xh: May 2015

Hello!! Finally got another post up. I swear if you look at all my drafts, you will want to die too hahah. I have so many posts that are in the making (?) but I just left them halfway cause no mood/inspiration to finish writing HAHAH. Here's documenting one of my dates with Marcus (aka the poser) to the LKC Natural History Museum!!

In case you didn't know, LKC Natural History Museum is Singapore's first and permanent natural history museum!! It's located in NUS and as a student of NUS, I got a free ticket hehe. Marcus paid $8 which is pretty reasonable too!! The whole place is very very interesting, but I was most awed by the dinosaur bones!! It's a sight that I can't explain. I was just very taken aback by how HUGE the dinosaurs were and I was walking all around the exhibit to take a closer look at the huge bones. HAHA I was being a noob and started analysing how each dinosaur died. I told Marcus that I think one of the dinosaurs died due to a dent in its ribcage, explaining why the ribcage was not a full proper convex shape.

Apart from the dinosaurs, you can expect to see the below too!!

pretty DEAD birds

playing w the amoeba screen

After we left the natural history museum, we walked to University Cultural Centre where we were pleasantly surprised that the counter staff told us we were free to explore the Lee Kong Chian Art Museum. Marcus and I didn't really see much here lol, we were more involved taking artistic shots of each other HAHAHA.

3D printed objects!!

This wall outside Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum was DA BOMB. I think it depicts the circle of life or something hahah don't care just take my OOTD.

this photo is not for the OCD at heart. Sorry about the alignment hurhur

If you have the time, I really would recommend you to visit these places!! It's not bad to do this as a date idea apart from the usual movie/shopping/dinner plan hahaha. Marcus and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly! I'll see y'all soon with my Monthly Favourites!! Stay tuned, I worked hard for that post!! :-)

PS. shoutout to Matthew!! Hahah thanks for reading and your kind words. I'll work hard to put better content up (?) hahaha take care!!

Love,
Xin Hui

Hello everyone! I am back from my family trip to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam! I spent a week there, more than enough to explore what Ho Chi Minh has to offer. I'll just share with you all some places I highly recommend if you do want to visit Ho Chi Minh anytime soon :-)

PLACES TO VISIT

1. Cu Chi Tunnels

The best thing about Cu Chi Tunnels is that you can go experience for yourself how the Vietnam soldiers used the underground tunnels and moved around. My parents did not go into the tunnels because they aren't exactly fit. The tunnels were really small, even though it has been made larger for tourists. I had to crouch down and walk with bent legs throughout the whole walk. There are 3 stopping points and I stopped at the second stop because it was a little scary! The tunnel is a one way route and that means there is no turning back. If you go past a stop point, you just have to keep walking till the next stop point and climb out. No turning back because there are tourists behind you as well, and there is simply no space for you to crawl past anyone to move backwards. It was such an adventure but my upper thighs hurt like a bitch the following day hahaha. There are guided tours around the whole compound and you can even pay extra to shoot real guns.

2. War Remnants Museum

It was a very emotional visit for me. I saw how cruelty and war brought about so many tragedies. But I did learn a lot more about the Vietnam War and can now better appreciate the peace Singapore has.

3. Reunification Palace

It is a beautiful place with grand infrastructure. Good spot to take ootds hahahahah. We paid a little extra to take a buggy ride around the compound since its HUGE.

PLACES TO SHOP AT

Before shopping, you should remind yourself that this is not Bangkok. This is Ho Chi Minh City and the shopping is undoutedly not as good as Bangkok. The prices are steeper but having said that, the shopping is still not bad!

1. Saigon Square

This is an air-conditioned complex with two levels. It offers mainly clothes catered to both male and female. The prices didn't exceed $20 but you MUST bargain. Alllll the stores hiked up the prices and you must spend at least 5 minutes bargaining hahah. I bought an atlas bagpack for SGD$30 after 10(?) minutes of bargaining which was considered really good given that the asking price was SGD$70!!! Tips on bargaining : ALWAYS appear shocked at the initial asking price then set a mental note on the price you want. After counter offering 2-3 times and they still do not accept your offer, just walk away. Chances are they will pull you back and sell it to you at the price you asked for. My shopping buys were mainly from my 2 visits to this complex. I bought shirts, pants, bags and accessories here.

2. Ben Thanh Market

This is an open air market and they sell food, apparels, souvenirs, shoes, bags, paintings here. You can really find all sorts of things over here but don't expect to be buying much apparels. IT's quite "auntie" style HAHAH. I did get my pair of Vans and Nike Roshe here though!! Fake one la of course but I don't mind wearing fake ones hehe :-) It was quite cheap!! My Vans were SGD$15 and my Nike Roshe was SGD$30. I came back to the market 3 times to find the Nike Roshe I wanted at a good price (!!!!!) hahaha but it's worth it! :)

The places closes around 7pm but don't go!! Stay for the Night market! The night market reminds me of the Pratunam Morning Market in Bangkok very much. There are lots of pop-up restaurants and stalls selling items ranging from paintings to shoes to clothes. I loved the place so much!! It was so happening and it was just really fun to soak in the atmosphere.

PLACES TO EAT

1. Japanese BBQ Restaurant

I am only going to recommend this one because it was REALLY GOOD. The pork belly was my favourite and it's really cheap. Go during the lunch hours 1130am-2pm to get value for money set lunches!