Visit to Farmat @ Sungei Tengah

Visited FARMART today. Tour was conducted by Q-Man, William.

Some interesting facts gathered:

• It takes 1 year for sugar cane to grow to 2m in length, and it sells for only S$2 to S$3. Taking into consideration the long time-to-market and the cost of land in Singapore, it's not profitable to grow sugar cane here. Hence, they are mostly imported from Malaysia.
• The young of a pigeon is called a "squab".
• 5 quail eggs = 1 chicken egg in terms of cholestrol content.
• The size of chicken eggs increases with the age of the hen. Hence, first born eggs are the smallest in size.

What to See / Do in Tokyo & Kyoto

Click on the mind map (left) for details.

China-Tibet Train

1. Beijing-Lhasa is 4,064 km, of which 1,110 km are over the newly-built Qinghai-Tibet railway.

• Train T27 will start from Beijing West Railway Station at 21:30 and arrive at Lhasa Railway Station at 20:58 on the third day after 47 hours and 28 minutes running.


• Train T28 will depart from Lhasa Railway Station at 8:00 am. and arrive in Beijing west at 8:00 am. on the third day with a 48-hour-trip.


• Beijing West-Lhasa, Distance = 4,064km


• Hard Seat Price: 389 Yuan.


• Hard Sleeper (Bottom Berth) Price: 813 Yuan.


• Soft Sleeper (Bottom Berth) Price: 1,262 Yuan.

2. Tibet Permit (See sample attached)

• Required to enter Tibet, but has no expiration date.
  
• Prices vary depending on entry mode of transport into Tibet, e.g. air, bus, car, train and departure city in China.
  
• Price for Beijing-Lhasa by train: 700 Yuan.

What to See/Do in Beijing

MODERN ARCHITECTURE

1. The Three "Birds".

• Bird's Nest (National Stadium).
• Bird's Egg (the dome-like National Grand Theatre near Tiananmen Square).
• Bird's Legs (the twin-towered HQ of CCTV).

2. The Opposite House (an avant-garde boutique hotel) designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

• The Village, Building 1, No. 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE

3. Tian Dan.

4. The Forbidden City.

5. Tiananmen Square.

6. Summer Palace.

7. Bell Tower.

8. Hutong.

9. The Great Wall.

SIDE TRIPS

10. Take Beijing-Lhasa train (about 48 hours one-way).

11. X'ian, home of the Terracota warriors.

Where to Eat in Beijing

1. Da Dong (Peking duck) - Die Die Must Try.

2. Xiao Wang Fu

3. Ke Jia restaurant

4. Modern Beauty @ World Trade Centre

5. Dong Lai Shun

6. Made in China @ the Grand Hyatt Beijing (Peking duck).

7. Li Jia Cai restaurant @ 11 Yang Fang Hutong, De Nei Da Jie, Xicheng, Beijing.

8.

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

YMCA Salisbury Hong Kong Hotel

41 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel. (852) 23692211
Fax: (852) 27399315
Check-In Time : 2:00:00 PM
Check-Out Time : 12:00:00 PM

Room Type: Partial Harbour View @ HK$1,166 per night.

Where to stay in Seoul

Casaville Service Residence
Shinchon, Seoul
http://www.casaville.co.kr
TEL: (02)6220-4000
FAX: (02)6352-1101

No. 2 Line, Shinchon Subway Sta.

What to See/Do in Hong Kong

1. The Peak, Hong Kong island.

• Bus 15C from the lay-by outside Central Pier 6 to the Lower Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road and take Peak Tram to the Peak.
• Bus 15 from Exchange Square.
• Green minibus 1 from MTR Hong Kong Station Public Transport Interchange.

2. A Symphony of Lights, daily 8pm.

3. HK Disneyland, Lantau island.

• MTR Disneyland Resort Station.

4. Giant Buddha, Lantau island.

• MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take bus 23 from Tung Chung Town Centre. Road up to the mountains is windy and takes about 40 min. Bus fare is cheaper on weekdays (HK$17) compared to weekends (HK$28).
• Worth taking the Nong Ping cable car ride down @ HK$58 per person. Takes about 15-20 min. Can see aerial view of Chap Lak Kok Int'l Airport on the left.
• Caution: Those with fear of height.

5. Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

6. Clock Tower, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

7. Kowloon Walled City Park.

• Take a taxi from MTR Lok Fu Station Exit B to the entrance on Tung Tau Tsuen Road.
• Bus 1 from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry bus terminus and get off at Kowloon Walled City Park.

8. Wong Tai Sin temple.

9. Fa Yuen Market, Kowloon.

• 11am - 9.30pm daily.
• Walk along Tung Choi Street and turn left into Bute Street and then turn right into Fa Yuen Street.

10. Ladies Market, Kowloon.

• Open 12 noon to 11.30pm.
• MTR Mong Kok Station Exit E2, then walk along Nelson Street for two blocks.
• Bus 1, 1A, 2, 6 or 6A from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.

11. Stanley Market, Hong Kong island.

• 9am to 6pm.
• Bus 6 (HK$7.60), 6A, 6X via Aberdeen Tunnel (HK$8.40), 66 or 260 (HK$10.60) from Central (Exchange Square) Bus Terminus.
• MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B, walk to Tang Lung Street then take green minibus 40.
• Bus 973 from Tsim Sha Tsui East Bus Terminus or Canton Road outside Silvercord Centre.

12. Temple Street Night Market, Kowloon.

• Busy from 7pm onwards.
• MTR Jordan Station Exit A. Turn right into Jordan Road and walk three blocks to Temple Street.
• MTR Yau Ma Tei Station Exit C, walk along Man Ming Lane to Temple Street.

13. Golden Bauhinia Square, Hong Kong island.

• Daily Flag Raising ceremony, 7:50am - 8:03am.
• Take MTR to Wan Chai Sta. and walk (about 15-20 min slow walk, just follow the signs).
• Take Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai Ferry Pier (5 min walk), free for senior citizens.

14. Take the Longest Escalator to Mid Levels, Hong Kong island.

15. Hollywood Road.

• Bus 26 outside Pacific Place at Admiralty to Hollywood Road and get off near Man Mo Temple.
• MTR Central Station Exit D2 and turn right to Theatre Lane. Walk along Queen's Road Central towards The Center. Then take the Central - Mid-Levels Escalator to Hollywood Road.

16. Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, New Territories.

• Bus 64K from MTR Tai Po Market Station and get off at Fong Ma Po (Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree) stop.
• About 30-40 min bus ride.

17. Yuen Po Bird Garden, Kowloon.

• 7am - 8pm daily.
• MTR Prince Edward Station Exit B2 and walk along Prince Edward Road West towards the direction of MTR Mong Kok East Station for about 15 mins.
• MTR Mong Kok East Station Exit C. Walk to Sai Yee Street via footbridge and follow the signs.

18. Flower Market, Kowloon.

• 7am - 7pm daily.
• Walk through the Bird Garden to the junction of Yuen Po Street and Flower Market Road.

19. Goldfish Market, Kowloon.

• 10.30am - 10pm daily.
• At the end of Flower Market Road, turn left and then right into Prince Edward Road West. Walk west until you see a petrol station, then left into Tung Choi Street.

20. Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong island.

• Walk from the Lower Peak Tram Terminus to Queen's Road Central, turn left at D'Aguilar Street and walk up to Lan Kwai Fong.

21. Tsing Ma Bridge

• Green minibus 308M from MTR Tsing Yi Station Exit A1.
• Take a taxi from MTR Tsing Yi Station Exit A1.
• Note: all airport buses cross Tsing Ma and Kap Shui Mun Bridges.

22. Happy Valley Racecourse, Hong Kong island.

• MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit A, walk along Wong Nai Chung Road towards Happy Valley Racecourse for about 20 mins.
• Take tram to Happy Valley Tram Terminus.

23. Repulse Bay, Hong Kong island.

• Bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66, 260 from Central (Exchange Square) Bus Terminus and alight at Repulse Bay.

24. Ocean Park, Hong Kong island.

• Bus 629 from MTR Admiralty Station Exit B.
• Bus 6X also can.

25. Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street & Apliu Street, Kowloon.

• MTR Sham Shui Po Station Exit C1, and walk to Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street.
• MTR Sham Shui Po Station Exit C2, and walk to Apliu Street Flea Market.

26. Jumbo Kingdom @ Aberdeen.

• Take taxi to Aberdeen Pier. Walk to dock for free boat ride to floating restaurant.

27. Kowloon Park.

28. Causeway Bay, HK island.

• Times Square, Caroline Centre, World Trade Centre, The Lee Gardens, Lee Theatre Plaza, Fashion Island, Island Beverley, In Square in Windsor House.
• Jardine's Crescent, Jardine's Bazaar (Exit F from Causeway Bay Sta.).
• Sogo.

29. Causeway Bay (Firing of the Gun @ noon daily).

Where to Eat in Melbourne

1. Pho Bo (Vietnamese beef noodles) @ Mekong on Swanston Street.

• 241, Swanston Street.
• Tel: (613)-96633288
• What's good: beef rice noodle soup (variant: yellow noodle, beef ball), fried spring roll, prawn paper rolls.
• Beef noodle soup: A$7.50 (S), A$8.50 (M), A$9.50 (L).
• Prawn paper roll: A$4.40.
• Fried spring roll: A$4.80.
• Vietnamese coffee: A$3.00.

2. Dine @ Fifteen on Collins Street. Jamie Oliver's chain of restaurant around the world. One-and-only in Australia.

• 115-117, Collins Street.
• Tel: 1300 799415 (Reservation).
• http://www.fifteenmelbourne.com.au

3. Big Aussie breakfast @ Treasury Cafe inside Treasury Building.

4. Big Aussie breakfast @ Muleta's near Queen Victoria Market.

• 422, Queen Street.
• Veggie Big Breakfast with cuppacinno: A$14.00

5. Breakfast @ Chepelli's Cafe and Restaurant on Chapel Street.

• 571, Chapel Street, South Yarra.
• Tel: 98269516
• http://www.chapellis.com.au

6. Breakfast @ Mojito at Prahran Market.

• 169 Commercial Road, South Yarra.
• Veggie Big Breakfast: A$11.50.
• Latte, Cappacino: A$3.00 each.
• Bircher Muesli: A$7.90.
• Fruit Loaf: A$4.90.

7. Breakfast @ Crown Cafe & Bakery.

8. Tropicana Food/Juice Bar.

9. Lunch @ Merino Club Cafe and Bar on Chapel Stree.

• 131 Chapel Street, Prahran.
• Tel: 95332991

Where to eat in Hong Kong

1. Modern China

UG06B Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Rd, West Kowloon
Lunch: 11:45AM - 3PM
Dinner: 5:45PM - 11:00PM

1002, Food Forum, Times Square, Causeway Bay

2. Sweet Dynasty

Ground Floor, 100 Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
Monday to Thursday (10:00am - 12:00am)
Friday (10:00am - 01:00am)
Saturday (07:30am - 01:00am)
Sunday(07:30am - 12:00am)
Public Holiday opened at 7:30am
The eve of Public Holiday closed at 01:00am

3. Cafe de Coral

• Best value for money for your meals.
• Cleaner, fast food version of Hong Kong's famous Char Chan Tang.
• Price is very reasonable, that's why it's packed all day long with locals.
• Many outlets all over Kowloon and Hong Kong.

4. Tai Cheong Bakery (Egg Tarts) @ 35, Lyndhurst Terrace, Central.

• HK$5 each. Crust is "ang mo" type. Overall rating: Over rated.
• Branches: Shop B, Jardine Centre, 50 Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
• Shop 535, Grand Century Place, Mongkok

5. Yuen Long's Hang Hueng wife biscuit @ 64-66 Castle Peak Road.

Hang Heung Yuen Long outlet is located at 64-66 Castle Peak Road. U can either take their KCR West Rail and alight at Yuen Long Station and walk or for a shorter walking distance, change to LRT at Yuen Long Station and take LRT to Tai Tong Road Station (almost dropping opposite).

6. Lei Garden (Dim Sum)

B-2, Houston Centre, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong

121 Sai Yee Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Monday to Saturday & Public Holidays
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sunday
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

7. Mak Aun Kee - Mak's Noodle (Wanton mee) @ 77 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong

• Expensive and small portion.
• HK$28 for wanton mee, HK$30 for dumpling mee (preferred).
• Branch: 44, Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
• Branch: Shop No. C03, 2/F, (Arrival Hall), China Hong Kong City, No. 33, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

8. Tsim Chai Kee (Wonton mee) - opposite Mak's Noodles @ 98 Wellington Street, Central.
Cheaper and bigger wontons.

• 5 minutes walk from MTR Central Station (Exit D2)

9. Wong Chi Kei (Bamboo Noodles) - the bamboo noodle shop from Macau.

On the other end of Wellington Street (start at Mak's, walk up and then down the hill).

10. Yung Kee @ 32-40 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong.

• Must Try: Roast Goose, Suckling Pig.
• 5 minutes walk from MTR Central Station (Exit D2)
• Reservation By Telephone
  (852) 2522 1624
• (852)2523 2343 (Take Out Order)
• Business Hours:
  11:00a.m. - 11:30p.m.(Daily)
• Dim-Sum Dining:
  2:00p.m. - 5:30p.m.(Mon. to Sat.)
• 11:00a.m.-5:30p.m.(Sunday & Public Holiday)

11. Tsui Wah (char chan teng) @ 15D-19 Wellington St., Central, Hong Kong
Open 24 hours.

12. Wong Chi Kee @ Terminal 2. (Wanton Noodles)

13. Hang Heung's Kitchen @ Terminal 1.

14. T'ang Court (Dim Sum) @ 8 Peking Rd, located in the Langham Hotel, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Mon-Sat noon-3pm
Sun and holidays 11am-3pm
Daily 6-11pm

15. On Lee Noodle Factory @ G/F, Shun Loong Mansion, 94-90 Bonham Strand East, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

• http://www.onleenoodle.com.hk/

16. Hoixe Bakery near junction of Hankow Road and Haiphong Road.

• Egg tarts @ HK$4 each. Overall rating: Die Die Must Try.
• Bread and cakes are also fabulous.

17. Chao Inn restaurant @ Shop 728, 7/F, Grand Century Place, Mongkok, Kowloon.

18. Jumbo restaurant @ Aberdeen.

• Can take Bus 71 from bus terminal outside Star Ferry terminal.
• Great ambience, fabulous food, quality.
• Worth a visit if you have a huge budget.
• 7 dishes could set you back by HK$2,000.

What to See / Do in Melbourne

Money Saving Tips

• Make full use of free Melbourne City Tourist Tram.
• Sunday train tickets are extremely affordable.

Must-Do

• Self-drive on Great Ocean Road. Recommended rest stops: Geelong, Lorne, Twelve Apostles, Port Fairy.
• Halls Gap.
• Take free City Tram.
• Stroll along Portland.

Must-Visit

• Queen Victoria Market. Most busy on weekends.
• Toorak area for shopping and eating. Take train from ...
• St Kilda's weekend market. Only on weekends.
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Others

• Skin medication products are extremely effective (not necessarily cheap). They are not available in Singapore.
• Great country to shop for outdoor equipment, gear, hiking shoes, jackets. Range and selection of products are just amazing. These shops are mostly located on Little Collins Street.