Destination stories
Dubai Mall: A Mall So Big, It’s Basically a City
Come for the AC, stay for the sweets (and sharks). Dubai Mall isn’t just a mall — it’s a full-blown destination. I was there for almost a month and still found corners I hadn’t seen before. Whether you’re window shopping,…
Does Cashback Really Save Money? My ShopBack Test 💸
A personal test with ShopBack, Klook, and a surprising discovery. Klook Trip.com Does cashback always work out in your favour? I thought so too, until I started checking prices closely. Recently, I compared the exact same ticket: → Direct on…
Dubai, UAE Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD5,430 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Solo Travellers, and Sweet Tooths in the Desert I honestly thought I’d enjoy Dubai more… but I didn’t. It felt like a luxury showroom built for the rich — flashy, curated, and not super liveable…
Busan Bites That Hit Harder Than Expected
A solo diner’s guide to eating well in Korea (even when the rules are strict). Some meals just stick with you. Whether it was the spice, the setting, or the fact that I had to negotiate to even get a…
Busan, South Korea Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD4,000 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Solo Travellers, and Reset Seekers I never really got the appeal of Busan. My cousin once said it was the one place in Korea he’d go back to, so I was intrigued. I always thought…
🍜 Bangkok Food Gems: My Favourite Hidden (and Spicy) Cravings
You can satisfy any craving in Bangkok — seriously. This city is a food playground for both locals and expats. While I love hopping between international eats, there are a few local gems I keep going back to — underrated…
Alaska, USA Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD4,880 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Solo Wanderers A lot of my friends asked — why on earth did I go to Alaska? And honestly, I’m not even sure. Back then, I was working remotely and figured I…
🧜♀️ Tokyo DisneySea: Ariel, Popcorn, and Pure Theme Park Joy
One of the rare parks that truly hit — with crowd chaos, flavour-packed food, and sea magic. Klook Trip.com I love water — snorkelling, ocean swims, you name it. So DisneySea was a no-brainer. And honestly? It’s one of the…
How I Spent SGD3,040 in Goa, India — A Careful but Worthwhile First Step
Monthly Breakdown for Solo Female Travelers, Remote Workers, and Slow Movers India was always on my list. But like many solo female travellers, I had safety on my mind. There’s no shortage of stories online about harassment or discomfort, and…
🍠 Taiwan Eats: Night Markets Are Still My Happy Place
Potato balls, fried chicken, and oyster omelettes — the ultimate comfort combo. Taiwan’s one of the few countries where I look forward to night market food without fear — never once got food poisoning, and that alone is reason to…
How I Spent SGD3,190 in Kaohsiung – Was It Worth It?
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Solo Travellers, and Hybrid Workers I have been to Kaohsiung before but that was when I was still a student travelling with my family (which, if you’re from an Asian household, you know means zero…
RM13 for Bubble Tea, RM1,700 Salary in Malaysia — I’m Just Asking Questions
The math ain’t mathing — and I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. RM13 for bubble tea. RM199.90 for a Uniqlo jacket (on offer). RM230 for a thrifted coat. RM66 for a keychain. And let’s not forget food…
What To Do in Seattle If You’re Keeping It Low-Key
A soft activity guide for Seattle — ferry rides, local events, and underrated gems for solo travellers. Seattle is full of small, good surprises — if you know where to look.Here were my favourite soft-paced finds:→ Pike Place Market —…
How I Spent SGD6,070 in Seattle – The Beautiful, The Harsh, and The Honest Truth
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Remote Workers, and Realists Seattle had a lot of charm I didn’t expect — Pike Place Market, Lumen Field, and ferry rides to quiet island towns were absolutely worth it. But alongside the beauty, there…
Same Brands, Different Prices: Uniqlo, Muji, Donki and Decathlon Abroad
Some brands are everywhere. But everywhere doesn’t mean the same. After travelling across 30+ countries, here’s what I’ve learnt about Uniqlo, Muji, Decathlon, and Don Don Donki: just because they exist in your country… doesn’t mean they carry what you’re…
Chiang Rai Temple Tour (Black, White and Blue Temples) – SGD40 from Chiang Mai, Thailand
Full-day tour with transport, surreal temples, and a bathroom you’ll actually want to visit. Trip.com Picked up from McDonald’s Thapae Chiang Mai at 8am, this full-day tour was a visual feast. Though the group was rowdier than usual (earphones recommended…
How I Spent SGD3,610 in Colombo, Sri Lanka — A Quiet Month with Lessons on Safety
Monthly Breakdown for Solo Female Travellers, Remote Workers, and Slow Movers Sri Lanka wasn’t a country I expected to feel uneasy in. I had always heard about its stunning coastlines and rich culture — and while that still holds true,…
🚫 Cities I Wouldn’t Recommend for Solo Female Travellers (Based on Personal Experience) | 2025 Edition
This isn’t a fear-mongering piece. I’ve travelled solo across more than 30 countries — but some places left me feeling far too watched, followed, or worse.No dramatic clickbait here. Just stories from someone who still refuses to carry pepper spray…
Singapore Eats: Local Food Gems Are Still the Real MVP
Singapore might be expensive, but your meals don’t have to be. Forget overpriced cafes — hawker centres and local gems are where locals actually eat. 🔥 My fave hawker and local gems: 🍗 Katong Mei Wei Boneless Chicken Rice📍 Katong…
Singapore Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD5,068 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Travellers. Ah, Singapore — my home country. A clean, efficient, and incredibly safe city that’s perfect for families, solo travellers, and digital nomads alike. While many locals dream of traveling abroad, I…
Revolut vs UOB Singapore – June 2025 Edition: Who Keeps SGD150K Just to Earn Full Interest?
UOB One Account used to be a decent choice — especially if you paired it with the Lady’s Card for miles and a bit of monthly interest. But these days? You’ll need to maintain SGD150,000 to get full interest. Not…
Paris Travel Tip: Prix-Fixe Lunches = Fine Dining on a Budget
Paris is expensive, yes. But it also rewards those who know how to navigate it. My top food tip? Skip dinner (just kidding) — eat like royalty at lunch. 💡 What’s a prix-fixe lunch? A weekday lunch set (usually 2–3…
Paris, France Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD6,080 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Travellers. I’ll be honest — my last trip to Europe wasn’t great. But this time, I came to Paris for a friend’s wedding and decided to stay for a full month as…
🐘 The Erawan Museum, Bangkok, Thailand: A Surreal Shrine Hidden in Plain Sight
I went with half-expectations — the grounds looked small on the map — but halfway there on the BTS, I caught sight of the giant three-headed copper elephant statue towering above the surrounding buildings. That alone raised my hopes. Klook…
Gyukatsu + Kuromon Ichiba Market — A Dream Day for Foodies in Osaka, Japan
If food is the love-of-your-life (hi, same), Osaka will spoil you. Here’s one food combo I’d happily fly back for:🥩 Gyukatsu Motomura (Namba branch)This crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside beef cutlet hits differently.The meat arrives rare on the inside, and you grill it…
Osaka, Japan Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD6,150 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Travellers. Osaka, Japan often sits in Tokyo’s shadow — but don’t be fooled. This city packs a punch with vibrant food streets, easy access to Kyoto, and a more relaxed energy. I…
A Haunting Yet Powerful Day Trip From Ho Chi Minh — Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta
If you only have time for one full-day activity from Ho Chi Minh, this might be it. Klook Trip.com For SGD60 (transport included), I went on a Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta combo tour — and I still think…
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD2,900 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Travellers. Ah — Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. A city where scooters outnumber street signs, the food surprises in the best way possible, and every day feels like a sensory adventure. It’s modern,…
Where to Stay in Bangkok as a Digital Nomad: My Favourite BTS Stations
Finding the right neighbourhood in Bangkok can make or break your stay — especially when you’re staying for a month or more. After multiple visits and trying different areas, here are my top picks based on walkability, food, comfort, and…
Lianchihtan (Lotus Pond), Kaohsiung Taiwan: Mild Hell Tunnels and Surprise Views
A peaceful walk through Kaohsiung’s temple-lined pond — complete with giant mouths, spiral towers, and a 10-second trip through the afterlife. I went in with zero expectations (plus warnings that it was under renovation), and ended up walking through the…
Bangkok, Thailand Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD4,460 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Travellers. Ah — Bangkok, Thailand. A magnet for expat living, digital nomads, and returning visitors alike. But why is it so attractive?If you’re researching Bangkok’s cost of living as a digital nomad,…
Here’s nama-kai’s Honest Take on Chiang Mai’s SGD230 Elephant Sanctuary and Sticky Waterfall Experience
Bathing elephants, river crossing on a log-raft, and climbing “sticky” rocks barefoot — this full-day tour was wild (in the best way). Trip.com Picked up at 8am, I dozed through the morning van ride while our small group filled up…
Chiang Mai, Thailand Cost of Living: How I Spent SGD2,900 in One Month (And Was It Worth It?)
Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Travellers. Chiang Mai, Thailand is often praised as a budget destination, but what if you’re looking for a comfortable mid-range lifestyle as a digital nomad or hybrid worker? I spent a month…
Welcome to nama-kai 🪷
Hi, there! This post marks the beginning of nama-kai’s journey. For full content, check out the latest posts! I’ll be sharing honest cost-of-living breakdowns, slow travel guides, and practical digital nomad tips from 30+ cities around the world. Whether you’re…