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Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant Beijing: a confused tourist and an amused waiter
I sink my teeth into the first wrap. The flavours are far stronger than what I’m used to. The duck is electrifyingly crispy and fatty, the sauce is tangy and sweet and the condiments are confusing. Midway through my first Peking Duck burrito, my waiter magically shows up with a plastic glove and a pair…
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Days 4 & 5 in Beijing: delays, detours, the National Museum and the Great Wall of China
As a born-and-bred Singaporean, I am no stranger to Chinese culture. But it really is something else to be here and see the vastness of this and to see where Chinese culture was, where it is now – and perhaps where it will one day be.
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Day 3 in Beijing: culture shock, crazy cabbie, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing Street
It’s been years since a place disoriented me so much; since a place truly felt out of this world. Every place I’ve visited in the past three years has had something about it that reminded me of someplace else. But not Beijing. It just feels so… foreign. And I’m someone who hates the use of…
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Day 2 in Hutong, Beijing: Confucius Temple, Imperial Academy, Tibetan Food and Yonghe Lama Temple
I intended to go to the Yougle Lama Temple, but I got seriously lost. No surprises there – my sense of direction is terrible. Imagine Dory from Finding Nemo. Yes. That’s how hopeless I am. I stopped to ask a police officer for help who told me I was walking in the opposite direction. No…
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Day 1 in Beijing: first impressions, the Great Firewall and dumplings
I’ve only been in Beijing a couple of hours, but so far, the whole experience has been a bit overwhelming. I can’t blame anyone but myself. I’m a seasoned traveller, I know – but I’m a terrible holiday planner. I’m the kind of person who likes to make things up as I go along; which…
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A Singaporean in Hong Kong: a tiny tale of two sister cities
Growing up, I always loved the sound of Cantonese. To my ears, it sounded like people arguing in style. I admired the direct and no nonsense attitude that Cantonese speakers seem to have. Mess with me and I’ll scold you affectionately. Although Mandarin is the most widely spoken Chinese language in Singapore, those from the older…
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The Misadventures of Driving in Ireland
I’ve rolled down the car window. The Irish countryside welcomes me with open arms. The cool summer breeze is in my hair. Ed Sheeren’s Shape of You is blaring out of the speakers. I’m wearing a mini skirt and boots. I’m nodding off while the driver and the GPS do their thing… I’m reliving some…
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Galway City: the Ireland of my imagination
Galway retains that old world charm without being tacky and kitsch. Galway City only has a population of 80,000, but culture is teeming from every street corner. Buskers play harps on the street. Traditional Irish music is a regular feature at many of the pubs. It was lively, vibrant – full of tourists, students, locals. I…
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Ireland BnB: the old school Airbnb experience
I love Airbnb. Most of my generation has used it at some point or another. But… before Airbnb showed up with its fancy algorithms to connect hosts with guests all over the world, there was the old school BnB. And Ireland is the perfect place to re-experience the traditional BnB. And before you worry about…
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Giant’s Causeway, Caves of Cushendun and Carrickfergus Castle: Northern Ireland Road Trip
Northern Ireland. A country known for its castles, Celtic and Christian monuments, and ‘Troubles’ of the 20th-century. It isn’t a place I thought I’d ever find myself, but whilst here I managed to see a little bit of it.
Twinn Swan 