One of the best things about traveling has to be
eating.
It can get tiring, our daily grinds to earn
enough dough to pay the mortgage, upgrade to a bigger
place or a higher property class. Fortunately, if we need to get
away for a weekend, Singapore is located within easy reach of fun
and relaxing destinations.
More importantly, they are affordable and won't require you to
dip into the cash you've put aside for your upcoming renovation, or
home emergency fund.
Here are five great weekend escapes where you can take a
break without breaking the bank:
These iconic murals dot Georgetown in
Penang[/caption]
There are many factors that make Penang such a popular weekend
visit for so many Singaporeans: Delicious food, old school
charm and a great shopping experience.
One of Penang's most popular attractions, historic Georgetown is a
World UNESCO site. Scroll through your social media feeds over any
long weekend, and you are likely to see many of your friends taking
photos of Georgetown's iconic murals, drawn by Lithuanian artist
Ernest Zacharevic.
In Georgetown, newly set up chic cafes and retails stores sit next
to traditional businesses, a metaphor for Penang itself, a city
that is trying to leapfrog into fast-paced modern development while
maintaining its charm and character.
For Penang's famous food, there's Gurney Drive, where Penang Assam
Laksa and Char Kway Teow are sold to hungry residents and tourists
to the city. If you're looking to bring something back for your
colleagues, Penang's authentic Beh Teh Soh (literally translated as
"Horse Hoof Cookies") are a popular snack.
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It's always fun to visit
the floating markets in Bangkok[/caption]
The capital city of the Land of a Thousand Smiles, Bangkok is
another popular weekend destination for Singaporeans.
If you're looking to ease those aches and pains from sitting and
staring a computer screen for too long, go for one of Bangkok's
popular massages. For the fraction of the price one would pay in
Singapore, you can enjoy a nice soothing massage to relax those
tired muscles.
Bangkok's amazing food culture draws tourists by the millions each
year, with an incredible mix of authentic street food, fusion
restaurant concepts and cool coffee joints. It is definitely not a
place to watch your calories.
The perennially popular weekend market, Chatuchak, is easily
accessible via Bangkok's train system, and is a great place to
score bargains on apparel, accessories, and household knick-knacks.
Bring along your best haggling skills, because you're going to need
it here.
And after walking, shopping and eating the entire day, what better
way to wind down than a foot massage to lull you into a peaceful
sleep.
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A'formosa, a former
Portugese fort in Malacca[/caption]
Approximately a four-hour coach ride away from Singapore, Malacca
is a destination steeped in culture and of
course, delicious food.
Once a Portuguese colony, it was handed over to the Dutch after a
Portugese defeat, then to the British in 1824 , Malacca reflects
its storied past its many historic buildings and museums that
are available for tourists to visit. A popular site for many
tourists is A'Famosa, the remains of a fort that the Portugese used
to defend the city.
Malacca is also known for its rich Peranakan history, and tourists
looking for traditional Peranakan clothing like kebayas can find
them in many stores in Malacca. Great examples of Peranakan art and
architecture can be found in the Baba-Nonya Heritage Museum as
well.
With such a rich cultural context, it is almost inevitable
that Malacca's food is delicious. While enjoying the sites of the
city, it is easy to snack on the various street food like satay, or
authentic Nonya kuehs.
At night, head down to Jonker Street's famous night market, for
even more food, and great bargains on antiques, apparel and
Perankan crafts.
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width="640"]
Bali's beaches attract
millions of tourists each year[/caption]
For those who prefer to go a little further from the madding crowd,
Bali is a popular beach destination that is still within easy reach
of Singapore.
One of the most popular weekend destinations for Singaporeans, Bali
is dotted with resorts of varying price points along its beautiful
beaches. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the sand with a good book,
or a snooze. It's also not uncommon to see Singaporean couples
tie the knot on the beaches there as well.
Balinese massages are also known for their stimulating herbal oils,
long strokes and deep pressure. For those with sore necks and
backs, or just an overall sense of fatigue, there's nothing quite
like a traditional Balinese massage to rejuvenate oneself.
For those hunger pangs, there's always delectable Balinese
street food. Enjoy freshly grilled satay, or grab something a
little more substantial with nasi campur.
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The journey to Boracay
is worth it for the pristine white beaches.[/caption]
An island in the Philippines south of the capital city Manila,
Boracay has seen its popularity surge in recent years, with news
about its pristine white beaches and blue waters spreading across
social media.
Getting to this island destination is a little more involved than
the others mentioned here, requiring a flight and a ground transfer
of a couple of hours. However, those who have been here assure us
that it is time well spent.
For the adventurous, there's nothing quite like jumping off a cliff
at Ariel Point to get the adrenaline pumping. If you can overcome
your fears to step off into the unknown, then how difficult can
that project waiting for you in your office be?
Surrounded by water, the best food on an island has to be seafood.
In Boracay, head over to D'Talipapa market, where you can bargain
with local vendors for freshly caught seafood. Once your catch is
in hand, head over to any of the nearby restaurants and eateries to
have them cook it for you.
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