Come Bask in the Warmth of Perth’s Sun

Perth blue boathouse

Sick of Singapore‘s sweltering heat but can’t stand the cold in European countries? Plan a trip Down Under to because winter has passed and spring is here in Australia! If you are looking for a trip to relax instead of sightseeing, Perth is the perfect spot for you — in Perth, you can enjoy gourmet food, wine and enjoy the beautiful scenery while discovering yourself.

Swan Valley: Wine Paradise

Wine glass (Matthew Rogers)

Perth, Western Australia’s most vibrant city, has been repeatedly voted as the friendliest city. Not only is the city comfortable to live in with its Mediterranean climate, Perth is also filled with beautiful sceneries as well as delicious wine. If you are a real foodie, you have to make a trip to Swan Valley where you can take a boat tour while enjoying Perth‘s riverside scenery. Cheers to good wine and good food!

Endless Private Bars: The Best Place to Start a Conversation

Quaint bar (sayot)

How long has it been since you last drank and held a lovely chat with your friends? Although there are many good bars along the streets of Perth, the best way to enjoy Australia is by drinking with the locals. The best way to hear the most authentic stories about Perth is from the locals — this is how you learn to appreciate the passion and charm of Perth.

Rottnest Island: Island of Adventure

Rottnest Island (Malcolm Browne)

If you are an adventurer, don’t miss Rottnest Island. It only takes a short ferry from Perth to reach this vacation paradise. Here you can enjoy the magnificent Australian landscapes, experience aboriginal culture and if you’re lucky, you may even encounter some wild animals up close!

Looking for more things to do in Perth?

>> Day Trip to Swim With Wild Dolphins
>> Day tour to Great Ocean Road

Planning an Australia road trip?

>> 5 Cafes You’ll Regret Not Going in Melboune
>> 3 Ways to Enjoy The Natural Wonders of Melbourne
>> 5 Things You Have to Do in Sydney

5 Most EPIC Bars For a Happening Night in Taipei

There’s so much more to Taipei’s night scene than just night markets and clubs. If you prefer chilling and lounging around with your travel buddies, rejoice — KKday explored the streets of Taipei to find these 5 bars you absolutely have to visit during your holiday in Taiwan. It’s time to go bar hopping in Taipei!

1. Beer & Cheese Social House (Now closed)

Beer and cheese (tutll)

Remember those bars that kept appearing in western series/movies? Dying for something English in a Chinese speaking country? You’re in luck! Beer & Cheese Social House mimics bars in the States, serving an eclectic range of beers. If you have a specific type of beer in mind, Beer & Cheese Social House got your back! Other than beers, the bar also serves up a mean plate of grilled cheese.

Beer bottles at Beer and Cheese Taipei

You’ll never get bored of this bar because they’re always up to something new — promotions, themed nights and many more exciting nights awaits you! Head over to Beer & Cheese Social House to unwind for the night after a whole day of fun and excitement in Taiwan.

Address:
No. 117, Section 2, Keelung Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106

Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 6pm to 1am
Friday and Saturday: 6pm to 3am

2. Fourplay

An array of shots (chinting0425)

Fourplay is famed for providing entertainment to its customers, from creative cocktails to drinking games. Colourful cocktails? Rainbow shots? Prepare yourself for many rounds of games as you get intoxicated by those brightly coloured alcoholic drinks. Bottoms up!

Never tried drugs but curious about its taste? Fourplay gives you a chance to try marijuana, cocaine, heroine — not the real deal of course, silly! These drinks are just named after the drugs, duh. After downing a shot of happiness, take a deep breath of nitrous oxide to hear yourself sound like Donald Duck.

Address:
No. 67, Dongfeng St, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106

Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 6pm to 1am
Friday and Saturday: 6pm to 2am

3. R&D Cocktail Lab

Remember when your mom taught you to never judge a book by its cover? Positioned inconspicuously between alleys, R&D Cocktail Lab doesn’t seem like much on the outside and might even look like a shady bar, but you’ll be surprised by this gem once you step into it.

Handcrafted cocktail (R&D Taipei)

Remember when your Chemistry teacher told you to not mix chemicals around? Well, the owner of R&D Cocktail Lab is obviously a rebel. Founded by a foreigner intrigued by the sheer amount of unique bars in Taiwan, this bar is known for using Science to concoct new drinks. Don’t bother looking for a menu when you’re in R&D Cocktail Lab — allow the bartender to work their magic as they create a drink from scratch, fitted just for you.

Address:
No. 36 Jiaxing St, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 7pm to 2am
Friday and Saturday: 7pm to 3am
Sunday: 6:30pm to 12:30am

4. Bunker 1942

Bar top (Bunker1942)

Unlike your usual bar where it’s just all laughter, gossip and drinks, Bunker 1942 brings fun to a whole new level.

Shooting corner at Bunker 1942 (hot3small)

Pretty sure everyone who’s reading this blog right now, hasn’t experienced what it’s like to live during a war — specifically WWII. Inside Bunker 1942, lies a mini shooting range for you to try shooting with a gun similar to those used during the WWII. Grab your drink and have a go at the shooting range to test your accuracy — would you be able to survive during WWII?

There are ongoing promotions and games at Bunker 1942 every other day; the most interesting one is possibly the Bunker Iron Challenge — don an iron armour and chug down mugs of beer while embracing attacks from Bunker staffs. Hear the crowd cheering for you as you try pouring the beer in to your system despite the incessant attacks. Press on, warrior!

Address:
No. 24, Lane 177, Section 1, Dunhua S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 5pm to 2am

5. Ounce Taipei

Cocktails (OunceTaipei)

Coined as Taipei‘s most mysterious underground barOunce Taipei topped TripAdvisor’s list of expat’s must-go places and is recognised by CNN as the one of the world’s seven most attractive Speakeasy bars. It’s no wonder Ounce Taipei is known by almost all Taiwanese!

Cocktail and cheese (OunceTaipei)

Ounce Taiwan is hidden behind the wall of an espresso cafe called R/X Relax. Find the right doorbell and a waiter will gladly guide you in to the bar, where you’ll be delighted to see bartenders hailing from all over the world. Similar to R&D Cocktail Lab, Ounce Taipei has no menu because the bartenders believe in concocting a new cocktail specially for their esteemed guests, leaving your body tingling and asking for more!

Address:
No. 40, Lane 63, Section 2, Dunhua S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 7pm to 2am

If you’re a die-hard fan of bar hopping and don’t have the chance to try interesting cocktails in Singapore, simply because alcohol is too expensive here, KKday highly recommends you to visit these five quirky bars to get the best drinking experience in Taiwan. They won’t fall short of your expectations, trust us on this! And if you’re driving in Taiwan, remember to NOT drink and drive. Stay safe!

Nightlife in Taipei, check. Wanna go around Taiwan in the day? KKday got you covered!

>> Here’s How You Can Have An Animal-Themed Vacation in Taiwan
>> The Best Breakfasts in Tainan
>> 4 Ways to Have a Splashing Good Time in Taiwan

Need some tips on where to get your tickets?

>> Taipei 101 Observatory e-Ticket
>>Volando Wulai Private Hot Spring for 2 (includes set meal/tea set)
>> 1 Day Tour to Yehliu, Tamsui and Juming Museum

6 Must-Buy Korean Snacks That You Can Find in Singapore

Lotte Mart, where most Koreans go for their grocery shopping, is one of the best places to get Korean since the local mart is usually conveniently located within the subway buildings. But what if you need to satisfy your cravings but can’t find time to travel to Korea? KKday got you covered! Here are 6 snacks you can find in Singapore that tourists try to get their hands on in Korea, by hook or by crook.

1. Banana Milk

Flickr/ Republic of Korea

It is common to find banana milk everywhere in Korea from convenience stores to supermarkets, but did you know that this popular drink comes in other flavours like strawberry, melon and even a lite version (low fat) for health-lovers? A new coffee flavoured milk was recently launched for caffeine addicts too.

binggare

2. Market O Chocolate Brownie

Photo credit: Flickr/ gap somin

This is one item you should stock up on when you are in Korea — these bite-sized brownies are packed individually and they are the perfect size for a snack.

3. Tteokbokki crackers

Photo credit: Tumblr

The tteokbokki cracker has a nice spicy kick to it. Slightly glazed with a sticky texture, this snack comes with a nice crunch unlike the usual rice cakes, although some may find it a little too sweet for their liking.

4. Goraebab (Korean Crackers)

Photo credit: Pinterest

Goraebab is a Korean cracker which comes in shapes of different sea creatures like fishes, squids, whales etc. If you are a fan of peppery snacks, you should get your hands on their spicy flavour.

Photo credit: Jocelyneatsandcooks

5. Crab Rice Crackers

Photo credit: Seriouseats

This packet of little crab-shaped rice crackers is the cutest of the lot and trust us, you wouldn’t bear to eat it. It has a faint fishy shrimp taste that gets more addictive as you continue munching on it. Give the spicy flavour a shot if you need the extra oomph!

6. Crown Butter Waffles

Photo credit: CrownButter

Crown Butter waffles are the best crisp waffles you can get your hands on! A buttery taste best enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee as an afternoon snack, this snack is everything you can ever ask for. A word of warning though, you won’t be able to stop munching away after your first bite!

Photo credit: StyleKorean
You may be interested in these activities in Korea:
For more articles on Korea:

5 Cafes You’ll Regret Not Going in Melbourne

Aside from its amazing Great Ocean Road views, bars and hidden alleyways — Melbourne is no doubt a city that does its brunch right. (No more amateur Eggs Benedict, thank you very much.) With an abundance of cafes with every turn you make, you can’t possibly try everything as a tourist so we’ve shortlisted 5 cafes that we personally wouldn’t miss out on. With the Australian currency at almost 1:1 with Singapore’s, there’s no better time to head on over to Melbourne!


1. Stagger Lee’s

Photo Credit: Staggers Lee’s

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while? We recommend Brunswick Street — quite the charmer with its rustic thrift stores and the slow paced life, we’d say! Like almost every graffiti-wall in Melbourne, Brunswick is filled with OOTD-worthy spots.

Photo Credit: Staggers Lee’s

With its cozy interior and extensive menu, Stagger Lee’s is a cafe worthy of your calories. Boasting a wide range of food on their menu such as burgers, truffled polenta and chicken avocado toasted sandwich, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you would like to know more about their menu, you can check it out on their website!

Address: 276 Brunswick Street. Fitzroy 3065
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 7am-4pm, Sat – Sun 8am-4pm

2. Naked For Satan

Photo Credits: Naked For Satan
Photo Credits: Naked For Satan

Along Brunswick Street, Naked For Satan is another cafe that you shouldn’t miss. With a bar (Pintxos) on the first level, a restaurant (Sukaldea) on the second and an amazing view to boot — you will probably catch us with an ice cold beer in hand till sundown.

Speaking of beer — Naked for Satan has a 15 metres long bar where you can expect over a dozen of different beers, a range of craft beers, an extensive range of imported and in-house infused Vodka, Spanish & Australian wines, cocktails and mocktails.

Additionally, they have a special offer where all tapas are $9 from Monday to Friday at 12pm to 4pm, and after 6pm on Sunday nights. Don’t miss out this affordable deal! If you love alcohol especially vodka, Naked For Satan is your paradise on Earth.

You can check out their website to look at their food and beverage menu.

Address: 285 Brunswick Street Fitzroy VIC 3065
Oppening Hours:
Pintxos – Fri & Sat 12pm-1am, Sun to Thurs 12pm-12am
Sukaldea – Mon to Sun (Lunch) 12pm-2pm, Mon to Wed (Dinner) 6pm-8pm

3. Dribbles

Calling all basketball fans and burger lovers! Dribbles is made for you. Dedicated to burgers, beer and everything basketball related, the entire interior of Dribbles is a basketball court. Basketball fans can also enjoy live matches being screened in the store.

It’s entirely fine even if you’re not a fan of basketball, you still have to try their burgers (pssst, we recommend Little Dribbler!), cheese and bacon fries and milkshake. We guarantee that you will be back for more! No images will do their food justice.

Although a little far out of town, do yourself a favour and travel out of town just to dine in Dribbles! You can also check out their website for more.

Address: Shop 2/ 1142 Mount Alexander Road, Essendon 3040 VIC
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 11am-Late

4. Chez Dre

Photo Credit: Chez Dre

Offering a creative range of French-inspired breakfast & lunch menu using local produce and organic ingredients, Chez Dre also has a bakery where they sell their in-house made bread! This homely cafe is a perfect spot to catch up with friends over some Croque Madame and Pulled Pork Toasties. Did we mention that they have a few good-looking waiters and waitresses?

Connected to Chez Dre is a confectionary cafe, Bibelot which serves the most amazing melt-in-your-mouth cakes. And since you’re already at Chez Dre — why not?

A photo posted by Fiona P (@popthebob) on Sep 25, 2015 at 11:32pm PDT
A photo posted by Chez Dré (@chezdrecafe) on Jun 3, 2016 at 8:50pm PD

You can check out what else they have to offer on Chez Dre’s website!

Address: Rear of 285-287 Coventry Street, South Melbourne 3205
Opening hours: Weekdays 7am-4pm, Weekends & Public Holidays 8am-4pm

5. Kettle Black

You have probably seen the very insta-worthy berries ricotta hotcakes all over your feed but did you know that they originated from Melbourne? Aside from the fluffy, sweet hotcakes (good for sharing!), Kettle Black’s brunch menu also serves up a mean crispy pork belly dish. As usual, we wouldn’t pass up a cuppa in Melbourne.

There’s really no wonder that queues are non-stop for this cafe.

Address:
50 Albert rd. South Melbourne 3205
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Melbourne is not only a place for food, arts and the city life, you can also become one with nature in this city. Visit places such as the Twelve Apostles, trek through Grampians National Park or head down to the famous Brighton Beach for some ootd-worthy backdrop.

Find out more about Melbourne here:
>> 3 Ways to enjoy the natural wonders of Melbourne
>> Places you must visit for Melbourne’s arts and culture scene

For the budget conscious, here are 4 things you can do in Australia under SGD$120!

Don’t Miss Out These Experiences If You’re in Paris!

French Fine Dining (Parigi.it)

There is something about the French way of living that interests people. From the language to culture and even the way they take pride and celebrate the simple things in life. The city of lights has a sort of joie de vivre that people should learn from. Want to immerse yourself in that when you are in Paris? Read on for more!

Board a double decker bus and let the feast begin!

Arc de Triomphe, Paris (Parigi.it)

Sitting down for a 2.5 hour long French meal can be too time-consuming and tight for your schedule especially since there’s so much to see and do in Paris! Why not kill two birds with one stone at this glass-roofed mobile restaurant? You get to enjoy the view of the city’s monuments like the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower over a 4-course lunch or a 6-course dinner!

>> Paris Food Tour: Bustronomy Gourmet Tour of Paris

Pairing cheese and wine

Enjoy French Wines with Cheese (Felipe Benoit)

When in Paris, enjoy life the Parisian way – discover the different French wines and cheese pairings. Whether you are a novice or connoisseur, you can be sure you’ll walk away from the sommelier with new knowledge.

>> Wine and Cheese Tasting

Learn how to whip up French food

Homemade French Food (Dan Edwards)

There’s no better way to learn the secrets and techniques of French cuisine than from a French Chef herself in a Parisian apartment! In the three-hour long course, you will learn how to make an entree, main course and dessert using fresh quality produce. Classes are kept small so book yourself a slot before it’s all filled!

>> Cooking Class with Chef Marthe

French macaron 101

Fresh Macarons! (Brigitte Tohm)

Macarons are quite a challenge to master – a certain level of meticulousness and patience is needed to get the hang of it. Pick up this skill to recreate them yourself when your sweet tooth strikes again! Classes are kept small for a personalised experience and is conducted in a private apartment in Paris.

>> Macaron Class with Chef Frédéric

Chocolate tour by the bank

Chocolate makes good gifts

Sneak a peak into the premises of five of Paris‘s most celebrated master chocolatiers and understand the magic behind it through this afternoon walk. You get to sample those luxurious chocolate too – something chocoholics can’t miss out on!

>> Chocolate Walk on Paris’s Right Bank

For more experiences in France, check out KKday!

Share your travel pictures with us by tagging us on Instagram or use the hashtag #kkdaysg for a chance to be featured on our Instagram page!

How Travelling Mends Your Broken Heart

Photograph what you fear losing the most
Photograph what you fear losing the most

Which stage of a break up do you consider to be the toughest? Living in denial, accepting the fact or moving on? Besides dealing with the pain of losing someone you love, you have to face family and friends bombarding you with endless questions that you can’t find the answers to. We are no Aunt Agony, but we assure you that travelling is the best way to mend your broken heart.

After a break up, you learn to live by yourself again. All of a sudden, there’s nobody to send you cute good night texts, no one asks you what are your day-to-day plans or cares about what you had for dinner. How do you rediscover yourself? Here’s a step-by-step guide on the best way you can heal and bounce back from your break up!


1. Hang out with your friends over a few beers

Mending a broken heart with alcohol
Mending a broken heart with alcohol

Drink, drank, drunk. I believe everyone’s at least 18 this year and we’ve all been there, done that. The first step to moving forward is facing your vulnerabilities. Instead of being blinded by the pain in your heart, jio a few of your closest friends for a night out! The focus of this social gathering is not to numb your pain with alcohol, but to remember that you still have people who love you by your side.

Of course, we all know that drinking is an expensive habit in Singapore (uh, everything is expensive in Singapore). However, this is when you should take advantage of Japan‘s all-you-can-drink saké (Japanese rice wine) buffet! You can choose from more than 100 types of sakés and you can’t find on your next visit because they are seasonal items! A trip to Tokyo might be just what you need for a rapid recovery.

2. Grow by challenging your limits

Do something crazy like skydiving!
Do something crazy like skydiving!

Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting your past mistakes. How do you learn from them and become a better person? In a relationship, we often become reliant on our partners and grow accustomed to a routine thus, wearing ourselves out. Ask yourself this: when was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?

Go on an impromptu sky diving trip in Australia! Conquer up to 14, 000 of altitude in Cairns, Queensland, relishing beautiful views of the Great Barrier Reef. Scream your worries with all your might – no one’s there to judge you! After daring yourself, you’ll never tell yourself, “I can’t do it” again. After you’ve experienced 60 seconds of free falling for up to 220km/hr, what’s there left for you to fear in this world?

3. The calm after the storm

Take some time to reflect and rediscover yourself
Take some time to reflect and rediscover yourself

After recharging, it’s time to rediscover yourself and put the pieces of your life back together. Pamper yourself with a quiet trip away of the hustle and bustle of Singapore life. A slower pace of life might just be what you need to lose and find yourself again. Take a trip around Hanoi to discover the hidden gems that you might never notice travelling with a partner.

4. Begin again

Get to know more people and start afresh!
Get to know more people and start afresh!

As Taylor Swift so smoothly puts it, “I’ve been spending the last eight months thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end but on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again.” While you don’t necessary have to begin dating dating again so quickly, it’s nice to put yourself out there and know more people. Travelling alone gives you the opportunity to converse with strangers and get to know another culture better!

Alternatively, if you like to be surrounded by people, join one of the biggest and most popular beach party in the world! You may have been to Thailand numerous times but nothing beats Koh Samui’s full moon parties. Surrounded by the vibrant nightlife and high-spirited party goers, you’ll forget your heartbreak in no time. Book now and we’ll see you there next Saturday!

Wherever you are in the world, remember that you are never alone because your family and friends will always love and support you. The world’s your oyster and one of these days, you’ll surely find someone who loves you right.

>> Stop fretting, forget your troubles and let your wandering lone heart lead you!