Blossom Bliss - Sakura in Singapore @ Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay

What? Sakura in Singapore?!

Back in two years ago, in Year 2016, Singapore did some “experimental floral display” by bringing the weather-sensitive cherry blossom to the tropics, to see if they would thrive. Not only that the experiment worked, the event also sees a large turnout of local residents and foreign visitors who didn’t want to miss the chance to see cherry blossom in Singapore. 

“Sakura, in a tropical weather? You’ve got to be kidding me!”

i Light Marina Bay 2018 - Sun Down, Lights On

What is iLight Marina Bay?

Blink, blink! And there goes Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. Time sure flies for the last couple of months, as we are finally entered the last month of the first quarter of 2018. And as March kicks in, it’s time for one of the most anticipated annual event in Singapore --- iLight Marina Bay 2018.

Off The Beaten Path - Phatthalung : Khao Chai Son, Hatyai and Journey Home

Day 3 (Part 1) : Dimsum Breakfast

We checked out after our complimentary breakfast and the songthaew driver was already waiting for us in front of our bungalow. We hopped onto the songthaew with all our luggage, and bid farewell to the beautiful Thale Noi. The songthaew driver then dropped us in front of Phatthalung train station. The ride costs us 450 Baht or 50 Baht per person (SGD2.06 / RM6.50). We then enquired about the earliest available train tickets to Hatyai and Khao Chai Son, bought the next train (10.30am).

Off The Beaten Path - Phatthalung : Temple Hopping in Town

Day 2 (Part 3) : Sight Seeing Day

... Continued from [Day 2 – Thale Noi]

As we finished our breakfast, the songthaew driver arrived to pick us up for our temple tour. The usual pick up rate to town costs 450 Baht, so we negotiated with the driver to take us to 4 different temples for a total of 740 Baht (82 Baht per person / SGD3.38 / RM10.69) which he agreed. We visited the following temples in order: Wat Wang > Khao Ok Thalu > Wat Khuha Sawan > Tham Malai.

Off The Beaten Path - Phatthalung : Thale Noi, The Highlight

Day 2 (Part 1) : Thale Noi

The Thai name ‘Thale Noi’ translates to ‘little sea’ in English language (thale means sea while noi means little). It is the northernmost of the bodies of water that make up Thale Sap , also known as Songkhla Lake. 

Supporting more than 180 species of local and migratory waterbirds and protected under the international Ramsar wetlands preservation treaty, Thale Noi is Thailand’s largest waterfowl reserve. Birdwatchers are joined by flora enthusiasts looking to glide through pink waterlilies that bloom by the thousands. Locals weave grass mats and fish off stilted platforms, adding splashes of culture to this increasingly popular natural attraction.