A quick travel guide to Bali

SEE

If you are a sunset lover, the sophisticated sunset scene in Seminyak may be your to-do-thing in the evening. Sunset watching is a popular activity in Bali and it must not be missed by anyone who has stepped their feet in Bali island. 

The cool thing about watching sunset at Seminyak is you would have, by chance, sitting comfortably at one of the bar or restaurant along Seminyak Beach. Ku de Ta may have a very expensive price tag to its drinks but its location is the best for sunset viewing. Another choice for sunset watching spot would be Ku de Ta's neighbour, Potato Head Beach Club.

STAY

The biggest trending hotel in Bali at the moment is definitely The Mulia (double room starts from $500 before tax). The Mulia is favoured by celebrities and both international and local multi-millionaires alike. It is so exclusive up to the point that The Mulia does not allow three guests in one bedroom. 

If you're looking for something a bit secluded, try the RIMBA Jimbaran Bali by Ayana (doubles from $220) in the secluded estate of Jimbaran. Hotel guests at RIMBA will have full access to the famous Rock Bar (which is another popular sunset watching spot in Bali) and Kubu Beach, a beautiful beach in Ayana. Don't forget to chill yourself at Unique Bar where you can drink and swim on a rooftop with a wonderful view in front of you. Tip: choose a room that has private access to the pool.

EAT

The best thing to do after the sun has set is definitely to unwind by getting yourself a nice food and a couple of drinks. Even though the price of the food and drink at Ku de Ta is somewhat pricey, you get what you pay for, delicious dishes and tasty drinks in a comfortable and chillax (is there such a word?) ambience. 

However, if you prefer to get your hands dirty, you may want to get yourself one slab of pork ribs from Naughty Nuri's Warung and Grill. This restaurant at Kuta is so famous until it manages to open another branch in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta. 

FLIGHT DEAL FROM USA

When there is an offer, a flight from USA to Bali costs from $815 to $1280. The price differs based on the starting point of your journey (with New York being the cheapest and both Philadelphia and Miami being the most expensive). 

FLIGHT DEAL FROM UK

When there is an offer, a flight from UK to Bali costs from GBP 415 to GBP 690. The price differs based on the starting point of your journey (with Edinburgh being the cheapest and Birmingham being the most expensive). 

Top 5 Choices for Staycation in Singapore Below $200 Per Night

Long weekend is very rare in Singapore and when it happens, people tend to go crazy to celebrate the long weekend. Nowadays with the economy not doing very well, we try to save cost in our spending by going for a budget trip and so on. But sometimes, the desire not to compromise comfort over cost cannot be resisted (especially after long working days in the office). When the desire comes with restriction in budget, it is probably time to consider a weekend staycation. Since Labour Day weekend is coming, it does not hurt to check out the rate for the top 5 choices for staycation in Singapore. All of these one night rates are below $200 (before tax though). Cool, right?

1. Parkroyal on Pickering

I often walk past Parkroyal on Pickering when I went out for lunch around Far East Square as my office is located pretty near to the hotel. We even had team lunch at the hotel's restaurant before and I could vouch that the international lunch buffet at Parkroyal on Pickering  is very recommended. One night at Parkroyal on Pickering  during that Labour Day long weekend costs $199 before tax. The swimming pool may not that big but it looks pretty cozy up there right at the pool side. 

2. Pan Pacific Singapore

My colleague has always been a loyal fan to Pan Pacific Singapore, which is located in City Hall area. When I asked her what makes her to keep coming back to Pan Pacific Singapore, she excitedly mentioned about the breakfast buffet spread that Pan Pacific Singapore offer. In addition, as the hotel is located in City Hall, which is considered CBD in Singapore, the night view that the hotel offers should be quite a feat. One night at Pan Pacific Singapore costs $190 before tax.

3. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is guaranteed to give you a different experience from the usual staycation which you may have done before. It is simply because it is located at the airport, connected to Terminal 3 of Changi Airport. The hotel is also recommended for those travellers who reach Singapore at the wee hour. One night at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport costs $184 before tax.

4. Grand Park Orchard

Featuring a grand glass facade, Grand Park Orchard is located right at the centre of Orchard Road. This makes the hotel as favourite choice of accommodation for shoppers. It is located at a walking distance from both Somerset and Orchard MRT. The hotel is surrounded by shopping malls so yes, it is the best choice for shopaholic who come to shop in Singapore. One night at Grand Park Orchard costs $187 before tax.

5. Mandarin Orchard

Mandarin Orchard is located right opposite Grand Park Orchard. Although the entrance to the hotel may not be visible from Orchard Road as the hotel is linked to Mandarin Gallery. I stayed here before and I quite enjoyed the experience here. The bathroom is equipped with a bath tub. The room is spacious enough. And the breakfast spread offered by Mandarin Orchard is so delicious. One night at Mandarin Orchard costs $169 before tax. 

5 Reasons for Londoners to Visit Singapore in Labour Day Weekend

Singapore is one of those countries which does not have 4 seasons. The weather in Singapore is always hot and humid. This makes any season is a good time to visit Singapore. So if you, a Londoner, has not decided on your spring break destination and lazy to spend time planning for the trip, Singapore is the best place to go for you.

1. Of course, it's all started with a promotional airfare

If you have not decided on the destination for your spring break, you have one day (yes, last booking to be made tomorrow) to secure the promotional fare at GBP 496.45 from London Heathrow to Singapore Changi Airport with Qatar Airways. The airline also has promotional fare to Singapore from both Birmingham and Manchester too. 

2. It is a retail therapy heaven

If you love to shop, you will love shopping at the famous Orchard Road. Tourists who fly out through Changi Airport can take advantage of Singapore's tax-free shopping policy with 7% GST refund on qualified purchases. Sweet! If you are a shopaholic, I recommend you to stay at one of the hotels along the Orchard Road. My personal favourite hotel is of course Mandarin Orchard Singapore for its comfy bedroom and convenient location right in the middle of Orchard Road. A night at Mandarin Orchard Singapore costs around GBP 145.65. That's considered normal for a hotel located in Orchard area. 

3. It has some fancy architectures and great night view 

If you love fancy architectures, you should visit Marina Bay Sands and Helix Bridge. Marina Bay Sands has everything from a shopping mall to a casino to an upscale hotel. Its trademark, the infinity pool is located at the top of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Last time, the hotel allows visitors to visit the infinity pool at an allocated timing without having to stay the night at the hotel. However, now the access to the pool is strictly limited to the hotel guests only. So, if you want to try swimming in an infinity pool, you may consider staying the night at Marina Bay Sands. You will not regret the view from above though despite one night at Marina Bay Sands costs you around GBP 256.29. 

4. The yummy street food

Singapore has a lot of great street food in basically, every shopping mall in the island. You can eat a lot of good stuff and it does not cost a lot, really. Especially, if you are fine eating in a local hawker centre which usually is not equipped with an air-conditioner. 

5. Easy to get around

The country is so small, it is basically only taking an hour to travel by train from the most east part of the island to the other end. You can travel by train, bus or cab in Singapore and the transportation fare is quite reasonable compared to other developed countries. 

5 Reasons for Londoners to go to Hong Kong this Spring

Spring in London. The wet rainy season. While that may be good for you who love British weather, some of you may If you have not decided on your spring break yet, you may want to consider coming to Hong Kong this spring. Why is that so?

1. The flight from London to Hong Kong is so cheap

Qatar Airways is currently having a promotional fare from London to Hong Kong starting from GBP 475. I tried to put the date from 27 April 2016 to 4 May 2016 (which is the Labour Day week) and my flight ticket costs a total of GBP 473.95. The flight from London Heathrow to Hong Kong International Airport takes 16 to 17 hours so you may as well stay a bit longer in Hong Kong to enjoy the sunny side of Asia to the max. 

2. Hong Kong Hotels are affordable

Even though Hong Kong can be considered a metropolis, you can find both luxury and midscale accommodation in Hong Kong. If you prefer the luxury type of hotel with reasonable price, you can consider staying at W Hong Kong which costs HKD 2,640 (GBP 238.31) per night. If you'd rather not spend so much on accommodation, you may consider staying at midscale hotel like Butterfly on Morrison which costs only HKD 960 (GBP 86.65) per night. 

3. Hong Kong's transportation is so convenient

It is so easy and convenient to move around in Hong Kong. Visitors can travel by subway, bus, tram, taxi, or even ferry. I can say this is one of those countries which I did not get lost during my travel there. 

4. Hong Kong's weather is sunny

Even though it may be spring back in England, you can experience early summer if you go to Hong Kong in May. The typhoon season has not really kicked in too so the weather is just right for you to wander around comfortably. 

5. Hong Kong's food is so yummy

When you are in Hong Kong, it is time to stuff yourself with as many dim sum as possible. Hong Kong is the best place to eat Dim Sum. Causeway Bay has a lot of nice dim sum restaurant like Dao Xiang. I suggest you stay at one of the hotels in Causeway Bay area because it will be easy to walk to these yummy dim sum restaurants from your hotel.