Marche

ABBEY: We were entice especially my wife by the bread of Marche. Whenever we pass by it we are thinking of buying one but it's almost always happens that we have already a loaf at home. One time when we strolling along Somerset we bought wholemeal loaf. It's a huge bread. Its has very good aroma. You can eat the bread on its own. It's very tasty. Or you can partner it with chicken franks as did. I'm looking forward for the day that we can dine at their restaurant.

WILL: I saw Marche store at VivoCity and asked abbey if we can have some snack there sometime. And that sometime until now never happens, why? Vivo is quite far from us and his new office.

      Now, we bought this huge loaf and I am very very happy to see this bread. The taste is awesome, you will never need any spread for it. Crunchy outside and inside is so soft. Love this! This costs us nor more than $5. 

       

      

I Love Ice Cream

ABBEY: Wow, indeed this is a real treat. Singapore held its first ever ice cream posh at Clarke Quay last November 19. Party started at 5pm. Ice cream makers like Marble Slab and participated in the event. Gelatos, hand-made, and odd-flavored ice creams were sold starting from 3sgd per scoop. Free ice creams were given to subscribers of local telco and its FB friends. Next time I'll buy the curry one :)

WILL: I am not into sweets! I am not into ice creams, but I know Abbey will surely love this! After his EMEA shift, we directly went at at Clarke Quay to participate to the first ever Singapore's Ice Cream Bash.

      We are so overwhelmed that many people gathered to taste all the local ice cream concoctions. Balloons were everywhere that even adults enjoyed the idea of holding it! It was like going back to our childhood!

      My favorite of all is the Pumpkin Coconut by Brownice, lovely and extraordinary creaminess that melts in my mouth. I remembered that Abbey bought a scoop of chocolate ice cream at Haato and never gave me even a half-spoon of his chocolate gelato. Damot! Hehe.

      We'll wait for the next year's ice cream bash! 

OldTown White Coffee 3in1 Hazelnut

ABBEY: I like their coffee when we visited their shop at the Playground. When we saw their instant coffee at World Food Fair we bought the pack. 

The flavor is hazelnut. Rich aroma filled our room when I made a cup. As the smell is good so is the taste; not too bitter, not too sweet. It's a good buy. Unfortunately the stock run out when we tried to at Sheng Siong.

WILL: OldTown is a local business from Malaysia but also a distinctive cafe here in Singapore. White coffee for Malaysians is coffee roasted in margarine, brewed and sweetened by condensed milk.

      This coffee has a very strong aroma that will awaken your spirit, when you sip it your taste buds will be definitely thankful to you. 

      I hope we can see more of this flavor at supermarkets. OldTown is always out of stock. Tourist here in Singapore, this coffee is a must to buy before heading home.

Dulcofibre

ABBEY: This sample was given to us when we purchased a product from Guardian. I am aware of this fibre-rich supplements because they were already being sold back in Philippines but I haven't tried any. 

A sachet should be mixed in a glass of water. It has a faint citrus flavor. Upon intake, you should drink ample amount of water throughout the day to obtain maximum effect. The result is good for me, I became a "floater" during that period.

WILL: As other vitamins, we also need a daily supply of fiber. You can take Dulcofibre once or twice a day. We took this lovable mandarin taste drink before we took our breakfast.
      Soluble fibre is a really must for every individual. This helps the body to throw away the toxins that causes diseases. 
      Wait no more, buy Dulcofibre now. 

Singapore's National Recycling Programme

ABBEY: I don't know the whole recycling program of Singapore. But we were given a green garbage bag with a date marked on it for collection. 

We can put all our recyclables there like plastic bottles, news or loose papers, cartons etc. It's a great feeling knowing that you participate on such programs that can make the country you are living more beautiful and sustainable.

WILL: Way back in Philippines, I support the Clean and Green advocacy of the Government, by piling up the newspaper, plastics and bottles in our house and we will give that recyclables to junk shops.

      So here in Singapore, we really appreciate this movement. We really want to help even in this small step for reviving mother earth. 

      We will support this all the way!  

Red Rock Deli Potato Chips - Sweet Chili & Sour Cream

ABBEY: I went to "The Supermarket" at Raffles link to buy TGIF's potato skin chips. Unfortunately they're out of stock. I looked for a replacement from their wide array of chips and I found Red Dock Deli Potato chips. It was on a discounted price at 6sgd.

WILL: From Malaysia, Almost 3 days I do not have a chip intake.. poor me, but when I went back home, OMG, I have this at our cabinet. 

      The taste? well, this is the only time that I realized that chilli is good to be with sour cream..hehe. The thickness of each chips is just right to handle the crispness. 

      Love my baby. Thanks for this! 

20th World Orchid Conference Singapore 2011

ABBEY: I have read in the Scriptures that even the most elegant robe of King Solomon is of no match with the beauty of the flowers. And its true. 

We went to World Orchid Conference where different arrays of orchids were exhibited. It was held at the basement of of Marina Bay Sands. For a price of 15sgd you can see, learn and marvel at those cut flowers. 

They were displayed by country, kind or by arrangements. Among the plants I saw were giant orchids, pitcher plants, and ikebanas. 

Souvenir shops, cafe and resting place are there at the conference. Next host is Columbia

WILL: Yes! Now we can celebrate his natal day for whole day now. He is on leave and I cannot afford to waste his time. And this Orchid conference gave me a great idea for that day.

      Knowing Abbey, similar with my eldest brother, they are the only boys that I know who has a green-thumb and loves to the peaceful rays that was given by the plants. 

      So we went here at Marina Bay Sands to see for ourselves the  World Orchid Conference. I was so shocked to see that there are so many varieties of this flower. 

      The Thailand extravagant display was announced as the Grand Champion. Thank you WOC for giving us this lifetime chance. 

Gardens by the Bay

ABBEY: We have much anticipation for the opening of this garden. Above in the Marina Bay Sands Skypark we saw the beautiful landscapes and dome structures. One of them, the Flower Dome,  opened in line with the World Orchid Conference. Free shuttle rides were offered or you can use the foot bridge to get there. 

You can enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature with their open boardwalk beside a swamp, and international gardens like Malayan and Chinese. Bonus feature is you can take a snap on the other side of MBS. It's still a work in progress and I knew that will be better once it is fully opened.

WILL: This is a great way to celebrate Abbey's bday. We surrounded ourselves with flora. 

      We eyed to go in here once the NatGeo featured some of this on their Marina Barrage show and the WOC gave us this great opportunity to preview one of the dome.

      We roamed around the vast space of the unfinished garden but even it is not 100% ready, we awed to the magnificent views and architecture of it. 

      From Marina Bay Sands, there is bridge that will connect the people to this wonderful space or maybe in future time, there will be a bus to be assigned here. 

      We can't wait for the grand opening of this garden. 

Gardens by the Bay - Flower Dome Preview

ABBEY: This is the extension of our trip to WOC at Marina Bay Sands. Its only a part of the huge Gardens by the Bay. When you purchase a ticket for WOC no entrance fee will be required here. 

Succulent, Australian, Californian, and South American gardens were featured at the dome. Interactive wall screens are displayed to learn more about the plants and trees. 

Drinking fountains are available since you will walk a long way.

WILL: Excited to be the few people to see this Flower Dome and we are privileged. 

      Indeed, this is a very magnificent park, in a one dome Mediterranean Basin, Australia, Africa and South American gardens were all packed. Do not worry about the sun rays, it just add the very natural feeling of strolling at a outside garden. Worried about the heat? fret not, this dome is properly cooled up.

      Here, I saw an olive tree and the bigger than me cacti. Poinsettia is everywhere and a gigantic orchid to symbolize the national flower of Singapore.      

      Washrooms is all over the place and so the drinking fountain. 

Bintan Resort Ferries Pte Ltd

ABBEY: These ferries are bigger than the one had at our Batam tour. It has an upper and lower deck, a bar and kiosk and comfort room. Videos are shown on board. It's spacious and the windows are clear so you can see the vastness and beauty of the sea. Just like the Batam trip we both got seasickness. Good thing i managed to sleep during the return trip :)

WILL: Wow, this is quite a big one compared the one we had when we go to Batam. Wan Sendari is very big that but it do not have that enough strength to muster the big waves of Singapore and it gave me a real dizziness for the first time on my life and blowed it away.

      But do not get me wrong, there is nothing to do with the ferry. Actually all hands are up to its clean and very accommodating staff. 

      I love the ride but I am hating the big waves. 

Bintan Agro Beach Resorts

ABBEY: We bought this 98sgd - 2-day;1-night tour from Groupon. This includes back and forth ferry ticket and land transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner. All other expenses will be shouldered by the tourists. 

We rode the ferry at Tanah Merah. An hour later we were at Bintan Terminal. It took us another hour to reach the resort. I assure you that it is far but it's worth the travel. Upon arriving, we proceeded  at the front desk and ask if we can have an early check-in. 

Once we received our room key and the coupons to be used at the resort we went to the room to have our backs and legs stretched. At 12 noon we had our lunch at Sunmoon restaurant which is located 150 meters from the beach. We had nasi lemak, grilled catfish and fruits. After lunch we made an appointment for the spa. A little rest and then we got our massage. Feeling relaxed, we headed to the videoke kiosk and sang a couple of song while waiting for our dinner. 

Our dinner is at Asiana restaurant just beside our room. It offers wi-fi so we can still connect from our room. That's a bonus. The restau offers a beautiful view of the sea and the pool. After the dinner we headed to the room and rest. 

Breakfast is still at Asiana. I had a big breakfast because it's buffet; fried rice, satays, omelet, fruits, juices and other drinks. We checked out at midday and has lunch before heading back to Singapore. We got an earlier booking a reached home at 6pm.

WILL: Saw this at Groupon and we are very happy to go. This will be our first time to be out of the country as husband and wife and this is a great gift for Abbey's birthday.

      Bintan Agro is an amazing resort. A very huge place that caters almost all you need for relaxation and enjoying the nature. The deal is so great. From transportation, accommodation, sea sports and food it was all included.

      If you don't feel to splash your way to the waters of the sea, you can soak your body to one of their two pools. Do not want to swim ah, try this their karaoke, fitness centre, take their shuttle service to their sister resort, or play basketball.. these are all for free. you might want to try to roam around their city for $10.

     We really enjoyed our 2D1N vacation. Bonding and relaxing to its finest! I really do not know what is with the lands of Indonesia because every time I am here, it just gave me a feeling of very long sleep. 

     You do not need to exchange your SGD to Rupiah, all their price list is in SGD, but if you have Rupiah they can pay though. Try go in here, the one hour ferry boat and land transfer is worthy!