Back in January 2018, I went on a solo trip to Hong Kong. During this trip, it was more of hiking, eating and meeting my old friend from Summer Exchange, Toby! (more…)
Class 2 Stories — NC750X Accessories & Maintenance
Ever since I traded in my CB150R for NC750XA (2021), I wanted to do more maintenance work and install accessories on the NC750X myself. It took me a lot of courage, research and time to figure out what needs to be done.
Glenorchy Animal Experience — South Island, New Zealand
Glenorchy Animal Experience is one of the must-visit places when you’re in South Island, New Zealand. Located on a beautiful stretch along the Glenorchy lookout, the backdrop on clear days combined with friendly animals on the family farm will provide an unforgettable experience for everyone.
Even though I visited the farm on a not-so-good day (the weather fogs up really fast during the shoulder season approaching winter!), I still had tons of fun feeding the animals. Before heading to the open-air farm, the staff managing the farm gave us clear instructions on what to do and what not to do.
Cost
At NZD25/adult, NZD15/child or for a family package costing NZD60 for 2 adults and 3 children, this experience is priceless!
When to visit?
I would think that the best times are during Spring (if you can handle the pollen), Summer and Autumn. Try to avoid the shoulder seasons, such as in early June, which was when we visited.
Tip: It’s also recommended to get the shoe covers, as there is a lot of poop and dander which will get stuck to your shoes. There is an additional cost to purchasing the shoe covers. You can also bring your own plastic bags too.
There were sheep, goats, llamas, pigs, cows, chickens… and dogs of course!
The animals were extremely gentle, especially the horse. The staff also told us to take our masks off, as animals tend to trust better. We were also warned to not tease i.e. keep pulling back and play with the feeds. The animals will get aggressive or lose trust.
I remembered that there was some donkeys, and a sign saying to watch out for them if they keep digging their hooves into the ground and not behaving when approaching to feed. It was pretty fun to pet all the animals (but be careful, some don’t like it!).
Everything is clearly signposted, so best to follow them! There is always a staff nearby throughout the property, so you can approach them for any assistance or advice.
Had the weather cleared up, the backdrop of this image would be the mountains!
There were also peacocks too. Like the other birds, we were not allowed to feed them as they have a different diet than the four legged animals. There were pigs too, but I forgot to take photos of them!
Honestly, it was a shame that the weather wasn’t favourable. It actually cleared up 1 hour after we left! Weather during the shoulder season is pretty unpredictable at times. Nonetheless, I loved every bit of interaction I had with the animals.
Would come back again!
Art of Speed Malaysia 2023
If there is one word that I would use to describe the biker culture in Malaysia, it would be diverse. With a climate that is suitable for riding all year round, I’m not surprised that the Malaysian bike culture has evolved to what it is today.
Recently, I went on a solo ride to visit the Art of Speed Malaysia 2023 at Maeps, Serdang. Left Singapore around 11.30am after finishing work, and reached Serdang around 3.30pm. The weather was really hot, save from some short showers along the way. For 336km, I managed to only stop for petrol at Pagoh and Seremban R&R (Northbound).
When I reached Maeps, volunteers and staff were truly on the ball to direct traffic. It was really orderly, considering how much motorcycles and other vehicles were on site! There were lots of Harley Davidson, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Mutts… I daresay there wasn’t any NC750X riders ahaha. Understandably so – as this festival was to celebrate the Custom Culture/Kustom Kulture from local and international creators!
Held across 2 days and in 4 halls (A, B, C and D), the custom culture portrayed during this event not only covers the motorcycle culture but also handicrafts like leatherwork, paintwork, outdoor adventures (like camping). There was not much conventional motorcycle gear, however.
I got myself the limited edition Touch n Go card (the black one!) for MYR25. I don’t really use Touch n Go since tolls are free for motorcycles across Malaysia, and the card doesn’t work in Singapore. It’s a lovely souvenir to keep, the artwork is great!
I also got myself a pair of leather riding gloves from Riders Garage & Co., a leather wallet from Stellamella Leather Crafts and handmade soap (which are currently in my toilet, used as air freshener) from Soap Dad! Honestly, the goods are really high quality. I might… get customised soap as wedding favours if I were to get married (heh).
There was also the Soundcircus, which I unfortunately did not stay for on both days. Riding up north proved to be much more tiring than expected. I should have taken a day extra to recuperate and stay for the music, since I paid for the Soundcircus entry. Hopefully, I can make the trip down to Art of Speed 2024!
NC750X – A Year In and some
It has been a while since I last updated this space. A lot has definitely change since the last post, especially when it comes to my biker life. My current ride is the NC750XA (2021). I had the upgrade since May 2022, so it has been a year and 3 months with this reliable bike.
New Ride – NC750XA (2021)
I’ve also joined a motorcycle enthusiast club for NC7 riders. It has been rather interesting and quite outside my comfort zone. So far, I have yet to meet another female NC7 rider. I look forward to the upcoming day ride to Malacca (Malaysia) with 34 other NC7 riders in mid-August. I’m still quite shy to speak up in the group. Just happy to tag along and learn more about bikes from other like-minded riders.
Solo Riding Trip (just one for now)
Recently, I went up to Kuala Lumpur alone on the NC750X to visit the Art of Speed 2023 at Maeps, Serdang. Road conditions were quite alright on the North-South highway. I did have some difficulty lane-splitting as I approached the city due to the big body of the NC750X. Most of the bikes on the road were kupchais/kupkias, which were slender and easier to mould to the traffic. Clearly I have some work to do to improve my lane-splitting abilities.
TikTok
Social media-wise, I’ve started a TikTok account to share my rides as well as the experiences of maintaining my bike. Feel free to view all the random shortform content here.
Safety Gears
As for safety gear, I’ve been more conscientious to wear more gear so as to dress for the slide. I bought most of my gear from Motorworld, since it is relatively the cheapest and value for money. It definitely is quite expensive since I am purchasing for 2 (my mother and I). I am still on the lookout for a good modular helmet.
Here’s what I am wearing now:
Jacket – Komine JK 128 Protect Full Mesh Motorcycle Riding Jacket
Gloves – Klim Vanguard GTX Short Glove Stealth Black
Helmet – HJC RPHA-90S Carbon Modular Motorcycle Helmet
I have yet to find riding pants and riding shoes. Currently I just wear normal work pants (not advisable as it is thin) and Dr Marts shoes. One thing’s for sure, safety gear isn’t cheap. And… I do get mistaken for being a guy until I open up my modular helmet. Hahaha.
Review: Wanderlust, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood
Hi friends! I’ll be reviewing my staycation at the Wanderlust Hotel, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood. Located in Little India, it is a perfect short getaway from the city’s hustle but right in the heart of a beautiful culture.
The Wanderlust Hotel recently had a birthday offer in March, and my friends and I stayed in one of their Studio Lofts! Overall, it was a wonderful stay, although I had a few qualms. We had stayed at Oakwood AMTD earlier in January and loved our stay there.
Read more about my experience at Oakwood AMTD here!
The hotel had a beautiful clean front, with a huge door which you had to push quite hard. The steps down to road level were a little steep, so be careful! The concierge was excellent and friendly, and we received our room cards quickly.
Room
Our room was on level 4 (topmost) and faced the Bugis area in the distance. The room has rather a weird sound insulation – we couldn’t hear the street noise, but we could somewhat hear the people next door.
My friends and I are fans of cooking, so having a fully equipped kitchenette is a godsend (which is why we love to have a staycation in places with kitchenettes!).
Read more about my experience at Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road here!
However, we were a little disappointed by the array of kitchen utensils (or the lack of them). There weren’t any kitchen scissors, which we found was an absolute basic. Perhaps it was missed out in our room. There were no other utensils such as a colander, more giant bowls and even a peeler.
The toilet had a bidet – this is a massive plus for us because… #bidetforlife!
As for the room itself, the bottom floor was perfectly sized. I wasn’t so sure about the tiles on the floor – it does get quite cold and sometimes slippery. However, with the kitchen and living area sharing the space, it makes sense.
We did have some problems connecting our Macbook to the SmartTV. Hence we just opted for the HDMI wire after half an hour of trying to set it up. (Clearly, at this point, we aren’t fans of calling room service to solve our problems).
As for the bed area, the space to walk around was very narrow. One thing I disliked about lofts was the lack of plugs and the inability to control the room’s temperature. For this one, the Studio Loft had a good number of plugs on each side of the bed and the ability to control the master lights. It is pretty troublesome to head down to adjust the temperature as the thermostat is on the bottom floor.
There was a small pool which we didn’t go for as it was just a dip pool.
Amenities
This was where Wanderlust Hotel shined. Although my friends and I preferred to have an in-room washing machine, we knew it wasn’t convenient to have that (during room service between guests). There were multiple washers and dryers on the second floor that guests could use for free without bringing any detergent!
That floor also had a pantry to stock up on coffee/tea, sugar sticks and a water dispensing machine. What’s remarkable is that there was a sparkling water dispenser option!
Would I stay here again?
Unfortunately, we probably would not stay at Wanderlust, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood. However, we were pretty pleased with the location since Mustafa Centre is nearby. If you’re not keen on cooking (like us!), there are tons of Indian eateries (both North and South Indian cuisines) to tickle your fancy. It’s pretty accessible via public transport too, but other than that, the rooms are pretty average.
Review: Spize Rifle Range @ Temasek Club
I have been to Spize Rifle Range @ Temasek Club multiple times, and it never failed to amaze me. I love the food, the service and the ambience. Overlooking the swimming pools and the beautiful greenery of Bukit Timah Nature Park, I highly recommend this restaurant for your next visit.
The most recent experience I had eating here was with my secondary school friend, Maisarah. We went during the month of Ramadan. As expected, it was pretty full-house. Luckily, I managed to reserve two seats for us for iftar.
Do you need a reservation?
Most of the time, you can get seats pretty quickly without any reservation. However, it is highly recommended to do so during peak hours (lunch and dinner). Even though Spize Rifle Range @ Temasek Club is pretty out of the way (literally in the middle of a Nature Reserve!), other users of the country club do patronise the restaurant because of the delicious food.
How to get there?
There are no public buses that directly drops off at Temasek Club. You can either:
- Drive
- Take the shuttle bus from Beauty World MRT – check out the times here.
- Drop off at the nearest bus stop and walk (uphill!)
My Recommendations
My favourite was the Wagyu & Portobello Stack Burger. I simply have a love for grilled portobello mushrooms in my food. The flavours are elevated – I highly recommend it! Sadly, the mushrooms were unavailable when I returned in April this year. Hence, I opted for the “Angus Royale”. It’s absolutely delicious and great for those who love caramelised onions.
The prices were pretty fair for a restaurant, though it would be better to dine in with more than three pax to share meals. The portions were average, though slightly on the larger side.
I have never ordered any other beverage other than their Iced Yuzu Black Tea. Somehow my sister and mother don’t like the taste. I love how perfectly bitter and savoury these two combinations can get. I can never replicate it in my own kitchen.
Maisarah had the Moroccan Roast Chicken, and we both had the hummus to share. The hummus arrived first, so that was a great appetiser to start when we both broke our fasts.
Would I recommend this place?
Absolutely. It’s a perfect place for a date, a work appointment, a family gathering and so on! Barring the out-of-the-way location, I still think that Spize Rifle Range should be on your list of to-go places. While my food review is rather subjective, the ambience of the restaurant is worth visiting once.
Check out their menu here (June 2022).
Address: 131 Rifle Range Rd, #03-04, Singapore 588406
Opening Hours: 8.30AM-10.30PM (Sundays – Thursdays), 8.30AM-11PM (Fridays and Saturdays)
Review: Lola Faye Café
My partner and I were craving something in the late evenings. Most cafés in Singapore close around 10 pm – which is pretty acceptable, but we just… wanted to get fat (haha!). Add a halal-certified cafe to the mix, and you get Lola Faye Café!
Lola Faye Café
It is a little bit far for us since we both stay in Jurong. However, we were chilling by East Coast Park, and the café was convenient to go to!
- Address: 35 Hamilton Rd, Singapore 209204
- Opening Hours: 2 pm to 2 am every day, closed on Mondays
Surprise, surprise! This café’s operating hours start at 2 pm, and end at 2 am. Perfect for those who like to chill in the middle of the night. I’m so envious of those staying in the East…
The area is also peppered with bars and other cafés and Mamak shops. You’re also a stone’s throw away from Jalan Besar Stadium and *cough* my ex-workplace (People’s Association) *cough*. I’d chill around these areas more often to explore the other cafés (mostly non-halal-certified).
When we arrived around 10 pm, there was a pretty long queue. Good thing for us, we were only two people, and seats were almost available after 15 minutes of waiting. The café’s ambiance was cozy for customers, and the aesthetics were excellent for Instagrammers.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take photos of the café, but I did take pictures of the food…
What did we have?
- Peachy Peaches Milkshake
- Oreo Strawberry Milkshake
- Biscotti Ice cream with Buttermilk Waffle
- Hokkaido Milk Ice cream with Charcoal Waffle and Chocolate Drizzle
Do We Recommend?
Yup! I think it’s a solid 4 out of 5 for me. The Buttermilk Waffle was slightly chewier than the Charcoal Waffle. The combination of the ice cream and waffle was a hit. I would skip the Chocolate Drizzle (a top-up of $1) because it overwhelms the Hokkaido Milk ice cream.
The drinks were a little sweet for my taste, but I’m so used to drinking 25% and 0% bubble teas, so there’s a bit of a bias there. Note: I’m not a food reviewer by any means, so please take my review with a pinch of salt!
Review: The Cat Cafe (Bukit Timah)
I adore cats and had the opportunity to play with them recently at The Cat Cafe (Bukit Timah)! It’s pretty close to home and airconditioned, so it’s a perfect family-friendly place for us. The Cat Cafe has 2 outlets in total, the other located in Bugis!
Admission Rates
The Cat Cafe is located in Rail Mall, Bukit Timah. The facade of The Cat Cafe had cats chilling in the rest area. We had to remove our shoes and pay for our entry. Luckily we made a reservation online as there are limited slots per session. The fee was $16 for the first 2 hours, with one complimentary soft drink. For the subsequent 1/2 hours, it’s an additional $4 for every 30 minutes. To me, the entrance fee was affordable.
There are other drinks like tea, coffee and chocolate, which you can swap your complimentary soft drink for an additional fee. There are also cakes and pastries, but none of them tickled our fancy.
Fun?
However, we felt a little bored in the second hour as most of the cats were either sleeping or hiding in the resting area at the shop’s facade (which patrons are not allowed to enter). There is also the warmest area in the entire cafe. If you didn’t know, cats love warm areas!
I loved this concept cafe because the cats are all strays or re-homed. The vision gives cats another chance at living a comfortable life. My favourite cat was Sushi. Sushi is a lap cat, so she sat on my friend for at least 45 minutes! Talk about being lucky!
Tips
One tip I’d give is to visit in the evenings when the sun has set. Cats are pretty nocturnal, so they are more active then. We went right when the cafe was open at 3 pm. As I mentioned, we were bored and had to wait out our 2 hours to make our money’s worth (haha).
I had upgraded my soft drink to tea and felt that it was a little overpriced. There are several eateries along Rail Mall, so I’d recommend you to stick to the complimentary soft drink and eat somewhere else.
Would I go again?
Not really! I think there are more exciting cat cafes/cat-related activities such as the Kitten Sanctuary and the Cat Museum. Even though the admission prices are pretty affordable at $8/hour, the cats are inactive if you visit during the day. The whole concept is more of a cafe, and the cats are just a pretty decoration to the side. Maybe we should have tried the cakes to see if it was worth a visit…
Make a Reservation at The Cat Cafe here.
- The Cat Cafe (Bukit Timah) – Rail Mall, 392 Upper Bukit Timah Road
- The Cat Cafe (Bugis) – 241B Victoria Street Level 3
5 Essentials for Motorcyclists in Singapore
Motorcyclists in Singapore face two distinct “seasons” (rain and sun). Here are five essentials for motorcyclists in Singapore!
1. Muc-Off Wash, Protect & Lube Kit
The first step to being a motorcyclist is to know your ride. It’s essential to wash, maintain and care for your bike. I love Muc-Off, and having this kit helps me do all three!
There are three types of lube – dry, wet and all-purpose – from Muc-Off. Generally, I will use the wet, and the all-purpose lubes as these are the better ones to serve Singapore’s dynamic weather changes.
How often should you reapply lube to your motorcycle chains? It is best to apply them after riding, once a week. The chains would have expanded after a ride, allowing the lube to coat the chain better (as compared to applying it on cold chain). Depending on the ride, you should also reapply lube after a heavy downpour.
Want to know how much it costs to own a motorcycle in Singapore? Read more here.
Knowing how much to reapply will take some trial and error. Too little will cause you to have a rough ride and noisy chains. Your sprockets will wear out faster. However, too much lube will cause a slick sound. Take some time to learn your ride, and it will thank you soon!
Get the Muc-Off Wash, Protect & Lube Kit here.
2. Motorcycle Raincoat
As a rider in sunny (and rainy) Singapore, being adaptable to weather changes is a must-have skill to stay safe. Every rider should always have a set of raincoats in their essentials to immediately change by the roadside when the weather goes bad.
Acknowledge your visibility on the roads and people’s visibility of you during adverse weather conditions. This increases the chances of accidents. Being more visible on the streets will help to reduce the risks. You can activate hazard lights on your motorcycle (wherever possible), lower down your motorcycle gear, and practice intermittent braking to ensure effective braking. Also, use your rear brakes conscientiously, as your ride is more prone to aquaplaning.
Not only that, consider getting a raincoat that increases your visibility on the roads. On highways, motorcyclists are one of the most, if not the most, vulnerable road users. Avoid raincoat colours such as white and black. Choose colours such as bright yellow and have reflective strips.
Get the Motorcycle Raincoat here.
3. UV Sun Protection Compression Arm Sleeves
Hot, hot, hot! Singapore’s getting hotter by the day. Did you know that our arms and legs are also vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays other than our face? It would help if you always put on sunscreen. I have pretty oily skin, and my sunscreen of choice is the Cosrx Aloe Soothing Cream. I put at least two fingers’ worth of sunscreen on my face and more on my arms.
It does get a little tedious, but you can also wear extra layers of clothes to cover your arms. However, it gets impractical due to heat, and instead, I wear arm sleeves. When worn right, arm sleeves absorb your sweat, leaving your skin dry and cool.
Get the UV Sun Protection Compression Arm Sleeves here!
4. Essentials – Tools
Now, this gets a little controversial. With minimal space on your ride, nobody would be inclined to keep a complete range toolbox with tools. But when you’re in a sticky situation…
Hence, it’s great to have a compact tool set. From loose bolts to changing spark plugs, you don’t need a fancy kit. All you need is just a 16 in one! Get your Olyeem Motorcycle Portable 16 in 1 Cycling Multifunctional Repair Tool Set!
5. WD40
This is an iconic essential for any motorcyclist. It’s a definite staple for most people at home, and this is super useful to ensure joints are well lubricated. However, do note that this is not sufficient to lubricate your chain. I usually use this to clean my chains instead during my motorbike washes. The nozzle also dislodges any dirt in between the rings of my chain.
It’s also a great mild lubricant for your signal light buttons and keyholes (e.g. ignition).
Get WD40 here!
Bonus: Xiaomi Mi Portable Electric Air Compressor 1S
The nearest air pump might not be convenient to get to. Sometimes, we’re just a little forgetful or lazy to do some maintenance over the weekends. Having this Air Compressor from Xiaomi does the trick!
It’s excellent for motorcyclists and drivers, especially when you feel like your tyres need some air. It’s a handy tool to have in your box or boot. Note that the Air Compressor does get a little hot – that is okay!
Get the Xiaomi Mi Portable Electric Air Compressor 1S here!
So there you have it! 5 (+1) essentials that motorcyclists should have in their box. Ride safe on the roads!