The Alley has just released their latest summer series consisting of two grape-licious drinks - Grape Yoghurt, a yoghurt beverage made with ice-blended fresh grapes and Greek yoghurt, and Snow Grape Lulu, a refreshing drink made with ice-blended fresh grapes, jasmine green tea and green tea jelly toppingFor the uninitiated, The Alley is a well-known and popular Taiwanese beverage chain founded in Taichung, Taiwan in 2013. Known for their delectable range of tea beverages concocted from premium, hand-harvested tea leaves, The Alley can be found in over 55 cities worldwide, including cities in USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Singapore.We dive down for a taste test so you know if they are worth queueing up for.1. Grape YoghurtAs the name suggests, this concoction is made by ice-blending fresh grapes, a generous serving of Greek yoghurt and green tea jelly topping. The result is a delicious blend of the sweetness of fresh, ripe grapes and the smooth and thick texture of Greek yoghurt. The blending green tea jelly topping is the icing on the cake by bringing to the table a QQ texture - perfect if you like to have something to chew on when enjoying your drink.Adding some Greek yoghurt to the inside of the cup for better visuals.Completing the drink with ice-blended grapes, Greek yoghurt and green tea jelly topping.We found this creation to be a marvelous blend of the sweetness of ripe grapes, and the tartness and creaminess of Greek yoghurt. The blended green tea jelly topping contributed with the aroma of tea and a tinge of bitterness. Truth be told, we really enjoyed this drink to the last sip.Recommendation: 5/5. Get it before it runs out!2. Snow Grape LuluThe Alley's Snow Strawberry Lulu has seen tremendous success, even gaining iconic status as one of the must-order drinks at The Alley. The new Snow Grape Lulu aims to build on that success, albeit with some minor differences this time.No longer is white peach oolong tea used as the base now, as it has been replaced by jasmine green tea. Ice-blended together with fresh grapes, green tea jelly topping and then topped with a layer of velvety Himalayan Salt Macchiato cream - this is one drink that comes jam-packed with flavours.Adding the layer of velvety Himalayan Salt Macchiato cream on top.A visually-pleasing beverage indeed.Ditch the straw, as you will want to sink your lips onto that layer of velvety and slightly salty Himalayan Salt Macchiato cream. Dive deeper and you'll find your lips getting hit soon with a icy cold blast from the grape-flavoured jasmine green tea concoction made from fresh grapes and premium tea leaves. Experience the saltiness from the macchiato cream, the sweetness from the grapes and the bitterness from the jasmine green tea all at once - you'll feel your worries from the day drifting away together with the vapour emitting from the ice-cold drink.The highlight to this drink is the balance of the heaviness of the Himalayan Salt Macchiato cream and the lightness of the jasmine green tea base - it kept us going for sip after sip.Recommendation: 5/5. If you prefer a slightly less sweet beverage, this is the one for you!Plenty of grape goodness in each cup.Overall verdict: The Alley's latest Grape Series provides a much-needed respite from the recent heat wave. Both drinks are refreshing, thirst-quenching and simply delicious. Prefer something sweet and tarty? Go for the Grape Yoghurt. Want to have a light drink but intersperse your sips with flavourful macchiato cream? Go for the Snow Grape Lulu. Note that these drinks are released on a limited basis so do grab them while stocks last! They are available at ALL outlets except for Jewel.This is an independent review brought to you by meREWARDS.Powered by Froala Editor

제주도에 가카마시? (che-ju-do-eh ga-ka-ma-shi, or "Shall we go to Jeju Island" in Jeju dialect)For those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the major cities, Jeju Island, known as one of the most relaxing spots in the whole of South Korea, provides the perfect escape with its stunning nature and picturesque landscapes. Formed by the eruption of an underwater volcano millions of years ago, it is also home to not one but three UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, Halla Mountain and Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak.There is a reason why over 3.45 million people (according to Jeju Tourism Association) have visited Jeju Island from January to April this year - other than its idyllic scenery, it represents the perfect healing spot for many South Koreans yearning to escape the pandemic fatigue, as well as to restore some semblance of normalcy back to their lives.Singaporeans looking forward to the same escape can now do so, as Scoot has recently announced their new non-stop flights from Singapore to Jeju Island - a first for both countries. Looking to get away from your monotonous daily routines and explore this island that is known for its natural wonders, good food and amazing hospitality? Look no further as we present you a local's guide to the best relaxation spots in Jeju Island. Ga ja! (Korean for "let's go")1. Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)Long considered one of South Korea's top scenic locations and one of Jeju Island's three UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites, Seongsan Ilchulbong is known to be the only hydromagmatic volcano in the world with a well-preserved tuff (ash that has weathered into rock) cone and diverse internal structures along a sea cliff. Hikers to the peak will be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the ocean, Udo Island, Halla Mountain, and the volcanic landscape of eastern Jeju Island.Catch the haenyeo, or female divers, in action as they dive 10m under the sea for a minute to gather sea produce such as shellfish and sea urchin, all without an oxygen tank. The culture of Jeju haenyeo has been inscribed in 2016 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Believe it or not, some of these divers are aged in their 80s and yet they still go diving on a daily basis!2. Hallasan (Halla Mountain)Not only is Hallasan the tallest peak in the whole of South Korea (and the second highest on the Korean peninsula, after Paektu Mountain of North Korea), it is also one of three sacred mountains in Korea where spiritual immortals were said to reside. Well-loved and respected by the people of Jeju Island, Hallasan is seen as a great pride and the spiritual home of the locals. In addition to being designated a National Park, it also carries titles such as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, South Korea's first UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site as well as being recognised as a Global Geopark. Quite the overachiever isn't it?3. Seopjikoji Coastal WalkLocated on the eastern end of Jeju Island, Seopjikoji is a combination of "narrow land" and "promontory" in Jeju dialect. What makes it different from the other coastal walks is that it is made up of a red volcanic ash called "scoria". During low tide, you can also see strange yet spectacular rock formations littered along the coast line. Come during spring and you can expect to see vast lands filled with canola flowers. Grab a selfie in the flower fields with the magnificent Seongsan Ilchulbong in the background - you won't get a better background in Jeju Island than this.4. Manjanggul (Manjang Lava Tube)The Manjang lava tube was formed thousands of years ago and remains in a very well-preserved state, making it a rarity in the world of lava tubes. Expect to see stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, lava tubes, lava shelves, and lava rafts as you move along the cave formations. The highlight at Manjang Lava Tube is the 7.6m high lava column at the end of the tourist zone, which also happens to be the world's highest lava column.5. Udo (Cow Island)Literally translating to "Cow Island", Udo is named as such because the locals thought it looked like a cow lying down. Udo is a lava plateau formed by basaltic lava and as such has fertile lands where some of Jeju Island's most famous exports like sweet potatoes, garlic and peanuts are produced. To get to Udo, you will need to take a ferry from Jeju Island's Jongdal or Seongsan Port, with the latter being the more widely used port.Udo is also one of the most visited spots in Jeju Island thanks to its beautiful scenery. To get around Udo, make use of the shuttle buses which will bring you to most of the attractions scattered around the island.6. Jeju Dongmun Traditional MarketNo visit to Jeju Island is complete without a visit to Dongmun Traditional Market, Jeju Island's largest and oldest traditional market. This is the place to go to if you are looking for local delicacies, produce and cute souvenirs. One item which tourists do not leave the place without is the Hallabong tangerine - probably the most famous type of Korean tangerine in the world. Resembling a gourd with its protruding stem, this oddly shaped tangerine contains crunchy pulp and is rich with sweet juice. Expect to find all kinds of food products with the Hallabong tangerine added to them. Some common ones include Hallabong tangerine flavoured chocolates, biscuits, coffee, Korean rice wine, the list is endless. 7. Jeongbang FallsJeongbang Waterfalls is one of the top three waterfalls in Jeju Island alongside Cheonjiyeon Falls and Cheonjeyeon Falls. What is special about it however, is that it is the only waterfall in South Korea where the water flows directly into the sea. This 23m waterfall is a sight to behold, with its steep cliffs and old pine trees lining the fall. Look for the ajummas (Korean for middle-aged lady) selling fresh seafood in their tents. Savour the freshness of these sashimi dishes while you take in the unspeakable beauty of the waterfall. There is a reason why Jeongbang Falls has been called one of the most beautiful spots in Jeju Island.8. Jeju Folk VillageOne of Jeju Island's main attractions, this is the place to go if you want to learn about Jeju folk village culture and the history of the island. The Jeju Folk Village showcases over 100 carefully-preserved houses and facilities that were once used by generations of people. When you are there, take part in activities such as traditional games, making of traditional crafts such as pottery and wood carving, or even horse-riding!9. O'sulloc Green Tea FieldIf you have not heard of O'sulloc by now, you may have to get out and explore your neighbourhood supermarkets just a little bit more. O’sulloc is the largest producer of tea in South Korea, and all their four tea gardens are located on Jeju Island (due to its subtropical climate). As you might have already read by now, Jeju Island was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption, and the island's volcanic soil has a special texture that filters underground water tremendously well. Coupled with the ideal climate and sufficient rainfall, these resulted in cleaner tea leaves which are well-loved by tea connoisseurs from all around the world.There is also a O’sulloc Tea Museum & Tea Roastery where you can learn about the history of tea drinking in Korea or shop from the mind-blowing wide range of green tea products such as premium loose-leaf teas, blended teas, herb teas, tea lattes, tea cocktails, soft serve and other souvenirs. 10. Jeju LovelandRemember, this is NOT A THEME PARK FOR THE KIDS. According to their own words, this sex-themed sculpture park is "where eroticism and sexuality join together". Be prepared to be greeted by countless sculptures in all kinds of imaginable love-making positions, phallic sculptures in more shapes and sizes than you can imagine, and sexual artwork decorating every crook and cranny. It is also one of the few theme parks where admission is till midnight. Do note that there is an admission fee of KRW12,000, or roughly $13.50.Whether or not this location can help with your relaxation, we shall leave that up to you.Looking for more travel guides? Check out our section on Travel Stories here for all exciting places to check out from around the world!This is an independent article brought to you by meREWARDS.Powered by Froala Editor

We have all heard of PRISM+.Established in 2017, the company took Singapore and beyond by storm with its range of affordable yet high-quality range of OLED smart TVs and gaming monitors. Its release of the inexpensive X315 and X340 gaming monitors featuring a high refresh rate and curved screens propelled the brand to the back of many consumers' minds.Fast forward to 2022, PRISM+ is back to wow consumers with its first foray into the speakers market. The company released their Flow and Symphony soundbars in March this year, each targeted at different audience segments.Get the rundown of the soundbars below.1. SymphonyFor consumers looking to complete their TV setup with the addition of a sound system, the 5.1.2-channel Symphony soundbar, measuring at only 1,200 x 108 x 70mm, will deliver an immersive audial experience with its Dolby Atmos audio, or in Dolby's own words “the most significant development in cinema audio since surround sound".Imagine yourself sitting in the middle of a dome, and this dome consists of up to 400 speakers. The technology behind Dolby Atmos can create up to 118 simultaneous sound objects, each movable across the speakers surrounding the dome. What you get is an immersive audial experience rich in details, depth and clarity, giving you the impression that you are also physically in the scene of the movie you are watching. While it is hard to have up to 400 speakers at home, what the 11-speakers Symphony soundbar can do is to fire sounds upwards towards your ceiling for it to be reflected down to your ears, creating a pseudo-overhead effect. Sounds cool indeed. This also means that it is important not to have anything blocking the top of the soundbar.The Symphony soundbar and its subwoofer.2. FlowThe Flow, measuring 890 x 82 x 58mm, is targeted at consumers looking for speakers to complete their desktop or bedroom setup. Unlike the Symphony, the 2.1-channel Flow supports Dolby Audio, a digital audio coding technique that reduces the amount of data required to produce high quality sound. The Flow is suitable for consumers on a budget. It is priced at only $269, making it one of the more affordable speakers and subwoofer set around.The Flow soundbar and its subwoofer.Both the Symphony and Flow come with their own 8" wireless subwoofers (no wires, no tangles!) and support Bluetooth 5.0, USB input, S/PDIF optical input and come with 5 calibrated audio profiles, each optimised to the content you are watching. They are priced at $269 for Flow and $699 for Symphony. You can order them though PRISM+'s online store here.Wait that is not all! If you are a meREWARDS member, collect your exclusive promo code here for an additional $30 OFF a minimum spend of $300. Good things come to those who read to the end of articles indeed. Powered by Froala Editor