ABBEY: We were in a quest to go to Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee but it is out of our way. So we go to the apprentice; PPP Coffee at Funan.
I’m craving for cold brew but all their batches are sold out.
So before ordering we check their beans to used in my own cold brew. Their staff is really helpful explaining to us and advising us what beans we should pick. And our beans is Throwback blend.
We order their version of hot drink and it was smooth and no bitter and funky aftertaste.
The same goes with my homemade cold brew. This is no ordinary cafe. The baristas know their craft.
Before buying the beans, Abbey ordered Throwback Cappuccino for two. It is not your typical lattes you have been buying, it has an extra creaminess and kick of the espresso. You will know that their beans were totally handcrafted and not mass produced.
Will be one of the cafes that truly stands out. Of course! Totally recommendable!
ABBEY: We’ve been in Marina Barrage Tour multiple times as we want our family to know how water is being valued here in Singapore. But it was only the two of us during our last visit to the Sustainable Singapore Gallery. Their dam simulation is already outside the gallery. Every visit is always a new learning. And we can see that Singapore keeps on improving and setting the bar higher. The guided tour will explain to you their problem with water and how they combat the hurdle. Sacrifice and discipline play a key role to make solution happen and to sustain it.
Due to pandemic the interactive displays are off limits but our tour guide put a lot of effort to help us understand the programs towards water.
Marina Barrage's Sustainable Singapore Gallery
Marina Barrage's Sustainable Singapore Gallery
WILL: Forgot that Marina Barrage renovated their gallery few years back. And upon thinking what are the things we can do or visit in Singapore, Sustainable Gallery popped out of my mind. The old gallery is not boring BUT the new Sustainable Singapore Gallery emphasised not the problems of global warming but the layout plans for the SOLUTIONS.
Singapore has difficulty in acquiring a good quality water. Now, Singapore has a tap water suitable for drinking (based on WHO standards). Singapore is lacking of water supplies. Now it has 17 reservoirs! Maybe water source is not enough in the future? There are 2 working desalination (sea water to fresh water) plants and 5 NEWater (recycled water) facilities.
Rubbish? Heat? Noise pollution? Everything was tackled in the gallery! Please visit them, it is FREE! A good way to learn more about the initiatives of Singapore Government of the country.
ABBEY: I have this itch in me to try Godiva chocolate. Be it their chocolate, soft serve or drinks. And just the universe conspires, we “stumbled” upon their shop at Ion Orchard. I’m into coffee that time but hey the hot 85% dark chocolate drink called me.
It is not that bitter or maybe I just got used to the taste as I’m chocolate with that much percentage. Not too sweet and creamy but thick. Next time I’ll try the soft serve or even buy their 100% arabica coffee beans for 46SGD.
GODIVA Chocolatier since 1926 - Hot Chocolate Drink in Singapore
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WILL: Abbey loves chocolates..specially dark chocolate. Well, that made us to realize to explore different chocolatiers. One of those is GODIVA! Godiva originated from Belgium and almost 100 years in business.
Last December, we indulged on their hot drinks offered at ION orchard. So what’s with it? You will definitely savour the luscious creamy chocolatey drink. I went for their Speculoos Hot Chocolate. Of course it is extra sweet and have the dinstict taste of biscoff cookies. It is indeed lovely.
If you are up to a different kind of cafe, go ahead to Godiva and experience their well-known chocolates.
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GODIVA Chocolatier since 1926
(W) https://www.godiva.com.sg/boutiques.html
(H) Daily: 11am to 9pm
(A) Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B1-05, Singapore, Singapore SG
InterContinental Singapore Bugis - FREE Upgrade Deluxe Room King With Bathtub | Breakfast Included
InterContinental Singapore Bugis - FREE Upgrade Deluxe Room King With Bathtub | Breakfast Included
WILL: Our holiday booking was cancelled and moved to Hearts’ day, but Ash Harris of Holiday Inn Express gave us a news.. they still can’t accommodate us but helped us to move our reservation to their sister company, the InterContinental Singapore. Whew! That is an automatic upgrade of a HOTEL!
InterContinental is adjacent to Bugis Plus Mall and it is quite convenient for people who love to shop. We were greeted gleefully by the concierge. The check-in process only took us around 15 minutes and informed us of room upgrade! From Heritage Room to Deluxe Room! Yeyyyy!!! We were reminded of SGD10k penalty if we breached the “hotel visitor regulation”.
The Deluxe Room is clean. Well it should be. InterContinental is one of the prestigious hotel chains in the world. Hehe. Bathroom has separate bathtub that have this classic faucet design. They are serving TWG tea and French press coffee. Their bed is explicitly soft and relaxing. The carpet design is so cool, I mean cool in a sense that the color gives somewhat calmness.
Of course there is mandatory check-in when entering their premises and facilities. Before heading to the gym, pool or even for your free breakfast, please book it. Gym is huge! There's space for all! Haha! Pool is not an infinity pool and many hotel guests prefer the shaded jacuzzi. Breakfast is a set menu but Ash and Elm waitress is so accommodating and advised us that we can mix their fresh fruit juices on our convenience. The beetroot juice is awesome!
I am surprised when saw the flock of people at the lobby. I thought it might take us half-hour for checking out. But I am wrong. It didn’t even take us 5 minutes because of their express check-out program.
Even the hotel is next to a mall and busy shopping street, you will feel well tucked-up for a relaxation. Again, thank you Ash for the hotel upgrade. Thank you so much InterContinental for warm staffs, free room upgrade and of course how can we forget the free macarons and chocolates!
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InterContinental Singapore: 5-Star Luxury Heritage Hotel
ABBEY: It’s Christmas time and my wife keeps on asking me what I want as gift. Good thing she found one: a silver bar. I asked her why silver and not gold. The explanation brought me to the doors of BullionStar.
The first thing I felt when I’m inside the store is that it is welcoming. You can check the items for sale like gold and silver bars and coins as well without someone snooping around you. Their staff also help us to narrow down our choices for the items we will buy. I was very happy at the feel of the element on my palm.
And you know what made me more happy? The price surge after we bought it. Haha. Merry Christmas indeed.
WILL: Expensive shirts, shoes, bags, or even an authentic leather belt, those are the usual gifts we are giving to our partners right? But those do not last long, don’t hold a value, and of course not a real investment. I am unemployed last 2020 and that is why I started how to stretch the value of my money. A gift that I will benefit too. Haha!
I look on investments but Abbey have most of it..EXCEPT..except commodities. So I have done some research and finally decided that I will buy Abbey silver bars.
*Do you know that Singapore won’t require you to have a vault or safety box before buying any commodities?
*Do you know that you can buy silver/gold/platinum in Singapore tax free? Well now you know.
We went to BullionStar and it was a really nice experience. We walked in and told the cashier that it was our first time to buy a silver. So the staff patiently answered all our questions. He also helped us to register our account and advised that we got a free one ounce of silver due to the sign-up.
Our experience at BullionStar is superb and now I do not wonder why there’s a number of visitors when we visited the store. Definitely recommendable to checkout BullionStar if you are thinking to buy your silver/gold/platinum.
ABBEY: I always wanted to give Wilma a ring from Tiffany & Co. Presenting your gift in that iconic tiffany blue box is worth it. But since she already got her second engagement ring, I bought her a pair of ear”ring”.
The ordering process is seamless and online. Their staff Michell really attended me well. She threw suggestions along the way and I made our purchase. She even arranged a personalized note and have the item delivered to our preferred store at Ion Orchard. The online service is superb and all went well.
Then came the collection day. We went to the shop and we told we were for item collection. The staff checked and a few seconds later our order is in front of us.
We prefer to collect at the store rather than delivery as we wanted the Tiffany experience. After it was given to us we feel it’s as if they wanted us to get out of the store as soon as we can. We were never given the courtesy to verify the item. It was even us who asked if we could check it on the couch. The pieces of jewelry is good and as what we’ve seen in the site. It is beautiful. But the shop in Ion Orchard (1st level)? No.
Tiffany & Co. Singapore ION Orchard Store Experience (The White Box)
Tiffany & Co. Singapore ION Orchard Store Experience
WILL: Abbey asked me and I received.
Haha! I told him that I want earrings as a gift and yet he went extra mile giving me a Tiffany & Co jewelry.
We reached Tiffany & Co ION branch and we were greeted by a man. Abbey ordered it online so it was well packed. The white box was immediately put in their iconic tiffany blue bag. Now my question is, “Is this really the Tiffany and Co?”. You may asked why? I didn’t feel any warm welcome from the store and as I said the white box was just handed to us. How do we know if the jewelry is there or if the item is correct? So I asked permission if I can sit at one of their chairs. While opening the box (it is really hard to open) the same man just handed us a bottled water. Not even asking if we need any help. (Nike customer care is better than him. OMG!) At that time there are only 3 clients including us so I am not sure why he care less on us. We went off and I am not sure if someone bid a goodbye to us. Tiffany and Co absolutely tarnished my expectations on them.
Anyways, I am surprised how Abbey pulled off his surprise message. Thank you so much baby! Of course I will marry you again and again!
Will I come back? I don’t know? Abbey is the one buying pieces of jewelry for me. Haha. But he saw my frustrations and he can compare the kindliness and care of local jewelry company than Tiffany & Co.
