#cityexplorer

Perth | Romantic Blue Boat House

One of the most popular places to take photos in Perth is definitely the Blue Boat House . It is about 50 meter from the Mounts Bay Road, at the southwestern corner of Kings Park and the University of Western Australia. There are 2 easy ways to get there. Driving is the simplest and the nearest parking space is about 500 m before the Boat House. Parking is free and it is easy to walk along the path by the Swan River to reach the boat house. It is also possible to take the Green Bus 950 or 995 from Perth city center. The best time for photo is at sunset on a clear day as the sky turns to an amazing pink and orange. On weekends, it is quite a popular spot and there could be many locals and tourists lining up just before sunset. Everyone will take 1-2 minutes to take photos and videos of this beautiful place. There is also a statue just 50m away to commemorate the Crawley Baths swimming competition that took place at the site from 1914-64. #perth #westernaustralia #cityexplorer

Perth | A Leisurely Walk at in downtown Perth and Elizabeth Quay

There are so many beautiful buildings in the Perth downtown area to explore and definitely it requires one day to explore. A good place to start is at the Perth Station or the Street Mall, then moving on to London Court - Elizabeth Quay -Bell Tower - St George’s Anglican Cathedral- St Mary’s Cathedral and back to Perth Station. There are many parking lots also in the downtown area and the weekend rates is very reasonable ( less than Aud $10) for one day. The one we parked at was CCP Citiplace which is connected to the Perth Station and the street shopping mall. Aside from shopping, we thought that Elizabeth Quay was particularly beautiful . The view of the Elizabeth Quay is just wonderful with lots of space for sitting down and sipping a coffee. There is often summer music and events taking place . Children can also enjoy playing in the water fountain. One block away is the Bell Tower, and old Court House. The garden is particularly beautiful and we saw many couples taking their wedding photos. My favorite buildings were the two cathedrals - St George Anglican Cathedral and St Mary Cathedral ( catholic). Both were built in the 19th Century, while St Mary’s has gone through 2 expansion and reopened in 2009. Starting in early afternoon with lunch near the shopping mall, then taking in all the sights and walking in a loop is very relaxing and definitely will fall in love with the city! ❤️ #perth #westernaustralia #cityexplorer

Perth | Stunning view of Matagarup Bridge at City View Cafe

The Matagarup Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that perches over the Swan River on the eastern part of Perth and is definitely a must see while visiting the city. The design looks much like a roller coaster and is a great photo spot from either side of the river. One of the best location to see and walk across the bridge is definitely from the Opus Stadium. Parking is free at the stadium on non- event day, and is a short 3 minutes walk through the park to the bridge. There is even zipline on the bridge for those seeking some adrenaline rush! The City View Cafe is also a good place to be included in the itinerary while at the stadium. It is located just in front of water front park and has uninterrupted windows facing the river. It serves meals from 7am to 3pm daily and is a very affordable restaurant with delicious food for breakfast and lunch. So, if the weather is too hot outside, this cafe is a perfect place to grab a bite or a cold drink and enjoy the view. #perth #westernaustralia #👍🏻foodinaustralia #cityexplorer

Impressive Wat Phra That Doi Suthep - Chiangmai

#fallingseason Located in the western outskirt of Chiang Mai , Wat Phra That Suthep is the most important temple in the city. It is on top of the Doi Suthep mountain which only takes 30 minutes to reach by car from city center. There is a row of food and gift stalls outside of the temple entrance. After entering the complex, visitors will quickly spot the 306 steps dragon staircase. It is not as intimidating as it sounds, and elevator is available for those who may not be able to walk the steps. The temple interior is impressive with the 24m gold plated chedi in the center. On the exterior, there is a large observation deck which offers a spectacular view of the city below. Wat doi Suthep is a must see for every visitor to Chiang Mai! #Chiangmai #Thailand #doisuthep #cityexplorer

bibimbap that hit just the right spot

#timetotravel I love trying out local restaurants on my trips as the food is often somewhat different to the chain restaurants that may be mass-produced. As we were walking the high streets in Gangnam, we found a no-frill place serving delicious bibimbap that hit all the right spots in our stomach. From the spicy kimchi to the bean sprout soup, to the beef bibimbap in stone pot, the taste was exactly the way we like it! No wonder it was packed with customers at lunch time. How we wish to bring this restaurant home with us! Hongbaek Restaurant Samseong Jungang station ( line 9) exit 6 walk 1 min #cityexplorer #southkorean #seoul #whattoeatseoul

Wowing Hangzhou Cuisine in Shenzhen- 桂滿隴船宴

Hangzhou cuisine is known for its food delicacy and beautiful presentation, and that was exactly what we found in this restaurant- Kwai Mun Lun. The restaurant is located on the 7th floor of the PCFC mall 平安國際金融中心- above the Shopping Park Station. We arrived at 11:45 am for lunch and already saw a long queue of at least 20 numbers ahead of us, but there were plenty of chairs outside while we waited. After about 30 minutes, we finally got our seats. The maitre d walked us inside and we were immediately wowed by the interior decoration. We walked passed a stone bridge, and passed by a traditional Chinese boat on the right where some customers sat inside the boat to have their lunch. Our table was next to another boat inside the restaurant with a little stream and trees between us. We ordered the house specials including braised pork belly, egg yolk soup, and shrimp. I especially liked the lotus root dessert which was placed inside a dish of coconut milk, and topped with a mini lotus leave and some lovely scented osmanthus. We loved the restaurant and would recommend it for those who want to try Hangzhou cuisine! Address: 7/f Ping’an Financial Center Mall Metro: Shopping Park Station- green Line- exit Ping’an Center ##shenzhen #Hangzhoucuisine #Diningfavorites #urbanexplorer #cityexplorer #foodie

Wallace Collection - admiring art in the heart of London

The Wallace Collection is a museum occupying the Hertford House in central London. It is just a few blocks ( five minutes walk) north of Oxford Street and Selfridges Department Store. The Collection was originally the private collection of Sir Richard Wallace who built it in the 18th and 19th century, but was eventually gifted to the government and opened to public viewing in 1900. The extensive collection has nearly 5000 objects and includes fine and decorative art from 15th _19th century. The art pieces in the museum are very impressive , particularly the armoury collection, the French paintings along the staircase; and the long hall of paintings on the second level. one of my favourite piece is the marble sculpture of Pysche and Cupid. There is also a cafe on the ground level which serves simple lunch and tea. It is a good place to take a break and have a drink in such a comfortable environment without leaving the museum . However during lunch hour, it gets very busy, and could require waiting time of 45-60 minutes. It is free to visit the museum and it is opened from 10-5pm daily. address: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London #visitlondon #london #uk #museumuk #urbanexplorer #cityexplorer #museum

Stroll along the Thames- Must do in London

London is an amazing city with endless things to see. Whether it is a visit to the museum or a shopping spree at the local market, there is no shortage of something new to satisfy the eyes. One of my favorite activities in London is to spend a day walking along the Thames, visiting the museum, and enjoy people watching. The time needed really depends on the starting point of the walk. I would recommend to start from the famous Tower Bridge, and walk west along the river toward the Parliament and Big Ben. There are so much to see in this section of the river, and while the actual distance is only about 3 miles, and if walk quickly could be completed in one hour, it is best to reserve half a day or even a day. The Tower Bridge is pedestrian friendly. it is fun to watch the “raising “ of the bridge. After the Tower Bridge, the next place to stop is definitely Borough Market. Go there to grab a bite before moving on to the fabulous Tate Modern Museum. This museum is one of the best museums in London and must not be missed. Visiting Tate Modern takes at least a couple of hours, and if you need a coffee break, I would highly recommend the coffee shop inside the museum for an excellent view of the Millennium Bridge and St Paul Cathedral. it is free to visit the museum except for special exhibitions. If you are short of time, save the museum for a separate day, and simply walk along the Millennium Bridge for a different view of the river. Next to Tate Modern is the historic Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. It is an open- air theater, and it is quite an experience to watch a play in this setting. Not only is the interior design following the design from the past, the seats on the upper levels are also just a long continuous bench. The most unique experience is on the ground level in which the audience would just stand in front of the stage to watch. yes it could be tiring , but it is also fun as the actors may interact with you! Buy tickets online and in advance as it is quite popular and tickets are often sold out. From here on, simply follow the board walk until you get to the Parliament. Along the way, there is a skate park where skaters practice their drills, food trunks selling snacks and drinks, and the covid memorial wall. In the summer weekends, it is especially vibrant in the afternoon. Get a drink, find a seat on the bench facing the river and just relax. By now, 2/3 of the walk is completed and the House of Parliament , Big Ben and the Ferris Wheel are just across the river. Yet this is not the end as there is still more on the other side such as Westminster Abbey. But London is so big that the walk could go on and on. And there you have it- a stroll along the Thames - and probably have taken over 100 photos by now. This to me, is a must do if you only have a day in London. #visitlondon #onedayinlondon #cityexplorer #urbanexplorer #thames #uk

Largest sea castle in Japan - Imabari Castle - 今治城

Imabari Castile is located in the city center of Imabari in Shikoku. It was built in 1602-6, by Takatora Todo, and is often considered a masterpiece model for later castle building. The castle has a sea water moat that is connected to the Seto Inland Sea. This , together with the high stone wall, arr the only 2 original parts of the castle. The rest were rebuilt in the 20th century. The tenshu, in particular, is a concrete reconstruction following the design of the original. To reach the Imabari castle, you can drive or take the train to Imabari station and walk 25 minutes (less than 2km) on flat road. There is also a parking lot just across from the moat, and charges ¥100 per car per hour. The castle ground is not huge compared to other castles, but the reflection of the castle on the moat is stunning and worthy of many photos. The castle is opened daily except for the last three days of the year from 9-5pm. #castleinjapan #shikoku #japan ##cityexplorer #Imabari

Delightful evening at Sushi Maezawa

While visiting Matsuyama, we decided to go for sushi and found a wonderful sushi place a few blocks from the Main Street in the city center. We had called the restaurant about an hour in advance and was lucky that we were able to take the last four seats in the house. Walking to the restaurant was a little of of an adventure as we had walked passed a few blocks of what seemed to be nightclubs and bars. The last turn was a quiet and wider street with a few new residential buildings and Sushi Maezawa is on the ground level of one of those buildings. The restaurant had 8 seats at the counter and Chef Maezawa managed everything with one other waitress. Neither of them spoke English and the menu was in Japanese only, but we were able to get by with my limited Japanese and google translate. As other customers arrived, the evening turned to be more lively as they were all regulars. Eventually we learned that Maezawa san had worked in Hong Kong a few years ago at one of the five star hotel and just returned to Matsuyama to open his own business. Maezawa San showed us the sashimi in his boxes and we picked everything that we liked. It was not the usual fixed price omakase since we were so hungry that evening. We just ordered as the evening went on and must have eaten more than 15 pieces each. The best part was the miso soup as recommended since it was made with all the fish bone in the house - definitely the best miso soup I have ever had! We had a fantastic evening and it was exactly how we had wanted our sushi experience to be. We would highly recommend Sushi Maezawa to anyone visiting Matsuyama! ##sushibar #Sushiinjapan ##japan #Matsuyama #cityexplorer

松山城 - castle in the sky

Matsuyama Castle is in the city center of Matsuyama in Shikoku. It is easily accessible and there are many sign posts in the city that give clear directions. The castle was built in 1604 and Is one of the 12 castles in Japan with its original tenshu. Unlike most other castles in Japan, Matsuyama Castle is situated up in the hill ( Mount Katsuyama) and can be accessed by a rope way, chair lift, or hike thru the trail. It is a fun experience to take the chair lift for ¥510 round trip. Alternative you can choose to do a one way, and walk leisurely downhill. The castle ground and garden at the top is large and commands an excellent panoramic view of the city below. A short walk will lead to the castle entrance ( with fee). I think it is worthwhile to climb up the tenshu as it is one of the 12 remaining original tenshu. Everyone needs to change into slippers and leave their shoes in lockers before entering. There are 6 levels to climb and some of the wooden staircases are narrow and steep, although they are not long staircases. There are armors and swords on display, and even two sets of armors for visitors to try on and take photos free of charge. The only issue is that they are heavy and there are six pieces to the total outfit. It will take at least 15 minutes for one person to finish his round of fitting and photo shoot. Nonetheless it was fun for us to watch . It is definitely worthwhile to visit Matsuyama Castle while in Shikoku. The castle is opened from 9-5pm and the last ropeway is at 5:30pm. Reserve 2 - 3 hours to walk through the entire premise. #cityexplorer #Matsuyama #Castlesinjapan #shikoku

Coffee in Sannomiya

Excelsior Caffee is located In the middle of the shopping street in Sannomiya , Kobe. It is one of the larger coffee places and has three levels of seats. It opens early ( as many in the area opens after 10 or even 11am) so it’s perfect if you need to have a quick breakfast before starting your journey. We went there at 830 am and it was quite busy, but the place was cleared by 915 as everyone was ready to get to work. Excelsior Caffe offers simple morning breakfast sets - including waffles, ham sandwiches, croque- monsieur or toast with hot drinks at just about ¥500. The food is well prepared and taste good ! I would recommend this place as it is convenient and has plenty of seats in the middle of Sannomiya Shopping street. #cityexplorer #Coffeeinjapan #kobe #Sannomiya

Under Neon Nights: A Manhattan Foot Tour

On a brisk evening, I took to the streets of Manhattan for a night-time exploration, the city's bright lights guiding my path. My tour commenced outside the iconic Grand Central Terminal. As I stood beneath the star-studded ceiling, I was awestruck by the sheer magnificence of the early 20th-century architectural masterpiece. The beautiful Beaux-Arts style building, adorned with sculptures of an American eagle and Roman deities, gleamed under the city lights, adding to the charm of the night. Just a short walk away, the majestic One Vanderbilt building pierced the night sky. The towering skyscraper, glittering like a constellation, stood tall as the fourth tallest building in New York City. The building was an architectural marvel, its reflective walls and glass-mirrored floors creating an illusion of infinity. Its ethereal glow added to the vibrancy of the night, making it a sight to behold. My journey continued to the electric buzz of Times Square, the heart of Manhattan. Amidst the multitude of vibrant billboards and the pulsating energy of the crowd, the city truly came to life. The next stop was the illustrious Radio City Music Hall. Standing outside the Art Deco masterpiece, I admired the radiant neon lights that adorned the façade, adding to the city's ever-glowing panorama. Finally, I found myself gazing upwards at The Shed and the other skyscrapers in the vicinity. The architectural wonders, towering high above, were a testament to the city's ever-evolving skyline. This night-time stroll through Manhattan offered a unique perspective of the city, its landmarks stunningly illuminated under the cover of darkness. It was a night to remember, a testament to the allure of the city that never sleeps. #shopandtrip #myperfectstaycation #urbanexplorer #tripblazers #awesomepic #celebratewithtrip #passionpassport #couplestrip #deliciousfood #GrandCentralStation #OneVanderbilt #TimesSquare #RadioCityMusicHall #TheShed #ManhattanByNight #NYCSkyscrapers #NightWalk #CityLights #TravelNYC #CityTour #UrbanAdventure #NightInNYC #NewYorkTravel #FootTour #CityExplorer #ExploreManhattan #NYCNights #StrollInNYC #NighttimeAdventures #NYCTravelDiaries

Hidden Gem - Moroccan-style alley at Mid-Levels

An instagrammable hidden gem - an alley with Moroccan-style appears in the mid of the street, at Mid-Levels. Here this belongs to a gemstone shop. The entrance of the shop is stylishly designed like a Moroccan garden. The vivid and contrasting coloured walls and tiles gives a brightful and cheerful mood. Enter the little alley, Feel the magic it brings and enjoy the vibes; Bring you joy and change your mood; Feel like you are on a vacation even in the neighborhood. #hiddengem #cityexplorer #urbanexplorer

Wat sibounhueang Buddhist site

Wat Sibounhueang is the most evocative Buddhist monastery, which was built in 1749 with a great Lanexang kingdom stylish, beautiful Door with decorated with golden color, special murals on the wall and columns and the painted kn red colour. Address- Ban phon huang, Sakkaline Rd, Luang prabang Laos. #mytripvlog#buddhismsite#cityexplorer

The Expressive Angels at Saint Bavo’s

These very expressive angels is part of the well known Ghent Altarpiece ( The Adoration of Mystic Lamb) at the Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. The impressive altarpiece measures 5.2 x 3.75m, and is painted by Hubert and Jan can Eyck in the 15th century. It is considered to be one of the greatest masterpiece in Belgium. As for the gothic cathedral which stands at 89m tall, it is the seat of the Diocese of Ghent, and took nearly 3 centuries to complete. It is free to visit the cathedral but requires separate ticket to see the altarpiece. #cityexplorer #history #art #belgium #ghent

Fashionable Peeing Boy amongst the waffle shops

Many of us has seen this iconic bronze statue in Brussels, but did you know that his outfit changes frequently? when I visited , he was wearing this sailor outfit! He is located on a busy street corner which is packed with waffle shops - a must eat while in Brussels ! They are all freshly made and decorated with different sauces and toppings. So delicious 😋 #境外遊 #belgium #cityexplorer #dessert

THE MODERN BRAMANTE STAIRCASE

There are many remarkable works of art and wonderful attractions housed in the Pio-Clementino Museum in Vatican City, but few are as well-known as Bramante's Staircase. In the Vatican Museums, there are in fact two stairs with the same name. The contemporary Bramante's Staircase was constructed in 1932 and was modeled after the original, which was constructed in 1505. considered a revolutionary architectural marvel of its time, with the recognizable spiral structure that has garnered renown throughout time. Fortunately, the Bramante's Staircase of today is completely accessible to the general public. This stairway, which is also a part of the Pio-Clementino Museum, serves as a marker for the conclusion of a museum tour and the exit for all visitors. Standing at the very top of this massive staircase and watching crowds of people descend to the lower floor is very amazing. Giuseppe Momo created this staircase in 1932, and it has many of the same characteristics as the original. Although in this situation it only enables two distinct groups of people to descend together, it nevertheless replicates the double helix structure. It does, however, include low-profile steps for all visitors and is not a ramp like the original. #bucketlistreboot #museums #vaticancity #italy #cityexplorer

Moscow-city 🏙

🚇 Vystavochnaya line 4. 🛍 There are shopping malls and restaurants around. Also a cruise 🚢. ❗️Moscow city has unique atmosphere. It has two sides, old style city, streets full of communism (haha 😁) and the other side is Moscow-city modern part. For me the old style always wins. But at the same time exploring all the sides of the city has its beauty. 📸 @_ana_mee_ on Instagram #passionpassport #moscow #cityexplorer ##russianfederation

Fremantle | The largest prison in Western Australia

The Fremantle Prison, built in the 1850’s by convicts from England, is the largest prison in Western Australia and the best preserved in the country. It is also a World Heritage site and runs various tours that range from 1-3 hours daily. In the tour, visitors will be able to walk into the cells, visit the chapels, as well as hear the history and fascinating stories from the excellent guides. One of the cells even had sketches on the wall - done by one very artistic convict during his time in the prison. Admission starts from AUD$22 per adult but also has concessions for family and groups over 10. It is a place worth visiting while in Fremantle or Perth ( only 30 minutes away by car) . #perth #fremantle #westernaustralia #cityexplorer

Perth | Amazing food with sunset view 🌅

Our dinner at the Shorehouse restaurant was definitely one of the best meals we had in Perth. The restaurant is located by the Swanbourne Beach and has the absolute perfect view at sunset. There are plenty of seatings indoor and outdoor and is great for gathering with friends and family. The menu included plenty of local seafood including oysters, scallops and grilled fish, as well as meat, pasta and pizza for sharing. The wine list is also extensive with alot of options from nearby Swan River, Margaret River, and vineyards in eastern Australia. Everything that we ordered was done so well, especially the bake chicken leg stuffed with spinach and ricotta, and the bread pudding with ice cream. We were disappointed that all the oysters were sold out for the night as almost every table had ordered at least 1-2 dozens ! 🦪🦪🦪 We definitely want to go back! ❤️ Address 278 Marine Parade, Swanbourne Hours 7am- 10pm daily Online booking available #perth #👍🏻foodinaustralia #cityexplorer #cityexplorer #westernaustralia

#fallingseason Wat Phra Singh Woramahavihan is one of the most important temples in Chiangmai. It was bestowed Royal temple status by King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) in 1935, and is located in the western part of the old city of Chiang Mai. The temple was first built in the 14th century, and have gone through many restoration throughout the years, with the most recent extensive work done in 2002. The wihan Lai Kham is the most prominent building on site and houses the large Buddha Phra Singh. During the Songkran Festival in April every year, the Buddha is taken out and put on a float to go through the streets of Chiangmai in a possession. Wat Phra Singh Woramahavihan is definitely one of the must visit temples while in Chiangmai. address 2 Samlarn Road, Chiangmai Hours: 9am- 6pm daily #thailand #chiangmai #Thingstodochiangmai #cityexplorer

London tips - Southbank Centre

#londontrip Are you planning a visit to London's iconic Southbank Centre? Here's your one-stop guide to make the most of your trip! 📸🌟 🚇 Tip 1: Take the Tube! 🚇 Conveniently located near Waterloo station, it's easily accessible. 📆 Tip 2: Check the Event Calendar! 🗓️ Don't miss out on concerts, exhibitions, and festivals. 🍔 Tip 3: Dining Delights! 🍔 Savor diverse cuisines at the food markets and riverside restaurants. 🚲 Tip 4: Scenic Strolls! 🚲 Enjoy picturesque walks along the Thames River. 🎭 Tip 5: Cultural Gems! 🎭 Explore art installations and performances at the Royal Festival Hall. Discover the heart of London's cultural scene at Southbank Centre – where art, music, and vibrant city life converge! 🎉🏙️ #LondonTravel #CityExplorer

surprisingly delicious Chinese food in Seoul

#timetotravel The one reason why we would go to a Chinese restaurant in Seoul was to try out the Korean style jajanmyeon. So after searching online, we found one restaurant with good ratings near Honggik station, and headed toward it. To our big surprise, the restaurant was closed when we arrived so we went to the one next door which was also a Chinese restaurant. It was quite interesting to walk in as the interior had red lanterns and the decor reminded me of the Chinese restaurants we often see in movies. Our second surprise was that the restaurant was packed with local customers and the waitress who served us didn’t speak any Chinese. We translated everything on the menu ( all in Korean) and to our surprise again - the restaurant does not serve jajanmyeon! Nonetheless the two dishes that we chose were really delicious, particularly the prawn with sweet and sour sauce. As we left the restaurant we even saw 6 Michelin plagues on a wall behind a group of customers! This was truly a night of surprises! Jin Jin Chinese Restaurant 서울 마포구 월드컵북로1길 60 1층 진진 #seoul #whattoeatseoul #cityexplorer #urbanexplorer #southkorea

#londontrip #wecreate #london #uk #shopping #urbanexplorer #cityexplorer Spitalfields Market is a lively market place with numerous independent stalls selling food, art, cloths, gifts and many more. it is just about 10 minutes walk from Liverpool Street Station and is opened from 8am-11 pm. we visited a few of times on the weekdays and weekends and the place was always busy with shoppers- especially during lunch hours. There were so many varieties of food stalls including burgers, fish and chips, Asians, and many more, and the price is not too expensive considering london’s standard. Aside from the food hall, we also loved the stalls selling art work and gifts- such as leather goods, jewelry and candles. Many of the work are made by local designers and you cannot find them anywhere else. I would highly recommend coming here around 11 am to beat the crowd, and enjoy a couple of hours of shopping afterwards! Metro- Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street Hours- 8am-11pm daily

24 hours of non- stop eating in Singapore

While I have visited Singapore many times in the past, the trips were always short and schedules were tight. In a recent trip, I finally had the chance to go out of my hotel perimeter and try out some of the delicious food in SG. My first stop was to have dinner at Newton Center. As soon as we pulled up near the parking lot, we could feel the energy inside. The central courtyard was packed with tables and customers, and we quickly bought the popular satay, the famous grilled sting ray and the crispy oyster omelet, together with some young coconuts to cool ourselves. Needless to say, the food was delicious and filled just the right spot. Next we visited the Geylang Durian Street. While durian is not my favorite fruit, this place was highly recommended by local friends and eating some durian at the stand is a must! The next morning, we went for an early breakfast at the restaurant across from our hotel and ate the famous bak kut teh. i never thought I would like it so much! The tender pork rib and the spices in the soup were a perfect match! for lunch, we visited the popular Amoy Street Food Center. Although we arrived shortly before noon, crowds of office workers were already coming through and finding a seat was not easy. There were many things on my checklist and I started off with a curry puff and sticky rice dumpling. I loved the sticky rice so much that I bought a few to take home. Next we queued up for the chicken rice. There were the options to choose between drumsticks, wings or simply the breast. As always the standard chicken rice was boneless, tender, juicy ,and flavorful. although eating in a hawker center was hot and noisy, I thought this chicken rice was better than all of the ones from my hotel restaurants! Then the last dish was the noodle shop. Just lining up at this famous noodle place took nearly 45 minutes, but in exchange we got a bowl of well presented ramen , with onsen egg, pork belly and crispy fried dumplings. By now, we were so full that we had to go for a walk, and our 24 hours were coming to an end. Still we managed to take in another kayan toast and milk tea before our flight. We absolutely enjoyed every meal and every moment of our food experience in Singapore. We will be thinking of them… until next time! #urbanexplorer #cityexplorer #visitsingapore #foodinsg

A visit to beautify Takeo Onsen

Takeo Onsen Town is about 1 hour drive or train ride away from Fukuoka. We made it our first stop after arriving Kyushu. Takeo is not a typical onsen town with bridges and Japanese style houses. In fact the town looks modern yet beautiful with wide streets. We parked our car next to the train station and visited the Saga wagyu beef bento shop. As it was already 4pm when we arrived, all of the bento except the sukiyaki beef was left. We bought one and enjoyed it with their coffee and cheese cake! The bento was smaller than expected, but was quite tasty. The famous Takeo Onsen is about 10 minutes walk from the station and is situated at the end of a quiet street amongst hotels. The spring is supposed to have the curing effects for arthritis and helps to improve indigestion! Walking thru the streets of Takeo was quite pleasant. There were flowers on the street sides, and many paintings on buildings. Other popular sights in Takeo include the Takeo Shrine and the stylish Takeo Public Library which is also a cafe! We spent about 4 hours strolling around before moving on to our next onsen- Ureshino. #kyushu #Takeo #Japanonsen #cityexplorer

Cherry blossom at sunset in Fukuoka in March

While most of the cherry blossom forecast predicted March 16/17 to be the date for first bloom in Fukuoka, when I visited Maizuru Park on March6, at least 50% of the Sakura were already in full bloom. The Sakura trees are just under the castle ruin wall so it is quite pretty and great for taking photo. At sunset, the view is particularly beautiful and you can catch the right shot with Sakura and the orange sky. In addition to the Sakura, there were also narcissus under the trees so all in all it is a great place to see cherry blossom in the city. #Fukuoka #cityexplorer #Flowerinjapan #flowers #kyushu

The Oriental Pearl Tower

An fascinating view of the Oriental Pearl Tower. Standing from Huanxing Overbridge and SuperBrand Mall, you will see the amazing view of the tower along with other skyscrapers. #mytripvlog #bucketlistreboot #urbanexplorer #cityexplorer