Map of Pasir Ris Park BBQ Pits 1 to 23

Map of Pasir Ris Park BBQ Pits 1 to 23

This request for information (and other similar requests) on the BBQ Pits available at Pasir Ris Park was sent to me by e-mail.

There is a detailed Nparks map (above) available on the comprehensive National Parks Board website. When you go online to book the bbq pits, you can choose to view the pit locations before your booking.

I've found another map (above) of the BBQ pit locations at Pasir Ris Park car park A. This copy of the map has been photographed and reproduced here.

To answer M T's question, the nearest BBQ pit at Pasir Ris Park to Downtown East is Pit Number 23. But don't worry, pits 16 to 23 are close together.

I think you can throw barbecued chicken wings from pit number 16 and still hit your target at pit 23 [unless (1) you can't throw, (2) you don't aim, (3) target moves or (4) you rather save your chicken wing for yourself].

For other readers' benefit, you will be pleased to know that wheelchairs can use the cycling / walking paths from Downtown East all the way to the track next to the BBQ pits.

The final few metres off the track to your BBQ pit stone seats, however, require more assistance to overcome as the grass patches are bumpy.

You can see what I mean in the above photograph. This is a shot of BBQ pits from number 1 (in the far back ground where users are gathered) to number 8 (on the left of the picture) at Pasir Ris Park. [Sorry, no picture of pits 9 to 23.]

Perhaps Nparks will consider paving them for wheelchair use as well.

Read more:

a) Topographical maps of Singapore at Seen This Scene That.
b) BBQ-related questions and answers.

Have a pleasant and enjoyable barbecue!

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Koi Garden In Singapore

Picture: Koi Garden at Suntec City, Singapore.

Koi Garden In Singapore

The Koi Garden is one of my favourite places at Singapore's Suntec City. The best time to visit this Koi Garden for me is after dark when the lights come on and without a hungry stomach searching for dinner.

Picture: Star-struck visitors at Koi Garden

This body of water is filled with plus-sized Japanese carps that seem to radiate health. Their scales glisten in the spotlight with delightful hues as they swim gracefully in the shallow pond.

Visitors are a common sight around the edge of the pond. Excited shouts, pointed fingers and gleeful smiles occur frequently when a new cohort of passers-by arrives.

Somehow, the fishes in the Koi Garden with pretty landscaping and soothing rhythm of flowing water exert a therapeutic effect.

As we live in a concrete jungle squashed by human traffic almost everywhere, I am sure many souls would require more such spaces to make the journey through life a little more bearable.

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Marina Reservoir at Marina Barrage: Singapore's Newest City Reservoir

Picture of Marina Barrage by the Marina Reservoir.

Marina Reservoir at Marina Barrage: Singapore's Newest City Reservoir

With the formation of Marina Barrage, Marina Bay has been turned into Marina Reservoir, Singapore's newest and youngest reservoir. The newly built Marina Barrage of Marina Reservoir has thus turned into the latest must-see attraction for Seen This Scene That.

To acquaint myself with this newest reservoir in the city, I brought my family of five for a visit to the hippest attraction in town at the Marina Barrage recently.

Located at 260, Marina Way in Marina South, the Marina Barrage is built on a far-flung patch of reclaimed land. To drive to Marina Barrage is not exactly a walk in the park, what with road diversions, land construction and high heavy-vehicle buzz along the roads. Fortunately, the property’s physical isolation meant fewer visitors to compete for free lots at the only car park on its premises. For those who do not drive, I believe there are shuttle buses at the car park waiting half-hourly to bring visitors from Marina Bay MRT Station.

Compared to older reservoirs like MacRitchie Reservoir or Upper Seletar Reservoir, I found this new Singapore dam and its reservoir different in many ways.

At ground level upon my arrival at the Marina Barrage, the obvious difference is the presence of massive concrete. There is little feel of a green vibrant park, although pockets of shrubbery exist. I would soon find out on exploring the area that the Marina Barrage takes after the form of our city, purpose-built to perfection.

One standout theme is the dedication and detail put into building the Marina Barrage in order to create the Marina Reservoir. To construct the Marina Barrage, plenty of engineering oomph was required because of the width and depth of the Marina Bay outlet. The Marina Barrage, with the Marina Bridge across it, is a highly sophisticated dam constructed across Marina Channel near the mouth of the Marina Bay. Complicated parts that work magic on this high-tech dam remain hidden in the bowels of an adjacent building.

According to PUB, the purpose-built Marina Barrage has three functions: for water supply, for flood control and as a lifestyle attraction.

The reservoir water in the Marina Basin is expected to turn into fresh water after a year or two. When that happens, more drinking water will be released for public use.

Marina Barrage prevents flooding as far upriver as Chinatown, Boat Quay and Geylang by regulating the water level in the Marina Reservoir with state-of-the-art technologies.

The recreational function of the Marina Barrage is of interest to me. In fact, it is the main reason I am at the 15th reservoir of Singapore. Most of the fun activities at the Marina Barrage occur outside the waters of the Marina Reservoir, unless you count the bumboat rides on the Marina Basin that are available for sight-seers keen to explore more of Marina Reservoir.

I think the obligatory recreational activity for all visitors to the Marina Barrage must be to walk along the 350-metre long dam (Marina Bridge) and then do a U-turn for the return stroll. I suggest you check out the east abutment where the boat hoist and access ramp are, especially when there are boats transported into or out of the Marina Basin.

The dam possesses nine tent-like shelters or piers that face the city skyline. Seats are available for romantic couples or families out for a picnic to gather under these pavilions to enjoy sunset views of our Central Business District. Just choose one and snap all the photos that your family album requires.

Picture of CBD night scene across the Marina Reservoir from the Marina Bridge.

The scenery around the 350-metre-long Marina Barrage has distinctive facades. On one side of the Marina Barrage, the view consists of built-up scenery of Singapore's commercial space like no other local reservoir. On the opposite side of the Marina Barrage, the open sea, dotted by ocean-going vessels, is laid bare. To top it off, 360-degree views of Marina South and beyond are afforded at the rooftop of the new Marina Barrage building.

Picture: Green rooftop of Marina Barrage.

Inside this Marina Barrage building, I found unique features not seen at other reservoirs in Singapore.

For instance, the Sustainable Singapore Gallery is a museum-like exhibition space with interactive multi-media tools that educate and engage visitors. The sloping green rooftop, with its 405 solar panels and weird geometric shape, is an excellent place at the Marina Barrage to breathe fresh air and enjoy city scenes. Large glass walls reveal the innards of the water pump station that should intrigue visitors who like to learn about the technical workings of the Marina Barrage. Food and beverage shop spaces were available but at the time of my visit, not all F&B establishments were ready for business.

While other reservoirs in Singapore have the standard-looking neighbourhood children’s playground, the Marina Barrage offers the newest children’s playground of a different kind. Jets of water spout from hidden holes on the floor of the Water Playground to delight happy children. Illuminated by colourful lighting, these water fountain displays provide entertainment for adults as well who visit the Marina Barrage in the evenings.

Although older reservoirs in Singapore have designated fishing spots, Marina Reservoir has none. Fishing enthusiasts will have to wait until Public Utilities Board (PUB) designates the proper sites for fishing (if any) at the Marina Reservoir. In the meantime, there is plenty of space for sea-water fishing along the banks of Marina South, just next to the car park at the Marina Barrage.

I hope that in the future, there will be guided nature walks around the Barrage for visitors curious to know if there are fauna and flora in a city reservoir. For now, the only guided tours are those conducted inside the Sustainable Singapore Gallery.

What I saw of the immediate surroundings beyond the Marina Barrage did not impress. Perhaps when the world-class Gardens By The Bay project is completed, the aesthetic factor of the its neighbours would rise above the concrete peaks achieved at Marina Barrage that created Singapore’s newest city reservoir.

More details at PUB's Marina Reservoir / Marina Barrage site.

My posts, map, photograph on Marina Barrage, Marina Reservoir.

See more places. Live more life.

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Dinosaur (T-Rex) In Singapore

Picture: Animatronic Model of A Dinosaur At Singapore Science Centre.

Dinosaur (T-Rex) In Singapore

I saw this dinosaur exhibit near the main entrance to the Singapore Science Centre. It is a life-sized animatronic model of a dinosaur, the T-Rex (Tyrannosaurus) and an advertisement for "Dinosaurs Alive" I-Max movie which has ended its run.

The Tyrannosaurus, or T-Rex, was the largest-ever flesh eating land animal & believed to be capable of running up to 40 km/h. Tyrannosaurus is the most famous dinosaur of all dinosaurs.

Picture of T-Rex: Movie Star, Dinosaur and Carnivore.

This dinosaur has shared top billing in many dinosaur movies such as Jurassic Park, King Kong and T-Rex, Back to the Cretaceous. The dinosaur's arms, though short and small, relative to its body, is thought to be capable of lifting weights of 270kg! The mouth, with gigantic sharp teeth, was the most feared and fascinating part of the T-Rex's anatomy.

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Life In A Fish Bowl

Life In A Fish Bowl

This Singapore Science Centre exhibit is called 'Life In A Fish Bowl'.

Instead of seeing fishes swim in a glass bowl with the usual aquarium decor, I see fishes swirling around in a spherical room that is filled with cozy trappings of someone's home: a fireplace, sofa, round table, wardrobe cupboard and tiled flooring. There is a cat, presumably a pet, resting inside this room.

This exhibit is called a Termesphere. If you close an eye and observe the Termesphere rotate, you will note some interesting effects. The Singapore Science Centre information board explains that this illusion is created by fitting a six point perspective on a sphere.

Besides teaching science with this exhibit, I wonder if there is a deeper comment. Are the fishes representative of mankind? Are we behaving like these fishes, keeping routine within our own boundaries?

See more places. Live more life.

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Fun Places To Explore Singapore

Fun Places To Explore Singapore
I am thinking of fun places to explore in Singapore for the year-end school holidays. The usual places for shopping and eating in Singapore have become jaded, lack pizzazz and the fun x-factor. Could Explore Singapore! 2008 be the answer to my search for a different place to explore that’s fun, new and family-friendly?

I looked through the list of 80 fun activities and 27 places to explore in the National Heritage Board’s Explore Singapore! 2008 (Let’s Have Fun). These Explore Singapore! events start on 20 November 2008 and stretch until 7 December 2008.

These are my preliminary short-list of fun places to explore in the Explore Singapore.

1) HungryGoWhere.com Big Eat Out!
I think I might join Mark Lee, Singapore’s likeable celebrity comedian, for a special personalized tour of the Peranakan Museum on 22 November 2008 from 2pm to 3pm. I’m planning to see what witty humour he has up his sleeves during his Mandarin presentation as a museum guide.

I may also take the opportunity to sample tasty cholesterol-laden hawker food like the Hill Street Char Kway Teow or the Hock Lam Street Beef Noodles in the name of Supporting Heritage from the 30 stalls at the Flea Market.

Hopefully can sit next to Mark Lee to see if he picks his teeth like in his Ah Beng persona or if he clears his plates like a good celebrity role model. If I miss the chance to meet him, perhaps I’ll check out the cale-fare face painter and balloon artists present on that day as back-up entertainment for my kids and I.

Date: 22 November 2008
Place: Peranakan Museum
Discounted museum admission: $2 per person (Usual: Adult: $6, Concession: $3)

2) Wrap! Festival
I think the must-see mouth-watering attraction at the Wrap! Festival must be the fun-filled drumming performance by the world-famous Nanta from Korea. Integrating Korean traditional drumbeats into a western-style pop concert, NANTA bursts on stage into a kitchen where four cooks are preparing a wedding banquet. While cooking, they transform kichen items like pots, pans, dishes, knives, chopping board, water bottles, even brooms and each other into percussion instruments. The NANTA show has toured 250 cities in over 30 countries and was the first production from Korea to run on Broadway in New York.

Other cultural shows that deserve my support include a Dikir Barat performance and groovy music by Jack and Rai from EIC. I believe my kids will also have loads of fun watching a magic show by magician Jeremy Pei. Elsewhere at the Wrap! Festival, a bouncing castle, face painting and balloon twisters should keep my family entertained.

Date: 7 December 2008
Place: Asian Civilisations Museum
Fees: Discounted Museum Admission: $2 per person (Usual: Adult: $8, Concession: $4)
Inclusive of a special magic show in the galleries at 2.30 pm.
Desserts sold separately.

3) Nostalgic Fun at Sentosa
I may also consider bringing my children to Sentosa, Imbiah Lookout place for hours of fun. It would be useful to acquaint us on how to play traditional games like dragon beard, ice balls, gasing (spinning tops) and goli (marbles). Family bonding will benefit when we play Pick-up Sticks, Snakes & Ladders and Happy Family.

Date: 20 November 2008 to 8 December 2008
Place: Sentosa Imbiah Lookout
Fee: Free

4) Magic: Science of Illusion Exhibition
Another worthwhile place to visit for a day of fun would be at the Singapore Science Centre to learn about magic and the science of illusion. I’ve always been curious to learn the secrets of magic tricks and magic shows featuring levitation, disembodiment and mind reading. This would be a great time to pick up the answers to these magical secrets, especially when there’s a discounted rate during the Explore Singapore! Promotion.

Place: Science Centre Singapore
Promotion valid from 22 Nov–7 Dec
Adult: $7, Child: $5 (Usual: Adult: $9, Child: $7)
Discounted rates upon presenting the Explore Singapore! Brochure for up to 5 persons per brochure.

5) Superheroes Rock!
At my previous visit to the 8Q SAM, I wrote about how Batman, the superhero, could not attract my kids to visit the museum. Looking at the Singapore Philatelic Museum’s effort to teach science from Superheros like Batman (again) and Spiderman (new hero to my kids), perhaps I should consider recommending this place to my kids. The fun activities that they offer like deciphering codes, looking for clues and escaping the laser maze may just be enough to convince them to visit.

Date: 2 December 2008
Time: 2pm to 6.30pm
Place: Singapore Philatelic Museum
Fees: $45 per child (age 8-10)

There are many other wonderful activities and events to suit many interests at Explore Singapore! 2008. The complete NHB’s Explore Singapore! 2008 details are on the web.

The ‘thinking’ part is now done. I should start to arrange for the ‘doing’.

See more places. Live more life.

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Defence TechX 2008: I-Hawk Surface-to-Air Missile

Picture: Defence TechX 2008 Outdoor Exhibit At Singapore Science Centre.

Defence TechX 2008: I-Hawk Surface-to-Air Missile Defence System On Display

As a parent who had completed 2.5 years of full time NSF duty, 7 years of high-key NSman (reservist) duty and 3 years of low-key NSman (reservist) service, I could not resist bringing my family to take a look at the outdoor exhibits of Defence TechX 2008 recently.

This opportunity arose when we were at the Singapore Science Centre for a visit. Defence TechX 2008 was a free exhibition for the public to discover and experience how defence science and technology was leveraged as a force multiplier to deliver cutting-edge capabilities to the Singapore Armed Forces.

By the time we were done exploring the Singapore Science Centre exhibits, the main indoor exhibition of Defence TechX in the Annex Building of the Singapore Science Centre had shut down for the evening.

We could only squint at the heavy-duty vehicles and weapon systems under uneven lights that were parked outside the Annex.

Picture: Defence TechX 2008's I-Hawk Surface-to-Air Missile System.

The most impressive display at Defence TechX was the upgraded I-Hawk Surface-to-Air Missile System. For those who are not familiar with a SAM, this I-Hawk Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System is used for low-to-medium-level air defence to shoot down unfriendly flying objects.

For military techies out there, the I-Hawk comprises a Fire Control Post, Phase Improvement Program III High Power Illuminated target acquisition radar and two launchers. The system is digitised for greater reliability, survivability, situational awareness and firepower. It is capable of performing simultaneous engagements of multiple targets.

More technical data on its performance:
Technical name: PIP III Remote Engaement Section Fire Unit
Range: 40 km
Height: 19 km
Maximum speed of missle: Mach 2.7 (2.7 times the speed of sound)
Single shot kill probability: 85%
Guidance: Semi-active homing

More details can be obtained from Defence TechX 2008 Exhibition website. The exhibition started on 7 November 2008 and ended on 11 November 2008.

See more places. Live more life.

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Kinetic Garden, Singapore Science Centre

Kinetic Garden, Singapore Science Centre

Children looking for a free outdoor garden to play and to learn would jump for joy on discovering the Kinetic Garden at the Singapore Science Centre. The high-tech children's playground is a hotbed of scientific learning in a fun-filled outdoor environment at No. 15, Science Centre Road, off Jurong Town Hall Road.

The Kinetic Garden grew out of a S$2.5 million investment by the Singapore Science Centre to teach the relationships between scientific principles and phenomena which would otherwise be impossible or difficult to create in an indoor setting.

I saw children and even adults attempting to interact with the various Singapore Science Centre exhibits at the 7000 square metre Kinetic Garden. There was also a 200 seater amphitheatre within the Kinetic Garden with a pavilion, but at the time of my visit, there wasn't any outdoor science demonstrations or performances to entertain my children.

In any case, we were not short on entertainment as there were many attractive exhibits at the Kinetic Garden. A few of these exhibits outside the Singapore Science Centre facade caught our undivided attention.

The bright red lips of the Echo Tube was one of these attractions at the Kinetic Garden. We could not resist calling out into the tube to listen to our eerie echoes. The bounce of sound waves as they reflected off the sides and closed-end tube to return back to our ears brought a strange whine.

The Sculpture of the Impossible Triangle was another engaging exhibit. Through a peep hole, your eyes get deceived into seeing a triangle but from other angles, no amount of imagination would turn that disjointed sculpture into such a triangular sculpture.

Other interesting exhibits included the Energy Machine, the Water Maze, the Sundial and the Solar Fountain. These attractions at the Kinetic Garden of the Singapore Science Centre are learning exhibits that are best experienced on a hands-on basis.

A visit to the Kinetic Garden at the Singapore Science Centre will certainly keep your children happy and challenge them mentally.

Direct public buses:
66, 178, 198, 335

MRT Train:
Alight at Jurong East Station on the East West Line, and transfer to no. 335.

On Foot:
Singapore Science Centre is just 8-minute walk from the Jurong East Bus Interchange/MRT Station.

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Masjid Hajjah Fatimah

Masjid Hajjah Fatimah

I learnt about Masjid Hajjah Fatimah on my earlier visit to Kampong Glam Park when its fascinating minaret caught my attention.

The following information is obtained from the website of MUIS. [source: Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), also known as Islamic Religious Council of Singapore]

Masjid Hajjah Fatimah is an old generation masjid (mosque) built from donation from a wealthy lady named Fatimah. Located at Beach Road next to Kampong Glam Park, Masjid Hajjah Fatimah was completed in 1846.

I was attracted to the mosque because of its architectural design. Walk around Masjid Hajjah Fatimah and you will notice the blend of local and European influence on its architecture. I later learnt that Masjid Hajjah Fatimah bore the imprint of a colonial architect by the name of J T Thomson.

Masjid Hajjah Fatimah is one of Singapore’s national monuments which had a leaning minaret that was righted during an extensive renovation work. It was gazetted on 6 July 1973 as a National Monument of Singapore, making it the first mosque to be listed as Singapore's National Monument.

The Masjid Hajjah Fatimah can accommodate up to 600 people. Religious lectures are conducted on its premises.

To get to Masjid Hajjah Fatimah, use the nearest MRT Station at Lavender (EW11).

The type of mosque is Wakaf*.

*What is Wakaf?

[Wakaf is the dedication of properties by a Muslim through a will or otherwise for purposes recognised by Islamic law as pious, religious or charitable. Once this is done, the ownership is transferred to Allah (God).

The dedicator is called the wakif and the person he appoints to manage the properties to ensure that the purposes are carried out is called the mutawalli or trustee.

The income derived from these properties is used in accordance to the wakif's wishes for the benefit of the beneficiary.

Since 1968, under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA), these properties must be vested with MUIS. MUIS' role is to manage wakaf properties which have no trustees and to monitor other wakaf properties with trustees to ensure that the wakif's wishes are carried out.]

More pictures of Singapore mosques can be found at my blogger friend yg's site.

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Free Outdoor Places To Relax In Singapore

Free Outdoor Places To Relax In Singapore

These are my 8 free outdoor places to relax in Singapore’s parks and gardens. While I’m sure you have your own selection of wonderful free outdoor places to relax in the parks of Singapore, the choices provided here are my current favourites. For some reason or other, these outdoor destinations in Singapore are free places that relax me and make me feel at home.


Picture: One of the free outdoor places to relax in Singapore. Keep to designated walking paths and you won't have to worry of being run down by heavy vehicles.

The top 8 free outdoor places to relax in Singapore’s parks that I shall mention are not listed in any particular order of preference.

1. Singapore Botanic Garden
This park and garden that most Singaporeans grew up with has undergone tremendous transformation in keeping up with the times. Despite outgrowing its infant years, the sweeping changes in outdoor landscape somehow do not lessen the fond emotional attachments I have about the Singapore Botanic Garden. Whichever way you turn, there are numerous pockets of outdoor places to relax in this spacious park.

2. Upper Seletar Reservoir
Avid readers of my blog will note that the Upper Seletar Reservoir’s Observation Tower cemented a memorable bond in my early teenage life. Moreover, this free-entry reservoir park is one of the outdoor places to relax that I am fond of, as it possesses sweeping views of water and sky without the distraction of overcrowding and its attendant consequences.

3. Kent Ridge Park
Kent Ridge Park offers good outdoor views of Singapore’s southern shoreline, a scenic pond and a tranquil forest environment that relaxes my mood. While its secluded outdoor location may have been exposed with the opening of the Southern Ridges park connector network (and the crowds that it brought), the free area still remains as one of my preferred free outdoor places to relax.

4. Bishan Parks 1 and 2
This centrally located free-to-use outdoor park in the middle of Singapore offers places with plenty of options to relax. From wide spaces filled with scenic lotus ponds, cool shelters by the water’s edge, long shady walking paths, fiery-red arched bridges to convenient restaurants, eating-places and an educational plant nursery, I like the well-planned blend of traditional park elements capped with a modern utilitarian twist that makes it one of the unique free outdoor places to relax.

5. Marina South Pier
As I have yet to visit the newly completed Marina Barrage, Marina South Pier remains my destination of choice in the Marina South area as a free outdoor space. I like its free-to-access rooftop that offers visitors a chance to relax with a panoramic view of the sea. Come to this outdoor place if turquoise waters, stunning sunsets, historical steam ship and other waterside views are must-see items that relax you.

6. East Coast Park’s Eastern End
It is a close call in choosing East Coast Park’s eastern end over the equally attractive West Coast Park as a place to relax in Singapore. This outdoor beach cum park is the favourite location for my children to relax, as they like to play on sand and build sandcastles. To relax in an outdoor place filled with almost-perpetual sea breeze, under shade of Casuarinas, powdered beaches and foamy white waves is a resort-like way to relax for free in Singapore.

7. Bukit Batok Nature Reserve
Bukit Batok Nature Reserve is a free-entry outdoor place with scenic lakes and mesmerizing cliff views that relax the soul. I prefer nature walks around this reserve just slightly ahead of MacRitchie Reservoir Park or Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Park. With modern park amenities like a children’s playground and live fishes in the lake, my kids get to relax and enjoy the free outdoor places around Bukit Batok Nature Reserve as much as I.

8. Neighbourhood Park ‘X’
There are many free-entry public neighbourhood places with parks scattered around Singapore that serve as good outdoor places to relax. I happen to like one near my place that I shall name as ‘neighbourhood park X’. While park X started as a carbon-copy duplicate of other neighbourhood parks (children’s playground, fitness station, jogging path, etc), over time I have developed an affinity to this place. It is a quiet park to take a leisure stroll, after an evening meal with family.

These are just eight of my current favourite outdoor places to relax in Singapore. I’m sure you have your own list too.

See more places. Live more life.

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Wonder Wrap of Singapore Parks

Wonder Wrap of Singapore Parks

I found the Wonder Wrap at my visit to SB 2008 engaging. This unusual art installation has elements of Singapore parks (which I am rather fond of visiting) integrated into a Singapore Biennale exhibition.

Gary Carsley from Australia took photographs of Singapore’s Little Guilin at Bukit Batok Park and Jurong’s Chinese Garden and rendered selected images in faux wood-grain. These images of Singapore Parks were then transferred onto self-adhesive photographic papers and creatively glued onto IKEA furniture to be used as ‘Wonder Wrap’, his Singapore Biennale 2008 contemporary visual art installation at the Marina Promontory site.

In this process of transferring a piece of nature as represented by Singapore Parks onto everyday furniture, he has introduced a slice of nature into homes. While most individuals are content with using greenery in potted plants or framed photographs of nature for the home, this ‘Wonder Wrap’ has raised home interior décor to another level.

Perhaps I could look through my collection of Singapore park photographs to see if suitable scenes in Singapore parks can be used for the home...

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Tallest Singapore CBD Sculpture

Tallest Singapore CBD Sculpture

Standing at a height of 18.35 metres tall, this 44-tonne sculpture is the tallest public sculpture in the Singapore CBD.

Picture: Momentum, tallest sculpture in the Singapore CBD

Designed by well-known Israeli artist David Gerstein, this sculpture is called ‘Momentum’. It depicts an upward cycle of progress, symbolising the energy and momentum of the district, Singapore and its people.

Singapore's tallest CBD sculpture contains ten tiers of metal figurines. If you walk around it and count this sculpture that looks like a giant Christmas tree, there should be 175 figurines in total.

The location of the tallest sculpture in Singapore at Finlayson Green is one of the landmark sites for public sculptures identified under the Public Sculptures Master Plan by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

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Bishan Park 1

Bishan Park 1

Bishan Park 1 lies to the west of Bishan Park 2 along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1. Marymount Road separates the two parts of Bishan Park. While they share the same ‘Bishan Park’ name, park amenities under Bishan Park 1 and Bishan Park 2 are different.

Bishan Park 1 does not have a Dog Run area, a dedicated skating ring, eco-themed spa or a Plant Nursery (see my post on Bishan Park 2 here).

So what does Bishan Park 1 contain? The usual park amenities are present like the children’s playground, fitness stations, large fields, jogging tracks and cycling paths.

What sets Bishan Park 1 apart from its sibling park is an amphitheatre, a courtyard lined with palms and several distinctive arched red bridges over tranquil lakes.

Bishan Park 1 shares space with wildlife too. If you stay observant, you may spot plantain squirrels that are reported to be endemic in Bishan Park.

I prefer the quieter setting of Bishan Park 1 where trees and lush vegetation abound, as compared to the park over at the other end. The un-crowded paths at Bishan Park 1 allow more space for jogging / walking with less fear of being knocked down by careless cyclists or learner skaters.

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Lighted Scenic Place In Singapore

Lighted Scenic Place In Singapore

Illuminated from 7pm to 1am nightly during the Singapore Biennale 2008, Lightlines is a public art installation by Hans Peter Kuhn from Germany that lights up the bowels of Esplanade Bridge. It will turn the Esplanade Bridge scene into a lighted scenic place in Singapore until November 16, 2008.

Picture: Lightlines at a lighted scenic place in Singapore.

Six 50-metre-long rods of neon light are placed through the triangular space under the Esplanade Bridge columns. With twilight, these strips of neon will glow pale white that are meant to inspire wonder.

Visitors can view this lighted scenic place from the Merlion Park , Esplanade Park and along the stretch next to Singapore's Esplanade Theatres By The Bay. Those who take a boat out for a cruise on the Marina Bay can get a closer view of this lighted scenic place.

Lightlines reminds me of the light-sabres used in combat in a George Lucas galaxy far far away, where Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Alec Guinness (Ben Obiwan Kenobe) fought David Prowse (Darth Vader) in the original 1977 Stars Wars classic.

Like Stars Wars, that other magically lighted place with lots of scenic shots, this Singapore Biennale SB 2008 installation is something of a wonder to me. Visit this lighted art installation and place yourself under its scenic spell. May the Force be with you.

What else do the lighted neon tubes remind you of?

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Forest Giants in Singapore

Photograph: A forest giant planted at Yishun Park.

Forest Giants in Singapore

According to National Parks Board's article, forest giants have been planted in Yishun Park. Forest Giants are better known as Dipterocarp (two-winged fruit). This name is derived from the two- to five-winged fruits that this family of trees produces.

These forest giants are iconic trees that can live up to 1000 years old. They do not look like giants of the forest now, but give them time and they can reach up to 80 metres high.

Photograph: Closer look at forest giant tag on plant.

Nparks has planted Singapore's first Dipterocarp Arboretum at Yishun Park since June last year. Forest Giants are a diminishing tree stock that are unique to the Indo-Malayan rainforests. Yishun Park now contains more than 800 forest giants of over 700 species.

Some of these forest giants species planted include Dipterocarpus grandiflorus (Keruing belimbing), Hopea helferi (Giam Lintah Bukit), Neobalanocarpus heimii (Chengal), and Shorea sumatrana (Senkawang).

They will likely be featured in the future when free guided walks and tree hunts are organised by Nparks as part of their public education programmes.

The Forest Giant project at Yishun Park is made possible by sponsorship from Banyan Tree.

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Snowy Place in Singapore: SB 2008

Photo: Snowy place in Singapore Biennale

Snowy Place in Singapore: SB 2008

One of my favourite visual art exhibit in the Singapore Biennale Containart Pavilion at Marina Promontory along Marina Boulevard, this installation offers visitors a chance to visit a snowy place in Singapore.

This is not one of those snowy places where artificial snow pops out of a machine during Christmas season along Singapore’s Orchard Road. Inside the exhibition pavilion, Hans Op de Beeck from Belgium has created a stunning snowy landscape in the middle of Singapore’s Marina Bay area.

Photo: Shoes outside a snowy place in SB2008.

Entitled ‘Location (6)’, this Singapore Biennale (SB2008) sculptural installation art transports visitors to a snowy world. Visitors must remove their shoes before they get to enter an enclosure shaped like an igloo through a long narrow tunnel. The end of this corridor leads to a glass-encased observatory space that reveals a mesmerizing snowy scene.

This enclosed space fits a family of five seated on cushions. With imitation snow on ground blending into a chalk-white sky, this uber-cool scene of a snowy place is a sight not seen anywhere in Singapore. The contrast between this cool snowy view and the hot afternoon bay view cannot be greater. The addition of trees and the layering of the snowy ground produce a stunning 3-D visual masterpiece that looks better on-site that on an LCD image.

I would have lingered longer in this snowy place if not for the warm ventilation. Perhaps with the additional installation of ice-cold air-conditioning, this make-believe sensory experience of a snowy place would have been perfect.

See more places. Live more life.

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Art By The Bay: Slippers and Bamboo Poles

Art By The Bay: Slippers and Bamboo Poles

This Singapore Biennale outdoor installation art by the Marina Bay, located at the Marina Promenade site, reminds me of a familiar residential HDB scene. You might ask how can rows of slippers hung on bamboo poles at a posh Marina Boulevard address be compared to a neighbourhood backyard?

Instead of slippers hung on bamboo poles as an artwork, I see a similar scene of clothes on bamboo poles, flapping in the wind from a façade of an old block of HDB flat. As a small child, I used to see neighbourhood kids throw slippers at bamboo poles. They were having fun trying to chase away birds resting on those bamboo poles.

This art creation was conceived by Aquilizan Alfredo Juan and Gaudinez-Aquilizan Maria Isabel, husband and wife team, who named their work Flight. They were inspired by the lives of individuals during their process of collecting and presenting these personal items. 4000 bamboo poles and rubber thong slippers were carefully planted in the open space between the Containart Pavilion and the edge of Marina Bay.

Visitors to the Central Promontory Site at Marina Bay can embark on an outdoor walk, weave their way between bamboo poles and admire the city skyline around Marina Bay.

If you look carefully at the cranes and scaffolding at construction sites rising up around the Bay, a semblance to these bamboo poles cannot be missed.

See more places. Live more life.

Read more about Singapore Biennale:
1 Central Promontory Site at Marina Bay
2 Singapore Biennale Visual Art Exhibition 2008

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Wet and Wild Sea Journey Of Hope

Image: Singapore Biennale 2008 'Floating'.

Wet and Wild Sea Journey Of Hope

This Singapore Biennale video-art piece has vertigo-inducing yet addictive sequences of a boat on a wet and wild journey across the sea. If you can stomach the highs and lows from start till end, there is a message to learn at the termination of this video production.

Produced by Yuan Goang-Ming from Taiwan, the video can be viewed in one of the goods container at the Containart, located at Marina Promontory site, Marina Bay, for Singapore Biennale 2008.

This video work entitled ‘Floating’ brings viewers on a topsy-turvy sea journey. I witnessed a video show of a boat swinging wildly from side to side until it finally overturned. Yet somehow, it managed to re-position itself back to the right side up again. My kids and I liked the video but I felt mildly light-headed at the end of the short video show.

The guide book explains that Floating was produced as result of personal experience when the artist felt a sense of isolation while studying in a foreign land. The movement of the boat righting itself despite overturning, offers a sense of hope at the end of a difficult period.

If you have visited the theme parks overseas in Australia like Dreamworld, Movie World or Sea World, the video effects of some of the indoor rides may look familiar. What’s missing now would be cushioned seats that rock sideways, in-your-face water-droplet sprays, better acoustics and cold air-conditioning to make the experience similar.

See more places. Live more life.

Read more articles about Singapore Biennale.

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Central Promontory At Marina Bay

Image: Central Promontory site, Marina Bay.

Central Promontory At Marina Bay

The Central Promontory site at Marina Bay is the Singapore Biennale 2008's venue for a unique contemporary visual art exhibition. Access to the artworks at the newest location along Marina bay is free to the public.

Where is the Central Promontory site at Marina Bay? I was left wondering about this new Marina Bay site recently. I soon discovered that it was located at Marina Boulevard.

One way to get an idea of how to get to Central Promontory at Marina Bay is to look for the Merlion at Merlion park and walk pass Clifford Pier. At One Marina Boulevard where NTUC Centre is, turn left and the Central Promontory will be appear before you.

Currently at the Central Promontory site, visitors cannot miss Shigeru ban's Containart Pavilion. This artistic architectural concept made up of containers and recyclable paper rolls stacked up to provide the scaffolding for an exhibition space is the key attraction of Singapore Biennale SB 2008 at Marina bay.

This 'building', a large collection of huge cargo containers, is the largest outdoor artwork to be installed at the Central Promontory site. Inside the pavilion, you can enjoy many free visual contemporary artworks by internationally renown artists.

At the Central Promontory site, look out to Marina Bay and take in the visuals of the new-look that is coming up. To the left, on-going construction can be noted at Clifford Pier by the Fullerton Heritage. To the right, the Marina Bay Sands Intergrated Resorts is taking shape.

In between, familiar landmarks like the Merlion, the Singapore Flyer, the Esplanade (or Durian) and other Marina Bay buildings are a sight to behold. The new Marina Barrage however is hidden from view at the Central Promontory site.

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Prohibited Fishing Spot In Singapore: Venus Loop

Prohibited Fishing Spot In Singapore: Venus Loop

I discovered a fishing spot in Singapore during my hike to MacRitchie Reservoir's Tree Top Walk. At the Venus Loop track off Venus carpark at Venus Drive, there is a series of streams filled with fishes that look inviting as a fishing spot.

Photo: Prohibited Fishing Spot has dirt track.

This fishing spot is about a hundred metres from the Venus Drive carpark. A dirt track runs alongside this good-for-fishing stream that has shady canopy to keep the mid-day heat away. If you visit after the rains, the dirt track can stain footwear with plenty of mud.

Photo: Prohibited fishing spot with clear water.

The river / stream contains mainly small longkang type of fishes that remind me of old longkangs of the past. Their habitat is a natural, clear water space that meanders through the ground without concrete padding. This is unlike the well-built drainage systems or canals that most people have grown accustomed to in the rivers of Singapore.

Photo: Spot this sign that prohibits fishing at Venus Loop.

However, this apparently good fishing spot has a prominent sign that disallows fishing. Abusers are warned that there is a $200 fine by National Parks Board if they get caught at this spot fishing or feeding fishes in the natural riverine system.

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