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Who are the Betel Nutters

The Betel Box Backpackers Hostel & Tours is run by a team of dedicated and talented young people who are passionate about Singapore.

 

SINGAPORE EXPERIENCE AWARDS 2009 - BEST TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

  Singapore Best Experience

9 Nov 2009, Betel Box was named the winner of 2009 Singapore Experience Award, in the Best Travel Experience category.

The Singapore Experience Awards is organised by the Singapore Tourism Board and is the most prestigious award in the Singapore Tourism landscape.

Of the 24,000 nominations, Betel Box is the only backpackers specific travel organisation to make it to the finals and subsequently also to win! (Click to read more of the Singapore Experience Awards)

  

 

Current Team:

Former Teamsters: Michelle, Max, Selina, Joyce, Sam, Xinmin, Kai, Claes, Tey, Vivienne, Camilia, XueLun, Ding, Steven, Jacq, Leslie, Toon Jim, Diana, Ricky, Robert, Wendy, TK, Lyn, TJ.

Founders: The Betel Box Hostel was started by Mark and Tony.

 

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Justin See

1) Hobbies:

Always living at the edge of life.. i like extreme sports... I love the great outdoor..

2) My Tour:

Pulau Ubin, an island located at Eastern part of Singapore, where you find no tall buildings, but traditional houses made of zinc roof and wooden walls..

I m doing the Nature Walk Tour where i convert the legs into wheels...
I will bring guests around parts of the island, using bikes that can be rent on the island.

3) I like the hostel because:

Its just like home.. everyone in the hostel treats each other like brothers and sisters..
There are alot of laughters, and fun... simply ... A HOME AWAY FROM HOME...

4) Memorable Experience in the Hostel:

Although hostel is like a home to me... its also a party ground..
Having a lot of people sitting together, drinking beers and liquor, sharing travelling experiences, their life experiences, etc... and playing pools, playstation..

Just So Comfortable..

 

Top 10 must do in Singapore:

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YingChan

Q: What place/activity that you think is fun that travellers know little about?
National Service is compulsory for all male Singaporeans.
Every Sunday night, the new army recruits gathering at one of the MRT stations (Pasir Ris MRT Station) to be back in camp is quite a sight.

Q: What are the bargains buys in Singapore? 
Peninsula Plaza, Sim Lim Square & Funan The Digital Mall are some places for photography equipments.

Q: What are your memories of Old Katong?
As a child, I swam regularly at Katong Swimming Complex. As a student, I shopped at Katong Shopping Centre for cheap school uniforms, and also for cheap KTV singing sessions.
My family get occasional treats to yummy seafood in one of the seafood restaurants along East Coast Park.

Q: When you are away from Singapore, what do you miss?
The "la's" and "lor's" I add end after every Singlish sentence, and the 80-cents coffee sold in local coffee shops. The only type of coffee I drink with milk!!

Q: What is the craziest thing you have done in your life? 
I'm in love with train travel; There's something romantic about rails compared to other modes of transportation. The time spent between two destinations often offers the most captivating sights and sounds, and sometimes, even teach me a lesson or two.

My first train ride to Shanghai where my earrings got ripped of my ear (why did I bother to dress up?!), first train ride without a seat for 25hrs in China is a test of endurance (how did I even managed that?!).

In India, on my first unreserved third class seat to Varanasi, India, I snag a seat faster than the locals!

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Desiree

Q: What place/activity that you think is fun that travelers know little about?
For all filmbuffs, sinema old school. A one-screen theatre located in what used to be a school, hence the name, that screens predominantly local and asian short and feature-length films. Go there for a taste of the local film scene (most of the local films are publicly screened here exclusively). Don't miss the little shop downstairs that sells DVDs, posters and t-shirts of previously screened films as well as awesome nostalgic snacks of yesteryear that Singaporeans grew up on. No popcorn or Johnny Depp here!

Q: What are the bargains buys in Singapore?
i'm a great fan of flea markets because you never know what great finds await you. After all, one man's junk is another man's treasure. Here are some of my favorite (dusty) haunts:

1. Thieves' Market - Sungei Road, everyday. Everything from vintage goods to collectibles to old bicycles at a steal, no pun intended.
2. MAAD (Market of Artists and Designers) - Red Dot Design Museum at Maxwell Road, first weekend of every month. The only place to find original local artwork and crafts in a fleamarket atmosphere, although not necessarily at fleamarket prices lah. Also an exhibition and performance space for artists!
3. Zouk Flea Market - Zouk, Jiak Kim Street, once every 3 months on a Sunday. Although rare, if you happen to be in town when it happens you should definitely check it out. The only flea market held in a club, the crowd's very "happening" with the reputation of frequent celebrity sightings. Some celebrities even set up stalls! Here's the place to get 2nd hand designer stuff and really great pieces for cheap.

Q: What are your memories of Old Katong?
Honestly I only really started exploring this part of Singapore since I started working at the hostel, but growing up I always associated Katong as the place with tons of good food and quaint shophouses, which are a real breath of fresh air in a city with so many tall buildings and so little space. I soon discovered that there's a lot more to this district than food and pretty buildings, like the history behind the cultures mingled here.

Q: When you are away from Singapore, what do you miss?
1. Clichéd, I know, but it's got to be THE FOOD. There's nothing Singaporean about the "Singaporean Noodles" on menus I've seen abroad, reallyyy.
2. The WEATHER. Seasons are fun, you get to have fun shopping for scarves and..earmuffs? But I like being able to wear flipflops whenever, wherever, and love love love the sun.
3. Singlish lah! When I hear someone mutter "Where got people put so many stickers on their luggage one?" while waiting for my luggage at changi airport, I know I'm home.

Q: What is the craziest thing you have done in your life? 
Craziest thing that's happened to me..probably getting thrown off my psychotic camel in the middle of a sandstorm in a desert in China. One of the craziest things i've done..impulsively gatecrashing a med school practical in a borrowed labcoat, ending up watching the dissection of 12 corpses in different parts of the body up close, all the while praying the professors don't call on me to answer questions and trying hard not to throw up. I couldn't eat meat for months after that.

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LEONG WOON


Q: What place/activity that you think is fun that travelers know little about?
A: The Changing of Guards Ceremony at the Istana.

Happens every first Sunday of the month, from Hereen Orchard, the new guards march down from Orchard Road to the Istana. Along with the ceremony is the display by the precision drill squad of the Singapore Military Police. A traffic stopping activity not to be missed.

Q: What are the bargains buys in Singapore?
A: I'm not a fan of shopping. However, when I do shop, I usually get my bargains from the annual 8 weeks Great Singapore Sale, fairs; like IT Fair and Comex and Pasar Malam; a night market where cluster of itinerant stalls offer food, drinks and inexpensive products. Not forgetting festival sales; like Hari Raya and Chinese New Year and the occasional flea markets.  

But one permanent location that I would normally patronize is the Army Market at Beach Road. It's my one stop place for camping gear, army needs and backpacking desires. 

Q: What are your memories of Old Katong?
A: I remember Joo Chiat Complex as an immigration centre like present day Lavender's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Being a male and eligible for National Service, I would have to go Joo Chiat Complex and get my passport renewed every time I need to leave the country.

Old man would set up tables near the immigration office and for a small fee help you to fill up application forms. Moreover, being a shopping complex, my trip to Joo Chiat Complex is like a family outing each time.

Q: When you are away from Singapore, what do you miss?
A: I miss my chicken rice with its chill sauce from Eunos coffee shop.

Q: What is the craziest thing you have done in your life?
A: There are many crazy things that I have done; like walk for 65km in 20hrs without training, backpack alone and the list go on. But the craziest thing I have done so far is couchsurf with strangers while abroad.

My top 10, in no preference order:

My hobbies:

I enjoy being part of basically anything under the sun or moon; soccer, cycling, swimming, waterpolo, kayaking, hiking and camping.

I also enjoy a game of international and Chinese chess, computer games, reading comics and watching movies. 

My Tour:

Singapore Formula 1 Tour - Be a part of History. My tour takes you through the circuit; showcasing the sights, the excitement and the accidents before, during and after the F1 weekend.

I like the hostel because:

I'm a person who isn't suited for a cubicle job. I enjoy interacting with people. Moreover, being a student of tourism, Betelbox Hostel presented me an opportunity to do just that. The hostel has allowed me to broaden my horizons and interact with people of different nationalities.

Memorable experience in the hostel:

It has got to be all the late nights I spend at the hostel. Hostel becomes alive when the sun sets. The chats with guests, the beer drinking and the record breaking dares of cup noodles. It's just too much to share in one paragraph. Join us and experience it yourself. 

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The Founders:

 

The Betel Box Hostel was started by Mark and Tony. To give you some background of why the Hostel was set up and what are our core beliefs, we posed 5 questions to them.

About Mark Holleman
About Tony Tan

 

About Mark Holleman

Mark Holleman, a Dutch national, has spent the last 9 years living, studying and working in London. Mark has spent a lot of time backpacking all over the world; his first big backpacking trip was in 1998 when he spent about a year backpacking through Australia and Central and South America.

His second big trip was in 2002, when Mark decided to quit his job back in London and to take off for Asia, spending 9 months travelling through India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

It was during this last trip that Mark visited Singapore several times and that he realised that there was no decent backpacker accommodation in Singapore. The existing backpacker or budget hotels were cheap for a good reason!

This is how the idea of the Betel Box Backpacker Hostel started...

Betel Nut Mark

Q1: How are you fitting in?
Mark: Singaporeans are very friendly people and I have felt at home right from the beginning. This is not really a surprise, because Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures, races and religions, so Singaporeans are used to hanging out with all sorts of people.

It took some time for me to get used to the weather though; I have always wanted to live in a warm and exotic country, but I had never experienced living and working in such a warm and humid place. But I am getting there...

Q2: What are your favourite memories of living in Singapore?
Mark: It has to be the food (I am starting to sound like a Singaporean already)! There are so many different dishes, types of cuisines, deserts, snacks and drinks; it will take me years to try it all out! My favourites would have to be nasi padang (you should try the nasi padang at Hajjah Mona Nasi Padang in the Geylang Serai Market, it is amazing) sambal stingray, satay, dim sum and lemon chicken. My favourite drink has to be ice cold sugar cane juice!

Q3: What is the must-do item if you are showing a friend around in Singapore?
Mark: The list is long...try every type of food, having a look around the various stalls in the Geylang Serai Market, walking around Little India, having an ice cold beer at Ice Cold Beer on Emerald Hill, attending a bird singing competition, admiring the largest collection of exotic birds I have ever seen at Jurong Birdpark...

Q4: What do you do in your spare time?
Mark: If the spare time is short, I am likely to go out! I love living outdoors and in Singapore, I can dine and drink outside any time of the year!

My main interests are scuba diving and for photography and Asia is the perfect place for it. Now that I am based in Singapore, I am right smack in the middle of all the action and within easy reach of some of the most spectacular destinations!

Q5: What are your goals for the hostel?
Mark: Although there are many fun and interesting sights and attractions, Singapore is a small place. However, Singapore is an ideal place to spend some time taking a break from travelling around and is like a travel hub for Southeast Asia; from Singapore, you can easily reach a number of destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak) and Indonesia.

My goals for the hostel are to create a comfortable place where travellers can relax for a while and which travellers can use as a base for exploring Southeast Asia.

Write to Mark

 

About Tony Tan

Tony Tan has spent the majority of the last 10 years away from Singapore mainly in England, Australia and Scotland. After yet another UK winter in 2002, he decided that enough is enough, he needs the sun, food and smiles, and, packed his bag homeward bound.

Betel Nut Tony

Q1: How are you fitting in?
Tony: The adjustment coming back to Singapore wasn't as bad as I thought. For the first 6 months, I did feel like a tourist, amazed at what has changed, but these days I feel just at home!

Q2: What are your favourite memories of living in Singapore?
Tony: For the first 9 years of my life, I was living on my grandmother's farm in Serangoon Gardens. I remember idylic school holidays with my cousins building rafts from banana trees and fishing in the pond filled with water hyacinths. The street (more like a dirt track) was lined with durian and rambutan trees and aunties would warn of pontianaks (Malay version of vampire) that prey on children and hide in the trees so that we will not continue playing in the dark. I really cherish that part of my life.

Q3: What is the must-do item if you are showing a friend around in Singapore?
Tony: It really depends on what the person likes doing but my favourites are Pulau Ubin, heritage district walks around Little India or Chinatown and hawker centre tours in one of the satellite towns.

I feel that Singapore has alot to offer to the backpacker. My style of travelling is more about meeting people and seeing how they actually live. Ironically, travellers to Singapore often never wander into one of the towns. Over 80% of people in Singapore live in high-rise apartments and HDB (Housing Development Board) built estates. Each town is self-sufficient catering for the needs of the families living there. Most importantly, these housing estates are the total opposite of council estates in UK.

This unique living environment is something that most travel guides do not even suggest as interesting but I do recommend travellers to try it our for themselves. Spend a couple of hours there, see the local shops with its strange mix of produce, have a meal at the town centre hawker centre, visit the library and surf the net for free, chill with the retirees that play chess and checkers for hours on the void decks. (Void decks are open spaces at the ground level of HDB apartment blocks). This is the way that real Singaporeans live.

With modernisation and urbanisation, its unfortunate that most travellers would only remember Singapore as a concrete jungle. However, don't just follow what the guide books say. If you want to see primary rain forest, try a hike through Bukit Timah Hill. Or, check out the beautiful and protected white Malayan Cranes at Sungei Buloh. And if you want to see how Singapore was in the 1960s, take a day break and go to Pulau Ubin where you can see how "progress" has not really affected everyone.

Q4: What do you do in your spare time?
Tony: I scuba dive and cycle. Diving in Singapore is actually not as boring as some divers make it out to be. No doubt the visibility is poor due to the rich soil sendiments, however, if you take it slow, you can see turtles, clown fishes, sting rays and eels. I remember my first open water dive some 6 years ago at Pulau Hantu, we even saw a dugong!

Being a cyclist, battling the traffic is my major gripe. Depending on the type of cycling you do, there are still some places you should sample. For off-road riding, hire a bike at Pulau Ubin jetty and roam free through the jungle tracks where you can still come across wild boars and other strange creatures. Roadies will be pretty bored in Singapore as this is a small country but the East Coast parkway stretch to Changi Village is scenic with broad views of the sea.

Q5: What are your goals for the hostel?
Tony: Singapore is really a small space but its at the right location where travellers can meet moving between continents. I really want to create a community space, not just virtually but in terms of location where travellers can drop by and share stories.

I hope that the kind of travellers we attract will reinforce our community efforts to retain our physical, natural and cultural heritage.

Write to Tony

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