#Osaka itinerary in Singapore

[osaka-itinerary]

Five Best Places to Visit in Singapore

Introduction:

A wonderful city-state in Southeast Asia excites tourists with lots of places and attractions. The vertical city could be full of striking highrises, grassy parks, unique cultural centers, and fun theme parks giving dramatic views and lots of opportunities. Marvel at the iconic sights - the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay for, say, or take a stroll down Chinatown and Little India for a closer look into local culture. Moreover, an Osaka itinerary would also be worthwhile if you are planning to visit the Osaka itinerary in Singapore to explore more and attain a rich and worthwhile trip.

Osaka:

Tokyo in Singapore serves authentic Japanese cuisines, vivid performances, and lively entertainment with the whole crowd of bustling, attraction-seeking, and experience-savoring crowd. Starting with the Showa era and till nowadays, from the traditional izakayas to modern shopping districts, visitors can pick the path of joining the journey of Japanese and Singaporean fusion, which makes it a stopping point for travelers who want to try different tastes.

Gardens by the Bay:

Explore the outdoor magic of fern-covered walkways and 21st-century edifices at Gardens by the Bay. Hint: Switch the sentence structure and include more details related to the elements mentioned. This Flower Park serves as a dwelling place for two colossal conservatories, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, which present an extraordinary collection of plants from every corner of the world. 

Sentosa Island:

Get away or leave behind life in the city and partake in your senses to feel relaxed from Sentosa Island, the supreme island resort destination in Singapore. adventures such as Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium, and also the simple beauty of clean beaches make Sentosa a perfect vacation destination for all types of people. Apart from the Wings of Time show, a mesmerizing spectacle of lights, water, and fireworks performed along the edge of the sea, be sure to attend the other interesting and exciting programs that are also offered at the resort.

Chinatown:

Have a tour of cultural and heritage-laden Chinatown to know Singapore "inside out". Sneak away to its waves of lantern festivals, but let me take a stroll in its busiest shopping district with tall ancestral buildings and its so-distinct markets. If you want to get a taste of original Chinese cuisine, pay a visit to any one of the countless hawker stalls scattered around the place, or best of all, do some souvenir shopping for unique trinkets and gifts.

Singapore Botanic Gardens:

Besides, there is nothing more gratifying than the serene beauty of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for nature lovers. Stepping into the nature gateway lined with dense greenery, winding lakes, and colorful birds, it's like coming to a zone where everything is at peace. Do not miss an opportunity to see the National Orchid Garden. It has the largest collection of orchids compared to anywhere else.

Conclusion:

Singapore features attractions relating to all interests, channels such as iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands, or better yet, tranquil areas like the Botanical Gardens. Do not fail to have a look at Chinatown whose splendor is rooted in various cultural aspects. A dip depart tour may include Sentosa Island as an ideal choice or an Osaka itinerary in Singapore as a bonus itinerary for a valuable moment.

[japan-tourists-spots-philippines]

Why symmetrical locations are popular in Japan

Introduction:

To have a beautiful Japanese landscape or to tell a cultural story, there are many well-known places of symmetry. These art forms frequently express harmony and balance, which are core values of Japanese culture. Japan tourists spots from Philippines desire to see iconic sites such as Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Tower, and the temples in Kyoto because of their beauty and cultural immersion. The things that make Japan so lovely:

Cultural Significance: 

In Japan, the matter of symmetry is not limited to mere appearances; rather, it has a profound cultural significance. It symbolizes values of harmony and balance that are deeply revered in Japanese culture. Symmetry is a visual representation of these fundamental laws, and the same can be said about different spheres of our lives.

Aesthetic Appeal: 

Japan is visually appealing and brings a sense of eternity. Japan attaches special importance to this aesthetic appeal, designs of which are very popular in their architecture and art. The timeless appeal of aesthetics has kept it in vogue, timelessly beating the short-lived trends.

Traditional Architecture: 

The designs of the Japanese temples and shrines revere history. The beauty of these buildings helps to retain traditional architectural styles which give a bond to the past. It's a way of preserving your culture in a visual form.

Natural Harmony: 

The Japanese's relationship with nature manifests in this way. This copying of natural patterns and symmetry leads to visual harmony, which is well in line with the Japanese culture of nature, it creates a sense of balance and unity with nature.

Gardens and Landscapes: 

Japanese gardens play with peaceful landscapes to produce calmness. The balanced and entrancing designs of these fountains foster contemplation and create a tranquil atmosphere conducive to connection with nature.

Shinto and Buddhism: 

Both Shinto and Buddhism, the spiritual pillars of Japan, focus on harmony and balance. This influence carries a design of religious structures and rituals, in which peaceful stands for the spiritual balance that we seek in religious practice.

Tea Ceremony Influence: 

The Japanese Tea ceremony, an amalgam of aesthetics and mindfulness, is commonly held in tea rooms that reflect symmetrical architecture. The design, taking into account the visual balance helps support the meditative and ceremonial aspects of the ritual and creates an atmosphere of reflection and connection.

Cultural Continuity: 

The endurance of symmetry speaks for the cultural subconscious to which it has been passed from generation to generation. It is a testimonial to the timeless stance and the manner of speaking the visual language which is characteristic of Japan.

Modern Interpretation: 

Contemporary Japanese artists have given birth to a new design style, which is a blend of modern and traditional aesthetics. As a design choice, symmetry continues to be the prevailing aesthetic feature that brings together the elements of heritage and innovation in modern architecture and designs.

Conclusion:

The symmetrical patterns in Japan are the manifestation of the profound culture going back to the days when harmony was given utmost importance not only in life but across different aspects of life. The continuity of this tradition has adopted a unique modern aesthetic yet still becomes a timeless visual language. Japan tourists spots from Philippines are to see cultural diversity through the Dipper Tour and the renowned spots including Kyoto and Tokyo offer a truly meaningful experience.

[japan-tourists-spots]

Discovering the Most Beautiful Natural Attractions in Japan

Japan tourists spots with magnificent cultural roots and rich heritage, but it also has beautiful natural sceneries that would melt the hearts of anyone who visits. From tranquil gardens to grand mountains, Japan’s natural venues cater to various types of visitors. In this exploration, we’ll go through some of the most beautiful natural points all over the country and make a special focus — it is one of many companies helping people enjoy amazing travel experiences.

Cherry Blossom Havens:

Japan’s sakura, meaning cherry blossoms are the country's iconic plants that color landscapes with shades of pink and white during springtime. Parks and gardens such as Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo or Maruyama Park in Kyoto become enchanting fairy tales. With its well-planned routes, and also allows tourists to become part of this splendor and magic when cherry blossoms are at their best unforgettable.

Enchanting Bamboo Forests in Arashiyama:

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto is awe awe-inspiring natural attraction. Tall bamboo stalks form tranquil pathways that seem like stepping into a different realm. This enchanting forest is also visited through established guided walks via experts so that visitors can not only enjoy the splendor of nature but get to know its cultural significance as well.

Natural Hot Springs in Hakone:

One may find refreshment in nature by visiting Hakone, a region known for its hot springs or onsen. The tourism company gives visitors a unique opportunity to relax in the therapeutic waters surrounded by rich greenery and hills while admiring this beautiful scenery.

Coastal Marvels of the Noto Peninsula:

The Noto Peninsula which has steep, stunning coastlines and beautiful landscapes is a secret paradise for nature lovers. Diper Tour’s coastal exploration packages offer travelers an opportunity to appreciate one of Japan

Aokigahara Forest – The Sea of Trees:

Aokigahara or the Sea of Trees is a mystical forest close to Mount Fuji. Although its reputation as The Suicide Forest is quite dark, the thick greenery and strange surface are just a breathtaking natural place, and also concerning responsible tourism thoughtfully addresses this area, providing guided tours of the forest that promote its ecological miracles.

Serene Lakes like Biwa and Shikaribetsu:

Japan has calm lakes that resemble mirrors officiating the surrounding scenery. Lake Biwa which is the largest freshwater lake in the country provides a serene environment for people who love nature other calm lakes like Shikaribetsu are located in Hokkaido also offer to enjoy the lake through boating, taking a hike around it, and interacting with its wildlife.

Conclusion: 

The natural sites of Japan tourists spots, beautiful and enchanting, attract travelers interested in the beauty of nature.  We are proud to offer authentic and reverent travel experiences, guaranteeing that travelers not only see the magnificent sceneries but also appreciate each location’s cultural and ecological value. Diper Tour promises an unforgettable journey that can lead you from the cherry blossom-filled gardens to the breathtaking heights of Mount Fuji – where Japan’s natural wonders are waiting to be explored.

[triflingthing]

Hey there! I’ve been following your account for quite some time, and I really love your pictures and posts. Your recent trip through Asia looks amazing. I was wondering if you would be comfortable sharing your rough itinerary for how many days you scheduled for which cities. I’m hoping to take a trip next year, and a lot of the cities you mentioned are similar to where I wanted to go. Just trying to learn as much as possible to make the most of my time off work lol. Either way, love your account! Thanks

This itinerary is not for the soft, but I took an unpaid month off work and I wanted to take FULL advantage of it. Literally sprinted to the airport right after work on Friday April 12th lol.

>>> = flight | > = ground transport

Day 1 – Toronto >>> Istanbul (layover)

Day 2 – Istanbul >>> Singapore

Day 3 – Singapore

Day 4 – Singapore

Day 5 – Singapore >>> Ubud

Day 6 – Ubud

Day 7 – Ubud

Day 8 – Ubud

Day 9 – Ubud > Ulutwatu

Day 10 – Uluwatu

Day 11 – Uluwatu >>> Bangkok

Day 12 – Bangkok

Day 13 – Bangkok >>> Chiang Mai

Day 14 – Chiang Mai

Day 15 – Chiang Mai

Day 16 – Chiang Mai >>> Seoul

Day 17 – Seoul

Day 18 – Seoul

Day 19 – Seoul >>> Sapporo

Day 20 – Sapporo

Day 21 – Sapporo >>> Osaka

Day 22 – Osaka

Day 23 – Osaka

Day 24 – Osaka > Nara > Kyoto

Day 25 – Kyoto

Day 26 – Kyoto

Day 27 – Kyoto > Fuji > Tokyo

Day 28 – Tokyo

Day 29 – Tokyo

Day 30 – Tokyo

Day 31 – Tokyo >>>Toronto

Landed at 11PM Sunday and was back to work literally the next day! Horrible decision!

[tomorrowxtogether]

TOMORROW X TOGETHER Announce “ACT : SWEET MIRAGE” 2023 World Tour

The K-pop idols will hit Asia and the US

TOMORROW X TOGETHER are already gearing up for their second trek around the globe with their newly-announced “ACT : SWEET MIRAGE” tour. The K-pop stars are scheduled for 21 shows across 13 cities in Asia and the U.S.

The Artist of the Month alums will kick things off in Seoul on March 25th. Their Asian leg will take them to Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan before they come to the US. Stateside, the group will make stops in cities including Charlotte, DC, and San Antonio, before the finale on May 27th in Los Angeles. See the full itinerary for the “ACT : SWEET MIRAGE” 2023 tour dates below.

Venues will be announced soon, as will more dates on TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s next world tour. Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster or Stubhub; specific details are still forthcoming.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER will release their 5th EP, The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, on January 27th. Last July, members Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai chattedwith Consequence about performing in the US.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER 2023 Tour Dates: 03/25 – Seoul, KR 03/26 – Seoul, KR 04/01 – Singapore, SG 04/05 – Taipei, TW 04/14 – Osaka, JP 04/15 – Osaka, JP 04/18 – Saitama, JP 04/19 – Saitama, JP 04/25 – Kanagawa, JP 04/29 – Aichi, JP 04/30 – Aichi, JP 05/06 – Charlotte, NC 05/09 – Belmont Park, NY 05/10 – Belmont Park, NY 05/16 – Washington, DC 05/19 – Duluth, GA 05/20 – Duluth, GA 05/23 – San Antonio, TX 05/24 – San Antonio, TX 05/27 – Los Angeles, CA

[slythereeen]

Misi Hidup: Sarjana 30 Negara

“Sebelum lulus, saya harus bisa menginjakan kaki di 30 negara”

Anyway saya mau cerita dulu, saya lulus S1 enam taun. Dua taun lebih lama dari temen-temen saya di jurusan. Masuk 2012 dan lulus 2018. Di saat temen-temen seangkatan udah ngurusin anak umur satu taun, saya masih ngurusin revisi skripsi. Di saat yang lain buka excel buat ngelola data, saya buka excel buat itinerary. Di saat yang lain bisa tidur dengan tenang setelah sidang, saya memilih tidur tidak tenang di bandara. Di saat yang lain mengejar mimpi untuk lulus cepat, saya mengejar mimpi untuk lulus lambat. Dan perbandingan lain yang mungkin terkesan pembelaan lulus telat gitu yah haha.

Nah saya mau sharing sedikit pemikiran yang agak agak aneh sih haha. Belum tentu cocok buat semua orang, tapi siapa tau ada yang terinspirasi. Saat itu di pertengahan tingkat empat saya bilang ke diri sendiri “Sebelum lulus, saya harus bisa menginjakkan kaki di 30 negara. Terus bawa toga wisuda di negara ke 30 (London, UK) buat foto wisuda disana”. Dulu saya mikirnya gini, sebenernya bisa aja sih ya keliling 30 negara paska lulus S1 pun tapi kayaknya bakal beda deh perasaan yang di dapet antara keliling dunia pas sebelum lulus S1 sama keliling dunia setelah kerja atau setelah sukses (gak tau kapan tapi haha). Umur saya saat itu 22-23 an anyway.

Akhirnya gegara pemikiran itu, saya bertekad buat bismillah lulus telat gapapa yang penting saya explore dulu (sekalian manfaatin privilege status mahasiswa). High risk? high risk banget! Pertanyaan kapan lulus, kapan wisuda, sama kapan nikah bakal jadi teman perjalanan selama nyelesain misi hidup ini. 

WINTER IN EUROPE

Satu taun berlalu saya dapet kesempatan ikut program travel leadership camp di Malaysia-Singapore. Disitu saya mulai berani buat traveling kemana saja (dah kek doraemon). Nah beberapa waktu setelahnya, saya buat misi judulnya 33 Days of No Where dimana saya harus nge-gembel di Europe selama 33 hari. Caranya? Nyari konferensi (biasa lah mahasiswa ya wkwk). Saya dapet kesempatan ikut internasional conference di France. Disitu saya dapet 8 negara (Prancis, Belgium, Belanda, Jerman, Republik Ceko, Austria, Itali, Vatican City). Ini tidur di bandara, bis, sama McD ya pas Winter lagi. Gak di hotel hotel gitu. 

SUMMER IN ASIA

Pulang dari Europe Februari, saya langsung cari kegiatan short course atau exchange yang ada di Jepang. Saya daftar di Tokyo Univ tapi keknya saya gak masuk kriteria, saya tetep berangkat ke Osaka akhirnya. Dari Osaka saya gak langsung pulang ke Indo, saya masih punya mimpi buat nyelesain misi hidup. Dari perjalanan Asia Tour ini, saya dapet 10 negara (Jepang, Hongkong, Macau, Filipina, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia). Kalau ditotal udah 18 berarti ya. Saya pulang dari Asia tour itu bulan Agustus kalau ga salah. 

AUTUMN IN TURKEY

September alhamdulillah dapet rezeki di sponsori ke Turki hihi. Ini gak nge gembel sih tapi pake tour guide. Di dua perjalan sebelumnya, saya bener bener berjuang. Jadi mungkin perjalanan 9 hari keliling Turki ini (termasuk Istanbul, Ankara, sampai Cappadocia) cukup healing. Berarti total 19 negara ya.

Nah waktu studi udah nunjukin kalau saya sampe di lima taun setengah studi padahal masih ada 10 negara lagi negara yang perlu dikunjungi biar bisa wisuda di London. Tapi gegara waktu yang sempit ini (belum lagi saya gak sempet izin buat perjalanan Asia ke Dosen Pembimbing), akhirnya misi hidup sarjana 30 negara ini harus pupus hiks.

Eh dapet ga pelajarannya apa? haha. Saya lagi gak connect ini sebenernya buat nulis, tapi kalau ga nulis hari ini tuh kek ada yang kurang aja dalam hidup. Intinya kalau mau buat misi hidup yang cukup ribet, mending di rencanain lebih awal aja. Saya nyesel sih kalau misi hidup sarjana 30 negara ini baru kepikiran pas di tingkat empat (kamu kemana aja dari tingkat 1-4 hey!). Dah lah gitu aja, semoga ada adik-adik kelas saya yang bisa nyelesain misi hidup Sarjana 30 Negara ini. Dah ah merci beaucoup and thanks for having a beautiful mind. 

[techcrunchappcom]

New Post has been published on https://techcrunchapp.com/most-expensive-cities-to-visit-and-live-in-in-2020/

Most expensive cities to visit and live in in 2020

It’s the excess dream for some – stream to an enormous city and makes a glitz new life.

Be that as it may, as we all know, metropolitan dwelling includes some major disadvantages – explicitly on the off chance that you select out Hong Kong, Paris or Zurich, which may be the world’s greatest exceptionally valued towns predictable with new exploration.

The current travel stories blog states, The European towns have jumped over Singapore and Osaka, which attached with Hong Kong within side the first Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, achieved in March.

The changes are explicitly denoted this time around, with the record serving as an assessment of the impact of the tourists on costs over the world.

Cash variances due to the pandemic – that have covered a plunge within side the US dollar – propose that areas in Africa, the Americas, and Eastern Europe have were given substantially less exceptionally valued in light of the fact that March, even as western Europe, in which the euro has ascended in charge contrary to the dollar, has noticeable costs upward push. The Swiss franc has moreover ascended in expense.

Adventurous households can be of their detail here. Five countrywide parks guard over 60 peaks in which hiking, biking, canyoning, and rafting are options. Tour operators like Responsible Travel, Families Worldwide, and UTracks have lively itineraries, and a Tailor Made Rail journey introduced ultimate yr reminds us that you may additionally get there via way of means of train, along with a stint at the beautiful Belgrade-to-Bar route.

The world’s greatest profoundly estimated towns

The best travel journal online blog states, Singapore and Osaka right now are correct right down to fourth and fifth individually, with Tel Aviv bind with Osaka in the fifth spot. Mass migration of abroad representatives throughout the pandemic is at the rear of Singapore’s drop – which saw its general population succumbs to the essential time in 17 years – steady with the EIU.

The apex 10 is done through the method of methods for Geneva, New York City, Copenhagen, and Los Angeles.

Sydney is at assortment 15, London at 20, and Nairobi at 77.

Moscow is at assortment 106 and Delhi at 121.

The biggest upward push is Tehran, which has ascended the stepping stool from 106th to 79th, due to US sanctions affecting supplies. Reykjavik, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo show the main charge drops. The EIU credits the Brazilian towns’ evaluations to “defenseless forex and developing neediness levels.” Brazil, obviously, has endured amazingly over the span of the pandemic.

The top travel blog in usa declares Damascus in Syria is the city with the base cost of living, noticed through the method of methods for Uzbekistan’s Tashkent, Lusaka in Zambia, Caracas (Venezuela), and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

How does a small country correctly vie for this worldwide title? The solution lies in England’s geography: peer intently at a map of the United Kingdom and you’ll see land meets water in a choppy zigzag of estuaries, inlets, and promontories. That rugged seascape, awash with secretive coves, windswept bluffs, and inviting port cities, has been intrinsic to shaping the country’s fortunes and character.

The rear 10 is balanced through the method of methods for Karachi (Pakistan), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Algiers (Algeria), and Bangalore and Chennai, in India. The Argentinian specialists have brought charge controls over the span of the pandemic, which can give clarification to Buenos Aires’ position.

Expensive hardware and reasonable garments

It’s currently not, at this point basically the towns which have traded around. The study found that costs for hardware – have risen internationally. Dress, then, has fallen – each potentially due to the blast in people working from home. Staple suppers contraptions in enormous part remained the indistinguishable charge, even as private consideration items, tobacco, and liquor have all risen.

[bonejackedfox]

The Day of Dream Comes True

I can’t believe i had not updated my Japan Trip last year in here???

Last year, on July 11th 2017 precisely, Beatrice and I hopped on plane and fled to Japan. It was a dream come true for me, never i thought i would go to Japan  at this age (i knew i could go there one day, but i always thought maybe in my 50s or 60s, i don’t know why??? Maybe because everybody said Japan is very expensive and i was afraid to use my money). I can’t tell everybody enough how happy i am, even few months after we went home, i was still dreaming walking on the street of Japan. It was surreal.

Like everybody said, Japan is very very clean. Everything is very neat. In my opinion, Japan doesn’t have futuristic impression (on interior, building, machine, etc), maybe because they have been hi-tech for a long time and everything seems been there for a long time. Which is not a problem for me, JAPAN IS STILL DREAMY.

I love their vending machine because the prices are the same with minimart’s price. Maybe a lil bit different but not too much. I don’t know if it only happens in Indonesia or not, but we have very few amount of vending machine here, and the reason why it is not popular is because the prices are higher than usual. Sometimes twice.

Also, Family Mart foods! Oh how i love Family Mart lol

Our itinerary on the first day was not too hectic. We only visited Osaka Castle and Dotonburi area (Glico Man Sign!), since we thought we need to adjust ourselves here (reading the train route is our scariest problem before we got here), also need to find our AirBnB, so we didn’t plan much that day.

Before we got here, my friend told me that there will be tons of Korean tourist, and it was! Maybe because Japan and Korea are nearby, more like Indonesia-Singapore.

It was Summer in July, and we are aware NONE of travel forum recommend a first timer to go on Summer. Well, there are some reason they mentioned to come to Japan on Summer, like there will be a lot of Festivals, and you don’t need to pack thick clothes. But other than that, they are not recommend because it’s hot.

But since my friend couldn’t go on Winter or Fall, and Spring is high season for travel business, i am pretty much okay with Summer. And for the weather, i only thought, well i have been living in a tropic country for 25 years now and our country is crossed by equator line, so how bad would it be??

The fact is, yes it is hot. We sweat like crazy, our hair get frizzy, but the sun is not torturing us like in Indonesia. Even it was hot, it’s still very nice to walk around. In Indonesia, especially in dry season, the sun hits you like crazy, it is literally hurt your skin. That’s why we are so lazy in here, we have a lot of delivery service and we don’t usually go everywhere by foot lol.

That’s my opinion. Also, everything is not too crowded in Summer. Maybe just local tourists and some foreigners.

Ichiran Ramen, most of you must have known about this infamous Ramen Chain. I had never searched information of it and never seen any vlog of it, so we were kinda confused lol. It’s yummy. Not sure it was because we were hungry or it is, lol.

Dotonbori!

It was a very busy street. I din’t take photos with the Glico Man because 1) i looked very lousy already because my hair frizz so bad and i looked very tired 2) there were A LOT of people taking photos under the sign so.. i just took a photo of the sign itself lol.

We dropped to Matsumoto Kiyoshi and man, this place is heaven! The store could be found anywhere.

And that’s all for today. This is a soy milk i wanted to try since Warukatta (Fernanda Ly (ps. i love her)) seems to like it. But.. not really for me.

Here’s a vlog of our first day in Japan. Hope you enjoy as much as we do! 

[mo-gwaaa]

#4 Singapore Trip

since I arrived in here. please try it..

중간고사 휴식기 동안 싱가포르 여행을 다녀왔어요! 사실 예산 문제상 싱가폴 여행을 갈 수 있을 지 몰랐는데 어머니가 금전적으로 도움을 주셔서 좋은 시간 보내고 올 수 있었습니다. 가족들한테 너무 고맙네요.

I went to Singapore during midterm week. I didn't expect I could travel abroad since I didn't have enough money for a trip. but my mother helped me for budget, I was able to spend a good time in Singapore.

우선 저는 로열 브루나이 항���을 이용해서 다녀왔구요. 280B$로 왕복 비행기표를 끊었고, 유니버셜 스튜디오, 가든즈 바이 더 베이, 루지, 스카이라이드, 숙소는 온라인으로 미리 다 예매를 해서 갔습니다. 개인적으로 싱가포르 여행가실 분들에게 드리고 싶은 팁은..하루를 마리나 베이 샌즈 호텔에서 묵고, 나머지 여정을 그냥 저냥 괜찮은 숙소에서 머무는 것을 추천해드리고 싶어요.

I used Royal Brunei Airline. It costed 280 Brunei dollars for round trip. and I booked all of tickets like "Universial studio" and "Gardens by the bay", "luge", and "sky-ride" etc, online in advance. I'd like to give you guys a tip, It would be better for you guys to stay one day in Marina Bay Sands Hotel. I think it would be worth for you guys rather than staying all the itinerary in reasonable price hotel.

브루나이와 싱가포르는 화폐조약을 체결해서 싱가폴 달러로 환전해가면 브루나이에서도 쓸 수 있으니까 싱가폴 달러로 환전해가시는걸 추천드리고 싶습니다.

You can use Singapore dollars in Brunei as well because Brunei and Singapore concluded a currency treaty a long time ago. So I'd like to recommend to change your Brunei dollars to Singapore dollars. 

저는 오사카에 있는 유니버셜 스튜디오를 2년전에 갔다온 상태였어서 싱가포르 유니버셜 스튜디오가 어떨지 궁금했어요. 인터��을 검색해보니까 오사카 유니버셜 스튜디오를 갔다온 상태면 싱가포르 유니버셜 스튜디오가 시시할 것이다 라는 의견과 아니다 싱가폴 유니버셜 스튜디오도 재미있다. 이렇게 의견이 갈리는 상태였는데 저는 이왕 가는거 한번 가보는게 좋지 않을까 싶기도 했고, 또 같이가는 친구는 유니버셜 스튜디오를 어렸을 때 가보고 안가봐서 한번 가보고 싶다고 해서 이번에 다녀오게 되었어요.

Actually, I've been to Osaka Universial Studio two years ago. So I was trying to decide whether I have to go there or not. there were two different kind of opinions on internet. 'If you have been to Osaka Universial Studio, you would be bored with it' versus 'It would be fun even if you have been there.'. but I think If I'm going ot go Singapore, I might as well try everything in singapore so I tried. and My friend who went to Singapore with me, she's never been to universial studio so we decided to go there.

제 개인적인 감상을 알려드리면, 확실히 싱가포르 유니버셜 스튜디오가 오사카 유니버셜 스튜디오보다는 작습니다. 오사카 유니버셜 스튜디오 같은 경우에는 개장할 때 들어가서 폐장할 때 나왔는데도 내가 다 보고온게 맞는지 헷갈렸는데 싱가폴 유니버셜 스튜디오 같은 경우에는 그런 느낌이 덜했어요.

I want to let you know my personal opinion, Singapore Universal Studio is definitely small than Osaka Universal Studio. As for Osaka Universal Studio made me feel confused about whether I looked around all of facilities because it is so big. but Singapore Universal Studio wasn't.

만약 놀이공원 가셔서 기구 타시는 거 좋아하시는 분이면 가는 걸 추천드리고요, 만약 그런게 아니라면 다른 장소를 다니는 것도 나쁘지 않을 것 같아요. 싱가포르가 날씨가 워낙 습기가 많고 더워서 장시간 야외활동을 하면 금방 힘이 빠지고 지치더라구요.

If you likes enjoying rides, I'd like to recommend to go to Singapore Universal Studio. If not, It might be good for you to go to other places, not Singapore Universal Studio. The weather of Singapore is so humid and hot. so it might make you feel tired easily as you are outside.

슈퍼트리쇼도 보고 왔습니다. 자본의 힘이 느껴졌달까? 일본 노래 중국노래 한국 노래 온갖 감미로운 노래와 함께 불빛이 아름답게 빛나더라구요. 슈퍼트리쇼는 저녁 7:45, 8:45, 하루에 두 번 15분 동안 진행되요. 근처에 마리나 베이 샌즈 분수쇼를 보고 오신 다음에 보는 걸 추천 드려요

    I watched "Super Tree Show". I felt the power of capitalism(?). I was able to listen the various music like Korean Song, Chinese song, and Japanese song with watching the bright light. SuperTree Show is always operating at 19:45 and 20:45, for 15 miniute. I'd like to recommend to watch this show after going spectra of marina bay sands.

냉면이 먹고 싶어서 찾아간 싱가포르 한식당. 여기서 냉면 절대 먹지 마세요. 가격은 22$인데 맛은 1$짜리 나시카톡보다 못했어요

    I visited a Korean restaurant in Singapore because I wanted to eat naengmyeon. Never eat cold noodles here. The price was $22, but it didn't taste as good as $1 Nasi katok.

마리나 베이 샌즈 야경도 보고 왔습니다. 보안이 철저한 것 같던데 저희는 어찌된 영문인지 첫번째 방문했을 때 투숙객 엘리베이터 타고 꼭대기 층가서 엉겁결에 보고왔어요. 나중에야 보안이 까다롭다는 걸 알았습니다.

    I've seen Marina Bay Sands night view. Although the security was tight, we somehow took the guest elevator to the top floor. Why did we book a ticket..

정말 정말 맛있었던 송파 바쿠테. 한국의 갈비탕과 거의 흡사한 맛이었어요. 진짜 존맛탱..

    A pork rib from ‘Song Fa Bak Kut Teh‘ was really delicious. It tasted almost like Korean galbi soup.

아랍스트리트에서는 이것 저것 다양하게 구경을 했어요. 사실 여기서 기념품을 사려고 했는데 너무 바가지가 심하더라구요. 처음에 20$ 불렀다가 제가 다른 곳 둘러보고 온다고 하니까 갑자기 5$에 주겠다고..

    I looked around a lot of things on Arab Street. Actually, I was going to buy souvenirs here, but it was too expensive. The owner called 20 bucks at first, and then when I told him I'm going to look around, he suddenly said he'd sell it for 5$ to me.

개인적으로 제가 가장 좋았던 곳은 클라우드 포레스트에요! 플라워돔은 꽃으로 장식된 정원이라면 클라우드 포레스트는 울창한 숲같은데요. 시원하고 건물 내부에서 이런 자연 경관을 볼 수 있는게 너무 재미있었어요

    Personally, my favorite place was Cloud Forest! The Flower Dome was a garden decorated with flowers, and the Cloud Forest looked like a dense forest. It was cool and fun to see this view inside the building.

[topxrpdifi1952al]

Where to go abroad to try out? KKday and KLOOK introduced the very best 10 popular vacation list, the initial place isn't Japan

Both the take a trip experience e-commerce platforms KKday and KLOOK introduced the Taiwanese preferred experiences and time trips nowadays (6). In terms of day trips, the top three on the two platforms had been unexpectedly exactly the same, with Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo consuming the very best three. Subsequent rankings have changed a whole lot. KKday continues to be focusing a lot more on Asian countries, while KLOOK offers appeared in nations such as Paris and New Zealand. There's also several repetitions in the knowledge. Whether it is the experience of Japan and Korean clothes, the ramp and chairlift in Singapore, or the perspiring drape in Seoul, these encounters have grown to be a "must do itinerary" for Taiwanese to visit abroad. From another perspective, according to the statistics from the Republic of China nationals going abroad from The month of january to Oct 2019 published by Tourism Bureau from the Ministry of Transportation, a complete of 4 million individuals visited Japan. However, within the dual-platform excursion and encounter, both Not the initial on the list. The inference could be that Japan is already a tourist destination familiar to Taiwanese, and Taiwanese visitors go directly to the niche areas that they prefer, plus they can have fun even without buying the itinerary. Countries that are well-known over the dual platform checklist, including Southern Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, may also be popular tourist destinations recently. Comparing the number of visitors of the Tourism Bureau from January to Oct 2018, these three nations have high development rates of 12.3%, 23.96% and 37.32% respectively. The location with the highest growth rate can be Brunei, with a triple-digit growth price of 666.45%. KKday and KLOOK double-platform one-day tour experience top three, almost exactly the same KKday location KLOOK destination [Bangkok Floating Market One-day Tour] Danneng Shaduo, Amphawa Floating Marketplace, Tree Temple, Maeklong Railway Market Bangkok Floating Marketplace One-day Visit: Damnoen Saduak Floating Marketplace, Maeklong Railway Marketplace, Amphawa Floating Marketplace Bangkok [One-day visit to the suburbs of Seoul] Nami Island, Petite France Village, Gangchon Rail Bicycle Seoul Nami Isle, Chuncheon Small Prince Village, Backyard of Morning Calm, Jiangcun Railway Bike One-Day Tour from Seoul [Mt. Fuji One-Day Trip] Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, Gotemba Wall plug Tokyo Mt. Fuji 5th Train station, River Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, Gotemba Shop Classic course 1 day Visit Tokyo [Kyoto Nara Bus One Day Trip] Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Nara Recreation area Todai-ji Temple, Kyoto Sea and Kyoto One-day Tour: Amanohashidate, Ine Funaya, Miyama Thatched Cottage, Kyoto [Philippine Mobao Private Small Team] Baska Snorkeling in multiple islands, watching sardines, Kawasan waterfall (from Cebu), Ayutthaya, Philippines, Yachamunkong Temple, Bang Pa-in Summertime Palace and other ruins substance one-day tour Bangkok [Central Northern Okinawa] Churaumi Aquarium, Kouri Island, American Community , Manzamo, Okinawa and Hokkaido one-day journey: Asahiyama Zoo, Biei Azure Fish pond, and Shirasu Waterfall Hokkaido [Hokkaido One-day Tour] Asahiyama Zoo, Biei Blue Fish pond, Shirasu Waterfall, Woodland Wizard Terrace Hokkaido Ngong Ping 360 Cable Vehicle, Lantau Cultural Exploration Strong Tour Hong Kong [Nagoya Bus Visit] Shirakawa Township Gassho Village, Hida Takayama Previous Street One-day Tour Nagoya Boracay One-day Guided Visit: Boracay Beach, Dabi Saan Seaside, etc. [Chiang Rai Time Vacation] Long Throat Tribes, black and white glowing blue temples, Golden Triangle, Thailand Install St. Michel one-day trip from Paris, france [Busan, South Korea one-day visit] Ganchuandong Cultural Community, Taejongdae, Songdo Skywalk, Haedong Yonggung Temple, Southern Korea "Lord of the Rings" Hobbit Village Visit Rotorua (New Zealand) KKday, KLOOK 2019 Top 10 Day Trips With regards to day trips, from the almost identical agreement of the very best three dual platforms, it could be discovered that Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo are really Taiwanese tourists. Don't like a play area. From The month of january to Oct 2019, a total of 4.199 million individuals visited Japan, 1.028 million individuals went to South Korea, and 700,000 individuals visited Thailand. KLOOK specifically talked about the in-depth social exploration of Hong Kong's Lantau Tropical isle, going for a sightseeing boat, going to the feature shack of Tai O fishing village, etc. The more distinctive, in-depth and culturally representative "niche" experience path could also be used in the extremely popular Hong Kong feels a different seem and scenery. rsballiance@Tumblr in Bangkok, Thailand has turned into a area of the first one-day journey experience itinerary for the KKday and KLOOK double platforms. KLOOK KKday stated that from the increase of Nagoya, Northern Thailand and other areas, tourism itineraries are gradually relocating from the town towards the suburbs, and Taiwanese folks are increasingly more interested in going through itineraries with nearby characteristics. Khan steaming display, Japanese and Korean clothes are the favorite experiences of Taiwanese KKday destination KLOOK location [Gyeongbokgung Hanbok experience] Seoul Western Flower Hanbok leasing encounter Seoul Singapore high-speed ramp and sky seat experience Singapore AQUAFIELD Goyang Khan steaming display Seoul Bangkok Spa Massage therapy Bangkok [Kimono Kimono Encounter in Kyoto] Sakurakyo Kimono Rental Experience Kyoto Tokyo/Osaka Use Kimono Tokyo/Odaiba Oedo Onsen Tale Tokyo Seoul Sweat Steaming Display screen Seoul [Bangkok Cheap Thai Massage therapy] Health Property Spa Massage Experience Bangkok The Venetian Macao requires a gondola vessel Macau [Bangkok evening cruise trip on Chao Phraya River] Chao Phraya River Princess Cruise Supper Bangkok Singapore Cruise Singapore [Night time Cruise Saigon River] Indochina Luxury cruise Supper Vietnam Tokyo Hot Springs Tokyo [Singapore's Quick and Furious ?entosa Skyline Slope + Chair Lift, Singapore's Okinawa Azure Gap Diving, Okinawa [Central Okinawa] Glowing blue Cave Diving, Snorkeling Experience, Okinawa, Seoul Hanbok Encounter, Seoul [Popular Drinking water Actions in Boracay, Philippines] Parasailing, drinking water speedboat, seabed Strolling, aircraft skiing, Philippines, Bangkok, learning Thai cooking and cooking food, Bangkok KKday, KLOOK 2019 Experience Top 10 In terms of experience itinerary, Singapore's high-speed scooters or aerial seat elevates, diving in Okinawa's azure caves, or attempting Korean steaming curtains, etc. Both have grown to be popular encounters on dual systems. The Hanbok experience is an annual Top 10 experience that seems on both KKday and KLOOK systems. KKday KLOOK believes that Taiwanese travelers are willing to try more "hands-on" itineraries and use their own emotions to create distinctive travel experiences and memories instead of travelling in popular sights. KKday mentioned that travelers are usually increasingly pursuing individualized style, combining preferences and interests. For instance, people who prefer to experience costumes will experience traditional costumes everywhere, people who like to enjoy it will head to massage spas everywhere, and folks who like powerful activities will also find corresponding actions to participate. Further reading through: Self-made "International World Worry Day": So how exactly does KKday work with PopDaily to make a shift carnival of 450,000 individuals? Giving up the position of Agoda's vice president and embracing brand new innovations, what opportunities can Klook Industrial Chief Enthusiast Wei see? Editor in charge: Chen Yingxuan

[yeskraim]

US backs $8.3bn funds, China death toll tops 3,000: Live updates

The US Congress has voted for a $8.3bn emergency funding package to fight the coronavirus.

The move comes as the country reported a total of 11 deaths, including one in California, the first outside Washington state. More cases have also emerged in New York and Los Angeles with California declaring a state of emergency. 

Meanwhile in Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina has marked its first case of coronavirus while Italy has closed schools and cancelled public events.

Globally, more than 93,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the vast majority of them in China where the virus originated late last year.

More:

Timeline: How China’s new coronavirus spread

Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases?

What happens if you catch the new coronavirus?

The country’s National Health Commission announced on Thursday that a further 31 people had died from the illness pushing the death toll above 3,000.

The country has now confirmed 80,409 people with the virus although many have now recovered.

This is Mersiha Gadzo in Doha taking over for Kate Mayberry in Kuala Lumpur.

Here are all the latest updates.

Thursday, March 5

07:43 GMT – Bosnia and Herzegovina reports first case

Bosnia and Herzegovina has reported its first case of coronavirus, confirmed by the health ministry of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska entity. 

The regional health ministry will hold a news conference at 8:00 GMT.

07:36 GMT – Chinese President Xi’s visit delayed

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Japan has been postponed because as countries have agreed to prioritise the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, Japan’s top government spokesman said.

The Asian neighbours agreed that a new itinerary would be arranged at a better time, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

Suga said the delay in Xi’s visit, which had been originally planned for early April, would not affect Japan-China relations.

06:42 GMT – Greece reports tenth case, shuts schools in three areas

Greece reported its tenth case of coronavirus. The person had recently returned from a religious pilgrimage to Israel and Egypt, health authorities said.

Greece on Wednesday ordered schools to be closed and banned public gatherings in three districts in western Greece from Thursday as a precaution after a person from the region tested positive for coronavirus.

The ban was in effect for 48 hours and subject to review, authorities said.

US House approves $8.3bn in spending to fight coronavirus

06:41 GMT – Italy may raise support spending to five billion euros

Italy’s government is likely to increase to five billion euros ($5.57bn) the value of measures to help the economy withstand the largest outbreak of coronavirus in Europe, Deputy Economy Minister Laura Castelli said.

“It is likely that the government will reach [five billion euros]” Castelli said in an interview with daily Il Messaggero, adding that she thought it was “necessary to raise the bar as much as possible”.

Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri has promised tax breaks and other measures for the affected sectors worth 3.6 billion euros.

A government source told Reuters on Wednesday this may be raised to 4.5 billion, or 0.25 percent of GDP.

06:35 GMT – UAE advises against travel abroad

The United Arab Emirates has urged citizens and other residents to avoid travelling abroad because of concerns over a coronavirus, state news agency WAM said.

Authorities in the Gulf state may order medical checks on returning travellers and ask them to stay in isolation at home, pending the outcome, WAM said, citing a health ministry statement.

The UAE, which has closed schools and educational institutions for four weeks, said students and education workers would have to spend 14 days in home isolation on returning to the country.

06:30 GMT – IMF: Virus will slow global economic growth this year

The spread of the coronavirus will hold 2020 global output gains to their slowest pace since the 2008-2009 financial crisis, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Wednesday.

The IMF now expects 2020 world growth to be below the 2.9 percent rate for 2019 and revised forecasts will be issued in the coming weeks.

The IMF is making available $50bn in emergency funding to help poor and middle-income countries with weak health systems respond to the epidemic, Georgieva said after a call with the IMF’s steering committee.

Read more here.

05:40 GMT – More people evacuated from Hong Kong

Hong Kong is evacuating more of its people from Wuhan where the coronavirus originated late last year.

The first group of evacuees arrived on Wednesday, after going through health checks before boarding. They will spend 14 days in quarantine.

Hong Kong is evacuating its citizens from Wuhan in China [Information Services Department, Hong Kong SAR Government/Al Jazeera]

05:20 GMT – Thailand reports four more cases

Thailand has diagnosed four more cases of coronavirus; an Italian man who arrived in the country on March 1, a Thai man who returned from Italy, a Chinese man who was in transit from Iran to China and was found to have the virus during screening. and a Thai student who had come back from Iran.

The country now has 47 confirmed cases. 

04:35 GMT – Japan’s Anges to work on vaccine with Osaka University

Reuters is reporting that Japanese biopharmaceutical firm Anges will work with Osaka University on developing a coronavirus vaccine.

Anges says it will be a ‘preventative DNA vaccine’, according to Reuters, which also cites a professor at Osaka University saying such vaccines could be mass produced in a short period of time.

Researchers around the world have been working to develop effective treatments and vaccines since Chinese scientists first isolated the coronavirus genome back in January.

04:20 GMT – China, Hong Kong cautiously getting back to work 

Al Jazeera’s Divya Gopalan has been giving us an update from Hong Kong where she says there are now more people on the street, and more traffic than there have been in weeks.

China is also trying to get its people back to work after a prolonged shutdown to stop the virus from spreading.

The strict quarantines appear to be paying off in terms of lower numbers of daily confirmed cases, but there was a slight uptick in the data released on Thursday – 139 new cases, compared with 119 the day before – and the country has revised its counting methods a few times. 

“China is far from out of the woods,” Gopalan says. “It’s changed the way it tallies the numbers several times. At the moment, it does not include those who are asymptomatic – people who have the virus but are not showing symptoms.” 

03:52 GMT – UK airline Flybe collapses as coronavirus hits flights 

Britain’s biggest operator of domestic flights, Flybe, has announced that it is grounding all its flights following a declaration of bankruptcy, as the coronavirus epidemic takes toll on airline companies worldwide.

“All flights have been grounded and the UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect,” said the airline, which employs an estimated 2,000 people.

02:45 GMT – Olympics will go ahead: Minister Seiko Hashimoto 

Japan’s Olympics Minister Seiko Hashimoto said on Thursday the country was still preparing for the Summer Games, which are due to start in July.

“Cancellation or delay of the Games would be unacceptable for the athletes,” Hashimoto told the Upper House budget committee. “An environment where athletes can feel at ease and focus should be firmly prepared.”

Hashimoto was speaking as the western prefecture of Shiga reported its first coronavirus case – a man in his 60s – and the country’s total number of cases rose above 1,000.

There has been speculation over whether the Olympics will be delayed amid the global coronavirus outbreak [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]

02:15 GMT – Australia announces second death; more travel restrictions

Australia says a second person has died from the coronavirus; an elderly woman who was diagnosed with the illness after a worker at the nursing home where she lived was confirmed to have the virus.

Most of Australia’s 52 cases are people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship which was quarantined off Japan, but the country has also introduced travel restrictions with a number of countries.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said non-Australians coming from South Korea would not be allowed to enter the country, while people arriving from Italy would have to go through enhanced screening.

A ban on visitors from China and Iran was also being extended, he said.

02:05 GMT – South Korea cases continue to climb

South Korea has just given its first update of the day on the coronavirus situation there. It’s confirmed 438 new cases taking total infections to 5,766.

The Korea Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention also said three more people died from the virus, bringing the total to 35.

The US has also reported two more cases among the 28,500 soldiers stationed in the country, bringing the total to six.

01:55 GMT – Watchdog tells Qantas to improve cleaning standards

Australia’s national carrier has been told to spruce up its cleaning to ensure passengers are better protected from the coronavirus.

The Sydney Morning Herald says Safework NSW issued a notice to the airline on February 26 warning of an “inadequate system of work used to clean planes that may have transported passengers with an infectious disease.” 

Qantas has been ordered to improve how it cleans its aircraft after a workplace safety inspection found the airline could be putting workers and passengers at risk of catching infectious diseases https://t.co/3gqjiXMczs

— The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh) March 4, 2020

01:35 GMT – Singapore delays flight after passenger confirmed with COVID-19

Singapore’s Transport Ministry grounded a Turkish Airlines flight on Wednesday after one of the passengers tested positive for the coronavirus.

TK54, a Boeing 787-9, arrived in Singapore from Turkey on March 3, but was delayed on the return leg after the case was discovered, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

“(The) Ministry of Health has started contact tracing for flight passengers who may have had contact with the case while the case was infectious,” it said.

Local media reported there were 220 people on the plane, which flew back to Turkey with crew but no passengers in the early hours of Thursday morning.

00:35 GMT – China coronavirus deaths exceed 3,000

China’s National Health Commission has just released its daily update on the coronavirus.

It reported 139 new cases on Wednesday, compared with 119 the day before. That brings the total number of cases on the mainland 80,409.

The number of deaths rose to 3,012 after an additional 31 people died from the illness.

00:25 GMT – California declares state of emergency over virus

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus after the state  reported its first death from the disease.

Newsom told a media briefing the state had 53 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Governor @GavinNewsom today declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, help the state prepare for broader spread of #COVID19, and more.https://t.co/J0edoIPlPu

— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) March 5, 2020

I’m Kate Mayberry in Kuala Lumpur opening today’s blog.

A recap of Wednesday’s developments:

The US Congress has approved emergency funding of $8.3bn to tackle the coronavirus with more than 100 people diagnosed with COVID-19 and 11 deaths. The upper house will vote on the measure on Thursday.

Other countries tackling more severe outbreaks of the disease announced new measures.

Italy, where the death toll has risen to 107, is closing schools and universities and no fans will be allowed to attend large sporting events.

Iran has banned top government officials from leaving the country. The vice president, the deputy heath minister and 23 members of parliament have all been diagnosed with the disease.

In Iraq, a second person died from COVID-19.

Click here to read all the updates from March 4.

Read More

The post US backs $8.3bn funds, China death toll tops 3,000: Live updates appeared first on Gadgets To Make Life Easier.

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[biofunmy]

Donald Trump And Kim Jong Un Met Up At The DMZ

President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Sunday in a historic encounter at the Demilitarized Zone on the Korean Peninsula, where the US president invited his counterpart to visit the White House.

The two leaders shook hands and exchanged pleasantries at the truce village of Panmunjom inside the DMZ, the heavily fortified dividing line between North and South Korea established as part of the armistice that halted the Korean War in 1953.

Trump was joined on his trip to the DMZ — which took place after a visit from the commander-in-chief to the US troops stationed in South Korea — by South Korean president Jae-In Moon. Moon has been a vocal backer of the US leader’s efforts to bring Kim into a dialogue and has had several historic meetings himself with Kim. (Also present at the DMZ: Fox News host Tucker Carlson.)

While waiting for Kim at the border, Trump used the time to bash the US media’s coverage of the North Korea negotiations accusing journalists of having “no appreciation for what is being done. None.”

Once Kim arrived, Trump strode across the demarcation line separating the two countries, becoming the first sitting US president to cross over into North Korea. “It’s good to see you again. I didn’t expect to meet you at this place,” Kim told Trump after they shook hands.

Trump responded by telling reporters “I’ll invite him to the White House right now.” No North Korean leader has ever traveled to the United States.

Trump and Kim then departed to a negotiating room for a one-on-one chat. They later joined Moon back across the demarcation line for another private meeting.

Such an encounter would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. But relations between the two countries have zig-zagged at breakneck speed in the years since Trump took office.

However, a deal to that would dismantle North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and lift US sanctions has eluded both men.

The meeting — the third in-person encounter between Trump and Kim following two summits — had not been part of the president’s original itinerary when he left for Asia earlier in the week, but was hurriedly organized in just over a day following a surprise Trump tweet on Saturday as he was wrapping up his time at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

“I will be leaving Japan for South Korea (with President Moon),” Trump wrote on Saturday morning as he began meetings in Japan, prior to heading to South Korea. “While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!”

Trump later told reporters the tweet was unplanned, but he had wanted to “put out a feeler.” In fact, the president had told the Hill earlier in the week that he was planning a secret trip to the DMZ in which he was considering meeting with Kim. The Hill held off on publishing the news at the request of White House officials, who cited security concerns.

He later referred to the trip to the DMZ in yet another tweet as “long-planned.”

Saturday’s invitation-by-Twitter appeared to catch the North Korean leadership off guard, as Kim himself indicated on Sunday saying he was “surprised” by Trump’s offer, but they too worked quickly to make it happen.

“We see it as a very interesting suggestion, but we have not received an official proposal in this regard,” said Choe Son Hui, North Korea’s first vice-minister for foreign affairs, in a statement carried by state media. She called the possibility of a meeting “another opportunity to deepen the friendship that exists between the two heads of state and to improve relations of the two nations.”

The two men last met in February in Vietnam, where a two-day summit was abruptly cut short as the countries remained at loggerheads over relief from US sanctions. North Korea demanded the economic measures be lifted entirely prior without a full dismantling of their weapons program — a deal the US was not prepared to make.

“Sometimes you have to walk,” Trump told reporters after the failed summit, “and this was just one of those times.”

They had previously met in Singapore in June of last year — the first such meeting a US president and North Korean leader. That summit came on the heels of the two leaders swapping swaggering threats of apocalyptic destruction, as well as childish name-calling (Trump had famously called Kim “Rocket Man”).

But in recent times, Trump and Kim seem to both see flattery as their best hope for reaching a deal even as diplomats have struggled to find common ground on actual substance. The pair have exchanged letters, with Kim even sending Trump a greeting for his birthday.

“He wrote me beautiful letters, and they’re great letters,” Trump told rally supporters in September. “We fell in love.”

Kim seemed to play up that bond when speaking with the press alongside Trump after their brief meeting. “”If it wasn’t for that good relationship, we would not have been able to make this sudden meeting possible,” Kim said.

“So this excellent relationship in the future as well, I hope that it can be the foundation for better things in the future that people will be not expecting,” Kim continued. “And this will be a very mysterious force that allows us to overcome many difficulties that existed in the past.”

Earlier this year, Trump withdrew new sanctions against North Korea, with the White House saying the decision was made because the president “likes” Kim Jong Un.

In April 2018, Kim met South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the same DMZ village. During the same encounter, Kim became the first North Korean leader to step into the South since the end of the war.

Sahred From Source link World News

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[chestnutpost]

Ready, Set, Summer! Agoda.com reveals top holiday destinations for North American travelers

Tokyo’s appeal as a hot destination isn’t limited to travelers from Asia, it sits in the top ten for travelers across all regions, with Agoda’s booking data showing Tokyo jump to second spot for US travelers and fifth for Europeans this year.

While Asia-Pacific travelers are more likely to holiday ‘locally’, travelers from the Middle East, North America and Europe are crossing continents for their summer break. The fashion capitals of Europe, London and Paris are the top cities enticing Middle East travelers this year, while Rome, with its history and Italian chic, takes the third spot. Asian destinations are also inching up the list for Middle Eastern travelers, with Bali, and Tokyo joining Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in this year’s top 10.  

Las Vegas holds the top spot for North American travelers in 2019, with Tokyo pushing New York out of the number two spot to number three. The cosmopolitan cities of London, Paris and Rome with their historical and contemporary sights and sounds also make the top 10. Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago and Seattle are the top domestic destinations within the top 10 this summer.

Meanwhile, in Europe, travelers are venturing further and taking more mid to long-haul trips this summer. Asian destinations have knocked traditional European cities down and out of the top ten list with Asian favorites such as Bali, Bangkok, Tokyo and Pattaya making the list. New York and Las Vegas also entered the list for European travelers this year, marking a change in their travel habits.

Top Summer Destinations by Origin

Asia Pacific

Middle East

North America

Europe

No

2018

2019

No

2018

2019

No

2018

2019

No

2018

2019

1.

Tokyo

Tokyo

1.

Dubai

London

1.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas

1.

London

London

2.

Bangkok

Okinawa Main Island

2.

Abu Dhabi

Paris

2.

New York

Tokyo

2.

Paris

Bali

3.

Osaka

Osaka

3.

Manama

Rome

3.

Los Angeles

New York

3.

Rome

Bangkok

4.

Okinawa Main Island

Bangkok

4.

Mecca

Bali

4.

San Francisco

Los Angeles

4.

Barcelona

Berlin

5.

Bali

Sapporo

5.

Riyadh

New York

5.

Oahu

London

5.

Amsterdam

Tokyo

6.

Seoul

Bali

6.

Bangkok

Dubai

6.

Orlando

Orlando

6.

Venice

New York

7.

Taipei

Kyoto

7.

Jeddah

Bangkok

7.

Chicago

Chicago

7.

Berlin

Las Vegas

8.

Kyoto

Fukuoka

8.

Istanbul

Kuala Lumpur

8.

Boston

Paris

8.

Milan

Paris

9.

Singapore

Seoul

9.

Kuala Lumpur

Amsterdam

9.

Seattle

Seattle

9.

Moscow

Pattaya

10.

Hong Kong

Taipei

10.

London

Tokyo

10.

Toronto

Rome

10.

Munich

Rome

Where are North American holidaymakers heading in the Summer of 2019?

Six of this year’s summer destinations for North American travelers is within the US according to Agoda.com’s data — these include Las Vegas (1), New York (3), Los Angeles (4), Orlando (6), Chicago (7) and Seattle (9)

Outside of the US, Tokyo is the top city to visit for North Americans, while London, Paris and Rome come in at fifth, eighth and 10th place, respectively

The US is also a hot destination for many international travelers this summer. It is featured in the top ten countries to visit for the following countries: first place for Israel; second place for UAE and UK; third place for France and Germany; fourth place for Japan; sixth place for mainland China and Taiwan; ninth place for Indonesia, Korea and Saudi Arabia; and 10th place for Thailand and Vietnam according to Agoda

The Vietnamese are particularly keen on heading to Canada for their holidays this year, with the country making it to eighth place on Vietnam’s list of top ten

Travel inspiration

From exploring the great outdoors to discovering historical gems, Agoda shares some travel inspiration this summer for a range of travelers:

1.  For those traveling with young ones — Osaka, Japan

Osaka is an ideal destination for those traveling with their little ones. Spend a relaxed afternoon at the Nishikinohama Beach Park, known for its pristine white beach and breezy pine groves. Designated as one of top 100 most scenic spots in Osaka, the park is a 10-minute walk from the Nishikinohama Station, making it easily accessible. Children can enjoy digging for clams on the beach, while the adults barbecue and cool off in the water.

You can also head down to the Osaka Aquarium for a fun day for both parents and children alike. The colorful fish are sure to captivate the kids while a unique interactive exhibit allows the grown-ups to learn something new too!

To build your perfect, customized itinerary for Osaka, check out Agoda’s Osaka Travel Guide.

2.  For those traveling with their restless teenager — Los Angeles, USA

The City of Angels offers visitors a plethora of activities — from museums and concerts to hiking and horseback riding — making keeping your teenager occupied a breeze. If your teen is a TV fan, treat them to the experience of attending a live taping of a favorite sitcom or talk show. It’s bound to be a fun and eye-opening experience showing them the work put in behind-the-scenes.

If your teen is a nature lover, head out on a whale-watching tour via Thingstodo.agoda.com  that allows you to get up close with these fascinating animals. You can also consider signing your teenager up for a few surf lessons at the beach while you relax and work on your tan!

3.  A perfect spot to bring the whole family — Bali, Indonesia For families looking for an adventure Bali has it covered — from mountains, beaches, shopping and spas to first class cuisine. In fact, there is no better way to discover Bali than through its rich street food culture. Influenced by Indonesian, Chinese and Indian culinary traditions, Balinese food features a range of spices, seafood and fresh produce. Stroll down Batu Bolong Street in Canggu, a two kilometer stretch packed with eateries, cafes and shops where you can find something to satisfy every craving. Alternatively, head to Sindhu Night Market, a fantastic option for families who want to try a wide range of local food at local prices.

For families planning a special summer stay, check out the Agoda Homes available on Agoda. These properties allow families to have a whole villa or apartment to themselves with added facilities and amenities not usually found in hotels.

4.  For the cosmopolitan adventurer — London, United Kingdom

Whether you are traveling solo or part of a group, London in the summer is hard to beat. Packed with activities for every type of traveler, London is an eclectic mix of culture, shopping, and history. Head out for a taste of London’s nightlife, catch a show on West End or simply explore the city’s markets, parks and historical landmarks. The warm days in June mark the start of the city’s music festival season too — a perfect place to meet like-minded friends. London also makes an excellent base for day trips to the English countryside. For more travel inspiration and hand-picked recommendations for activities, tours and things to do in and around London, check out Things to Do on the Agoda App.

Notes to Editors:About the travel dataAgoda collated data from bookings made globally for June through August 2019. Additional country breakdown can be found in the Agoda Press Room.

About Agoda

Agoda is one of the world’s fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005, Agoda has grown to offer a global network of 2 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, offering travelers easy access to a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes and villas to suit all budgets and travel occasions.

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 4,000 staff across 53 cities in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.

SOURCE Agoda

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from The Chestnut Post https://www.thechestnutpost.com/news/ready-set-summer-agoda-com-reveals-top-holiday-destinations-for-north-american-travelers/

[remembermemorablememories]

Thursday, January 31, 2019

post #388

lots and lots of itinerary planning

main points:

- cinnamon bun for breakfast

- pizzeria hoagie for lunch right after

- shovel some of the driveway

- spend the entire afternoon planning...

- planning itinerary for japan

- brief planning call with jwoos for chicago

- more planning itinerary for japan (couchsurfing, housing, what to do there)

- dinner with the fam

- some more itinerary planning

- smash online with deepak and his friend john

- smash doubles with sheena

today i:

- woke up at 10:15am. snoozed my alarm almost until 11. then lazed in bed until 11:30am :p watched beefy smash doods visual of v2.0 patch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4buiIi6L7M

went downstairs and ate half a cinnamon bun for breakfast. breakfast at like 11:30am. lmao

- called the pizzeria place and put in two orders. i got a chicken salad lunch special and my mom got a cheesesteak hoagie lunch special. went to go pick it up shortly after

it was so fking cold outside like 10 degrees. i moved the trash can from the driveway back inwards and my hand was so cold in that short walk

- brought it back and ate it at the kitchen table while watching S2E17 of scrubs. mom came out of her meeting around 12:45pm so she caught me just as i was finished eating. i only ate half of the sandwich and saved half of it for tomorrow

- went outside to try to shovel some of the snow. we had like a thin layer of frozen snow and some of it was slippery cause of the ice. so i tried to get rid of it by scraping with the shovel upside down

- spent the entire afternoon planning for japan and then briefly for chicago. soooooooo much planning

i started maybe around 1:30pm? i copy pasta’ed the excel sheet jwoos and i made for chicago and seattle. then started planning day by day. but i first had to google what i was actually gonna do in japan. so i looked at top things to do in tokyo, doing some research, reading through people’s blogs. also booked my flight from japan to taiwan

a few of them were:

https://www.socialtravelexperiment.com/single-post/5-days-in-tokyo-itinerary/

https://triplelights.com/blog/5-stokyo-whatdo-wherego-i-3003

https://www.travelonthebrain.net/tokyo-in-5-days/

https://nerdnomads.com/what-to-do-in-tokyo

and i learned about couchsurfing.com. i thought it was an interesting concept but looked more into this later in the evening

i also tried to figure out if the JR rail pass was worth it. it’s not, but i’m gonna get a metro pass (suica i think) cause last time i was there with dimitri it was so confusing trying to have the exact change for the place you want to go to

then based on some blog posts i started creating an itinerary. i came up with some things to do in the first 3 days in tokyo! whew. so much research

then i started looking into couchsurfing and whether it was worth it or not. because when i was in singapore i realized that traveling solo is fun but also lonely. and the people matter just as much as the place. so i wanted to see if i could meet some locals and hang out with them. i started looking at some profiles, reading reviews about couchsurfing in general (some say it’s sketchy especially as females, a lot of male hosts treat it as tinder), and some various other things. then started considering hostels as an alternative, cause they can be social too. spent some time back and forth, looking at airbnb and couchsurfing hosts. i started to create my profile cause i thought one of them seemed really cool. i also wandered and looked at hosts in kyoto, osaka and taiwan

also while this was happening, in the middle around 3pm i had a quick call with jwoos to figure out what he was doing for monday dinner so that i’m not just like abandoning him to get dinner with cici LOL

- ate dinner with the fam downstairs. it was some chicken, leftover chicken, sweet onions, potato soup and some veggies

- went back upstairs and continued looking into couchsurfing hosts. and started to create my profile/add info to it. i also forgot about airbnb experiences so maybe i could go to those too? i was wondering if it’d be worth, and i thought maybe it will be. cause i’ll get to meet some people even though it costs some money. also drafted a letter i was planning to send to the couchsurfing host

- around 8:30pm deepak messaged me if i had skype. he and john were skype calling so i hopped on. they were playing pirahna plant dittos. so i hopped in and we had free for all pirahna plant battles. it was pretty epic and fun :p we were just messing around a lot too. then we played some normal free for alls with our mains. i used snake. then john had to leave around 9:30 so deepak and i played some singles. then sheena came in around 9:45pm cause she had wanted to play doubles earlier today and i agreed to it but forgot i was playing pirahna plants with deepak. so i offered her to play against deepak and she did pretty well. they had zelda dittos, pirahna dittos, dedede, pit, corrin, different matchups. then around 10:20pm i called it a night cause i was gonna go shower :p said good night to deepak and took a shower until 11pm

- sheena asked if we could play some doubles and i was like yeah sure after i shower. cause we won’t be able to play doubles for a long while i’m away for chicago and seattle. when i got out of the shower sheena said that anna said that siblings are like built in best friends. AHHHH so wholesome :) siblings are like built in best friends indeed

we played doubles and mostly beat everyone. in one of the matchups i played ganon and sheena played pirahna and we were against a lucina and pirahna. they were reaaaally good. like i got gimped a lot by the lucina. also got combo-ed and rekt :p we played maybe 3-4 games with them then they left :’( if sheena had zelda and i played snake it might’ve gone better 

- we stopped playing around 12:15am and we brushed our teeth. now it’s 12:48am and i’m about to go to sleep. i need to go to sleep cause i gotta wake up early tomorrow to get my blood drawn

okay good night the end

[belardtheworld]

Following a quick update earlier on Striking Out On My Own at 24, I’m here to give a full recap of 2018 and what’s to come on 2019.

Contrary to what you may have seen on Instagram Stories about me having fun around the world, I have to repeatedly tell my friends that I did not travel as much as I did in 2017. In fact, it doesn’t even come close.

This year was focused more on slow travel, working full-time on the blog and revisiting old countries.

That said, this is the year where I’ve spent the least amount of time in Singapore – I can’t believe I’ve spent less than 3 weeks in Singapore each time in my entire year. I have to admit, I quite enjoy this independence.

Here’s where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to this 2018.

2018 in a nutshell

January – April: New Zealand

Continuing from my working holiday in New Zealand from December 2017 where I’ve visited most parts of New Zealand (see full list here) and experienced some of the most epic experiences that money can’t buy (like sleeping on a glacier, gliding, skinny dipping and ice climbing), I concluded my life in New Zealand when I returned to Singapore for a day.

May: Dresden, Germany

I had to prematurely end my stint in New Zealand because of the opportunity to work with the Germany Tourism Board in Dresden.

Stepping back into Europe since my 2015 student exchange trip felt surreal – I enjoyed retracing my steps in Amsterdam seeking all of Amsterdam-only food during my stopover, and admiring the dreamy German architecture bathed in gold from across the Elbe river.

Eating herring with an iconic Amsterdam view

I then returned to Singapore for 2 weeks to catch up with all my old and new connections whom I haven’t met since I disappeared for half a year in radio silence, and attended one of my best buddy’s wedding. It was the first wedding I’d ever attended from my circle of friends!

June – August: Japan

Most of the time based in Kanazawa, I launched into full-time blogging mode.

During this time, I coincided with my family’s vacation to Japan. This allowed me to hop around Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Mount Fuji.

I fed Nara deer, got my fill of sashimi and sushi, hiked Mount Fuji, caught a sunflower field and visited a real (by real I mean a truly scary) theme park, Fuji-Q.

Chasing sunflowers in Japan

Because I could only stay for 90 days at a time on a tourist visa, I left for Singapore with Phil.

September: Singapore

It was his first time out of New Zealand and Japan, and his first foray into what a real city is like. We spent one week soaking in the local sights of Singapore, while I overfed him with all sorts of overpowering Singaporean food.

You can check out his opinion on staying in a Singapore-themed hotel with Village Hotel.

September: Scotland

Scotland was Phil’s prized country, since his origins came from there. After a week in Singapore, in partnership with Norwegian Air and VisitScotland, we were on our way to the land of rain, Scotland.

We stayed in luxurious cottages, did SUP, outdoor rock climbing, hiked the highest hill in Scotland and road tripped our way around castle ruins from Inverness to Edinburgh. I wrote all about our itinerary here.

Surprisingly, the weather didn’t disappoint, and I had an unexpectedly good time in Edinburgh uncovering the deep, dark, haunting secrets of its past.

Allas Sea Pool, Helsinki, Finland

Back in Singapore for the end of September, I signed up for a yoga package and renewed my gym membership.

You have no idea how travelling takes a toll on your body. Think overnight buses and uncomfortable seating in trains and flights. Not to mention staying in Airbnbs where you have no control over the quality of bed and pillows. UGH.

October: Finland & Estonia

Visiting Nuuksio National Park, Helsinki and Tallinn is the highlight trip of the year. Scandinavia is one country I’d always wanted to visit since my 6 months exploring Europe in 2015 but never got to.

I was working wholly with a tourism board and accommodation provider, so it felt like a bonus trip.

Furthermore, my photographer friend came along with me. I felt like I’m finally paying it forward by offering travelling opportunities to someone who have never visited Europe before. It’s nice to have a different set of eyes that can see and appreciate Europe for the first time.

I sometimes take for granted Europe’s beauty which I fell in love with when I first stepped foot here, such as the cobbled streets, the buildings that age gracelessly, and the medieval-looking street lamps and bridges.

“No one gets to come near the table!”

Travelling with a photographer felt like half the workload is off my chest. I can breezily step down from taking pictures each time we enter a new accommodation, I can appreciate real-time rather than hide behind my lens accessing my pictures, and I don’t have to be the one stopping everyone on the dining table from eating because I’m taking food shots.

Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland

Seurasaari Open Air Museum, Helsinki, Finland

I have more shots of myself during this trip than my whole year combined thanks to him.

October: Bangkok, Thailand

A last-minute collaboration with TakeMeTour took my ex-colleague, Mizuho, and I to Bangkok for a gourmet local tour outside Bangkok city.

Read about the day trips out of Bangkok that you can take:

Day trips from Bangkok; Amphawa Floating Market, Maeklong Railway Market, Ban Bang Phlap

We also went with AirAsia to a local community outside Krabi, Koh Klang, to do some community service work. We taught the community English, made our own tie dyes and cooked up prata for everyone, livening up the local community in the process.

November: Bintan, Indonesia

Just when I thought my trips for 2018 have come to an end, I was back at Bintan Lagoon Resort again for the President’s Cup event, the second of such event I attended.

November – January 2019: Japan

Back in Japan again, except with zero expectations to travel around Japan.

To be honest, despite staying in Japan for 3 months and visiting the popular parts of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido in the past, Japan doesn’t hold as much appeal as most others.

I’m quite fed up of the language barrier, as I am with the lack of information whenever I want to visit a new destination within Japan. Travelling in the outskirts of Japan is simply not foreigner-friendly.

For now, I’m content with learning new winter sports – skiing and snowboarding – and celebrating a white Christmas!

P.S. Up til now, I always thought snowflakes have the exact symmetry as ❄️ !

What has 2018 taught me?

Oban, Scotland

1. The meaning of slow travel.

Ever since I’m able to work from anywhere, I don’t have to rush while I’m travelling. It has changed my entire view on the meaning of travel.

I find discovering local hangouts and exploring hidden streets much more enjoyable than following an itinerary and checking off things to see.

Having deeper conversations with strangers in foreign land and engaging in cultural exchange and learning are much more fulfilling than checking off sights to see. That might mean more homestays and more Couchsurfing in the future.

2. I’ve developed a fondness for road trips and visiting nature parks.

The thought of doing another around USA or Canada won’t escape my mind.

3. What it means to wholly embrace your work and love what you do.

I’ve been raring to wake up each day and get cracking instead of drag yourself to an office, face the wrath of your boss, the four walls, and pretend to be nice so that if your boss plays favouritism, you know you won’t be the first to be at a disadvantage.

Not one day did I not feel like doing work. On the contrary, I get complained at for not spending more time doing other things, such as doing the household chores. I would sometimes even sit in front of my desk for hours and hold my pee.

I’m an oddball, I know. But that’s what working towards your dream is like. #justsaying

Because of this occupational hazard, I find myself becoming more private as well.

4. Yes, I get tired of travelling too.

I was very much looking forward to returning to Japan in November to retreat from everything and live minimally in my own shell.

What I like about living in exile in Japan for 3 months is how focused I can be on working the blog and freelance writing.

No friends hence no dramas nor meet ups, no event invites, all press trips come to a halt, no pitching, a conducive working space and predictable work hours. I only have fixed hours each day because the rest of the time is spent with keeping company/ doing chores/ making sure I don’t starve.

I’m kidding about not having friends. However, the number of friends I can make is limited since most people here can’t speak English and Japanese culture is one that is hard to break into.

Except for occasional gatherings with friends, I really thrive in this predictable, no-distraction, minimalist routine where I can wear the same top 4 days a week and no one would judge me. Even if they do, I won’t be able to understand them. Ha!

5. Living independently.

That said, living on my own pretty much most of this year gave me an insight on what adulting is like, when you live on your own.

It’s an opportunity that hardly Singaporeans get to experience because of the culture and governmental system – you live with your family from birth until you find a partner, get married and can afford a house.

In some traditional families, you’re frowned upon if you stay over at your boyfriend’s place. Even if you do, it would be his family’s house you’re staying at, and you’ll have to be on your best behaviour at all times. You’re probably better off staying at home.

6. I am not ready to settle down.

In Omarama during autumn ❤

While I have seen marriage proposals and weddings going on back at home almost every other time I open my social media feed, I am still not ready to settle down yet.

Marriage? It scares the hell out of me.

7. That maybe I don’t want to settle in Singapore.

Now, now, before you think this is the last you’ll see of me, this is not a cause to worry, folks.

As daughter to Asian parents, I will make sure they will live to a ripe old age.

This is just a mere preliminary thought. Who knows what will happen?

I’ve learned that life can be unpredictable and it doesn’t do me any good to plan too far ahead. 

8. To appreciate my body more

Reaching my quarter-life mark last October in Helsinki, I started wishing for a painless body. I’ve been living with back and neck pain since mid-year that no traditional Chinese medicine nor Thai massages could get rid of.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

One year ago today, would I have thought I’d be living the life I’ve always dreamed of?

Hell no!

My course of life has changed so much since writing my 2017 reflection post. For one, I’m dreaming much bigger dreams now.

2018 Achievements

1. Being my own boss & a digital nomad

Tallinn, Estonia

The biggest achievement of the year would be able to transitioning from working for an employer to being self-employed. I’m what you’d call a digital nomad – working from the comfort of anywhere where there’s Wi-Fi.

I’d taken the step of uncertainty and started living the life I’d always dreamed of and plotted towards since coming to know how it is possible to work as a travel blogger full-time and earn a living earning online.

Screw uncertainty – I’ve never been more certain about what I want to do in my life!

2. Earning more than I ever had!

What surprises me is how I’m earning more than my full-time graduate pay back in Singapore, by doing what I love!

3. New countries conquered!

Tallinn, Estonia

I also checked off a few new countries this year – Scotland, Finland and Estonia, making a grand total of the countries I’ve been to 34.

4. Blog milestones 

More on my blog and income growth explosion broken down in the next post because I don’t want to bore you with numbers and %. This post would have been twice as long if I fit it in here!

Fill in your details here so I can personally send you the post when it's published!

2019 Happenings

Lounging in the pool of JW Marriott South Beach Singapore

With my newly established job as a full-time travel blogger and freelance digital marketer, I had grand plans.

I originally wanted to work from different parts of the world while slow travelling, discovering the nooks and crannies of places I never knew existed.

Since working full-time on the blog in June 2018, I’ve surpassed all my worst fears – thinking I may feel burnt out from staring at my blog all day or being an unhappy unemployed individual with little income to survive.

I now believe that anything is possible if I believe in them.

My first month working on my own brand while living in Japan surprised me in encouraging ways.

So much so that 6 months later, after gallivanting around Japan, Scotland, Finland, Bangkok and Singapore, I’m missing my days of staring at my laptop all day with a plate fuller than my appetite and dreaming lofty dreams.

I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that I can’t do everything on my own, and that if the blog is to reach greater heights, some work is better delegated to people in their forte.

As reluctant as I am to part with my hard-earned moolah, I’ve begun recruiting manpower for the blog. Do any of other start-ups/ entrepreneurs relate to this, or am I just being a miser?

With a new contract that will bound me in Singapore for the rest of the year when I’m back from Japan, it feels like I’m back to working full-time in Singapore and scheming to get out on public holidays. UGH.

I seek consolation in that this contract is, at least, very much a freelance-based job, I get to work in the travel field, and that it’s a skill I’m really keen to develop to expand my portfolio!

I am still able to make weekly travels from Singapore, so I really can’t complain.

My dreamy plans of doing a working holiday in Australia (after having such an epic experience doing a working holiday in New Zealand), road tripping around the national parks in USA, or doing long road trips around South America or Canada will hence have to be put on hold…

Still, it feels oddly strange not to have any travel plans or collaborations planned for 2019.

Goals for 2019

Looking back at my goals for 2018, I am heartened and humbled at how much I’ve managed to achieve – a feat I never thought possible, in all honesty.

View from our hotel room

Here’s a recap of my 2018 goals which I’ve completed from my 2017 round up post:

Better focus, greater productivity I’ve come to realize this happens naturally when you’re involved in work you love instead of work you have to do.

Wear down my trail shoes New Zealand is THE PLACE to start falling in love with the outdoors!

Collaborate with more brands (London, I’m hoping to come for you again!) That’s right, I reunited with London when I flew with Norwegian Air!

Write for more publications

Improve on SEO OH YEAH. Big focus in 2018 and seeing plenty of returns.

Create more interesting content for you

Build up my social media marketing business

Get back on track with regular email newsletters. I definitely want to get more up close and personal with you guys! I’ve been spending hours in the past month working on this! Subscribe for destination-specific tips if you haven’t.

Share more personal thoughts on this space I sure delved deep into my thoughts including some unfiltered, private thoughts when I was living simply in Fox Glacier, New Zealand. It drew up quite some gossip from my previous circle of friends because of that.

Read more (and I mean books, not Instagram captions) Thanks to good influences in my life.

Get a wider view of the world and open my mind up to the possibilities beyond my realm I’ve learned SO MUCH from talking to people from different countries, cultures, job positions, industries, both online and offline.

Build a life where waking up every morning makes me feel alive (bye bye Monday blues!) BIG YES!

That’s 75% accomplished, and I’m proud of myself! (pats on the back)

As such, I’m excited to sit down and come up with some goals for 2019 once again. A major shift would be to focus from more outbound, active-income work to more inbound, passive-income work

1. Make more international friends, and visit them as I conquer new destinations.

2. Go to at least one place that scares me.

Tibet, Nepal, Canada, USA, South America, Cuba, Moscow, Africa

3. Treat my family to an overseas trip entirely on my own dime.

I’ve always partially funded the trips since 2012, but now that I feel empowered earning my own salary, I would like them to truly enjoy a trip.

4. Go to a new beach destination!

Photographing the Indian Ocean from Maldives

I can’t believe I’ve spent most of this year in the cold (don’t forget New Zealand’s winter is in the middle of the year and I’m in Japan now over Christmas and New Year) – not exactly my favourite season aha. Well at least the snow in the mountains where I’m staying at has more snow than I’ve ever seen in my life! I will also be trying out skiing and snowboarding for the first time in my life. Enduring this cold is worth it!

5. Do more yoga to fix my ageing 25-year-old back and neck.

Seriously, what is wrong with me?!

My specific blog and income goals will be up on the next post! Fill in your email if you don’t want to miss it.

2018 In Review – Being my own boss, living abroad, personal growth Following a quick update earlier on Striking Out On My Own at 24, I'm here to give a full recap of 2018 and what's to come on 2019.

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New Post has been published on https://zitseng.com/archives/17930

Top Trending Google Search in 2018

Google recently presented their annual Year in Search 2018 with the top trending topics, people, events, and places that captured the attention of Singaporeans based on Google Search queries. This is an interesting peek into what our fellow countrymen are up to.

Sports ranked high, though not necessarily that we are more active or love engaging in sports. The 2018 FIFA World Cup, you see, took the #1 spot in the Top Trending Search this year, as well as #1 in Tending International News, and #1 in Trending Sports News.

For those interested in tech gadgets, particularly smartphones and tablets, here’s the list of top products searched by Singaporeans:

iPhone XS

Samsung Note 9

iPhone XR

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

Huawei Nova 3i

Google Pixel 3

Apple Watch 4

Oneplus 6

iPhone 9

iPad Pro

It’s quite awesome to see this year’s Google Pixel 3 smartphones have captivated the attention of many people here. This should be a good sign of encouragement for Google to continue bringing their latest hardware products in Singapore. This year has been good with all models of the Google Pixel 3 available for sale in Singapore on the global launch day, but we are still missing a few of other new Google hardware products. Check out my review of the Pixel 3 XL.

On travel, I visited Khao Yai last year, and I have noticed quite a bit of search interest on this topic. Hence, it’s perhaps not surprising to see Khao Yai making it into the top 10 list of travel itineraries. The list is here:

Taiwan

Osaka

Khao Yai

Hokkaido

Korea

Taipei

Hong Kong

Tokyo

Perth

Melbourne

In other categories, here are what Singaporeans are interested in:

Trending Singapore News: Trump-Kim Summit

Trending TV Shows: Story of Yanxi Palace  (延 禧 攻略)

Trending Movies: Black Panther

Trending Events in Singapore: Comex 2018

Trending Korean TV Shows: What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim

Trending Farewells: Stan Lee

Trending Adulting Tips: How to file for income tax

Trending Viral News: Yanny Laurel

What about searches on my blog? Surprisingly, the top topics in the last 12 months are:

Sudio Niva Review

Bluedio T5 Review

Kindle Singapore

Khao Yai

Toyota Sienta Review

Scrap Value of Car Singapore

Lazada Surprise Box

Car Scrap Value

Scrap Value of Car

Timbuk2 Spire Review

For a blog which I had intended to be largely about consumer gadget tech, I get quite a lot of car-related search traffic. At times, I’ve wondered if perhaps I should write about cars a bit more. Motoring related tech, perhaps?

So this has been what Singaporeans search, and what sort of searches come to my blog. If you’re interested in finding out more about what’s trending in Google Search, check out Google Trends.