SFO - To Do 01Feb25 (Benchmark Climbing - Bouldering)

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

SFO - To Do

Click here to Like ABBATRAVEL on Facebook. Get the latest updates!

 Check out our Instagram #abbatravel @ABBATRAVELS

Benchmark Climbing
(Bouldering)

Bouldering is climbing without ropes. Just shoes, bag of chalk and safety matts. 
A unique and fun experience. A great activity especially during wet weather days. There are shower facilities and lockers on-site and various routes to try out. Water coolers are also available. 
ABBAtips (as shared from the more advance climbers who brought us along)
- Remember to do your stretching especially for your arms and shoulders.
- Start of with picking a shoe that's snug and your toes are a little curled inwards. You can always change shoe sizes after. 

- Chalk only your finger tips.
- Look for the numbers for the difficulty. Starts off from Zero and progresses harder with an increasing number. Even within the same numbers, each routes has its own unique challenges and you can tackle the same route differently each time to find a more efficient way to go up.

*This was a level 1*

There's no time limit to how long you'd like to stay. Be courteous, have fun and give each other space when attempting a route. The route is considered complete when having touched the last colored block on your route. 

For just a day climb its USD30 with USD5 for rental of shoes. Chalk comes with. Depending on the promotion, there maybe other deal combinations.
Click here for ABBA location of Benchmark Climbing

SFO - To Eat 31Jan25 (Z&Y Restaurant)

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

SFO - To Eat

Click here to Like ABBATRAVEL on Facebook. Get the latest updates!

Z&Y Restaurant
(In the spirit of 3rd Day of Chinese New Year)

*The place seems to have several famous visitors
The Summer House in Singapore also played host to ex-president Barack Obama*

Ordered On:
31stJan25
Xiao Long Bao USD14.95

*Really good. Soupy inside and paired perfectly with the condiments.*
Half Tea-Smoked Duck USD29.95
*Didn't really taste the tea-smoked aspect of it, but really crispy skin and juicy. Highly recommended to give this order a try. Another place which was a surprise to enjoy their jasmine tea smoked duck was at Jardin De Jade in Shanghai. Highly recommended.*
Dry Sautéed String Beans USD19.90
*Well executed*
Fish Fillet In Hot Chili USD29.95

*Nice! More Ma than spicy. The fish was fresh but could have been better enjoyed if served hotter, temperature wise.*
House Cold Noodles USD14.95

*Nice and refreshing*
x2 Steamed rice
Food 3.5/5
Service 3/5
Ambience 3/5
Value 3/5
Total fed 5 USD33/Pax with tip

Satisfied that Chinese eats craving. A nice restaurant that came recommended online on several platforms. A good option. Another option which is a stone's throw down from here is another famously joint favored for years, R&G Lounge. Click here for full review. 

We hopped over to The Stinking Rose for their iconic garlic appetizer and Ice-cream. The appetizer seems to have lacked-luster since its start but the Garlic ice-cream is still a must try. 

Click here for ABBA location of Z&Y Restaurant.

Singapore - To Do 26Jan25 (Mandai Boardwalk)

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

Singapore - To Do
Like ABBATravel's Facebook Page to get the latest updates and more!
Follow us ABBATRAVEL on Instagram @ABBATRAVELS #ABBATRAVEL

Mandai Boardwalk

The Mandai Boardwalk at Mandai Wildlife Reserve in Singapore opened to the public on January 14, 2025 and they did an excellent job with the place. We did not check out Lara Lookout. Reserved for another time. 

ABBATips:
- Go washroom before! There are NO Washrooms along the path or water top-up points along the way.
- The entire stretch is pretty much unsheltered so bear that in mind when picking a time to go.
- Plenty of wonderful lookout spots and sounds of nature along the way. No cycling or scooting on the boardwalk. 

*Long-tailed macaques*

- Certain sections do have Monkeys so keep your belongings and little one safe with you.

You can enter from either way. It's pretty clearly demarcated from the carpark area. Entrance A is to the left of the main zoo entrance whilst B is where the River Wonders Entrance is. We only did the 2700m loop which at a slow casual pace took us about 2hours, a little longer than the projected largely due to the wonderful picture taking opportunities. 

View of the Iconic rocket tower at Upper Seletar Reservoir.

(Click here for full write up) 
A great explorative journey where if you're lucky get to spot wild life like these pictured below. If you're lucky you can spot glimpses of the Giraffes and listen to the bellowing of Lions and animals whilst walking the boardwalk. *Olive winged bulbul*

*Reflections of the sun*

Red Eye Starlings

Its a wonderful addition to the park and best of all FREE Entry to all. Great for walks, hikes and increasing the traffic flow to the otherwise tickets only area of Mandai. There's new dining options which would be opening up in the near future. 

Parking is a little steep though at 7SGD for the total of 2hrs plus we were there. Subsequent hour parking at Bird Paradise (Click for full review) area was another SGD5. The exterior of Bird Paradise is free to enter with plenty of affordable dinning to be enjoyed. 

Click here for ABBA location of Mandai Boardwalk

You maybe interested in these other amazing Boardwalks in Singapore.
- Changi Boardwalk for their stunning views of sunset (Long stretch and has amazing views). 

- Pasir Ris Mangrove boardwalk to explore mangrove life (Good distance but sheltered from the sun). 

- Lower Pierce for a mix of Boardwalks, views and a little forrest exploration (short and easy to complete).

Amsterdam - To Eat 23Jan25 (Davie's Amsterdam)

Amsterdam - To Do
Amsterdam - To Eat
Amsterdam - To Buy

Amsterdam - To Eat
Click here and like ABBATravel's facebook page to get the latest updates

Davie's Amsterdam

CLOSED MON AND TUE
Opens 10am-5pm

Finally getting a chance to try this artisanal deli where they cure and age their own meats. A small little sit down joint.

Ordered On:
23Jan25
Lelje *Their signature*  €14-
Pastrami, Mustard, pickle and Marbled Bread

*It a great Pastrami sandwich. The slightly toasted Marbled bread was largely for aesthetics. Katz's Delicatessen in NYC still takes the top spot for me so far!*
The Classic  €14-
Steak tartare, crispy potato, smoked egg yolk and chives
*It could have used with more spices and personally would have preferred a rougher chop. Did not pick up on the smoke though,* 
Ba-Da-Bing €13.5-
Coppa Iberico, ricotta, tomato, baguette
House special - Bali Inspired 
*The Pancake Bakery also had a similar theme and its impressive to say they have it on point in their flavor profiling.*
Total Fed 5 at €14.80 each with cola/beer.

Food 3.5/5
Serivce 3.5/5
Ambience 3.5/5
Value 3.5/5

Looking for a meal that isn't too heavy and offers great Deli eats, one should give Davie's Amsterdam a try. Their breads are spot on and goes fantastic with Heineken. Don't miss out on checking the Heineken experience whilst in Amsterdam. 

Touted to be the best apple pie to be had in Amsterdam is a short 9min walk further down at Winkel 43. Click for full review. 

Click here for ABBA location of Davie's Amsterdam

Singapore - To Eat 17Jan24 (Fico)

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

Singapore - To Eat
Like ABBATravel's Facebook Page to get the latest updates and more!
Follow us on Instagram @ABBATRAVELS

Fico
(located along East Coast Park Car Park F2)

Ordered On:
17Jan25
Focaccina 
Red Onions of Acquaviva, goat milk blue cheese,
fior di latte, fried sage, sulla honey, SGD19

*Excellent starter ideas. They've got quality, bold flavored olive oil and balsamic which was thoroughly enjoyed. A great starter to the meal to come. Will try this combination for future party meals.*
Mafaldine - Ossobuco, almonds, primitivo di Puglia SGD30
*Great depth of flavor.*
Charcoal Grilled Octopus - Chickpeas, gremolata, kale SGD37
*A little pricy but very well executed Octopus. The char and seasonings were amazing over this tender octopus. The fried Kale, though gave a nice textural component but the bitterness wasn't that welcomed. The chickpea puree at the bottom was alright.*

Food 3.5/5

Service 4/5
*On point. Staff were friendly, knowledgeable and very tentative to the guests. It could also be because we were there before the full on dinner crowd.*

Ambience 4.5/5
*What a view especially on the outside. With the gentle sea breeze and catching approaches when runway 02 is in use. The decoration of white 'sails' and well-thought decor on the inside were all on point. A nice addition which opened in 18May2023. 

Value 3.5/5
Fed2 at SGD103.11

There's been a couple of nice bistros popping up along East Coast Park, taking full advantage of the seaside breeze and beautiful sunset views. This place is quiet, and worth checking out with a small fancy-jetty to walk pre/post dinner. Great views and atmosphere and would recommend for the ambience and casual dining. The exterior and views were so inviting that wanted to be seated outside. 
Click here for ABBA location of Fico