Marina Bay Singapore Skyline

Marina Bay Sands & Gardens by the Bay by Calvin Shi

A spectacular photo of the Singapore skyine at dusk. Colour play of light and signature shapes created by Marina Bay Sands and Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay.

Labrador Park Sunset

Labrador Park Sunset by Calvin Shi

Labrador Nature Reserve or popularly known as Labrador Park is located near the southern tip of Singapore island. This is one of the most scenic place to watch sunrise and sunset. Beside seeing school children coming here for their science class field trip, you may also see couples in wedding gowns having their photo shoot here.

How to Get There

Take the Circle Line and alight at Labrador MRT Station, use Exit A.

Nearby Attractions

Berlayer Creek, Bukit Chermin Boardwalk and Alexandra Garden Trail.

Hotels Near Labrador Park

Fragrance Hotel - Royal

Fragrance Hotel - Viva

Hotels near Sunway Lagoon

I have to admit, whenever I'm at Malaysia, the billboard on Sunway Lagoon never fails to catch my attention. For some reason, it reminds me of a certain amusement park song. Fans of Freddy Cannon might know that I'm referring to Palisades Park.

Photo: Flickr/Squallwc

Not One but Five Themed Parks

The attraction has not one, but five themed parks! Water-loving people should stop at the Water Park while families should not miss the Amusement and Wildlife Park. Love horror and getting scared? Well, Scream Park is the ultimate choice. For daredevils, check out the Extreme Park for some adrenaline pumping activities!

Avoid the Traffic Jam, Stay at Hotel Near Sunway Lagoon

Dynamic, fun and loud, Sunway Lagoon is located at Petaling Jaya, about 30-minute drive from KL city centre if you were lucky not to be caught in a traffic jam. So it is a good idea to book a hotel room near Sunway Lagoon or Sunway Pyramid shopping centre because saving you travelling time and cost, you could get better hotel deals here than in KL.

Photo: Flickr/Tomomi Sasaki

Hotels nearest to Sunway Lagoon

The Villas @ Sunway Resort
True to their name, this hotel gives off a mystique vibe. This villa is ideal for people who want a quick getaway to solitude. Of all facilities, the outdoor pool definitely stands out by a mile. Rates start from USD298. A 5 minute drive to Sunway Lagoon, The Villas @ Sunway Resort offers shuttle services. Do note that children below the age of 12 are not allowed in the villas.

Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa
Modern and classy, this resort features magnificent facilities such as an outdoor pool and a fitness centre. With 439 rooms in total, rates start from USD97. Likewise, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa is a 5 minute drive to Sunway Lagoon and also offers free shuttle services.

Sunway Pyramid Hotel @ Sunway Resort
Like the hotels mentioned above, Sunway Pyramid is also located at Bandar Sunway. That said, visitors should be able to get to Sunway Lagoon in 5 minutes tops. Simple furnishing with great views, rates are from USD69. Also offers shuttle services.

Hotels with Family Room

Best View Hotel Sunway Metro
Modest looking and with minimal designs, Best View Hotel Sunway Metro features 30 rooms in 3 rooms. A 3 minute drive to Sunway Lagoon, rates start from USD30. Unfortunately, the hotel does not offer shuttle services. Best to take a taxi if you were to visit Sunway Lagoon.

Hotel D'New 1
A 7 minute drive to Sunway Lagoon, Hotel D'New 1 features 33 rooms in 3 floors. Clean and modestly looking, the hotel offers free WiFi access in public areas. Rates start from USD39. Bear in mind that shuttle service is not provided.

Budget Hotels near Sunway Lagoon

Sun Inns Lagoon
The hotel offers quality budget rooms for people with cash. A 5 minute drive to Sunway Lagoon, rates start from USD20. Facilities such as laundry services are available; however, this is a different case with shuttle bus services.

Sun Inns Mentari
Similarly a 5 minute drive to the amusement park, Sun Inns Mentari has a total of 115 rooms. WiFi is free to use and rates start from USD24. Since shuttle service is not provided, it is advisable to take a cab.

Budget Terminal Closure on 25 Sep 2012

The Budget Terminal at Singapore Changi Airport will be closed on 25 September 2012 at 2am. The following airlines will be operating from Terminal 2 after the closure of the Budget Terminal.

• Berjaya Air
• Cebu Pacific Air
• Firefly
• Mandala Airlines
• Southeast Asian Airlines
• Tiger Airways

Traveling and Your Old, Familiar Pillow

I was researching for topics to write and came across "The 50 most inspiring travel quotes of all time" by Lola Åkerström via MatadorNetwork.com. It was interesting to read what people of different generations and cultures thought of traveling.

Here's my top 3 favorite travel quotes:

1. “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang
2. “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
3.  “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu

Go read it and share your favorite travel quotes.
http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/

Mongolia Adventure Tour - Khuvsgul Lake

Members of the GoingPlaces.sg team will be going on a 8-Day Mongolia Adventure tour with Universal Travel. We booked the tour during the Natas Fair 2012 and are excited to share the itinerary with those who are also planning to discover Mongolia.

The highlight of this adverture tour is to visit Mongolia's largest and deepest lake, Khuvsgul Lake, also known as "The Dark Blue Pearl" on a 4-wheel drive.

The tour fares for twin-sharing is about SGD3,800 per pax, it on the expensive side but the package includes direct chartered flight to Ulaanbaatar (the capital of Mongolia), over-land transfers on a 4WD and accommodations, including staying in a Mongolian ger and all meals are provided. And there is only one departure date on 13 June 2012.

Adult Twin S$3399*
Adult Single S$3899*
*Airport Taxes and Fuel Surcharge: S$409

8 Days Mongolia Adventure Itinerary

Day 1: Singapore - Ulaanbaatar

Fly via Mongolia Air OM702 19.50pm - 05.10am (direct chartered flight) to Ulaanbaatar, the captial of Mongolia.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar - Arkhangai province
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar in the morning, we will proceed for a drive to the Arkhangai province. Along the way, we will get glimpses of attractive landscape wit ha composition of mountains, forests, grassland and rivers. At night, we will stay overnight in tourist camp near the Bulgan mountain of Tsetserleg town.

Day 3: Arkhangai province - Khorgo Volcano - Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake

We will visit the extinct Khorgo volcano by trekking to its big crater which once spewed hot lava. Khorgo Mountain used to be a dormant volcano located on the east shore of Lake Terkhliin Tsagaan. The volcano crater of the Togoo Uul is covered with Siberain Larch. One of the most interesting sights of Khorgo is the so-called Basalt Ger, which lies on the southern side. It is a large solidified bubble of lava with a broken piece on one side, which makes a natural door. If time permits, we will visit a local horseman nomadic family where we will experience their lifestyle and also a trail ride on hoursebacks.

Next, we will proceed to tour the Terkhiin Tasagaan Lake, which was formed when Khorgo volcano lava dammed the Suman River, cutting a large gorge through the basalt. It is an astonishingly beautiful lake - 20km long, 16km wide and 4 to 10 meters deep with an altitude of 2,060m above sea level. Well known as the White Lake, it is a good spot for bird watching and fishing. Afternoon, we will proceed for lunch at Taikhar rock camp. Overnight in tourist camp.

Day 4: Terhkiin Tsagaan Lake - Khuvsgul National Park

On the 4th day, we will proceed for about five hours' drive to the Zuun Lake. Zuun Lake is great place for bird viewings and it is also located along the way to the Khuvsgul lake park. Tonight, we will overnight in tourist camp.

Day 5/6: Khuvsgul National Park - Khuvsgul Lake

Drive to Khuvsgul Lake, the deepest and purest lake in Mongolia. As known as the Blue Pearl of Mongolia, it borders Siberia and has magnificent landscape views. We will also embark on a trek to the lakeside and mountains for photo taking sessions, exploring and enjoying the wildlife, flora and fauna of Khuvsgul Lake area.

We will proceed for a tour to the Khuvsgul Lake area to visit the Tsaatan ethnic people. These enigmatic people herd reindeer and live in the deep taiga forest. Reindeers are herded for their antlers, a lucrative medicinal material as well as for their milk and meat. We may get a chance to ride on the back of the reindeer to taking a memorable picture of an unforgettable experience.

Day 7: Khuvsgal National Park - Murun - Ulaanbaatar

Drive back towards Murun to catch the return flight to Ulaanbaatar in the late afternoon. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, we will have some time to shop for souvenirs and cashmeres. Later in the evening, we will enjoy live performance of Mongolian National folklore followed by farewell dinner in Mongolian BBQ restaurant. Overnight at Bayangol hotel.

Day 8: Ulaanbaatar - Singapore

After breakfast, we will proceed to check out form hotel in the morning and depart to airport for flight (OM701 9.45am - 6.50pm) back to Singapore.

Vietnam Travel Tips from HCMC to Hanoi

Last month, we spent 2 weeks in Vietnam travelling from the south to the north. We started from Ho Chi Minh City, travel to Mui Ne, back to HCMC, took a flight to Danang, travel by taxi to Hoi An, took a bus from Hoi An to Hanoi via a 4 hours stop at Hue and from Hanoi, we took a train to Sapa.

Here's our 5 Tips on Vietnam Travel:

1. If possible, do not stay more than 2 nights in HCMC. Instead, visit nearby attractions e.g. Mekong Delta and Mui Ne beach. The idea is to get out of HCMC.

2. Mui Ne beach is beautiful, especially in March when the sky is clear and yet not as hot and humid like HCMC. There are many beach resorts where you can relax or if you are the adventure type... then go kitesurfing!

3. As for central Vietnam, visit the Hoi An old town. Be sure to join the Hoi An Photo Tour if you love taking photos. A must-visit restaurant is the Morning Glory, almost everything on the menu is good.

4. If you have the time, stay one night in Hue. It is quite different from the rest of the Vietnam. We had only 5 hours stop-over here and regretted not staying at least a night to visit the sights and try the food here.

5. Hanoi weather in March is gloomy and wet. If not for the amazingly delicious street food, we would not have stay for another night. You must try the food stalls along the street (Hàng Chiếu) of the Old Quarters. Eat at those stalls that are busy and have many local customers. The soup base of the Pho here is very tasty. The deep fried prawn fritters are heavenly when down with lots of Bia Ha Noi (local beer).

SIA Promotion to Ho Chi Minh City

If you are planning a free-and-easy trip to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi in June, plan your trip with Singapore Airlines.

The "3-Day Only Deal to Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City" two-way airfares only cost SGD268! Booking starts now till 9 Feb 2012. Travelling period out of Singapore is between 18 June and 31 July 2012.

For other Singapore Airlines Promotion to Seoul, Hong Kong or London, check out Singapore Airlines Promotion 2012.

NATAS Fair 2012 - 24 to 26 Feb 2012 @ Singapore Expo

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/goingplacessg/

Its less than 3 weeks to the NATAS Fair 2012. Already searches at Google are trending with the search terms natas fair, natas fair 2012 and pre natas fair. There are many blogs out there featuring the biggest travel fair of the year. Those found in the first page of Google search are the official NATAS website and...

• www.goingplaces.sg/natas-fair/
• www.singapore180.com/events/natas/
• www.diveasianow.com/events/natas/
• sg.tripzilla.com/.../natas-travel-fair-2012...

And all these websites, more or less, are writing about the same stuff i.e. when and where NATAS Fair 2012 is taking place.

NATAS Travel Fair
24 to 26 February 2012
Hall 3B, Hall 4 and Hall 5
Singapore Expo
Opening hours: 10am to 9.30pm

Here, I am going to tell you something different. It's about really cheap air tickets and tour packages to Japan - my favorite holiday destination.

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Promotion at NATAS Fair 2012

One thing I am looking forward to... is the JNTO promotion. There are over 1000 tickets to Japan at very attractive price for grab at the Natas Fair. So if you're thinking of going to Japan, make sure you visit the travel fair early and be the first to sign up for the Japan tour packages.

Here's the 5 things you need to know to get the best out of your visit to this year Natas Fair...

Top 5 Tips to Great Natas Fair Deals

Singapore Airlines Promotion to Male

I know the notice is short but you're still in time to grab the all-inclusive two-way SIA fares to Male (Capital of Maldives) at SGD588!

The "3-Day Only Deal to Male" starts now till 12 Jan 2011, so go to Singapore Airlines to book the seats now if you are planning a romantic trip with your loved ones this year.

Travelling period is between 1 April and 25 May 2012.

For other Singapore Airlines Promotion to Seoul, Hong Kong or London, check out Singapore Airlines Promotion 2012