Travel Thursday: 4D3N Itinerary to Ho Chi Minh City at $440+/pax (flights + hotel + bus + tours)

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Did you miss the last 3D2N itinerary to Surabaya, Indonesia for Vesak Day?

Prices might have changed but the itinerary still stands.

View it here: 

Travel Thursday: 3D2N Itinerary to Surabaya, Indonesia at $204.30/pax (flights + hotel + breakfast)

For this Travel Thursday series, we will still be eyeing the Vesak Day public holiday but this time around, you will probably need to take a day of leave on 5 June.

And we’re heading to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)!

Since Vesak Day falls on 2 June, a Friday, this itinerary’s prices will be based on research done for 2 June to 5 June 2023 (2-to-go):

  • Vietjet flights, round trip per pax: $198.90

SG to HCMC flights

  • Saigon Prince Hotel (deluxe double/twin): approx. $266 including taxes via Agoda ($133/pax)

Saigon Prince Hotel

This 4-star hotel located in District 1 of HCMC is one of the more atas options.

I’ve chosen this because, at the time of writing, all the other more affordable options in the range of $20 to $50/night are almost sold out.

You should be able to save much more if you book early so this hotel option is just a price reference point, yeah?

Also, this itinerary will be much more “relaxing” than the free & easy ones I’ve written earlier because we will be using a sightseeing bus to plan our trip and taking on a full-day tour for fuss-free sake.

Get ready to fork out $443.55/pax.

Prices reflected are accurate at the time of writing.

2 June 2023, Friday

Flight: Vietjet

3 pm Reach Singapore Changi Airport T4 for check-in

5.55 pm Flight to HCMC

7 pm (local time) Touch down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Hotel: Saigon Prince Hotel

8 pm Take your ride to the hotel for check-in (estimated time is about 30 to 50 minutes depending on the evening traffic)

Address: 63 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 70000

9 pm Check-in and let’s grab some food at The Gangs Central (just beside the hotel). Or you can take a 5-minute walk to Saigon Centre (shopping mall) for food and shopping.

Saigon Centre HCMC

Image Credits: vietnamdiscovery.com

Oh yes, I would recommend you get some bread/pastries or fruits for breakfast tomorrow.

12 am Wash up and rest. We’ve got a long day tomorrow.

3 June 2023, Saturday

7.30 am Rise and shine. Fill your tummy a little!

8.30 am Take a 6-minute walk to Saigon Opera House/Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. Find the redemption kiosk to exchange your Klook tickets.

 

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We will be mainly taking the sightseeing double-decker bus today and it leaves at 9 am. So don’t be late!

The $27.25/pax option includes ticketed entries to the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum so those two stops are a MUST to visit.

Other hop on & off sites include:

  • Notre Dame Cathedral
  • Saigon Central Post Office
  • Ben Thanh Market
  • Nguyen Hue Street walking street
  • Bitexco Financial Tower
  • Huyen Si Church
  • Bach Dang Pier

Note: The sightseeing bus will take you back to the opera house where you left in the morning.

4 pm Take a short walk back to your hotel to rest and freshen up a little.

6 pm Time for dinner!

We won’t go too far since you should be all worn out from all the walking today. Take an 8-minute walk (just 850 m away) to Ben Bach Dang Park, right on the banks of the Saigon River. There are eateries and restaurants around so it’s up to you to choose.

 

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Have a hearty dinner and some drinks if you’d like and head back early to rest. Our day’s gonna start early tomorrow.

4 June 2023, Sunday

5.30 am Rise and shine!

We’ve got a full-day adventure to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta today.

6.30 am Be at your hotel lobby for your guide to pick you up.

And all you need to do is to follow through with the day tour’s itinerary. Easy peasy.

Here are some highlights:

  • Get a chance to explore the hidden network of tunnels in the Cu Chi District

Uncover the underground world of the historic Cu Chi Tunnels

  • Receive insights into the complex and innovative lives of the tunnel residents during the Vietnam War
  • Cruise along My Tho River (Mekong Delta) to see the Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise Islands

relaxing boat ride along the Mekong Delta

  • Visit a local coconut sweet(s) workshop, and enjoy seasonal delicious fruits and drinks offered

Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour fee.

7 pm Once the tour ends, you will be dropped off at your hotel by 7.30 pm, just in time for dinner.

Since it’s your last night here in HCMC, why not head to a restaurant with a view? I suggest taking a 10-minute walk to Búp Sky Lounge & Restaurant.

Enjoy your food and drinks, before heading back to pack your bags for your morning flight tomorrow.

5 June 2023, Monday

6 am Hop on your taxi to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (it will take roughly 35 minutes)

6.45 am Reach the airport for check-in

9 am Take your flight back to Singapore

Vietjet Air

Image Credits: valleycentral.com

12.05 pm Touch down at Singapore Changi Airport T4

Head home, unpack, and let’s get ready to head back to work tomorrow 😉

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Travel Thursday: 3D2N Itinerary to Surabaya, Indonesia at $204.30/pax (flights + hotel + breakfast)

3D2N Surabaya Itinerary Main Banner Edited

One more day to the long weekend!

If you’ve not planned yourself a trip out of Singapore for Labor Day, boohoo.

Haha, just kidding.

It’s never too early to start planning for the next getaway and for this Travel Thursday, we will be looking at a 3D2N trip to Surabaya, Indonesia.

Best of all, it’s just $204.30/pax and includes flights + hotel + breakfast.

Since Vesak Day falls on 2 June, a Friday, this itinerary’s prices will be based on research done for 2 June to 4 June 2023 (2-to-go):

  • Batik Air flights, round trip per pax: $166.30

Singapore to Surabaya

  • The Life Styles Hotel Surabaya (superior room + breakfast): approx. $76 including taxes via Agoda ($38/pax)

The Life Styles Hotel Surabaya Superior Room Price

Ready for a detailed itinerary? Let’s roll.

Prices reflected are accurate at the time of writing.

2 June 2023, Friday

Flight: Batik Air

8.50 am Reach Singapore Changi Airport T3 for check-in

11.50 am Flight to Surabaya

1.10 pm (local time) Touch down at Surabaya Juanda International Airport T2

Hotel: The Life Styles Hotel Surabaya

2 pm Take your ride to the hotel

The Life Styles Hotel Surabaya

Address: Jl. Sumatera No.16, Ketabang, Kec. Gubeng, Kota SBY, Jawa Timur 60272, Indonesia

2.40 pm Reach The Life Styles Hotel Surabaya (estimated time is about 40 minutes but that depends on the traffic too)

Check-in is from 2 pm so you should be able to drop your luggage and freshen up a little before heading for lunch.

Late lunch: Sansekerta – The Authentic Taste Of Indonesia

Let’s fill our tummies first before we start exploring, shall we? 

Take a 4-minute ride or 10-minute walk from your hotel to Sansekerta for a real taste of Indonesian food.

Indonesian food

Image Credits: Yunita Wijaya on Google Reviews

Or you can head straight to Grand City Mall Surabaya for more dining options.

4 pm Take a 7- to 10-minute walk from your lunch place to Surabaya Submarine Monument, a museum that offers tours. Or you can go free and easy, snap your quick pics, and let’s move on to the next location.

5 pm Walk your way to Bambu Runcing, about 15 minutes away from the Surabaya Submarine Monument. This landmark monument will certainly prove that you’re in Surabaya. Ha!

Bambu Runcing

Image Credits: tourism.surabaya.go.id

*Plan ahead*

Since you’re in the district, you may want to book yourself a massage session for tomorrow night (3 June). RATU MASSAGE SURABAYA (massage panggilan) is right around the corner from Bambu Runcing so drop by to book yourself a massage appointment.

5.30 pm It’s almost dinner time and from all the walking, you should be ready for some food. A 10-minute walk will take you to Apsari Park, an urban green space with street eats. You will instantly know you’re at the right place if you spot the Monumen Patung Gubernur Suryo.

6 pm If the food stalls are closed, you may want to take a short walk to Tunjungan Plaza instead. You will never go wrong with a shopping mall, yeah?

Tunjungan Plaza

Image Credits: Yemima Eve on Google Reviews

Enjoy your dinner, and drinks, do some shopping, or even catch an evening movie at the Tunjungan 5 XXI cinema. It’s your holiday so do it your way!

Once you’re done, your hotel is just a less than 15-minute drive away.

Take a swim, or wash up and get some rest; I’ll see you tomorrow.

3 June 2023, Saturday

8 am Rise and shine, and get changed because it’s time for hotel breakfast.

9 am After breakfast, grab yourself a taxi to Surabaya Zoo. It will be a short 10-minute ride from the hotel.

Surabaya Zoo

Fun fact: Do you know that looking at cute animals can lead to reduced stress levels? Science has backed this up. So all the sake of our happiness and well-being, here’s a zoo trip planned for you.

11.30 am We’re heading for lunch soon but before we go, let’s drop by Bungkul Park, just 600 m from the zoo.

Bunkul Park is a dog-friendly popular green space so just take a walk through and snap some pictures for keepsake.

12 pm Let’s head to Marvell City Mall for lunch. It’s a 5-minute ride away from the park or if you prefer to clock more steps, take a 12-minute walk to the shopping mall.

Have your lunch, shop at LOTTE Mart if you wish and I’ll see you at 2 pm.

2 pm We’re heading far out so make sure you stop by the washroom to relieve yourself before we grab a ride to Surabaya North Quay.

It’s going to take 30 to 40 minutes (depending on the traffic) to get to the famed tourist attraction by the waters. 

2.45 pm There’s a rooftop deck over there, so feel free to grab yourself a drink at the cafe and soak in the port and sea views and vibes while you’re there.

Surabaya North Quay Rooftop

Don’t forget to look out for the Monumen Jalesveva Jayamahe by the corner!

4 pm Call yourself a cab because we’re heading to Chinatown. More specifically, we want to snap some pictures of Kya Kya Surabaya, a historical landmark marked by red “gates” and golden dragons.

Kya Kya Surabaya

Image Credits: suarasurabaya.net

You’re in the Chinatown district so take some time to walk through the streets before you walk yourself to ITC Mega Grosir Surabaya (shopping mall) for some cool air and respite. And of course, food!

Pasar Atom (another shopping mall) is just right around the corner so we have options ya.

7 pm Let’s grab a cab to RATU MASSAGE SURABAYA (massage panggilan) for your massage session.

9 pm All relaxed for bed? You’re just a 5-minute ride or a 15-minute walk back to your hotel.

Pack up, wash up, and hit the sack early because we’ve got a morning flight to catch tomorrow.

4 June 2023, Sunday

4.45 am Hop on your taxi to Surabaya Juanda International Airport T2 (it will take roughly 40 minutes)

5.45 am Reach the airport for check-in

7.45 am Take your flight back to Singapore

Batik Air plane

Image Credits: travel.kompas.com

11 am (local time) Touch down at Singapore Changi Airport T3

Hope you’ve had a superb trip in Surabaya!

See you soon for our next flight out 😉

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Travel Thursday: 3D2N Itinerary to Miri, Malaysia at $204.20/pax (flights + hotel)

3D2N Miri Itinerary Banner 1

Labor Day’s approaching, right?

Have you had your holiday plans set yet?

If not, let me warmly welcome you to this new Travel Thursday series where I bring you a FREE itinerary planned by yours truly.

In this “first episode”, we will look at a 3D2N itinerary to Miri, Malaysia.

We love Malaysia, don’t we? But when trips to Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur get a little repetitive, why not give other cities a go? And that’s why I’ve decided on Miri for us.

Since Labor Day falls on 1 May, a Monday, this itinerary’s prices will be based on research done for 29 April to 1 May 2023 (2-to-go):

  • AirAsia flights, round trip for 2 pax: $347.40 ($173.70/pax)

AirAsia flights between Singapore and Miri

  • Ajang Hotel (superior queen with city view): $61 including taxes ($30.50/pax)

Ajang Hotel prices on Agoda

Agoda and ShopBack have a collaboration that could get you up to 15% off so you might want to check that out before booking:

Agoda x ShopBack PayLater

Total: $173.70 + $30.50 = $204.20/pax

Prices reflected are accurate at the time of writing.

29 April 2023, Saturday

Flight: AirAsia

7.15 am Reach Singapore Changi Airport T4 for check-in

10.15 am Flight to Miri

12.15 pm Touch down at Miri Airport

Hotel: Ajang Hotel

1.15 pm Grab/take a taxi to Ajang Hotel

Address: Jalan Sri Dagang, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

1.45 pm Reach Ajang Hotel (estimated time is about 20 minutes but that depends on the traffic too)

Ajang-Hotel-Miri-Exterior

Image Credits: ajang-hotel-miri-my.booked.net

Check-in is at 3 pm. So if early check-in is unavailable, leave your luggage and bring your valuable belongings along because it’s time for late lunch.

Late lunch: Restoran Ayam Penyet Ria

There are various options around the hotel but you can try Restoran Ayam Penyet Ria, which is just right beside the entrance of Ajang Hotel.

You should already be starving by now, no need to walk so far lah, hor?

*Plan ahead*

After lunch, you may want to head to Lemongrass Family Reflexology & Spa (Permaisuri) to book an appointment for a massage session tomorrow night (30 April) so you can be guaranteed a spot.

Lemongrass Family Reflexology & Spa

The massage shop has gotten pretty good reviews and it’s just a 3-minute walk from Ajang Hotel. Good choice!

3 pm Check-in, freshen up, and rest a little.

4 pm Take a 3-minute walk to Miri Waterfront to snap some pictures of the iconic seahorse-looking sculpture.

Miri Waterfront

Image Credits: Adrian Lunsong on Google Reviews

4.30 pm Grab or hop on an 8-minute ride to Coco Cabana

Address: Lot 2260, Jln Bandaraya, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Coco Cabana is one of the top sights in Miri with a 4.4 rating from over 4,500 reviews on Google. It’s certainly worth your time.

Coco Cabana Miri

Image Credits: Ariel Abriam on Google Reviews

There’s also another seahorse-looking sculpture here at Coco Cabana. Walk around Miri Marina, Miri Central Park, and Marina Bay Park and catch the sunset before grabbing dinner.

Dinner: Wondering Seafood Restaurant

7 pm Head to Wondering Seafood Restaurant about an 11-minute walk from Marina Bay Park.

It can get quite packed in the evening when people start having dinner so you might want to make a reservation first or reach earlier to chope seats yeah.

9 pm Take a 10- to 15-minute walk to Miri Times Square for some pictures and to digest your hearty seafood dinner.

Miri Times Square

Image Credits: marinaparkcity.com

Watsons and Guardian are available nearby Miri Times Square so you can grab some essentials there.

Food all digested and ready for round 2? Let’s go!

Walk to Recharge Fried Chicken & Beer Cafe within Miri Times Square for some Korean-style food with beer and/or soju.

11 pm Cab back to Ajang Hotel and rest for the day.

30 April 2023, Sunday

All rested from the fatigue from day 1?

Rise and shine, it’s time for day 2.

9 am Breakfast at Hainan Cafe or Wang Sing Cafe. Both eateries are located right behind Ajang Hotel so you will be there in a minute.

food at Hainan Cafe

Image Credits: See Fong Jong on Google Reviews

10 am Two routes for you to choose from: local markets or shopping malls

If you prefer that local vibe, you may want to check out 2 local markets: Miri Central Market (a 9-minute walk from Hainan Cafe) and Tamu Muhibbah (another 9-minute walk from Miri Central Market).

If you prefer the aircon and shopping mall vibe, then you can consider Permaisuri Imperial City Mall and Bintang Megamall (both are within a 15-minute walk from Hainan Cafe).

12 pm Lunch time! Your lunch place will depend on where you go, whether it’s the markets or the shopping malls. More options at the shopping malls of course.

Or since there’s ample time, you can visit both the local markets and shopping malls!

4 pm Take an 8-minute ride from Bintang Megamall to Saberkas Night Market.

The night market opens at 4 pm according to Google so you will reach just in time for pasar malam snacks and dinner.

Saberkas Night Market

Image Credits: جسمي jasmi aris on Google Reviews

6.30 pm Walk about 15 minutes to the nearest Boulevard Shopping Mall for some final shopping/more food before heading back to your hotel area for your spa/massage session.

9 pm Reach Lemongrass Family Reflexology & Spa (Permaisuri) and enjoy your session!

11 pm Head back to Ajang Hotel to pack up and rest.

1 May 2023, Sunday

Happy Labor Day!

It’s your final day here at Miri. Boohoo.

But it’s time to prep for check-out so rise and shine!

7 am Leave for Miri Airport

Ajang Hotel to Miri Airport

7.30 am Reach Miri Airport, check-in and have breakfast.

9.55 am AirAsia flight to Singapore

11.55 am Reach Singapore

Time to gear yourself ready to go back to the daily grind on 2 May 😉

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