Get to know what are typical breakfasts in Asia

One of the most exciting experiences to have while traveling around Asia is to taste the local food. If you’re looking for some authenticity in your travel journey, be sure to start the day with a power-packed local breakfast. The breakfast menu for this diverse continent is strikingly different from one country to the next, from pancakes to rice and noodles.

The Philippines

A typical Filipino breakfast can range from pandesal (bread rolls), champorado (chocolate rice porridge), garlic fried rice, and meat—such as tapa (dried or cured beef), longganisa (Spanish sausage), tocino (sweet pork belly), corned beef, or fish such as daing na bangus (salted and dried milkfish), or itlog na pula (salted duck eggs).

Pandesal

Bibingka

Champorado

Japan

Traditional breakfast in Japan

In any traditional Japanese household, you’ll find them serving steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish and various side dishes for their breakfast. Side dishes may include tsukemono (Japanese pickles), nori (dried seasoned seaweed), natto (fermented soy beans), kobachi (small side dishes which usually consist of vegetables), and green salad.

China

The Chinese have a special version of a doughnut, which is called youtiao (long, golden-brown, deep-fried strip of dough). They’re best served dipped or soaked in soy milk.

Vietnam

The Vietnamese have bì for their breakfast. It’s basically shredded pork mixed with pork skin, eaten with “broken rice”: rice made from fractured and broken grains.

Banh mi

Com Tam (Broken Rice)

Malaysia

For the Malaysians, they have nasi lemak, which is a rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with a bunch of different garnishes.

Korea

Koreans are all about their tofu or cabbage soup, rice, pickled veggies, kimchi (of course), and soy-marinated beef.

Israel

Shashuka

If you’ve ever been to Israel, shakshuka is always on the menu. It’s composed of onions, peppers, tomato paste, and eggs.

Singapore

Congee is the breakfast go-to dish for Singaporeans. They usually flavour it with cuttle fish, pork, or eggs.

Read more: Explore a traditional Japanese breakfast

Source Internet

Top cheap and free things to do in Singapore

It's a common knowledge that Singapore is an expensive country to visit. However, travellers can still save a lot money if they know the cheapest places to visit while still having a lot of fun in Singapore.

Walk Among the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay 

For a totally different garden experience in Singapore, make your way to Gardens by the Bay, over 101 hectares of reclaimed land that is now an awe-inspiring attraction. One of the most impressive aspects of the gardens are its Supertrees, looking like something straight out of a fantasy or sci-fi movie. These tree-like vertical gardens measure between 25 and 50 meters tall and 12 Supertrees (of 18 in total) can be found at the Supertree Grove, which are free to marvel at. If you do want to get up close to the futuristic botanic wonders, a walk on the OCBC Skyway, the 128-meter aerial walkway through the tops of the massive Supertrees, costs SGD $8. The walk is pretty spectacular and gives you epic views over the gardens and a chance to see the inner workings of the Supertrees, each made up of more than 300 species of plants.

Visit the Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1859, Singapore’s sprawling Botanic Gardens are also the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located minutes from the shopping mecca of Orchard Road, the gardens offer a welcome breath of fresh air and the chance for solitude in the middle of the city. Wind your way through the various gardens that include more than 10,000 plant species and habitats, from rainforest to desert, as well as bonsais, palms, a healing garden, ginger garden, fragrant garden, and much more. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon here, exploring at a relaxed pace. Entrance to all gardens except the National Orchid Garden are free, but the more than 1,000 orchid species and 2,000 hybrids are worth the SGD $5 admission.

Take a Photo with the Merlion

Singapore’s national icon, the Merlion, is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The creature’s head represents Singapore’s original name, Singapura, or ‘lion city’ in Malay and the body represents Singapore’s beginnings as a fishing village. You can pay a visit to the Merlion at Merlion Park for free and pose for a photo with the iconic water-spouting statue (a popular activity among both locals and visitors), which stands nearly 9 meters tall and weighs 70 tons.

Explore MacRitchie Nature Trail & Reservoir Park

Make your way to MacRitchie Nature Trail & Reservoir Park for the chance to spend some quality time outdoors and get your head above the trees via the park’s Treetop Walk, a 250-meter, aerial free-standing suspension bridge spanning the two highest points within MacRitchie and rising up to 25 meters above the forest floor. Hike along the reservoir to the Treetop Walk for a bird’s eye view of the forest canopy and its inhabitants. Entrance to the park and Treetop walk is free.

Stroll the Marina Sands Boardwalk

Singapore’s iconic skyline is beautiful and definitely Instagram-worthy. One of the best spots to view it is from the Marina Bay Sands Boardwalk. If you make your way there at 8 and 9 p.m. you can check out Spectra, the free outdoor light and water show set to an orchestral soundtrack put on by Marina Bay Sands.

Check Out the Esplanade

Esplanade Theatres on the Bay is Singapore’s premiere arts center and one of the busiest art centers in the world. While there are many ticketed events available, 70 percent of Esplanade’s programs are free. Events happen every evening at the Esplanade Concourse and every weekend and public holiday at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, ranging from dance and acoustic sets to live bands and theater performances. This waterfront setting is perfect for catching a free performance, and the architecture of the Esplanade is also noteworthy (and Instagram-worthy). The unique, spike design is referred to by locals as the “durian” thanks to its resemblance to the notoriously stinky fruit.

Eat In Singapore’s Hawker Centers

Despite its reputation as an expensive destination, it’s very possible to eat cheaply in Singapore, and one of the best places for a budget-friendly meal is at one of the city’s many hawker centers. You’ll find a variety of Chinese, Malay, and Indian dishes being served from stalls in something that looks like a covered food court. Some of the best hawker centers for a cheap and delicious local meal include Maxwell Food Center, Lau Pa Sat, Hong Lim Food Centre, and Old Airport Road Food Centre.

See more: The ideal places for nature lovers in Singapore

Source: Internet

5 shopping malls to visit in Chinatown, Singapore

Singapore's Chinatown is the original Singapore, cleaned up for the tourists. Gone are the street vendors and the petty crime of yesteryear, with gleaming renovated shophouses and malls standing in their stead. Within these boundaries, you'll find the following interesting shopping stops.

Chinatown Street Market

Chinatown's street market, centered around Trengganu and Smith Streets (location on Google Maps), is the first shopping sight travelers see, being located right across from the MRT station exits.

The narrow streets of Smith Street, Trengganu Street, Temple Street, Sago Lane and Pagoda Street offer Singapore's best street shopping experience, centered on what used to be the island's opium district.

The Street Market was first introduced in 2004 as an attempt to recreate (and clean up) the old-school street hawkers of Chinatown, minus the street trash and the cheats. About 140 stalls line the streets, offering great deals on gray-market electronics, traditional crafts, fashion rip-offs, and antiques of questionable provenance.

Great hawker food can be sampled on Smith Street, known alternatively as “Chinatown Food Street”. The hawkers along this al fresco space serve up Singapore's most famous foods, from laksa to roast duck to char kway teow to Hainanese chicken rice.

Stalls start selling by 10am and close for the day at 10pm. Avoid visiting during high noon, and come instead at dusk as the street lights and stall illumination turn the Street Market into a magical sight.

People's Park Centre

People's Park Complex (1 Park Road, official site, location on Google Maps) presents an interesting mix of stores selling traditional Chinese goods and cheap modern items - clocks, electronics, jewelry, and textiles jostle alongside religious icons, Chinese herbs, and traditional Chinese food.

For many locals, People's Park is a repository for old Singapore nostalgia through stores selling old photos and Chinatown memorabilia. Travel agents and massage parlors also call People's Park Complex home.

There are a fair number of cellphone and cellphone-related stores in the complex, though those stalls have a reputation for dishonest service, going by its dubious distinction of “most complained-about shopping center”.

China Square Central

Singaporeans hankering for the good old days converge on China Square Central (18 Cross St., official site, location on Google Maps), whose most popular attractions draw on an appetite for nostalgia.

On Sundays (9am to 6pm), the China Square Central Flea Market sets up shop in the main atrium, hawking kitsch and retro goodies in excess – comic books, retro appliances like rotary telephones and grandfather clocks; antiques; and toys – all taking up two floors of the mall.

Chinatown Point

Chinatown Point (133 New Bridge Road, official site, location on Google Maps). You won't miss this towering structure on New Bridge Road, and the 220-plus shops within its five floors of retail space.

Of particular interest is the four-level Podium B within the store, a series of shops known collectively as the Singapore Handicraft Centre selling a wide range of handicrafts, including (but not limited to) porcelain, bronze artifacts, wood carvings, paintings, antique furniture, Chinese musical instruments, and traditional embroidery.

Other bargains within the building include watches, cosmetics, shoes, and cosmetics. Speaking of cosmetics, Chinatown Point also houses a number of good-value beauty salons.

Colonial houses on Ann Siang Road, Singapore

This is the last remaining hill in Chinatown; two other hills had been leveled, their mass used to reclaim the sea in the 1890s. Lately, Ann Siang Hill has found a second lease on life as a home for boutique shopping brands – Ann Siang Road and Club Street, in particular, are lined with cute entrepreneurial shops selling quirky but high-quality apparel and accessories.

The decades-old shophouses along Ann Siang Hill now carry retail brands banking on the strong retro vibe of the neighborhood, from noted haberdashery Aston Blake to Aster by Kyra’s Peranakan-inspired ceramics. Stay till after dark, and flit between the bars that come to life at night.

See more: 6 must-try restaurants in Chinatown, Singapore

Source: Internet

Come to Singapore and visit its cutest cat cafes

There’s no better activity for feline lovers than cuddling up with a warm kitty while sipping a cuppa – without the responsibilities of being a full-time cat owner. Here are the cat cafes in Singapore for you to check out.

Meomi Cat Cafe

Surrounded by bar restaurants and cafes, the Meomi Cat Cafe is a hidden oasis for these bunch of furry creatures. Located along North Bridge Road, the spacious play area features plenty of toys for the cats, including wall steps and a catwalk. Though the food and drink menu is limited, it really makes the cats the star of the show!

Opening Hours: 11AM-10PM
Address: 668 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188801 (nearest MRT: Bugis)
Price: $13 for adults, $7 for children
Age Restrictions: Children have to be at least 6-years-old

The Cat Cafe

A stone’s throw away is The Cat Cafe, located above the jam-packed Bugis Street. This pet cafe comprises of 15 ex-stray or adopted cats, rescued by Kitty Kat Haven, a non-profit cat-rescue centre. Their entry fee is $16 with a complimentary soft drink, which can be topped up and upgraded to a coffee or tea.

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10AM-10PM, Monday 3PM-10PM
Address: 241B Victoria Street, Singapore 188030 (nearest MRT: Bugis)
Price: $16/entry for all
Age Restrictions: Children have to be at least 6-years-old, children below 12 to be accompanied by an adult

Neko no Niwa

Translated as “cat garden” from Japanese, Neko no Niwa is Singapore’s very first cat cafe opened in 2013! The 13 friendly kittens – some of whom are siblings – were adopted in the same year, and now roam freely around the expansive floor area. It’s recommended to call in advance to place a reservation for your visit as this cat cafe does get crowded especially over the weekends!

Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11AM-10PM, Saturday, Sunday 10AM-10PM
Address: 54A Boat Quay (Level 2), Singapore 049843 (nearest MRT: Raffles Place / Clarke Quay)
Price: First hour – $12, Every subsequent half hour – $5, 3-hour pass – $24, Whole day pass – $32. Drinks and desserts start from $2

See more: Visit the best animal cafes in Tokyo, Japan

Source: Internet

Let's enjoy Singapore night festival this August

A culmination of art, food and theatrical performances, basically the starter pack for a great weekend - get ready to be awestruck from pillar to post at the Singapore Night Festival 2019. Reimagine the night over two weekends this August as the Bras Basah and Bugis district transforms into an ethereal wonderland over two weekends this August. 

Watch in awe as iconic landmarks in the city exude brilliance in the form of light projections, as artists enchant the crowd using the facades of these historic buildings as their canvas. If you’ve been to last year’s event, know that this year is going to be a bigger and better culmination of arts, heritage and cultural experiences. Brace yourselves for a transformational experience like no other!

Every year the Singapore Night Festival features a theme, and previous editions have showcased international acts. This year, the event sees the return of the spellbinding Fuerza Bruta, an aerial acrobatics troupe from Argentina.

Having performed to more than 6 million spectators in sold-out shows across 34 countries and 58 cities, here is your chance to see the internationally renowned Fuerza Bruta take Singapore by storm as the Argentinean troupe performs at the Singapore Night Festival.

Look forward to a 360-degree sensory theatre party spectacle performed over and around a standing audience. An absolute stunner of a kinetic, highly energetic performance that will get your adrenaline rushing, this aerial acrobatics show will definitely leave you in awe.

Read more: Find the best street art spots in Singapore

A signature highlight of the Singapore Night Festival is the many interactive light installations scattered all across the city between Bras Basah and Bugis. If you’re in the area, don’t miss your chance to see Singapore’s heritage, arts and culture in an entirely different light.

Be amazed as the facades of some of Singapore’s most iconic museums—Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of Singapore—come to life into evanescent shows with the help of light projections.

When: 23 to 31 August 2019, 7:30PM – 12:00AM
Where: Bras Basah & Bugis

Source: Uncover Asia

Top attractions at Garden by the Bay

Spanning over 250 acres of reclaimed land, Singapore’s awe-inspiring and award-winning Gardens by the Bay is a must-see attraction. Located next to Marina Reservoir, the gardens are home to many unique features that impress visitors of all ages and that are well worth repeat visits.

Flower Dome

Gardens by the Bay takes the traditional conservatory up several notches. One example is the Flower Dome, the largest glass greenhouse in the world as listed in the 2015 Guinness World Records. The dome contains plants and flowers from around the world, including a Mediterranean garden, olive grove, South African garden, South American garden, and more.

Supertree Grove

Photo Blue Sky Studio

Looking at one of the Supertrees here at the Gardens of the Bay, you may think it is a thing from the future- but, the vertical garden is here in all its splendour. The Supertree Grove has 12 of these technologically advanced trees, with heights ranging between 25 metres to 50 metres. These superstructures are designed to function exactly like a tree- they harness solar energy with the help of photovoltaic cells and this energy powers up the amazing light and sound show every evening. The trees also absorb and store rainwater that helps its many vines to grow beautifully.

OCBC Skyway

Reach for the stars in the OCBC Skyway as you get an up-close look of the Supertrees in the garden. Walk along the 128 meter-long aerial area like no other. Since it is 22 meters above the ground, the OCBC Skyway is a popular attraction of all ages as you immerse yourself with the heart of nature. During the day, the OCBC Skyway is such a picturesque sight with its surrounding flora. Do not miss the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show that comes alive during evening.

Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lake

The Dragonfly and Kingfisher lakes are pools of aquatic life in Gardens by the Bay. The lakes are a world of their own with fishes and plants decorating its azure water. Interestingly, all the aquatic flora and fauna in these lakes have made it their natural habitat and they act together to maintain the nutrient composition in the water. These, along with the aquatic reeds are like natural eco-filters. If anything, you should spend some time here just to marvel at nature’s bounty.

Cloud Forest

Need a break from Singapore’s heat? Step into the misty Cloud Forest, a domed conservatory mimicking the vegetation and geology of tropical highlands. As you walk throughout the Cloud Forest, you will spot a barrage of colourful flora and lush plants that will fill up your Instagram feed in no time.

The Cloud Forest spreads out over several levels, giving visitors a chance to catch its sights at varying altitudes. Strolling along the two walkways, the Cloud Walk and the Treetop Walk, offer the most spectacular views.

See more: The best shopping malls you cannot miss in Orchard Street, Singapore

Source Internet

5 important apps to download when travelling in Singapore

For any destination, you also want to have location-specific apps to make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Here are the most useful apps to download when you are in Singapore.

Comfort DelGrado

Singapore does have both Uber and Grab, but it’s a good idea to download the app used by Singapore’s official taxi company as well, because it is by far the most reliable. It’s true that Uber and Grab are often the cheaper options, but both apps are notorious for drivers getting lost or even canceling your trip a few minutes later. Get it on iOS and Android.

Explore Singapore MRT Map

Three public transit maps for one tiny city-state may seem like overkill, especially considering you already have Google Maps as a default, but it really helps to have all three when exploring Singapore. The Explore MRT Map (iOS/Android) gives you the full and up-to-date MRT map on one screen, with the option to get detailed directions between stops. Pay attention to any dotted lines in other MRT maps because they are showing future lines that will be opening soon.

Citymapper and bus@sg

Citymapper, although not Singapore exclusive, gives Singapore-specific details, including options like a “heat safe” route and the specific MRT exit that is closest to your destination. Finally, bus@sg (iOS/Android) is less necessary but helpful because it shows when the next bus is coming, which prevents you from waiting for the bus when it would make more sense to walk (which is often the case when you’re in the city center!).

Lightning@SG

With Singapore being on the equator, the Weather Network’s app is not very helpful (it just shows 82°F [28°C] and thundershowers for every single day of the year). Instead, Lightning@SG (iOS/Android) has a feature to track not only lightning but the location and direction of rain clouds, as well as giving you a more accurate depiction of the weather in different parts of the island.

Burpple and HungryGoWhere

Much like Yelp in the States, both Burpple (iOS/Android) and HungryGoWhere (iOS/Android) provide crowdsourced information about local restaurants. There are two major advantages of checking out these apps instead of turning to one of the many bloggers in Singapore’s popular food blogging scene. For one thing, many of the Singaporean food bloggers base their reviews on tasting events rather than anonymous visits, which must be mentioned at the end of the review. Secondly, users of these two apps post more frequently, meaning the information is more up-to-date.

See more: Best new Singapore attractions in 2019

Source: Internet