Short trip to Singapore

Hello!!!!

How are you? Hope you'all fine. Sorry forgot that I have a blog I've been busy with errr... playing Get Rich and lazying around. Anyway here I am... Actually what encourage me to blog is I just met with one of my high school friend last weekend and he said that he read my blog!! I never thought someone would really spend time and read this crap. Lolol... Even my husband doesn't care if I have a blog. If you're reading this my friend, Thank You!!!! I still owe you guys my story in Tokyo. I should finish it before i will forgot the details. But before that lemme write something that still fresh in my mind...

We were gone to Singapore for a few days. The main reason is to replace my defective iphone5 battery. Apple just announce that some iphone 5 that launched in several period got defect battery which drain very fast. If you experience that thing you can check whether your iphone5 is eligible for the program or not here.
Mine was one of them. No wonder I have to charge my iphone at least 3 times a day, because I'm also quite stuck with my phone. Checking instagram and facebook thousand times per day, playing Get Rich, etc.

That's not the only reason though, we I went there also because Love Bonito were having their Year End Sale too! And my church when I was there also celebrating early Christmas. One stone Three Birds!!

There were some drama before we finally landed safe and sound in Singapore. My hub's passport validity date is only 5 months and 2 weeks. We were really freak out. A lot of scenario going on in my head. What if the airline forbid him to go, what if we can reach Singapore but he will be deported, blabla. We read several cases from the internet which say some might get lucky and have no problem with that, but some got denied to board the plane. We just pray very hard!! God please don't let us waste the airplane ticket, it was SQ (on promotion though). If it was discounted budget airline, so be it God....

And God answer our prayer. The check-in counter at the airport mention that his passport is less than 6 months, but luckily we're Singapore PR and he show the card and we can board the plane!! Next problem is go through the immigration counter. I was so nervous. I was on the line next after him. And I saw the person before him got chopped very fast, between 5 seconds. But when it comes to his turn it took longer. I keep on praying, and finally I heard the sound Dok.. Dok... Phewwww.....the officer didn't mention anything. After we cleared with all those stuff we rest our self while waiting to be onboard at Starbucks, for a free drink and snack with ANZ Travel.

Sorry this post doesn't have so much photo, because my phone were erased and I didn't have a chance to back up my phone while I was in Sg. Didn't bring laptop. I only can managed to retrieve my instagram photos.

The first thing we did when we reached at Sg is go to the apartment, put down our luggage and go straight to queue for Love Bonito Year End Sale which was held at Scape Theatre. (Somerset MRT, behind H&M). We queue for 40 minutes before finally we got ushered into the Sale area. I did buy 3 clothes for myself (S$12 each). After tired of shopping, finally we're going to have our first meal in Singapore!! This one is what my hub crave the most...

Tontaksu by Ma Maison

There is no good Tonkatsu in Surabaya. None. But we did eat a decent and cheap, at Furusato Enaky. A small Japanese restaurant located at Darmo Park. It only cost 50k IDR (S$5.5). The one that I had at Ma Maison was a mixed of Pork, Prawn and Fish. It cost around S$23 before tax and service. Comes with Free Flow Rice and Cabbage Salad. With that price of course it taste very good...

Dessert Time

What we I had for dessert was Green Tea Soft Serve Ice Cream!!!! Anyway, why men doesn't love dessert?! What's wrong with them??? Aaaah... this is what I crave for the most. Again there is no real Green Tea Ice Cream in Surabaya. Now I don't dare to order any green tea flavour here, after several time being disappointed. Well, the best here is Haagen Dazs Green Tea Ice Cream. Better than nothing.

Tsujiri is always one of my favourite place for Green Tea fix. The price is affordable, S$6-7, can't remember. No tax, no service, no sitting. Lolol... But there's a free seating area nearby. It's located at B4 313 mall. Just go behind near Hot Tomato Restaurant. Actually Tsujiri is not the best in flavour, Nana's Green Tea is the best for me, but this is the most "value for money". You can get 2 Tsujiri for a price of 1 Nana's.

Orchard Road is already lighted up, ready for Christmas. Can't resist not to take photo.. You see the sign behind me, yes!!! Tokyu Hands finally open their branch at city area. Can't wait to go there...

The next day we went to our church early Christmas celebration. The food there was massive. Really salute for the FnB team who prepared the food. The theme for this year celebration was "Eden". And take a look of the food presentation....

That's the masterchef posing with her masterpiece.
photo taken from IFC fb

photo taken from IFC fb

This is super epic!! And this is only done by less than 10 women. From church we went to Love Bonito Year End Sale again... Now with my church friends... And we did came at the perfect timing. Because they have Grab a Bag. Meaning: Stuffed as many clothes as possible into the shopping bag, and it will cost you only S$80. The only rule is the bag must be full, no less or over spilling. We did managed to stuffed in 26 pcs of clothes for 5 ladies. That means it only cost S$3 each!!! A very good bargain or not!!! A bit regret I went on the previous day, but my clothes that I bought on the previous day is no longer available. Pheww...

Then we had dinner...

Ippudo Ramen

Is there another better ramen compared to this? For you who already tried Ippudo and didn't really feel it's good. Maybe you order the wrong one. Always order the one with the RED BOWL. I repeat RED BOWL. Do not order the others. The white bowl is bland. The best rames I've ever eaten of course Ichiran. I think Ippudo is close enough, except the price. Hahaha...

Btw, Ippudo is located at Mandarin Gallery (Somerset MRT). More info please google.. come on.. don't be lazy...

Then I got my phone being serviced. So I missed the photo of  Itacho Sushi, but if you really really desperately need to see how's Itacho Sushi looks like, you can browse through my instagram, my id is whatvinaeat. Please kindly follow me for more food temptation. You're welcome! We did order our favourite, salmon head in spicy soup, which taste damn nice and always on promotion. S$3.9 only!! for 3 big slices. If you're lucky you might get lots of meat.

Then we went to Ikea!! I bought lots of things, and the total is only S$50. Wish Ikea will open in Surabaya soon!! I don't mind if the price will be more expensive. I enjoy just strolling around the shop without buying anything. This is what he had for dinner. Another crave satisfied...

Mala Hot Pot

This is located at People's Park Centre Food Court (Chinatown MRT). The one right outside with a long queue. You get to choose what ingredient you want, then pay accordingly then they will cook it. It's a Szechuan food. I love it!! But I never really bite the Szechuan pepper though, maybe that's why I still like it...

Dessert of the day

And of course there must be a dessert for every meal. We headed to City Square Mall (Farrer Park MRT) just a few stops away from Chinatown. This is a trendy food in Sg!! Froyo Parfait. The queue for Llao Llao is really crazy. I did try it last time though, and found that nothing special. Now with a min 30 mins queueu I think I'm gonna skip it. There is Honey Creme also. A newly open Froyo shop from Korea?! at 313. It also always long queue. But some people who already try said that it's not worth the queue. So skip. And I went for this!! Saw someone post the photo on instagram and I was like OMG OMG i have to eat that!! This is the smartest idea ever!! How come nobody ever think of that!! Everything nice always come with a price. This glassful of happiness cost $9.5!! And the downside is it took very long time to decorate then the soft ice cream will melt very fast. And we still have to take photo, how come anyone not take photo of such a pretty creature like this?! So the result is like above.. Melted ice cream. I only choose the appearance. I know a sour froyo would not be match with chocolate, but I don't care since I love them both. And it taste quite good... Maybe If you order the fruit combination it will taste better..

And it comes to our last day in Singapore..... Last chance to eat, please choose wisely Vina... Ok.. Ok.. I will save the best for the last... And this is what I start my day with...

Bbq Pork Bun

Yam fritter

Prawn Dumpling something something

We had breakfast at Tim Ho Wan Plaza Singapura. Their Bbq Pork Bun is to die for... Aaaah why there's no open branch in Surabaya.... If you haven't try it, please do! Asap! It will change ur life.. Hahaha.. The other 2 foods just taste so-so, not worth mentioning in details.

And what we had for lunch is another trending food in Singapore... Please make your guess.... No prize though...

Taaaa daaaaa.......

...... scroll

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... a little bit more....

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Hotdog? Chillidog? with Fries?

Oh come on Vina, you just waste my scrolling...

What was your guess??

Those are Lobster Roll!!!! They're so trending in Singapore, every place try to sell Lobster Roll. I did really want to try the one at Pince & Pints but it's a bit pricey (S$40). Because I'm a cheapo, I went for the cheapest at Platypus. I thought I didn't have time to try the one at Platypus Lobster Shack. But when we went to Bugis Juction, there's Platypus Kitchen and they serve Lobter Roll... Hell yeah!!!!

It was lunch time so they have Lunch Special too. That pretty baby only cost S$23, inclusive tax, service, a drink and soup of the day. And the best part is it comes with Truffle Fries!! Yes!! no kidding....

How about the taste of the Roll itself? It's freaking yummy!!! The bun is crunchy, the lobster portion is really generous. I had my wisdom tooth suddenly decide to grow that day. Maybe it's universe way to tell me to stop eating. But i really don't care, I still have my left jaws to use... 

Tea Break. No dessert that day. Was too full already....

While waiting for dinner time I had this Matche Float from Maccha House at Orchard Central. Eat and drink all the Green Tea while I can.... Why we went to Orchard Central was because of Tokyu Hands I mention above... We saw the actual store, it was bright and colorful inside. The only problem is there was no entrance door. They haven't open for public just yet. They only will open 2 days after we left Singapore. Great. So we only had a glance from the glass outside. You win wallet!! Happy now?

Then our last meal is Korean Food!!! Annyeong...

We already at Orchard area, so we eat Korean food on that area too... It happened to be Kogi at 111. Do you know where 111 is or not? It's a mall behind 313. What's so popular with numbers. There is a new mall also with the name 1km. I think there're too many malls in Singapore already, they run out of names.

And here comes the food....

Army's Stew

Free Side Dishes

Pork Collar

Been craving for Army Stew. No I'm not pregnant yet, don't get me wrong.I just love to eat. And I have a long list of what I want to eat that is not available in Surabaya. A good one I mean. The Army's Stew taste very nice, not cheap S$40, but can be shared by 4 people. The Pork Collar also really nice. The damage was S$80 for 3 persons but it's really worth it. Last time I eat Korean food in Surabaya (Darmo Park area too) cost us 950k IDR for 4 people, but the food taste is far from what I've imagined. The portion is really tiny. And they sell the white rice 20k IDR, come one it's Surabaya!! They never list it on the menu, how expensive a bowl of rice can be, rite? But it was Korean Rice, so we paid for the air ticket. Nevermind.

So that's about it... Please kindly like or comment on my blog so I know there's someone read my blog T_T
To end this post, here're some photo of me so you won't forget me...

with my besties!!!

Brown and Sally

Baymax!!! What with the same pose Vina?!

See you soon...

Arashiyama and Dotonbori, Osaka (Japan Trip - part 4)

Hello! It's me again.. 

I'm super productive these day to make it for my last absence....

This is our last day at Kyoto. Only left one place from the list that need to be visited. It's the famous Bamboo Forest or they call it by "Arashiyama". It's not difficult to get there, you just have to take train from Kyoto Station then alight at Saga Arashiyama. Not so far also. From the train station you just have to walk for 10 minutes to reach the forest. We don't know which direction to go, just follow the people in front of you... hahaha...

You can take rickshaw if you don't want to walk.

Saw these cute statues which reminds me of Japanese folklore, which one of the statue can turn to life. Forget the name.

After a short walk passing by some local houses and cute cafe, we reached at the forest. No entrance fee!! Then we quickly set up the tripod to take photo while there's still not much tourists.

There's a very pretty lake nearby. The scenery is surreal.

See the duckling with its mom are swimming peacefully.

After a while we got a bit bored because not much things to see, just trees, bamboo and tourists. Yeah, I'm not really a nature people. Oh there's a train actually, if you like you can take the train but don't know where they will bring you. We got lost on our way going back to the station, "the follow people in front of you" is not working this time, they also lost. T_T

But finally we can reach the station and decided to hunt for best ramen in Kyoto. Based on our express browsing we only managed to find out "Gogyo, the burnt ramen". It's located near Nishiki Food Market. One stone, strike two birds. It wasn't easy to get to the place, we have to ask several people for the direction.

We reached there around 2pm, and we were super hungry, but have to queue for a while. It was drizzling that time. So waiting outside in that kind of weather is make me "HANGRY". The ramen better taste as good as we expected.

Me and the restaurant sign.

The interior is cozy, they decorate it in modern style. Love the wooden table.

 They provide disposable bib so the ramen soup won't stain your clothes. At first I don't think I need that, but then I was wearing white top so I asked for it. And I don't know how to wear, hahaha... And wore it wrong way. Sorry guys, no picture. Was busy with my ramen.

Here's the ramen.... It does taste good. The soup is very rich with a burnt aroma which makes the taste even stronger. The other topping are normal. Finally a good ramen in Japan! We wanted to order the gyoza but it's sold out.

Here's the burnt ramen, and again the give free rice.

Mine, no extra rice but with veggie!

Here's the menu, spot the obvious different!!
Can anyone who understand Japanese explain to me: Why the English menu only have one slice of the pork??

Cute rolling door

Now it's time to explore the market... It's a long stretched of alley with shops on both sides. A bit difficult to walk when there's a lot of people. They sell mostly fresh products like seafood, fruits, japanese pickles and other things that i don't know what they are. But there are some store selling sushi magnets and sovenirs.

dried fish, i guess?

artificial strawberries. why they look all same size and color and so perfect?! And cheap too (less than S$5)
Must be for display, rite?

try to buy 1 packet, and THEY ARE REAL STRAWBERRIES. Super sweet. The best strawberry that I've ever eat in my life!!! I will forget about beef if i can eat this strawberry everyday, literally!!! How do they plant it? Must be using some kind of super power??

Me and my strawberry (in the plastic bag)

are those jelly?

octopus with an egg inside. I didn't try. No more space in my tummy. Sorry, maybe next time.

Fermented beans?

sushi magnets. not cheap. not buying

At the end of the market, there are shops and restaurants.

I stare at the display for 5 minutes. 

We only bought that strawberries and some goma (roeasted sesame) dressing which turn out to be not so nice compared with "the Kewpie". Since it's the last day we're in Kyoto and according to my plan we have to go to Osaka, just to take photo with the "Glico Man". So the long journey to Osaka now begin... Actually it's not that long, only take around 30mins to reach Osaka from Kyoto. Then from there we have to change train to go to Dotonbori, Namba.

When we reached at Namba station, we were greeted by "Basement of a Department Store". You know what that's mean in Japan, don't you?! (meaning: the food section)

Fresh Sushi

Fish Roe

More cheap sushi...

OMG, dessert!!! my kryptonite... but they're not cheap, ok money, you're save.

more desserts....

perfectly cut strawberry roll cake.

perfect cakes

don't know what is that, but they looks yummeh

pretty dessert.... can i have a taste, please?

After all those torture at the basement, We cannot resist but bought a small portion of salad, a beef croquette and a glass of juices to be shared by me and my husband. And when we about to continue our journey to find the Glico Man, I saw a store calling my name...

GODIVA!!! I didn't know that time if Takashimaya Singapore also selling the ice blended and soft ice cream... I've been holding back not buying at the Kyoto Station... Cannot resist anymore...

Chocolate Ice blended.... Taste damn good... 

Failed candid photo

OK, tummy is full and happy, journey resume... Dotonbori is a huge area full with stores and eateries. They're famous with their unique signages that light up at night... It's like the most happening place in Osaka (We only visited this part of Osaka, lol)

easy to get lost. Stick to your group..

And we're here!! That big crab sign has been calling his name...

They're selling grill crab leg.

a portion only consist of two pieces...

this Dotonbori area is his favorite part of the whole journey

failed touching photo of the gyoza.

that octopus actually can dance and sing. this is photo not video, sorry

pretty japanese ladies

pretty indonesian lady

Glico Man snacks!!

cute packaging

Our dinner was conveyor belt sushi which taste pretty normal. no need to write more about it...

After satisfy with taking photos of the signages, we still haven't found the Glico Man. Must be at another part. But then when we walk we realize that he's behind us!!!

TA DAAA.....

A bit tricky to take photo with it.

Next time I won't be able to see the Glico Man again, it's been replaced by a Glico Girl. Another reason to go back to Osaka then!! Why not...

photo credit: ujep

The journey back to our hotel at Kyoto is another long journey. We were all so tired and tomorrow we have to wake up super early to catch the train to Tokyo!!

See you in Tokyo....

Sayonara!!!