2024 Story

Vernacular Coffee
100 Guillemard Road #01-02

https://www.vernacularcoffee.com/

Range Of Single Origin Coffee

Christmas 2024

Alley On 25
5 Fraser Street
Level 25, Andaz Singapore

https://www.hyatt.com/andaz/sinaz-andaz-singapore/dining/alley-on-25

Malakoff-Torte

Natureland
11 Unity Street
#01-08 Robertson Walk

2 Orchard Turn
#03-19 ION Orchard

65 Airport Boulevard
#01-18 Changi Airport Terminal 3

https://www.natureland.com.sg/

Natureland Counter

Bicheno Food Trail 2024

Bicheno Street Food


Bicheno Street Food is largely influenced by British English cuisine and cooking styles, as Australia formerly was a colony of the United Kingdom. With its vast farmlands and clean oceans, most food in Bicheno is fresh, sustainably sourced, and natural. Dishes are clean-tasting and kept simple, usually showcasing the natural flavours of the ingredients, and thus have little sauces or dressings.

Premium Seafood Platter

On The Rocks Bicheno
15 Weily Avenue
Bicheno
Tasmania 7215
Australia

https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/1028465870062620678


Frustrating Stay

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 3
Visited: Sep-2024
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: N.A.
Service: 3
Value for Money: 4
Budget about AUD $180 / SGD $157 per person.
- $157 Accommodation 3D2N


Nearby Attractions: Bicheno Aquarium, The Blowhole, Redbill Beach, Waubs Beach, Bay Of Fires, Whalers Hill Lookout, Penguin Tour, Diamond Island, Wineglass Bay, Natureworld, The Hazards, Freycinet National Park, Governor Island Marine Reserve, Douglas-Apsley National Park, Bicheno Motorcycle Museum


Hotel Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, Cable Television, Partially Stocked Kitchen, Board Games, Books, Washer & Dryer, On-Site Parking


Hotel Activities: Internet Surfing, Watching Television, Gaming, Reading, Please Don't Stay Here


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Introduction
Located about 2 hours drive away from both the Launceston Regional Airport in Launceston and the Hobart International Airport in Hobart, the On The Rocks Bicheno is an Airbnb single-story house, near the town centre of Bicheno. Our stay at On The Rocks Bicheno was the most frustrating stay I've ever experienced with an Airbnb thus far, due to lack of proper amenities, poor upfront communication leading to misaligned expectations, and poor infrastructure design and maintenance of the place. That said, the service recovery team was responsive and prompt, but this did not assuage the inherent problems with our stay.


Ambience
Ambience at On The Rocks Bicheno is quiet and serene. Set near the coast, you get a glimpse of the ocean from the backyard, but just a glimpse, as the surrounding lush greenery occupies the rest of the view. The streets are quiet and spot lit at night, but the feeling of unease from the lack of security here doesn't really disappear, especially the back of house with its large glass panels, and one of the two door locks didn't work. The spacious backyard was unused during our stay because of frequent rain.


Room
Rooms at On The Rocks Bicheno have poor infrastructure design, notably, in the lack of power outlets, and heater remote controls which were not working. Most confusing, was upfront when we arrived, only to find that it's not a single house, but a house plus a separate studio apartment that was converted from a shed. Both structures are not connected by a shelter. There's only 1 kitchen, 1 washer, and 1 dryer, all in the main house, but the living conditions in the studio apartment shed are actually more modern and welcoming as compared to the lacklustre main house bedrooms (as pictured, notice the obvious differences in lighting as well).


Food
Food at On The Rocks Bicheno can be self-prepared in the partially equipped kitchen. Most peculiar is the provision of stove top without a hood, meaning that when we cooked, the odour lingered forever in the kitchen, permeating the room and our clothing. The oven was unclean when we arrived, and upon complaining, the service recovery team stopped by to clean the oven. There were lots of cooking utensils and some basic condiments, however, we found a melted cooking tongs in the cabinet, which was disposed of by the service recovery team.


Service
Service at On The Rocks Bicheno is hit and miss. Upon arrival, we found the place was not restocked, lacking in toilet paper rolls, clothing hangers, and kitchen paper towelettes. We complained, and the service recovery team stopped by the next day with replacement stocks. Shower amenities was also lacking, as the bath wash had nearly finished, and there was a lack of hand towels. The outdoor trash bins had not been brought out for disposal for some time, as it was full to nearly overflowing.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at On The Rocks Bicheno are designed for families. There's a good range of books, board games, and DVDs, along with the cable television which had decent reception. The in-room wi-fi was fast and stable. There was an outdoor barbecue grill and a fire pit, as well as a clothing drying rack, but we weren't able to use these due to the frequent rain. Overall, I was so frustrated with our stay at On The Rocks Bicheno, even though the service recovery team reacted quickly, but we certainly won't return.


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Main House
















Studio Apartment Shed








Service Recovery Team Restock Amenities



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Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Lamb Chop

Lamb Chop

Nail Words
10 Eunos Road 8
#B1-134 SingPost Centre

https://www.facebook.com/nailwords/

Nail Words Exterior

Dutum Korean BBQ Restaurant
57 Tanjong Pagar Road

https://www.instagram.com/dutumsg/?hl=en

Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Burger

Burger

Zi Char - Hey Kee HK Seafood
102 Guillemard Road #01-01

https://www.instagram.com/heykeesg/?hl=en

Meal Flat Lay

Le Cheng Kampong Hainanese Chicken Rice Tasting Session
389 Changi Road

Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 10am - 12am
Sat - Sun: 9am - 12am


https://lechenghainanesechickenrice.oddle.me/en_SG/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Chubby Botak Koala.

Meal Flat Lay

Hyundai Ioniq 5
253 Alexandra Road
Komoco Motors Pte Ltd.

2 Bulim Avenue
Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS)

https://www.hyundai.com/sg/ioniq-5/highlights


I am an actual customer of this brand, and personally paid for the products listed here.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Fresh Hoods
Online Website Store

10812 North West 6th Court
Miami
Florida 33168-3259
United States Of America

https://freshhoods.com/


Some pictures / images here in this post are sourced, and credited, to Fresh Hoods. I am an actual customer of this brand, and personally paid for the products listed here.

Fresh Hoods Logo

Australian Honey Products & Sheffield Honey Farm
111 & 121 Main Street, Sheffield, Tasmania 7306, Australia

https://ozhoney.com.au/

https://www.foreveryoung.com.sg/product-category/australian-honey/


This is a sponsored post.

Lindsay Bourke, Bee Keeper, Founder-Owner Of Australian Honey Products & Sheffield Honey Farm

Launceston Food Trail 2024

Peppers Seaport Launceston
28 Seaport Boulevard
Launceston
Tasmania 7250
Australia

https://www.peppers.com.au/seaport/


Spacious And Comfortable Stay

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Visited: Sep-2024
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 5
Service: 9
Value for Money: 10
Budget about AUD $440 / SGD $385 per person.
- $385 Accommodation 4D3N


Nearby Attractions: Cataract Gorge, Tiagarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Launceston City Park, Devonport Maritime Museum, Tamar Island Wetlands, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, Don River, Little Penguin Observation Centre, National Automobile Museum Of Tasmania, Fern Glade Reserve, Guide Falls, Queen Victoria Museum And Art Gallery, Burnie Regional Museum, Gunns Plains Cave, Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park, Sisters Beach, Design Centre Tasmania, Launceston Ghost Tour, Boag's Brewery, Marakoopa Cave, Tarkine Forest Adventures At Dismal Swamp, Montezuma Falls


Hotel Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, 1 Restaurant (Mudbar Restaurant), 1 Cafe (Tidal Café), 1 Lounge (Lobby Lounge), Cable Television, In-Room Kitchenette, In-Room Washer & Dryer, On-Site Parking, Hair Salon (Salon Kephi), Board Games On Request, Currency Exchange Service


Hotel Activities: Internet Surfing, Cooking, Hair Styling & Treatments, Board Games


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Introduction
Located about 15 minutes drive away from the Launceston regional airport in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, the Peppers Seaport Launceston is a relaxing 4-star hotel by the North Esk River. In my opinion, the Peppers Seaport Launceston is among the most enjoyable and comfortable hotels I've ever stayed in, with just a slight hiccup regarding security.


Ambience
Ambience at Peppers Seaport Launceston is tranquil and relaxing. The building overlooks the North Esk River and a pier, with the Riverbend Park just across a bridge. The decor is slightly dated, but the place is brightly lit and warm, with a pleasant signature scent and welcome drinks at the lobby. Great watching the sunrise and sunset over the balcony.


Room
Rooms at Peppers Seaport Launceston are spacious and comfortable. We had a large living room with dining room, balcony, and in-room kitchenette that also housed a separate washer and dryer. The queen size bed was clean and comfortable, as was the bathroom. The wireless connectivity is fast and stable. Nice homely feel, I greatly enjoyed staying here.


Food
Food at Peppers Seaport Launceston is completely outsourced to the Tidal Café and Mudbar Restaurant, both independent providers. It's decent if you really have to dine here, but there are better food options just a short walk away along the river front. The in-room kitchenette also enables preparation of simple meals.


Service
Service at Peppers Seaport Launceston is friendly and helpful. Staff are knowledgeable and polite in interacting with guests. We did experience a minor incident, wherein the door to our rooms were left open and unlocked for a few hours, but fortunately, we returned to find nothing stolen or missing. Staff apologised profusely for this security breach. This however, has not diminished my enthusiasm and willingness to stay here.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at Peppers Seaport Launceston are basic and almost non-existent. The gymnasium is outsourced to another hotel within walking distance, and there is no business centre or meeting rooms on-site. Being just a basic place for living / staying, you'd best look to other hotels if you need business or leisure facilities. However, the stay at Peppers Seaport Launceston is fantastic barring that slight security hiccup, and I would return again to stay at Peppers Seaport Launceston hotel.


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