Traveling is exciting and fun – you get to discover a whole new world out there – but it’s also costly and can burn a hole in your pocket pretty fast. Plane tickets, accommodation, transport and food are just the tip of the iceberg – pile on exploratory activities and shopping sprees, and you’ll be watching your savings dwindle away in no time. So if you want to fulfil your globetrotting dreams without breaking the bank, read on for the top 20 tips on how to travel on a budget.
The job of a doorman is not the most glamourous, yet it is an important component as the frontline staffs are the ones who have the first point of contact with guests. They can make or break an impression. But what is it really like in that position?
We talked to Mr. Jais Adbul Rahman – who has been working in Grand Hyatt Singapore since 1972, and is currently the hotel’s lobby manager – to find out more about the daily job scope of a doorman, the challenges that they face in the line of work, and some of the things that you never knew about being a hotel doorman.
We Singaporeans love our hawker food – oh, yes we do. But as with all relationships in life, some love are a little more toxic than others. I got a local dietitian to help shed light on what dishes we should keep a distance from. Check out Singapore’s 10 unhealthiest hawker dishes, listed according to total calories. I do apologise for the impending heartbreak.
For me, travelling has always been all about the experiences. I may be visiting the same places and sampling the same food as my friends, but because we view the world through different lenses, what’s significant to me may not have as profound an impact on someone else.
Of course, traveling in a group has its perks, but it’s a completely different ballgame when you’re on your own. Loneliness is a feeling we all abhor. No one wants to be isolated and all alone, especially while overseas, when you don’t know a single soul.
But get this: a solo trip doesn’t necessarily mean a lonely trip – that’s a misconception we’ve got to tear down. You may be traveling by yourself, but there will be a whole bunch of fellow globetrotters and locals you can hang out with if you just put yourself out there and be open to whoever comes across your path. Don’t worry about people perceiving you as a ‘loner’ just because you’re dining by yourself. I admit, it can be pretty daunting at first. But you’re in an exciting new country – just shake it off, let loose and enjoy yourself.
If that isn’t convincing enough, here are 5 reasons how a solo trip can change your life.
“We work very hard to ensure every room is clean and safe for the guests’ utmost comfort,” says Margaret, Executive Housekeeper of PARKROYAL on Beach Road, “our commitment is what makes every guest’s stay memorable.”
We spent some time chatting with this affable lady who has been in the industry for almost 30 years, with a passion so strong for housekeeping that we could tell from the sparkle in her eyes when she shared with us her journey from a junior Housekeeper to what she is today.
So what is it really like in the shoes of those room attendants who always move around the property quietly but efficiently, keeping everything intact and ensuring a clean and safe environment to stay in? Here, we take a peek into the role of a hotel housekeeper, the daily job scopes, and things that you never knew about being a housekeeper.
The world is ever changing, and we are always on the lookout for food trends and new fads. Sometimes, we ditch things that are no longer attractive, or has no more popularity to boast. But there are many things that stay close to our hearts, for we grew up with them and memories of us as kids enjoying these snacks are always the fondest.
We took a long walk down memory lane, and dug out many treasures that we used to save our pocket money for when we were kids. Here is a list of 19 old school Singapore snacks every kid from the ’80s and ’90s loved. Which is your favourite?
When visitors go to Japan, Tokyo is often the top of the list. In fact, majority of the most-visited destinations in the country are in the capital. Osaka, in comparison, is often neglected and it is a shame because there are so many things to see and do there.
For those of you who don’t know, Osaka is known as the food kitchen of Japan. From michelin starred restaurants, new dining concepts and delicious cheap eats, Osaka is a haven for food lovers. When visiting the city, you cannot leave without eating the top 3 street food that originated from Osaka – Kushikatsu, Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.
Enjoying a cup of coffee is more than just a matter of taste, or fancy latte art. All five of our senses play a big part, and I believe there are some added components that attribute to a good cup of coffee.
Experiencing all that coffee has to offer is more than just a two-way street; with the barista making the coffee, and the customer drinking the coffee. It involves the most complex understanding on how that coffee was being prepared until it reaches your lip.
I had the opportunity to visit Khairul (better known as K-Man) – the Head Barista at Sarnies Cafe – and learn more about the art of making coffee. Here are the basics on the roles in processing coffee’s rich data - starting with Blending, Roasting, Grinding, and Extraction.