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THAILAND
BANGKOK
DIALING CODE
+886 (2)
CURRENCY
TW$1 = PHP1.39/US$0.03
TOUCHDOWN
Taxis to the city will cost you
TW$1,100 (PHP1,533). Private bus companies
run trips from both terminals; you’ll pay a more
manageable TW$110–140 (PHP153–195). To get
around, take the MRT.
BY DAY
Visit Tamsui, a suburban township that tells
Taipei’s history, via the Red Line MRT. Stroll down
the promenade to see street performers and vendors.
Visit the historical Fort Santo Domingo, then take the
Blue Highway ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf.
BY NIGHT
Taste local delicacies at Shilin Night
Market, such as
uya-jian
(
oyster omelette) and
gi-pai
(
fried chicken breast). For dessert, have a
chinwah shadan
(
tapioca ball drink) and
munguo
chua-bing
(
shaved ice topped with mango).
SLEEP
Just Sleep (Ximen branch) is good for mid-
range budgets (
,
while Taipei
International Youth Hostel
English/home_e.htm)
is
for backpackers.
TAIWAN
TAIPEI
BESTBREAKFAST
Yung Ho
Breakfast is a famous franchise you’ll find
everywhere in Taiwan.
BEST SOUVENIRS
Taiwan
T-shirts or phone straps from Shilin
Night Market.
BESTDINNER
Din Tai Fung’s
xiao
long bao
(
steamed soup dumplings)
is listed as the best food in Taiwan by
celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.
Jerry Tai
designer/teacher/
playwright
In Taipei? Enjoy the view atop Taipei 101 with an audio guide. In
Singapore? The New Balance Real Run takes place on October 21.
DIDYOU
KNOW?
BEST BREAKFAST
Freshly
cooked basil-based rice toppings with hot
Thai milk tea from local hawkers.
BEST BUYS
There’s always
something for everyone at Chatuchak
Weekend Market!
MUST-TRY
Bangkok street food
such as
phad thai
served on banana
leaf, some spicy skewers, and even
chrysanthemum coolers.
Rhodeza
Ramos
marketing officer
COUNTRY CODE
+66 (2)
CURRENCY
THB1 = PHP1.33/US$0.03
TOUCHDOWN
There is a free airport shuttle to
the Public Transportation Center in town. A taxi
costs THB200 (PHP266). In the city, use the
BTS Skytrains and avoid the jams.
Tuk-tuks
are
available but only for short distances.
BY DAY
Shop this way: start from MBK Center,
continue to Siam Paragon and then Central World,
then finish off at Platinum Fashion Mall. Head to
skytop bar Vertigo afterwards for an afternoon
cocktail and 360˚ views of Bangkok.
BY NIGHT
Give your feet a break by enjoying an
hour of foot reflexology. The more adventurous
should try the fish spa. Thai massage places
abound in the tourist areas of Sukhumvit, Old City,
Siam, Khao San and Chatuchak.
SLEEP
A short walk from Saphan Khwai station is
Mystic Place Boutique Hotel, where no two rooms
are alike. With free
tuk-tuk
rides to Chatuchak
weekend market.
SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE
Sophia Chua
mumpreneur
COUNTRY CODE
+65
CURRENCY
S$1 = PHP33.51/US$0.81
TOUCHDOWN
From the airport, take a taxi
downtown for about S$15 (PHP503), depending on
the time of day. Peak hours carry a S$3 (PHP101)
surcharge. Or take the MRT and you’ll be there in
about 25 minutes for S$2 (PHP67).
BY DAY
The new Gardens by the Bay at
Marina Bay Sands offer at least a half-day of
entertainment. Also catch
Andy Warhol: 15
Minutes Eternal
at the ArtScience Museum until
October 21.
BY NIGHT
For dinner, try Pollen at the
Flower Dome of Gardens by the Bay: it serves
Mediterranean cuisine in a climate-controlled
environment. You can also stroll around Robertson
Walk, which has plenty of cafés and restaurants.
SLEEP
Hotel Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen Road
is close to Little India, Bugis and the CBD. You
can enjoy free WiFi and an international buffet
breakfast at Taste.
BESTBREAKFAST
I like the
breakfast choices at Jones the Grocer
in Dempsey.
BESTSOUVENIRS
Take home
the
bak kwa
(
barbecued pork) from Lim
Chee Guan.
INSIDER TIP
For a culture trip,
check out the Singapore Art Museum for
contemporary art on Fridays. Admission
is free.
