Jani Journey Journal

Da Paolo Gastronomia has always been on the top of my ‘must eat’ list everytime I came to Singapore. Not only they got one of the best desserts in town (yeah, I’m a sucker for desserts), they also provide fresh and fuss free food. The Da Paolo Group was first established in Singapore in 1989 by Paolo and Judie Scarpa. They opened a simple trattoria that serves simple and delicious Italian food. Ever since then, the Da Paolo has grown and now known as one of the best Italian food chains in Singapore. I personally always have loved the Da Paolo for their wide variety foods, visually appealing and absolutely delicious.

I came there for a quick lunch before going out hunting some good pictures for my instagram (#instaslave). Got so confused due to their wide variety of food, the waitress recommended the Smoked Salmon Pizza Slices (SGD 8 – forgot the exact price though) and Café Latte (SGD 4.5). The other thing I love about Da Paolo Gastronomia is their quick service concept. In a city where everything is moving fast, I think having a place for a quick meal like this is really necessary.

The Salmon Pizza Slices was yum! I love how fresh the salmon was. Since everything was already pre-prepared before, I thought the food would be just okay. Turns out the food served was still fresh and sure was lovely. Although the only thing missing was just a little bit more pepper on top would make it more perfect for me.

The Café Latte was also quite nice. The coffee was a bit thinner than the way I like it but I love how the milk and coffee perfectly mix together. And also they serve the coffee with less foam, just how I like it.

I also bought a box of Nutella Cake (SGD 9) for take away. I didn’t take any picture of the cake but believe me, IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME! It was thick, gooey, dense, moist and OH MY GOD! I even out of words to describe it! I kinda regret I didn’t bought more to bring it back to Jakarta. It was that good, I even thought about flying back to Singapore right now just to eat that cake.

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Da Paolo Gastronomia

Raffles City Shopping Center

252 North Bridge Road, B1-45

Singapore, 179103

Opening hours: 7.30AM - 10PM

Food: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Service: 4/5

As you all probably know, I’m a big (literally and figuratively, LOL) dessert girl. And lately, I also become addicted to coffee. So when I came to Singapore, the first two thing I look for is a good dessert and a decent coffee. Then I read about a place called Plain Vanilla Bakery, who of course offer both of it. I’ve heard about Plain Vanilla Bakery before but I never had the chance to try it when I came to Singapore last year. So I decided to visit their outlet that located in ION mall at Orchard, which located inside a local joined space called ‘In Good Company’.

When I get in, the first thing that came in my mind was ‘WOW!’. I was mesmerized by their wide selection of desserts. They got tons choices of sweet stuff such as cupcakes, cakes and tarts. They also have a few choices in the savory departments like savory tarts, salad and some sandwiches. Oh I think I have died and went to dessert heaven!

Since I already ate lunch before I came here (which I deeply regret cause I can’t eat more their dessert), I decided to choose a cake to accompany me that afternoon. I pick Butterscotch Banana Cake (SGD 6.50) because I can’t stand those shiny butterscotch glaze on top of it. And of course a cup Hot Café Latte (SGD 5) to complete my meal (or snack? I don’t even care, LOL).

The cake was so moist and fluffy, and also the banana taste just perfect and you can find some nuts inside. The butterscotch was really yummy! It was not too sweet and somehow works perfectly with the banana cake without overpowering one another. As for the coffee, I like how fragrant it was when they brew it. The taste of the coffee itself was nice with a little bit of acidic aftertaste (well here I am talking like a true coffee fan, LOL).

I also bring back a piece of Red Velvet Cupcake (SGD 3.90) back to my hotel. The cupcake was decent with a good amount of cream cheese on top. But since I’m not a big fan of red velvet, I can’t really tell you how it really taste. To me it was just okay.

I didn’t take pictures of the interior because there were a lot of people, and I don’t want to bother them by snapping here and there. There was this beautiful words on one of their walls, which I really love. The interior was minimalist and they got this cold but homey comfortable ambience. It sure can make me don’t want to go even after my coffee become cold. Curious? Just see it by yourself then!

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Plain Vanilla Bakery

ION Orchard

2 Orchard Turn, B1-06

Singapore, 238801

Opening hours: 11AM – 7PM (Mon to Thu), 10AM – 7.30PM (Fri to Sun)

Food: 4,5/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Service: 4/5

So last Sunday morning, my mom surprised me with a ticket to Singapore. She woke me early in the morning, told me to pack my things and sent me off with a taxi to the airport. I almost thought she want to get rid of me somehow but I think she knew that I need a break after a long and tiring exam days. Thanks mom!

And here is some snaps from my recent trip to Singapore. I had a lot of fun exploring the city, alone. Yes, I went there all alone. How does it feel? Surprisingly amazing! I will write a special post about travelling by yourself later. Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss it. Meanwhile, please enjoy the pictures.

Madame Tussauds Singapore is a wax museum which located at the Imbiah Lookout of Sentosa Island in Singapore. This seventh Asian branch of the Madame Tussauds chain was officially opened in 25^th of October 2014 and has been one of the most favorite tourist attraction in Sentosa Island ever since. The wax museum features many wax figures of notable political icons, famous superstars, sports icons and many others.

To be honest, I don’t really want to go there at the first time. It was my mom who insist to check the wax museum and as always, “what mommy want, mommy gets”. The ticket price for an adult is SGD 28. However on my way to the museum, there are a few of the museum’s employee who give out a SGD 10 off voucher for the museum’s ticket. Yay! Lucky us!

Disclaimer: the numbering on the list doesn't mean it is the best or whatsoever.

It is just the number of which I saw first to the very last one.

1. The Spirit of Singapore

The Spirit of Singapore is a boat ride that located right after the ticketing desk. The ride is included with the Madame Tussauds ticket. It told us a brief story about Singapore while we are sailing through it with a boat for about 8 people. The boat make a small round of Singapore’s icons mock-up such as Stamford Raffles, Merlion, Singapore Airlines, Marina Bay Sands and many more. It also show us Singapore culture such as the China Town, Little India and others. This ride is what makes Madame Tussauds Singapore different than the other branch.

2. History & Leaders Area

The first area of the museum is the History & Leaders Area. This particular area was quite long and has a lot figures than I expected. We met lots of famous leaders and historical people from around the world such as Yusof bin Ishak, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth II, Barack Obama and many more. And of course our very own country leaders Mr. Soekarno and Mr. Joko Widodo.

In this area, the museum also provide you a table with tablet on it, which has some kind of games about these people. Sadly I didn’t get the chance to try it since there are many people waiting in line to play it.

3. Sports Area

After that, we are welcomed by the world famous sports icon. Here we can see Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods and even Rudy Hartono. For those who doesn’t familiar with Rudy Hartono, he is Indonesian badminton player who is considered as one of the best badminton player in the world. *proud* And in case you are wondering, yes, Yao Ming is really high. I was just about his stomach when I took his picture.

4. Film & TV Area

The next area is the Film & TV Area. In this area, you can see the iconic TV or movie star such as Oprah, Bruce Lee and Marilyn Monroe. There are also local TV star, which I didn’t familiar of (sorry). In some area, they also recreate iconic scenes from a movie or like Breakfast at Tiffany, E.T and The Terminator.

Audrey Hepburn is so gorgeous!

Oh by the way, right before you enter the Film & TV Area, there is a small space with a short history of the Madame Tussauds museum. Even you can find the madame Marie Tussauds herself there. Oh! You can also waxified yourself there! They have a mini booth where you can make a wax figure of your hand. I didn’t ask around for the price but it seems quite cheap since I saw a lot of people are doing it.

5. IIFA Awards Experience Area

The IIFA Awards Experience Area is also what makes the Singapore branch is different than the others. They have a special area that recreate the IIFA Awards Experience. The IIFA Awards is a prestigious award in Indian films society. Here you can experience how does it feel to be an actor/actress with paparazzi taking your shots, be in the front cover with Shah Rukh Khan, accept your awards and do the speech and also try to dance like those Bollywood stars.

6. Music Area

Moving on to the most crowded area, the Music Area. Here you can mingle with the most famous singer in the world. Starting from the King of Rock and Roll-Elvis Presley, the King of Pop-Michael Jackson, Madonna, Katy Perry and many more.

And of course, what is the meaning of a music area in a wax museum with the queen herself, Beyoncé.

7. A-List Party Area

Last but definitely not least, my main intention to be there, the A-List Party Area. The room was so beautiful with a grand piano in the middle. Here you can mingle with Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo Dicaprio and many more. And of course, my one and only, Johnny Depp.

Mind the blurry pictures of Johnny Depp since I was so excited to see him, I can’t hold myself. Even I was going to kiss him at one point. LOL! Sorry not sorry.

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Since I’ve been to the Madame Tussauds London and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, I personally didn’t really impressed with this one (my mom had a lot of fun though). Other than the figures inside wasn’t as much as the one in London nor Hong Kong, the museum was pretty small for an iconic museum. And also each figures is standing too close to each other, so we can’t really take a good pictures without anyone else foreshadowing you on the background.

However my visit there still has fun factor to it. Imagine you can being that close to your favorite celebrities. Especially when you can hug all those figures and probably imagining what does it feels like if they were alive. By the way, I also met Spiderman on my way out and he seem so ready to crush those bad guys.

On second thought, no. Not with that flowery backdrop.

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Madame Tussauds Singapore

40 Imbiah Road

Singapore, 099700

Opening Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM (Monday to Friday), 10 AM – 7.30 PM (Saturday to Sunday)