Any trip to Hanoi is not quite complete until one has done Halong Bay. Meandering around its limestone landscapes and clear tranquil waters are an assortment of boats of varying sizes encrusted with tourists. And for two days and one night, we were among the camera clicking hoards. We had opted for a premium option—a … Continue reading Two Days on Bai Tu Long Bay
A Fancy Pie Shop in London
The day had finally come when we brought the daughter off to London to pursue her university degree. While our universities in Singapore are excellent, the course she chose was not available here. Having studied in a UK university myself, I particularly wanted her to experience life abroad too to widen her horizons. It did … Continue reading A Fancy Pie Shop in London
A retiree’s bar in Seoul where it’s always happy hour
The husband and I pottered off to Seoul a few months ago, ostensibly for him to attend a dental conference. But we made some time to explore this sprawling city and discover its fascinating culture. We visited some must-do's including the demilitarised zone (DTZ) where we walked into the seemingly endless tunnels built by the … Continue reading A retiree’s bar in Seoul where it’s always happy hour
Ha Noi Pearl—One Fabulous Little Hotel in Hanoi
We had made a quick weekend trip to Hanoi for a much needed break. It was going to be an easy, laid-back excursion to explore the city’s food and historical sites. As with all our travels, the choice of hotel was important as where we stayed was integral to the holiday experience. It was something … Continue reading Ha Noi Pearl—One Fabulous Little Hotel in Hanoi
A Walking Tour of Hanoi’s Fabulous Street Food
The chaos of Hanoi’s streets is fascinating. Festooned overhead are vast tangles of electric cables that hang like massive, high voltage beehives, teasing you with the prospect of a sudden unexpected jolt should they decide to fall. And there’s nothing more invigorating than crossing its scooter-laden streets. Walk at a steady pace and watch the … Continue reading A Walking Tour of Hanoi’s Fabulous Street Food
Lazy Days At Amangalla, Fort Galle
Of all the gorgeous hotels and resorts I've had the privilege to stay in, one of the most enchanting in every sense of the word, is the Amangalla in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka. With the expressway that now connects Colombo the Fort Galle, the journey from the airport should take less than three hours. When … Continue reading Lazy Days At Amangalla, Fort Galle
The Sofitel Metropole Hotel’s Forgotten Underground Bunker, Hanoi
While we're on the topic of war bunkers, the historic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel has its own underground air raid shelter. Forgotten for decades since the Vietnam (or American) War, it was rediscovered by chance after the renovation of the hotel's Bamboo Bar, and reopened in 2012 for public viewing. In tribute to the … Continue reading The Sofitel Metropole Hotel’s Forgotten Underground Bunker, Hanoi
The Historic Building D67, Hanoi
When I was in Hanoi not long ago, being the history nerd, I had Building D67 on my must-see list. Purpose-built in 1967, it was where the North Vietnamese generals based their headquarters during the Vietnam War (or the American War, as the Vietnamese call it). Among them was the great General Vo Nguyen Giap, … Continue reading The Historic Building D67, Hanoi
The Cat of Hanoi
The streets of Hanoi are crazy, chaotic, vibrant and exciting. Every pedestrian walkway and space in front of the shops is either filled with tables and chairs for a street-side food stall, or with scooters squashed together handlebar to handlebar. There's really no place for a cat to find a foothold. But while on a … Continue reading The Cat of Hanoi
Journey Back to the Ancestral Village
I headed back to my ancestral village in June. That's the thing about being an 'overseas Chinese'. We all have 'ancestral villages', where our ancestors lived and made that journey out of the poverty of China at the turn of the century. In this case, the village I sought out and visited was my maternal … Continue reading Journey Back to the Ancestral Village
The Runaway Palate 
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