I Wander

Travel Blog, Itineraries & Guides, Hotel Reviews

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Go Singapore Pass – Is it Still Worth Getting in 2024?

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You may be dreaming of your next escape right now – while planning a getaway far away might not be an option at this point in time, there are lots of activities locally in Singapore that can keep you entertained.

The Go Singapore Pass is a sightseeing pass that allows one to experience 50+ tourist attractions in the Lion City without having to purchase tickets on the spot. It’s brought to us by GoCity.com which covers 26 (and growing) cities globally including Bangkok, Dubai, Sydney, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin and more.

I have been covering the Go Singapore Pass for nearly 4 years now and a recurrent theme are repeated price increases – which simply reflect the current inflationary situation. The corresponding attractions in Singapore have also repeatedly marked up their admission fees. Here, I discuss on whether the Go Singapore Pass is still worth getting for 2024.

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18 Best Hotel Buffet Promotions in Singapore (January 2024 Edition)

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Buffets are likely to be in lower demand in January with the focus being turned towards CNY. While there are a few hotels that are focusing on CNY-themed buffets, most consumers are probably going for set menus in Chinese restaurants than eat-all-you-can options. As such, many hotel buffet restaurants in Singapore are not going all-out with themed buffets this month and relying instead on their standard buffet offerings. This is not a bad idea by any measure as many hotel buffets are well known for their mainstays / bread-and-butter dishes.

You can also join our newly-launched telegram channel here and receive updates on NEW buffet offerings, exclusive promotions not found anywhere else as well as other F&B flash deals.

Without further ado, here are some noteworthy hotel buffet dining promotions to check out for the month of January 2024:

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20 Best Chinese Restaurants in Singapore – Most Foodies Will Agree

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Singapore has pretty high standards when it comes to Chinese cuisine and it is the most frequently patronized cuisine in the Lion City. This is no surprise as roughly 3/4 of the population here have Chinese ancestry. Chinese cuisine is also quite diverse – with regional subspecialties such as Teochew, Cantonese, Shanghainese and in the local context, even the Singaporean Chinese culinary style. 

Chinese food is so much more than your sweet and sour pork, dimsum or Peking duck. Thus, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly which is the best Chinese restaurant in Singapore. That being said, if you expand it to a list of about a dozen or so establishments – you will find some commonly cited names and that is what I aim to show here. This list is not ranked in order but you will find establishments which are usually regarded as among the outstanding Chinese restaurants in Singapore, catering to all sorts of budgets. This will also be a dynamic list – with restaurants added and even removed, depending on ever-changing menus as well as other deserving establishments that pop up in the scene.

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Free Apple iPad or Nintendo Switch or S$300 Cash for Citibank (2024) New Credit Card Holders in Singapore

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UPDATE: Receive S$300 cash or Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 Wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Dyson V8 Fluffy Vacuum (S$509) when you apply and get approved for a Citibank Premiermiles credit card as new cardholder (those who have not held a Citibank card the past 12 months). If you apply for the Citi Cash Back Card, Citi Cash Back+ or the Citi Rewards Card, you can choose the same gifts with the addition of the Nintendo Switch OLED (worth S$549) but not the Apple iPad. Spend S$500 within 30 days to receive the sign-up gifts. Sign-up through the individual card links below. Promotion ends on the 31st Jan 2024 (11:59PM). 

Annual fee is waived for the first year for all the cards listed below. Citibank usually waives the annual fee for succeeding years as long as you actively use the card but if not, you can always cancel to avoid paying the annual fee.

ipad 9th gen (and other mentioned gifts) applicable for the 4 kinds of citi credit cards listed below

Note that this offer is valid only if you apply via the below exclusive links (direct application with Citibank doesn’t count for the promotion). Why is that so? Singsaver actually acts as an aggregator and partner for Citibank cards and from time to time, Singsaver and Citibank may jointly fund the gift in order to split the marketing expense between them. 

Similar offers have been running for the past couple of months, with the gift going as low as S$200. The current S$300 cash offer is within the higher end for the cash sign-up reward.

After clicking submit on your credit card application, make sure to take note of your Application Reference Number. You will have to fill out a redemption form (automatically sent to your email once you make a card application) in order to be registered. If you choose to get the cash gift, do ensure that the phone number you fill out in the form is the same as the mobile number for you to receive PayNow payments.

Once your card is approved, remember to spend at least S$500 (can be in multiple transactions) within 30 days of receiving your card in order to receive the reward. You will get an email within 90 days with instructions on how to claim your gift. If you are looking for ways to spend S$500 within a month, there’s that time-honored method of buying vouchers from NTUC Fairprice and paying for it with your credit card.

Here are the Citibank cards that qualify for the promotion:

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The PERFECT 2-Day Penang Itinerary (2024 Travel Guide) 槟城自由行

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One of Malaysia’s most popular destinations, Penang has always beguiled travelers with its age-old shophouses, fantastic street cuisine as well as enviable beaches. I have been to Penang quite a number of times over the years and there is always something new to check out with each visit. Whether you are a history buff or a foodie, this island off the Andaman Sea will always have something to offer. For a mix of all that Penang is known for (food, history, new attractions, etc), here is a well-balanced itinerary that you can easily do over a weekend in Penang.

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The Easy-to-Follow Chiang Mai Itinerary + Chiang Rai (Northern Thailand Travel Guide)

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They say you haven’t really done Thailand until you’ve checked out the highland scenery and distinctive Lanna culture of the north. With its laidback lifestyle, impressive (and unique) architecture and cooler climes (in December and January), the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have long delighted local tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.

In terms of international travelers, the region has also attracted a significant number although still way below the likes of Phuket or Krabi. That is starting to change. With increasing international flights to Chiang Mai International Airport, the gateway of the north, plenty of international travelers who have already done Bangkok in the past venture to the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for something different.

This itinerary aims to show how you can do Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, the main cities of Northern Thailand, in as little as 3 or 4 days – essentially the weekend plus 1 or 2 extra weekdays. 

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The Perfect Bangkok Itinerary Updated With Newer Attractions (2024 Travel Guide)

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As one of Asia’s best value and most popular destinations, Bangkok offers a plethora of things to see and do and there are various permutations that you can do for your Bangkok itinerary. Filled with many spectacular Buddhist temples and ornate buildings, the city is at once exotic and at the same time modern with all the creature comforts that one can imagine. Bangkok is also known as a shopping haven, with mass consumerism juxtaposing against a strong market culture. 

I have been to Bangkok quite a few times and always enjoy coming here for the unbeatable value, delicious Thai food and fascinating things to see in the city’s streets. Whether you’re a first-timer, a regular or even a shopaholic, here is my suggestion for your trip with a Bangkok itinerary that you can easily break down into 2-days, 3-days or 4-days depending on the length of time you are there. I’ve made the duration flexible to make the itinerary easy to execute during weekends or during longer visits. For some other ideas, you can also check out this Bangkok travel guide.

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Updated Best Bak Kwa in Singapore 2024 Almost Complete Guide & How to Buy From Your Favorite Brands Without Queuing

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Bak Kwa or 肉干 is a form of dried meat that originated in China. A popular snack in Singapore, especially during the Chinese New Year season, the manufacturing of bak kwa entails preservation and the infusion of ingredients such as salt, sugar, sauces and spices thrown into the mix. In more recent years, bak kwa manufacturers have become more creative as well, infusing herbs, honey, chili and even minerals into the bak kwa to differentiate themselves from other brands. There has also been increased preference for more authentic looking bak kwa – which means less on the redness and the sugar.

Bak Kwa is extremely popular in Singapore, with some brands even ingrained internationally as being iconic of the Lion City. As such, it can be said that Singapore is at the forefront of innovation as well when it comes to this snack. Bak Kwa is also commonly used as an ingredient in some everyday dishes such as fried rice, claypot rice, etc; thus allowing it to a stand as a year round item even outside of Lunar New Year.

Some of the common types of bak kwa include:

  • Sliced pork / beef / chicken / duck / lamb
  • Chili sliced pork / beef / chicken / duck / lamb
  • Coin-shaped slices using pork / beef/ chicken / duck / lamb
  • Pork belly (think: similar to bacon but undergoing the same preservation and cooking technique as the usual bak kwa)
  • Flavored bak kwa – can be infused with fruits, additional herbs, seaweed, minerals, etc

If you are wondering which is the best bak kwa to buy as an everyday snack or during Chinese New Year, I have tried to sum it up here for your convenience. You will find here the most comprehensive list of bak kwa in Singapore! Do note this list is not arranged in order. Most of these bak kwa brands also sell online and even deliver, giving an added convenience. For next Lunar New Year, you won’t need to waste a considerable amount of time queuing!

You can also join our newly-launched telegram channel here and receive updates on price drops, exclusive promotions not found anywhere else as well as flash deals for other CNY goodies and other F&B promotions.

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