Dubai

Before I forget about this interesting place, I better blog it first. Will upload pics later.

Dubai
We went in December so the temperature is very similar to Singapore. In summer (june) it can go up to 45 degrees Celsius!

Stayed in: Panorama Hotel (3*)
Price: SGD $126 a night booked from asiarooms.com.sg
Rooms had attached bathrooms, dont believe the website, it does not have a pool nor does it have a "trouser press" but it does have a very very noise Jockey Bar below which can be heard 6 storeys up till around 2-3am. But they have cable and a mini fridge.
Location: Very close to the city center and it has 2 pretty good 24hr supermarkets 5 mins away. Starbucks (10 min away)

Dune Bashing (SGD$60)
A dessert safari tour which started at ard 3pm and ended at 930pm.
The guy picked us up at our hotel ard 330pm in a four wheel drive. Picked up another couple and headed for Hatta Omar, 45min away on the highway to the sand dunes.
He stopped at a breakpoint where you can use the loo, buy ice cream, drink coconut juice etc while waiting for the rest of the four wheel drives. They let out some air from the tyres. (we saw a couple of singaporeans too)




Once there were about 5-6 cars, we went as a group (in our own vehicles) to bash the dunes. It was real fun and the driver was very skilled. Basically what it was is that we drove into the dessert and ride on the dunes (kinda like riding on the peaks of the dessert sand). It was a bumpy, roller coaster kinda ride, the driver let the car slide down sideways at times, forcing us to grip onto the metal bars more tightly and screaming wildly. Its so super fun!

The stopped for a while in the the middle of the sand dune for picture taking and sand skiing. Its really nice to take off your shoes to walk in the sand. So soft and smooth.




Drove out of the dunes to this place where you can rent a sand scooter 15mins for about SGD$30!!! , take photos with a camel and other animals etc. Then we drove off again to the "CAMP".

The "CAMP" is this place (about the size of a football field) where you can take photos with Arabic costumes, try the sheesha, drink tea, buy alcoholic drinks, take a camel ride. In the middle of the camp is a huge mat with low tables around it. Dinner was grilled food with Belly dancing (by a Lebanese though). All included in the $60 except for the alcoholic drinks. And the toilets at the camp site is cleaner than some places here in Singapore!

All in all it was fun, we spend our 1st Christmas in the dessert, under the Arabian Sky. How romantic is that! (ignore the strangers and other tourists)

Gold Souk
Nice gold. Be so extremely prepared to bargain! Note the Singapore prices of gold per gram then go there and compare. Prices are comparable to Singapore lar. But the first price that they quote is usually very very high!!! can bargain up to 60% off the asking price!






Spice Souk
Disappointing, nothing compared to the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul.

Malls
There are tonnes of malls and shopping centres in Dubai. Some are worth going to some are plain pathetic. So if you have limited time, choose wisely. Most of the malls are large, some may even be larger than our local Ngee Ann City.

Deira City centre- average prices. Carrefour.
Mall of the Emirates - above average prices. very nice, has a ski center!
Wafi-Didnt have the time to go.

Burj Al Arab http://www.burj-al-arab.com/
Went High tea (225 dirhams, about $100) at Sahn Eddar. The tea included finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes and a glass of mulled wine. Served on Birmingham (England) cutlery. It was sort of an alacarte buffet. Service was impeccable. Since it was the Christmas season, we had Christmas treats too!



The hotel is breathtaking. Enough of watching hosts of Travel and Adventure enjoy the pleasures of the hotel. It was time to experience it ourselves! We took a cab across to the island where the hotel was. Stopped and let the valet open the door for us. Sweet! Took photos of the hotel on the bridge and just ooohed and aaahed at it. Just opposite the hotel was Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Wild Wadi. The water so clear blue and very pretty.

The interior of the hotel has a rainbow coloured theme with little fountains. Much care (and money) has been invested in this marvellous gem of a 7* hotel. we took the lift up to the 27th flour where there were more restaurants and a bar. We could see the "Palm" (or something like that)-David Beckham's future home in the making. The view from the elevator was so lovely. It faced the sea and it felt as though you were being lifted from the sea on a huge wave!

One night in that hotel will set you back about SGD$1.9k. So what are you waiting for?!!!



After the high tea, we took a walk along the beach opposite the Burj (Majlis) and we caught one of the most beautifullest sunsets ever!



DATES
I love dates from the Arab states especially Humar Amber. Its like one of the best dates in the world! One kilo of it can set you back up to SGD$40 per kilo (at Carrefour in Dubai)but if you go to the Fish Market (in Dubai) you can get it for much cheaper!



Dubai International Airport
Supposedly one of the cheapest duty free stores in the world. Well, the prices were similar to the departmental stores in Singapore (except for the alcohol and ciggies).
Its one huge place selling food, electronics, souveniors etc. We bought an alladin lamp for about $10, a couple of sheeshas for like $35 for the large ones and about $25 for the small ones, a couple of packs of tobacco (flavours: apple, cappucino, honeydew, grape, strawberry etcetcetc), some postcards etc.

More Restaurant Reviews

Helloooeee!!!

I havent had time to go down to the Fujitsu store! So I'm blogging without pictures!

Lai Wah Restaurant Bendeemer
Food: 6.4/10
Price: $65 (total for 4 px, % dishes), No GST, No service charge
Comments: Not too bad for that price, considering its one of the oldest restaurants in Singapore. First to serve Yu Sheng in 1964. They have really old fashioned cantonese dishes like the chicken with ham thingy.
Try: Mandarin Chicken (Fried Chicken stewed with spices such as star anise) and cereal prawns with egg yolk. Venison on hot plate is not bad too.
Misc: Its a really old style, 80s like restaurant under a block of HDB flats. Really cool.

Fujitsu Crash Site

Helloooo!!!
Cant blog from home. My Fujitsu S6101 (I think) has decided to go into hibernation. So I have to put the travelogue on hold for the moment.

Yunan Garden (IMM)
Chinese food $8.80 per dish (for abt 4 px)
Rating: 7.6
Comments: Really good food. Simply yet skillfully cooked.
Try: Gung Bao chicken

Crystal Jade
Food: 7.5/10
Comments: Very good, well prepared Chinese Dishes
Loves: Fish Porridge, any dim sum, Roast Pork, Char Siew Soh
Price: Can be pricey, depending on what you order, Porridge is about $7-8
The problem with Crystal Jade is that there are so many outlets, all selling different things. They have the Macau one, the normal one and the Xiaolong Bao one etc etc. So you cant get Xiaolong Bao, Porridge and DimSum all at the same time.*!!* But its still a great place to eat! Yummy!!!!

Been driving around Bishan/Sembawang/Mandai/Yio Chu Kang/Thomson area lately. Its a really nice drive and there are cool unpopulated eateries. Will bring you up to speed on those soon.

Pineapple Tarts
Will be starting another batch of pineapple tarts soon! Pity I cant upload the (photos of) the first batch of tarts.

Cheers!

Turkey

Before I let work get the better of me and I forget the beauty of this country. I MUST talk about it and show u some pics.

Turkey is VERY VERY VERY beautiful, not only because of its sights, historical (biblical) monuments and some rather cool shopping but also its hospitality. One of the things anyone would remember about Turkey is the warmth of the people (except for some of the rather annoying stallkeepers at the Grand Bazaar).

Highlights:

1) Goreme, Cappadoccia
This place does not only take your breath but holds it until you practically turn blue with amazement. This little village is full of fairy chimneys (seach google for an explanation). Just check out the pic



We stayed at Kelebek Hotel (50 lira incl bkfast) and had a room inside the cave like chimney itself and it was damn awesome! The most natural hotel I've ever stayed in!



We went hot air ballooning over the valley and caught the sunrise. It was one of the perfect days amidst the misty/cloudy weather that the village was experiencing. It cost like 130 euros but it was worth every penny (euro). We even had champagne and a certificate after.








We went to Urgup (in Cappadoccia) to check out the Turasan Winery. Yes, most people will give me a quizzical look which says "Isnt Turkey an Islamic country?" Go figure.




Then there is the Goreme Open Air Museum. Catholics/Christians/Anyone will be super wowed at this place. Its full of churches build in caves, frescoes, hand painted images of Christ and biblical times. An an awful experience there. A SINGAPORE tour group was there and there was this one family who let her daughter run in and out of the churches her name was A. She was talking rather loudly (mind you this was a HOLY place) and she's like mid teens. So gross. Some boys were also running about the place and a Turkish Guide has to tell him off. Ss and I were so disgusted/appalled. And the parents were no better. there were like 4-5 families there. Some parents were telling their kids not to run around, which is good but the parents were also YELLING.... at this HOLY place. YUCKS! I'm glad ss and I dont look singaporean. Ha ha.

One of the churches in the Goreme Open Air Museum, DARK CHURCH (had to pay extra to go in) had the most reconstructed frescoes. We had to pay extra to go in and it was worth it.




well, will show you more pics about this beautiful country in my next blog.


Grapevine leaves
One of the favourites of Turkey is to eat this leaves stuffed with rice and meat. I personally dont like it at all.



This is a symbol of something, I cant recall.




The Spice Bazaar
Located near the Grand Bazaar and just in front of Yeni Cammi (mosque)is the Spice Bazaar. A whole covered area full of shops selling spices from all over the world such as sun dried tomatoes, safron, etc and herbal teas, nuts, tobacco, dates (yumms!), tea cups, foodstuffs etc etc. really coole. The shopkeepers have pretty creative ways of getting people to view their wares. They sweet talk you, ,the cajole you, they persuade you.... Goodness! Its all very very fun!






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Turkey is getting liberalised (only in the Western parts though)So sexy!



Food glorious Food!




Kemalpasa made with rice custard topped with sesame and nuts. Absolutely delish!!!

Greece

Well here's my summary of Greece.

We went in winter, so generally prices were slightly lower... so was the temperature. In winter the temperature drops to around 15 celsius compared to a hot summer of over 30. We were fortunate enough to have perfect weather, cool yet sunny with clear blue skies.

Sights
Acropolis: The number one attraction there. Thats where the parthenon was build. The greek Gods and Goddesses were said to have roamed there. Unfortunately they are in the midst of renovating and reconstructing the place, damaged due to some ancient wars and earthquakes etc.














Temple of Zeus: A rather lonesome structure in the middle of sprawling ruins enclosed by busy traffic. There were supposedly over 100 pillars but now only 13-14 remains. Sad.


Plaka: This cool touristy area full of restaurants and souvenir shops with the view of the Acropolis in a distance. Lovely. We wined (quite cheap) and dined on octopus (very expensive) and 2 other dishes for about 32 euros (64 sing). I rarely get to eat real octopus, apart from the Japanese seasoned ones we get here at most sushi parlors.









Monastrikki: This also rather touristy area full of souvenir shops, restaurants and a rather pricey flea market.

Santorini: This beautiful island boasts one of the most picturesque views in the entire world! The view on the cliff, facing what some call the lost city of Atlantis (sea), is called the Caldera view. Loads of hotels, restaurants, shops, churches and homes are build on the cliff with the characteristic blue and white theme with lovely red/pink flowers giving such sweet vibrance to the place.

There are cats, dogs and even donkeys trudging though the narrow pathways though the cliff. On one end is the very often photographed church and somewhere in the middle is the cable car. We checked out (but did not stay) one of the best places to stay -Porto Fira Suites for 120 euros a night in winter. ( i wont be surprised if they up the price 50% more in summer) we stayed at a comfortable hotel (Golden Star hotel) for 30 euros a night with the view of the inner part of the island.


Chios: Lovely island, a nice stopover on the way to Turkey. We went to a medieval town, Mesra and a quiant little town called Pygi where their houses has handcrafted patterns.


Food
One of the cheapest food in Greece is gyros. Its greasy grilled meat, french fries, tomato and some salad ALL rolled into some pita bread.1.50 euros. Went to greece for mediterranean? be prepared to pay the price. some grilled swordfish will set you back 12 euros!!!!!!!!!

Coffee: Its like Nescafeland over there. One cup of nescafe (instant, they just add hot water to the granules--not the brewed kind) will set you back like 2 euros!!!!!
moussaka: I love it! it has some beef, eggplant bechemel grilled in a oven. lovely.


Drink
Retsina: Its nice white wine, a bit tanninish though.
Raki: its like Sambuca (bonjela (the ulcer gel) flavoured liquer) YUCKS!!!!
Red wine: Very easy to drink, not as full bodied or rich. and very cheap (compared to S'pore)
Beer: Mythos, the local brew...yums




Stay
In Athens we stayed in Diskuoros Guesthouse for 30 euros a night for a room without bathroom, with bkfast. The room was basic and the breakfast was pathetic (just some crummy bread, orange jam and instant nescafe). But the location was fantastic! 5 min away from the Plaka and 10 min walk to the Acropolis. 15 min walk to the nearest metro (Syntagma)

People
Most were able to speak English and we got by just fine. People there are friendly and helpgul but not very warm or hospitable (unlike in Turkey where they are known for their Turkish Hospitality).

Watch out
Port of Pireaus. Its a super huge port, rather disorganised. we were not told which gate our ferry was at, there was no signboard so we had to talk around looking and asking. So just watch out if you are taking a ferry to the islands.

Joys of the Season

Had a great New Year's Day Countdown. It started with Yakun@ Raffles Hospital (we have one of the best breakfasts in the world!!!) Then checking in early at the Pan Pac (12.30pm instead of the stated check in time at 3pm). Got really wonderful rooms (3) with a balcony facing the marina. Then went SHOPPING!!!! So many great post christmas sales!!!!

Dorothy Perkins has up to 50% off! A pair of jeans for less than $50! Salomon had up to 60% off and a closing down sale. Apparently they are pulling the company out of South East Asia!!!! Yikes!! We managed to get 2 pairs of hiking shoes for less than $120. Ck Tang has less than $20 shoes.

Went for dinner at Noblehouse ($38+++ with a mini Buddha jumps over the wall soup). they brought back the mango pudding (one of the best desserts!!!) then strolled back to the hotel.

Celebrated the countdown with M,F,S,B-IL and ss watching the dazzling 9 minute display of fireworks and celebrating FIL's retirement with Turasan Red Wine (from Cappadoccia, Turkey).

And the icing on the cake was meeting Az!!! Hey babe! Leave me a note on the Tagboard! We've known each other since secondary school. Reading storybooks at the back of the class during physics lesson, running out to buy tidbits, GOSSIPPING!and our delicious CCA of Home Econs Club, we were given special permission to come just for the cooking and not the sewing part! Coming over to my place to concoct dishes, tucking in to her mom's cooking! Waiting for the birth of her extremely cute youngest brother (that was such a joy, wasnt it), eating prata at simpang and all bitching about all the relationships we went through, getting our sugar fix from Weiners Oven (it was a puny shop at Tanah Merah last time, now it has its own carpark at Siglap)... Growing up.... Dont you just miss those times? It was great bumping into your sis, then you again babe!