28 January 2010

Singapore Slings & Seafood

We're off for the weekend to Singapore. It's not my favourite location. As an English national, I like to be able bring up the weather when conversation grinds to a halt. But this really isn't an option in Singapore where its proximity to the equator results in little seasonality. As a Hong Konger, meanwhile, I find the place a little slow and lacking in vitality.

However, on the plus side, I can go on a spending spree at some of the English high-street stores who have set up shop in the Lion City State. No doubt the chance to check out Dot P's, Miss Selfridge, Top Shop and Warehouse (all conveniently located at Marina Square) will manage to buoy me up!

One thing I am really looking forward to though is the Pepper Crab!! For over 60 years the best in town has been served up at Long Beach @ Dempsey.

Address & contact details are:
25 Dempsey Road (opposite the Singapore Botanic Gardens)
T +65 6323 2222
Open daily from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. - 1.30 a.m.

If you fancy a pre-dinner cocktail, head over to the Raffles Hotel to the Long Bar on the first floor for its famous but sickly-sweet Singapore Sling, or better still check out the Red Dot microbrewery next to Long Beach.

Bon Voyage!

Travel Tip: Dress in casuals and book a table outside at Long Beach. Turn up on time (they're quick to pass on your table) and take plenty of packets of tissues with you as eating with your hands gets messy!

18 January 2010

Monday's Must-Haves

In an effort to introduce some structure to my site, any columns published on a Monday will promote a must-have for a girl (or boy) about Asia.

In my introductory session, I urge all of you to ensure that next time you step onto a plane that you have armed yourself with a copy of the Luxe City Guide to that location (if available).

Luxe has now published over 100 guides each packed with entertainment/restaurant/shopping tips, as well as quick tours for the tourist with time.

These sleek, slim-line guides are now also becoming available as mobile versions with editions now ready-to-download for Hong Kong & Macau, London, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney.

Bon Voyage!

Travel Tip: Although Luxe publishes new editions every year, register on their website, make sure you have the ISBN number of your guide handy and download an update to your hard copy before you set off on your travels.

11 January 2010

Inspired again...

For those of you who frequented my musings before and are slightly confused by the change in content, I would like to explain what happened. I deleted it all. It was sooo liberating!

Originally inspired by style icon Rita Konig's blog, Girl About Town (now extinct), I intended to record some of my favourite places around Asia (and elsewhere) as I travelled.

However as life and the 2008/9 financial crisis intervened, my postings became haphazard in terms of content and timing, and eventually slowed to a standstill. My blog lacked purpose and my resolve to publish regularly eventually vanished.

But I missed the opportunity to write and, as a result, my blog is being reincarnated. While some of my favourite content will be re-published under the new guise, I'm hoping that a new focus on travel (only) and an imparting of some of the words of advice that I've heeded over the years will give my blog a new lease of life and a structure that will appeal.

Bon Voyage!

Travel Tip: Fold jackets for travel by turning one of the shoulders inside out and tucking it into other shoulder. Straighten the sleeves and lapels and fold in half. Place on top of everything else in your case and hang it up as soon as you arrive at your destination.