Itinerary: 12 days In Greece On A Budget With Public Transport

Budget Airline Scoot introduced a few new destinations into it's ever expanding menu of routes last year. So a friend and I decided to take advantage of their national day promotion (which featured a 1-for-1 deal) and managed to get return tickets for just $480 each! 

Since it was a promotional flight, travel dates were limited and we eventually settled on a winter tour of the beautiful country from 27th Feb to 13th March. Approximately 12 days and 11 nights. 

If you've always wanted to explore Greece but hasn't a clue how to start, you're in for a treat! Continue reading to learn more about where we went, how we travel and how much the place cost. I'll drop as much travel tips as I can so this blog post should be pretty informational. 

Hokkaido Spring Day 5:

My fifth day in Hokkaido this spring turned out to be a little more exciting than I expected. After a bit of research, I decided against an early bus out to Furano and set out to explore the capital of the region instead.  It wasn't originally on my itinerary but I decided to check out Hokkaido's hallmark omiyage manufacturer and it's equally hallmark attraction. I went to the famous Shiro Koibito Park.




The nearest train station is Miyanosawa Station. It is roughly 7 minutes (walking distance) away with well-marked signages to guide you along. The possibility of getting lost is close to zero. Entrance fee is free.

Hokkaido Spring Day 4: Nakajima & Maruyama Park, Mt Moiwa Ropeway

I wasn’t quite sure what to do on my fourth day in Hokkaido so I decided to focus on my main theme for this trip – Cherry Blossoms. I sought the advice of the staffs at my hostel (The Stay Sapporo) and decided to get myself to the local parks first.

 

I crossed some gorgeous red poppies frowing by the sidewalk along the way. Aren’t they amazing?

Hokkaido Spring Day 3: Noboribetsu

It was the last working day for my Hokkaido Rail Pass and it was perfect to offset my JR Super Express Train Hokuto to Norboribetsu. A one way trip on this train from Sapporo to Noboribetsu will set you back at 4480 yen (roughly 72 minutes) so if you ever intend to make long distance day trips like these, plan them according to your Rail Pass availability.

Hokkaido Spring Day 2: Hakodate Morning Market + Onuma Park

Rise and shine at 6:30! I wasn't planning on waking till 7am but it was so bright I found it hard to continue sleeping. After taking a shower, I packed up and checked out of my hostel. I found myself at Goryokaku Koen again by 8:18 am because I just couldn't get enough of these Somei Yoshino!



I wandered aimlessly like the hopeless dreamer I am, soaking in every bit of the Sakura rays. Let my photographs show you the beauty I saw.

Hokkaido Spring Day 1: Hakodate, Goryokaku Park & Mt. Hakodate

I took a red eye flight with a layover in Kuala Lumpur on my first ever trip to Hokkaido. I had bought the tickets only 3 weeks before the trip so AirAsia’s tickets were the only ones I could get that didn’t break my bank. My return tickets cost me SGD$628.50




My flight was scheduled to fly at 8:45 pm and it was a whirlwind of a busy day! Thank God I managed to get everything together in time! After finishing all my morning and afternoon appointments, I rushed home and took the MRT to the airport because what do you think? because I’m cheap! I checked myself in with AirAsia's check-in booth to avoid having my bag weighed. I hadn’t bought any baggage space for the trip over (Cheap alert!) but I think I might have accidentally crossed the 7kg limit by one of two kilos, oops=X. I had grand visions of leisurely whizzing through the departure gates with just the booth printed boarding pass but verification of travel documents was required for entry into Japan so I was sent back to the counters to have my passport checked.





Had a brief layover at KLIA. Maybe it's the fact that I'm flying a Budget airline this time but man, the boarding gate between my flights were so far away! I also had to go through the x-ray machines twice even though it was a transfer. The last time I flew with Malaysia Airline to Osaka, I didn't have to do any of that. Was it just a difference in airline or are they stepping up security after that fiasco?

Review: Pool Party Hostel (Siam Reap, Cambodia)

Name: Pool Party Hostel
Address: #0568, Group 5 , Vihear Chin Village , Svay Dangkum Commune, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Website: Booking.com

I stayed 4 nights at the Pool Party Hostel in Siam Reap and here’s my little review.

Day trip to Johor Bahru

I spent a wonderful and simple day at Johor Bahru yesterday with a Friend. Our old fogey bodies were aching and in need of some professional squeezing (lol). But daunted by the high cost of a massage session in Singapore, we decided a day trip to Johor Bahru was the only way to set things right.

Obviously, this isn't my first trip to Johor Bahru. But I've always gone with either locals or people who knew what they were doing. I've never ventured into JB by myself despite the close proximity because a solo female trip to the city was frowned upon by everyone around me. That is until this year where I was encouraged by circumstances to step foot into the city alone.

Anyway, I decided to blog about this day trip even thought it's a well-trodden path to give people who are new to Johor Bahru a bit of assurance (if I can do it, so can you!)  and travel inspiration.

We ended church sometime after 12 noon and hailed a cab straight to the Woodlands Checkpoint.

If you intend to take a bus, you can either catch 950 in Woodlands interchange or 170 at Kranji MRT Station. I personally prefer 170 as the frequency of the buses are better. The bus stop is just beside the cake shop at level 1 of the MRT station. Turn right when you exit the station gantry.

How I made the Police siren ring in Mongolia

And so my travel adventures or rather, misadventures continues. Apparently even in a distinctively Asian Country, my vulnerable and suspicious tourist behaviour did not go unnoticed. After my pretty awesome 6 days 5 nights tour in the Gobi Desert, I found myself with 2 more nights in Ulan Baatar; Capital of Mongolia. The city was reminisce of Singapore in the early 90s but with really bad air pollution and close to zero form of public transport. 

 

 

Mongolia weather has always been erratic, it could be sunshine one day and hail storm the other. In October, snow flake flurries come and go. I had prayed to God to give me a bit of my first snow experience and he answered it by giving Ulan Baatar negative degree weather that day. I jumped awake 730am in the morning to the weather report on my sparkling new Samsung Note 4. My phone said UB was snowing, I looked out of the window and … it was snowing! i grinned like a kid and looked across the bunk to the only roommate awake. I gestured and excitedly mouthed the word "snow" to avoid waking anyone up. He didn't even bother to fake enthusiasm, much to my dismay.

VLOG: 2 days in Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

I started a new journey again and I’m typing this from my hostel in Bangkok. The journey started in Cambodia Phnom Penh. If you’ve been following me on Facebook, you’d know the journey hadn’t been smooth sailing. I’ll blog more next time but check out my vlog for my 2 days in Phnom Penh!

I ate snakes in the video and it was yummy!

5 weeks and 7 countries in Europe for $4062 USD

Against the advice of many around me, I rejected a promotion, took a hiatus from career climbing and started a crazy travel and soul searching journey last year. I needed a sabbatical break from everything to give myself a chance to do the things I always wanted to do and see the world while I comfortably can. It’s all a little crazy and difficult to explain but explaining that is not my objective today. I’m here today, to share my itinerary for my 5.3 weeks in Europe in hope of helping someone plan their next escapade.
 

Many friends have been asking me for recommendation and travel advice to Europe. After spending 3 weeks agonising over this itinerary, I reckon I should share my fruits of labour. Other than listing out the itinerary and brief logistic arrangements, I will also delve into my reasons for visiting that destination so you can decide if it’s suitable for your trip.

Japan Vs Korea (perspective of a Solo traveller)

Someone requested for me to talk about the difference between Japan and Korea since I’ve been to both. I thought it would be fun to share my opinions so I went ahead with this vlog. I tried my best to be as objective as I can and to be honest, the differences are very subtle and hardly affects any holiday. I enjoyed my time in both country and I appreciate the differences, so I’m sure you’d enjoy both countries.

Despite my attempts to be objective, this is still a highly opinionative vlog so please don't watch it if you're going to be offended =)

Review: Hi Busan GuestHouse

Name: Hi Busan GuestHouse
Address: 15, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 221beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, 48093 Busan, South Korea
Website: Booking.com

I stayed 3 nights at Hi Busan guesthouse when I was in Busan. The hostel is walking distance from Haeundae beach. The hostel is very cosy with fairly good amenities, nice big shower rooms, free simple breakfast and a cat. However the location is a little far off from the other attractions other than Haeundae Beach and the dorm rooms is a tight squeeze. But the staffs are pretty and friendly and I had a good time there.

Hallstatt (Austria): Stuck in a slice of Heaven

Hallstatt is the postcard example of the rustic Austrian mountain life. Despite being highly commercialised with tourism as it's main industry. This little village of less than 900 people still marvels. 

Due to a string of hiccups, misreading of instructions and missing of bus/trains... I arrived around 3+ in the afternoon. If anyone is interested in visiting Hallstatt for a day trip,  I highly recommend heading out as early as 6am to make full use of your day. Public transport out of Hallstatt ends early and if you don't drive, you might end up stranded like me. I'll talk more about the misfortune and miracle when the story gets there!

 

Nami Island & Ewha Woman’s University

It probably took me 3 hours to get from Hapjeong to Nami Island. I had known the distance was long so I woke up super early that day but I wasn’t prepared for the frustration and pitfalls that accompanied the journey.

Official website: https://namisum.com/en/location/

My first Hanbok experience in seoul, Insadong & Seokchon Lake

My first full day in Seoul was spent in a Hanbok - traditional Korean costume. Isn't that like the most exciting way to travel XD? Except that I only spent a total of 20 minutes in it heheh. I started the day at Unhyeunggung palace near Anguk train station (exit 5) to enjoy the traditional architecture and for a chance to take some photos of myself in a hanbok. It felt super #foreveralone but whatever!

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival (Seoul)

I spent my first night in Seoul at the Yeouido Park cherry blossom festival. Took a long train journey to Yeouinaru Station (subway line 5) and exited from either exit 1 or 2.

Official website: http://english.visitseoul.net/event-festival/Yeongdeungpo-Yeouido-Spring-Flower-Festival-2016_/16479 

 

I can’t remember which exit I took  but I do remember buying 11 pairs of socks from the bustling train station. There were a lot of stores in the underground station! The store had a “Buy 10 + 1” sale and each pair ended up costing less than 1000Won! Aren’t they adorable 8D??

Busan: Haeundae Beach & Dongbaek Island

Day 4 of my Korea trip and my last day in Busan, I decided to explore the areas close to my hostel – Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island. I really wanted to squeeze a trip to Gamcheon Culture Village however that didn’t fall through because I forgot it’s friday and the KTX trains at 5pm were all sold out.

I had a simple breakfast in the hostel and walked leisurely to Haeundae beach.

From Busan to HwaGae Cherry Blossom Festival

I spent my 3rd day in Korea in the rural side of Hadong. I ventured out in seek of the HwaJae Cherry Blossoms Festival and to seek out the famous marriage road !

 

How to get there:
Start at Busan Seobu Bus Terminal. Buy a 13,300 ticket for HwaGae Bus Terminal. The journey should take you around 2hours 30 mins. Yes, it's a Long, Long ride. 

Bus timetable:  http://eng.hadong.go.kr/sub/05_01_02.asp

Official website: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700651 

 

As a tourist who speaks no Hangul and barely did her research, my adventure is no short of mistakes and hilarious antics. Continue reading to learn how a potato like me managed to reach Hwagae.

5 reasons why you need to visit the Dolomites

Probably the most underrated part of the Alps on our side of the world, the Italian Dolomites is a sight like no other. While most Asian travellers flock to well trodden destinations like Chamonix, Mont Blanc or the Swiss Alps. The Dolomites is a long standing favourite of locals as both a ski resort and a summer getaway. 

Standing at some 10,000 feet tall, the Italian Alps is a magnificent range of chiselled granite and plunging valleys that looked like it came straight out of J.R.R Tolkien's books. Who knows? Maybe Tolkien was inspired by the place.

Here are 5 top reasons why you need to make the Dolomites your next travel destination.