SFO - To Do 17Jan25 (Russian Hill-Macondray Lane, The Original Swensen's, Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, Sunsets in SFO)

San Francisco - To Stay
San Francisco - To Do
San Francisco - To Eat

SFO - To Do

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Russian Hill-Macondray Lane Historic District

*Click here for wrirte up on visitng Alcatraz*
*Click here for Views of Alcatraz at Sunrise from
the Golden Gate Bridge, another great morning iteneary.*

This place is more of a healthy upslope walk rather than a pure look out place. Moist of the view points are largely blocked by tree growth. 

However there still are some great views of Alcatraz and the bay area. There are many other locations within the Bay Area to get great views. Okay if looking for exercise and/or intending to check out the Original Swensen's after. Click here for ABBA Location of The Original Swensen's
You maybe interested in Lombard Sunrise or views from Golden Gate Promenade.
You maybe interested in amazing Panoramic views from Coit Tower.

Click here for ABBA location of Russian Hill-Macondray Lane

The Original Swensen's
(opened in 1948)
*The original and last store in the USA*

*Not your standard flavors.*

Swensen’s started in 1948 in San Francisco, founded by Earle Swensen, and became famous for quality ice cream and big sundaes. 

This is one for the memories as the first and the very last Swensen's in the United States. Iyt is still  found at the original location in the Russian Hill neighborhood. Worth checking out if you're a fan of their brand and their ice-cream flavor range and quality are equally amazing!

*Bordeaux cherry flavored.*

Samples are available and a basic cone with a single scoop ice-cream goes at USD5.45.
Click here for ABBA Location of The Original Swensen's

 

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
0730am/9am Sunday Mass

Click here for ABBA location of Cathedral of Saint Mary of The Assumption

*"Morning Neighbor. Welcoming church attendees in the morning.*

*Morning service*

Designed in the spirit of Vatican II, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption breaks from traditional cathedral styles with a bold modern form that emphasizes openness and community. 

*The organ was designed specifically for St.Mary by the
Ruffatti Brothers in Padua, Italy. 4,842pipes total.*

*(L)The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, (R) The Crucifixion.*

*One of the four pillars built deep into the bed rock to support the church's structure.*

Simply beautiful with their unique center piece being 14 tiers of triangular aluminium rods, symbolizing the love and grace from god to his people. 

This is my first time enjoying and exploring such a modern looking church. Attending the first service at Golden Hour offered some really nice picture opportunities.

*Neighboring St. Mark's Lutheran Church at 7am in the morning.*

*View of the valley with the Sunrise reflecting of the Cathedral of Saint Mary.*

*Post service at 830am*

A little effort to manage attending the service that suits your timings but it was well worth the sunrise, the quiet, changing colors and the interior stained glass illuminating as the sun rose!

(Click here for views at Sunrise from the Golden Gate and short cycle another well worth activity in SFO) Look to their website for organ performances and mass timings. (Click here for official info)

You may also be interested in these other churches in SFO.
- Grace Cathedral in SFO
- Saints Peter and Paul Church SFO

As this Church is dedicated to the Vigin Mary, one has to check out the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Saint Catherine in 1830, giving her the design for medallion worn by millions. (Click for the full write up.)

Click here for ABBA location of Cathedral of Saint Mary of The Assumption

Sunsets in SFO

Some sunset shots whilst on the way back from Russian hill and on second day along Pier39.

Taken On:
17Jan26 

*Packing up for the day.*

*Fishing equipment along the wharf.*
Taken On:
18Jan26

*Hanging decorations in the setting sun.*

*Enjoying the sunset together.*

*Sunset through the SkyStar Wheel*

*Blue&Gold Ferry making its way out.
Click to find out more about a half day Sausalito trip with a boat ride back.*

Singapore - To Eat 16Jan26 (Song Gye Ok)

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

Singapore - To Eat
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Song Gye Ok
(Chained Restaurant)

Newly opened as off Dec2025, this place seems hugely popular, only allowing walk-ins. This is the second branch and serves only Chicken meats. Only on the weekends, they have BBQ orders lunch and dinner time.

Ordered on:
16Jan26
Gizzard Chicken Set
With choice of a dish and comes with a free Dessert post giving a Google Review.

Total Fed 2 at about SGD107.80 for the set meal.
Food 3.5/5
*Depends on which cuts of meats you get. The chicken itself is pretty basic, however with the condiments served along side, it really sells the dish. The winners here were the rice ball, the chicken gizzards, kidneys and their pickled cabbage.*
Service 4.5/5
*Could be the particular staff that day, April. She was super attentive. She kept customers engaged whilst providing the cooking. She offered to swap out a chicken thigh which had touched the table top and was keen to look out if we needed for top-ups. With each serve, she recommended what condiment best paired with the dish. The experience of such level service was not seen since Dinner (London) and at the Colony in Singapore. Kudos!*
Ambience 3/5
*Its pretty nice and feels authentic. The downside was the seating counters faced outwards. The long queues were constantly peering in to check when you would vacate which maybe a little annoying. The cutlery and whole feels of the place really drew you into the dining expereince.*
Value 4/5
*For the set meal, experience and trying out chicken parts to be enjoyed in a different way was incredible! Well worth and would recommend to others to give it a try. No cooking required on your part for a taste of Korea.*

Click here for ABBA location of Song Gye Ok

Istanbul - To Do 09Jan26 (Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque, Tophane Fountain, Galataport Clock Tower Square, Nusretiye Mosque, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Istanbul Guided Food Tour)

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

Istanbul - To Do

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Day out along the Galataport Promenade
Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque & Tophane Fountain

(Mosque in the Classic Ottoman style)
Open 24hrs

The Ottoman Empire ruled for over 600 years, longer than the Western Roman Empire (~500 years), far longer than the Mongol Empire (~150 years), and comparable to the British Empire (~400 years), making it one of history’s most enduring and adaptable great empires.

Don't forget to check out the Tophane Fountain located just outside in its elegant 18th-century Ottoman rococo fountain.

Click here for ABBA location of Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque 

Nusretiye Mosque & Galataport Tower

(Ottoman Baroque styled mosque)

Nusretiye Mosque stands out as a bold Ottoman Baroque statement, built to celebrate Sultan Mahmud II’s military reforms and signaling a dramatic break from classical mosque design.

The windows and designs are unique and reminiscent of the more captivating seaside Ortakoy Mosque located much further up the road. An absolutely must visit for a quaint, picturesque mosque with a small river side township to enjoy. (Click here for full write-up).
Click here for ABBA location of Nusretiye Mosque

Galataport Clock Tower marks Istanbul’s 19th-century modernization, symbolizing the city’s shift toward Western timekeeping and trade while anchoring the historic port to today’s waterfront revival.
Click here for ABBA location of Galataport Clock Tower Square

Galataport Prominade

The Galataport is a nice, secured river side area, with plenty of sit-down eating options and home to museums as well. Great place to check out big ships moving up and down this busy straight.

A nice promenade worth taking a look in the area and a short walk to the iconic Galata Tower. 

*Taken from the roof Terrace of the Museum of Modern Art Istanbul*

Click here for ABBA location of Galataport Promenade

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
(Opens 1000hrs-18000hrs)
Regular TL750/pax

A little too modern for our take but some select exhibitions really stood out. It really depends on your take on modern art, this maybe a hit or miss for yourself. Students can get in at TL250.

*Beautiful panoramic views and reflective waters from the top of the museum*

*Amazing views with the reflective pool on the top floor of the museum.*

*Fully immersive and trippy, kind of like Team labs in Tokyo (Click for full team labs write up.). The movement and effects are all real-time reinterpretation of the weather information, winds and tempreature.*

*Giving off Human Centipede vibes.*

*This piece by Chiharu Shiota was amazing! The red lines represent the flow of blood and connecting people and emotions. Each suitcase represented an individual. A beautiful and immersive experience!*

By way of Modern museums, one can't miss out on the MOMA in NYC is an absolute must visit, carrying some many famous pieces and totally worth it!

Click here for ABBA location of Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

Istanbul: Guided Food Tour with Ferry Ride and Tastings
SGD172.30 via GetYOURGUIDE APP
(Recommended by Clara.A)

(Notification would be via whatsapp with options to start and end at different or same location)


*Starting off the day at 9am*

Who is this tour for?
Probably if travelling alone and wanting to try loads of eats, this is perfect! Enjoy more eats in numbers. There are different type of food tours with this one having a taste of traditional Turkish food from restaurants which are often several generationally runed. No planning required. Just turn up and enjoy.

The tour starts at 1000hrs from the Spice Bazaar in this instance (click here for spice bazaar review) or according to the details sent by the guide. 

A grand total of a big Breakfast spread with 9 other dishes to try.

*Breakfast spread. The Lentil soup was the surprise winner and top of the eat list.*

*Traditional Turkey Coffee and goat innards roast with bread.*

*The mussels are served warm-coldish and apparently that's the way they have it. The star picks over all were the buffalo cream in honey and the Lentil soup.*

For this particular tour, eating starts from 1000hrs and ended about 1530hrs. Short leisurely walks in between with a little bit of history, personal food recommendations from the guide with a scenic public boat ride between Asia and Europe side. The eats were pretty light with more of a sampling along at the various stops.

Be bold, adventurous and get the opportunity to try stuff you wouldn't otherwise try. 

Bonus of having a cruise which
brings you from the Europe side to the Asian side.
(Click here for details on crossing with their public transport for a cheap cruise!)







*Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is a small historic tower standing alone in the Bosphorus off Üsküdar, between Europe and Asia, and has guarded Istanbul’s waters for over 2,500 years. Today, it is one of Istanbul’s most romantic landmarks, visited by boat for its café, views, and beautiful sunsets.*

*Bonus. Cats of Istanbul*

You may also be interested to try this similar method in NYC for amazing views of the East river. Their are other routes also you could choose. (Click here for Full write up.)