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Batam, Indonesia: There's more to it than affordable shopping and delicious food... like a Vietnamese refugee camp

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Batam has been the go-to place for Singaporeans to go for a short getaway even if it's just for a day. But have you ever thought about how Batam came about? Read on to find out more! Due to the East-West shipping trade routes, early Chinese settlers settled in Batam as early as 231 A.D. The surrounding regions have been ruled by several different leaders until the Dutch and English split the area and ruled it.  0 The island was occupied by the Japanese during the WWII thus the name Nagoya for the island's main city area. The native people of Batam are of Malay origin however due to vast globalisation, many other ethnicities have come and settled in search of jobs and a better life.  Did you know down on the south side of Batam in Pulau Galang, there was once a Vietnamese refugee camp that houses nearly 20,000 Vietnamese refugees escaping the war in the early 1980s? They arrived in small wooden boats in hopes of finding a better life and found themselves...

7 Bali hotels and resorts for all level of budgets (tour and meals included)!

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Bali has always been known for the beautiful beaches, lit beach clubs and bars, and crashing waves great for surfing. And when it comes to traveling, you're probably stressing out on accommodation due to the extravagant number of hotels and resorts available according to your budget. Fret not, we'll help you suss it out. Here are 7 Bali hotels and resorts for all budget levels (we'll start off with the most affordable first!). 1. POP! Hotel Kuta Beach ⭐⭐ We think that this hotel is a bang for your buck! Perfect for the traveler wanting a no-frills stay, this hotel is located just a 5-min walk away from the popular Kuta Beach. It's also equipped with basic necessities like a laptop safe, free toiletries, and a seating area in your room. There's also an outdoor swimming pool! Address: Jl. Kubu Bene, 80361 Kuta, Indonesia Price Range: $ $$$$ Ratings: 7.4/10 2. Bliss Surfer Hotel ⭐⭐ ⭐ Bliss Surfer Hotel simply screams vacati...

Malaysia to start imposing tourism tax from August. What?!

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TL;DR? Here's a summary of the announcement that was posted on the Royal Malaysian Customs Department this morning. Taxes starting from RM2.50 (S$0.80) for non-rated accommodations and up to RM20 (S$6.50) at a five-star accommodation No, it's not per person. It will be charged at per room, per night. While it might not cost that much to us Singaporeans thanks to the currency rate, it is still a little annoying that there's an extra fee to be paid. Tax will be collected from all types of premises used as accommodation for tourists, except home stay and Kampung Stay registered under the Ministry  Premises with fewer than 10 rooms are said to be exempted as well. Call the hotels, "Hello, how many rooms have you got?" We don't know what this means for you but for us, we will definitely continue our travels regardless of what issues that may hinder us. Don't let the small things bring you down, there's so much more to see on your trav...

WeekendGoWhere's Winner for the Month of May!

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Good things come to good people. We found our Winner for the month of May! We've garnered more reviews this month than on any other month, and we are so grateful for the overwhelming support we've received. This month's winner is...... Ms Ella Elyana Hassan! C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s !  🎉

DreamWorks Day Carnival and Fun Run in Singapore for our little Weekenders in June!

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Image courtesy of DreamWorks Day [Update] We received updates from our partner regarding what you can expect at the DreamWorks Day Carnival this 24 June! Best believe you're getting first dibs on the Carnival. Two different mascots from your favourite DreamWorks animated movies will be there! Pretty sure they will get the little ones so excited all day. Kids clay-making, baking, painting and story-telling sessions will be available. What a perfect time for the little ones to have fun and learn a new skill during the school holidays! And to seal the deal, enjoy a cold cone of Ben & Jerry's. More updates will be coming your way soon! Stay tuned to this post. [Original Post] Yes, here's another fun run you can look forward to 🏃 The first ever DreamWorks Run in Asia will be held in Singapore this June! You will be able to interact and take pictures with your favourite characters from Shrek, Madagascar, How To Train Your Dr...

HALAL SERIES: 5 day itinerary (save money on transportation and other hidden costs too) in Hong Kong!

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Eating, sightseeing, and shopping galore! Find out how to squeeze in every possible thing to do in Hong Kong in 5 days, and how to save on transportation and other hidden costs. First things first, the location of your hotel plays a big part in ensuring that you get the best experience out of the country you're staying in. Research is always important when traveling, I find that Royal Plaza Hotel best suit my needs. This 5-star hotel is located in between Prince Edward and Mong Kok MTR Station, though connected directly through MOKO Mall on Mong Kok East MTR Station. Conveniently located just a 10-minute walk away from the famous Ladies Market via a footbridge.  Bonus: The in-house restaurant, La Scala Restaurant is Halal-certified!  Remember to get your Octopus cards too! Don't opt for the tourist card, opt for the standard Octopus card. With a deposit of HK$50, you get HK$100. You can top up your card at any MTR stations before you begin your jo...