Iceland- The land of fire and Ice.

Things to prepare before you fly to Iceland
1) International Driving license and driving license (If you are going to self-drive. Recommend to self drive)
2) A few jacket, waterproof shoes (timberland recommended) and a good inner wear
3) A good camera (Aim to Iceland is to capture aurora)
4) http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/ (website to tell you where and when is the best time aurora will appear) (quite accurate) This website will also let you know the weather forecast.
It is wise to check the weather forecast before moving as the weather in Iceland can be very unpredictable.
5) https://lagooncarrental.is/ (car rental website) (book your car in advance)
6) http://www.road.is/ (website to check road condition or road closure)
7) Money
8) Dried Goods (canned food and instant noodles) (you might want to cook occasionally)

Flight from Singapore to London heathrow via Singapore Airline - $1100 (return)
Transfer to Iceland via Iceland Air - $360 (return)
After a long journey flight, finally we reached London and we had our brunch at London. Fish and chip, Egg Benedict and English Breakfast. The food was decent and we rested at the cafe until our flight is ready.

Finally we reach Iceland. Things to do when you reach Iceland. 

1) Change money (Change to USD first)

2) Get a Data Sim card from the convenience store (3000krona 1 GB) (approx $40)

3) Wait for the shuttle bus to the rental pick up location

Shuttle bus that bring you to airport (like Tiger airways or budget airline)

After getting all the things done, we got our car, Kia Sportage, and our journey began. I am so excited as it was my first road trip and first time driving oversea. After I started driving, I realised the road was partially covered with ice and it was totally different driving experience compare to Singapore. We had to find our way to the apartment before sunset. Finally after a hour drive, we reached the place and settled down. Too tired to go to bonus or kronan to get our groceries and we cooked korean instant noodle and go dreamland. 

Note: Recommend to go to Bonus as it is cheaper. 

Our Apartment- Blue Mountain Apartment 

view from the window and the owner is very friendly.

Bonus: Get to see aurora just outside the apartment

Superstar K @ Tanjong Pagar

Korean BBQ restaurant is everywhere in Singapore. I am sure this is one of the famous along Tanjong Pagar road and is none other than Superstar K. The restaurant does not allowed reservation. There are total 3 outlets along the shophouse. If the first branch is full, you can continue to walk down and try your luck for the next 2 outlet. We went on the day before new year eve. We reach around 1745 and there was not a lot of people. We ordered 3 kind of meat and a kimchi seafood noodle to share. Basically, they will serve you a plate consist of 5 compartment which inside are garlic, onion with spring onion, kimchi sauce, salt and an empty compartment to put your food. There are around 4 side dishes to go along which were kimchi, beansprout, mash potato and ikan bilis. The restaurant personnel will help you to cook your meat and there is a suction to ensure after the BBQ dinner, you will not have the BBQ smell. The pork collar that we ordered was simply fantastic and the beef rib was amazing too. If you ordered 2 type of meat, a bowl of steamed egg is complimentary. This is one of the korean BBQ place that cannot be missed. 

https://www.facebook.com/SingaporeSuperStarK/

Les Patisseries @ Upper Thomson Road

Nowadays, chilling out in a cafe during weekend is what most of the people will do. This place can be in your list if you have not been there before, Les Patisseries. It is located along Upper Thomson Road, along the stretch of the Prata house but further down. I had been there 3 times and each time, we are lucky to be able to find a seat before the crowd arrived. It is a free-seating cafe and you will order from the counter after you have decided what to have. Some of the foods which I recommended from the menu will be: 

1) Pasta: Al Granchio, salmon pesto cream. 

2) Grand breakfast and salmon benedict 

3) Truffle Fries and mash

4) Honey earl grey tea and latte  

They do sell really nice pastries as well. The nice food will make me think of going back again. 

https://www.facebook.com/lespatisseries.com.sg

Morton Steakhouse @ Mandarin Oriental

I am going to recommend one of the top 5 steakhouse in Singapore. It was last year during my birthday, my wife give me a treat at Morton Steakhouse. We made a reservation and told them it was meant for birthday celebration and I had heard good reviews about their steak so decided to give it a try. Upon reaching the restaurant, I was surprised by the setup of the table, it was beautifully decorated with glitter stars on the table. The menu also had an imprint of 'Happy Birthday Kem Guan' which make me feel even warmth by this little details the restaurant has put in. The waiter went through the menu with us, recommending which type of steak suit you depending on your preference. After given a thought, we ordered grilled oysters and crab cake as the appetiser. As for the main course I had ribeye with black truffle butter and my wife had a olive crusted halibut. The dessert was chocolate souffle (complimentary) and a pineapple mojito cocktail. Everything was nice from the appetiser to the main course. The ribeye was very tender and juicy and the crab cake was really awesome. The complimentary souffle was decent and they will help you to take a picture and give it to you as a gift. As a whole, it was a really nice experience to be dining in Morton steakhouse. I will visit again if there is special occasion as this place will cost you a small bomb. 

http://www.mortons.com/singapore/