Guest Post: 7 tips to keep your tummy safe while travelling in South-East Asia

Travelling is never an easy task. It involves a lot of energy even before starting the journey. Choosing the itinerary, booking transportation and accommodation, packing... so many things to think about that, once everything has been fixed, you stop caring about anything and just focus on having a good time.

And in South-East Asia you have plenty of possibilities for this regarding the amazing food you can find here, the nightlife of the paradise islands, the big cities to visit…


But what you often forget is that all the food and drinks you can find in South-East Asia are not good for your health if consumed in excess, and you will end up with really disturbing stomach issues earlier and more often than you think.

This infographic provided by Gaviscon gives you 7 easy-to-follow tips to avoid stomach issues when travelling in South-East Asia. Follow them and make sure you fully enjoy your journey in this amazing area.

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Singapore Airlines Flight Review: A 5 Star Experience

It has been 6 years since my maiden flight experience with Singapore Airlines in the year 2007 and followed by year 2008 and 2009, becoming one of the luckiest and earliest to experience flying on the largest commercial aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380. After a 4 year hiatus, I have managed to purchase a promotional ticket from Singapore Airlines to Tokyo again. Much have changed to the Boeing 777 interior which I have flew in the year 2007. Nevertheless, the experience is still great.

Singapore to Tokyo (Haneda) Route

Singapore Airlines flies to both to Haneda Airport or Narita Airport. If the route to Narita Airport is chosen, most likely that there will be an opportunity to fly on the Airbus A380. However, the Airbus A380 does not fly to Haneda Airport. Selecting the Haneda Airport route however was a better choice as it is situated at the heart of Tokyo with convenience in commuting. 

Singapore to Tokyo (Haneda Route) offers the flight on Boeing 777.  2-4-2 seating configuration is the typical  Economy class seating configuration for Boeing 777 with an upgraded in-flight entertainment.

KrisWorld, the official SIA's in-flight entertainment have changed a lot since the year 2007 

From an 8 inches screen and old keyboardless joypad to.....

Next-gen keyboard and joypad

with 12 inches screen and iPod enabled system

USB port for iPod and audio jacks are also available for music enthusiasts

any kind of flight will not be completed without any in-flight meal. If an in-flight meal has been requested online, meal will be served to you. An array of choice ranging from international, vegetarian, religious food etc. are available through online selection.

Breakfast/supper was also served in this flight

An overnight kit (socks and toothbrush set) is included courtesy of Singapore Airlines by Givenchy. 

Tokyo(Haneda) to Singapore Route

An early morning flight was taken from Tokyo (Haneda) to Singapore with a yet another Boeing 777 aircraft

Early flight offers you more empty seats with the opportunity to grab the middle 4-seats in Economy class

 This refurbished aircraft spots new air conditioning system that provides better airflow and cooling process. However, there will be no options to adjust the air conditioner at your own personal space.

This is the way to enjoy the whole 4-seats 

In contrast to the Tokyo bound aircraft, this route's Boeing 777 provides personal power supply at every economy seats just like the Airbus A380.

Again, I have chosen international menu with delicious breakfast served.

I have selected another international seafood menu with delicious vegetables, fish, shrimps etc.

Like all standard premium airlines, Singapore Airlines do serve numerous soft drinks coupled with fruit juices and wine which is free of charge (well it's already included into the bill). 

One of the final highlight of this flight is the Singapore Airlines very Singapore Girl. Singapore Girl is a consistent visual advertising slogan applied to depictions of flight attendants of Singapore Airlines dressed in distinctive sarong kebaya which is the official uniform of Singapore Airlines.

A Japanese air stewardess donning the Sarong Kebaya

A Singaporean air steward and a Singaporean air stewardess on duty 

Overall, it's good to be back flying on SIA which is famously known as SQ. In my personal opinion, the quality of Singapore Airlines have not deteriorated and it has exceed my expectation beyond. As SIA has become my number one favourite airlines of all time, I have opted for another flight on SQ to Hong Kong for new year countdown on the Airbus A380.

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SilkAir Flight Review: As Smooth As Silk

Two years after my first experience with SilkAir in the year, I have managed to fly on SilkAir again this year 2013 as a shared-code flight with Singapore Airlines. Rated 4 Star Airline by SKYTRAX, SilkAir is wholly owned subsidiary by Singapore Airlines. SilkAir operates and fly passengers from Singapore to mainly cities across South East Asia, South Asia and Australia.

The Airbus A320 of SilkAir

The Airbus A320 offers typical three by three (3-3) seating configuration with emerald blue as its 'trademark' color. The 

SilkAir offers only small fleet which is the A320 for short to medium haul flight. 

I guess every flight will not be completed without snacks or food. For the Penang to Singapore route, I was served with chicken puff, water and juice. 

Chicken and Tuna sandwich for Singapore - Penang Route

For a 4 Star Airline, a short 2 hour trip from Penang to Singapore was pleasant. Surprisingly, the food was quite delicious for the chicken puff, however the sandwiches still need improvement. Two years ago, similar sandwiches was served and for someone who rarely complain about food, the taste were bland and horrible as if the sandwiches were not prepared whole-heartedly. I would say that I can make better sandwiches. As pleasant and smooth as it seems, even for a 2 hour journey,it is recommended that as a 4 Star rated airline, minimal entertainment system must be included into the flight.

Up next, my review will be on long awaited flight on my favourite airlines, the Singapore Airlines. 

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Safari Experience: Day 2

On the second day aka final day, finally we have got the opportunity for a bush walk. Bush walk means walk around the wilderness which belongs to the animal kingdom. This activity is not possible if you pay for your own game drive inside the Kruger National Park unless it is privately run. In this case, our morning bush walk is guided by rangers of Tshukudu Lodge.

The first stop is for Mtombi, a female cheetah. Luckily she is resting.

A chance to pat/touch a cheetah Such a great experience. No, she is not sedated, she is not tame or been domesticated, she is actually wild, however she is friendly towards human. 

I also had the opportunity to feed Mtombi with water. 

Mtombi even followed us for the bush walk. You could notice that there is a belt on her neck. That is an electronic tag as a research and wildlife protection purpose.

This is Wildebeest even though it looks like a buffalo, an African Buffalo is actually much bigger in size.

Next we have managed to catch a sighting of a mother Rhinoceros and a 2 months old baby rhinoceros. Ever wonder why these two rhinos have lost its horns? it is not due to illegal poaching, instead, it is a measure against illegal poachers. Illegal poachers will kill the rhinoceros at night and the rate of poaching has been increasing exponentially. One of the best way is to 'dehorn' the rhinoceros. The horns will fully grow back in two years time. The horns on the other hand will just be kept in the national vault and will not be sold off. Even so, SANParks (in charge of managing South Africa National Parks) will have to pay the national vault which is a waste of money as keeping or having possession of rhinoceros horns is against the law. Another suggestion from the rangers is to legalise the sales. Through the sales, the money can be used back for education and to work out the task force against illegal poachers. The price of the horn can also be reduced in order to fight against high price demanded by illegal poachers. At the same time, some parts of the Kruger National Park are already purchasing and using sentry guns in replacing rangers who have to risk their life at night patrolling against the illegal poachers.

Remember the tiger cubs we discovered on the first day night? We have managed to go back to the place they were in yesterday. On the right hand side you could see a 2 months old tiger cub resting with its dad, the King of the Pride Lands guarding on the left.

As we got nearer (on the truck instead of bush walk), the lion decided to take a sunbathing nap. Wild animals are usually active at night.

Back to the lodge, we decided to visit the luxury lodge section. To our surprise, there was another cheetah at the entrance. Yes this is real. It is not a statue. The name's Hunter, one of the brothers of Mtombi. Some visitors might get freaked out actually. haha 

Meet Floppy the other brother of Mtombi

you can actually go near him and pat him without any problems. One of our friends managed to make it yawn as well. 

The two brothers together at the lodge area. Only one of them is tagged because they are always together

You must be wondering why are the three cheetahs acted so friendly towards humans? Tshukudu Lodge is also famous for animal rehabilitation. Rehabilitation does not mean that those three cheetahs were brought from the zoo. They were part of the Tshukudu Lodge. Years back, three of them, Mtombi, Floppy and Hunter were discovered as 3 helpless cubs after their mother has been killed by a lion. The Sussens family (the owner of Tshukudu Lodge) brought them back and took good care of them. They grew up and hunt in the wild but occasionally they will just return back to the lodge for a visit or for a rest. At times due to hot weather, they will just hop into an empty room to cool themselves down. There were some incidents whereby, a Dutch couple got freaked out when they saw a cheetah in their room upon checking in. haha. Just a word of caution, babies or infants are not allowed to be near to the cheetahs as they will think the infant or baby as a food due to its small size.

a photo of the Floppy and Hunter during their chubby time :D

And so at night, our usual activity, gathered around fire while enjoying wine in the cold winter night.

finally for an avid stargazer and photographer, you can try capturing the star trail. Tripod and remote control are highly necessary. Set your camera to a manual and bulb mode. ISO is to be set at lowest possible. By using bulb mode, try at least 30 minutes of exposure time. Be sure to use a power supply or fully charged battery as the 30 minutes exposure time will drain the battery by 50%

That's all for now. You can also visit Tshukudu Lodge's website for more information about their wildlife and daily diary at http://www.tshukudubushcamp.co.za/ or http://www.tshukudulodge.co.za.

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Safari Experience: Day 1

After checking-in into the lodge, we headed for evening game drive. I am sure that most of you have been wondering what is 'game drive'. 'Game drive' is a term used for wildlife watching from a vehicle usually from a car or a tall truck around the safari enjoying wildlife at its very own natural way. In my opinion, this is much better than watching animals or wildlife in an enclosed zoo.

Game Drive on a 20 seater truck with David as the driver (and also one of the ranger and son of the owner of Tshukudu Bush Lodge)

David demonstrated to us on detecting wildlife. Every major wildlife within jurisdiction area of Tshukudu game reserve is 'tagged' with an electronic device. David in this picture was trying to search for any elephants nearby. 

First sighting! A giraffe

by a lake where by crocodiles and hippos enjoy their daily bath and swim

We bought chickens to feed the crocodile

Finally, we have managed to spot the elephants! 3 of them. According to David, those three elephants are a family. The grandmother, mother and daughter. 

by the time, the day break dusk, we continued our 'search' for the lions. Fortunately, and finally, we have managed to locate them with 4 cubs. The cubs are newly born with about 2 months old. 

by the time the sun sets, I have managed to capture beautiful tree silhouettes

we returned back feeling satisfied and got the experience to learn some traditional drumming by the camp fire during dinner time.

If you happened to have brought along your tripod, this is a very good chance to capture the milky way. The skies in Tshukudu Bush Camp was extremely dark and clear which enabled us to view the stars. With a tripod and good DSLR, set your camera to 30 secs exposure with at least ISO3200. This photo was captured with my good ol' Nikon D60.

Up next, day 2 aka the final day of Safari Experience promises more interesting photos and wildlife story.

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