5 Amazing Travel Destinations to Unwind This Year

Dreaming at your work desk about last month's fun and frolic of holidays? In need of some sun? Perhaps it is about the time you start to plan for another holiday trip this year, if you don’t yet. Though weekend getaways are mostly welcomed, there’s nothing quite like a true getaway to unwind and stress-relieving, especially if your workweek is long and arduous. Want a shopping spree, a beach, some relaxing hiking trails, world-class dining, and a few remarkable sights to see?

It’s not been easy, but we have shortlisted 5 amazing travel destinations for you to discover this year:

For history enthusiasts: London

From the modern London Eye to the historic Tower of London, the city is all for those history and art lovers to discover the very best things to do. Even better, most of the landmarks are free to visit. There are plenty of culturally rich places to visit; meet a celebrity at Madame Tussauds; wander around the top London museums; visit the Queen at Buckingham Palace; or take a perfect picture with Big Ben.

Of course, London also earns the reputation of having the best theatre plays in the world, so take your pick and you might see a few famous faces on the stage. 

Big Ben and double decker bus are some of the
distinguished symbols of London

For romantic travellers: Paris

Labelled worldwide as the City of Lights and Love, Paris is definitely one of the best cities in Europe for romantic travellers. True to its names, the culturally vibrant city is clean, easy to navigate, and full of beauty at every corner. Make your way up Arc de Triomphe to enjoy sweeping spectacular views of the gorgeous city; soak in some gothic architecture history at Notre Dame Cathedral; and walk into any of its 70 Michelin-starred fine dining for a memorable night with your loved one.

Of course, there are the must-see iconic Eiffel Tower and the world renowned wines, as well as quiet chic cafes for unwinding.

Iconic Eiffel Tower's illuminations at night

For free-spirited hearts: Maldives

That’s true when someone said life is better under the sea. Rich in a warm and exotic culture, Maldives is renowned for its coral reefs under the crystalline blue waters. Amazingly remote and incredibly pure, this island paradise offers peaceful sanctuary from the hectic urban life. So, if you are looking for adrenaline rush, take part in water sports like surfing and water-skiing. If you don’t, go scuba diving or snorkeling and explore the stunning coral reefs.

Getting to the Maldives nowadays is no longer hard, thanks to flights and public transports. There are plenty of luxury and affordable resorts offered in Maldives, but an indulgent spa experience might be the perfect end for your trip.

Coral reefs snorkeling and diving under
sky blue water in Maldives

For adventurers and backpackers: Sydney

Safe and friendly with no language barriers, Sydney is an ideal destination for young travellers and lots of solo backpackers. Tour the city by bike, pass by the Sydney Opera House, and gasp as you climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge, marveling at the awesome panoramic view beneath.  But the best way to explore the city is to hike your way through the coastal trails such as the Bondi to Congee. You’ll enjoy picnics just like the locals, grab a coffee at a beachfront cafe along the way, or simply sit down and absorb the spectacular views.

Alternatively, hop from one bed & breakfast to another, and you are almost assured there’s always someone to share a drink and some travel tips.

Beach city Sydney is full of activities for adventurers

For fun and budget travellers: Bangkok

For many, Bangkok is a never-sleep city that is perfect for affordable, abundant shopping and street food that is available around the clock. True, but Bangkok also has many stunningly beautiful cultural essentials that are as good as in London: arrive stylishly by boat to enjoy the great view of stunning Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew; climb up steep stairway to the grandiose Wat Arun; or look at some of Thai art designs at Jim Thompson’s House.

For livelier things to do, head for the water: Damnoen Saduak is one of the many floating markets for local food and handicrafts. To achieve ultimate relaxation, get a Thai massage that is believed to contain healing properties.

Floating market is one of main tourist attractions in Bangkok

Source: bizlifes.net, makemytrip, monogramrewards, newworldwonders, 

saga, thetravellingowl, travelwithjoshb, worldofwanderlust, youtravel

To ensure a smooth relaxing trip, start planning ahead, and you'll be excited to know there's something ahead to wait for. And ladies, why don't bring along one or two piece of accessories to add a bling to your look during travel? Perhaps our Wah Chan travel charms collection is what you are looking for:

"Big Ben" 916 Yellow Gold Charm

"Eiffel Tower" 916 Yellow Gold Charm

"Sunny Palm Tree" 916 Yellow Gold Charm

"Camera" 916 Yellow Gold Charm

"Handbag" 916 Yellow Gold Charm

Stay tune to our Wah Chan Official Facebook for more travel-related ideas.

5 Quick Reasons Why She's Your Best Friend

Chinese New Year is just over, and you have resumed your work by first telling your best friend about your Monday blues. No, perhaps she is not your boss or your co-workers or those you see everyday. But she is the reason you look forward to the weekend. And she is also the one who sees the strangest things you do when you’re all by yourself. That’s the stuff you do in front of your best friend.

Here are 5 reasons why she is really your bestie.

1. She knows your parents more than you do

That’s because you brought her along to so many of your family events, and your parents are her Facebook friends that she might heard more about their recent trips than you do. 

She knows your parents more than you do

2. Your phone is full of selfie photos of you and her

No matter what you two are doing, you will never forget to take awkward close ups together and post it up in random collages.

Taking selfies is just part of the fun together

3. You make yourself so right - at her home

Whether it's the food in the fridge or the new pink neck strap top in her wardrobe, she never questions your respect to her and her things. For her, you, her best friend, can waltz right into her house and GRAB IT ALL.

She feels so at home when she is at yours

4. She can read your mind

Ever have a time where the two of you just laughed so hard till you forgot why you're laughing, and people stare at you because they cannot understand what's so funny about? Yeah, we thought so.

You share a secret language that only you
and your bestie can understand

Source: blog.marketo, etsy, flickr, huffingtonpost, oprah, readunwritten, thechroniclesofchaos, theknot

5. You remember her in your daily life - all the time

Walking past a cafe? Her favourite latte. Saw a zip-front cardigan? Fits her style. You can work and live in totally different places but you are always able to find a reason for the next catch up, even if you don't need one.

For these reasons, your bestie deserves your love and appreciation. Perhaps when you see something cute you can get it as a gift she might like, like these chic open-front bangles and rings.

18k White Gold Diamond Cuff Bangle

18k White Gold Open-Front Kiss Diamond Ring

Or maybe these adorable pendants match her perfectly too.

9k White Gold Fairy Diamond Pendant

9k White Gold Apple Diamond Pendant

We have more best jewellery selection for your dear best friend. Check us out at Wah Chan Official Facebook.

4 Meaningful Ways to Use Your Ang Pow Money

The festival of giving and collecting ang pows will be over soon. Some of you (us included!) might be grinning with the bountiful harvest of ang pow money, but here’s the tricky question: How do you spend them?

We can’t wait to spend too, but this year, why don’t we make the extra cash more meaningful? So here are 4 ideas we gladly come up for you.

1. Plan for next trip

Already missing the Chinese New Year’s holiday? You can start planning for next one within your ang pow money budget. The earlier you book, the more you are likely to save and leave some as your travelling cash. Or, you can use the money to secure your ticket for the next Chinese New Year.

A short getaway is already a good unwind plan

2. Pay off credit cards

The sooner you start paying off your card, the sooner you can be free of debt in this Year of Monkey. It’s alright if you can’t settle the full amounts, you can still avoid it from snowballing and ease yourself with smaller debt.

Make getting out of card debts one of your new year resolutions

3. Go for self-improvement

It doesn’t have to be a degree course or some sorts, there are many short term programmes that you can do part time to develop new skills, for e.g. photography or make up. Go for self-improvement courses (or even books!) that are relevant to your career or interests and you’ll be happy to see how your ang pow money has benefited you.

It's never too late to learn, so let's get start
with your ang pow money

Source: blog.credit, blogroll.name, lifehack.org, pinterest,
 lbj, wyd2345, aliexpress

4. Invest in gold bars

If you really don’t intend to use the money now, you can save it, in a more tangible way – gold bar. Gold bar is a long time investment that needs no deep investing knowledge, and best of all, mostly appreciates over the time.

And you can find them all at Wah Chan. We have a great collection theme of 999 Pure Gold Bars that you might be interested to pick one for yourself...

2016 PAMP Suisse 999 Fine Monkey Gold Bar

999 Fine Gold Bar

999 Fine Gold Bar

... or your loved ones.

"For Parents" 999 Fine Gold Bar

"For Couple" 999 Fine Gold Bar

"For Kids" 999 Fine Gold Bar

11 Romantic Facts You Must Know Before You Buy A Gift This Valentine’s Day

In case you haven’t been picking up, here’s to remind you guys: Valentine’s is coming! This is the perfect time to show your partner how much you love them… or to declare your love to someone. So if you are running out of gift ideas now, why don’t you read these 11 romantic facts about Valentine’s and bingo, you might know what to give after this.

 Valentine’s flowers

1. Easy guess. Roses, especially the red ones. Every year, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day.

2. Not surprisingly, 73% of those who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, compared to only 27 percent women.

3. And why? Apparently because red always stands for strong romantic feelings. You agree?

Rose always work to melt the heart of women

Valentine’s cards

4. About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year. This makes it the second most popular day of the year for sending cards, after Christmas.

5. But not for sweethearts. The number one Valentine’s card recipient are tadaa… teachers!

6. Apart from the cards, Verona, a city in Italy, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine's Day. This is the home of Romeo and Juliet.

The most beloved during Valentine's... thank you teachers!

Valentine’s Day

7. This romantic day was first officiated in 1537, when England's King Henry VII declared Feb. 14 as the holiday of St. Valentine's Day.

8. In Japan, Valentine’s Day was first introduced in 1936. However on this day, only women buy chocolates as gifts for their lovers or crush. The men don’t return the favour until White Valentine’s Day on March 14.

Men and women can equally express their
love on Valentine's Day

Valentine’s sweets

9. The first Valentine’s Day heart-shaped chocolate box was invented in the late 1800s, by Richard Cadbury. Does the name ring a bell?

10. Yes, chocolate. More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for this romantic celebration. Every year.

Life is like a box of chocolates - happy, love, occasionally
bitter but mostly sweet

Valentine’s gifts

10. Women purchase 85% of all Valentine’s gifts. Besides boyfriends or spouses, they will also buy for their parents, kids, friends and even pets.

11. 220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine's Day each year.

Women are always generous in buying gift for those
they loved, especially on Valentine's Day

That’s right. But chill, guys. Besides proposal rings, there are a lot of other gifts you are sure to melt her heart this Valentine's. We have lined up a series of sweet jewellery suggestions for you here. Aren’t we lovely?

18k Rose Gold Diamond
Layered Necklace

18k White Gold Diamond 
Layered Necklace

18k White Gold Diamond Cuff Bangle

18k White Gold Diamond Cuff Bangle

Like us on Wah Chan's Official Facebook and share the romance with us. 

MUST READ: 6 LAST-MINUTE THINGS TO DO ON CHINESE NEW YEAR EVE

Time really flies and before you know, Chinese New Year is just a few days away. Many of us are preparing to balik kampung or even travelling. February 8, 2016, marks the first day of the Year of the Monkey, but before you throw yourself into celebrating, don’t forget this last-minute checklist we've prepared and you’ll usher in a prosperous year.

1. Clean up

Clean every corner of your home for one last time and then stow away your broom, mop, and vacuum. You don't want to sweep away your good fortune by using these tools on the first few day of Chinese New Year, right?

As the elders say, it is very unlucky to
sweep floor during Chinese New Year

2. Home decoration

In case you have not dress it up, don’t forget to grab a must-have pair of spring couplets or pretty blossoms during your last-minute shopping. Though looks simple, couplets and blossoms are significant as they express hopes of fortune and success to come in the New Year.

Plum blossoms are always a pretty
decoration to the corners of your home

3. Ang Pau

Receiving red packets or ang paus are the most exciting part in Chinese New Year, and you will have many chances to give and receive one, so don’t forget to prepare earlier. For each ang pau you give out, you are sharing blessings and happiness to each other.

Remember to stuff your red packets

4. Check on car

If you are driving home this season, make sure your car is ready for the trip ahead. Stay safe and drive safe!

A road trip is not fun if your car can't start

5. Settle debts

You still have time to settle any debts you owed to your friends and family members. They might need money during the festival season and you have just eased their pockets.

It's always good to start the new year without any debts

6. New clothes

Whether it is about traditions or you just want something new for the Spring Festival, you can still grab a piece or two on this day. No problem if you are not keen on the auspicious red, just make the day merrier other than black and white.

Buy a set of new clothes gives you optimism
to start the new year afresh

Source: blog.freepeople, driverweekly, huffingtonpost, pinterest, 
rickypai, thekitchn, todayonline, dishbydish, shopcoupons

Of course, with new clothes, you'll look even more charming when you put up one or two accessories. Without being overdo on your overall look, why don't match it with a few of these charms?

916 Yellow Gold Pineapple Charm

916 Yellow Gold Abundance Bucket Charm

916 Yellow Gold Abundance Fish Charm

916 Yellow Gold Wealthy Ingot Charm

916 Yellow Gold Exquisite Abascus Charm

Swing by our selected Wah Chan showrooms to mix and match your lucky charms today.