Davos - 3 weeks on

So I've been here for a few weeks know and got to know the area a bit more. A few things I thought would be useful to you guys;

• Supermarkets Davos Platz
  There are 4 main supermarkets which I found, namely Coop, Migros, Spar, Aldi and Denner, They are all found along the Promenade and in close proximity to each other, and that is also the order of their prices in descending order (and quality). For those who love their vices, Migros doesn't sell cigarettes and alcohol. Also Spar ("save" in German) is not your typical Spar found in other parts of Europe and it's ironically pretty darn expensive.
  I frequent Coop the most as although it's technically the priciest, it as a good collection of wine and also have sneaky corner for 50% off near expiry (3-4days) meat and fish, which is awesome. (They usually hide them in a discrete corner of the meat section).
  
• Eau-la-la at the Congress centre

          For those of you weary souls who would like a break from skiing/WEF/freezing you butt off, I highly recommend this place. The congress centre, aside from being the stage for WEF and AO courses, has an AMAZING swimming pool next/in it called Eau-la-la. It is clean and well kept, and if you go at the right time, it isn't too crowded. It's indoor pool is commendable, but the outdoor pool is phenomenal. Here's a photo from their website, http://www.eau-la-la.ch/de/english/welcome/.  Eau-la-la indeed. 

A card for an 10 entries cost about 75 CHF, which is imo, totally worth the experience. 

• Ski Equipment
  On a random weekend morning in November a few weeks prior to ski season, my flatmate who's been here for a couple of years and who's an avid snowboarder brought me to this random shop. To be honest, it was more like somebody's house and basement, the sort that you'd expect to see in horror films, but it was amazing. It was a second-hand store selling ski and snowboarding, equipment and clothes. From goggles to beanies, it had everything you needed for ski season and more. If you're not impressed by the quality, you will be impressed by the prices. Ski's going for 50 CHF, Mont Cler jackets going for 60 CHF, this is THE place to get your stuff.  It was very well stocked and organized, people were friendly and quality was very good. Some jackets even looked brand new.
  The shop is off the beaten track, and is only open a few weeks before ski season and shuts the weekend before ski season. Apologies for the lack of photos, but here's a rough map. It's a brown wooden building and if its open you'll see racks of clothes on the ground level. (FYI it shuts at 6pm). 

         Definitely worth a visit if you're planning to renew your skiing equipment, or even get a few                nice good jackets for the winter! It's also actually cheaper then renting your own sports             

         equipment. 

Davos Switzerland Nov '14

Davos, Switzerland - Nov 2014

Davos, Near the eastern border of Switzerland. Famous for the World Economic Forum, Skiing, the AO Foundation, and jackall. That's what I thought anyway. I'm here on a work trip for several weeks, which gives me a bit more time to explore the place. First and foremost, some info:

• Airport Transfers - So to get to Davos, the airport I got to from London Heathrow is Zurich airport, which took about 90mins. The airport staff is efficient, customs officer was great and friendly. Note you don't need a visa as a Singaporean to travel there on pleasure. Baggage was quick. Follow the signs for the train station, and buy the train tickets to Davos Platz. There's no need to book train tickets online at all. You will be travelling from Zurich Flughafen (airport) to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (main station) which takes 10mins, changing trains to get to Landquart which takes about an hour, and finally to Davos Platz which takes 90mins. Total 2h40mins. note: you may drop off at Davos Dorf which is a station before Davos Platz.
  
  It is quite confusing which trains to transfer to at Zurich Hbf and Landquart. If you approach a ticket sales counter and ask, they will print out a sheet of specific instructions of how to get there, which stop to alight, the exact time to alight, and which platform the next train is at and what time it leaves. I.e. it is very useful. Swiss trains are efficient and punctual. Trains run every hour from Zurich Hbf to Landquart. Here's a picture of how it looks like!
• 
  *note: if you are on a ski trip with all your gear, you may consider catching a shuttle which runs only on Saturdays during ski season. It costs the same as the train ticket (~120CHF return), but it will take longer and require pre-booking. Did not take it myself so let us know how it goes!
  
  http://www.davos.ch/en/stay/getting-here/airport-shuttle.html
  
  *note: some ski passes include the train ride and local bus services, so do check them out online first. 

•  Currency exchange - Singapore money changers have pretty good rates, but Swiss banks are not too bad either. Changed my CHF here as London's rates are crap. Be prepared, Switzerland is an expensive place, but I'll show you how to stretch your franc! 

When I got off at Davos Platz, I got directions from the "Info Counter" there, and they gave me a map and pretty good directions to get to my place. Note this Info counter closes at 7pm. I stayed on the Promenade, which seems to be the main street of the town. Note eating out is expensive, especially for families. Consider spending a bit more on a studio with a kitchen so you can cook, I'd reckon it'll be cheaper overall! 

Promenade Street

View from the flat

As I arrived on a Sunday, almost everything was closed. That's one thing I'll never get used to. But the view was amazing. So first impression, Alle ist gute. Davos is a very safe place apparently, my flatmate who's been here for 2 years doesn't lock his bike. So fingers crossed.

26/11/14 - In addition to the above information, it was recommended by a Destination Expert for Switzerland on Tripadvisor to include SBB Fly Rail Baggage services here. I checked out their services they offer and found out that they have a Fly Rail Baggage service which may be of interest to you guys. In a nutshell, for a nominal fee of CHF22 per piece of luggage, you can check-in up to 32kg per luggage item at any airport around the world, to be picked up a couple of days later at a Swiss train station! I've not done it myself unfortunately, just putting it out there. Sounds like a promising idea, especially if you're like my partner who has 9 pairs of winter boots for 1 pair of feet. For more details check out their website http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/services/baggage/fly-rail-baggage.html. Cheers to Hambagahle for the info!

Introduction

Being Singaporean, a tinge of kiasu-ness is in my blood. Although do let me clarify, I am not cheap, at least I don't think so anyway. On the "bell-curve of cheapness", I daresay I am bang on in the middle, or as my teacher used to tell me, "a solid, solid average." At this point I would like to add that although this blog is Singaporean-oriented, as long as you love travel and food, this blog is also for you. Love, to wherever you are in the world <3. So, what is this blog all about you ask?

Value for Money
If you are a traveller minted beyond belief, flying business on every holiday and having caviar for breakfast just before your morning champagne showers, this blog is probably not for you. Not generally anyway. If you are traveller on a tight (student) budget, willing to take a coach from Singapore to Thailand to save 50 bucks on airfare, this blog is also not for you. As a young working adult, I believe that as much as we should cherish and save the money we earn, we should also enjoy it. You will see me recommend having cup noodles in some cities, and going for Michelin restaurants at others. You will see me recommend hostels in some cities, and 5 star hotels in others. This blog is not about the high-life, it is not about the fanciest restaurant, or prestige. This blog is about value. Value for money.  I.e. if you have had chicken rice at Chatterbox for 25 SGD, get lost now.

A (Small) Source of Information
When I first became a traveller at 18 years of age, I used a little book called "Lo_ely Pl_net" to aid my travels. I made it a point to try at least one restaurant recommended by it in every city I been to at the start. First city - Rome. Being a student then, I was ridiculously thrifty, just so I could try this amazing restaurant that the book recommended. Maybe it was the anticipation, maybe it was the fact that I had been on plain bread for the previous 3 days, but the Carbonara seemed amazing. This 20 euros was totally worth it. Boo ya. Champ. Kudos to the chef. Best place ever..... Until I had an equally amazing carbonara for 6 euros in a streetside cafe the following day. Don't get me wrong, I love travel guides and I know individuals have different taste. I love Tripadvisor, and am on it all the time, and Tripadvisor has user reviews etc. But these platforms are inevitably political.  Also, if YouTube views can be bought, so can stars on Tripadvisor. That's not to say everything from these sources are unreliable, but if MY experience doesn't match up to the hype of a restaurant or attraction, I want YOU to know, not so as to convince you not to go, but rather so that you will make a more informed decision.

Sharing Tips and Tricks
As many travellers know, the most fulfilling places are those recommended by locals. Away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, away from the con artists and pickpockets. The little bakery tucked away in a corner away from the beaten path, or the secret spot on the roof of an inconspicuous apartment block with the most breath-taking view of the city. These little hidden gems that I find, I will share with you, and the ones that you find, please share too.
From secret second hand ski-shops in Switzerland, to tips on skipping the queues to popular attractions in Rome, to avoiding taxi scammers in Budapest, avoid my mistakes and do what I have done well. I am but one man, and I hope readers will also contribute to this noble cause.

Other than that this blog serves to be a journal of my travels and a platform for spouting nonsense of course!