Jalan Jalan Japan - 3 Days Shopping Tokyo

It has already been 3 months, however I can still remember the excitement when I received a phone call telling me that I was one of the winners of the Jalan Jalan Japan competition 2011 - I had won a three days’ shopping trip to Tokyo. I have always joked with my friends that I am a “sales” girl, reason being that I love to sniff out good bargains! So stick on to learn more about the hidden gems in this cosmopolitan city!

* I would like to thank Japan National Tourism Board Singapore and ANA for making this trip possible.

Greetings from Tokyo!

I started my shopping journey with an early breakfast at Café Veloce in Ikebukuro. How many of you have tried this chain? For a reasonable price of slightly above 200 yen, this chain serves cups of aromatic coffee without a lingering unpleasant aftertaste. This is a “must try experience” for all coffee lovers! However today I had the matcha latte topped with soft vanilla ice cream(a summer speciality)! Not exactly a healthy breakfast but I count it as my sugar boost for the day!

Ho Say - Iphone App - Singlish & Slangs

Ho Say, is a crash course on slangs, singlish and terms which are found in Singapore. The app has definitions and "teachers" to teach you the correct way to pronounce the terms. As this app increases in popularity it will probably cause the Speak Good English Campaign Committee Members and English Teachers a huge headache. But I am sure it will bring great joy to our forefathers that those Singlish terms that they have created, will not be lost in our society!

Cambodia: Siem Reap - Street Food

One advice, skip the fanciful restaurants along pub street & skip the roadside stalls opposite Molly Malone. Instead go for street food loaded with salt, msg, germs and dirt sold by vendors with pushcarts along the road side. Yummy! However don't expect the food to come cheap, we paid $0.75 usd for this plate of noodles!

Cambodia: Siem Reap - Quad Bike Riding

Here is a highly recommended activity, even if you are on a shoe string budget - Quad Bike Riding! Being Quad Bike amateurs we opted for the easiest route - a 17km stretch. The route consisted of dirt tracks which was fairly smooth aside from the occasional pot holes! With our bikes we travelled through the country side, past padi fields and even sped down the highway. It was an Adrenaline Rushing affair speeding down the highway, with the roaring of the engine and the wind sweeping our skin! Do try it if you have the time. If you do not want to be sun burnt and resemble a "lobster", please try to wear jeans and a shirt with sleeves.

Cambodia: Siem Reap - Bak Heng Mountain

Watching the sunset is equally beautiful as watching the sunrise and the perfect spot to catch the sunset is on the top of Bak Heng mountain. One piece of advice: Bak Heng mountain is not just a spot to catch the sunset but also a spot for perverts! So ladies do not wear short skirts or dresses to climb the structure.

Cambodia: Siem Reap - Bayon Temple & Ta Prohm Temple

The many stone faces at Bayon Temple

"Framed in a Picture"

"Framed in Time"

Most people recognise Ta Prohm Temple from 2001 Lara Croft Movie Tomb Raider. Unlike the other two temples, this temple has not be restored! The temple ground is strewn with weathered rocks from the crumbling structures.

Cambodia: Siem Reap - Ankor Wat

It is highly advisable to catch the sunrise at Ankor Wat however in order to do so, you need to purchase the ticket for that day the evening before. Example: If you want to visit Ankor Wat on the morning of 28 May, then you need to buy the ticket on the evening of 27 May.


To those sleepy heads out there, I will let the pictures speak for themselves, so that you can decide whether sacrificing those few hours of sleep is really worth it :) We left the guest inn around 5am in the morning.

A Brand New Day

Walking the Grounds

There are many other temples near to Ankor Wat.
The more famous temples are
Ta Prohm Temple & Bayon Temple

Cambodia - Siem Reap : Molly Malones Guest House

The international airport in most major cities, are usually sleek & modern. With a high density of commercial and retail facilities and the increasing use of green technology! To enhance the convenience of travellers, most airports have aerobridge gates, an inter-terminal train system and even an efficient transport system which links the airport to the centre of town!

Siem Reap Internation Airport is different! There are no aerobridge gates so to get out of the plane, passengers have to climb down a flight of stairs. The airport is a villa structure, which sets you in the mood for a laid back time in the city. Perhaps it was psychological, but I felt that the hands of the clock crawling slower than normal.

For 3 nights, Molly Malone's Guest House provided the roof on top of our heads. There is an Irish Pub on the first floor and a communal seating area on the second. The bedrooms are on the second and third floors. Please note that there are limited guest rooms in this guesthouse

Thumbs up to the Location, Clean Room & Fresh Towers every day

*Be wary of the house cat, if you are not a cat fan! It usually follow guests into their rooms! It didn't jump onto our beds but there is not guarantee that it won't jump onto yours!

* You can arrange with the Guest Inn, for an airport pick up/drop off service and a sight seeing mini van for a fee.

Sun Island （太阳岛）Snow Exhibition

For the sake of convenience, many people advised us to catch a cab to the island! Being the leader of the Ella Cheapo Club, I decided that we should catch the Bus! *the only drawback is that loose change is needed!

Bus - damage to wallet (approx 10rmb)
Taxi - damage to wallet (>10rmb)

The price we had to pay for taking the bus was that we had to walk 1.5km in to get to the site of the Snow exhibition! The reward - erm... slimmer thighs???

When there is Demand, there will always be Supply! Consumers desire New Nightlife Venues! Satisfy your customers and the cash register will be ringing non stop, if not your business will flop! ! Ice Bars have been popping up around Asia, to add a cool relief to the tropical heat! I love the motif on the wall.

A Village carved out of snow, including livestock(pigs), farm equipment and villagers.