Hotel Review - Holiday Inn Express Suwon Ingye

Location: Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Note: This article was written base on my experience of staying in Queen Standard Room by Holiday Inn Express Suwon Ingye. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked through: Holiday Inn website

We booked on:         March 2018 (1 day ahead of say)

We stayed on:          March 2018

We paid in total:      167,200₩ (in total, tax included) @ One Queen Standard, 1 person, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

Suwon was in my list of places to explore in South Korea but I never got around to it since it was out of the way from Seoul. A chance business meeting in the vicinity gave me the perfect opportunity to explore the area, and to do that I had to first figure out where to stay. This is where Holiday Inn Express Suwon Ingye comes into the picture.

Exterior view of hotel

Hotel review - Evergreen Hostel (Hilles Hostel) @ Trier

Location: Trier, Germany

Itinerary and full experience of my visit to Germany can be accessed through the link below:

List of all 2014 Germany Trip | Trier places I went to

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Evergreen Hostel's (previously Hilles Hostel) Single Room without private bath. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     March 2014

We stayed on:      March 2014

We paid in total:  €108(~RM495) (in total, tax included) @ single room w/o private bath, 1 person, 3 nights, without breakfast

<- previous: 1 Day Trip to Trier with Itinerary

next: Imperial Baths (UNESCO World Heritage) ->

Evergreen Hostel (previously Hilles Hostel) was a random hit when I surfed the net in search of an accommodation that was economical and close to both the train station (because I arrived at night and was not confident of navigating the streets at night) and to the major spots that I wanted to visit (the Roman ruins, what else). It came with mixed review though so I decided to try my luck since it was not like I will stay in the room for long anyway.

The front of the hostel entrance - the sign was quite small and easily missed unless you were looking for it.

Hotel Review - Holiday Inn Incheon Songdo

Location: Incheon, South Korea

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Holiday Inn Incheon Songdo's King Bed Superior Room. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked through: directly via Holiday Inn

We booked on:         May 2016

We stayed on:          June 2016

We paid in total:      980,100₩ (in total, inclusive of 10%  charge and 10% VAT) @ King Bed Superior Room, 1 person, 6 nights, breakfast inclusive
* 163,350₩ (~RM580) per night (including charges, VAT, breakfast)

Incheon is a familiar name for frequent travelers to South Korea since this is the name for its international airport, which is named after the region where it is located. Unknown to most traveler though is that Incheon is a large region whereas the airport only lies on a strip of artificially island in said region. My recent business brought me to the industrial areas of Incheon, an area that is right across the airport and Holiday Inn Incheon Songdo was located at just the right distance for my convenience.

View of King Bed Superior Room

2014 Germany Trip - Panorama @ KölnTriangle

Location: Cologne, Germany

Itinerary and full experience of my visit to Germany can be accessed through the link below:

List of all 2014 Germany Trip | Cologne itinerary | Cologne places I went to

Where is the best spot for a panorama of Cologne? Would that be Cologne Cathedral's tower? You can of course get a splendid view, but alas the cathedral itself, the main draw of the city, would be missing from the picture. However a trek across Hohenzollern Bridge across the majestic River Rhine brought me to a tower jutting into the sky called KölnTriangle where I could get an unobstructed panorama of the whole city.

After paying the entrance fee of €3, I queued in front of the elevator and waited my turn to be whisked up. The skyward journey was unremarkable, and after a few ear-pops and being in the company of curious seekers, I arrived at the topmost level of the tower, close to a whooping 103 meters from ground.

It would look like any other kind of tall building from the outside.

Hotel review - Ambassador Row Hotel Suites by Lanson Place Part 2 - Hotel Design and Breakfast

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Ambassador Row Hotel Suites by Lanson Place's Superior One Bedroom Duta Suite. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     August 2015

We stayed on:      October 2015

We paid in total:  RM603.20 (in total, tax included) @ Superior One Bedroom Duta Suite, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

Spacious it may be, being cooped up in the room can get a little boring, especially for the fact that the room offered no scenic view, only the rooftops of other apartments and a scatter of construction that seemed to be ubiquitous in Kuala Lumpur. Sometimes I would walk out of the suite and take a stroll within the confines of the hotel suite, exploring its grounds for some adventure.

Hotel lobbies are generally spacious, but not like this - Ambassador Row Hotel Suites has their lobby ceiling at the top of their 20 story building! No, not really, the ceiling above the reception area is only 2 story high, it is the area beyond that one could look up into the sky...

Hotel review - Ambassador Row Hotel Suites by Lanson Place Part 1 - Superior One Bedroom Duta Suite

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Ambassador Row Hotel Suites by Lanson Place's Superior One Bedroom Duta Suite. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     August 2015

We stayed on:      October 2015

We paid in total:  RM603.20 (in total, tax included) @ Superior One Bedroom Duta Suite, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

Where would you stay if you are visiting Kuala Lumpur? That was the question my wife and I asked ourselves every time we dropped by the capital. Hotels are expensive for long stays so we looked around the city center to see what possibilities exist. It was by chance that we stumbled upon Ambassador Row Suites online so we gave it a try, a decision which drove us to return to this same hotel suite more than once.

Superior One Bedroom Duta Suite, cozy like home, the mess of home to match...

Hotel review - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa Part 4 - Final look at the hotel grounds

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket's Pool Villa. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     September 2014

We stayed on:      October 2014

We paid in total:  THB27,659.50 (~RM2771) (tax included) @ Pool Villa, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

The overview of the whole hotel experience can be accessed from here: Thailand - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa

One more breakfast and we were left with spare time to kill before it was time to depart to the airport, ending our short but satisfying excursion to this beachside paradise. Strolled around we did in the hotel’s compound, wandering places and exploring niches. It was then that we realized how big Aleenta Phuket was, its grounds including other villas with their own gardens.

The infinity pool at dusk

Hotel review - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa Part 3 - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket's Pool Villa. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     September 2014

We stayed on:      October 2014

We paid in total:  THB27,659.50 (~RM2771) (tax included) @ Pool Villa, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

The overview of the whole hotel experience can be accessed from here: Thailand - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa

A lazy wake up and a swim in the pool later, we strolled to The Natai, Aleenta Phuket’s in-house restaurant serving local delicacies and our breakfast spot perched high over the seaview. With a spectacular view towards the endless sea and a nicely landscaped garden of pools, it couldn’t make a morning any more pleasant.

The Natai's menu in wooden cover

Hotel review - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa Part 2 - Pool Villa experience

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket's Pool Villa. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     September 2014

We stayed on:      October 2014

We paid in total:  THB27,659.50 (~RM2771) (tax included) @ Pool Villa, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

The overview of the whole hotel experience can be accessed from here: Thailand - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa

At 180 m² (1937.50 ft²), Aleenta Phuket’s Pool Villa is a choice for vacationers balancing between luxury and cost. It is neither the smallest nor the largest but for honeymooners and couples without kids, it is more than enough. With fencing and gates, the villa is surrounded by an extra layer of privacy most suitable for those looking for sunbathing with no tan line (I quote from their website on this).

We of course excitedly explored every inch and amenities of the villa when we were left to ourselves. The Pool Villa was laid out in generally 3 sections – an enclosed living area with TV, another enclosed bedroom area with an adjoining dressing room, and finally the open section with the pool between both where we could enjoy sunbathing and swimming. 

Welcome to the Pool Villa! This is how it felt when the attendant brought us to our villa, opening the gates with a dramatic flourish.

Hotel review - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa Part 1 - Arrival

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket's Pool Villa. The following info is important to you because it tells you on which month we stayed, and the price relative to the amount of time between the date of stay to the date of booking. You may experience higher or lower price at different months/seasons and if you book further or nearer to the date of stay.

We booked on:     September 2014

We stayed on:      October 2014

We paid in total:  THB27,659.50 (~RM2771) (tax included) @ Pool Villa, 2 persons, 2 nights, breakfast inclusive

The overview of the whole hotel experience can be accessed from here: Thailand - Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa

My wife and I are a stingy couple, as our friends readily attest. We save as much as we can, splurge only occasionally or for celebration. She chanced upon a recommendation of Aleenta Phuket (not sure from who or where) but the price tag for this luxurious hotel at a private beach was really hefty. The mesmerizing and attractive photos she viewed online could only be left in cyberspace. Things did a positive turn when I got my hands on some travel vouchers. Since those vouchers could not be cashed in, we decided that we should just splurge on, using the vouchers to cover our expenses. 

An infinity pool stretching to the sea and lounge that seemed to float are one of our best memories of Aleenta Phuket.

2013 Hanoi Trip - Thang Long Water Puppet Theater (Nhà hát múa rối Thăng Long)

Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnamese: Nhà hát múa rối Thăng Long

Full experience of my visit to Hanoi can be accessed through the list below:

Attractions:   St Joseph's Cathedral | One Pillar Pagoda | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum | Lý Thái Tổ Garden

Dining:          New Day Restaurant | Sketch Coffee | Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền | Dương Hoa Kem Caramen | Thu Nga Kem Xôi & Chè Thái Lan

More about Hanoi can be read through the list below:
Vietnamese Dong


When I was planning our trip to Hanoi, I frequently encountered the comment that one of the city's highlight was to attend a cultural show in Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. We entered the theater with great anticipation to be enthralled, so maybe our expectation proved to be the reason we felt disappointed upon the end of the show.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater proved to be an easy reach from Hoan Kiem Lake once we got over our phobia and crossed the relentless traffic to the other side of the road. As if in fear of not being noticed among the jumble of buildings, the narrow profile of the building's front was decorated with a column of puppets, and come dusk they were all lit up eerily, reminding me of killer dolls in horror movies.

The theater shows a traditional play but boasts a modern facade. Puppets decorating the narrow front profile of the theater will lit up come dusk, an eerie display reminding me of killer dolls of horror movies.

2013 Hanoi Trip - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Lăng Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh)

Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnamese: Lăng Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh (Lăng Chủ is Vietnamese for 'Mausoleum', tịch for President)

Full experience of my visit to Hanoi can be accessed through the list below:

Attractions:   St Joseph's Cathedral | One Pillar Pagoda | Thang Long Water Puppet Theater | Lý Thái Tổ Garden

Dining:          New Day Restaurant | Sketch Coffee | Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền | Dương Hoa Kem Caramen | Thu Nga Kem Xôi & Chè Thái Lan

More about Hanoi can be read through the list below:
Vietnamese Dong

A landmark is the beacon which tourists invariably flock towards upon visiting a location. Without such prominent markers of a location, a nation or city would lose its identity in the mind of tourists. In the South-East Asian countries, such landmarks are numerous, ranging from the historic Angkor Wat and Ayutthaya to the modern Marina Bay Sands and Petronas Twin Towers.

Visitors to Hanoi would be hard pressed not to seek out Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum regardless of their ideology. This is where the body of the nation's founder, President Ho Chi Minh, lies embalmed. And this is also the landmark of Hanoi, one which immediately reminds people of the city despite its relative youth in the millennial city.

A squad of honor guards on the front of the mausoleum.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Final - A Final Look at the Lobby

Location: Batu Ferringhi, Penang isle, Malaysia

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Lone Pine Hotel's Deluxe room in January 2013. Experience may differ with other rooms of the same hotel.

Experience of my stay in Lone Pine Hotel can be accessed through the list below.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 1 - A Room for A Night

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 2 - Good Morning Balcony

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 3 - Breakfast @ The Bungalow

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 4 - A Walk on A Manicured Lawn

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 5 - LEPAK and a Hidden Wonder

Our wedding photo session took the whole day, extending into the night for shots after dark. By the time we got to our room at the end of the day, we were too exhausted to explore the hotel further, choosing to surrender ourselves to a rejuvenating night of sleep. 

Please clean up the room, but leave my heart intact on the bed...

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 5 - LEPAK and a Hidden Wonder

Location: Batu Ferringhi, Penang isle, Malaysia

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Lone Pine Hotel's Deluxe room in January 2013. Experience may differ with other rooms of the same hotel.

Experience of my stay in Lone Pine Hotel can be accessed through the list below.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 1 - A Room for A Night

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 2 - Good Morning Balcony

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 3 - Breakfast @ The Bungalow

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 4 - A Walk on A Manicured Lawn

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Final - A Final Look at the Lobby

Wandering around the building of Lone Pine Hotel, we explored the surroundings like kid explorers hunting for treasures. And a treasure did we found. Hidden between the block housing our room and the one facing the beach was a lobby converted into a game and recreation room with the word “lepak corner” describing the place. The name itself employed an apt local term to describe the recreation area as “lepak” meant “to loiter” in Malay, educating and endearing foreigners with our national language.

"Lepak Corner", essentially a place for loitering.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 4 - A Walk on A Manicured Lawn

Location: Batu Ferringhi, Penang isle, Malaysia

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Lone Pine Hotel's Deluxe room in January 2013. Experience may differ with other rooms of the same hotel.

Experience of my stay in Lone Pine Hotel can be accessed through the list below.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 1 - A Room for A Night

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 2 - Good Morning Balcony

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 3 - Breakfast @ The Bungalow

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 5 - LEPAK and a Hidden Wonder

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Final - A Final Look at the Lobby

After a stuffed breakfast in The Bungalow as was shared in my last article, a walk around the hotel proper would be highly recommended, both to explore the grounds as well as to relief a full tummy. After all, a brisk walk under the trees and on the manicured lawn would be an excellent way to implement the tropical flavor of Penang isle and Lone Pine Hotel.

The verdant of the lawn and the turquoise from the pool complemented each other, one offering a flavor of the warm tropics, the other hinting of cool soothing sensation. Choices of beach chairs allowed patrons to choose the way they would like to enjoy their morning.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 3 - Breakfast @ The Bungalow

Location: Batu Ferringhi, Penang isle, Malaysia

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Lone Pine Hotel's Deluxe room in January 2013. Experience may differ with other rooms of the same hotel.

Experience of my stay in Lone Pine Hotel can be accessed through the list below.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 1 - A Room for A Night

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 2 - Good Morning Balcony

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 4 - A Walk on A Manicured Lawn

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 5 - LEPAK and a Hidden Wonder
A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Final - A Final Look at the Lobby

To enjoy a breakfast under the cool breeze in The Bungalow was a bliss indeed. With a cup of cappuccino in hand, I just basked in the moment as the rest of the patrons did. Some kids were dripping wet from their dip in the pool, ready to start their breakfast after an immersing moment in the cool waters. Other patrons enjoyed a moment with each other as a couple, a family or friends on a vacation, engaged in conversations or just reading under the cool patio.

The Bungalow is a 2-story building situated next to the pool. The patio and lower floor is converted into dining area and a kitchen, whereas the top floor is off limits.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 2 - Good Morning Balcony

Location: Batu Ferringhi, Penang isle, Malaysia

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Lone Pine Hotel's Deluxe room in January 2013. Experience may differ with other rooms of the same hotel.

Experience of my stay in Lone Pine Hotel can be accessed through the list below.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 1 - A Room for A Night

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 3 - Breakfast @ The Bungalow

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 4 - A Walk on A Manicured Lawn

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 5 - LEPAK and a Hidden Wonder
A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Final - A Final Look at the Lobby

A tired drive from Ipoh expectedly led to a sound dream on a fluffy pillow. To wake afresh to the morning sun was a bliss. Especially so when, upon exiting to the balcony, the tropic breeze brought with it the sounds of chirping birds and lapping waves. And we belatedly remembered that this was not home, but the coziness offered by Lone Pine Hotel misled us. 

Nothing beats the feel of a morning cup of coffee on the balcony amidst the chirping birds and swaying branches.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 1 - A Room for A Night

Location: Batu Ferringhi, Penang isle, Malaysia

Note: This article was written base on experience of staying in Lone Pine Hotel's Deluxe room in January 2013. Experience may differ with other rooms of the same hotel.

Experience of my stay in Lone Pine Hotel can be accessed through the list below.

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 2 - Good Morning Balcony

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 3 - Breakfast @ The Bungalow

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 4 - A Walk on A Manicured Lawn

A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Part 5 - LEPAK and a Hidden Wonder
A Wedding Photo in Lone Pine Final - A Final Look at the Lobby

My latest review/sharing is a memorable one. This is the place where we took our wedding photo after all. 

To arrive into Georgetown before the sun dipped past the horizon after an exhausting drive from Ipoh was nothing short of relieve. But we had no time to marvel at the setting amber orb, as we still need to drive the half hour into Batu Ferringhi and locate the entrance of our accommodation for the night. It was partially hidden from the uncaring eyes of a casual observer but not to the determined traveler. 

I drove the car past a smiling guard, under a neon sign of ‘Lone Pine Hotel’ and past fences of climbing vines before the night market started to get busy. Once it got its momentum, the night market of Batu Ferringhi would make navigating the lone road difficult, sometimes even dangerous with the odd pedestrians jumping out from the stalls. Not to mention that the entrance of the hotel was rather difficult to spot even without the distractions of the market. 

Slot in your card key and enjoy your stay in Lone Pine Hotel!

Changi Budget Terminal - Before the End of Days

Location: Changi, Singapore

The news of Changi's budget terminal closure on 25th September 2012 should have been known to all frequent travelers of budget airlines, which incidentally does not include Air Asia in its ranks. I traveled through Air Asia more often than other airlines, but I did peruse the service of Tiger Airways once in a while, so I was still well acquainted with this wayward terminal situated at the fringe of its 3 larger cousins.

The announcement of the end of Changi's budget terminal service on 25th Sept 2012.

Kinetic Rain @ Terminal 1 (T1), Changi International Airport

Location: Changi, Singapore

Kinetic Rain is now the latest addition to Singapore's Changi International Airport, delighting travelers and visitors with its fluid dances.

It is usual for frequent travelers by plane to feel bored by the unchanging scenes of an airport save for the ever shifting bulk of pedestrian traffic. Having to wait for my Air Asia flight in Changi International Airport's Terminal 1 (T1) did not prepare me for a new sight within the departure hall's check in counters.

Travelers who frequented T1, including fellow travelers of Air Asia, could now spend their spare waiting time by feasting their eyes on the latest addition to the departure hall - Kinetic Rain.