[Honest Review] Spa Elements

Many of my friends may know that I love going for massages (No, I am not rich but I am one that goes for trials and Groupon deals - hence I am not really paying a lot to experience the services, but I guess they are more than enough for me to post my reviews on here!)

Unfortunately, there is no photograph taken for this review due to the rushed job (You will read more about it in later part of this post)

If you are someone who does read-ups of reviews (like me) before deciding to purchase any packages or deals from spa/massage companies, you will be glad to chance upon my blog as I will post my honest opinions on here (I am always honest, anyway. HAHA)

And one thing I always look out for is WHETHER a company will do hard-selling. 

I totally HATE hard-selling, it totally puts me off. Even if I am impressed by your services, I will NOT want to sign up with one that pushes sales. I am sure potential consumers like yourselves dislike it, too.

Enough said, I shall review on one of the massage companies I recently visited -Spa Elements. 

Unlike previous deals, I did not purchase it through Groupon - but rather, a voucher that was given to my friend (she is my massage khaki!).

We paid around $23 (inclusive of GST) after the services.

From their brochure, I noticed that there are two branches - One at The Cathay (Dhoby Ghaut area, which is the one I went to) and another at Orchard Ion.

Services: 6/10

Not sure if it's due to overwhelming response as they have an ongoing promotion, I feel that they have compromised on the quality of their services. 

From beginning to end, everything seemed like a pretty rushed job. 

I remembered the masseur knocking on my door to ask if I was ready when I've not even removed my shirt!

I was supposed to feel relaxed during the massage, but I felt somehow pressurized as the massage started off in a VERY fast-paced manner. Yes, it was still a 1-hour massage nonetheless and I guess they were just trying to make the best out of it. The masseur did slow down her pace in the middle though.

Quality of massage (Depending on the masseur): 7/10

The masseur had not bad skills. She did massage on some of my joints that badly needed a good massaging; and I felt they were on point.

Environment: 6/10

Quite a small and simple place, but cosy enough. There was a large wardrobe in each room for us to place our belongings.

Hard-selling factor: 2/10

I'm relieved. There's no hard-selling involved, even tough they did introduce some of their packages to us. The promotional price for their packages are at $68 per session, and I would say that it is not very cheap, as compared to other places I've been to.

Nonetheless, I am glad they are not pushy about their sales. That's a plus point.

Overall,I would say that they are still pretty okay - but not the best I've been to. I'll be reviewing more places on my blog in time to come - Stay tuned for more! :)

[HALLOWEEN Review] Sentosa Spooktacular 2014

It's the month of October and this means that my blog will be clogged with Halloween-related entries!

Knowing that I am a HUUGGEE Halloween fanatic, my dokiboy secretly purchased tickets to Sentosa Spooktacular (He even topped it up with Express passes *cries*) as part of my birthday gift. The tickets are NOT cheap, definitely.

Thank you, my dokiboy. :')

As some of you may have heard about it, I lodged a complaint to Sentosa Spooktacular last year due to the horrendous waiting time that scarred me. 

(FYI, I purchased normal tickets last year)

Personally, I would say that purchasing NORMAL/STANDARD tickets to Spooktacular is pretty much pointless as you will find yourself spending the entire time queuing up rather than enjoying the experience in the haunted houses.

In other words, if you do not have the budget to top up for express passes - then be prepared to queue your asses off.

Since I had the luxury to have express passes this year, my experience was a complete opposite this time round.

Fancy that - We actually completed the WHOLE of 3 haunted trails in LESS than 1.5 hours. 

THIS AMOUNT OF TIME IS EQUIVALENT TO THE WAITING TIME OF 1 HAUNTED TRAIL WITH A STANDARD TICKET.

So much difference when one holds the express ticket, eh?

With the express ticket, we got to cross an alternate lane that granted us fast entries into the haunted houses with almost zero waiting time (while those with normal passes were still queuing at the back in another lane).

Unlike last year's version in which Spooktacular had 5 haunted trails, there were only 3 this year. (They were, however, built on bigger scales)

And of course, more wandering "ghosts" (Probably they expanded their budget this year to hire more scare actors, LOL)

I was actually prepared to dress up as Queen Elsa (Heck, I even purchased Elsa's costume and wig!) but ended up dressing up as a cross breed between Elsa and myself due to a last minute wig crisis.

What a waste of my money. Duh.

I had to dress down (My Dokiboy surprised me with an Elsa crown which I wore on my head happily that day. LOL) and here I was.

With one of the random wandering "ghosts".

I love this setting! It made me look... Mysterious. *smiles*

Uncanny resemblance. Sisters?

*cough*

And... This is my favorite :) I call it "Immortal Love". Don't we look like a sweet couple? LOL

Was kinda hungry after exploring the 3 haunted trails and we settled down to have dinner -Kampong style. Haha.

Satay and Seafood Tom Yam set!

(Not cheap either)

Sorry that they weren't taken in an appetizing manner as I took them under darkness using camera flash.

Surprisingly, the food wasn't that bad. They actually tasted good. 

Overall, I would say that my Spooktacular experience this year was great. (I will still emphasize that its due to the express ticket) I doubt I will say the same if I were holding a standard ticket.

So what's my favorite trail at Spooktacular, you ask?

I guess it would be "The Swimmers" or "Alone".

(I love that they created the atmosphere like the movies! The Swimmers will make you feel like you are trapped @ a haunted swimming pool and there were even water dripping down at some corners!)

From physical reconstruction of the scene to even the SMELL. they've nailed it.

I shan't talk more about it so as not to spoil the surprise! (NO SPOILERS!)

Do keep a lookout for more Halloween-related entries coming up in my blog before 31st...

Till then, Enjoy your Halloween and have a great one!!

Honest Review: Is Alive Museum worth the price?

So I was contemplating to visit Alive Museum and finally made the move with one of my best MJ buddies, Marie.

As some of you may know, the tickets aren't cheap at $25 per pax. Being the cheapskate old me, I managed to get tickets through at $17. Hmm...Not that bad.

So.. Do I think it is worth the price?

I would rate it a so-so experience, and I'll further elaborate WHY in this post. If you are one who is deciding to make the trip down or not, you may be able to make up your mind after reading my entry.

*NOTE: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

One of the first few attractions near the entrance: - Mona Lisa!

Alive Museum is all about playing with 3D and illusions.

As below is one of our first few stops - Staying inside a mother's womb. LOL. Unfortunately, I did not pull it off really well so I shall post Marie's version here instead:

Pictures are not in exact sequence -

LOL, love her dramatic expression!

Don't cha' know Bill Gates and I are old friends?!

Stop the car!

And this is the main reason why both of us decided to visit the museum! 

MICHAEL JACKSON and his famous gravity lean from Smooth Criminal!

I remembered posting this pic on Facebook and there were quite a few number of people who were convinced that I edited this photo. 

The truth is, this is REAL. I won't expose the trick to it as it'll be a spoiler!

Kissing the legendary King of Pop. 

Chatting with Steve Jobs? LOL

Wolverine! Fierce.

Charlie Chaplin and his stick!

Kissing Spiderman (I have no idea why his mouth looks funny though. It resembles a woman's!)

Marilyn Monroe and I played a part in grabbing her skirt! LOL.

And.... Superman punched me

I kind of like this picture.. Something that is not possible for me to accomplish in reality LOL

The Angelic SGCOMPLAINQUEEN.

Let's do a split!

Why is this baby bigger-sized than me and trying to pull me up?! HELP!!

I love, love, LOVE this scene here! It looks so serene and full of tranquility.

If only I could take a pic with my bf here..

Behold - I'm a PING PONG CHAMPION!!

DISCO?!?!

Overall, I would say that it is an EXHAUSTING experience. While we may look like we are having fun in the photos, it was an extremely taxing task to pose and come up with quirky expressions. 

(Both of us ended up having leg pain issues and I had to visit a masseur the next day LOL)

Not to mention that we experienced space constraint in some areas of the museum and the feeling was one of the most IRRITATING experiences ever.

Imagine posing for a photo without peace as there were other visitors walking in and out (with some of them obstructing and standing in your way while you are trying to capture a good photo). In some of the scenes, I felt so uneasy posing (I was trying to act all crazy) as I felt many different stares from the visitors who were standing around and waiting for their turn.

ONE EVEN INTERRUPTED ME WHEN WE WERE NOT EVEN DONE WITH OUR PHOTO-TAKING YET.

If you haven't realized, there were not many photos (in fact, majority of them) that do not have both Marie and I in the shot together. We can't possibly ask a photographer along and had to take individual photos. Urgh.

Oh, and I have to mention that Alive Museum is not affiliated to another museum that is located @ Sentosa, Trick Eye Museum. I did not really want to emphasize this, but there are people who might be confused with the two.

Alive Museum is located at Suntec, and is designed differently from Trick Eye Museum. (But the 3D concept is still the same, lah)

While the 3D effects may look amazing, they rely mostly on ANGLES. If you are taking the photographs at a wrong angle, they will turn out looking all wrong.. and weird.