Friday, June 13, 2025

Singapore - To Do 12June25 (Sentosa Cycle)

Singapore - To Stay
Singapore - To Eat
Singapore - To Do

Sentosa - Cycle
12Jun25
Difficulty: Easy

*Highly recommend to check out this 7-11 pit stop which is
perfect along the beach. Click here for ABBA location*

The beachside cycle is pretty scenic but  there aren't really suitable paths for a shared walkway with pedestrians. Its either on the road or riding on the walk way which is sandy, narrow and sometimes slippery from the sand. This beach side cycle is more for those who are able to cycle on the road. Not recommended for small kids. 

You maybe interested to check out these beaches along the route. 

Continued cycle at Sentosa Cove
*Note if renting the public bicycles via app, the official parking locations are highly limited*

*SG60 rehearsals on going am presuming.*
Easy board walk to cycle with great views of the yachts! Down side is bike rental parking are very limited. Its best to find one that has the bicycles in the designated parking area for you to returns as well. To get here via cycling is challenging with steep hills. We transported our bikes there to get all the benefits and none of the steep hill climbs.
 
You maybe interested to check out these other cycling routes with a variety of views and varying difficulty for young families. 
Singapore River Cycle
MBS - Flyer - OCBC Cycle
Jurassic Mile - East Coast Cycle
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Hong Kong - To Do 10Jun25 (Garden Hill, Bo Wah Effigies , Sun Nga Shing Umbrella Repair Shop, Honey Dumpling, 618 Shanghai St, Former Site of Victoria Prison, On The Hill Coffee Bar,Braemar Hill Peak)

Hong Kong - To Stay
Hong Kong - To Do
Hong Kong - To Eat 

Hongkong - To Do
Maxed out Day Trip
(Sham Shui Po Area)
Garden Hill
(Hike one)
A leisurely walk up stairs. Easy and rewarded with a view of Sham Shui Po. 

Garden Hill offers a peaceful escape and panoramic views of Sham Shui Po, especially at sunset. This short urban hike starts near the YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel on Berwick Street.
*Steps all the way up to the top*
The path is easy with a nice over view of the city. Not too difficult. Slow and steady and probably takes about 20mins to get up. A short walk around and you're pretty much done. 
You maybe interested in the more famous hike at Hong Kong's dragon's back among the best urban hikes in Asia.

Specialty Shops unnique to Sham Shui Po
Stores unique to Sham Shui Po but wasn't as interesting as reading the history behind it. Can skip if not into these dying trades. Furthermore the shops are mostly small shop lots and don't have the space to get a more in depth look at everything. 

Bo Wah Effigies
(No photos allowed inside)
Bo Wah Effigies blends tradition with creativity. Specializing in paper offerings used in ancestral rituals, this shop goes beyond the usual clothes and houses. They also craft modern, custom pieces like smartphones, guitars, and even Darth Vader masks.
Part museum, part workshop, Bo Wah offers a fascinating look at how age-old customs adapt to the modern world.
Click here for ABBA location of Bo Wah Effigies

Sun Nga Shing
Umbrella Repair Shop

Dating back to 1842, Sun Nga Shing is one of Hong Kong’s last umbrella repair shops. Run by fifth-generation craftsman Yau Yiu-wai, the shop is a rare gem where visitors can see beautifully handcrafted umbrellas and chat with Mr. Yau about the lost art of umbrella making. While the umbrellas aren’t for sale, the stories behind them are priceless. That's about all you can see. Just the exterior.
You maybe interested in London's oldest Umbrella making shop. Click here to check that out.

Honey Dumpling
(Openrice *their local food review site, top rated)

Ordered On:
10Jun25
Coriander with pork Dumplings and Cheese cake


*Amazing dumplings and their superb cheese cake. No two ways about it and would highly recommend. One of the best dumplings had, with a light-crisp bottom, packed with ingredients and thin 'skin'. Great food and the authentic cheese cake was not overly rich and hit just right.*
Food 4/5
Service 3/5
Ambience 3/5
Value 4/5
94HKD Total with two drinks. Fed 2.
Highly recommended and worth checking out. Typical HKG dining where seating is tight and you share tables with others.
You may also be interested to check out these other famous eats at Sham Shui Po!
- Roast Goose King
- Simple Honkong Noodles and tea fair at Wai Kee Ka -Fei Ban Mian 
- Kung Wo Dou Bun Chong (Famous for their silken tofu dishes and bean curd dessert.
- Traditional Chee Cheong Fun over at Hop Yik Tai Cheng Fun

(Mongkok Area)
618 Shanghai St
618 Shanghai Street is a heritage revitalization project involving 14 historic shophouses ("tong lau") located in Mongkok. These buildings date back to the 1920s (pre-war) and 1960s (post-war). This has a similar feel to what Singapore does with heritage Peranakan shop houses.  (click here to check out Singapore's Tanjong Katong Peranakan Area)
Some nice boutique shops to check out and eateries. A short stretch worth checking out if in the area. 
Click here for ABBA location of 618 Shanghai St

# Hashtag B

Ordered On:
10Jun25
Pistachio Egg Tart HKD32
*Overhyped and overpriced. It is very rich and the Pistachio flavor does come through but maybe too rich for one individual to enjoy on its own.*

Former Site of Victoria Prison


We barely scratched the surface with this place. Its repurposed to house trendy eateries and unique shops. This a two in one. In itself its an attraction to walk the history of the various buildings. Worth a revisit to check out the free to view sites and brief history. Further more to enjoy a good cup of coffee in a unique location @ On The Hill Coffee Bar.

Liking the prison vibes, one's got to check the world famous Alcatraz tour in SFO. 
On The Hill Coffee Bar 
(Located within the prison)



Braemar Hill Peak
(Hike no.2)
Best time to view is Sunset



ABBATip:
- Sunset maybe the best timing but note that the place is not lit. However phone signal strength is good and you can call for help if in a pinch. 
Braemar Hill’s Peak Rock (more commonly the Red Incense Burner Summit  offers one of the most spectacular 360° panoramas of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor, and the Kowloon skyline.
You maybe interested in how to get to the Peak for similar city views and a ride on their iconic tram. Tip is to go up via bus and down via tram to avoid long queues and a different view. Click here for more info.
*The route is accessible by the side of St.Joan of Arc secondary school.*
This place is all about the view and for the gram. What's great is that 90% of the work is done with public transport which brings you all the way to the top. The final assent to the view points are mostly shrouded in greenery, not offering much of  a view en-route. However the reward at certain lookout points are amazing! 

View point from the first boulder location that you come across. 

*View point from the first boulder*
*After the second boulder you break off-trail and go for a little steep climb to get to the real viewing spot where all the local photographers were!*

*All about the Gram View*
Click here for rough ABBA location

*For this particular vantage point, if not for local photographers know how it'd probably missed. Passing the first two boulders you see, its a relatively short climb or hike off the marked trail. Locals know where to get the best shots and this is one of them.*
Short, easy to get to with a rewarding view that can be completed in an hour or so. You may also be interested in Hong Kong's dragon's back, among the best urban hikes in Asia offers a more scenic journey for most of the way and offers a different view.
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Friday, June 6, 2025

Turkey Istanbul - To Do 05June25 (Church of Saint Anthony of Padua St. Antuan Kilises, Pera museum Art museum, Istiklal Caddesi & Iconic Red Tram,Çiçek Pasajı, Taksim Sqaure & Taksim Mosque)

Istanbul - To Stay
Istanbul - To Do
Istanbul - To Eat

Istanbul - To Do
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(Day Trip out)
Church of Saint Anthony of Padua St. Antuan Kilises
(Opens 8am) Istanbul most promenade Catholic church

The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is Istanbul’s largest Catholic church, known for its stunning Neo-Gothic architecture, multicultural congregation, and historic ties to Pope John XXIII. Located on İstiklal Avenue, it stands out as a peaceful spiritual landmark amid the city’s bustle.

Nice and unassuming along the main street. A nice slice of quiet along the way. 
Click here for ABBA location of Saint Anthony

Pera museum Art museum
(Opens10am)

The Pera Museum of Art is located in an ornate former Bristol hotel with paintings, ceramics & rotating shows of modern masters.
A great collection. Though the hotel has historic origins, however the interior just houses some interesting art, (modern and some from the *Ottoman empire) with each level having different things to offer. 

*looking meh*
*The Ottoman Empire lasted an impressive 623 years, making it one of the longest-running empires in history. It outlasted the Roman Empire (~500 years) and the British Empire (~400 years), and rivaled the Byzantine Empire in longevity. Its vast reach across Europe, Asia, and Africa, combined with lasting cultural and political influence, sets it apart as a truly enduring world power.*
Click here for ABBA location of Pera Museueum

Istiklal Caddesi & Iconic Red Tram


*Good to see the safety and security around the tourist areas.*
Istiklal Avenue is one of Istanbul’s most famous and vibrant streets, known for its historic charm, lively atmosphere, and diverse shopping and cultural scene. Loads of eateries and shopping to be done here.
*Enjoying their iconic San Sebastian cheesecake. Creamy and wonderful hazel nut flavored chocolate drizzled over. These can be found in many cafes around istanbul. We had this at Mandabatmaz at TL250 each dessert.*

Catch a view of their iconic Red trams which runs the through the world's second oldest tunnel. 

You may also be interested interested in checking out another cable car icon in SFO. Bonus to check out is SFO's cable car museum, highly recommended.
Click here for ABBA location of İstiklal Cd. 

Çiçek Pasajı


Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage) is a historic and elegant arcade on Istanbul's İstiklal Avenue, built in 1876. Once home to flower shops (hence the name), it’s now famous for its beautifully restored 19th-century architecture, lively restaurants (meyhanes), and nostalgic ambiance.
Good for photo-op and maybe  a meal in there. Looks like Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II light. 

Taksim Sqaure & Taksim Mosque
Taksim Square is famous as the symbolic and cultural heart of modern Istanbul, known for its historic monument, political importance, and role as a hub for tourism, transport, and public life.
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