My Profile
Dec272012
Tour/Activity
Singapore Round-Island Tour with Changi Prison, Kranji War Memorial and Gardens by the Bay
Singapore, Singapore
My Rating

This is a very interesting tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable about Singapore history - much appreciated as we were well informed throughout the day. The Haw Par Villa is curious and the Kranji area is very informative. Lunch was at a great spot. Changi Chapel is worth a visit.
Dec262012
Tour/Activity
Malaysia Johore Bahru Half-Day Tour from Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
My Rating

This was an interesting tour. Malaysia is so different to Singapore! I loved the craftsmanship of the Batik - the designs and fabrics were beautiful. The Mosque was very interesting and I was pleased to get the background information from the Guide on this, as it was a new thing for me. The view of the Straits from the Mosque is marvellous and the gardens there are lovely. The city of Johore Baru is very interesting and the Guide was so knowledgable - including all the medicinal uses of the plants we saw. One thing to note, the immigration/departure process between Singapore and Malaysia may take up some time and there is no control over this, so you should expect potential adjustment to your itinerary if the process takes longer than usual. Overall, a good tour.
Dec252012
Tour/Activity
Singapore by Night Tour with Dinner along Singapore River
Singapore, Singapore
My Rating

This was not what I was excpectring ... when I read the overview, I mistakenly thought that dinner "along the river" would be "on a cruise along" the river, but it isn't, it is at a restaurant at Boat Quay, which is at the riverside. Just a point. Boat Quay is a lovely spot to eat, though. The drive around the city was good for orientation - the city lights are stunning.
Dec242012
Tour/Activity
Singapore City Tour with optional Singapore Flyer
Singapore, Singapore
My Rating

This is a very good snapshot of Singapore city. If you don't have much time, you see a lot in a short time on this tour - you learn a lot of history and see temples, shopping areas, fantastic architecture, the wonderful National Orchid Garden, Marina Bay and the Merlion - the key things to see. This is very good, either for orientation when you first arrive - then you can decide what to go back to see with more time - or to see the highlights of Singapore if you don't have much time. I did the Singapore Flyer also, it's good. It is well worth doing this tour.
Jun062012
Tour/Activity
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour and Cruise
Cairns, Palm Cove and Northern Beaches, Australia
My Rating

This is a great, but busy tour. First, you travel to Kuranda via the Scenic Railway from Central Cairns station (but I think you can arrange a pick up from Freshwater Station also). As you travel up to Kuranda you are provided with an informative commentary about the history of this fascinating track, with stunning, beautiful and sometimes breath-taking views and highlights along the way. The great part about the commentary is that you will be given good notice of items of particular interest or of places where the best photos can be taken. The trip up takes around 2 hours. Kuranda is a pretty little town - but be aware that if you take this trip you will not have a lot of time in Kuranda, 1 hour maximum, then you will need to head back to the station to catch the SkyRail to continue on your tour. The SkyRail is a lovely ride - you glide along above the rainforest treetops, which is peaceful and enjoyable. First stop is Barron Falls (an awesome waterfall, so take the time to walk the short distance to each of the three lookouts), then next stop is Red Peak - you will need to change SkyRail tracks here so you encircle the station on a boardwalk to do that. SkyRail staff are very helpful for these things. At the terminal you are met and transported to your helicopter. After you pay reef tax ($20) and get a safety briefing you fly out to the Great Barrier Reef to join the vessel where you can snorkel for a couple of hours, enjoy lunch and perhaps a trip in the glass-bottomed boat before cruising for 90 mins or so back to Cairns Reef Terminal. It is a long, but very enjoyable day out.
My Photos
Jun052012
Tour/Activity
Reef and Rainforest Tandem Sky Dive in Cairns
Cairns, Australia
My Rating

A great experience - this was really well organised and safety was a priority at all times. The skydive is a buzz, but don't bother doing your hair before you go ... it gets totally messed up in the rapid free-fall - also, you'll probably have goggle marks on your face for a while afterwards!!
Apr052012
Tour/Activity
Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor and Punchbowl Sightseeing Tour
Waikiki, Oahu
My Rating

This was a very informative tour. The Guide (Aunty Em) was very knowledgeable about Honolulu, the history of the Islands and particularly the wartime events at Pearl Harbour. She was very friendly, her instructions were clear and she was always happy to take and answer questions. She had personal experience (which was particularly poignant when we visited Pearl Harbour and the Arizona Memorial site, when she relayed to us her own father's experiences here on 7th Dec 1941 and since. Excellent company - I recommend them.
Apr032012
Tour/Activity
Big Island Day Trip: Grand Circle Island from Oahu
Oahu, Hawaii
My Rating

I took this tour with Polynesian Adventures. They are a fantastic company. To meet my group on the Big Island, I had to fly from Honolulu to Kona on Hawai'i (the Big Island). I was a sole traveller for this portion of the day and there was always somebody to meet me and guide me to the next step of my journey (exactly the same on the way back). Their arrangements all went like clockwork, timing/punctuality is excellent and the Tour Guide (Harry) on Hawai'i was always courteous and made it a priority to look after us. He gave us advice about the best spots to get photos, how to avoid queues or get the best view or understanding of something - he was really great. They all make you feel like they really care about your safety, your enjoyment and your knowledge about what you are seeing. Being a full day tour, this is a long day - it is an entire circuit of Hawai'i, but the island is so diverse, everything is fascinating. We saw the remains of centuries of lava flows and volcanic activity, black sand beaches, walked through huge lava tubes, stood at the edge of the mightly Kilauea crater, then watched as the seismographs monitored and recorded every single movement in the Earth's crust nearby. We went to Hilo, saw Rainbow Falls, indulged in the marvellous Kona Coffee and Island Macadamias - it was a great day out. The orchid farm is no longer on the itinerary though. A really good and interesting trip.
Oct262011
Tour/Activity
Hong Kong Island Half-Day Tour
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
My Rating

This is a great orientation for Hong Kong. The tour guide provided excellent backround information and the general itinerary is worthwhile to see the key points of interest. My favourite items were the sampan ride on Victroria harbour to taste some of the history of Hong Kong, the Stanley Markets and the view from the Peak with the Tramway ride down to Hong Kong island. A good tour.
Oct252011
Tour/Activity
Macau Day Trip from Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
My Rating

I really enjoyed this tour. Our tour guide was very keen to make sure we got a good overview of the history and life in Macau - it's fascinating. We saw a great deal of the architecture which is fantastic and learned about the history of Macau. The Macau Tower is fantastic, the temple is beautiful and I loved the 15th century Portuguese/European architecture throughout the town, dispersed with more modern buildings. We didn't do any shopping, nor attend any casino's for a great length of time - this was fine with me. I think other tours are for that. The hydrofoil journey was great and easy, but the only sticking point was the lengthy process to get through immigration when we reached Macau (over an hour). However, apart from that it was great.





