After lunch at Boathouse (on my birthday eve), I was sent to Marina Bay Sands hotel to spend an awesome long weekend with my girl! The view was fantastic but I did not have any cameras with me – except my iPhone. How ironic. “The Photographer” celebrated her birthday without a proper camera!

Marina Bay Sands

For those who have been following my tweets, you would probably know how my stay at the hotel was like. It was a great one-time experience. My birthday lunch was at Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine, located at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and I had the wonderful company of my partner who spent my birthday in the infinity pool with me.

Don’t you love the beautiful stock photos of this hotel? I totally love them! However, the infinity pool – in reality – does not look as quiet as this. Just imagine this pool with beach crowd, full of families and children in it. …And there, you’ve got it.

I love children, so I didn’t have any problems with that. As for couples who wanna spend your honeymoon there, you might wanna choose a more exclusive hotel or visit the pool at really early or late hours (chances of kids squirting their water guns at you will reduce by 30%; and thankfully, I’ve got none!).

Their turkey tapas served at the pool were pretty good.

My Horizon room was located at the higher level. I watched the sunset as the city lit up every evening – gorgeous elevated view of the city. (Try flashing at the entire city! I’ve done that.)

This contemporary room with an oriental hint was very spacious for two and the bathroom was welcoming. The design of the room was well-thought, right from layout to wall sockets, which were hidden behind the furniture. I had spent a fair bit of time looking for those sockets. Even the bathroom door was hidden! (I thought it was open concept – at first.)

Fridge: If you take anything out from the fridge for more than 30 seconds, you’ll be charged for it. Hence, there is no way to rearrange the beverages in the fridge to put your own drinks in it. The only space given for you is the size of a tea saucer.

Internet access: Correct me if I’m wrong – their complimentary internet access is only given to The Club Room onwards. For Atrium or Horizon rooms, the internet access is S$30++ for  every 24 hours. Hence, I would advise you to bring along your mobile internet device (e.g. iPhone) which allows you to use the internet for “free” with your existing mobile subscription.

Room service: You can get caviar at S$500++ and laksa at S$24++. So please… by all means, google, book a taxi and travel out of the hotel to have real local delights and all at a more reasonable price. It totally PAYS to be lazy.

Restaurants: Unless you have a lot of time to burn, your best bet is to call up the restaurant to make a reservation.

Valet Parking: S$15 per day for hotel guests. During peak period, you might have to wait up to 1.5 hours to collect your car from the valet. HO HO HO!!!

Check in/out counters: It felt like I was queueing up to check in for a flight or “check out” at the immigration. Crazy queues that take forever.

There is no doubt that Marina Bay Sands has a magnificent view of the city. It is definitely worth a stay to experience the infinity pool, watch the city lights awake as the sun sets, witness the fireworks (of national events) and get the novelty outta your system. Well, there are still a lot of teething problems in their operations and I can’t help but to feel that the hotel is trying way too hard to earn back their money in every-single-possible-way. Not subtle at all.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed my stay at the hotel. After all, it is the company that I have that gives me the best, best experience everywhere I go.

Shabu Shabu @ Ohsumi Japanese Restaurant

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HAVING SHABU SHABU. Yes. How embarrassing! Because I love Japanese cuisine!

This restaurant is located at the 3rd level of Cuppage Plaza. A popular shabu shabu place for local Japanese and shabu shabu lovers. Within seconds after I’ve got seated, the staff handed me a hanger for my jacket and covered it with a cloth towel. The meticulous care for a great dining experience made me felt like I was having a meal in Japan.

1-Altitude

This is one of the highest alfresco bars in the world, and the highest in Singapore. I had an absolutely wonderful time with my girl friends and sister. It was the best birthday surprise party that I’ve ever had; in fact, it was my first! My girl is such a sweetheart. I spent the many days of my birthday celebrations on very high grounds and it was spectacular. On top of that, we saw fireworks at both Marina Bay Sands and 1-Altitude. Thanks to my country! Thank you Singapore for the birthday fireworks! I know we paid our taxes for that. And most importantly, thanks to my mom for bringing me to this world at such great timing.

1-Altitude is 3-concept bars by the 1-Rochester Group. Occupying three floors of the OUB Centre Tower, you get 282 and City Golf, where you can play golf while getting drunk (@Level 61), Stellar, for dining (@level 62) and 1-Altitude Gallery & Bar for great heights and a stunning 360-degree view of the city (@level 63).

This bar is very new. Not a lot of people know about it yet, so bring your date there and impress her! Just expect some teething problems with the operation. Don’t worry, the night view will blow your minds off and make up for everything.

Mommy’s Birthday Dinner @ Taste Paradise

It was my lovely mom’s birthday a few days ago. I randomly picked Taste Paradise which is located at the 4th level of ION Orchard. Who knew it turned out to be such a grandeur! I had no idea it looked like that; I got the number from ION Orchard iPhone app and called the restaurant for table reservation, so it was a pleasant surprise when I was there. (My first thought: THANK GOODNESS THAT I WENT HOME TO DRESS UP!! I was in shorts and t-shirt prior to the dinner – not that it was inappropirate, but I looked like a kid.)

It’s fine dining at Taste Paradise – nothing like the regular Chinese restaurant experience. Here, the restaurant manager addresses you by your name, waiters are extremely polite and attentive (no matter how new they are) and a good variety of courses. My brother with culinary arts background commented that their food presentation failed because it was not meticulous enough; I think it is the smallest details.

All in all, the food is good, the ambience is great and the service is fantastic. You’ll feel like a VIP there.

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Hope you enjoyed my sharing! Please click “appreciate it” if you like this, and leave me a comment. Now that I’m back from my birthday celebrations and had settled down at my new place, I’ll be updating my blog more regularly too.

Thanks for all these years of support since 2001 where I used to blog at (now cybersquatted) euniqueflair.com. And to my new readers, welcome to my blog!

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Lunch with Stephie yesterday. Then it was spa party at Evelyn’s place!

It’s so awesome to have a car to drive. I could just dump everything I need in the car boot. Morning: Photo shoot. Afternoon: Lunch, Spa Party. Evening: Check emails, work on design, write articles, edit photos. That is like 4 bags altogether: camera bag, personal bag, laptop bag, and stuff for spa party. Even with a cab, I might just die carrying those bags around for the entire day.

Anyway, I came across a thought provoking quote recently. It serves as a gentle reminder in every aspects of my life. I believe that dreams and goals are achievable when we break it down into tidbits sizes and work on the baby steps everyday. So this quote relates to me in many ways and most of all, it also reminds me not to procrastinate on the small yet important things.

Now I shall leave you with this quote…

“What is easy to do, is easier undone.”

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