Bino

Why You Should Add Kazan, Tatarstan to Your Trip to Russia

June 1, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Ironically enough, the city that excited me the most during my trip to Russia was neither St. Petersburg nor Moscow. Sure, I was really looking forward to seeing St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square with my own eyes and to wander around the exhibits in the Hermitage but there was something about the Tatars, a Turkic people that call parts of Russia home, that really piqued my interest.

Compared to the Orthodox Christian majority that define most of Russia, Tatarstan (a republic within the Russian Federation) has a Muslim majority. The result is a hodgepodge of cultures. You have Russian with a distinct Turkic blend and this is manifested in the bilingual signs and varied cuisine in Kazan, its capital.

As it is a bit out of the way relative to the typical Russian itinerary, most people don’t visit Tatarstan at all. But if you have a couple of extra days to spare, I wholeheartedly recommend taking the 1.5 hour or so flight to Kazan for a slice of Russia that you definitely don’t see in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Without further ado, here are the top things you can do in Kazan.

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The Perfect Itinerary for Russia – St. Petersburg to Moscow in One Week

May 31, 2018 by Bino 7 Comments

Given the vastness of Russia, a visitor can come here for any number of days and find that they’ve barely scratched the surface of what this northern country has to offer. A cross country trip would easily entail a medium-haul flight so it is perhaps not surprising that most visitors concentrate in the main touristic centers between St. Petersburg and Moscow, the capital. If you are visiting Russia and have around one week to spare, here is a suggested itinerary for you to follow.

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New Weekend Dimsum Family Set Menu at Jade, Fullerton Hotel (2018)

May 27, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Those who miss Jade’s dimsum brunch buffet (which was discontinued in 2017) will be pleased to note that the Chinese restaurant in Fullerton Hotel has rolled out a new family dimsum set menu during weekends which feature 8 appetizers, 1 soup, 2 mains and a dessert for just S$48++ per person. This is a value-for-money option for those dining in a group of 2 or more and is more affordable than the Purple Finch, Paradise Flycatcher and Royal Peacock dimsum menus that the venue also rolled out not long ago.

Recently, I was invited to Fullerton Hotel to check out the value-for-money menu and I must say I ended the meal being full to the brim. Here is what you can expect when you order this menu.

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How I Renewed My Driver’s License From the LTO in Under 1 Hour

May 23, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

Renewing one’s driver’s license in the Philippines used to be a major hassle and took up a good part of a day. There was also a time when the LTO itself ran out of actual licenses and had to make the motorist return another day just to get the actual ID.

With these unpleasant experiences in the past, I was not too excited to get my driver’s license renewed earlier this week. My license expired late last year but as I constantly missed being back in the Philippines during a working day, it took me a couple of months to finally do it.

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Guide to Buying Luxury Watches in Tokyo, Japan

May 13, 2018 by Bino 2 Comments

People visiting Japan tend to have a check list of things to buy. Local apparel brands such as Uniqlo are extremely popular as well as toiletries, cosmetics and even food items. The country is practically an oasis for consumers with just about everything available that money can buy. With the weaker Yen, visitors have been visiting Tokyo, Japan with an added reason – to purchase a luxury watch. The country is well known for its watchmaking industry with iconic brands such as Seiko, Casio, Orient and Citizen. In the upper end, it has Grand Seiko which compares favorably with Rolex in terms of finish and quality.

Purchasing a watch in Japan may seem overwhelming at first given the language barrier and the frenetic pace its major cities run. If you are looking to make that investment and acquire the timepiece of your dreams, here are things you should consider.

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Fat Cow – Best Beef Bowl in Singapore & Excellent Omakase

May 3, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Mention Fat Cow and the first thing that comes to most Japanese food lovers’ minds are the venue’s famed wagyu beef bowls. Despite being tucked away in an unassuming location within Camden Medical Center – around 15 minutes walk from the nearest MRT station – Fat Cow has flourished during the past five years with its omakase usually listed as one of those that you simply must try in Singapore.

Entering Fat Cow for the first time, I found the aesthetic concept quite traditional with plenty of Japanese wooden touches and separate dining rooms for guests having the omakase and ala-carte dishes. The omakase counter is relatively intimate with just 8 counter seats that face the chef. I was there on a Monday evening but found 6 out of the 8 seats occupied for the omakase.

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Sunday Brunch in Racines, Sofitel Singapore City Centre – One of the More Affordable Sunday Brunches in a Luxury Hotel

April 29, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

There’s no dearth of Sunday brunches in Singapore, with just about every luxury hotel offering their own versions of the weekend ritual with their own set of defining features. Racines at the new Sofitel Singapore City Centre is the latest property to roll out a Sunday brunch with what it calls a “Magnifique Sunday Family Brunch.” This Accor property’s take throws in a couple of extras such as an activity lounge just for kids and a farewell souvenir gift but the most astounding thing about this Sunday brunch is probably the price. For every full paying guest, the second guest gets 50% off. Assuming you go for the champagne option which is S$168++, it works out to be approximately S$126++ per person after factoring the 2nd guest discount. I can’t think of any other Sunday brunch with champagne in a luxury hotel that is comparable in price so this may very well be the most affordable Sunday brunch in a luxury hotel in Singapore.

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Mauritius or Seychelles – Which Country Should You Visit If You Can Pick Only One?

April 24, 2018 by Bino 6 Comments

The two countries of Mauritius and Seychelles share a lot more in common than just their West Indian Ocean location. Having been both under French and then British rule, the two archipelagic nations count on a unique creole culture, stunning beaches, exclusive resorts and plenty of sunshine as their main draws. Due to this overlap, many travelers often wonder if they should visit Mauritius or Seychelles. I have been to both and have noted the nuances of these two beautiful countries. If you are deciding on visiting just one of these countries – whether for a relaxing holiday, honeymoon or simply to experience a new culture; here are things to consider before going on that trip.

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