Alternative Thailand: Maeklong Railway Market

The Maeklong Railway is a  railway that services the route btween Wongwian Yai, Bangkok, and Samut Songkhram in Central Thailand. The railway is most famous for the portion of it's route through the Maeklong Railway Market, affectionately nicknamed Talad Rom Hoop, or ''Umbrella Pulldown Market', which derives from the action of the stall owners scurrying to pull down and keep the tentages/plastic shelters to make way for the train to pass.

A couple months back the bf and I visited Maeklong Railway market as part of a 2D1N trip from bangkok along with Ampawa (review here) as we wanted something a little different from the usual shopping/eating Bangkok trip. Despite being incredibly touristy and crowded, it didn't disappoint. 

How to go: There are regular van services from beneath victory monument flyer over. details here. You can also choose to go via bus, train, details here. For a timetable of when the train passes the station, refer here. 

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A secret place just 3 hours away from London...

It was much, much, much more beautiful in real life, I promise. 

I do a bad job taking photos with my film camera, and an even worse job with a digital one, so if the digital photo looks like this, you can imagine how breathtaking this is in real life.... 

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Alternative Beijing: 798 Art District

A picture post for a lazy, relaxing weekend. 

798 Art District or, simply '798', is located in the Chaoyang District of Beijing, a short 20 minute drive from the airport. It houses a thriving artistic community- most famously, 50-year old now-defunct military factory buildings of particular architectural style. Majority of the galleries are free to enter-making it an excellent place to browse for contemporary art and support local talent. 

How to go: Public transport to this area is scarce- taxis are your best bet. It would cost you roughly 160RMB from Beijing city center to 798. The drive is shorter from the airport as the area borers alleys number 2 and 4 on Jiǔxiānqiáo Lù (酒仙桥路), south of the Dàshānziqiáo flyover (大山子桥), which is linked to the airport flyover. For driving directions, refer to the map here. 

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Alternative Singapore: Tanjong Pagar Railway station

Tanjong Pagar railway station lies the middle of the urban city that has a history dating back to the independence of Singapore.
Text and photos credit to Francis Lim, the boyfriend :)

How to go: It's conveniently located along Keppel Road. If you drive, there's ample parking around the area. For public transport, take buses 10, 30, 57, 80, 97, 97e, 100, 131 or 145. Details can be found on the map here.

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Explore Singapore: Staycations Wanderlust hotel & Quincy hotel

I'll be frank- I'm desperate for holidays. Yes, holidays of any kind. Even a weekend day trip to Kusu Island will (temporarily) satisfy me. Because of this, and my limited days of leave this year (having spent 11 days of leave in Taiwan), I've been thinking about staycations.

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Alternative Singapore: Potong Pasir Estate

Potong Pasir is small housing estate located in the Northeast region of Singapore. The sloping roofs of the old housing blocks are iconic of the area.

How to go: Take the North East Line to Potong Pasir Station. 

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Experience Malaysia: Fishing village, Kukup

Kukup is a quaint little fishing village located just two hours from Singapore, making it a perfect place for a short spring getaway.

How to go: Located southwest of Johor Bahru, in the district of Pontian, Johor, in Malaysia, Kukup just about two hours drive from Singapore, making it a convenient self-drive weekend getaway from singapore.

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Alternative Shanghai: Wusonkou Paotaiwan Wetland Park (吴淞口炮台湾公园)

I travel often to Shanghai for work, and have been to the regular attractions (the Bund, Xintiandi, Pudong, Tianzifang) and was looking for a different kind of place to spend some time away from the crowds in. it was a photo in article by CNN here that made me decide to make a trip to Wusonkou Pao Taiwan Wetland park in the suburbs of Shanghai.

 

How to go: Take Metro Line 3 to 水产路站 Shui Chan Lu station. Hail a cab from the station to the wetland park, it shouldn't cost more than 15RMB. Entrance fee to the wetland is 5RMB.

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Alternative bangkok: Talad Rod Fai

Bangkok is the darling of all destinations for long weekend trip out of Singapore. Besides the Wat pho, grand palace, and crazy shopping at Platinum Mall/Siam area, there's a lot more you can explore. I was looking for a different kind of experience in Bangkok when I chanced upon Talad Rot Fai last year.

image credit to Soo Huey Fen, the BFF. 

Talad Rod Fai, or 'train market', is a flea market that's located on the grounds of a old set of train tracks. The old coaches and warehouses are now home to one of the many stalls and stores that sell things ranging from vintage cameras, typewriters and handmade designer goods. The market is the brainchild of Thanayut 'Troy' and Khun Phirot, two Thai antique lovers.

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Saturday 4 May 2013: Chillax at Tanglin, Uniqlo Popup Store

Recently i found out via Honeycombers about this moving vehicle that sells gourmet food.

Having experienced this and really enjoyed it whilst i was in the UK (during the Thames river festival, which i would probably do a blog post reviewing this later), I was really keen to try it out here.

Kerbside Gourmet is a nomadic truck that parks itself at a variety of places over the week (check it's facebook page for the schedule of timings of where it'll appear). The concept is simple- you purchase from the truck, then just dine wherever in the great outdoors that suits you. 

Today it was parked at Chillax at Tanglin, which is a small market right outside Tanglin Shopping Centre that sells a variety of more up-market goods (e.g. quality imported bags, shoes, kitchenware, wine, gourmet food)

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Alternative Singapore: Sunset Way Train tracks

Sunset way train tracks are part of a now-defunct railway that used to ply between Malaysia and Singapore. 
Text and pictures credit to Francis Lim, the boyfriend ;)

How to go: The tracks extend over Sungei Ulu pandan. The nearest way to get to the tracks via public transport is to take 185 or 189, get off at Clementi Ave 6 or buses 52, 99, 105, 106, 173, 183, 188, or 963, getting off at after toh tuck avenue and walking the last bit up. Another way is to drop off at Sunset way Blk 109 (buses 2, 61, 74, 74e, 75, 151, 154 and 184), have lunch at the tasty Kim's family restaurant (Korean) or ice cream at the Daily scoop, and to take a leisurely stroll to the tracks. 

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Alternative Singapore: Kusu Island

Kusu Island or “Tortoise Island”, is a small island south of Singapore. 

How to go & costs: 
Private hired boats service the island from Marina South Pier. The boat will stop at St John's island first, then Kusu island, and make a return trip back to the Pier. 
Admission fee is Adult S$15, Child S$12
(Child aged from 1 - 12 years old)
Sale of tickets at Marina South Pier, Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Services Pte Ltd.
(65) 6534 9339
www.islandcruise.com.sg
More details can be found here
For directional guide to Marina South Pier, click here

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Alternative Singapore: Bukit Timah Railway Station

Bukit Timah Railway Station is a crossing loop railway station located along Bukit Timah Road, in Singapore, operated by the KTM Railway. In older days, it serves as a popular form of transportation for locals traveling to and fro Singapore and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru). It is now a conserved building open to visitors. 

How to go: The railway station is easily accesible via one of the many bus services that serve Dunearn road/bukit timah road. Bus services include bus 66, 67, 74, 77, 151, 154, 157, 170, 171, 174, 563, 852, 961, 961C and 970. Alight at the bus stop at The Sterling and walk up a small slope from the main road to the railway station. 

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Alternative Singapore: Portsdown Road

Portsdown Road in Singapore is a less well-known neighbourhood that is quietly charming.
Portsdown Road near Queenstown, Singapore is a small neighbourhood of old colonial-style houses surrounded by lush greenery. The residents of this area consist mainly of expats who rent the places

How to go: Driving is your best option, follow the map here, but there's Bus 191 from Bouna Vista Bus Terminal that loops around portsdown road area if you wish to travel by public transport

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Alternative Taichung: Rainbow Village

Taichung is the third most populous city in Taiwan and has a wide variety of attractions, being home to the famed Feng Chia night market, and a base tourists often use to explore the nearby Nantou attractions such as Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm. One of it's lesser known attractions, Rainbow Village, is a quirky place worth a visit.

How to go: Most convenient way is to book a taxi to take you there directly, or drive. The Full address in chinese is: 台中市南屯區春安路56巷(位於春安國小及嶺東科大附近). The village is located near a primary school (Chun An primary) and university (嶺東科技大學春安). Map here.

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Alternative Seoul: Bukchon hanok village

When most people think of Korea, what comes to mind almost immediately is usually Samsung, the electronics giant, and perhaps Myeongdong, their shopping district or their royal palace. For a deeper look into old korea, the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul is a lovely place to spend your afternoon. 

Image credit to korea tourism organisation

The Village is a Korean traditional village with alleys and hanoks aand is mainly used as a cultural centre and dining location. 

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