There are a lot of affordable items in Taka. I pass by their store in Sun Plaza every now and then and they always have promotions. They put the jewels on sale for up to 80% less!
We bought a diamond ring in 18K white gold for $210 (after 40% - 50% discount). The 7 diamonds are super small so the $210 price for the ring is fine. I like the ring but a few months after wearing it with my other white gold ring we bought from Gold Heart, the diamond ring from Taka starts to turn yellowish. The ring from Gold Heart which is $400 is still white.
It's frustrating. I am starting to think that the Taka white gold ring is just white gold at first and will turn into a yellow gold in the end.
Maybe, it's fine to buy discounted jewelry from Taka like bracelets or earrings but not rings. Just maybe.
How can I forget Swissotel the Stamford? This is where I got married. It was actually not the first choice for our wedding. We've tried InterContinental Hotel next to the Bugis Junction but the staff there weren't helpful at all. We went down to InterContinental Hotel and tried to check out the place and rooms but we ended up frustrated. We just walked out and vowed never to come back. Oops, I am sorry. I got carried away. This is not a review about InterContinental Hotel.
Back to Swissotel the Stamford. We were very thankful anyway to the InterContinental Hotel staff for not helping us as we were able to find a perfect place, the Swissotel. It is just a few walks away outside the City Hall MRT station or from the Raffles City.
The rooms are: Swiss Executive Room, Classic Harbour View Room, Grand Room, Stamford Crest Suite and Classic Room.
We chose the Grand room in the 34th floor which is around $400 a night. Since the hotel is a 5-star hotel, this room has all the great amenities -- from writing table to hair dryer, Iron & ironing board, personal safe, Broadband Internet access, bathrobe, a very nice King size bed and a lot more.
Our room's private balcony has a perfect view of the Esplanade, Suntec, Singapore Flyer and surrounding areas. It was amazing during the day but even more amazing in the night. The lights from the Flyer and Esplanade were pretty and the Suntec's changing roof lights were really cool! I haven't seen those until that night. Then, the smaller balcony on the side has a view of the hotel's pools.
We were very pleased with the service we received. The staff were very courteous and helpful. They greeted us with a smile...which is very important and very much appreciated.
Whenever we are in the city, Swissotel stands tall above the rest. It always reminds us of that special day. It is crazy but each time we see Swissotel either we are in Clarke Quay, Chinatown or even in Sentosa, we just stop for a while and smile....and take some pictures of it, again and again.
I must say I am now very, very tempted to book a ticket to Bali! I checked the Jetstar site and I couldn't believe it is super cheap! I found $20 fare one way, so $40 return....travel between March and April 2009. Ofcourse, I have to include my hubby so all in all the fare is $336.00. It is the cheapest I've seen so far. We've tavelled to Bali before and our Jetstar fares ranged from $450 to $550 which we got from their promos.
I prefer budget airlines for short trips. My belief is that I will only stay in the airplane for a few hours, so why pay alot. I can just spend what I've saved for shopping or for touristy stuff later on. I used to bring books and mp3 player when I travel but since I am now a wifey and travels with the hubby, I just love taking pictures of him or talking to him.
So if you're taking Jetstar or any budget airlines, it is great to travel with super friends or loved ones. The fun you have while in the plane will cover the sad fact that the seats aren't for the ones with bigger and fuller bottocks, the space between the seats is not for the leggy models, the raisin bun and water in a plastic cup aren't for the choosy buds. Well, hopefully.
I give 4 stars to Jetstar for the cheap fare and for being the carrier to my fave destination.
Bali is known as the Island of the Gods. I've been to this island for several times now and would love to come back again. Last year was the most memorable. I went there for three weeks with my fiance. Then came back and stayed for another three weeks...for our honeymoon.
I personally love the cheap airfares from Jetstar and Lion Air.
Alright, this place is very beautiful, laid back, CHEAP, and has interesting shopping, food and night life to offer. Things that I've tried and would love to try again:
1. Learn to surf at Kuta Beach. Surfboards are everywhere and I recommend that you rent surfboards from the Sumatran Boys just in front of Vivo Rosso restaurant. You can rent the boards $10 or less for one whole day. Ofcourse, as a beginner, you have to hire a surf trainer/surf teacher/simply a surfer.
2. Kuta night life along the Legian Road. You can try Sky Garden or Apache for reggae nights. Actually, there are loads of bars around Kuta just take extra caution as there are threats of terrorism especially now that the Bali bombers have been executed. My hubby and I avoid going out to packed bars especially during weekends. We just love to buy our drinks and take them to our beach inn.
3. Shop and shop at surf shops like Billabong, Roxy, Rip Curl, etc along the Legian Road. They are way cheaper than Singapore.
4. Sunset at Tanah Lot....simply breath taking
5. See the Kecak Dance at Ulu Watu from 6-7pm. My hubby loves this.
6. Visit Padang Padang and Dream Land surf beaches for chilling out. Only experienced surfers can surf on these beaches. So if you're just learning how to surf, just enjoy the view and chill out to the max!
7. Shop for souvenirs at Matahari mall.
8. Shop for sarong, beach and sun dresses from stores along the road and know how to haggle! Some vendors can't be trusted.
9. Visit The Bali bombing memorial on the site of Paddy's Pub. It was built in memory of the 202 innocent people killed in Kuta on 12 October 2002.
10. Try the food, but ofcourse! Try the fresh fruit shakes, nasi goreng, nasi bungkus.
11. If you're a fan of Mc D, check out Mac Donalds in front of the Kuta Beach and take a picture with the surfing Ronald.
12. Try the donuts from Dunkin Donuts in front of the Kuta beach too.
The items here are super cute and affordable! My sister and I have been buying items from Cotton On Body and the normal Cotton On store. Was it right for me to call the other store "Normal"? haha. Anyway, if you want to add some funkiness to your lingerie and sleep wear, why not try this store?
You will normally see that knickers are offered for 20 dollars for 3. But..but..last time I was there, I found two cute boy short design knickers for a dollar each. Just try to hunt down the cheap but cute "goodies" on one of the circular racks they have in the store. I think that Cotton On body is like the equally cute but cheaper underwear counterpart of Top Shop...and I'm loving it.
1=SGD 0.0587
We bought a diamond ring in 18K white gold for $210 (after 40% - 50% discount). The 7 diamonds are super small so the $210 price for the ring is fine. I like the ring but a few months after wearing it with my other white gold ring we bought from Gold Heart, the diamond ring from Taka starts to turn yellowish. The ring from Gold Heart which is $400 is still white.
It's frustrating. I am starting to think that the Taka white gold ring is just white gold at first and will turn into a yellow gold in the end.
Maybe, it's fine to buy discounted jewelry from Taka like bracelets or earrings but not rings. Just maybe.
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Back to Swissotel the Stamford. We were very thankful anyway to the InterContinental Hotel staff for not helping us as we were able to find a perfect place, the Swissotel. It is just a few walks away outside the City Hall MRT station or from the Raffles City.
The rooms are: Swiss Executive Room, Classic Harbour View Room, Grand Room, Stamford Crest Suite and Classic Room.
We chose the Grand room in the 34th floor which is around $400 a night. Since the hotel is a 5-star hotel, this room has all the great amenities -- from writing table to hair dryer, Iron & ironing board, personal safe, Broadband Internet access, bathrobe, a very nice King size bed and a lot more.
Our room's private balcony has a perfect view of the Esplanade, Suntec, Singapore Flyer and surrounding areas. It was amazing during the day but even more amazing in the night. The lights from the Flyer and Esplanade were pretty and the Suntec's changing roof lights were really cool! I haven't seen those until that night. Then, the smaller balcony on the side has a view of the hotel's pools.
We were very pleased with the service we received. The staff were very courteous and helpful. They greeted us with a smile...which is very important and very much appreciated.
Whenever we are in the city, Swissotel stands tall above the rest. It always reminds us of that special day. It is crazy but each time we see Swissotel either we are in Clarke Quay, Chinatown or even in Sentosa, we just stop for a while and smile....and take some pictures of it, again and again.
We will definitely stay again in Swissotel!
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I prefer budget airlines for short trips. My belief is that I will only stay in the airplane for a few hours, so why pay alot. I can just spend what I've saved for shopping or for touristy stuff later on. I used to bring books and mp3 player when I travel but since I am now a wifey and travels with the hubby, I just love taking pictures of him or talking to him.
So if you're taking Jetstar or any budget airlines, it is great to travel with super friends or loved ones. The fun you have while in the plane will cover the sad fact that the seats aren't for the ones with bigger and fuller bottocks, the space between the seats is not for the leggy models, the raisin bun and water in a plastic cup aren't for the choosy buds. Well, hopefully.
I give 4 stars to Jetstar for the cheap fare and for being the carrier to my fave destination.
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I personally love the cheap airfares from Jetstar and Lion Air.
Alright, this place is very beautiful, laid back, CHEAP, and has interesting shopping, food and night life to offer. Things that I've tried and would love to try again:
1. Learn to surf at Kuta Beach. Surfboards are everywhere and I recommend that you rent surfboards from the Sumatran Boys just in front of Vivo Rosso restaurant. You can rent the boards $10 or less for one whole day. Ofcourse, as a beginner, you have to hire a surf trainer/surf teacher/simply a surfer.
2. Kuta night life along the Legian Road. You can try Sky Garden or Apache for reggae nights. Actually, there are loads of bars around Kuta just take extra caution as there are threats of terrorism especially now that the Bali bombers have been executed. My hubby and I avoid going out to packed bars especially during weekends. We just love to buy our drinks and take them to our beach inn.
3. Shop and shop at surf shops like Billabong, Roxy, Rip Curl, etc along the Legian Road. They are way cheaper than Singapore.
4. Sunset at Tanah Lot....simply breath taking
5. See the Kecak Dance at Ulu Watu from 6-7pm. My hubby loves this.
6. Visit Padang Padang and Dream Land surf beaches for chilling out. Only experienced surfers can surf on these beaches. So if you're just learning how to surf, just enjoy the view and chill out to the max!
7. Shop for souvenirs at Matahari mall.
8. Shop for sarong, beach and sun dresses from stores along the road and know how to haggle! Some vendors can't be trusted.
9. Visit The Bali bombing memorial on the site of Paddy's Pub. It was built in memory of the 202 innocent people killed in Kuta on 12 October 2002.
10. Try the food, but ofcourse! Try the fresh fruit shakes, nasi goreng, nasi bungkus.
11. If you're a fan of Mc D, check out Mac Donalds in front of the Kuta Beach and take a picture with the surfing Ronald.
12. Try the donuts from Dunkin Donuts in front of the Kuta beach too.
13. Make friends from around the world.
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You will normally see that knickers are offered for 20 dollars for 3. But..but..last time I was there, I found two cute boy short design knickers for a dollar each. Just try to hunt down the cheap but cute "goodies" on one of the circular racks they have in the store. I think that Cotton On body is like the equally cute but cheaper underwear counterpart of Top Shop...and I'm loving it.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!