I brought my kids to Singapore Changi Airport. After a meal at one of the restaurants there, we strolled around and discovered there was a Changi Airport T3 Slide.
Photo 1 of Changi Airport T3 slide:
Actually, we found two Changi Airport T3 slides. One Changi Airport T3 Slide was about single storey high, while the other Changi Airport T3 slide was about three storey high.
The slides appeared to be made of steel mesh and both slides ran close to each other. Kids lined up at the opening located at the top, entered the tunnel-like slide and re-appeared at the other end of the Changi Airport T3 slide at the other end.
The shorter Changi Airport T3 Slide is free for all kids to try, while the taller slide is only open to those who can produce a receipt for a minimum spend of $30. Each $30 receipt entitles the holder to 2 rides on the Changi Airport T3 slide.
Have you tried out those Changi Airport T3 slides?
I returned recently to Southern Ridges Singapore for a walk through a scenic part of this famous outdoor area. My previous visit happened a while ago near the height of public interest soon after the Southern Ridges Singapore was opened to the public.
On this visit to Southern Ridges Singapore, I was to discover several changes in visitor profile. Instead of hordes of camera-trotting visitors and tourists, it was fairly quiet and peaceful along most parts of Southern Ridges Singapore. Those present were mainly folks taking walks or jogs along the connector pathways.
I could also find empty parking lots at Telok Blangah Hill, instead of a full house at the parking lots. The last time I came, I had to park at the foot of the hill.
Another interesting observation at Southern Ridges Singapore was the discovery of monkeys that appeared to have set up 'busking' spots along the Southern Ridges. They were waiting along the footpaths and railings for passers-by to give them handouts of mouth-watering delicacies.
Here is a photograph of Resorts World Sentosa taken on a recent visit to an unrelated destination.
Photograph of Resorts World Sentosa.
As a destination without its Gaming component, I think Resorts World Sentosa has enough family-friendly sights and sounds to interest everyone in my family.
With attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, Festive Walk, Marine Life Park (opening after 2010) and Maritime Xperiential Museum (opening after 2010), Resorts World Sentosa ought to generate enough buzz for the entire family.
I will likely wait for the all attractions to be ready, and for the crowds to thin out before visiting Resorts World Sentosa.
My search for a Singapore farm visit for kids brought me to a child-friendly place in Pasir Ris, Singapore. Earlier last year, I made a visit to try its popular 'longkang' fishing amenities. On my second visit with my kids this recent school holiday, I discovered more of its farming fauna and farm charms.
Singapore Farm Visit For Kids Photograph 1:
Before you get different ideas about this farm, let me share that this place is more of a prawn fishing and fish rearing farm. Other farm creatures that appear here at this farm site are not the primary reason most visitors congregate here.
However, to farm-starved kids (and adults) in Singapore, this is as close to live animals and live creatures that residents on our little island can get to, short of visiting the Zoo or Bird Park or a pet shop or wet markets of the past.
For a sampling of these farm creatures and farm animals, take a look at the photographs taken at this Singapore farm that kids will enjoy on any visit.
Singapore Farm Visit For Kids Photograph 2:
Singapore Farm Visit For Kids Photograph 3:
This Singapore farm is suitable for a visit by kids and their families. It is located at Mainland Tropical Fish Farm, No. 1 Pasir Ris Farmway1 at the eastern corner of Singapore in Pasir Ris.
Do you have any Singapore farm to recommend for kids and families to visit? Share with Seen This Scene That in the comments section below.
The title of this January 2010 post on Seen This Scene That comes from the name of a prawn fishing pond that I discovered recently.
Fishing Prawn Pond Photograph 1:
This prawn fishing pond is called 'Happy Fishing Prawns Pond'. It is located at Lot 35, Pasir Ris Farmway 2 at the eastern end of Singapore in Pasir Ris neighbourhood estate.
Prawn fishing rates are comparable to other prawn fishing centres in Singapore but note that prawn fishing rates may change at any time. You can read about them on this prawn fishing post I wrote earlier.
Here at Happy Fishing Prawns Pond, you can fish for prawns under cover of shade and be protected against rain. This fishing prawn pond has opened three large pools surrounded by a wooden fence attached with mini-tables for prawn fishing. I saw several other empty deep pools nearby that could possibly be used for prawn fishing too.
As usual, if you peer into the pools, you won't spot any prawn. The prawning pools are filled with a dye that turns the pond into a mysterious swirl of dark liquid. This is a well known technique used by prawn fishing pond owners all over Singapore to make it challenging for prawning specialists to hook their preys.
With so many prawn fishing ponds in Singapore, what draws prawn fishing enthusiasts to a fishing prawn pond? I do not have the answer as it would depend on each individual prawn 'fisherman' or 'fisherwoman' or 'fisherkid'.
Fishing Prawn Pond Photograph 2:
Do you like prawn fishing? Have you seen this fishing prawn pond?
The decorations and light-up for Deepavali (Festival of Lights) at Little India.
The Hindu Endowments Board has confirmed that Deepavali in 2009 will fall on 17 October 2009, instead of 15 November 2009 that is printed on many calendars in Singapore.
What are the Deepavali 2009 celebrations and Deepavali 2009 activities that we can expect to see around Singapore's Little India?
Date: Friday, 18 September 2009 – Sunday, 25 October 2009
Time: 7.00 pm onwards daily
Venue: Little India
Deepavali 2009 Heritage & Craft Exhibition
Learn about the origins and traditions behind Deepavali at the Heritage corner. Traditional craftsmen from India showcase intricate Indian crafts.
Traditional craftsman
Date: Friday, 18 September 2008 – Friday, 16 October 2009
Time: 11.00 am – 9.00 pm daily
Venue: Deepavali Festival Village, Campbell Lane
Deepavali 2009 Bazaar
The best place for festive foods, ethnic wear, Indian artifacts and bargains.
Date: Friday, 18 September 2008 – Friday, 16 October 2009
Time: 11.00 am – 11.00 pm
Venue: Deepavali Festival Village, Campbell Lane
Deepavali 2009 Trade Fair
Visitors to the trade fair can find the latest in festive foods, ethnic wear, Indian artifacts and bargains.
Date: Friday, 18 September 20089 – Friday, 16 October 2009
Time: 11.00 am – 11.00 pm
Venue: Serangoon Road, (opposite Serangoon Plaza)
UTSAV Street Parade 2009 Concert
Unique, native Indian performance art forms will be featured alongside cultural performances by various ethnic groups.
Be sure to catch the spectacular countdown concert with local and international celebrities. Televised live on Vasantham – a Mediacorp channel, to countdown and usher in Deepavali.
Image: Heading towards places to visit in Singapore.
Places To Visit In Singapore
Where are the good places to visit in Singapore? Before I can recommend the places to visit in Singapore, I would need to consider many factors relating to you, my reader.
The most important consideration will be your personal interests. What kind of places to visit in Singapore can make your heart flutter? What kind of places to visit in Singapore would elevate your spiritsn?
Are you looking for places related to Arts and Culture, Music and Entertainment, Sightseeing and Attractions, Business and Trade, Nightlife and Pub Crawl, Food and Drinking, Shopping, the Outdoors or even more?
As all of you have diverse interests, I shall write based on my own personal viewpoints and interests.
My approach to answer this question on the places to visit in Singapore will be to assume that I have an overseas couple with young kids who are coming to town for a week-long stay. Assuming this family has a reasonable travel budget, shares my interests as chronicled in Seen This Scene That and have never stepped onto our shores, I will make these recommendations on the places to visit in Singapore.
The Touristy Places To Visit In Singapore
Pick one or more from this list of places to visit in Singapore. These are the well-conceived, well-maintained, big-budget, blockbuster attractions that many tourists want to see, and many good hosts want to showcase, before our guests leave our shores.
The gloss and glamour may be blinding but these top-class places to visit in Singapore are made-in-Singapore and have become a binding fabric of our heritage. I offer them here as an option for our overseas visitors to decide on how many of these places they would like to visit and see.
Here’s a list of places to visit in Singapore that are found in the heartlands and outlying areas of Singapore. These places to visit in Singapore will show our visitors how residents on this Little Red Dot live their lives, beyond the concrete jungle in down-to-earth reality.
I am sure you will have your own personal preferences that are not listed on my list. Where were the places that you brought your overseas guests to visit? Would you like to share some of your preferred places to visit in Singapore?
Hari Raya at the City is a series of events jointly organised by the Jalan Besar GRC, People's Association and Malay Heritage Centre.
Hari Raya Light Up
14 August 2009 – 27 September 2009
The Hari Raya Light-up is an initiative by STB, aimed at enhancing the festive ambience of Kampong Glam in order to attract visitors to participate in the Hari Raya activities through street bazaars, cultural performance, games and competitions at the Kampong Glam ethnic quarter to be held at the Malay Heritage Centre.
The theme for Hari Raya Light up 2009 is Hari Raya @ The City with a focus on the official launch concept called “Heartbeat of the City”.
This showcase of the Malay culture will not only be enjoyed by Muslims celebrating the festival on 20th September 2009, but also provide a vibrant experience to both the locals and tourists throughout the period of the light up which will run until 27 September 2009.
Time
(a) 7.00 p.m to 11.00 p.m on Fridays, Saturdays and Eve of Public Holidays.
(b) 7.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m on all other days.
Light-Up Zone:
North Bridge Road, Bussorah Mall, Kandahar Street and Sultan Gate.
How to get there:
By MRT: Alight at Bugis MRT Station
By Bus:
Bus numbers
7, 32, 51, 63, 80, 145, 197 along [North Bridge Road]
2, 12, 33, 130, 133, 145, 197 along [Victoria Street]
10, 14, 16, 70, 100, 107, 196, 401 [ Beach Road ]
Batik Fusion Exotica Exhibition
The exhibition will be showcasing the evolution of Batik making from the traditional and formal styles to become contemporary with the advent technology. There will be a demonstration of Batik making through a demonstration using dye, stencils and wax. A collection of the Batik will feature the theme on Batik Paintings and Batik Fabrics of the Royalties.
A competition as part of the Charity Ketupat fund-raising program in which anyone who donates to the Charity Ketupat will stand a chance to guess the number of ketupats in a container filled with various shapes of ketupat on display at the Malay Heritage Centre.
Photography and Video Competition
The Photography and Video Competition with the theme “Fasting in Ramadan” will focus on the values, teachings and interpretation of the youths towards fasting. Both open and student categories are available for participation.
There will be plenty of stalls to do some serious Hari Raya shopping around the Malay Heritage Centre and Geylang Serai. Visitors can also soak in the Hari Raya festival mood around this time of the year.
Singapore's newest nature park, the Dairy Farm Nature Park, was officially opened to the public on 5 September 2009. Before that, blogger friend YG had given a sneak peep of Dairy Farm Nature Park with his posts.
On the way to Singapore Quarry at Dairy Farm Nature Park.
I visited the south-western end of Dairy Farm Nature Park where the Singapore Quarry stood before the park was opened to the public too. (Here is the earlier Dairy Farm Nature Park post.)
Dairy Farm Nature Park (from The Sunday Times graphics)
According to NParks site and the write-up in The Sunday Times of 6 September 2009, this brand new nature park has two unique features that I found interesting.
The first feature that I would like to highlight is the Wallace Education Centre, a former cowshed now turned into a learning centre. It houses the Wallace Environmental Learning Lab (WELL) and an interpretative centre where visitors can learn about the changing landscapes of Dairy Farm Nature Park and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve through various exhibits.
The other must-see feature at Dairy Farm Nature Park are the rare Little Grebe at the Singapore Quarry wetland reserve. The birds are just a small part of the rich biodiversity on the 63-hectare park. Visitors who walk or mountain bike along Dairy Farm Nature Park's nature trails can witness the amazing fauna and flora available in the area.
The Dairy Farm Nature Park is open from 7am to 7pm daily with free admission for visitors.
To get there, take bus service SMRT 700, 700A or 966 and alight at bus stop along Petir Road between Chestnut Ave and Dairy Farm Road. There are two public car parks along Dairy Farm Road.
As I was not aware of the rare Little Grebe (even if I did, the quarry was closed at the time of my earlier visit) and the Wallace Education Centre, looks like I will need to perform a follow-up visit to the Dairy Farm Nature Park soon.
Have you seen the new Dairy Farm Nature Park and its amenities?
Run Singapore 2009 is organised by Singapore Cares (SG Cares), a new initiative from the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, providing flexible volunteer opportunities for community service. President S R Nathan will be the Guest-of-Honour at Run Singapore 2009.
What is this new running event called Run Singapore 2009? In Run Singapore 2009, participants get to run / walk or do both along the entire 2009 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix circuit. This is the same Marina Bay street circuit that Fernando Alonso raced to victory last year in the world's first ever F1 night race. The Run Singapore 2009 race distance is slightly more than 5 km long.
Runners at Run Singapore 2009 will get a unique experience to see the majestic sights around Singapore's Marina Bay. Included in these sights are some of the famous old places in Singapore which I highlighted in an earlier post.
Runners who part with $25 each will also be doing their part for charity by contributing to the President's Challenge. The President’s Challenge is an annual series of community-based activities initiated by President S R Nathan in 2000. The aims of President’s Challenge are firstly, to increase awareness about how the community can get involved in helping the less fortunate and secondly, to raise funds for the social service sector.
Run Singapore 2009 details:
Date: 6 September 2009
Flag off time: 5.15pm
Venue: Padang
Race Route: Marina Bay Street Circuit
Run Attire: Your brightest colours
Registration fee: $25 per runner
Free for children below 12 years old and Seniors above 55 years old
website: Run Singapore http://www.runsingapore.com/
Fun Free Places For Kids At International Museum Day 2009 Celebration
Image NHB's IMD 2009: No need to fly overseas to look for fun free places for kids.
Are you looking for fun and free places to bring your kids for a visit? Why not take a look at the various museums and activities around Singapore during International Museum Day (IMD) 2009 celebrations from 23 May 2009 to 31 May 2009.
This year's IMD 2009 theme is 'Holiday Fun at Home!'. With a strong emphasis on families and kids, IMD 2009 aims to instill a museum-going culture especially among families with young kids.
The list of fun and free places your kids can enjoy is impressive. During the 10-day long celebration, you can expect activities like puppet and storytelling performances, art and craft workshops (doll making, clay sculpture) and an interactive playground for young children.
Inspiring events like a Chinese culture medley, Chinese calligraphy, martial arts and dance, paper lantern making at the Asian Civilisations Museum, a healthy ice-cream making at Healthzone, fun adventure trails at Baba House and the National Archives of Singapore, and the “I Can Guide” programme at the Peranakan Museum, which trains children to become museum guides of their own peers, are there for all to enjoy.
On Open House Days, the public can gain free entry into the nooks and crannies of our museums for some fun at our world-class exhibitions. Besides all NHB museums, families can visit for free the Marina Barrage, NEWater Visitors Centre, Malay Heritage Centre and red dot Museum on 31 May. Senior citizens can join in the fun as well as they receive free entry to all NHB museums, Fort Siloso on Sentosa and the Malay Heritage Centre on 25 May.
There is also a fun SMS contest to win free 3-Day Family Passes worth $50 each. Details of this contest can be found at the International Museum Day 2009 website.
If you are looking for fun free places for your kids and family to get together, consider visiting the museums and other attractions in Singapore during this International Museum Day 2009 celebration.
For more fun free places for your kids to visit, check out IMD 2009.
As a parent with kids, I like to bring my children to places in Singapore that they enjoy. One of these Singapore kids places I'll recommend is at Marine Cove, East Coast Park, Singapore.
Photo: One of the Singapore kids places' playthings.
These Singapore kids' places in East Coast Park are located between carpark C2 and carpark C3 along East Coast Park Service Road.
Marine Cove at East Coast Park is a commercial development that specialises in food and beverage businesses. There are many good eating places, restaurants and pubs, including the ubiquitous MacDonald's restaurant, to cater to various taste buds and budgets.
The core attraction for my family are the kids places to hang out, not the food and drinks, although we do enjoy dining at Marine Cove. Our favourite spot at Marine Cove is really beyond the bread and butter buildings.
Photo: Outdoor theme park is a suitable Singapore kids place. It is the mini outdoor kids' theme park that attracts us at this Singapore kids place. After dark, the excitement becomes palpable at this kids' place when the flashy lights, spinning wheels and children's screams come alive.
We love the good old miniature 'Singapore Flyer' here at a corner of this Singapore kids' place. Before the days of high technology and record-breaking heights, Ferris wheels that I sat in my childhood were of sufficient thrill by themselves. My kids can now get their turn to enjoy the same thrill as I did in this place.
The kids' carousel is another delightful horse-riding experience for children. The kid's ride at this Singapore kdis place may be short but going around in circles can send kids into a vertiginous high.
If your kids love challenging rides at such Singapore kids places, let them try the 'Viking'. This boat-like contraption swings like a pendulum and will surely make their hearts fly as high as their hair.
For a more down-to-earth kid ride, there is a miniature roller coaster ride at this Singapore kids place for the faint-hearted. Don't worry for your kids' safety as this ride resembles a slow train ride that does not rise more than two feet above ground.
Other attractions at this Singapore kids' place include an arcade hall that has games suitable for young kids and the young at heart. There is also a pasar malam or night market that sells interesting items including tidbits, fashion accessories and toy racing cars for kids and kids-at-heart.
For more Singapore kids places, visit blogspot friend Milly's Singapore Kids Places, a blog I follow via Google reader.
10 Cool Things To Do At Singapore's Peranakan Museum
You would have gone on a cool walkabout around the impressive galleries of the Peranakan Museum since the official opening in April last year. Are there still 10 cool things to do at Singapore’s Peranakan Museum?
Certainly! To spice things up a notch, I shall suggest ten offbeat activities that you can do on a visit to Singapore’s Peranakan Museum.
The 10 cool things or adventures that I recommend are:
1. Make a video of your visit to the Peranakan Museum and submit it to yesterday.sg
Besides amusing yourself during your video-recording session at the Peranakan Museum, you can entertain your online friends, buddies and other voyeurs. Remember to look cool in front of the video camera. Who knows, you may score a lucrative contract with NHB’s HeritageTV and become Singapore’s Next Hot Presenter.
2. Seek ideas on home furnishing for your new flat, and save money on fertility treatments.
Running out of ideas for house renovations? Then check out the well-ornamented decorations and furnishing designs at the Peranakan Museum galleries. While there, explore homegrown ideas at the wedding room gallery on how to raise the nation's fertility rate.
3. Join a “Be Counted in the Million-Beads Embroidery Facebook Group” or start one if there's none.
With the Internet generation, it's hip and cool to connect through social media on the Web. Post a picture of yourself next to the exquisite million-beads handicraft at the Peranakan Museum and add your face to the wall. The first one million entries get bragging rights to poke or twitter others forever.
4. Admire the colonial architecture of the Peranakan Museum building when it started life in 1912.
Get excited by the visual treat offered by the Peranakan Museum building at 39 Armenian Street. Spot impressive features of this bungalow: fluted columns, symmetrical layouts and the balcony-lined frontage. Not a fan of architecture? No worries. Its illustrious history as Tao Nan School and beyond is even more illuminating.
5. Have lunch at the Peranakan Museums' restaurants and eat Peranakan food.
I don't need to mention this but Peranakan food is one the most ‘sedap’ in Singapore. Once you finish slurping that pot of Peranakan food at the Peranakan Museum food festival, you will never go back to hawker centres to eat nasi lemak, laksa or mee siam. Hey, where's the Peranakan food at the museum's restaurants?
6. Send your kids for Peranakan-inspired arts and craft sessions, when you can't find a babysitter.
The staffs are friendly, the kids love the companionship of their peers and you infuse the joy of hands-on learning in your children. Isn't the Peranakan Museum's children's programme a safe and secure substitute for your favourite baby sitter?
7. Browse at the Peranakan Museum Gift & Book Shop, when your local library gets too crowded.
For an A to Z reading list on Peranakan culture, consider the selection of reading materials available there. By the way, did you know you could also do some serious shopping and pick up delightful Peranakan knick-knacks, jewelleries and other fashionable keepsakes at the same time?
8. Learn to speak English, Malay or Peranakan through the telephone, without waiting for a campaign.
Pick up the cute old-fashioned telephone receivers inside the Peranakan Museum and you will surprise yourself with lively Peranakan conversations. Spiced with rich intonations, rapid-fire pronunciations and charming voices, the Peranakan soliloquy will let you learn the language in five minutes or less a day.
9. Celebrate a birthday at the Peranakan Museum when it turns one.
Keep your weekend of 25 and 26 April 2009 free. That's when the Peranakan Museum turns one with a “Peranakan celebration of the year”. You can test my tongue-in-cheek stuff to see if they work. Thereafter, you may even consider celebrating your own or your family's birthday at the Peranakan Museum!
10. Baba writings, paintings or sculpturing on Purely Peranakan things.
You can email contest entries to yesterdaysg@gmail.com with your literary and creative works. The content may be based on any aspect of Peranakan culture you fancy or about your latest Peranakan Museum trip. The cool prizes for your loved ones in yesterday.sg’s Purely Peranakan contest include beaded stamps, special edition Humphrey the Heritage Bears or Adeline Foo’s unique children’s books.
Enough said. Go perform these 10 cool things at Singapore’s Peranakan Museum now!
In land-scarce, plantation-scarce Singapore, I came across a rice (padi) farm in Singapore's remote Kranji estate on a visit to D'Kranji Farm Resort at Neo Tiew Lane 2.
Photograph: Rice plant on a farm. Having seen a real rice farm in Luang Prabang (Laos) some years back, I had a rice farm model to compare.
Photograph: Farm In Luang Prabang Laos.
The rice farm in Singapore was a mini-plot compared to the one I saw overseas. I could walk around the rice farm in Kranji with ease. Back in Luang Prabang, I was surrounded by acres of rice as far as the eye could see.
At the time of my visit to the Kranji rice farm, the rice field was in need of repair, with weeds scattered all over. Rice grains were wilting, past their prime for harvesting. I had a feeling that this rice farm was planted as an exhibit for curious Singaporeans, rather than for a source of food.
Photograph: Rice grains.
The presence of a scarecrow added a little drama and colour to a less than ordinary-looking rice plantation.
Despite its forlorn appearance, this rice farm is a useful place for kids to learn about rice. It should demonstrate to children that rice grows from the soil, not on supermarket shelves.
Photo: One of the kids fishing places in Pasir Ris.
I took my kids to one of the kids' fishing places in Singapore at Pasir Ris recently. You can find this kids' fishing place at Pasir Ris Farmway 1, located at the junction of Pasir Ris Drive 3 and Pasir Ris Drive 12.
The name of this kids' fishing place is called Mainland Tropical Fish Farm. Potholes litter the road that leads to it. Space is available for cars to park on the premises.
We bought tickets at $4 per kid at this kids fishing place. The price includes a pail and a net, which you must return upon completion. You get to keep all longkang fishes caught during the 30-minute longkang fishing session.
The longkang at Pasir Ris Farmway 1 was a long snake-like concrete depression that had decorative plants and pebbles. An overhead net provided some shade against the sun without blocking off the breeze.
Photo: The catch at this kids' fishing place after 5 scoops of the net.
My kids enjoyed their longkang fishing at this kids fishing place. The primary reason was their ease in achieving a bountiful catch. There were several reasons to account for the good longkang fishing outcome.
I found that the small-sized nets provided at this kids fishing place were made of sturdier wires. This allowed quicker scooping action. There also appeared to be more longkang fishes like guppies and swordtails at this kids fishing place, compared to other locations that we had experienced. On that morning of our visit, we had no fishing competitor as there was no other family with kids around.
Our outing to this Pasir Ris kids fishing place was an enjoyable and successful longkang fishing trip. I think we will return soon for another fishing attempt to fill up our pails with more longkang fishes.
I read on my visit to Telok Ayer Green that milk vendors in Singapore used to roam the streets with their milk dispenser (cow) in tow. They dispensed fresh milk straight from a cow for residents keen for a taste of fresh milk.
The sight of that cow sculpture piqued my interest to explore places in Singapore where I could see live cattle and perhaps sample fresh milk. Besides the Singapore Zoological Gardens, was there any place in Singapore where I could find live cattle frolicking on a farm?
The answer came on a recent school holiday during a weekend afternoon when my family of five visited Kranji. At Viknesh Dairy Farm along Lim Chu Kang Lane 8A, a herd of live cattle greeted us upon our unscheduled arrival at this cattle farm.
There was no one at the cattle farm's open gate to receive our unannounced visit. We parked at a paved compound and wandered into the cattle shed.
Some workers were busy washing the cattle shed when we arrived. They smiled at us and seemed to be used to the presence of visitors although we saw no other visitor throughout our visit.
At the cattle farm, about 18 to 20 adult cattle were scattered throughout a cavernous compound. Most were sitting idly and I presumed they were taking a siesta. With leftover hay, pineapples and some unidentifiable food strewn all over the cattle compound, I figured they must have eaten a hefty meal.
Without the aid of information board or any on-site farm guide, we were clueless about the heritage of these farm animals, their feeding habits, the milking processes, fertility treatments and other relevant information that visitors to farms like these would often ask.
My kids picked up pieces of hay to hand feed a few younger cattle. I think they enjoyed the feeding session more than the animals. Look at the faces on these two animals (featured below) to see what I mean.
We watched the cattle with amazement. We were especially amazed at their voluminous urinary output. Their dollops of fresh bowel output were also an unintended source of amazement.
There was some heavy-duty machinery inside a neighbouring building that looked like milk processing devices. Canisters and other containers were also found.
If you intend to sample fresh milk at this cattle farm, you may be in for disappointment. We searched for a drink stall serving fresh milk but found none. No souvenir shop could be located here either. Some renovation works were noted inside a building.
Notwithstanding the lack of opportunity to sample fresh milk, this cattle farm in Singapore’s remote Kranji countryside was still an eye-opening visit for my family and I.
I had wonderful memories of longkang fishing days during my childhood. In those days, I used to visit a longkang fishing place behind my old primary school in Margaret Drive.
So whenever I discover a longkang fishing place, the rush of joy is immense. More so when the object of my desire was accidentally discovered on a visit to D'Kranji Farm Resort in Singapore's Kranji countryside.
The last time I brought my three children to do some longkang fishing in Singapore, it rained. When I visited this longkang fishing place in Singapore, it rained again.
Perhaps that helped to explain why the longkang fishing pond was deserted when we arrived at D'Kranji Farm Resort. It could also be that this longkang fishing place was too new to register on the mind of our populace.
When I saw the kampong house at D'Kranji with the longkang fishing signpost, I was half-expecting a natural muddy stream or pond behind this kampong house when I reached this longkang fishing spot.
However, it was not the same longkang fishing paradise that I had experienced in my childhood. Instead of a muddy stream flanked by wild plants that I used to hunt for small longkang fishes, a man-made hole in the ground, plastered with concrete greeted us.
This figure-of-eight hole in a concrete floor had new paint, smoothened walls and shallow floors. Two islands of concrete in the longkang design raised the degree of difficulty for kids bent on catching longkang fishes. A small plot of plants was used as decoration on one of this island.
Image: Longkang fishing charges.
The good thing about this longkang fishing place in Singapore's Kranji wilderness is the open rustic space surrounding the pond. Large tracts of land are used for small-scale plantations. The aromatic smell of a natural environment is a pleasant surprise that reminded me of my scouting days spent camping outdoors under a canvass tent.
In between longkang fishing sprees, you can grab some traditional snacks and light refreshments from other kampong houses. You could also stretch your tired backs and aching legs by taking a stroll around the vegetable plots, herb garden, paddy field and fruit plantations, to name a few, within D'Kranji.
Image: As the rain subsided, this longkang fishing place sprang to life.
If you haven't tried this new location, consider this longkang fishing place for your children's school holiday programme. If you have fond memories of your own longkang fishing days of old like me, re-live those sweet moments with this modern-day version of longkang fishing in Singapore.
Off Clementi Avenue 5 within the triangular space formed by blocks 376, 378 and 380, I discovered a piece of real estate that offered wheelchair friendly fitness places in Singapore.
You can see a piece of machine in this photograph that allows wheelchair-bound users to park their wheelchair next to the exercise station. While seated, users can perform upper body exercises like any other fitness station users. Leading to this wheelchair-friendly exercise stations are a series of ramps and interconnected pathways that connect to the housing blocks around this neighbourhood.
Besides the wheelchair-friendly fitness station, a children's playground and an amphitheatre can be found at this neighbourhood spot. The Clementi Police Station HQ is located next to this neighbourhood park.
Wheelchair-friendly fitness places will come in handy for people with altered mobility states. Will I see more of these useful fitness stations adopted for other housing estates in Singapore in the near future?
Have you seen any other wheelchair-friendly fitness places in Singapore? I have readers who are keen to know. Share in the comments below if you've seen more wheelchair-friendly places in Singapore.
Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreigners who stay a stone’s throw away from Stagmont Park in Singapore may have several concerns. At the same time, despite the economic recession raging throughout the globe, they are in for some pleasant bonuses.
Photostream of Stagmont Park: If you can't see any photos (below) on your browser, visit my flickr album.
First, the bad news: Stagmont Park is a beehive of activities for children, older kids and young adults. Think noise pollution. Think loss of peace and quiet. Due to the attractive children’s playground and a multi-purpose court for sports-related activities, Stagmont Park can be a focal point of screaming children and loud youths in basketball frenzy.
Another piece of bad news for residents living around Stagmont Park: candle wax defacement on park properties from use of lighted candles during past mooncake festivals. There may not be serious incidents that lead to open fires, but the possibility cannot be discounted.
And the bonuses (or good news)? Plenty.
The design layout of Stagmont Park is exquisite. Two arched bridges made of stone add a colonial Zen-like charm to Stagmont Park. A parched river, that connects two dry pools, cuts Stagmont Park into two unequal halves. With imagination, I could picture myself jumping into the ‘river’ to try my hand at ‘longkang’ fishing.
A fitness station laden with exercise equipment provides good incentives for the physically inactive to turn over a new leaf. Foot reflexology amenities cater to the elderly population, with a raised shelter built on stilts providing peaceful resting places for those physically strained.
Stagmont Park has a fun walkers trail for residents in this part of the island. Five rounds of walking around the perimeter of Stagmont Park (about two kilometers distance) will give a good workout for moderately active residents. A signboard offers detailed advice on how to perform warm-ups, stretching exercises and explains the many benefits of exercise.
BBQ pits, available for rental use by residents at Stagmont Park, will turn this area into a focus of feasting and family fun on some evenings.
Landscaping with unusual trees and interesting garden plants packed into Stagmont park raises the sensory experience by more than a notch. A Show Garden takes pride of place near the middle of Stagmont Park. It has a notice with a sign: “100,000 Native Plants @ South West Show Garden is a community initiative to root the community to live, work and play together in the South West District, by reinstating the natural heritage of Singapore.”
Stagmont Park seems to possess qualities that make it a good place to live, work and play. What do you think?
Location of Stagmont Park: Choa Chu Kang St 54, opposite Kranji Primary School, near HDB Blocks 763, 764, 767 and 771. Choa Chu Kang Stadium, CCK Swimming Complex and CCK Sports Hall are just round the corner.
The Singapore Science Centre has magical places in Singapore for children and their families to explore. In Magic: the Science Of Illusion exhibition, halls have been transformed into magical places to learn about the secrets of magic.
The exhibit includes a theatre, 27 interactive exhibits, and put-yourself-in-the-picture magical experiences that runs from now till end of February 2009.
Of the various exhibits, here are some rather magical ones to consider. In "Illusion of A Disembodied Head", learn how to magically remove your head from the rest of your body and then place it back again without any permanent side effects.
In "Illusion of Levitation", check out the secrets on how to magically lift your body up into the air without any obvious mechanical assistance.
If your kids are the hands-on type, let them attend the Magician's Training Academy to learn the ropes of a magician based on math and psychology principles.
At the Abracadabra! Theatre, daily afternoon magic shows will entertain kids and the young-at-heart. Watch magicians perform their magic tricks and show you the impact of magic.
This magical place at the Singapore Science Centre is not an illusion. Parents with kids should give priority to bring the family there for fun and learning.
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Photo: One of the kids fishing places in Pasir Ris.
Photo: The catch at this kids' fishing place after 5 scoops of the net.
