bounties of spring. Delight in the Green Asparagus which is lightly grilled and comes with a matcha dipping sauce as well as an array of snacks like the cherry-Campari bonbons and “laksa” crab kueh pie tee, to their parmesan sable tartlets topped with a beef tartare. As always, staples such as the Berlingots and A4 Wagyu remain part of the menu.

Lunch sets start from S$188 per guest while dinner sets start from S$248 per guest.

La Dame de Pic is located at the ground level of Raffles Hotel Singapore in 1 Beach Road S189673

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