Inntel Hotel Zaandam

We stayed 4 nights at Inntel Hotel Zaandam. This hotel is conveniently located besides Zaandam train station and 10 minutes train ride to Centraal Amsterdam. From Zaandam station, it takes us directly to Schiphol Airport which took approximately 20 minutes. Zaanse Schans which is famous for its windmills is only 4 km away. There is also a shopping street and cafes. The location is simply awesome!

Inntel Hotels Zaandam

 

 

Zaandam train station

 

The exterior of the hotel is unique and colourful. Our room package did not include breakfast; we had purposely decided to opt out of it.  Guests can enjoy complimentary access to the wellness club, gym and indoor pool. But unfortunately we did not have the time to utilise it. The rooms are tastefully decorated in three themes – Taste, Craft and Factory. The room is clean and spacious and there is complimentary WiFi in the room. The speed was reasonable. Do take note that a tax of EUR2.20 is imposed by the city at per person per night.

Our room with the Verkade Biscuits theme

The Bathroom

 

 

View from our room (spot Primark!)

The only glitch that we encountered was during checkout. The receptionist informed us that someone has used our room number to sign for breakfast and he wanted to charge us for that. We definitely did not do that. We had left the hotel very early on that day as we have pre-booked a day tour (to visit Volendam, Marken and Windmills). We had our breakfast at Mcdonald's which was nearby the meeting point. In the end, the receptionist did not insist. I almost wanted to tell him to go and check the video surveillance tapes for the culprits. Other than this, the stay was fantastic.

 

Getting around in Amsterdam

The machines only take coins and Maestro cards (not Visa, MasterCard or American Express). If you do not have enough coins, you have to buy the tickets at the ticket office where they will charge additional transaction fee of EUR0.50 per ticket.

 

 

It costs EUR4.80 per ticket for a return journey

 

OV-chipkaart ticketing system is one integrated card for travel on the tram, metro, buses and trains

 

GVB is the public transport company of Amsterdam providing integrated metro, tram and bus service

 

You can do it the Dutch way - biking!!

 

Or walk! Amsterdam is the most "walkable" city.

 

My 3 week vacation. First stop - Amsterdam

Last month, I went on a 3 week vacation to Europe and I came back with 2798 pictures! The highlight of the trip is probably that the hotel that we booked had closed down.

Anyway, here’s the itinerary.
5 Sep – London
6 to 10 Sep – Amsterdam
10 to 12 Sep – Venice
12 to 14 Sep – Florence
14 to 16 Sep – Rome
16 to 19 Sep – Paris
19 to 23 Sep - London                                       

It started with the SIA promotion to London. A bought the tickets. We did the minimum homework – choosing the hotels and booking the transfers online. As we did not book the train tickets in advance, it turned out to be much more expensive. In order to save costs, we took the plane for some of the transfers. The information on the train schedules can be found easily online. (Tip: do book the train tickets early if you can.)

Initially we thought of taking up a land package but we changed our minds as both of us prefer the leisurely kind of holiday. That being said, free-and-easy holidays will suit us better. We did not want to squeeze in many places - firstly, it will be exhausting and secondly, we won't enjoy the trip. So we decided to visit only four countries. And one of the places that both of us wanted to visit is Amsterdam. (Tip: you need to be able to travel light if you are taking the free and easy option.)

 

 

Ending this post with my favourite picture. I have another picture of this in the sunny version but I like the reflections here.

Koh Grill and Sushi Bar

During our recent girly meet up, Emily suggested lunch at her favourite Japanese place.

“It’s inside Wisma foodcourt and I have made a reservation.” she said.

 

At the back of my mind, I was wondering why there is a need for reservation since it is located inside a foodcourt?! Dang!

Our reservation was at 12noon. When I arrived at 11.40AM, a queue was already forming! (It opens daily from 11.30AM).

 

The food certainly did not disappoint. However, do not have high expectations of the service and the ambience. It looks like this Japanese place is rather understaffed. It is very hard to get the attention of the service staff. The floor around our table was still very wet but the waitress did remind us to watch our steps.

Our order

 

The Appetiser
This is a cold dish - century egg and tofu, with fish roe. 

The "must-order"

We ordered both the Shiok maki – Gen 1 and Shiok maki – Gen 2. Emily and I both prefer the Gen 1. Gen 1 consists of eel and avocado while Gen 2 consists of tempura prawn and chewy seaweed. The creamy sauce is indeed very shiok! If you are someone who loves cheese, you will love this dish.

The Yakitori
I wanted to order the asparagus wrapped with pork belly and mushrooms wrapped with pork belly but they did not have it. So I asked for “anything else that’s wrapped with pork belly”. Here's cherry tomatoes wrapped with pork belly. It is a tad too oily but anything with pork belly seldom goes wrong for me.

The soup
I requested for warm water as I was still nursing a bad cold. The waitress simply brushed me off with “we do not serve this.” (Ok fine…) I ordered Evian mineral water instead. I feel that they could have been more flexible. I do not mind paying for the warm water. Emily suggested that we share a pot of soup (I cannot remember what’s the name). The soup is nice but I will not order this again as I do not handle fish bones very well.

 

Carpaccio

Thinly sliced swordfish and salmon, served with a light sauce and lots of garlic.

 

We also ordered a small bowl of garlic rice to share. The total bill came up to S$84 for 2 persons.

Koh Grill and Sushi Bar
Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
#04-23 (Besides toast box)
Reservation is strongly recommended! Tel: +65 9180 3805

Gardens by the Bay

I made my first visit to Gardens by the Bay on 26 May 2013. It was an impromptu trip so I did not prepare my DSLR (all the photos were taken with Canon S100). Unfortunately it started to rain heavily and we had to take shelter in the Flower Dome. I hope to visit the OCBC Garden Rhapsody on my next trip!

 

The Flower Dome is one of the icons. It replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean regions and it is home to a collection of plants from deserts all over the world. More information is in the website Flower Dome

 

I enjoyed spending my Sunday afternoon at the Flower Dome. Just take a look at these amazing flora and fauna! Amid our hectic work life, how often do we get to smell and take in the sights of beautiful fresh flowers? I love flowers; I think most girls do. 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

I shall end the post with a photo of the silver leaf. At that very moment, I really wished I had my Tokina 11-17mm with me.

 

Ticketing hub opens from 9AM to 8PM but you can also purchase your tickets online

Costa Atlantica Cruise

I am back from cruise!! 

 

Pictures from the trip and taken with my Tokina 11-17mm f2.8 lens.

Ayana Resort and Spa Bali

We stayed one night at Ayana Resort and Spa during April 2013. In my opinion, this place is ideal for weddings and honeymooners! Ash's colleague who is an Indonesian has strongly recommended this hotel to Ash and she kept it from me as a surprise. I have no idea what to expect as I only found out where we are heading to when in the taxi!

 

If you are a guest at Ayana, do visit the Rock Bar during sunset. Moreover hotel guests do not need to join the queue > Sunset at Rock Bar . There are many activities within Ayana. You can have a game of tennis, table tennis, go for a swim, spa or take in the view of the flora and fauna in the garden. Or you can also visit the library and loan some DVDs, books or magazines. If you are travelling with children, there is a big playground. You can be like me too, spending the time photographing the beautiful Ayana.

 

The rates for Ayana are more expensive comparing with most hotels in Bali but do consider Ayana if you will like to pamper yourself! 

 

 

Some pictures of the actual room that we stayed in.

The bed is so comfortable!

This place is huge! 77 hectares!!

 

Many guests came to hold their weddings or attend weddings at Ayana.

The staff told us this glass chapel is fully booked with 3 weddings daily!

The six months passport validity rule

I am going for a 5D4N cruise tomorrow. At the time of booking, we have checked with Anita Travel Agency about the six months passport validity rule. My travel dates are from 4th May to 8th May 2013 (both dates inclusive) and my passport will expire on 6th Nov 2013. The staff we spoke to, Mr. Jakson, replied that it is fine for me to use my existing passport. We then proceeded to confirm the travel dates and booking.

 

The itinerary of the cruise

4th May (Sat) - Depart Singapore

5th May (Sun) - Onboard / International waters

6th May (Mon) - Phuket, Thailand                        

7th May (Tue) - Langkawi, Malaysia                     

8th May (Wed) - Return to Singapore

My passport expires on 6th Nov 2013

Six months passport validity means 7 May 2013 to 6 Nov 2013???? Yes, No, Don't know?
 

Early last month which is also before my Bali trip, we called the agency again and Mr. Jakson, reassured us that we can use my existing passport expiring on 6th Nov 2013. I could have gone to renew the passport at that time but we decided to trust Mr. Jayson's advice. What's more, he should be more knowledgeable than us since he is in the travel industry, isn't it?

 

Until yesterday 2nd May afternoon, Mr. Jakson called and told us that I have to extend my passport. His exact words over the phone were "Just go and get a chop from ICA". It threw all of us into a mad panic. We went "what the .... &#%^@!!"

 

On a side note, it does not matter if the six months validity rule applies to upon entry or upon exiting Malaysia and Thailand because the cruise ship is only stopping over for some hours.

 

We have already took the initiative to check with the travel agency and they have replied twice to us that it is fine to use my existing passport. With less than 2 days to our departure, they now tell a different story.

 

Did he think our grandfathers own ICA? What is "just go and get a chop"?.

The staff at level 3 information counter told me that I can apply for a new passport today and collect it next week. But I am travelling the following day! 

I was then referred to another counter "Interview - passport services" to explain my case. The interviewing officer was understanding. She said I can apply for a new passport immediately and return on the next morning to collect. She also explained that the six months rule will apply to Malaysia and Thailand. But when I return to Singapore on 8th May, I will not be denied entry.

I quickly went to have my photo taken at Level 1 of ICA building and proceed to another counter at level 3 for passport renewal. Passport collection on Saturdays is strictly by appointment but such appointments have to be made 2 days in advance. Since I am unable to make any appointment, the lady asked me to come as early as possible because the waiting time can be more than 2 hours on Saturdays.

The exact words in the email from Mr. Jakson dated 2nd May 2013 12.33PM are "Please rush to ICA for passport extension with the Cruise Ticket".  Most of us do not carry our passports on us all the time. I only managed to get to ICA the following day, first thing in the morning and amid the morning rush hours and traffic jam.

 

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

Address	Immigration & Checkpoints Authority ICA Building 10 Kallang Road Singapore 208718
Operating Hours	Weekdays 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Saturdays 8.00 am to 1.00 pm Sundays & Public Holidays Closed Busy days to Avoid: Mondays, Fridays & Saturdays Eve of / After Public Holidays Q-Tickets Issuing Hours: Weekdays 8.00 am to 4.30 pm Saturdays 8.00 am to 12.30 pm

Lesson learnt > next time when in doubt, just go and get the passport renewed.

 

To conclude my rumbles above > there is no extension to passport expiry date anymore. You will need to renew the passport in order to comply with the six months passport validity rule.