Family Trip to Malacca

[2 Day 1 Night Malacca Trip - 24~25 April 2024]

Its has been a long time (I mean really LONG......time) since we travel out of Singapore. I think the last time we travelled out of Singapore was to Japan during the end of 2019 before the pandemic. As the Chinese New Year period was about to end (actually Chinese New Year lasted for 15 days), hubby decided to give the kids a surprised impromptu trip. Even though the kids have enrichment classes on weekends, we decided to drop everything and went ahead with the road trip. 

It was supposed to be a 3~4 hours drive away but we underestimated the traffic jam at the Woodlands Checkpoint. We started our journey from 8am and reached our destination by around 2pm. We decided to venture around Jonker Street to grab some local food for our hungry tummies before we proceed to the hotel for check-in.

I think we chose the right day to come to Malacca since it was the last day of CNY. The whole stretch of Jonker Street was very vibrant and crowded with tourist.  

Trishaws are a common sight in Malacca town and their vehicle are nicely decorated according to their own theme.

Thanks to #instagramhubby, he managed to capture a nice picture of me. Here are some pictures taken during this trip...

Hubby booked the accommodation for this trip and we stayed in Swiss Garden Hotel. The view from our hotel room was so nice and we saw so many fireworks (randomly from various locations) from our balcony that night.

I think I gained 1~2 kg during this trip eating non stop but I did not manage to try everything.

The hometown of Mamee.

Chicken rice balls is a must to try but the texture of the rice is not to my liking though...

Chicken rice must eat with chicken...haha

We ordered fried vege to match with chicken rice.

Tried the Tik Tok viral trending jelly balls which cost RM8 for 7 balls.

Tried D24 durian ice-cream (RM12) and it's yummy.

Tried the smelly tou fu (RM10) and tasted nice too.

Tried this alcoholic Coconut Wine (RM6) which you can only find it in Malacca. It has a sweet & refreshing taste.

We also tried this special mango juice (RM4), also can only be found at Portuguese Settlement. It has an acquired taste which is not the ordinary mango juice I expected it to be.

We ended our night with a seafood feast at Portuguese Settlement.

Joji's Diner : 24 Hour All Day Breakfast

If you are venturing into the Serangoon area, you can consider giving Joji's Diner a try (take note that parking spaces are quite limited). Since the kids suggested trying out the food over there, we decided to go there for dinner. We reached there near dinner time and the queue started to form rapidly outside the cafe. I think we waited for about half an hour before we were seated inside the small & cozy cafe. 

Their menu selection was not extensive but we were very pleased with the quality of the food. Here were what we ordered that day: 

Menu is only 2 pages (laminated) long.

Mac 'N' Cheese

Smash Burger

Duck on Mash

All-Star Plate

Wayside Waffle

Overall, we loved the American vintage vibe. You can refer to their full menu at this link.

Joji's Diner

534 Upper Serangoon Road

Singapore 534549

Open Daily | 24-Hours

Top Favourite Water Bottles To Quench Your Thirst This Summer

With the blazing sun shining down and summer reaching its zenith, staying hydrated has never been more crucial. But let's admit it - no one wants to sip lukewarm water when they're sweating bullets. So, I've rounded up the crème de la crème of water bottles that guarantee your water stays icy cool no matter how high the mercury rises.

Hydro Flask: The old faithful! With its TempShield insulation, it promises to keep your drinks cold for an astounding 24 hours. Plus, it comes in an array of vibrant shades and sizes. Whether you're hiking, beaching, or just lounging at your backyard, this bottle's got your back.

Yeti Rambler: The Rambler line from Yeti is known for its durability and incredible temperature retention. Its 18/8 stainless steel construction ensures your drink remains chilly for the longest time. And the No Sweat design? Say goodbye to annoying condensation on the outside.

S'well Stainless Steel Bottle: If you're all about aesthetics, you'll adore the sleek design and beautiful patterns of the S'well bottles. While it promises to keep your drinks cold for 24 hours, its slender design makes it a favourite for fitting in most car cup holders and bags.

CamelBak Eddy+: For those who love a bit of a flow when they drink, the Eddy+ with its redesigned bite valve offers 25% more flow. It's BPA-free and has a two-finger carry handle making it super portable. Great for active folks on the go!

Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth: For the minimalists, Nalgene bottles are a dream. Lightweight, BPA-free, and incredibly durable, these wide-mouthed bottles have a cult following. While they may not have the same prolonged cooling capability as the others, a few ice cubes will keep you refreshed for hours.

Bonus Tip: Want to keep your drinks cold for longer? Store your water bottle in the freezer for about an hour before heading out. Pour your water in and voila, chilled water for hours!

While these bottles are fabulous, the ultimate goal is to stay hydrated and sizzle-free this summer. So, pick a bottle that vibes with your style and needs, and let's make this summer a hydrated one!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you purchase through them.

5 Budget Hotel in Singapore to Choose

Do you feel exhausted and need a vacation? Do you wish to adhere to a spending plan? Why not consider taking a trip to a city? There is no need to leave the city because Singapore is known for its hotels and fun activities–here are some cheap hotel Singapore that are suggested for you. 

Hotel in Singapore for Budget Travelers

1.    Yaju Hotel

Location: 12 Lorong 12 Geylang, Singapore, 398993.
Price: Starts from SGD 120

Yaju Hotel is another budget hotel which is near Paragon Shopping Centre. The hotel has quite a unique room design, which is so Melayu-kinda thing, and provides a decent and great facility.

It can be a choice for Singaporeans who want to explore Geylang on weekends. If you need to travel to the city center for business-related events or activities, this hotel can serve as a temporary stopover for you.

 

2.    Hotel Boss

Located: 500 Jalan Sultan Road, Bugis, Singapore, 199020.
Price: Starts from SGD 159.60

Hotel Boss, from its name, we can assume that this hotel is expensive, even though it is very affordable. Located on Bugis Street, this hotel brings the feeling of a boss. Because the facilities are complete and also the service is good. 

No need to worry if you forget to bring toiletries, because here everything is complete and all you have to do is bring your body and relax during the weekend. This hotel is located in a strategic area in the city, so from the room window, you can still see the beauty of the city of Singapore.

 

3.    Arena eSports Hotel

Location: 166A Rochor Road, Bugis, Singapore, 188441.
Price: Starts from SGD 122.40

Want to spend the weekend playing esports? Well, Arena eSports Hotel is the perfect hotel for you.  Located in Bugis village, this hotel has decent facilities and a 24-hour front desk that is available to serve you. 

The unique facility in this place, of course, is the game room. This place is perfect for those who want to play eSports with friends at the same frequency. Forget about work and take your leisure time by staying at this hotel.

 

4.    Value Hotel Thomson

Location: 592 Balestier Road, Novena, Singapore, 329901.
Price: Starts from SGD 122.55

Value Hotel Thomson is a hotel that is perfect for backpackers, but this hotel is also suitable for those of you who want to do a staycation but are still within a reasonable budget. 

You don't need to spend money on a weekend getaway at a luxury hotel because this hotel also provides five-star hotel-class services. Complete amenities and a city view from the room window will spoil you. Apart from that, this hotel is also close to a culinary center where you can still indulge your tongue while you are here.

 

5.    Hotel 81 Bugis

Location: 31 Middle Road, Bugis, Singapore, 188995.
Price: Starts from SDG 160.55

Hotel 81 Bugis is located near the public transportation facilities in Singapore, which is the MRT. The good thing about this hotel is the bedroom view, where you can have the city view. 

If you wish to unwind somewhere other than your hotel, you can unwind here while drinking coffee. The room’s design is straightforward, which is quite energizing and can create an air of relaxation.

 

If you are thinking of spending time in the city without spending more money. Book your room immediately at Traveloka and get other attractive discounts.

 

Boat Expeditions by Get Hooked SG

 [Media Invite]

Thanks to the nice folks from Get Hooked SG, we were invited to experience one of their boat tours during this June holiday. It was a good few hours away from the hustle and bustle of city life while we get to enjoy the boat ride and the sea breeze. The kids were extremely happy (we did not plan for any holiday trip or any outing for this holiday) to take a break from their study revision.

About Get Hooked SG:

Founded in 2022 by Singaporean husband-and-wife team Adzman Abdul Rahman and Nurhuda Mohd Saad, Get Hooked SG was launched to offer people in Singapore the euphoria of being on a boat and out at sea, making it more easily accessible to all. From catching the sunrise out at sea, to reeling in your next big catch on their fishing expeditions, and even testing your courage on spooky sundown tours, Get Hooked SG offers a broad range of private tour packages from its fleet of six and twenty-two pax boats.

Located at Punggol Marina Country Club - Pier 3 Gate

Beautiful weather for a boat ride.

Explored northern islands.

We had a scrumptious lunch at Singapore's one & only floating restaurant.

Fish farm at Smith Marine Floating Restaurant.

Thanks to Captain Adzman, we had a great time!

Currently, they are offering different types of tours:

Scenic Tour (10am to 1pm): Take in the rustic charm of Pulau Ubin by enjoying the scenic views of Chek Jawa and Pulau Ketam from the waters and have a scrumptious meal at Singapore's first and only floating restaurant.

Sunset Tour (3.30pm to 6.30pm): Enjoy the amazing view of the sunset out at sea while exploring Pulau Ubin and Chek Jawa wetlands from the open waters.

Sundown Tour (7.30pm to 11pm): Be accompanied by an experienced guide as you learn about Singapore's history with supernatural fables and stories at places such as Sungei Puaka and Pulau Ubin.

In addition, you can charter their boat service if you prefer to go for fishing expeditions.

Details on Get Hooked SG’s range of tours can be found on their booking page at https://sg.trip.com/w/gethooked