Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)

Yesterday, I saw a post on 15 Charming Small Towns you need to visit in Italy. Then, wanderlust set in. Hopefully this post will similarly ignite your desire to visit the Plitvice Lakes!

I spent a full day in July at the Plitvice Lakes and its magnificence is unrivalled.

1. What to do

Your sole responsibility at Plitvice Lakes is to take in all the sights- the lakes, caves and waterfalls.

Entrance fees are 110KN for one day (adults).

There are several walking trails and the trails are marked very clearly so you won't get lost. Choose your trail depending on how long you would like to walk. For example, Trail A (2-3 hours) is at the lower parts of the national park. Trail K (the one we did) takes around 6-8 hours and you get to walk around the entire national park. If you are healthy and up for it, I recommend Trail K. A bit of hiking to do, but I promise it will be all worth it (always in hindsight).

The weather in July was perfect- cooling for a long walk.

Lots of flora and fauna, something to marvel at with every step.

The advantage of taking the longer trail (minus burning fats) is that the scenery from up there is amazing.

Carry some food to have a picnic here.

2. How to get there

Buses from Zagreb, Zadar or Split will get you there. We caught a bus from Zadar and took a bus to Zagreb. Timetable here. Timetables are posted at the stations, so keep a lookout for it.

3. Where to stay

There are three hotels which are located within the park itself. However, I highly recommend Villa Lika.

4. What to eat 

Food options were pretty limited in the area. We tried some food at a ski resort nearby but it was nothing to shout about.

Conclusion 

If you love nature or are a photography buff or just want to have a chill time, Croatia is the place for you! 

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5 Reasons why I like Christmas

1. Festive decorations 
I love it when I walk down the streets and am greeted by christmas trees adorned with quirky ornaments, the splashes of colour and how all these make each step taken a little lighter.

2. Season of giving
I know Christmas is a very commercialised season. But it also gives us the perfect opportunity to write cards, think of thoughtful gifts for our family and friends, thus concluding the year on a good note. We also don't forget those who need a little Christmas cheer. While giving can happen any time of the year, we often get too caught up with the mundanes with life. So, spread some love to everyone this season!

(credit: everydaypeoplecartoons)

3. Memories
Christmas always invokes a lot of good memories. All the time spent with loved ones, the aroma of food at these gatherings and the suspense when tearing away the gift wrappers etc. I have never really fancied turkeys though.

(credit: someecards)

4. Weather
The weather in December near Christmas is generally cool. Finally, a respite from the sweltering heat for the rest of the year.

5. Christmas songs
Ah this is one part that even a grinch can't resist! Here are some of my favourites.

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Sri Sujana Nasi Lemak

I seldom venture anywhere near Changi Village because it takes forever to reach there by public transport. Last weekend, however, we decided to go to the Changi Boardwalk and had lunch at the Changi Village Market and Food Centre. Speaking of Changi Boardwalk, it was a nice escape from the daily hustle and bustle of city life- a boy roasting a small crab over a small flame, anglers who watch the world go by and families who set up camps and have picnics. A real pity though, that there was quite a bit of trash, probably swept up to the shore. 

Since there was quite a queue at Sri Sujana Nasi Lemak, I decided to join the queue with my typical Singaporean mentality. 

The Chicken Set ($3.50) was quite a letdown. The rice whilst fragrant with strong pandan taste, was a little too salty. The chicken wing while still hot, was a little over deep fried resulting in the meat being dry.

I also ordered Mackerel Otah ($1). The other otah was selling at 40 cents. I decided to order the mackerel otah to see where the premium was coming from. Turns out it was just pretty ordinary.

Apparently this stall has got the certification from Makansutra- but the standard of the food here just doesn't live up to its reputation.

Sri Sujana Muslim Food
2 Changi Village Road
#01-30
Changi Village Market and Food Centre 

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Grand Shanghai

This place seeks to bring you back to old Shanghai- the chandeliers, the stage where the band performs, everything about it just feels like this is not a typical Chinese restaurant. 

Other than the atmosphere, the dim sum was pretty average. The Siew Mai ($4.50) was my favourite of the lot with juicy fillings.

The Egg Tarts ($1 per piece) are a far cry from what any good egg tart should be like- the egg yolk didn't melt instantly and the crust did not have the aromatic buttery kick to it.

We ordered Steamed Crabmeat Dumplings ($8) but couldn't really taste the crabmeat.

The Braised Ee Fu Noodle with Crabmeat ($22) was moist and pretty good.

The Crispy Pancake Stuffed with Red Bean Paste ($12) was average. 

I wouldn't recommend getting the dim sum here because for the same price, you can get something better elsewhere. Service is nearly non-existent during weekend lunch hours.

Grand Shanghai
King's Centre
390 Havelock Road
#01-01
Tel No: 6836 6866

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Orchard Hotel Singapore

We had a one-night free stay at Orchard Hotel as we subscribed to some loyalty card. Check-in was relatively hassle free. The only problem was that they didn't have sufficient chairs in the lobby. 

For one night, this was a pretty decent stay. However, one problem that we faced was that we weren't told which wing  our room was located at- this room was located in the older wing which was not connected to the older wing. Unsurprisingly, the rooms felt a little tired. Plus, a major disadvantage of this place is that there was no complimentary wifi (not sure if it was because we were part of the loyalty programme). Remote control felt oily.

As for amenities, there is a gym and a swimming pool.

I'm not sure about the quality of their buffet breakfast but DO NOT order their ala carte breakfast at Orchard Cafe. This was definitely the worst breakfast I've had in quite some time. The Eggs Benedict were so bad- the hollandaise sauce was far too sour, the muffin was just pathetic, the hashbrowns were the best amongst the rest- pretty sure these came from the freezer.

The Pancakes with Maple Syrup was bad as well- not fluffy at all. McDonald's pancakes beat this hands down anytime!

Location is excellent if you indeed to shop at the Orchard stretch. At night, you may walk past Orchard Towers and that on its own is really an experience!

Orchard Hotel Singapore 
442 Orchard Road
Tel No: 6 7347766 

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Cumi Bali Indonesian Restaurant

Cumi Bali has been operating for more than 2 decades and is supposedly one of the best Indonesian restaurants in Singapore. The first thing that hits us when we enter the restaurant is a very strong smell which might be a little overwhelming. Ironically, we didn't order Cumi Bali, which is grilled squid.

Simple furnishing. Initially, we thought these were christmas lights but realised that it was a mish mash of random decor.

This belecan was mild but added a subtle punch to the dishes. 

The Ikan Bakar ($28) was fish slathered with otah. This was something new and while delicious, it probably could be cooked slightly more. Maybe I'm just too use to the smoky flavours of the barbequed otahs.

The Sate Ayam Madura ($7 per stick) is a must order. Big, chunky and tender- each stick is good for two to share. The sweetness of the marinate and the slightly charred taste came together perfectly.

The curry vegetables were pretty ordinary. 

It would be better to come in a larger group and share the food. Otherwise, it might be a tad expensive. Other than that, the food here is pretty good! 

Cumi Bali Indonesian Restaurant

66 Tanjong Pagar Road

Tel No: 6 220 6619 

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Penny University

The East Coast stretch is one of my favourite places in Singapore- not only because there's plenty of good food here but also because there's an eclectic blend of the new and the old and you get to see beautiful architecture in this area. 

There are very few brunch places in the East and Penny University stands out because it's affordable and the food is good. 

There was a pretty large lunch turnout and the place can be a little cramped. Other than that, some retro elements in this place coupled with a comfy setting.

If you have a look at their menu, you will realise that their menu options are a lot cheaper than other brunch places. I had the Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon ($12) which consists of poached eggs on sourdough toasts, hollandaise sauce drizzled over the eggs and smoked salmon. Apparently, there's supposed to be chilli jam as well- but this was not spicy at all. I had a nice time wiping this dish clean- poached eggs were done beautifully, salmon was fresh and bread was delightful.

The desserts display were pretty insane- such beautiful homely looking desserts! Croissants, little tarts, mint chocolate pie, carrot walnut cake etc. But this humble looking French Apple Cake ($5.50) appealed to me. This cake was not too sweet as many apple cakes tend to be and the baker didn't skimp on the apples as well- every bite had apple slices in it.

A very good option for brunch in the East, service was average.

Penny University
402 East Coast Road
Tel No: 9008 9314 

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Mezza9

There are several show kitchens at Mezza9- grill, steam basket, deli counter, wok, seafood etc. We opted for the two course set lunch ($29++) which consists of an appetiser and main course. For an extra $10, you get a dessert thrown in as well. 

The only thing that might be slightly disconcerting is that the tables are placed very near each other such that you could easily listen to the conversation at the next table. 

We were served some complimentary bread which had a crispy crust with a soft interior. The tomato dip was also a break away from the usual butter/olive oil.

For the appetisers, I opted for the Yam Pu Nim which is crispy soft shell cab with green mango salad, shallot and spring onion. This was a very refreshing dish as the sweet and sour sauce drizzled over the appetiser seeped into the soft shell crab, without making the soft shell crab soggy. Together with the crunchy bits of sour green mango, this was indeed very appetising.

Ordinarily, the tom yum soups that they serve in Singapore don't faze me at all. But this was something to be wary of. The Tom Yum Talay was so spicy, the pores on my face opened instantly. Looking at the fiery red of the tom yum, I didn't expect anything less. The fish was a little overcooked. Despite the spiciness, this soup was addictive and was perfect with the rice. Now, excuse me while I wipe my perspiration away.

The set meal also comes with coffee/tea. I opted for a cappuccino. Finally, I realise how it is possible for people to enjoy drinking coffee. The main reason why coffee isn't a daily fixture of my diet (which really isn't a bad thing) is because of its slightly sourish taste- is that caused by acidity? In any case, the cappuccino didn't have any of that sour taste and together with the chocolate cookie, made a perfect drink.

For the price and the decent fare here, I think it's worth a trip to Hyatt for the set lunch. One more thing that really tips the balance is that the service here is really attentive- didn't have to ask anyone to refill our water, pleasant service and happy faces. It was a pleasant meal!

Mezza9
Grand Hyatt Hotel
10 Scotts Road
Tel No: 6730 7188 

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The Lawn

Food unites people in pretty miraculous ways. Because of this food tasting session at The Lawn, I bumped into a secondary school senior whom I haven't seen in a really long time. 

This place just feels so comfortable- green space, clean and neat touches and colourful cuddly cushions! Honestly, any place that quotes Andy Warhol makes me instantly like the place.

We tried the different salad dressings which consisted of the classics and Asian-fusion. You won't get to see many of these dressings in other salad shops. My favourite was the Me So Spicy, which was spicy, sour and appetising. Other dressings included Honeyball, Wafu, Maple Peanut, Citrus, Manly Mango etc.

Have a look at the menu here. For $9.90, you get 5 toppings. While it may seem expensive at first glance, consider the fact that this is the CBD area and also that the servings are huge.

Normally, these grilled items would be served on top of the salad. For the purposes of the food tasting, these grilled items were served separately. Inclusion of grilled chicken/vegetables would cost an additional $3, for fish/duck/prawns it would be $4 and for beef it's $5.

These mixed mushrooms were juicy and seasoned nicely with garlic. I didn't really like the eggplant because I felt that the sour taste of balsamic vinegar overpowered the natural flavours of the eggplant.

These Prawns with Garlic were my favourite grilled item- Bouncy and fresh.

I would also choose the Butter-Seared Pacific Dory with Parsley Rub for a much needed brain boost in the midst of a working day. It was a pity that it was a tad too dry. 

We also tried a selection of grilled meat, including Grilled Black Pepper Duck Breast, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Char-Grilled Cajun Chicken etc. My favourite of the lot was the duck meat. For those concerned about their waistlines, you will be happy to note that although breast meat is used so that it's less fattening.

You also have the option of choosing Olive Rice + Side Salad ($8.90). A recipe from the owner's grandmother, you could catch a whiff of the rice's fragrance almost immediately when it's served. A very simple but homely rendition of the olive rice.

What's a meal without dessert? The desserts are not made in the premises but brought in from Gobi and Tiramisu Hero, both very well-known dessert places. While some may find the tiramisu overrated, I actually love this, not only is it served in a cute jar (that's what you're paying for anyway), the mascarpone to finger ratio is appropriate, the kahlua's taste is distinct yet not overpowering and it's not too sweet. Only thing that was not so satisfactory was that the coffee flavour could have been more accentuated. Otherwise, I think it's a wonderful alternative for a slice of birthday cake! 

We also tried some cakes from Gobi- Chocolate Therapy, Matcha, Oreo Cheesecake and Carrot Cake. They were all above average but my favourite was the Chocolate Therapy. 

For those who work in CBD area, this is a good place for salad if you had just eaten a whole packet of nasi lemak for breakfast. For those who don't get to see sunlight by the time they leave office, this place is good because it's open for dinner. There is an option for delivery as well but I recommend you get up from your chair and get the blood flowing! I will definitely be back to The Lawn to try the mushroom soup as well.

While salad may seem to be a boring option, as Andy Warhol says, "I like boring things." What's more this place is far from boring- selection of delicious grill, cosy ambience and good desserts to make a meal complete.

Many thanks to Jonathan for the invite!

The Lawn
AXA Tower
8 Shenton Way
#B1-11
Tel No: 6534 8749 

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