Bino

How to Do Tokyo Comfortably For Just $35 a Day

December 11, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

Although Tokyo no longer ranks as the world’s most expensive city, the stereotype is somehow hard to shake off. The thought of $250 airport to city taxi rides alone is enough to turn off the budget-conscious traveler. The good news is that Tokyo is no longer the ultra expensive city that it once was. Economic stagnation coupled with the weaker Yen have made this city a much more reasonable place for travelers. When I visited last year and again this year, I found Tokyo to be at par, if not more reasonably priced than the capitals of other developed countries. Save for the hefty taxi costs, I found Tokyo to be cheaper than other notable cities in Asia such as Singapore.

It’s possible to get by cheaply in Tokyo without compromising comfort if you know where to look. Here are some ideas on cheap things to do in Tokyo:

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Get 15% Off Best Available Rates at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

December 8, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

For stays between 22nd December 2014 to 11th January 2015, get 15% off the total room rate by emailing reservations.cpca@ihg.com with the special code “BINO 15 OFF” applicable only for readers of I Wander.

If you are coming to Singapore over the Christmas and New Year holidays or simply wish to enjoy a relaxing staycation, this is one of your best bets on a good deal right smack in the middle of the festive peak season.

It was not too long ago when I had the opportunity to stay at this hotel and I must say it’s one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in Singapore. I especially liked the club lounge here which offered a great variety of canapes during evening cocktails. Check out my review of the Premier Room.

A sample booking right smack for a stay on Christmas Day shows an advanced purchase rate of approximately SGD 198++. By quoting “Bino 15 Off,” the price is reduced to approximately SGD 168++ or less than SGD 200 nett which is not bad considering that even 3-star hotels in Singapore go for well above this price.

Bookings can be done between 3 December 2014 till 10 January 2015 so email them now if you wish to enjoy this special discount!

Here are the terms and conditions for this offer:

Full prepayment is required to enjoy this offer
Bookings are non-cancellable
Black-out dates DO NOT apply and the offer can be extended on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve and New Year’s Day
Bookings can be made from 3 December 2014 till 10 January 2015
Bookings can only be made via email reservation to reservations.cpca@ihg.com quoting “BINO 15 OFF”

*Not applicable to services, minibar or F&B charges and is extended only on the total room rate

An Unexpected Midrange Find in Tokyo: The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon by Hulic

December 7, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

Built in 2012, The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon by HULIC is a boutique-style accommodation situated in the atmospheric Asakusa district of Tokyo. In a city where value for money lodging is notoriously difficult to find, this hotel offers the rare combination of convenience, proximity to tourist sights as well as a value proposition that caters to the needs of health conscious individuals. I stayed here during my third visit to Tokyo, having before tried capsule hotels and chain hotels. This was my first stay in a stylish boutique property in Tokyo.

the sensoji temple – a short walk from the hotel

As previously mentioned, The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon is located in Asakusa, an area that is typically overshadowed by Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi and Marunouchi where travelers’ location preferences are concerned. The nature of this preference escapes me, as one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions, the Sensoji Temple is located here and the relatively new Tokyo Skytree is just a short ride away. The hotel itself is located just a short walk from Asakusa station which has direct connections to many important points in the city as well as to Narita airport.

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Ubon Ratchathani – An Underrated Thai City You Would Never Have Heard Before

November 29, 2014 by Bino 7 Comments

I arrived at the almost deserted Ubon Ratchathani International Airport on a steamy morning, spotting just two other foreigners on my flight. The “international” in the name is a bit misleading – there is no other route besides the ones to Bangkok and the terminal looks like any provincial airport terminal in the country with a generic boarding gate. Located at the eastern part of the Isaan region, this is the first place that gets to see the sunrise in Thailand. Its namesake province is the easternmost that one can get to where Thailand’s concerned and the local culture bears some resemblance to Laos which is just across the border.

In between my sojourns to Champasak in Laos, I spent a bit of time in Ubon Ratchathani. While coming here certainly doesn’t normally count among Thailand must-dos, I found it to be a pleasant enough town, with interesting temples to please even the most templed out traveler. Here are some of those I managed to visit during my short time there.

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My Singapore Airlines Business Class Experience (Singapore to Manila)

November 22, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

The thing I like best about flying with Singapore Airlines is that regardless of where I’m departing from, I get the feeling that I’m already in Singapore – with the efficiency, safety and cleanliness that comes with it – the moment I step foot on the plane. As I had plenty of things to bring back with me during one of my Singapore to Manila sojourns, I decided to book myself a Business Class ticket. I booked this online using miles with the 15% online booking discount. Total damage was 17,000 miles or around S$100 (~US$80) which was not too bad compared to a one-way economy flight on miles which went for 10,625 miles.

The queue for Singapore Airlines flights at Changi Airport is generally not that busy even for Economy flights. Business class and First class passengers get their own check-in counters in Terminal 2 where my flight departed from. My check-in procedure was pretty quick. I actually exceeded my 40kg baggage allotment but the check-in staff was kind enough not to charge me for the extra weight. I was handed my boarding pass and was politely reminded that I could access the Silverkris Lounge once I go past immigration.

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Funniest & Most Bizarre Travel Encounters, Part 1

November 19, 2014 by Bino 7 Comments

They say that the best thing about traveling is that one gets to have rich and vivid encounters with all sorts of people. I could not help but agree more. For the most part, I’ve met some really amazing and kind folks which have left me with a lasting and positive impression about humanity. I’ve often found myself in situations where I had no choice but to rely on the kindness of strangers. That being said, there are also the funny and bizarre bits which I’ve often charged to experience and which I equally treasure especially when I look back on them and laugh.

Before I start to forget these laughable experiences – like I have with an overwhelming majority – I thought I’d share some here. I would love to know if any of you have experienced the same!

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W Bangkok – An Extraordinarily Hip Hotel in the Thai Capital

November 16, 2014 by Bino 3 Comments

Stepping into the lobby of W Bangkok in Sathorn after an evening flight from Thailand’s rural heartland, the contrast between countryside charm and youthful decadence could not have been any more apparent. Still decked in rugged shorts and sandals, I entered via the hotel’s automatic sliding doors that revealed lounge chairs, a DJ booth and purple lighting. With a large W greeting me as I entered, I knew I was in for a unique experience.

lobby of W Bangkok

W Bangkok has the distinction of being well-situated for both business and pleasure. Visitors are often spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to stay in Bangkok but the location of this hotel is hard to beat. The gleaming office towers of Sathorn Road is just a short walk away and so is the infamous night market and nightlife district of Silom. For folks who come to Bangkok for shopping, the trendy and upscale malls of Siam are just a short ride away from Chong Nonsi BTS station.

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Awed, Mystified & Humbled at Vat Phou Temple in Champasak, Laos

November 15, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

The ancient temple complex of Vat Phou is located in the southern part of Laos, not far from the Mekong River, the major town of Pakse and the small community of Champasak. It is one of the 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Laos, the other being Luangprabang. I crossed the Thai border to spend a few days in Laos just to see this ancient wonder.

amazing reflections at vat phou

Traversing the ancient temple complex, I could not help but gape at the scene. It was not because I had to walk nearly 1 kilometer from the entrance just to get to the temples, or that there was a series of disjointed steps that led to the elevated sanctuary on the way to Mount Phu Kao. Rather, the source of my amazement was the sheer enormity of the site. By far, Vat Phou is the most scenic among the ancient Khmer ruins dotting Indochina. With a base at the foot of a mountain, the ancient rulers could not have chosen a better location.

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