PHO HANOI (Bringing you Vietnamese Cuisines from the North)

 

We happen to pass by the area and noticed the green facade of Pho Hanoi. Without having second thoughts, we decided to have something Vietnamese that night. And yes, a cuisine from the North of Vietnam... The green colour gives life to the place and reminded me of fresh peppermints.

 

You can tell from a distance that the place is new. It was small but clean. Neatly organized giving you enough space for movement. It had a cosy feel and it was just around the neighbourhood.

We headed straight to one of the empty tables and ordered some Fresh Spring Rolls for starter. I had Hanoi Beef Combination Noodles for myself. The broth tasted so good! Then my hubby had Barbeque Beef Skewer with Rice. Here are some photos taken from my Nokia Lumia 1020.

Next time, I should try the Wagyu Beef!!!!



This was served for free.
 

 



 

Barbeque Beef Skewer with Rice.

 

Fresh Spring Rolls

 



Hanoi Beef Combi. Wow! This is really good.

And for our drinks? We both tried the chilled Lemongrass with lime. And I like the fact that it wasn't too strong but no doubt you can tell from its aroma that it was lemongrass.




One word: REFRESHING.

We were pleased with the overall service. Food was good. Pho Hanoi does not use any added MSG and use only 100% vegetable oil. Serving portion was enough to keep you full.

The owner was very warm and friendly. And most of all, the price you have to pay doesn't hurt your wallet. The quality of food will not disappoint you. Except if you have very high expectation...
So what is there not to like?

Taaaada!!! We only paid SGD22. We went home happy that night... This is what you call "Life's Simple Pleasures."

Hope you enjoyed reading this... Keep on Ronski Doodling!




I shall return for more.

 

 

Pho Hanoi Pte Ltd

Blk 153 Serangoon North Ave 1

#01-464 Singapore 550153

Tel# 6286 1919



BERJAYA LANGKAWI RESORT (Malaysia)

This is the first time I’ve ever landed my feet in Langkawi, Malaysia. Singapore is just 1 hour away from Langkawi via airplane. Having said that we were able to maximize our time.

At the airport's exit area, you will find a small booth wherein you can get a cab. Fare is fixed.  After paying they will hand you a receipt indicating the plate# of the taxi. So I "personally" don't recommend hotel transfer here... Just save your money for something else.

Our chosen holiday destination this time round was BERJAYA LANGKAWI RESORT.
And literally "Oh boy" my toddler cannot wait! And my hubby! And me! Haha.




It only took us 20 minutes to reach the resort and paid MYR 24 (USD 8). 40mins to check in. The resort is not the typical hotel type. 

You need “wheels” to get around the place but don’t worry, private services are there 24/7 at your disposal! They come in green...

Being the nature lover myself, I literally fell in love with the place at first glance. If you are the type of person who enjoys private chalets, then this is just for you.

Hope these pictures explain why!!!

My favorite photograph taken at dawn.




To my surprise, we had been upgraded to sea view chalet for F-R-E-E.
The room blew me away! It was very spacious with beautiful furnishings that was pleasing to the senses. Bed was comfy. Bath tub was separated from the shower room. Giving you the ease of privacy. 

And it has a private balcony.

Entire room was clean. Did you just noticed the swans? They're bath towels. Isn't it sweet?

This note “monkey business” in the room caught my eyes. The hotel staff reminded us to lock the door in the balcony to prevent monkeys from invading our room! Hmmm..

You will actually notice monkeys that walk around in a group. Some of them are people friendly while the other breed could be a little violent. So do not feed the monkeys if you don’t want them chasing after you.


If you have to go elsewhere, simply dial 1 from the phone for a complimentary pick-up service. Don't expect the driver to knock at your door. Remember to wait outside your chalet!

 

This time round we made a pass on island hopping. We didn’t really left the resort as it was already beautiful on its own. It has their own beach front. I like the fact that it is not crowded. It was tranquil. Perfect place to unwind.

And there are scheduled activities offered by Berjaya as well.




You can rent banana boats, kayak, paddle boats, jetski and catamarans from the Sports Recreation Center. We also took a short walk through the mangrove which happened to be a stone away.




And if you are hungry you can always go to Beach Restaurant.




Swimming pools or beach. Your choice. We tried everything!

Other than that, Berjaya has a playroom to keep guests entertained. Billiard pools, bar for drinks, computer games and sports show. There are also live band performances at night. 

It is interesting that different crowd mix together and everyone seem to be friendly to one another regardless of color and religion.


For 5 days, me and my boys were literally feasting.

 

PAHN-THAI RESTAURANT - Serves Thai cuisine. Best place to eat while waiting for sunrise. View here is majestic.

ORIENTAL PEARL  - Serves Chinese delicacies.


MIZUMI JAPANESE RESTAURANT - Serves Japanese Cuisines. Located at Oriental Village.


BOAT HOUSE BAR - Serves snacks. Located at beachfront.


DAYANG CAFÉ - Serves Malaysian and other International delicacies.


BEACH RESTAURANT - Western and Indian Cuisines.



Of course we cannot miss the Cable Car Ride. 

So to Oriental Village we went! It is near Berjaya. Hotel’s shuttle service can bring you there for free. This is where you can get local souvenirs. You can also find spa here and get a massage for a cheaper price.




  
Managed to take a photo of the available packages.

 


We purchased the cable car and duck tour package. Queue for the cable car ride was very long. Be mindful that you are not allowed to bring bottled drinks.

There are 3 stations. Base station, Middle station and Top station (the only station where you can grab some snacks). 

The view from the top station is truly amazing! The only thing we did here is gaze and admire the beauty of nature from coastline to skyline. Why not when you are 700m above sea level? Hmmm. We missed the sky bridge during the trip.





Right after we went for the duck tour. 
What is a duck tour anyways? It is a tour that take place on purpose-built amphibious tour buses. So it can literally go by land or water.

It was jam packed. Everyone was required to wear the life jacket. I couldn't really see the view. There was not much space for movement while we were traversing the river. So we were literally sitting still... In short, I didn’t really enjoyed it. 

Speaking about souvenirs, I’ve purchased a lovely batik sarong from Oriental Village. Batik means hand painted. I’ve thought that it was going to be a perfect souvenir to remind me of this wonderful stay.

We had our dinner in Mizumi Japanese Restaurant which was located at this area (this is Berjaya's as well).


Overall, we had a wonderful stay. 

Pros:
Berjaya Langkawi Resort is perfect for honeymoon destination. Great for families. Relaxing place for nature lovers.

Cons:
Could be pricey. Maybe boring for people who like beach parties.



Hope you find this informative! Keep on Ronski Doodling...

Derwish Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant (Christmas Dinner With Friends)

Christmas is the season of giving. Forgiving. Sharing. Gathering among friends and families....

Being bored with the traditional Western dinner, we have decided to go for a Turkish restaurant along Bussorah Street. The place to be if you want some Turkish, Moroccan and other delectable Middle Eastern/Asian food. Interesting place for both locals and tourists who want to explore the other side of Singapore.



Middle Eastern cuisines are well known for the various herbs and spices that are blended together to produce a strong and aromatic flavor. For first timers, it could be an awakening experience.

I am a big fan of kebabs... So to Derwish Turkish Restaurant we went! It was our first time to be here. So we did not know what to expect with the food... We've dined at second floor. I had to admit that  I love the accent of the interior. The colorful tiles gave the place a "lively" ambiance. Although it could be a little too much  for people who prefer neutral tones.

Here are some photos taken from my Nokia Lumia 1020. Not bad for a phone.

And more photos...

The whole dining experience was amazing. Aside from the fact that I was in the company of good friends. Thumbs up from food to service! Why?

1.) I find that the price is reasonable. Best value for your money.

2.) Nice place to hang out if you want to feast on kebabs and mezes while taking your own sweet
     time. Derwish's Kebabs were tender and juicy. Place is not too crowded which gives you the
     access to long talks with friends and loved ones.


3.) Waiters were very polite and accommodating to our curiosity. Overall the food and service was
      superb! It was a laid-back foursome dinner and total bill was around SGD100. And let me share
      what we had for the night:



Mixed Kebab
Mixed of Grilled Chicken, Beef and Lamb topped with home made sauce



Adana Tavuk Kebab
Skewered minced chicken, spiced and grilled on charcoal topped with special tomato sauce

Meze Tabagi
Selection of assorted mezes, served with Lavash bread.


Turkish Apple Tea
Served in a beautiful jar.








So what makes a restaurant great? For me it is not limited only to good food. It should be a combo of delectable cuisines and pleasing experience that will get customers coming back for more. In which for this case, we both had!!! And yes, I will definitely be back.


Since the night was still young, we've thought of grabbing some dessert elsewhere. A good excuse to stroll and enjoy the scenery of Arab Street. A part of Singapore you shouldn't miss. We passed at various coffee shops that you don't commonly find around.

But we ended up having a foot massage instead. Haha. It was another delightful moment with friends.
Until then!!!

This is Ronski Doodle Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!!!

Derwish Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant
 http://www.derwishturkishrestaurant.com

60 Bussorah Street

Singapore 199475

Pita Pan (Pocket Full of Health) @ Marina Bay Sands

Last weekend we watched Hi-5 House Party in Marina Bay Sands Theater. My son is a big fan of Hi-5 so there was no excuse to miss it. It was a Christmassy afternoon for all of us. There was a free Christmas show called "Winter Wonderland at the Shoppes" in front of the food court. We also had a free photo taken with Santa Claus. All we needed to do was present a receipt that was issued within MBS. And there were a lot of things going on that day...

We were hungry and in hunt for food. After seeing the relaxing location of Pita Pan, we decided to have a taste of their cuisines.

Reason why we ate here is that there were just too many people inside the mall. Plus we wanted a breathe of fresh air after hours of strolling. Thought it would be nice to try something Mediterranean this time. Location wise it was relaxing and just opposite the Art Science Museum.

Pita Pan (Pocket Full of Health) offers vegetarian recipes that come from countries like Egypt, Syria and Jordan. I have never been to those places so I cannot compare from the "original."

Some of the menu includes:

Salads

Couscous and soups

Falafel

Shakshuka (Highly recommended by Chef Reena who happened to be there)

Pita Pizza

Hummus ( Famous creamy dip from Middle East)

Mediterranean Platter

Pocket Meals

Cost us around SGD70 for 3 adults and 1 toddler. It was between a heavy snack to light dinner considering everything in the house was vegetarian. It is worth trying but could be a little expensive for what the restaurant offers...



We got ourselves:

2 Hot Café Lattes

Mediterranean Platter ( I personally recommend this)

Pocket Meal that came with French Fries

Can of Soda

This is Ronski Doodle wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

PITA PAN
2 Bayfront Avenue

#01-87 Marina Bay Sands

Singapore 018972

Event: Banquet of Honor for Internationals

Music and food are elements when perfectly combined together are sure to entertain a crowd. Today is obviously not a travel blog entry. Music has always been part of the Filipino culture may it be rock, pop, jazz or hiphop genre.

 

 

This is my second time to be attending the Banquet of Honors in Victory Family Centre. But this time round in Choa Chu Kang which was organized by a group of Christian locals that do recognize the efforts of foreigners. From domestic helpers to white collared working populace. And we from our hearts are ever grateful to the kindness and acceptance...

 

Upon entering the main door, marshals warmly greeted us with an applause. It was their welcoming gesture to  guests. Frankly speaking, it felt a little awkward. Hehe.

Event started with live performances of Jam Review. The band consists of professional engineers that come together with common drive and passion towards music. Oh well if you have the talent, why not flaunt it? I always believe that talents are to be cultivated. Put it in good use and never waste it.

Followed by games, raffle draws and much more performances from other bands. Having said that, here are some photos.

 

 

Playing the famous Pinoy Henyo

Big thanks to the organizers.

 

Of course an event will never be a successful one without great food to fill your stomach! Here comes our delectable lunch! People queuing up for the buffet catered by Shainne Shawn's Services. True Filipino delicacies like Kare Kare, Pancit, Pinakbet & the ever crispy Lechon Kawali (roasted pork) were among the spread. Sinful treats like leche flan and buko pandan all in the house that afternoon. It was indeed a Filipino feast!

 

 

 

Filipino Caterer in Singapore

 

 - the end -

Village Changi Hotel & Pulau Ubin (Anniversary Staycation)

I was inspired by this quotation which I have read from Happy Wives Club.

“The difference between an ordinary marriage and an extraordinary marriage is in giving just a little ‘extra’ every day, as often as possible, for as long as we both shall live.”    
                                                                                                           -Fawn Weaver

For our 4th wedding anniversary, I have gotten my hubby a ROLEX cake. Tada!!! Haha. Luckily, I have a friend who is skilled in molding gum paste/fondant; turning them into an “edible” piece of art!  If you are interested for customized cakes, you can check out this website WWW.CELICIOUSCAKES.COM.

So I did my research and after comparing reviews and rates, I’ve decided to go for VILLAGE CHANGI HOTEL for an overnight staycation. Why? I thought it will be a good place to celebrate a wedding anniversary. Location was a distance from the hustle and bustle of the city. Good place to unwind.

 As the old saying goes, early bird catches the worm. The earlier you book, the more chances of getting good rates. And yes, I was able to get a good deal for booking 21 days in advance.

I wanted to surprise my hubby so I told him the night before that I was up to something. I only gave him 14 hours notice to pack his things! Tic Toc Tic Toc…. For guys generally I guess this is no sweat.

Checking in was a breeze. Front Desk lady named Christine was very polite and accommodating. Hotel had no wow factor for me. Interior was understated, neat and cozy. It was rather tranquil and relaxing. It is far from the hustle and bustle of the city which I like. 



Some activities that you can do within the hotel are Koi feeding at 6th floor; and make use of the complimentary bicycle for an hour.


Koi Pond

 One week before check-in, I have received an email offering me an upgrade to club room for an additional SGD50++. I was sceptical at first but eventually ended up grabbing this offer. So what are the privileges?

1.)     Cocktails and free flowing drinks from 6pm to 8pm at Club Lounge (located at 6^th floor). This is enough to keep you full in the evening. Ham, sandwiches, salad, potato wedges, salmon and fruits to name a few. We also enjoyed ourselves a glass of wine while chatting. 

2.)     Deluxe Room had been upgraded to Club Room. Personally I don’t know the difference since I haven’t seen the deluxe room myself. And yes, our room comes with a bath tub and rain shower.

3.)    Breakfast at Club Lounge. Honestly I was disappointed with the breakfast spread. Very limited choices. I have asked the lady in charge whether we can have the breakfast downstairs instead. I was delighted that this can be requested from the front desk. They have given us 2 breakfast vouchers. And definitely the choices were much better!!! So I suggest that you have your breakfast at SaltWater Café…

 

4.)    Late check out at 2PM.  But they gave me until 3pm. It was a kind gesture since I’ve told them that we were here for our anniversary.

Hotel showcases two outdoor pools. First pool is located in the ground floor just beside the Salt Water cafe. It could be a little awkward to take a plunge in the morning as guests could be watching you as if you are a fish in an aquarium.

Second pool was located at 8^th floor. It was a medium sized pool with great view. We were literally watching airplanes above our head. Plus the Jacuzzi! To my surprise it was not as crowded as I thought… Do you see anyone around? Hmm...

Next morning, we headed to the ferry terminal for a short trip to PULAU UBIN.

It was within the neighbourhood. You wouldn’t get lost with its obvious signage.

5 to 10 minutes walk from Village Changi Hotel to Ferry Terminal

10 to 15 minutes jetty ride from Ferry Terminal to Pulai Ubin (SGD 2.50/pax)

Changi Ferry Terminal

 

Being a non-biker, we had to rent a tandem bicycle for 2.5 hours (SGD 8). Haha.

It was indeed a cheap date. But frankly speaking, we enjoyed every single minute of it. It is always nice to stop and smell the roses once in a while. Slow down and appreciate the world around you. Sometimes we go too fast in life that we miss its real beauty…

So here are some photos of the lush greeneries…

“Enjoy the little things in life… For one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”

-Kurt Vonnegut

 We left Pulau Ubin at 1pm. We had a quick lunch at this big hawker centre which is just a stone away from the hotel. We had managed to get back and check out on time.

  

This is the end of our meaningful first ever staycation in Singapore. Hope you guys enjoyed reading this! Until then. Keep on Ronski Doodling!!!

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