Korea-Seoul Apr’19: Hanbok Rental and Photoshoot

Posted on May 22, 2019 by missuschewy

Dressing up in a traditional Korean hanbok was the first thing on my must-do list when I was planning our Korea trip. I think it is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture and get a unique experience especially if you visit tourist landmarks such as the royal palaces while wearing the hanbok. If you like watching Korean dramas or movies that portray traditional Korean culture typically in the Joseon Dynasty, you will definitely find joy in this hanbok experience.

There are many hanbok rental shops and we highly recommend Hanbok Girls for a number of reasons. Firstly, the rental price is very affordable, at prices starting from 10000 won only. Prices depend on the type of hanbok (traditional or special) and also the length of duration of the rental (2hr or 4 hr). There are no hidden prices and everything else is FREE. Lockers are provided at no extra cost so you can leave your bags and clothes in the locker while you walk around freely in your hanbok. Hair service and accessories are also provided. If you need a bag (for ladies) or a head gear (for men), or even footwear, these are all provided for your use. Secondly, the location of Hanbok Girls is superb! It is just a 3-minute walk away from both Gyeongbokgung station and Gyeongbokgung Palace. This means you spend less time travelling and can have more time for photos at the palace.

Thirdly, Hanbok Girls has a decent selection of hanbok although everything is on a first-come, first-served basis. You need not worry about not knowing how to put on the costume as there are a few staff who will go around helping customers at the fitting rooms. Lastly, if you want some professional photos taken, there is a studio located inside Hanbok Girls! Speaking of convenience, you can have some photos taken indoors before you head outdoors for more photos!

We met Joon, the photographer from INT Studio and he took some photos for us in his studio before we walked over to Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was a good idea because we were already warmed up and got to know one another a little before the outdoor shoot. Joon told us that the weather was not so good but I guess that is from a professional photographer’s point of view. Apart from the weather, I was also a little worried about the crowd but photographers always have this magic (no I’m not talking about Photoshop here) and most of the photos seem to portray misterchewy and I in our own world lol.

Joon is very friendly and easy to talk to, which makes us feel very much at ease throughout the photoshoot. He also gave us many ideas and guided us with the various poses. We also noticed that Joon used a variety of camera gear, which looked very heavy for him to carry around, but it also shows that he is committed to delivering a dynamic set of photos for his customers.

Joon also has a keen eye for detail and knows where are the good spots for great pictures. We expected the crowd to be scattered all around the Gyeongbokgung Palace but Joon hows how to avoid and prevent unwanted photobombers.

Photoshoots are usually quite tiring, especially if you are looking at anything more than one hour. However, Joon did not rush through the shoot and the pace was pretty comfortable and leisurely. We actually enjoyed the photoshoot and it was really fun!

There are just too many photos to share so here are some of my favorites. Let me know what you think! 🙂 Joon is very popular and his sessions get filled really quickly. You can contact him at intstudio.seoul@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to book a slot!

Hanbok Rental Shop:

Hanbok Girls

Address: 8, Jahamun-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
It is on the 3rd floor of the blue building on the left alley at exit 3-1 of Gyeongbokgung Station.

Hanbok Photography:

INT Studio

Email address: intstudio.seoul@gmail.com

Korea-Seoul Apr’19: Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, Ihwa Mural Village & Namsan Tower

Posted on May 16, 2019 by missuschewy

After 5 years of parenthood, misterchewy and I decided that it was time we go on a couple trip! We share a love for Korean dramas so it’s a no-brainer that Korea would be our holiday destination! Actually, the hubs wasn’t keen on watching Kdramas as he thought that all Kdramas were soppy love stories until I managed to convince him and then he got hooked when he first started watching “Familiar Wife” starring Ji Sung and Han Ji-Min in August last year. Through numerous Kdramas, we picked up some Korean words and phrases, learned a bit about their culture and also got drawn to their food and soju. As we had to trouble our parents to take care (his on weekdays and mine on weekends) of the kids, Korea is also an ideal choice of destination as one week is sufficient to cover a few tourist attractions and activities. In fact, we managed to visit Seoul and Busan over our 8D7N trip.

Even before we boarded our plane, we treated ourselves to some hot food and drinks at the airport lounge. Access to airport lounges is no longer restricted to just business flyers, priority pass holders or travellers who purchase annual membership. Through Ready To Travel app, travellers can now book a single access lounge entry to SATS Premier Airport Lounges! Some facilities of the airport lounge include buffet spread, massage chairs, widescreen cable TV, shower facilities, workstations with internet access, free flow of beverages and extensive selection of newspapers and magazines.

Since we checked in two hours ahead of boarding time, we indulged in the yummy spread. The piping hot laksa was so good that we went for seconds!

We even concocted our own whisky highball drinks. Hehehe.

Perfect space if you want to have a quick nap and do not wish to be disturbed.

Our flight was scheduled to take off at around 1am but there was a slight delay. Somehow, we were assigned the last row of seats and it got kinda irritating with many passengers visiting the washroom throughout the entire flight. Thank goodness for these Kakao hooded travel pillows which helped to block out the light and noise around us.

We had a pretty restful sleep (not travelling with kids, that’s why!) and soon, breakfast was served! A pity the food wasn’t that fantastic.

Happy to know that we have landed safely in the Land of Morning Calm!

No queue at Shake Shack in Incheon International Airport!

Boarded the Airport Railroad Express Train (AREX) to Seoul. It’s one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to travel to Seoul from the airport and vice versa. And of course, we whipped out our reliable Ready to Travel pocket wifi as soon as we touched down! Do you know that the pocket wifi comes with FREE delivery? Definitely saves you a lot of hassle especially when you are busy with your trip planning! Book yours here! Btw, please do not use Google Maps in Korea. We recommend Naver Map. You can download the app on your mobile device and input the destinations.

Since we were not travelling with the kids, misterchewy and I decided to stay in an Airbnb! So far our experiences were satisfactory but we also hear some horror stories from time to time, so book at your own discretion! I found this cute Hello Kitty themed apartment on Airbnb and the reviews are all positive! Also, our host is awarded as a “Superhost”, and we can attest to that. She has been very responsive to all our messages and patient with our enquiries.

Although the apartment is small, I feel that it is very cosy and fit for two people with not more than two huge luggages.

The shower head is attached to the sink so it took us awhile to get used to it. Toiletries and bath towels are also provided but this depends on individual Airbnb hosts.

Besides the price (only $60 per night during our period of stay), we loved the strategic location! Only a minute’s walk to the train station and we could also get to Myeongdong by foot in 10 minutes. There are also two convenience stores and many eateries just downstairs.

After freshening up, we went for lunch at Eulji Myeonok (을지면옥). If you like cold noodles or if it’s something you think you will like, do pay this restaurant a visit! It’s very popular among locals. There is also a spicy cold noodle version.

Address: 2-1 Chungmu-ro 144-gil Jung-gu Seoul

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village (익선동 한옥마을) is gaining popularity in recent years. It is a quaint place with a few alleys lined up with shops selling vintage clothings and some bric-a-brac, and also cosy cafes where you can sip coffee and watch the world go by.

We had to wait a while for the crowd to clear before taking this shot. There were throngs of people even on a weekday afternoon!

If you like collecting vintage or cutesy stuff, Ikseon-dong has plenty of these.

I was actually quite tempted to bring Peter Rabbit home!

The crowd at Ikseon-dong was starting to give me a headache so we didn’t spend much time there. We adjourned to Ihwa Mural Village (이화 벽화마을) and had to climb a long flight of stairs. Phew!

The peak of the cherry blossom season was nearly over and we were thrilled that we could still see many beautiful blooms all around us.

Stopping by for an iced cold drink before more walking.

As the name suggests, Ihwa Mural Village has many interesting murals and art installations, revitalized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s public art “Ihwa-dong Naksan Project” in 2006.

Definitely a nice place to visit and capture some unique photos.

We did the love lock thingy when we went for our honeymoon in Europe a few years ago and we just had to do this cheesy thing again in Seoul! Yup we travelled to Namsan Seoul Tower (남산서울타워) for this!

Kinda looks like we are exchanging wedding rings right? LOL.

Since we were there and it was still quite early, we paid 10000 won each to go up the Observatory. There is no time limit so you can enjoy the beautiful view of Seoul and snap as many pictures as you want.

Namsan Seoul Tower (남산서울타워)

Address: 126 Namsangongwon-gil Yongsan-gu Seoul

We also made it a point to visit a few craft beer places during our trip. Almost everything on the menu contains beef, so we only had nacho chips to go with our drinks.

The Booth Sinyongsan Station Branch

Address: 100 Hangang-daero Yongsan-gu Seoul

After a long day, we were too tired to go anywhere else for dinner and decided to settle for a fuss-free one just below our Airbnb. The hubs had jjajangmyeon.

I opted for udon as I wanted something hot and soupy after being out in the cold.

We have come to the end of Day One in Korea/Seoul! Keep watching this page for more updates! 🙂

Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

Posted on May 2, 2019 by missuschewy

I’m a hugeeeee fan of cup noodles and instant noodles although these are not the healthiest food options around. I love the convenience they bring and all the interesting flavors that are constantly being developed over the years. With that, I decided to include Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka Ikeda in our Japan itinerary.

It is also known as Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, named after the person who invented the world’s first instant noodles, “Chicken Ramen,” after an entire year of research using common tools in a little shed he had built in his backyard in Ikeda-city, Osaka Prefecture.

Momofuku Ando, the Father of Instant Ramen, invented the chicken ramen in 1958 and dedicated his entire life to thinking about food in new and creative ways. Throughout his 96 years, he practised creative thinking and never quit until he achieved his goal. As a result, people from all over the world is still benefiting from his achievements today.

Admission to Cup Noodles Musuem Osaka Ikeda is free of charge but fees apply for attractions like the Chicken Ramen Factory and Cup Noodles Factory.

I bet you will be able to find all your favorite instant noodle here in this vast museum!

I already spotted my favorite Seafood and also Tom Yam Seafood cup noodles!

Due to time constraints, we only picked the My Cup Noodles Factory activity.

A sample of how the final product will look like.

In exchange for 300 yen at a vending machine, you will get this My Cup Noodles Factory cup and you can start decorating or coloring it in any way you wish using the markers provided.

As Littlemisschewy was still napping in the stroller, only Minimisschewy joined us in the activity. Well, I did most of the drawing and coloring. As I’m not artistic, my “artwork” is very simple and minimalist!

When we were done decorating our cup, we joined the queue to pick out the ingredients for our cup noodles. If you are not planning to eat the cup noodles, then whatever ingredients that go into the cup would not really matter.

How thoughtful! Since most visitors are travellers, the museum has prepared a bag which you can store your cup noodles and then inflate it like an air bag, thereby protecting your cup noodles from damage.

There’s also a string, which makes it very convenient to carry around.

Littlemisschewy woke up from the nap and totally missed the activity, so here’s a photo of her with the final masterpiece.

There are interesting exhibits in the museum, so it’s best to dedicate at least two hours if you are planning to pay a visit.

There is also a drama theatre but I think it’s all in Japanese language.

There is a small shop selling all sorts of souvenirs that you can buy for that friend who also loves cup noodles. I got myself some miniature cup noodle magnets, and trust me, they are the cutest!

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka 563-0041 Japan

(Reception time 9:00 – 16:30 museum holidays excluded)

Non-Business Days: Tuesday (in case Tuesday is a National Holiday, the following day will be a non-business day), Year-end through New Year Holidays

Universal Studios Japan 2018

Posted on April 9, 2019 by missuschewy

Hellooooo! It’s been a really long time since I last blogged and I’m determined to finish up our Japan 2018 travelogue before we head off for our next trip!

We spent the second leg of our trip in Osaka, and no trip to Osaka is complete without visiting Universal Studios Japan! Well, I guess it only applies if you like visiting theme parks!

We started our day bright and early, so the kids were chirpy and also thrilled to be able to interact with the various mascots in USJ!

We got our admission tickets via Voyagin, which was easy and hassle-free. All we had to do was just scan the QR codes and we could walk through the gantry! Prices are also very competitive, and Voyagin is verified by over 50000 positive reviews.

Look at those cute Minion popcorn buckets!

The hubs and I also purchased fast passes to enjoy rides such as Hollywood Dream, The Flying Dinosaur, Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey, and JAWS. Without the passes, I doubt we could go for all of these rides! The waiting times for the normal queue are insane! At least one hour and could even go up to more than 3 hours!

We spent most of our time in Wonderland as this park of USJ is catered for young children. However, minimisschewy did not meet the minimum height requirement for most of the rides.

The minion buns looked cute but did not taste so good.

If you are a Harry Potter fan like us, you would be in awe upon stepping into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I reckon it looks even more mesmerizing at night.

Our second (first was in London) time having Butterbeer! YUMS!

Let’s make a butterbeer moustache and say cheeeeese! Or should we say
Wingardium Leviosa?

Even the washroom is so cool! I swear I heard Moaning Myrtle but I couldn’t find her anywhere..

Sumptious dinner at The Three Broomsticks! And spot that butterbeer again!

What an unforgettable dinner at USJ, in the nice cool weather with Hogwarts Castle as the beautiful backdrop.

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

What to Do & Eat in Asakusa

Posted on December 12, 2018 by missuschewy

If you are thinking of what to do and eat in Asakusa, and only have a few hours to spare, this post covers what you should not miss in this traditional district of Tokyo.

We recommend visiting Tokyo’s oldest and most iconic temple, the Sensoji Temple, also popularly known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. Our family makes it a point to pay homage to the Buddha at Sensoji Temple every time we visit Tokyo. It certainly feels very reassuring to be blessed by the Buddha from a temple with immense significance.

Visitors enter Sensoji Temple through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) with a gigantic lantern hanging in the middle. This is a highly popular photo spot among tourists visiting Sensoji Temple.

Right outside Sensoji Temple is an entire street of shops known as Nakamise Shopping Street.

Over there, you can find all sorts of souvenirs and bric-a-brac.

There are also plenty of snacks that you can munch on while strolling along Nakamise.

At the end of Nakamise Shopping Street, you will find another giant lantern.

A mere 3-minute walk from Nakamise Shopping Street, you really ought to stop by Namiki Yabusoba for lunch. This famous soba restaurant in Asakusa boasts more than 100 years of history and sees a long queue during lunch and dinner times.

Namiki Yabusoba’s buckwheat noodles are handmade from 100% buckwheat flour milled on the same day, giving it that clean taste and earthy flavor. When eaten together with the rich and flavorful dipping sauce, the zaru soba is refreshing and satisfying.

If you prefer something hot especially when visiting in winter, there is also a choice of hot soba soup with fish cakes.

I’m really glad I decided to try something different – the Yamakake soba, which is cold soba covered in a sauce combination of grated yam seasoned with dipping sauce. Give it a good stir so that the noodles are evenly coated in sauce. I loved that it was slimy and slippery, on top of being yummy.

If you visiting Tokyo on a tight schedule and still wish to spend some time in Asakusa, we hope this post on what to do and eat in Asakusa will inspire you.

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Shibuya Gyoza: Must Eat Gyoza in Tokyo

Posted on December 2, 2018 by missuschewy

The husband really loves gyoza so I was determined to find a gyoza place that would impress him. My online findings convinced me to check out Shibuya Gyoza in Tokyo. Generally speaking, there are quite a few highly recommended gyoza eateries around Shibuya area. Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel, the first hotel which we put up at in Tokyo, is within walking distance to many great gyoza restaurants such as Tiger Gyoza Hall in Udagawacho, Harajuku Gyoza-ro near Meiji-jingumae Station, apart from Shibuya Gyoza which has chains located near JR Shibuya Station and JR Ebisu Station, etc.

After checking into Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel, we navigated our way to Shibuya Gyoza. Halloween was two days away and there were quite a number of locals dressed up in their Halloween outfits. It shouldn’t come as a surprise since the Japanese love dressing up.

Keep a lookout for the gigantic plate of gyoza! It’s hard to miss anyway. We have come to Shibuya Gyoza! It’s located on the second floor of Atlas Shibuya Building.

I suppose the sign indicates that smoking is not allowed but electronic cigarettes are allowed. It looks like a pregnancy test kit to me though. LOL. And you saw that right, Shibuya opens till 5am from Mondays to Saturdays.

Here’s a quick glance at the gyoza menu before we enter Shibuya Gyoza. There is a more extensive menu inside the eatery. 6 pieces of gyoza is priced at JP¥290 (SGD$3.50). The price per gyoza gets cheaper the more pieces you order. We were in luck since we went in a group. There is a choice of grilled, boiled and fried gyoza.

40 pieces of gyoza at JP¥1680 (SGD$20.50)! We ordered the grilled ones which are lightly pan-fried and crisp on the underside while the juiciness is still retained within. We love eating gyoza with vinegar! What about you? White vinegar is offered foc but red vinegar comes at a small extra charge. Gyoza goes really well when washed down with beer!

We also ordered Fried Rice at JP¥480 (SGD$5.80) for the kids. Not sure if they were just hungry or they found the fried rice yummy, especially since Cayla seemed to be wolfing down her food. There were tiny bits of black pepper so we had to pick them out.

My parents also had the Braised Pork Belly Rice at JP¥280 (SGD$3.40).

If you are looking for a cheap and good gyoza restaurant, look no further! Shibuya Gyoza will keep your tummies full and happy, while not burning a hole in your pockets 😉

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Shibuya Gyoza
30-3 Udagawacho, Shibuya,
Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
Opening Hours:
Sun 11am–11:30pm
Mon to Sat 11am–5am

Gotokuji Temple Tokyo: Birthplace of Maneki Neko

Posted on November 28, 2018 by missuschewy

OHAYO~! My gosh, our previous trip to Japan in 2016 didn’t feel too long ago and it was a very impromptu yet spontaneous decision on our part to book another trip to the Land of the Rising Sun this year! I left my previous company because I was so sick and tired of being a full-time working mum, and just felt like I needed to take a break from everything. Fast forward a few months later, I’m almost using up all my leaves at my current workplace for this trip. LOL. Oh wells, I suppose my itchy butt cannot stay at home for too long 😛

We jio-ed my parents along for this trip as we share a love for Japanese temples and shrines. Their last trip to Japan was a decade ago, so it’s time for some refresh and update! I was doing my research and stumbled upon this interesting and cute temple in Tokyo, Gotokuji Temple, otherwise known as Maneki Neko Temple or Lucky Cat Temple. I call it the CONFIRM HUAT TEMPLE. Hahaha. Go already come back sure strike 4D, Toto, Big Sweep, get big big bonus! HUAT AH!

Gotokuji Temple, located in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward, is a Buddhist temple that has an interesting story behind it, citing the temple as the birthplace of the Maneki Neko. These cats sit upright with their right paws beckoning luck and fortune, and are immensely popular enough to have their own worshippers from all over the world.

According to a temple legend, during the Edo period in the early 17th century, feudal lord Naotaka li and his servants were trying to escape from a thunderstorm and was led to safety after a cat beckoned with its right paw, inviting them into the temple. Since then, it is believed that the Maneki Neko brings good luck.

Today, hundreds of Maneki Neko figurines can be found at Gotokuji Temple Tokyo.

Hundreds of them in different sizes.

OMG don’t they all look so adorable? I love the teeny weeny ones! 😀

Rain or shine, may the HUAT be with you!

Before saying your prayers, you should first cleanse yourselves by washing your hands at the entrance of the temple.

I’m not sure where the water comes from but I drank a few mouthfuls by mistake from the bottle that my mum filled up with but thankfully, nothing untoward happened to me over the next few days.

Place both palms together and pray earnestly.

Swing the rope firmly to ring the bell.

Make a money offering.

I love this place already. The attention to detail is AMEOWZING!

Another reason why I love visiting Japanese temples is because I enjoying seeing the beautiful designs of the small wooden plaques (ema in Japanese) that are unique to each temple. Worshippers write their prayers or wishes on these plaques and hang them up at the temple, where the gods are believed to retrieve them.

2018 is the year of the Dog (chinese zodiac), hence the ema features the dog in addition to the Maneki Neko.

There is a small shop within Gotokuji Temple which sells various Maneki Neko souvenirs and good luck charms.

Good things come in small packages. Teeny weeny cute little Maneki Neko, you are coming home with us! Purrrrfect! 😉

Chanelle and Cayla were thrilled to see so many lucky cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple Tokyo too! A word of caution, these figurines are made of ceramic so always be extra careful. Cayla knocked over a large figurine with her foot on purpose and thankfully, it didn’t break. It was definitely a heart-stopping moment for us!

I think we spent slightly more than an hour at the temple, oohing and ahhing at the lucky cat figurines, in addition to taking plenty of photos. If you are heading to Japan, I strongly recommend setting aside some time to visit Gotokuji Temple Tokyo!

We travelled from Shibuya Station to Gotokuji Temple, which took about an hour of travelling time. If you are not travelling with young children, it should take you under an hour 😉

How to get there?

1) From Shibuya station to Sangen-Jaya station (2 stops via Tōkyū Den-en-toshi Line)
2) From Sangen-Jaya station to Miyanosaka station (6 stops via Tōkyū Setagaya Line)
3) Walk from Miyanosaka station to Gotokuji Temple (between 600m to 800m, Google maps may lead you to other gates that are closed so keep on walking along the parameter of the temple)

Hope you have a pawsome time at Gotokuji Temple Tokyo!

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Gotokuji Temple Tokyo 豪徳寺
Address: 〒154-0021 東京都世田谷区豪徳寺２丁目２４−７
Nearest Station: Miyanosaka Station (Tokyu Setagaya Line)
Opening Hours: Daily from 6am to 6pm
Admission Fee: Free

The Quay Hotel Singapore: Asia’s First Tokidoki Pop-Up Hotel

Posted on September 24, 2018 by missuschewy

TOKIDOKI FANS ALERT! For a limited time only, grab your chance to stay in Asia’s FIRST Tokidoki Pop-Up Hotel, an exciting partnership with The Quay Hotel at 57 South Bridge Road! The lobby, rooftop and three of their guest rooms have been magically transformed by Creaxis Design Singapore for an ultimate Tokidoki experience, featuring iconic works by the creator Simone Legno!

Spend a night or two with your favourite Donutella, Mermicorno and more! Apart from the decorations, there are huggable plushies and Tokidoki themed amenities for you to enjoy!

Only the three guest rooms on the highest floor of The Quay Hotel are Tokidoki themed rooms. Which will you choose? The 24K Signature Room, Pastel Dreamland Room or Mermicornos by The Quay Room?

Here’s taking a sneak peek at the Pastel Dreamland Room! All Donutella fanatics will be crazy over this one!

Please don’t bring the plushies home but you can hug them and take as many photos as you wish! They will be sent for dry cleaning after every checkout.

Even the bathroom is so pretty!

You can bring home these beautiful coasters!

The Tokidoki rooms are available for stays from 1st October 2018 to 30th June 2019! Check out www.thequayhotel.sg for more information or book HERE now!

The Quay Hotel Singapore
57 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058688
Email: info@thequayhotel.sg
Tel: 6532 2482

North Borneo Cruises in Kota Kinabalu

Posted on July 28, 2018 by missuschewy

There are many things to see and do in Kota Kinabalu, and embarking on North Borneo Cruises will give you an unforgettable experience of a lifetime, sailing across the South China Sea, while indulging in an International buffet with live entertainment onboard.

The North Borneo Cruises is the first of its kind in Sabah, taking guests on a 2-hour scenic cruise past the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine park and down the central coast gliding along the city’s famous Waterfront. There are two different sessions daily starting from 4:30pm to 7:00pm for the Sunset Dinner Cruise and from 7:30pm to 9:45pm for the KK Night City Buffet Dinner Cruise.

Since we were travelling with a bunch of kids, the earlier timing for the sunset cruise worked better for all of us, plus we wanted to catch the beautiful sunset for a more memorable exxperience!

Boarding North Borneo Cruises! Passengers in baby strollers or wheelchairs can board the cruise via the ramp.

We were first ushered to the main deck and shown to our respective tables. The International buffet spread was already waiting for us! Haha.

Free flow coffee, tea and water are included. Currently, there is Happy Hour promotion of 50% off beverages, not applicable for peak season, public holidays and eve of public holidays. Terms and conditions apply.

All guests had to be seated and listen to the important safety briefing before we were allowed to roam around.

Complimentary orange juice and Muruku fish crackers were served to all tables. We really like the intimate and cosy dining setting.

Dinner is served! The variety is very wide and you will definitely get to eat your fill.

North Borneo Cruises’ resident band offers daily stellar live musical performances in different genres and languages while you enjoy your sumptuous dinner. Feel free to join in the fun and dance the night away! The band also accepts song requests.

Guests are welcome to explore the remaining decks and snap many photos while they are at it.

Even the North Borneo Cruises staff all seem to have plenty of fun! Their energy is simply infectious!

The sun-deck is very popular as it offers a beautiful unobscured view of the sea and beyond.

If you want to catch a glimpse of sunset, be sure to arrive at the sun-deck early to grab a good spot. We enjoyed the sea breeze blowing in our faces.

Even without joining the KK City Night Dinner Cruise, we could still experience nightfall while out at sea.

If you have a large group or celebrating a special occasion, North Borneo Cruise offers private VIP room which seats 20 to 25 pax comfortably, and the room is also equipped with a karaoke system.

North Borneo Cruises is offering a Buy 3 Free 1 promotion, book and enjoy by 30th December 2018. For more information on the cruise and rates, visit their website here.

We have come to the end of our Kota Kinbalu series of blog posts! We would like to sincerely thank the following for their kind hospitality and for making this trip a splendid one for all of us:

Flights – AirAsia
Accommodation – Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
Activities – Sabah Tourism Board

THANK YOU! 🙂

Manukan Island in Kota Kinabalu

Posted on July 23, 2018 by missuschewy

In one of my earlier posts documenting our Sabah holiday trip, Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa is our highly recommended choice of accommodation especially for families with children because of the wide range of kid-friendly amenities. Apart from that, private jetty STAR Marina is exclusively owned and operated by the resort, offering guests easy accessibility to neighbouring islands for day trips and beach activities. If you have some hours to spare, you can take the speedboat shuttle to Manukan Island!

It was the girls’ first time taking a speedboat. Little misschewy was totally enjoying the ride while Mini misschewy was a little scared and clung onto Daddy. Life vests were provided before we set off and the journey was just a short 5 to 10 minutes.

Manukan Island is the second largest island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. It was mood-lifting to see the sandy white beach and pristine clear waters when we set foot on the island.

If you like to unwind at the beach, Manukan Island is a great choice. Besides sandcastle-building for young children, scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking and parasailing are just some of the many activities that one can do at Manukan Island.

Great bonding session for families and nice sensory experience for little kids.

For visitors who want to escape from the heat at Manukan Island, there are many benches lined up along the beach with ample shade from the trees. There are also some shops and cafes selling snacks and drinks.

We had lunch at a cafe to fill our hungry tummies before returning to our resort.

If you love the sun, sand and sea, you definitely have to visit Manukan Island when you head to Kota Kinabalu!

missuschewy

Singapore Lifestyle and Travel Blog

Category Archives: #Family/Friends/Colleagues

Korea-Seoul Apr’19: Hanbok Rental and Photoshoot

Korea-Seoul Apr’19: Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, Ihwa Mural Village & Namsan Tower

Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

Universal Studios Japan 2018

What to Do & Eat in Asakusa

Shibuya Gyoza: Must Eat Gyoza in Tokyo

Gotokuji Temple Tokyo: Birthplace of Maneki Neko

The Quay Hotel Singapore: Asia’s First Tokidoki Pop-Up Hotel

North Borneo Cruises in Kota Kinabalu

Manukan Island in Kota Kinabalu

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