I rather own little & see the world than own the world, but see little of it
What began as short getaways to spend time together, quickly turned to be an obsession of some sorts as me and my then girlfriend slowly but surely started to cover the globe a country at a time. We decided to start a Travel Blog as we go along, to log our adventures and share our travel tips. But even after we broke up, I realized that that didn’t make me love traveling any less and I decided to continue on my quest to experience this world alone.
But NO, for the record, I am not professional nor am I a full time traveler. Born and bred in one of the most expensive cities in the world, being a full time traveler comes almost impossible to any of us. I’m just one Singaporean soul who dared to follow my wanderlust dream and left everything on the line at that.
I started this travel blog in 2015 and in the 18 months prior to that, from Oct 2013~March 2015 alone, I’ve been to 9 countries, 20 cities, excluding some countries which I revisited such as Japan, just cause it’s probably one of the nicest country in the world.
When I started traveling, I would pen down the things I spent hours and hours to research on, such as places to go, things to eat, hotel/hostels to stay etc and plan out a proper itinerary. I would then use the itinerary to assure my parents that I wasn’t running away from home and that I would be coming back, so they wouldn’t try to rent out my room or something.
But I soon found myself constantly having to text and update my parents as I go along that there has been a change of plans and that I wasn’t going where I thought I was just cause shit always happens (i.e the place is close for renovation, the bus doesn’t run on these days, the places are too far from each other and the travel time would take too long etc) and things are somehow not as easy as some people make it out to be on the Internet.
My passion drives me to travel and my love for the world makes me want to share the beauty that comes with it. And if that sounds like something you’re interested in, read my adventures at our Singapore Travel Blog and subscribe to our mailing list so we’ll be able to share with you all that I’ve learnt and seen in my misadventures. Alternatively, join us as a Food or travel writer and share with us your experience cause we would love to hear about your travels too. Lastly, don’t forget to check out our cheapest travel deals section where we have put together the best deals we’ve used and found throughout our travels.
We’re not asking for much, we just want to live a life worth living, laugh our hearts out and travel the world
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The Story of Livelaughtravel.net’s Singapore Travel Blog
Who are you?
A: I’m Alvin
What do you love most about traveling?
A: People, culture, cities, buildings, nature! I love exploring and getting lost, cause you never know what you would stumble upon when you get lost. Some of the most beautiful places I’ve been to were places I coincidentally chanced upon when i got lost trying to find my way to another
What is the worst mistake a traveler can make?
A: Following a tour guide/guided tour. For the first part of my life when I traveled with my parents, we were always following tour groups that brought us around. It was only much later when I grew older and start traveling on my own did I realize how much did I actually miss out just by following guided tours. As the old saying goes, “a traveler see what he sees, a tourist see what he has come to see”, and that can’t be more true for me. Instead of having tour guides that bring you to the common places of interest and earn commission off you, find your way there yourself, take the public transport, fall in love with the culture of the country cause you don’t really get to see a country and/or experience its true culture just by following a scheduled tour.
What is the hardest part about traveling?
A: Too much food and too little time to workout, I’m always gaining a few pounds when I’m abroad. It’s hard to keep in shape sometimes with all that international food tasting.
Cliché as it might be, leaving the country is also often the hardest part about traveling. I’m currently not a full time traveler and I have gaps of intervals between my travels, which only makes the whole thing suck even more.
How old were you when you first started to travel?
A: When I was 2 plus to Hat Yai but I honestly cant remember much from that trip!
Top Travel Tip
A: Protect yourself by separating your cash instead of keeping them in a centralized location. Know the location of the Singapore Embassy of each country and always get the hotel name card in case you can’t find your way back.
It is also important to know how much does transportation cost and if you are not following a tour, you would have to plan your route prior to getting there. Certain country’s subway system are a little more complicated than the others. A train station in Japan for example may have two trains coming to the same exact platform but heads to different area.
Favourite Country?
A: Canada and Japan. Amazing food, rich culture and despite the language barrier, Japanese are one of the most approachable people around
Whats your worst traveling experience?
A: I’ve had bad experience with service staff and air crew in China, but none was as bad as getting scammed in Bangkok. Me and my then girlfriend were suppose to take the train and board the ferry which would cost us 10baht each to Wat Arun temple. I had it all planned out but my morning tailoring session lasted longer than i expected and we ended up having to take a cab. “Wat Arun”, i told him. He said ok and everything seemed fine till he turned into some alley and asked us to alight. We followed him and soon found ourselves surrounded by Thais. Just as I thought we were gonna get mugged, he sat us down and offered to take us to Wat Arun for 2,200 baht. Exorbitant prices considering it was suppose to be just 10baht. We negotiated it down to 1,500baht but when we arrived at the temple, they required us to pay 100baht more for “docking” fee. That ruined my day as i thought back of how i paid 2290baht more for what i researched to be 10baht. My only saving grace was that at the very least, we didn’t get mugged that day.
What is the one thing you’ve learnt from traveling so much?
A: My biggest lesson has always come from visiting 3rd world countries such as Cambodia or Vietnam. I learn to be appreciative of what I have however little that may be, for there are people around the world going through worst. I hear of locals complaining about packed trains when I’ve seen families of 7 stacking on one scooter in Vietnam & kids below the age of 6 having to go hungry on the street just because no one offered them any food that day. Complacency gets to the best of us and I’m no exception. It is through visiting such countries that we are constantly reminded of how lucky we actually are.
I’ve also learnt that when it doubt, do not be afraid. Most Asians are generally quite reserved when it comes to seeking help from others. But what Ive realized through all my travels is that humans are really kinder than how we often perceive them to be. Most people are more than willing to give you a helping hand if you would just ask.
Any advice for aspiring travelers?
A: Just do it. How many times have you seen someone post statuses such as “in need of a holiday” yet does nothing about it. Its like going to the gym sort of, be it just a weekend trip or a ferry trip to an island nearby, u just have to get yourself to do it and you’ll be thankful you did after. You are not getting any younger so don’t wait till you’re older, its really now or never.
What do you do when you’re not traveling?
A: Work my ass off and so I can save enough for my next destination.
How do you fund for your travels?
A: I work my ass off. I currently run a few businesses which im glad have seen a little bit of success. But at the end of the day, it’s really about a lifestyle choice, some people choose to buy big expensive cars and have luxurious meals, I choose to travel.
When at home, it is a conscious choice to manage my finances and resist the urge to splurge in local restaurants. I constantly find myself asking why would i want to have Japanese food in Singapore when dining in Singapore is so costly, when I could use the same amount of money and have the ‘Authentic’ cuisine in Japan itself. Aside from that, I try to plan ahead and spot for cheap airfares. I never fancied staying in hotels as well as I rather stay in hostels and experience the culture first hand. I have stayed in hostels without heaters during winter and walked for miles to save on my bus fares.
As the old saying goes “Traveling is only as expensive as your need for comfort” and that can’t be more true when it comes to traveling.
Why did you start this travel blog?
A: As much as each country will always hold a piece of me, memories fade over time and jotting it down is the only way to make it eternal. Besides, I spend so much time researching on the country and still get lost or run into unexpected stuff sometimes. I thought to jot them down onto this Singapore Travel blog with what I learnt and know so travelers who are also searching do not have to make the same mistakes I did and/or is able to paint a better mental image of what the place is like even before they reach the country.
Dream Destinations
A: I don’t have a dream destination per se, but my dream has always been for my businesses to take off and have enough passive income/savings so I can take a year or two off and just travel full time. It is so much cheaper to fly from say Singapore to Japan to Korea then from Singapore to Japan to Singapore to Korea and back to Singapore.
Aside from that, I’ve also always wanted to try the Rickshaw Run in India as well!
Aside from the basics (passport, USD$, credit card), what are three other travel essentials that are a must-bring things for you on your trip?
A: First aid kit with basic medications(very important), an action camera(Gopro), a good book and a good camera.
Is traveling in a group different from traveling individually?
A: Yes definitely. When I traveled with my then girl friend, naturally i have to be more alert and protective, but in exchange I get better solo travel pictures and travel videos taken. I feel choosing the person you travel with is also very important. You don’t want to be traveling with museum go-ers when you’re a theme park seeker and vice versa. You don’t want to be compromising your trip for your travel buddy. Do what you love/want to do, go where you want to go, after all you never know when you would be coming back to that country again.
Place to retire?
A: New Zealand, I haven’t been there yet to be honest, but its definitely on my list. Japan or Australia are also part of my consideration.
Favourite food?
A: Ichiran Ramen from Japan, Tom Yum seafood soup, anything Thai. Read more at our Singapore Food Blog!
Most Beautiful place?
A: From my travels thus far, Canada and Boracay tops the list
Favourite activity?
A: It took alot of falling, and tumbling, but Snowboarding has been my favourite travel activity when I visit snowy countries.
Travel pet peeve?
A: Crying babies on a plane and Dirty/wet socks or socks that arent warm enough. I’ll need to have clean & fresh socks everyday!
What’s next?
A: To cover more of the bucket list
Whats on the bucket list?
A: Everywhere.
Hi Alvin and Nicole,
Greetings from Tommy (via Discover . Book . Travel).
Just dropping by to let you know that we have added your blog to our list of Best Singapore Travel Blogs! 🙂
Thanks Tommy! It’s such an honor 🙂
Very interesting posts on travel and beautifully taken photos!
Trekking in Nepal Himalayan Regions is a popular and thrilling walking adventure across the world. Nepal is the home to eight 8000m. (including Everest, world’s highest peak) and myriads of other towering peaks ranging from 4500m. to 7999m. Trekking in Nepal refers to hike through the diversely fascinating trails of Nepalese mid-hills and slowly gaining altitude towards the base of any of these towering peaks. Typical trekking day in Nepal goes up and down the hills like waves of the ocean. Mountain Climbing in Nepal is extreme adventure. For Buddhist Nepal Tours, Mountain Biking and Safari Holiday and Other adventure activities Nepal is the best for all season for you.
All pictures are awesome and nice. I love travelling so thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. Im gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Great blog here. Thanks for posting and asking for everyone’s ideas. There sure are a lot to learn from here.
Thanks for sharing your ideas and thoughts guys!
Great blog! 🙂
Fellow aspiring Singaporean travel blogger here, and I just found your amazing blog and am in love with it! Loved all the travel tips, and especially agree with the part about not having guided tours. Free-and-easy tours are the best, not only because you get your own freedom to explore everything you want to see, but it’s also free haha! No need to pay a tour agency; just rely on your own sense of adventure! 🙂
I do trust all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for beginners. May just you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
@Nicole: Completely agree with you. Japan is the ULTIMATE place to be! I fantasize visiting Japan again, I visited it once in 2011. I dream about it everyday! I am even learning Japanese now! lol…Seems we are both Japanophiles!
@Alvin: India is the most amazing country one can travel to! The sheer diversity is astounding! From rivers, cold and stunning mountains, astonishing valleys, superb beaches, deserts, plateaus, mind boggling history, heritage, architecture and the FOOD! My my…it should be very high on both your agenda! And you must try the rickshaw ride…It is not that dangerous…I guarantee you…Why only a rickshaw? A Camel, An Elephant, A raft, A catamaran, A brass cauldron….! You can travel in anything and everything in India.
If you are planning an India trip always glad to be around to help (ramesh9@micamail.in)
Bon Voyage!
Planning a Singapore trip in Oct ’16 so let me see if I can meet you up guys then!
An Overview Of Singapore
So you are planning to visit Singapore, on offer is a number of brilliant attractions whether you are alone, a couple or a large group. We don’t plan to suggest which sights and attractions you visit while in Singapore but share some of our knowledge about what is there. Just like in other cities, there are plenty of good and bad places to visit and if this is your initial time of visiting Singapore or if you have been there before, it’s important you make the most of your time there. It is good to have an idea of what type of trip you want to make, and Singapore has a wide variety of fascinating places to visit that you will never forget.
Singapore Top 10 Attractions
During your visit in Singapore there are a lot of interesting places that are certainly worth visiting. The esteemed Singapore locality of Singapore has attractions that you may know and maybe others that are not known to people from outside the area of Singapore we have assembled a List of Ten to be of help to you:
1. Singapore Botanic Gardens
2. Singapore Zoo
3. Marina Bay
4. Gardens By The Bay
5. Asian Civilisations Museum
6. Bukit Brown Cemetery
7. Changi Chapel and Museum
8. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
9. MacRitchie Nature Trail
10. Marina Bay Sands Skypark
What a fun and adventurous travel! Traveling is the best thing that could happen in our lives and I myself would like to travel but when I became a parent, things changed and priorities were focused on kids. I want to travel in the future soon with the kids.
Singapore is really full of interesting places to visit. What makes it more exciting is that, a costly budget is no longer a hindrance to see the beauty of this island-state. You can now explore the Singaporean attractions and tourist spots without the need to break your piggy bank.
Loved the post. Esp the question about how old were you when you started to started to travel. Guess what I was also 3 years old when I took my first trip abroad and we visited Singapore in 1979.
Happy Traveling
Great blog and I agree with you.. Visited Singapore a few days back and really enjoyed my trip.. Although Singapore is not too cheap but one can save a lot by travelling locally in MRT and booking discounted attraction tickets through online
P.S: Do not forget to visit Universal Studios, Sentosa, Singapore Zoo and Gardens By The bay..
Amazing posts and photos. Very interesting blog both of you have. I will be back!
Have a good weekend!
Alexander
Greetings from Nicole!
Love your blog and all the travel tips!
I am a fellow Singapore traveler too. Just started noting down my adventures @ ShinyVisa. Feel free to follow me too.
Hey Nicole!
haha what a coincidence!
Anyway, thanks for connecting! It’s always nice to meet a fellow Singaporean Travel Blogger! 🙂
*PS Your site’s social media links on your footer isnt working, you might want to look into that 🙂
Interesting blog and nice photos.
Hello
Your Travel Tips is Awesome way of the procedure is so nice and i loved this blog.
Love your blog! Please Visit Batam Island. I recommend Nongsa Point for your short beach gateway!
Hi thanks for showing Singapore such a beautiful way. We had an awesome time in Singapore. thanks to heybnb for arranging a good accommodation within a short span of time. Had an local owner helped us with food and place and he was very helpful.
Great blog with very useful information. I’m planning to go there on a short term, should be great!
great blog
Very beautiful posts on travel and wonderful taken photos
Fun to read 🙂
I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again!
Thinking of traveling between Berlin and Paris for two weeks. Anyone has any suggestions on airline arrangement and itinenary?
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m planning to go there on a short term. It is very helpful blog…
When you come to Singapore, there a lot of backpack hotel which give a very reasonable rate. They are clean, comfortable and most important, safe and secure. We also can meet los of new friend…
Thanks for sharing your experience, it very helpful blog
I like the information that you have mentioned in your blog. Keep sharing good stuff with us. Thanks
Thank you very much for your comments
Wow. Thanks for sharing and you have a ribbed body.
Best travel tip- buy travel insurance, got my full airfare back due to a cancelled trip to new Zealand because of the Nov earthquake .
Not insurance agent so won’t say the name of the company
It’s obvious you are both having fun there. 🙂
Your blog inspires me to create one myself and share my experiences and photos. My destinations are usually Latin American – Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Argentina. Guatemala, etc. (in fact, I just came back from Brazil last year).
One of the greatest sights I’ve seen is the Iguaçu Falls (pronounced as Iguazu Falls) located in Paraná, Brazil. Magnificent! The next destination I am thinking of will be Patagonia – think of how many things one can do there… I believe it can be great fun in group tours. 🙂
Should experience something different. Oman. The Wadi is so beautiful where no where else have it.
Hey, would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you.
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Fabulash! Thanks for sharing your experience, your post is very informative, it very helpful blog
Great travel blog! there are many good places in Singapore to visit!
You must indulge in a contest for among the greatest blogs over the internet. Ill suggest this web website!
Thank you for sharing your experience, it is really inspiring reading your advice how to travel on your own without anyone to worry about.Also, all your pictures are really funny.
Hi Alvin, Great post!. really!. After reading your post i also think the same way Live & Laugh most. While travelling you have captured some beautiful images and shared with us. I liked it very much especially you six packs .. LOL. Thanks! for sharing it.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing! So nice to see another travelholic in Singapore !!
Amazing posts and photos of travel. It seems you enjoyed a lot and writing of your journey also increase the enthusiasm of the travel..
Have a good weekend!
Japan is a nice place you visited two times, I like your travel journey and photos you shared.
This is a nice article for young travelers, your trip is awesome and the photos are really unique.