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For those stuck in the relentless, monotonous city grind and dreaming of crystal-clear waters and sandy shores for their next getaway, here's a thought: With Singapore as our launchpad, us locals can explore the charming beaches of Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam without breaking the bank. These nearby paradises don’t just offer cheap and affordable flights and accommodation; they also provide the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. So, if you're pondering your next escape, let this guide be your compass to seaside serenity and vibrant culture, all within a budget-friendly reach. Sun, Sand, and Serenity: Top Seaside Getaways in Thailand Explore Krabi: A paradisiacal retreat Krabi is a treasure trove of stunning beaches and scenic wonders. Home to limestone karsts and tranquil bays, it’s an ideal spot for those seeking a classic Thai beach setting. The Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort in Krabi offers breathtaking views of Ao Nang Beach and unmatched hospitality. Here, visitors can savour seaside dining while enjoying the cooling ocean breeze. Affordably luxurious yet accessible, this resort is a perfect choice for a dreamy getaway. Ah Krabi, Thailand's Mr Consistent. The solid failsafe option. Phuket: Blend of adventure and relaxation With its accessibility and diverse attractions, Phuket remains a favorite. The Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa at Merlin Beach promises a balance between exploration and relaxation. Visitors can indulge in water sports or unwind on the expansive beaches. This vibrant locale offers an affordable seaside experience with proximity to tourist attractions for a comprehensive holiday. A Phuket cab driver once asked me why I was visiting. I said "beaches", he scoffed and replied: "Bangkok cheaper and prettier". I don't think he understood me very well. Islands Galore: Discover Malaysia’s Accessible Coastal Retreats Langkawi: An island of splendor Langkawi, a stunning archipelago in Malaysia, offers a blend of pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and dramatic limestone formations. Perfect for a quick getaway from Singapore, it hosts activities like skybridge walks and jungle trekking. Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts to budget guesthouses, making it affordable for all travellers. Accessible by a short flight from Singapore, Langkawi's enticing beaches and rich cultural experiences offer the ideal seaside escape. Perhentian Islands: Nature's aquamarine gem Situated off the northeastern coast, the Perhentian Islands promise crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life. From budget-friendly chalets to serene eco-resorts, these islands cater to both backpackers and families seeking relaxation. Beyond sunbathing, the islands offer kayaking, diving, and lush jungle trails. The journey to these islands involves a scenic drive to Kuala Besut Jetty, followed by a short boat ride - a small price for paradise. Oh, to lounge on a beach all day, soaking up the sun rays and frolicking in the water. If I had a patronus, it'd probably be a seal. Pangkor Island: A blend of relaxation and history Pangkor Island blends sandy shores with colonial history. Whether sunbathing on turquoise beaches or exploring Dutch forts, visitors experience a unique mix of leisure and culture. Accommodation spans from cozy beachfront chalets to welcoming resorts. Conveniently accessed via a short ferry ride, Pangkor’s charm and affordability make it a compelling nearby seaside destination for Singaporeans ready to unwind. A Bit of Both: Vietnam's Hidden Seaside Gems and Tourist Attractions Unveiling Vietnam's tranquil shores Vietnam's coastline is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Phu Quoc Island, with its pristine beaches and lush forests, offers snorkelling and diving as unforgettable underwater adventures. Beyond the horizon lies Nha Trang, a city blending beautiful beaches with lively nightlife, perfect for those seeking both relaxation and entertainment. Sand, surf, and most importantly; scenery This seaside journey isn't just about beaches. Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site, enchants with its ancient architecture and lantern-lit streets, a testament to Vietnam's rich culture. Meanwhile, the Mekong Delta offers a glimpse into the unique floating markets, where travelers can experience Vietnam's vibrant local life right on the water. Anyone else reminded of the scene in Tangled (2010) where they release the lanterns? Convenience, affordability, and exploration Vietnam becomes more accessible with numerous affordable flights from Southeast Asia and a range of accommodation options to fit all budgets. Explorers can delight in the country's affordable local transportation, from buses to motorbike taxis, making it a convenient hub near Singapore for your next seaside getaway. Combining stunning landscapes with cultural depth, Vietnam's hidden gems present a balanced blend of relaxation and discovery. Conclusion Therefore, when planning your next seaside escape, remember that the perfect balance of affordability and relaxation is just a short flight away. Whether it's the pristine beaches of Thailand, the tranquil islands of Malaysia, or the stunning coastline of Vietnam, Southeast Asia offers a plethora of options to suit any traveller's taste. ~ Fremont (Photos by Audley Travel, Booking.com, The Danna Langkawi, Gill Divers, Trip Advisor, Vietnam Tourism, and HostelWorldBlog)

Any bros bought any travel packages from them? http://www.wanbao.com.sg/local/story20150523-55466#local 乐乐假期旅行社突停业 500旅客受影响 营业13年的乐乐假期旅行社，昨天突然关门，贴通告宣布停业，超过500旅客受影响，单本周末就有近300名学生和旅客受波及。 rough translate; Asia-euro holidays travel agency closed down suddenly yesterday, which has been in the travel-related business for years. Notices were put up on their shops at Chinatown Point and is believed that more than 500 customers were affected, including close to 300 students planning for trips this weekend.

Note: This is the third instalment of a series covering my trip to southwestern China. Read Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 here. CHENGDU Day 7: We savoured one last morning view of the Chongqing skyline from our rooms before heading to Shapingba Railway Station for our ride to Chengdu. Because we had quite a bit of luggage, we split into pairs upon our arrival and took different taxis to our accommodation. When Mum and I got there, my brother was waiting alone. Apparently, upon reaching the hotel, Dad realised he had left his backpack, including his recently-purchased tablet, on the train to Chengdu. He had to wait for the already-departed train to make its way to Chongqing (an hour one way) and back before retrieving it. After checking into Atour Chengdu Taikoo Li, the rest of us walked around in the vicinity, taking pictures with the “I AM HERE” panda perched on Chengdu IFS. Once Dad returned, we made our way to Tianfu Red Mall. The scant information courtesy of Google showed an Animate store had recently opened, which was why I wanted to visit, but as we stepped into the mall we realised it was entirely dedicated to ACG (animation, comics and games) - a pleasant surprise for me. I gleefully walked around the shops, purchasing merchandise from one of my favourite games - one a China-exclusive, and the other at almost half of its cost in Singapore due to the lack of shipping fees (though I needed some encouragement from my brother, as I was stuck there overthinking it). Day 8: First thing in the morning, we stepped out of the hotel to see our driver in a ZEEKR 001, which my family was impressed with (and it became my favourite ZEEKR). We were taking a day trip to Leshan, famous for the 71-metre tall Giant Buddha that is not only the tallest pre-modern statue in the world, but also the tallest stone Buddha statue. We first toured the nearby Suji old town with its rather interesting bridge and had lunch. Now, the main attraction. The climb up to the top of the hill to see the Buddha from above was somewhat tiring, but the climb down to the Buddha’s feet via steep stairs jammed with tourists was, in a word, terrifying. And we still had to climb back up to the exit. After we made it out of the park, our driver brought us to a hotpot restaurant. Not a conventional place for afternoon tea, but he perhaps wanted us to get the experience. It was quite atypical in the sense that we got to choose the skewers we wanted by taking them off the shelves the way one does in a málà restaurant. For dinner, we ended up in a small restaurant as recommended by our guide. Of note was a particular drink, a lychee soda made with water claimed to be sourced from the melting snow off the nearby Emei Mountain. I liked it enough to take a picture in the event I wanted to buy more from a supermarket during the rest of the trip, but sadly I never saw it again. Day 9: For some reason, Mum wanted to see the pandas despite the initial lack of interest. A late start to the day meant we arrived at the Chengdu Panda Base close to noon, and because we’d fulfilled our purpose about 15 minutes into the park (seeing live pandas), we walked around for another hour to make good use of our entrance fees (about SGD$10-15, but the park was pretty big anyway, so we had a good look around). Heading back to the heart of Chengdu, we went to Kuanzhai Alley, stopping in a tea house to watch traditional performances including biàn liǎn (face-changing), a signature of Sichuan opera. Interestingly, some of the performers went around the tables doing their routines like pouring tea and giving high-fives. It was a pretty standard trio of old streets otherwise. Later, we made a visit to People’s Park as my parents wanted to see the area dedicated to matchmaking. The effectiveness of matchmaking aside, it was somewhat comforting for this singleton to see that in this day and age, people of all ages (I saw profiles of people my age and even a few from my parents’ generation) are still looking for love. My cynical side, however, wonders how many of these forms were submitted out of cultural obligations to get in a relationship and eventually marriage. Either way, I’m not convinced filling up physical forms and putting them up in public is the way to go. Day 10: For our last day in Chengdu, we covered several “cultured” locations, like the Du Fu Thatched Cottage, where the famed Tang dynasty poet lived for five years till he escaped amid a rebellion. We then visited Wuhou Shrine. I read Romance of the Three Kingdoms in graphic novel form as a kid, so seeing quite a number of familiar names given a canonised form, if you will, was both awe-inspiring and… puzzling. Perhaps it was just the way he’s been depicted, both in the graphic novel by AsiaPac I read and in Koei’s Dynasty Warriors game franchise (often as the face of the games no less), but Zhao Yun seemed oddly old for a member of the Five Tiger Generals with his ghostly-white complexion. Finally, we headed south of the city centre to the New Century Global Centre, a mixed-use complex with a claim to fame of being the world’s largest building by floor area. It turned out to be underwhelming once we realised much of the massive space was occupied by the water park, with the shopping mall comparable to the average-sized mall. CLOSING THOUGHTS Honestly, I came to find Chengdu in general underwhelming towards the end of our time there. Beyond the aforementioned cultural sites and Tianfu Red Mall, it is not a city I am particularly enthusiastic about revisiting any time soon. I will admit though: There are still some places I would have liked to visit, like a cafe operated by the Chengdu-based audio company Moondrop which I could only find via Baidu Maps while I was there. It was sadly too far to fit into our already packed itinerary (an hour’s bus ride from the city centre). I would’ve also liked to visit some music venues given that the city is home to a burgeoning hip-hop scene, with the four-man group Higher Brothers being Chinese hip-hop’s biggest export. Doing research on China as a tourist sure is tough. ~ Wei Feng Images: Myself

I believe I may not be alone when I say that I’m quite the avid collector of postcards, but rarely ever send them out to family or friends. To some, this might seem counterintuitive, even wasteful. But for me, these miniature works of art serve a different purpose. They're windows into distant lands; time capsules of bygone eras; and conversation starters par excellence. In fact, in a city as fast-paced as Singapore, where our lives often revolve around our vehicles and the next destination, a postcard collection arguably offers a unique form of escape and contemplation. What is a Postcard? Let’s go back to the basics first: A postcard is more than just a piece of cardstock; it's a tangible slice of travelling memories, frozen in time. These compact rectangles typically feature an eye-catching image on one side—perhaps a sun-drenched beach or a bustling cityscape—while the reverse offers space for a brief message and address. What is most fascinating most about postcards is their ability to evoke powerful travel reflections. Each one tells a story, not just through the picture it bears, but through the postmarks, stamps, and handwritten notes that adorn it. In our digital age, the humble postcard stands as a delightful anachronism; a physical reminder of places visited and experiences shared. The History and Evolution of Postcards? Interestingly, the first commercially produced postcards emerged in the 1860s, revolutionising communication. By the late 19th century, postcards had become a global phenomenon, ushering in a "golden age" of travelling and travel reflections. The establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 standardised international postcard rates, fuelling their popularity. Innovations like photographic postcards allowed people to share vivid snapshots of their journeys. Even today, postcards remain cherished artifacts, offering glimpses into past landscapes and cultures. The Meaning of Postcards That brings us to the next point: Why are postcards so significant? Beyond just pieces of cardstock, they embody tangible snapshots of travelling experiences, as well as frozen moments in time that capture the essence of a place. When I eventually find the time to thumb through my collection, each card sparks vivid travel reflections, transporting me back to the bustling city streets of downtown New York, or the serene coastal vistas of Valencia. Postcards serve as miniature portals, offering glimpses into diverse cultures and landscapes. Even without sending them, these compact mementos allow me to revisit cherished memories and share stories with friends who drop by. They're conversation starters, art pieces, and personal artefacts all rolled into one - proving that sometimes, the joy is in the collecting itself. The Joy of Collecting Postcards Collecting postcards is a fascinating hobby that combines art, history, and travel reflections. Curating a unique assemblage that speaks to one’s interests can be thrilling; whether you're drawn to vintage scenes or modern designs, there's a postcard style for everyone. Perhaps one of the more exciting aspects of postcard collecting is uncovering pieces with significant historical value. These small windows into the past offer glimpses of bygone eras, architectural changes, and societal shifts. I've found that each postcard tells a story, making my collection a tangible timeline of human experiences and travelling trends. There’s also the allure of building one’s personal gallery. A distinctive collection allows one to express their personality and passions. From quirky illustrations to breathtaking landscapes, every postcard acquired adds a new dimension to an ever-growing gallery of memories and aspirations. Postcards as Reflections of Travel and Experiences And for those who do enjoy sending postcards, they can serve as powerful reflections of my journeys. According to a Reddit discussion, many solo travelers even send postcards to themselves as a way to preserve memories. Besides transporting us back to the sights and sounds of our travels, postcards can revive another vital pillar of any sojourn abroad: Our emotions when we’re there in the moment on the road. The images and brief notes jog our memories, helping us relive experiences that might otherwise fade. Regardless of whether they sent, the act of selecting postcards forces one to pause and reflect on the highlights of each destination. Building a personal museum As I reflect on my postcard collecting journey, I'm struck by how this simple hobby has enriched my life in unexpected ways. Though I rarely mail these miniature works of art, each one opens a window to another place and time. This collection has become a personal museum of memories and dreams - tangible reminders of travels taken and imagined. I suspect fellow Singaporeans seeking a rewarding pastime may find, as I have, that the joy is in the collecting itself, not the sending. The world awaits, one postcard at a time. Images from Unsplash

Ahh Japan. The destination that many travellers desire. The perennial trending subject on social media. Japanese cuisine, culture, quirks, technology, and everything kawaii have inspired endless posts, stories, reels, YouTube videos, and TikToks. If one didn't know better, you'd think it was the dream destination on this planet. While I love the food, the service and the shopping, the sheer number of tourists (me included) has become a turn-off. I'm not talking about those who inconvenience locals by blocking the road to take photos (that's another story) or about badly behaved tourists (also another topic for another day). Tokyo is crowded even if you avoid the obvious tourist destinations. (Image: Benjamin Wong, Unsplash) What is annoying is seeing tourists everywhere, even in previously quiet spots. It seems like there's no place in Japan that goes unvisited (an exaggeration but it feels like it nonetheless). If I seem like I'm only realising this now, it's because I only travel to Japan once a year. Where to find peace and quiet? Omotesando, located just behind Harajuku, used to be quiet, because it was away from the main road. But thanks to social media, that's no longer the case. Tourists also throng its narrow streets, filling its boutiques; jostling with them is not my idea of a holiday. I can do that anytime in Singapore. When will Meiji Shrine feel this quiet again? Perhaps when the yen appreciates and makes travel to Japan expensive. (Image: Alex Rainer, Unsplash) Meiji Shrine, which felt like it was previously only visited by locals, is now filled with tourists filming videos. The last time I visited the shrine was to enjoy the walk through the canopy of trees outside and hear the crunching of gravel underfoot. During my last trip in January this year, I still heard the gravel. But sadly, it was accompanied by the incessant chatter from groups of tourists. So, next year, I'm giving Japan a miss. There are other cities in East Asia that are just as worth a visit, and probably not as crowded, too. – Jeremy (Main image: David Edelstein, Unsplash)

Friends I need some tips on places to go, stay, eat and more I know there's a Hokkaido thread, but I didn't want to OT there, and if there's another Kyoto thread, please do the needful. So basically, I'm hoping to go in Mid November or thereabout, making using of the public holiday in SG and bring my baby over before the airfares get much higher. In December my little 'un will be two, so it's also a good time to go before I get charge full rates. I'm hoping to spend about 5-6 days there Some basic aims: - see the Autumn leaves - let baby have fun - yeah I know, the memories of this trip may be minimal, but for lao pek, I get to make some memories - put baby in a Jinbei / Kimono / Ninja suit (heh) - enjoy good food - onsen will be nice - ryokan is nice, but even now, many good places are sold out or unavailable My budget is about S$250 a night or so for hotels and they need to be baby friendly, and ideally near attractions or central Kyoto and a train station. I was told to land in Kansai airport and take an express train to Kyoto station direct. So please share tips on food, hotels / ryokans / places of interest especially for babies with shorter attention spans and more, thanks!

Note: Click here to read Pt. 1, where the journey began in Hong Kong. NEXT UP: CHONGQING Day 3, cont.: Dad had decided on the scenic route to Chongqing - train. We did not realise that the immigration process at the Hong Kong Kowloon West station involved both the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, so we found ourselves in a rush to board the train (we boarded minutes before the scheduled departure). Through the eight-hour journey, the passing sights made me realise the diversity of China’s terrain, perhaps an Eastern equivalent to the US (ironically I’m the only one among the four of us to have never stepped on American soil). Arriving at Yuzhong district in a DiDi from Chongqing West Station, I was blinded by the lights of the hyper-modern landscape. The best part? Entering our hotel rooms to what I might call the best view I’ve seen from a room (only Scandic Ishavhotel compares), though I’m afraid I couldn’t do it justice with my camera (these photos are all stills from the videos I shot). Yitel Chongqing, our residence for our time there, is located above the tourist hotspot that is Hongya Cave. Reviews said it was noisy due to the crowds below, but staying on the highest floor (16th floor) meant the din was not as loud as at home in Singapore where random motorists rev their engines close to midnight. We then went out for dinner (or was it supper?), with attractions like the Chongqing Art Museum and the Jiefangbei CBD area surprisingly close to Yitel. At a food court, we had spicy dumplings among other things. Surprisingly bearable, coming from someone who can’t even take wēi là (mild spice) in Singapore, but it was probably because it was more numbing than spicy. Day 4: Our first full day in Chongqing. An arduous climb through Yuzhong District’s hilly terrain brought us to quite a number of attractions, from the Mountain City Path and Eighteen Stairs to Baixiangju and Raffles City Chongqing (yes it’s real, and it looks more like Marina Bay Sands) and back to our hotel, culminating in an hour’s wait for the lights of Hongya Cave to turn on. I unfortunately suffered a nosebleed throughout our hotpot dinner (as it usually goes for me in cold and dry places) and went back to my room for the rest of the night while my family went grocery shopping. Day 5: At my request, we took a day trip to Wulong Karst, having first seen some of its sights in Transformers: Age of Extinction. We woke up rather early (5.00am-ish) to meet our driver, who picked us up in her Hongqi E-QM5 EV. After a three-hour ride, we arrived at the entrance to the Longshui Gorge Geofracture. It took over an hour to traverse, arriving at the exit quite a distance away from where we started. We had lunch at a restaurant in the nearby town, and while the dishes were nice, my favourite was the rice cooked with potatoes that had a mild flavour. I enjoyed it so much I forgot to take a picture of it. We then headed to the Three Natural Bridges, which turned out to be a lot more massive than I imagined, having to strain my neck to look up at the top of the nearby formations. Also, it seems the Transformers movie was pretty well-appreciated for its tourism potential, the quality of the movie itself aside. At night, our driver dropped us off at Guanyinqiao, a popular shopping district, though we spent too much time eating that we only had a brief amount of time to walk around a mall before closing time. I was quick to snap some photos of the Xiaomi SU7 EV at the Xiaomi store in Paradise Walk Guanyinqiao just before the staff started bringing the shutters down. Day 6: While Christmas is not an official holiday in China, there were still some Yuletide vibes as we went about covering our remaining itinerary. The rooftop plaza of Kuixing Building was every bit as terrifying as it has been depicted in many videos. Liziba Station, a massively popular attraction on social media, turned out to be nothing particularly special as a long-time Bukit Panjang resident. Having lived near the now-defunct Ten Mile Junction LRT station when it was still in operation, the concept of a train going into a building is not as novel for me as it seems to be for most other tourists. On our way to our next stop, we entered a restaurant for lunch, and ordered tǐ huā soup, a popular Chongqing dish featuring pork knuckles in a collagen-rich broth that is recommended for those not used to the otherwise spicy cuisine. I’m not sure if it was just that restaurant, but it was just okay. The sour fish in comparison was better. Eventually, we arrived at Huangguan Escalator, the third longest in Asia. It takes about 2.5 minutes to complete a trip one way, connecting users to two different train stations at the top and bottom of a hill. This therefore makes it a form of public transport, requiring the purchase of tickets. Making up for the previous day’s tardiness, we went back to Guanyinqiao, which had a Christmas tree-shaped display and a pop-up store for who-knows-what. As daylight waned, we arrived at Xiahao Lane, another old town packed with tourists especially after its modernisation. The view of the Dongshuimen bridge did feel a bit reminiscent of the view in Damien Chazelle’s La La Land, which was how it was described by social media posts Dad had seen while researching, but the locals seemed to have no idea what we were talking about. CLOSING THOUGHTS In all, Chongqing was probably the highlight of the trip. Not that the other places were bad, but the hype around this “hyper-modern” city was real, and then some. I found myself surprised, impressed and eventually in awe as I realised that Chongqing still retained much of its traditional architecture while imbuing new life into the city with its 144 skyscrapers. It has become one of my favourite cities in the world despite only having scratched the surface of China's largest city by municipal boundary, and I would definitely recommend anyone interested to just go for it. Next up: Chengdu. ~ Wei Feng Images: Myself

It used to be that when a person was visiting China for the first time, the natural choice was Beijing. No better way to learn about a country than a visit to its capital, amirite? Having had their fill of Peking duck and climbed the Great Wall of China, the next places they would likely look at are those on the east coast - Shanghai, Nanjing, perhaps Harbin. In recent times though, the southwestern parts of China have gotten much coverage on social media. Chongqing, the country’s largest city by municipal boundary, has had its juxtaposition of modern skyscrapers and stilt-buildings dating back to the ancient Ba state go viral online. A pretty good summary of Chongqing that briefly touches on the virality of it from a YouTuber I discovered recently. Why is that? I took a trip with my family towards the end of 2024 to find out. HOW IT ALL STARTED It happened that my father had been wanting to revisit Yunnan province after his first visit about 30 years ago with his family (probably before he married my mother), but over the years he had to hold back as the rest of our family opted for more “exciting” destinations (the usual suspects: Japan, Scandinavia, etc.). When we were discussing our next destination sometime in 2024, Yunnan came up again. This time however, we were more interested, having last been to China in 2012 (to my paternal grandfather’s birthplace, Hainan). The “hyper-modern” architecture of modern Chinese cities like Chongqing was what compelled my brother and I to agree to the trip. With some persuasion, Mum relented (she didn’t like visiting China), and so it was settled. FIRST STOP: HONG KONG Day 1: We couldn’t get a morning flight to Hong Kong, one of our family’s favourite overseas spots, so we arrived in the evening. Our last visit was in 2018, so seeing once-familiar sights slowly undergoing China-fication (e.g. cha chaan tengs [Hong Kong-style diners] becoming Sichuan restaurants) was somewhat depressing. Day 2: Our one full day in Hong Kong. Mum was disappointed during the planning stage of the trip as a Cantonese speaker, but the rest of us felt it was enough time to eat the things we missed and buy the things we wanted. This was when I realised my parents were getting old - though they had travelled the world via cruise the year before, they got tired enough to need an afternoon nap. Nevertheless, I did what I could to savour being in one of my favourite cities in the world. Having a proper camera now in the Sony ZV-E10, I realised how photogenic (or videogenic in my case) Hong Kong was. Something about sunlight falling on things hits different. Day 3: After a quick breakfast at the Australian Dairy, we headed to the Hong Kong Kowloon West Station for our train to our next stop, Chongqing. Given that this was a 16-day trip, I decided to cut what could possibly have become the longest single MCF blog post into parts dedicated to each area. Stay tuned! ~ Wei Feng Images: Myself

I had really good light in my winter trip to Austria so I really wanted to edit the photos in HDR. Unfortunately, it is hard to share HDR photos online and ensure a consistent experience. Best way I found now is YouTube. So please watch the pics in YouTube HDR on a HDR display. 3min 45 secs, or 9min mark have nice photos that demonstrate the effect of HDR. I know not many people will watch a video but I really wanted to edit my photos in HDR to take advantage of the HDR displays I have, my LG TV, my m4 ipad, my MacBook Pro. The vacation was really good. much better than my June spain trip where we got pick pocketed and both kids fell sick. Nothing much happened, except my wife had a sledding accident where she injured her ribs.

Some people avoid checking in their luggage because it’s a short trip, others do so for cost reasons and others may have a tight connection or just simply out of habit.. I’ve done it for the first three reasons and it does take more planning.. eg no sharps like my swiss knife and no fluids So, I'm due for a conference in Manila and I was told that the airport isn't the best https://www.rappler.com/business/naia-worst-airport-asia-new-operator-san-miguel-incheon-turn-things-around/ So I've decided to just bring a carry on, maybe a backpack / trolley with wheels and avoid the whole process.. So I've asking what do others do and do share your tips. For shorter trip with no business clothes, I'll take the smaller Osprey or my old Eagle Creek (EAGLE CREEK TRAVEL GEAR WORLD JOURNEY LC) These definitely fit the criteria https://www.indietraveller.co/farpoint-55-review/ Or this one if there's no hiking If it's a multi-day trip, eg up to a week, I'll take my trusty Osprey, especially if it's SIA, because they are more flexi on larger carry on. Don't try it for budget airlines or US flights, they tend to be more strict, and definitely not for smaller planes, eg turboprops which have much smaller in cabin storage spaces They weighed my bags and me on such flights, partly to balance out the passengers I think.. I also took a flight across the Grand Canyon to flagstaff from LV and they were really strict. https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/luggage-review-osprey-farpoint-70-travel-backpack/ If you need to pack a suit, then I may choose a suit bag, and just add some socks / underwear if it's under three days. In Asia, you often get free toiletries, so I even skip those for short trips. When I was in Cambodia, I also used an Osprey Atmos 50 pack, and simply carried it onto the Silkair plane. (not related to Osprey, but I really like their stuff) Another thing is to pack or wear your suit, then it doesn't count towards the weight and luggage, especially if it's a large or thick rain jacket or down one. How about you?

Lol..... https://themalaysianreserve.com/2022/08/16/klia-lgk-among-worlds-best-airports-in-2q22/

Hope this is helpful and drive safely... for the guys do try to come back with 3 legs

Some of the short trips taken in 2024. Finally compiled them and dump them into the gallery below. http://www.keehian.com/japan2024/ FIrst trip was Chinese new Year 2024 to Tokyo area. It was just a few days by scoot I think. Just stayed around Tokyo area.

Hello everyone, I'm thinking of travelling to Thailand next year... I've been there 4x in the past but didn't have much impression cos I didn't plan for those trips... first one was a visit to some missionaries in Chiangrai, second one was a work trip to Nongkhai, third one was family trip to Phuket, and fourth and last trip was SAF exercise... wah haha... Thinking of taking my family there next year... got a few questions which I hope those who travel often to Thailand can help answer... 1. When is the best time to travel to Thailand? Jun or Dec? Reading online tells me that Jun is hot and humid and wet, while Dec is dry and cool. But Dec is peak travel season while Jun is down period. 2. Looking through the web, I was thinking of doing the trip this way: Singapore -> Phuket (beach) -> Bangkok (city) -> Chiangmai (highlands) -> Singapore. I'm basically plotting to go from South to North. A few related questions to such an itinerary: a. I know I can fly from Singapore to Phuket direct, and from Chiangrai back to Singapore direct. What about within Thailand - Would flying domestic flights from place to place be the only possibility? Is it drivable? I could rent a car in Phuket and drive? Does it make sense to drive to Bangkok? Or can take train? Or is bus the only public transport option besides flying? Which airlines should I consider if I fly? Which car rental company should I use if I self-drive? Which bus transport company should I use if I bus? And rail? b. How many days should I spend at each place? I was thinking of 3-5 days each... so that would make my trip 17-18 days if I spend 5 days at each place. Enough to do for 5 days at each place? Not interested in temples, prefer nature, markets, gardens, and places of interest that are highlights of each place. 3. I am totally lost when it comes to where I should base myself in each of the 3 places. Any suggestions are welcomed! For background: a. For Bangok, I have stayed there 2x, first time was Siam Square Novotel (but that hotel must be quite ancient now) and so I know it's like close to the mega malls, MBK, and second time at Pratunum (but I can't remember what was the hotel name and I didn't really see the place). Back then there was no MRT or underground or any such thing. I'm sure Bangkok has transformed since I last was there. And in any case, I was there only for 1 night or so as a transit. b. For Phuket, I remember staying at Club Andaman. It's no longer around. But I believe it was along Patong Beach. I was just reading on Tripadvisor from a German tourist that the traffic jams in Phuket (particularly along Patong Beach and to/from airport) are horrendous, plus Phuket is filled with lots of PRCs, Russians, and Indians which makes it very unplesant. What's your experience. The last time i was there I remember taking a car around visiting Kata & Karon beach on my last day and finding all of them very quiet and deserted. c. Never been to Chiangmai. 4. What do you consider as the must-sees in each of these 3 places? 5. Some caveats: a. No water activities. My wife refuses to get onto a ferry. So visiting Phi Phi or Koh Samui is out of question. We stick to Phuket strictly. b. I got 2 little kids. I need to bring travel strollers along like my last trip to Japan. c. Child-friendly activities would be very helpful. d. No massages & questionable activities. e. I'm on a tight budget... heh heh... Thank you very much!

Its been 3 years since my last visit to Taiwan. Used to visit Taiwan twice a year for work visiting suppliers. Now that they are fully opened its time to go again. Monday morning 6.15am at the Suvarnabhumi Airport Had breakfast at the Singapore Airlines lounge At the gate My ride Many mothballed aircraft still on ground Brunch on flight Arriving Taoyuan Airport

We all missed being able to travel during the dark and uncertain days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even when Vaccinated Travel Lanes were introduced, few of us were interested. After all, undergoing numerous PCR tests is uncomfortable and being subject to quarantines, especially if you catch COVID, is hardly how anyone wants to spend their holiday. So, a lot of folks became 'tourists in their own country'. And staycations, or staycays for short, became popular. Being cooped up in one's home for too long does that to people. But now that we can freely travel without needing PCR tests and quarantines (and face masks for that matter), some have opined that staycays are no longer relevant. I, however, think otherwise. Here are five reasons why. Photo: Paolo Nicolello, Unsplash 1. It's less of a hassle compared to going overseas. Planning an overseas holiday is complicated. You need to book flights, consider where you'll be staying and figure out an itinerary. That means you'll have to do research (Google and YouTube) to come up with a list of places and activities to do at your destination. This also results in having to figure out the logistics and transportation that go along with said activities. How difficult this will be is subjective. But some form of planning is required. In comparison, a staycay only requires me to plan when to take leave and check out the room rates for the hotel my wife and I wish to stay in. Then, we just pack light. There is no need to wake up early or stay up late to catch a flight. Flying off to another country is fun, but it requires planning, time and effort 2. Forgot something? No worries. One of the advantages of staycationing is convenience - you don't have to go or look far to find say, toiletries or swimwear. There's also no need to exchange currency (or worry about exchange rates and which money changer to go to). I don't have to subscribe to a roaming service either. One thing that worries me before my wife and I fly overseas is whether we've left anything charging. If we're on a staycation, we wouldn't be concerned because hey, if needed, we can return home to check. Not having to worry about such things is why staycations can be more stress-free compared to a holiday overseas. You can still eat well in Singapore - just go to your usual haunts while on a staycation 3. There might be food issues. Trying new food is one of the biggest reasons for exploring other countries. You can really get to know another country's culture by keeping an open mind and sampling their local fare. However, not all of us are fortunate enough to have travel companions with the same mindset. If your family members are the type who 'can only eat local food' or worse, only want to patronise restaurants from global F&B chains, holidaying overseas is probably inconvenient for you. But if you're on a staycation, then your less adventurous family members should have less to complain about, which might result in less stress for you as well. Hotels like Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore can make you feel like you're in an overseas resort, even if you haven't left the country 4. Consider medical concerns. Not everyone is blessed with good health, even for those who work out regularly and watch their diet. Sometimes, genetics just gets the better of you. If you have family members that can't travel due to underlying medical concerns, a staycation is a good alternative. Frankly, being able to find a hotel that gives you the feeling that you're not in Singapore is not easy. But perhaps a getaway to Sentosa (which is not on the 'mainland') might suffice. Although you'd still be in Singapore, staying at a hotel means not having to clean your room or worry about running the air-con 24/7. Not having to think about chores is a stress-reliever, which is what holidays are about. 5. Staycations generally cost less. A three-night stay at a local hotel (provided you haven't booked the Presidential Suite and aren't eating all your meals there) can be cheaper than a six-day holiday overseas, so when I feel like I need a quick break from work, a staycation really does the trick. Well-meaning colleagues always mention that part of the hotel budget could have been used for air tickets. Or that we should have redeemed our miles instead. But these suggestions overlook the fact that going overseas entails other costs as well. These include currency exchange, your hotel, food, and pocket money for shopping. When we're overseas, there's a tendency to want to eat more food and buy more stuff because you might not find the same things back home.

Is it easy to use? Can use throughout Malaysia? Consume alot of data?

I took some time and redid my travel photos into a 4k video.The last time I did this was 6 years back and it was just full HD. Added the new pics and up the resolution. You can see the camera's many years ago does not have enough resolution for 4k. Please view it in 4k 🙂

Holiday travels are near soon .. Can help to list down good lobangs as prices for everything are going through the roof. TIA

Glasgow. UK christmas trip, finally did all the photos. \

Anyone with experience on travelling solo? Any good places (countries) for recommendation ?

HI, For those travelling to Bali and have query on travel claim, please see below notice sent by AIG. P/S: The below is only for info only. May varies between insurers. Please check with your insurer for more info. Important note for travellers to Bali On 23 September 2017, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory which indicated that with the increased possibility of the eruption of Mount Agung, Singaporeans should defer non-essential travel to the affected areas at this juncture. With the advisory in mind, we would like to inform travellers to Bali that disruptions arising out of any volcanic activity in Mount Agung, including but not limited to the airspace closures in Bali, may not be covered unless your travel insurance policy was issued or travel insurance arrangements confirmed on or before 22 September 2017. Travellers who purchased or confirmed travel insurance cover on or after 23 September 2017 may not be covered as the event would not be considered ‘unforeseeable’, as the disruptions have been widely reported in the media from this date. Hence, we would like to advise our travel insurance policyholders who purchased or confirmed their travel arrangements on or before 22 September to check their respective policies for the wording relating to eligibility, cover entitlement and the type of expenses that can be claimed. As always, we will assess any claims for cover for trip cancellation and additional expenses incurred based on the individual circumstances, as well the terms and conditions of the policy. Please see the below for scenario examples. Per Trip Plan Policies purchased on or before 22 September 2017 1. Insured wishes to file for travel cancellation – It will not be a payable event as volcano has not erupted and does not satisfy terms and conditions for claim under Travel Cancellation Benefit. 2. Insured decides to cancel the policy – We will arrange for full refund of premium. 3. Insured is travelling on 5 October but the volcano erupts on 4 October – Insured can file in for Travel Cancellation and we will assess claims according to Travel Guard terms and conditions. Per Trip Plan Policies purchased on or after 23 September 2017 1. Insured wishes to file for travel cancellation – It will not be a payable event as MFA has already released the travel advisory and the potential of volcanic eruption is a known event which is excluded from coverage. Any other claims that are relating to the volcano eruption is excluded from coverage as well. 2. Insured decides to cancel the policy – We will arrange for full refund of premium. 3. Insured is travelling on 5 October but the volcano erupts on 4 October – It will not be a payable event as highlighted in point 1. Annual Plan Policies 1. Insured wishes to file for travel cancellation – If travel arrangements were confirmed on or before 22 September 2017, it will be a payable event. The event is not covered if the travel ticket to Bali is purchased on or after 23 September.

TIANJIN, China: Singapore and China on Thursday (Dec 7) announced that they will establish a 30-day mutual visa exemption agreement between both countries, amid a post-pandemic improvement in flight connectivity. The proposal was announced during the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting – the highest-level annual bilateral forum between both countries – held at the Hilton Tianjin Eco-City hotel with a range of agreements set to be signed. This is the first JCBC meeting to be co-chaired by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. At the start of the meeting, Mr Ding noted how the number of Chinese students studying in Singapore has exceeded 40,000, basically recovering to pre-pandemic levels. He added that the visa-free arrangement would “provide greater convenience for people-to-people exchanges”. Mr Wong said Singapore hopes to even go beyond pre-pandemic levels in terms of direct flight connectivity. “This will be supported also by a mutual 30-day visa-free arrangement between our two countries, which will enable more people-to-people exchanges, thereby fortifying the bedrock of our bilateral relations," he added. Both sides are working out the operational details, with the aim of implementing the scheme in early 2024, the Singapore Prime Minister's Office said in a media release. Chinese citizens currently require a visa to enter Singapore. Singaporeans holding ordinary passports can enter China without a visa for 15 days if they are travelling for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, and in transit. China resumed this arrangement in July, more than three years after it was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This came on the heels of an upgrade in Singapore-China relations to an “All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership”, after Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in March during an official visit. The JCBC reviews the substantive collaboration between Singapore and China and charts the direction of cooperation. Mr Wong, who is on a four-day official visit to Beijing and Tianjin, said during a bilateral meeting on Wednesday that he was looking forward to signing more than 20 memoranda of understanding and agreements at the JCBC meeting. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/singapore-china-30-day-mutual-visa-free-arrangement-3971566

Was recommended AIRSIM a few years ago and did not take it up then as we had Covid shortly thereafter. Now revisiting travel data options and thought of AIRSIM again. Appreciate feedback from existing AIRSIM users. Thanks. 🙏

My first overseas vacation in more than 2 years.....