Bay Hotel Singapore - Rumah Rasa

ABBEY: Heard about buffet? Yes. But ala carte buffet, no. We got this deal from worth 45sgd. An ala carte Indonesian dinner buffet at Rumah Rasah in Bay Hotel (near Harbourfront MRT). In ala carte buffet you will not see the typical dishes served in huge plates and you will pick what you like and eat. Instead they will give you a menu, tell what you want and it will be served in small portions. As it is a buffet order as many as you want repeatedly.

First serving we had gado-gado (boiled vegetable with peanut sauce), sweet and sour fish fillet, and potato croquette.

Third is our favorite fish fillet and potato croquette again. Each serving comes with beautiful presentation. The staff are polite to explain what is in the menu. I was very full after the dinner ended. I had enough of good food. Sadly they announced that they will only cater Indonesian cuisine until October 7, 2012. It will be replaced by European cuisine by then.

WILL: After the Singapore GP drained all our adrenaline, all our energy and our voice. Its a great time to re-fuel. While scheduling all the vouchers we have, I immediately asked Abbey if we can have dinner at Rumah Rasa for that night. He agreed, I called for reservation then I am on my way to bathroom. 

      We entered the Bay Hotel's restaurant and awed by the its serene effect on us. We sat opposite with each other and hailed the waiter to introduce us to the different viands in the menu. 

      As ordered, we tasted and we enjoyed every bite of every ordered food we had that night. But my favorite is the garlic clams. I think I asked three servings of it. Rumah Rasa is ala-carte buffet so there is no need to stand your way to the buffet table. 

     Persuaded by the surroundings and we talked like we are dating before, we took our time and linger on every words we spoke to each other. We went back to the days before I saw him again, to the days we are dating and to the days my wall is up and very hard to tumble down. Indeed this is a great night. Peaceful place and nice food with the man I love. 

     Glad before Bay Hotel decided to turn Ruma Rasah to western cuisine, we have this chance to taste their Indonesian food. Thanks to Plus Big Deal for this voucher :) 

Singapore GP 2012 Concert : Katy Perry

ABBEY: She's the one who closed the 2012 Singtel Formula 1 Grand Prix. After the final race and Vettel got the trophy we headed to the race track and have our way to Padang stage. A huge number of people flocked on the ground waiting for Katy. She was wearing what look like a sexy racing outfit with K and P marks at the back. She sang her top hit songs like Extraterrestrial, The one that got away, California Girls, Peacock, I kissed a girl, waking up in Vegas and Fireworks. A guy is lucky on that night when received a long smack from Katy. Her performance is great. No wonder why she was chosen for that Sunday concert.

WILL: I am Katy Perry fan and obviously this 2012 Singapore GP is a real deal, $178 for two concert of my fave artists and to see the burning skills of racing cars. 

      As Vettel popped the champagne, we immediately conquered the tracks to walk our way to the Padang Stage. We are in hurry since we only have 30mins before Katy starts to heat up the stage. Well, I am not wrong, we are late of a few minutes because Ms Perry almost finish the "Hot and Cold" song when we entered the FanZone. 

      As we got the spot, I loose myself and started to  sway, jumped and raise my hands along with her music. Sweat is all over me but I don't care. Abbey? He lingers every moment while he is taking snaps of this lazy eyed girl. 

      Again, thanks Singapore GP for the fanzone wristband. :) 

Thanks visitors... friends... and NUFFNANG!

ABBEY: Time really flies fast. Now its time to celebrate our second blog anniversary. After two years, the unique visitors is at 85,000. 

Compared to other featured blogs, we still have a lot of work to do but for us its a milestone reached. We never imagined that we will make this far. We enjoyed what we do and we are happy that others are continuing to support us. I managed to read older posts once in a while and surprised that I can write that much. As a gift we deposited our earnings in Nuffnang. 

We hope that we can continue to help others by our reviews.

WILL: This is our couple's blog 2nd bday. This is a hobby that binds me and my hubby. We enjoy every inch, every time, and everything about this blogging. We enjoy every questions by our jargons and friends where, when and how we felt when we go to a certain place, when we ate or cooked that food or when we do some of those activities. 

     This is a hobby that grew with little fame, with a large advantage to some events and unexpected amounts, vouchers and freebies from different companies/people...one of those is Nuffnang, our exclusive ads supplier. 

     After some debate two years ago, Abbey agreed to have an advertisement to our blogs and that we chose Nuffnang. :) Just this past month, we received the cheque amounting S$ 59.25. For some this maybe small, but for me and my husband, this is a huge cash, huge cash for doing nothing for them. Haha. 

     Dear Nuffnang, we banked it in together with our $1 coins in our mini bank and we will invest it. Thanks readers, friends and blogwalkers. Thank you Nuffnang, for the free movies, free tours, free products and this cheque. Viva Nuffnang! 

Maroon 5 in Singapore GP 2012 Concert

ABBEY: Ring....ring....ring.... And the lights went out. People screamed as they wait for Maroon 5 to come out. It became louder when Adam sang the first few lines of Payphone. The crowd went crazy as the band played along. Payphone is a hit song and hearing it live will make you ecstatic. They also sang Lucky Strike, Won't go home without you, She will be loved, and Moves like Jagger. The audience sang with the band and danced too. Others even made posters for them. Their performance is worth the wait; good thing we got fanzone wristband :)

WILL:  Before leaving the scene on our Singapore F1 week, we examined the route that we must track for the next day, we don't want to miss a single word from Maroon 5. Haha. 

       8pm, we went to Padang Stage to watch Bananarama. Almost all in the fanzone knew them even the teenagers sings and sways along with their songs. While sitting on the grass, we stared on the big screen on the stage to see the race and patiently wait for the Maroon 5. 

        After the cars were done running, a loud phone rings from the speakers and the people screamed, including me. When I saw Adam, oh, Adam! Hehe. I intoxicated myself with his voice. Sing-a-long with every lyrics and danced off to the beat. 

        I love Maroon 5 since they start their business in music scene. Their songs were my companion every time I am all alone in a business trip, when I am sad, when my heart shattered into pieces. They made me stronger by their hit songs. 

        Thanks Abbey for letting me see them. Love u a lot :) 

2012 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix (Fanzone Winner)

ABBEY: So much had happened before the first of the race; bought early bird ticket at 178 per person, the tickets were upgraded from Zone 4 walkabout to Fan Stand at Pit Straight, and got a Fanzone wristband for Katy Perry concert. 

This is my first time to watch the Grand Prix since I set my feet on Singapore. Excitement rushed on me as the Gate 1 opened on the first day. I went on Fanvision kiosk to get our complimentary Fan Friday gadget. This is an electronic device that lets you view the live feed from the circuit park and it also shows the statistics on the race as well as what the audience says on Twitter. Then I took a snap of 3D artist Leon Keer. His drawing is awesome. You're like into the picture itself. I also scout our designated seat which is close to start/finish line. We were located on Turn 23 of the circuit.

Security on the 3-day race is tight but it doesn't give any inconvenience on my experience. Food and beverage kiosks were strategically place on each zone like Hard Rock Cafe, Ottoman Kebab and Grill, Pitstopper, Quiznoz and Shiraz. We've also seen roving performances from the Vegas girls and magician at Zone 1. All attendees were in high spirits as the engines revved and thr race started. It only rained once on the race duration but the show must go on. The bleachers became more and more occupied until the final race. But before that the drivers had a parade riding on vintage cars. Sebastian Vettel won the Singapore leg but Fernando Alonso is still the leading driver. We invaded the track after the final race to get in Katy Perry's concert in time. We didn't let the opportunity pass to take some pics on the checkered lane. The experience we had is great and we're hoping to be part again next year.

WILL: I am still breathing after 3 days adrenaline pumping F1 race. This month is full of blessings, blessings that we cannot contain, blessings that is very unexpected and one of those is when Abbey won a ticket upgrade, from Gate 4 walkabout ticket worth $173 to All-Access gates and Pit Grandstand ID priced $1288. Gosh, when Abbey saw that congratulatory email, he can't help it but to check every other hour on Singapore GP Facebook page. 

      To tell you honestly, I only asked Abbey to bought those tix because of the concert, Maroon 5 and Katy Perry and the fact that this is the last year of 5-year contract of Singapore GP to hold that event. Do not get me wrong, I love cars, I love racing, I love the sweet revving of its engines but what matter most for me is to see the performers. So when Abbey won the contest, I immediately checked all the things that must learn before the fast cars race in front of me. 

      As the 1st day came, it rained but the SGP never stopped the excited people to see the Porsche skids their wheels on slippery Singapore circuit. It was almost dinner time when I go there so Abbey and I hit the food stalls and chose to ate falafel. After the preliminary, GP cars and after our ears was baptized by an alarming sound of the race cars, I asked Abbey if we can go to the Singapore Flyer to have a aerial shot of the blazing track. As we have a blue ID, this is free. But before crossing, Abbey told me that we must return first the fanVision. When I heard that, I am so sad, that was a great piece, I can hear the commentaries and see the updated statistics of the race. We have that free for a day only, its $90 when you will rent it for 3 days. We went to Flyer and as our cabin starts to accelerate on top, I immediately sat to the best place I can have the best shot. So, so, good. This is a chance for a lifetime for us. Singapore GP, we are really grateful for this. I ask Abbey that we need to head home since I have office for Saturday. 

      Day two! Abbey is very early to queue and to get a fanzone ticket for Maroon 5. As early as 11am but then the gate 4 was opened 230pm. Long wait was rewarded. Haha. We go out from Gate 4 then we go to Gate 1 for us to see the race and have some complimentary tattoo. :) after  8pm, we went to Hawker Village for dinner. We bought subs at Quiznos and sat down to the grass inside the Fanzone in front of the big screen. There we wait for Bananarama and Maroon 5 to perform. 

      Final day, third day! 4pm we arrived the place and really concentrated to see all the racing cars burning all their wheels onto the pavement. I am really delighted to see all of them at my front changing tires and waiting for the go signal to run up their engines to the fullest. This is really an event that I cannot forget in my life. I internalize all the humming sounds of the engine, the skids of the burning wheels and the popping of champagnes. Congrats to Vettel for winning again here ing Singapore. He is really an awesome driver. He is one with his machine. After the champagne was blasted, we conquered the race track, took some photos  and tan our way to see Katy Perry at the Padang Stage. 

      Again, Singapore GP thank you so much! We will never forget this and we will tell this tale to everyone. :) We are so blessed. Buy your ticket for 2013 Singapore GP now, Avril Lavigne for Day 1 concert? hehe.. I hope so... 

Night Festival 2012

ABBEY: As per their posters I thought Night Festival will only be held indoors; and it wasn't. It was indoors as well as outdoors. First stop is the National Museum. We watched here the performance of Swingapore; an gymnast group that uses rings and drapes on their performances. Other galleries were open for free viewing. 

It was already dark when we went out of the museum and we saw the light and sound art in the walls that became a big screen for the projectors. Then we went on Armenian street. The street was closed as it was the stage for the Argentenian artist that was suspended on a harness, Fuerzabruta La Argentina. Drums, lights and confetti made the performance great. 

Percussion band were inside the Perenakan museum and they kept the audience upbeat with their music. The last performer is a fusion of Chinese drum band and beat box group. They were really  good. I'm impressed that they can produce different sounds only from their mouths. And with the accompaniment of good old Chinese drums, it's a classic. 

We also caught a glimpse of Singapore Arts museum as it was illuminated and "painted" by the projectors. The festival lasted until 2am but we went home before 12 as I have office the next day :)

WILL: Looking for some free night-out? Bras Basah and Bugis Precinct presented the Night Festival on last weekends of August. I know this is a very long due blog and I am apologizing since me and my husband was engaged in some career moves.

      We freed our scheduled for this event and all I know that this is a street party and museums are on Open House. After Abbey's shift, he went to our office to pick me and together we went to this event...and we're too early.

      As I got the program, we immediately went to Singapore National Museum to witness the Circus Swingapore, this are boys and girls doing acrobats using piece of cloths hanging from ceiling. It is amazing. Then we went to Wedding Gown museum. They portrays the evolution it and the different gowns from different Hollywood movies.

     After that, we moved our feet to Armenian Street. Street was jam packed, artists were just feet away from each other. And this is the part I enjoyed most, when the street was filled by confetti and a dancing lady in white is suspended by a rope and circling the whole road. It just turned the Armenian street a dancing ground. We went to Peranakan Museum to have a glimpse why there is a music of drums inside, the beat really made my hips to sway. Haha. As all our adrenaline was drained, we planned to go and leave the place around 9:30PM, but the DJ Koflow & beatboxers boys stopped our pace and stayed for another 30mins. Darl, they are so good.

     Next year, we will definitely go again here. This is a great event to showcase the local talents of Singapore.

Parokya ni Edgar 2012 @ Singapore

ABBEY: One of the greatest Pinoy band was announced to hold a concert here at Singapore last September 8 and 9. Originally it was a one-day concert only but became two due to overwhelming response of their fans. The concert was held at The Arena. We got there an hour before and the queue is already long. A couple of front act bands like Stella's Art built the crowd's excitement for the main artists. At last we heard there sound check. 

The crowd went wild as Chito and Vinci came up front. They sang Buloy, Picha Pie, and Maniwala ka Sana. Chito even made a request on his own band to sing his favorite, Halaga. And Vinci sang Elisi when he "applied as a vocalist of Rivermaya". The night was full of fun, thrills and shouts. It ended on a high note with Yes Yes Show.

WILL: Parokya in Edgar is a famous band since my high school days, but I am a Rivermaya fan.. Haha.. As I read the announcement under the Facebook group of Filipinos in Singapore, I immediately check the veracity of the event. Verified and screenshot, I emailed immediately to my husband, PNE is his favorite band, right there and then agreed to watch it. This is our first time to watch a Filipino performers to do live.

      As the long wait came to an end, we queue on a long line of people circling The Arena at the Clarke Quay. Gosh, it took us 1 1/2 hours before we reached the doors. Front acts, better not to comment. Haha.

      When Parokya enters, people starts to scream on the top of their lungs and then they hit the place first with Buloy. I am shocked that after a decade of knowing their songs, I still knew the lyrics of their pieces. Haha.. This band is so cool. I hope they will never part ways unlike other bands. More power Parokya in Edgar, thank you for visiting us here in Singapore.

Shiraz

ABBEY: After enjoying a rocking concert by Parokya ni Edgar looked for a bite to eat. Then we saw Shiraz's shawarma. I hurriedly get in the queue and ordered a chicken shawarma and falafel. The chicken shawarma combo comes with drinks and fries at less than 15sgd. The veggie falafel is at 8.80. The sauce that we got is garlic-mayo. It was good. Enough to fill our hunger. The branch where we ate is at Clarke Quay.

WILL: After the Parokya ni Edgar concert at The Arena, after screaming our lungs out, after the jumping against the rhythm of their music, I was drained. Totally tired and staved. I can make it to our home and there we can eat a dinner, but Abbey insisted to eat out and refill our body's energy. I just want something light since it is almost 11PM, gladly we passed to Shiraz.

      Shiraz offers Persian cuisine and we just there to hit their shawarma. Abbey ordered chicken shawarma and vegetable falafel. I like their vegetable one, it seems that there is beef inside. Haha,.. This is located 3A River Valley Road Clarke Quay. And their food costs $8.80.

The Body Shop Passion Fruit Body Scrub

ABBEY: I can say that I'm a fan of body scrub now. A clean body gives me a certain amount of confidence. When I tried this product the fruity scent gave me a refreshing feeling. I felt I'm more alive and energized. The salts leaves my skin soft and smooth.

WILL: Abbey signed-up The Body Shop - Love Your Body membership for me here in Singapore. He is the one who buys lotions for me. He knows when and what to buy. My husband is a really an ideal partner, isn't he? Ha!

      Well, being a member, I have the opportunity to know all the events and special promotions they have. They had this 70% warehouse sale, we bought this and stocked-up. Now is the time to try and test this body scrub. 

     As I open the lid, the sweet aroma of this scrub filled up the air of out bathroom. As I gently massage it on, the seeds from this passion fruit helps to scrape my dead skin off. As I washed, my body seems rejuvenated. Lovely isn't. Perfect for sensitive type of skins. 

    Visit The Body Shop branches and ask for the best body scrub that will suit your needs. 

Sentosa Buskers Festival 2012

ABBEY: This is the third time we attended the Buskers Festival at Sentosa. We met Mama Lou; a fine lady with brute strength. She showcases stunts which proves how strong a human being is. From lifting things through her tongue to smashing an apple with her biceps; this woman is great. Next is the Mexican Rock and Roll duo. They did acrobatic acts and juggled with knives. Dangerous as it is, they managed to make their performance funny by their antics. Then we saw the magician. He picked a kid to be his sidekick and the child was game to participate. We had a lot of laugh for the magic tricks. It was a fun day at the festival. Looking forward for their next year's event.

WILL: This is the third annual celebration of Sentosa's Buskers Festival, and now they celebrated it along its 40th anniversary. New lineup of buskers gathered from all over the globe to made us smile. 
      We went here after my office hour, Monday. As we anticipated, more crowd is now flocking each performers. We saw four of the buskers, stunts. The Anonymous Brothers are really funny guys but doing a dangerous act. Ms. Adrian Conde of Argentina-Spain is a magician, every move is so funny and his hands is definitely quicker than my eyes. Mama Lou, I adore her body.. Haha! Guys must be intimidated by her strength. And the last one and definitely not the least, physics plus strength is the key of their performance from Canada and Peru, the LOL Brothers.
      That night is really is really filled by laughter. We are looking forward for this event every year. Thanks Sentosa for bringing this for free and for helping a charity. Oh, compliments to the sound systems for this year. :)

Digestives

ABBEY: My officemate used to bring this crackers at work. I was surprised that Wilma is fond of eating it also. We bought a large pack for 1.95sgd at Sheng Shiong. The cookie tastes good. It has a creamy after taste. Good to be partnered with coffee or tea. Beware to handle it gently else the cookie will crumble.

WILL: My colleague introduced me to this biscuits. At first I was hesitant to get some but Jay insisted. So I took and had a bite. Since then this became one of my favorite biscuits. 

      Its very tasty and it is somewhat melts in my mouth. It reminds me of my childhood biscuits. This available in major supermarkets islandwide, $3. 

Kneipp Singapore Cranberry Tea - Cleansing Herbal Tea

ABBEY:  This is one of the many products Wilma won from Kneipp. The tea is fusion of berries and other antioxidants. Just like Clipper's tea this tea is full of aroma. 

The taste is sour and sweet. As I drink, it keeps me relaxed and cheerful throughout the day.

WILL: Thanks to City Wander Walker for letting me to win a the Kneipp grand prize. We went to Guardian Paragon Branch and look for Ms Henrissa, hooray she knew how to speak Filipino. Abbey chose to have this tea.

      This cranberry tea is a drink for cleansing. We chose this, who will not want to be cleansed anyway? This costs $9.60. The taste? Awesome! We really like the taste of this tea. Cranberry really floats with every cup. 

      They have varieties of flavor to choose from that suits your needs. Next time we will definitely buy the pack of good night tea.