SHUTDOWN OF THE BLOG....

Time has come to make the biggest decision here.

After much delibration, the blog, which is being "parked under" (incorporated) inside "Kotravelog.com", has deemed to fulfill its mission and ceased to be active with immediately effect.

In its place will be replaced by another domain using a new platform...

Taking this opportunity I would like to thank readers for their visits and support while it was functioning....

So what to expect from Batam?

Actually, put it straight to the point that if someone come to this island south of Singapore with the kind of expectation they have on other developed tourist spots, they might be disappointed.


After all, this Indonesian island is not your typical shopping paradise that appeal much to shopping-mad Singapore.


But if it's more of sun, sea and rustic charm that attract ones, here could be the place for you.

Enjoy ...

No sign of Dutch (except windmill) in Holland V

Took a ride to a place I last visited more than 10 years or so.


If my memory don't failed me, Holland Village is actually named after a Caucasian with the other name of the Netherlands.

Just that the misperception that folks used to think this part of the island used to reside by the Dutch because of that name.



Probably, the only sign of Dutch-ness in this lively place is the windmill (pictured above).

The recent opening of the "Circle Line" (CCL) train service has helped to draw many heartlanders here, which till the recent past were largely patronized by those who drive and willing to take a few buses before arriving.



So for a period, this place was long misunderstood as an "atas" domain dotted with some fine dine and wine restaurants that an uproar was caused sometime ago with a local resident urge the "stop of influx of heartlanders" as it threaten the "unique ambience of the community".



Yet little do she know with the commencement of the CCL has actually bring the place closer to the rest of Singapore with lunch crowds being swayed here to fill their hunger.

Eat your words...

[Kotravelog Update] The Mystical Mekong...

The titlebar of the travelog

It was exactly a month ago I completed my first ever trip to Vietnam, a country in the past that I would conveniently associated with Vietnam War and its French colonial past.

Having our first dinner at a roadside stall outside Ben Thanh Market (pictured above) after we landed in the city formerly called "Saigon".

Just what is this fish??? Take look inside the log to find out...

And just what are these guys sitting along the pathway???

All these more, just click here to find out how it's all about in Ho Chi Minh City...

Have a Cuppa - Saigon style

Next time if you come to Saigon (HCM) check out their thriving coffee house scene.


Here I am not talking about those "kopitiam" you and I find it familiar at "our house downstairs", but those posh ambience cafes that dotted around this main city in Southern Vietnam.


I was told there are 100 of such coffee houses sprung around this city and the one I went not that long ago is actually hid inside a back alley of an obscure street.


Enjoy your meal or drink at this coffee shop with some smoothing songs by those singers (pictured above) to bring you out of this world for that moment of peace.

So this is what you deserved?

After the euphoria of that keenly contested Presidential Elections where you came in third.

All this after you claimed if you didn't come out to stake your claim for Istana, there would be a higher number of spoiled votes.

All this after you pulled in the biggest attendance among the rallies held during the campaigning.

Yet, just as I walked along a canal and this was what I saw ....




I am speechless ....