Changi Beach At Low Tide

Changi Beach At Low Tide

Grey-coloured sea. Pale blue sky. Little waves teasing a shoreline as far as the eye can see. Is that the picture that greets you at Changi Beach during low tide?

Photograph of Changi Beach At Low Tide :

Would you witness the low tide scene like I did? How many of you have seen Changi Beach at low tide?

Sure there is still scope for beach-side fun and recreational activities. Like sandcastle building. Picnics by the sea. Leisurely strolls on wet sand. Footprints, shoe prints, broken tiles, mangled branches and perhaps some ubiquitous pools of litter.

There are more things to see than what I have described.

So if you get a chance, take a walk along Changi Beach at low tide. See for yourself how the beach line appears.

Changi Beach at low tide. The bowels of the sea are revealed when the tide recedes.

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Photograph: Resorts World Sentosa

Photograph: Resorts World Sentosa

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.

Have you paid a visit to Resorts World Sentosa?

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Changi Beach CAFHI Jetty Neighbourhood

Changi Beach CAFHI Jetty Neighbourhood

There is a stretch of beach off CAFHI jetty at Changi Beach park that is a family-friendly place to watch the world go by. I like to bring family here to spend some peaceful hours.

Photograph of CAFHI Jetty Changi Beach Park:

Why is this a great place for families with kids to spend some time together? Kids and their family members can relax here for an outdoor picnic while you watch airplanes flying in and out of the airport, or watch ships plying off Singapore's eastern coast. As dusk falls, they can also observe the distant lights in the horizon, some like fireflies flickering brightly as surrounding light dims.

Within walking distance are kids playground, bbq pits, public carparks, a bistro and a cycling trail that forms part of the park connector network in Singapore.

The sea water surrounding the CAFHI jetty is a protected area. The Sea Rescue Base is located at CAFHI jetty. Its aim is to provide search and rescue in the event of an aircraft ditching incident at sea, particularly off the coast of Changi Airport.

Have you visited the Changi Beach near the CAFHI jetty neighbourhood?

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Sunset Places In Singapore

Sunset Places In Singapore

In this series on 'Sunset Places In Singapore', I have chosen to share a photograph of the sunset scene at Punggol beach.

You know my preference for quiet, slow-paced, relaxed places that are far away from crowds. Living in this fast-paced society where everything has to be number one, it takes an outing to secluded places in Singapore such as this, to reaffirm that there are natural laid-back places to appreciate in urbanized Singapore.

Photograph of sunset place in Singapore: Punggol beach.

I am sure you have your own favourite places in Singapore to see sunsets. Care to share those sunset places in Singapore?

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Changi Coastal Park Connector

Changi Coastal Park Connector

As part of my training to attempt the 10-kilometre run at the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run 2009, I have been training along sections of the Changi Coastal Park Connector.

My usual running route takes me from East Coast Park Area H eastwards along the Changi Coastal Park Connector, past Tanah Merah Coast Road, to a section of the Coastal Park Connector along Changi Coast Road. Thereafter, I will make a U-turn back along the same route to return to my car.

Changi Coastal Park Connector Photo 1:


My favourite section of the Changi Coastal Park Connector is that part behind the Changi Coast Adventure Centre where the Park Connector hugs the sea and a canal. This peaceful stretch of pathway for joggers and cyclists is dotted with shelters, tables, chairs and blessed with natural scenic sea views.

Changi Coastal Park Connector Photo 2:


As I run along the Coastal Park Connector here, I can hear the waves roaring and the sea breeze cheering me on. If you long for a place that's short on crowds and long on almost-natural tranquility, this is the place to be.

Changi Coastal Park Connector Photo 3:


I see many others who have found this heavenly stretch of Singapore at the Changi Coastal Park Connector. Long distance runners and serious cyclists have made this piece of real estate their own. For a casual runner like me, I'm glad I was able to visit stretches of this Park Connector to enjoy a slice of natural heaven.

Have you been to the Changi Coastal Park Connector? How was your experience?

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Punggol Beach

Punggol Beach

Of the many beautiful beaches in Singapore, Punggol beach is one of the more offbeat locations to find a sandy beachfront on the mainland. I was glad I make a trip there after my last visit last year.

Photograph 1: A scene of Punggol beach.

The greatest allure of Punggol beach is its peaceful ambiance. To me, I find that coming to Punggol beach is like taking a step back in time, away from the maddening crowd of a concrete jungle. Even the winding and undulating road that leads to Punggol beach looks different: no traffic lights, no zebra crossing, no ERP gantry, just a few parked cars on the 2-lane carriageway where durian hunters gather.

Photograph 2: Jetty at Punggol beach.

In terms of public amenities, there are hardly any at Punggol beach. If you visit Punggol beach, you won't find stand-alone kiosks offering bicycle or skate rentals. There are no public barbecue pits along the beachfront. There are no signs allowing or disallowing camping at Punggol beach. The only public toilet is a mobile cubicle that can double as a changing room if you intend to swim in the open sea.

There are no food and beverage outlets in the region of Punggol beach although that may change soon. There is a large sign board advertising the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) sale of a land parcel at Punggol Point for food and beverage development. I hope Punggol beach doesn't turn out to become another East Coast beach, overrun by fast food outlets and car parking nightmare.

The police presence at Punggol beach is apparent with large signs around a small hut-like building situated at the end of Punggol Road. Since a certain fugitive got caught across the Causeway, all appears quiet on this front.

Punggol beach is not really suitable for swimming as there are plenty of rocks just beyond the sandy shoreline. The large open spaces, coupled with sea breeze, is ideal for a quiet family picnic. Kids like mine would enjoy playing on the sand, working creations with sand castle-making tools and bare hands. The other popular leisure pursuit at Punggol beach, judging by the number of anglers on the jetty, is fishing.

One uncommon reason that could bring visitors to Punggol beach is a National Heritage Board historical marker that I wrote about last year, detailing atrocities committed at the beach during World War II, near the police post.

During my visit, I saw a platoon of young shutterbugs combing Punggol beach, shooting everything in their sight. I wonder if they knew about the other kind of shooting that took place decades ago on this very same beach.

What do you think of Punggol beach?

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Changi Beach BBQ: BYOP 2

Changi Beach BBQ: BYOP 2 (Bring Your Own BBQ Pit)

For youngsters who are looking to book a public BBQ pit at Changi Beach Park, this is a photograph to help you orientate yourself to the barbecue place.

Close-up Photo of Changi Beach Park's BYOP Number 2 BBQ site.

Photo of Changi Beach Park's BYOP Number 2 BBQ site and surroundings.
This is the Changi Beach Park's Bring Your Own Pit (BYOP) Number 2 actual site. It is located at the junction of Telok Paku Road and Nicoll Drive between carpark 1 and carpark 2.

On the NParks' BYOP BBQ booking site, you can find this BYOP bbq site at Area A of Changi Beach Park.

There are five BYOP BBQ sites strung along the beach, of which this is BYOP number 2. BYOP BBQ site number 2 has close proximity to amenities like toilets, shelter, tables and benches. However it does not come with a BBQ pit.

The BBQ BYOP booking fee (currently $16) is the same as those that come with a BBQ pit even though BYOP lacks a pit. Do remember to bring your own BBQ pit if you book this BYOP site. Otherwise you would have to make a return trip home to collect your BBQ pit back to this BYOP site.

Some other tips to note about booking this Changi Beach Park's BYOP Number 2.

* Each booking is from 12noon to 8am of the following day.
* Your booking is for the BBQ pit / BYOP space and not for any shelter.
* Once your booking is confirmed, there will be no refund, changing of date and/or BYOP/pit.
* Leaving behind rubbish is an act of littering.

Let me know if you have any positive or negative experience about using this BYOP site at Changi Beach Park.

Enjoy your Barbecue!

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Tanjong Beach Sentosa

Tanjong Beach Sentosa

Tanjong Beach Sentosa is located near the eastern end of Sentosa island. You may remember this beach better if I mention that it is next to Sentosa Cove, the first development of its kind to offer a marina-oriented lifestyle with quayside retail, marina and an upmarket residential enclave.

Picture of Tanjong beach, Sentosa island.

Compared to Silosa Beach and Palawan Beach, I notice that Tanjong Beach can claim to possess the most peaceful stretch of beachwater. A walk around Tanjong Beach will reveal clean sand hugging the cresecent-shaped seashore.

If you stay long enough, you can observe the most popular activity on Tanjong Beach. Surprisingly it is not sunbathing, swimming, picnics or frolicking in the sea. This activity has to do with babes, bathing trunks, black eye-shades and plenty of balls. Young men and women seem to like to gather here for beach volleyball games.

A close second in the popularity stakes for Tanjong Beach sports is dog running. Pet-lovers congregate in numbers to have fun with their pets on the beach and in the water.

Nearby you can find Tanjong Golf Course, Sentosa Golf Club and Sentosa Resort and Spa. KM8 is the resident beach pub and cafe. A car park sits to the west of Tanjong Beach where free parking is awailable.

For those keen on finding your way to Tanjong Beach in Sentosa, check out the Map of Tanjong Beach, Sentosa here.

The entry to the beach is free although visitors who drive need to pay a small fee to cross the causeway into Sentosa island.

Read more in Seen This Scene That
1. Palawan Beach Sentosa
2. Punggul Point Beach
3. Sembawang Park Beach

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Bougainvillea Garden East Coast Park

Photograph: Bougainvillea Garden, East Coast Park.

Bougainvillea Garden East Coast Park

For beautiful garden views of Bougainvilleas in bloom, visit the Bougainvillea Garden on East Coast Park. Formerly called the Shrub Garden, this patch of land at East Coast Park’s Area F (next to carpark F2) has been transformed into a flowering paradise where one can enjoy the flowers next to a picturesque beach.

Best of all, a three-storey-high tower sits on this beachside location. (For my regular readers, you will know that I have a soft spot for towers.) Access to the top of the tower is through a spiral staircase. There does not appear to be balcony space for visitors to stand on the higher levels. This makes me wonder why it was built in the first place.

Photograph: Tower at Bougainvillea Garden, East Coast Park

Visitors can only walk up the circular slope to the first level for a bird’s eye view of the Bougainvillea Garden. Moreover, a locked gate prevented my attempt to reach the apex of the Bougavillea garden tower. There was no other way to reach the top of the tower, short of scaling the outer walls.

The well-maintained Bougainvilleas were pruned to various shapes and sizes. When in bloom, expect bouquets of colours to greet cyclists, joggers, skaters and other passers-by. Pub-crawlers keen for drinks can sit at the patio of a restaurant (Sunset Bay Beach Bar) at one corner of Bougainvillea Garden.

Photograph: Tower view of Bougainvillea Garden, East Coast Park

East Coast Park’s Area F is also a designated place for barbecues. BBQ pits (numbers 57 to 66) are found a short walk from Bougainvillea Garden. There are also Bring-Your-Own-Pit (BYOP) designated areas further along the beach. Convenient public toilets and washrooms are available next to the carpark F2.

For a scenic place along East Coast Park to enjoy views of the sea, sun and flowers, Bougainvillea Garden is a recommended spot to visit.

Map of Bougainvillea Garden in Area F, East Coast Park (click link to see).

Read more in Seen This Scene That:
1. Castle Beach, East Coast Park
2. East Coast Park Playground
3. East Coast Park

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Dirty Beaches of Singapore: Pasir Ris Beach

Dirty Beaches of Singapore: Pasir Ris Beach

You would have heard about one of the dirty beaches of Singapore recently. Apparently authorities have found some bacteria contamination of sea water at Pasir Ris beach. While most beach visitors would not bat an eyelid at rubbish left behind by beachgoers or barbecue pit users, this dirty beach at Pasir Ris park's beachside waters is a little more serious than plain litter.

Warning signs such as this one shown above have sprung up along the beaches of Pasir Ris park in the northeastern corner of Singapore. Visitors are warned that the water is unclean and unsafe. Water sports and water-based activities are highly discouraged for fear of picking up skin or intestinal illnesses from touching / accidental drinking of contaminated sea water.

Questions remain on the source of the contamination. What is causing Pasir Ris beach to be one of the dirty beaches in Singapore? Would the contamination spread to Changi beach and other beautiful beaches around the coastal rim of Singapore? How long more would this "dirty beaches" tag stay on at Pasir Ris beach?

Let's hope Pasir Ris beach can shake off its "dirty beaches" tag soon. Otherwise lovers of water-based sports and activities will have to hang out at other beaches of Singapore to satisfy their sea sports cravings a while longer.

Read related posts on Pasir Ris Park and Beach:

1. Mangrove swamp at Pasir Ris Park

2. Pasir Ris Park Playground

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East Coast Park: Eastern Coastal End Walk

East Coast Park: Eastern Coastal End Walk

Like the rest of Singaporeans who make East Coast Park the most popular park in Singapore, we come to the eastern coastal end for quiet walks often. For a sensory feast of sandy beaches, bright open spaces and tall Casuarina trees sashaying to the rhythm of sea breeze, this coastal end of East Coast Park near Changi is the best place to be.

While you would expect plenty of leisure park activities like picnics, jogging, in-line skating and cycling, the human traffic is surprising lower. One good feature is the absence of BBQ pits along the eastern end of East Coast Park to pollute East Coast Park's fresh air.

Our family's favourite all-time activity at East Coast Park, however, is to sit along the beaches. There are plenty of grass patches that allow a poncho to be used for seating arrangements along this end of East Coast Park. We like to stare at the mesmerizing foam patterns as they wash up to shore, watch distant ocean-going ships cross paths in the horizon and read patterns in the ever-changing clouds as they drift by.

The eastern coastal end of East Coast Park in Singapore starts where the National Service Resort and Country Club (NSRCC) is situated at the end of East Coast Walk. From there, it is a short leisurely walk along tree-lined paths that display markings for bicycle and jogging lanes.

Walk past the chalets of the National Service Resort and Country Club (NSRCC) and be greeted by manicured greens of the NSRCC golf course.

This section will end at the mouth of Sungei Bedok where a canal leads out to sea. There are two concrete promontories on either side of this canal where friends have revealed that angling at these spots can be very successful. Even if your fishing does not turn out as expected, the glorious sunsets over East Coast Park should melt a frown into a smile.

Do you have places to recommend for a visit?

Read more about East Coast Park in Seen This Scene That:

1. East Coast Park's Castle Beach

2. Camping at East Coast Park

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East Coast Park: Castle Beach, In-line Skates, Barbecue (BBQ) Pit and More

East Coast Park: Castle Beach, In-line Skates, Barbecue (BBQ) Pit and More

Castle Beach
If you ever need help to learn how to build sandcastles at East Coast Park, look no further than Castle Beach near Area E along East Coast Park. This fairy-tale structure that stands more than three times my height, doubles as a convenient meeting place and a focal point for photograph hunters as well as novice sandcastle builders.

While not as elaborately designed as Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, the East Coast Park version still looks pretty despite its low-budget appearance. A notice board on Castle Beach reveals that it is a non-profit organization proving sandcastle team building activities for children from under-privileged background, high-risk families and physically challenged conditions (website of non-profit Castle Beach here)

In-line Skates and Bicycle Shops
Teenagers and teens-at-heart who like in-line skating and cycling but did not bring their in-line skates or bicycles will rejoice at the presence of in-line skate rental shop and bicycle rental shop. The in-line skate and bicycle shops are conveniently co-located opposite the reflexology garden .

I spoke to two teenagers minding the in-line skate shop as there were no signboards detailing their charges. They revealed that in-line skate rental costs $10 for the first hour, free for the second and $7 per hour thereafter. Rentals of in-line skates must be returned to their in-line skate shop on time or risk incurring extra charges. The bicycle shop owners displayed their charges prominently. It offered a range of bicycles to choose from, with prices ranging from $6 per hour to $12 per hour for top of the line bicycle models.

Book Barbecue (BBQ) Pit
Barbecue (BBQ) Pit number 51 at Area E stands as the nearest barbecue (bbq) pit to Castle Beach for those interested to book a bbq pit for an evening barbecue. If the barbecue (bbq) party bombs out because of rain, you can always treat your friends and guests to ready-to-eat meals at East Coast Seafood Centre or East Coast Lagoon Food Village.


Fitness and Foot Reflexology Corners, Printed Lanes
Children and their health-conscious parents can work out at the fitness corner nearby as well as at a small foot reflexology garden. Visitors to East Coast Park's beaches can also look for pictures printed into lanes at East Coast Park's shore to decide what to do. Walk if you see the big foot imprints under your feet. Or cycle / in-line skate if you see the logos for cycling / in-line skating. Despite these aids painted onto the lanes, keep an eye out for other East Coast Park users who blatantly ignore these guidelines.

Car park, Meeting Point
The nearest car park is at the car park E2 near the East Coast Lagoon Food Village of East Coast Park. Standard coupon parking rates still applies here. As there is a popular food centre next to this car park, expect to queue for a parking lot during peak dining hours and on weekends. If you come by other transport means, arrange to meet up with your family and friends at Area E Meeting Point. How would you recognise such a Meeting Point? Look for a brightly coloured stack of yellow cubes that stick out from the ground of East Coast Park.

As a note to my readers from overseas, East Coast Park is a 15-kilometre long stretch of sandy beaches, 185 Hectare in size, on Singapore's southern shores that is open to the public without admission charges. If you do visit our little island, a visit to East Coast Park is a worthwhile half-day to full-day tour to meet locals, sample local cuisine and experience a piece of Singapore life.

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Related Reads:
1. East Coast Park: Eastern Coastal End
2. East Coast Park Big Splash Playground
3. Camping In East Coast Park
4. How To Book A Barbecue Pit

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East Coast Park: Playground At Big Splash

East Coast Park: Playground At Big Splash

Big Splash at East Coast Park was one of my favourite water theme parks when young. Before I had a chance to travel overseas to explore theme parks elsewhere, this was the best water-themed playground for me.

What used to be the highest iconic waterslide (about 7-storeys high) in Singapore’s first ever water-themed park has been replaced by a more down to earth watering hole. The Playground at Big Splash, located at 902, East Coast Parkway, now occupies the site where Big Splash used to sit.

On a visit to East Coast Park's Playground at Big Splash recently, I discovered a collection of low-rise buildings that housed many modern-day dining options and lifestyle amenities with a playground thrown in. If you were expecting a huge open area filled with lots of playground structures to keep your children happy like those mammoth playgrounds at West Coast Park 3 or Pasir Ris Park, you would be sorely disappointed as I. Instead the playground here refered to the indoor mini-golf course, childcare services, in-line skating shop and bicycle kiosk that developers of the site had declared on their website were things kids love.

The fence surrounding the children’s playground with a locked gate and prominent sign hint of its private property status. Across the road from this playground, an open area that can be used as an events location stood before me. I saw visitors practicing in-line skating with like-minded individuals, next to others who were cycling around on their bikes at Playground at Big Splash.

From fast food outlets to sit-in restaurants, visitors who dropped in on East Coast Park's Playground at Big Splash would be spoiled for choice when deciding on the type of cuisine to refuel their bodies after an outing to East Coast Park. Where the foot of the old Big Splash’s waterslide used to stretch out was an uncovered parking lot. Free parking for the first half hour at this place allowed me to scoop up take-away dinner and to drive out before the electronic monitors started charging for usage after 30 minutes.

From the playground at Big Splash, you could walk across the cycling tracks and footpaths to reach the beaches of East Coast Park. There, the sea, sand, sun and familiar East Coast Park beachside fun awaited the child in me. If you pine for the old Big Splash like I did, relive those memories with old photos at LaoKokok's site here.

Most places have names that easily reveal the nature of their activities or function. Unfortunately, the ‘playground’ tag that is used here was not what my children and I had in mind before our recent maiden visit. Still, a visit to East Coast Park is always a pleasure that brings good memories.


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Related Reading:

1. Camping Permitted In East Coast Park
2. East Coast Park: Eastern End
3. East Coast Park: Castle Beach

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An Afternoon Outing To Palawan Beach, Sentosa Singapore

An Afternoon Outing To Palawan Beach, Sentosa Singapore

Despite being wary of crowds, we visited Palawan Beach, Sentosa Singapore on a cloudy weekend afternoon for a June holiday excursion. Fortunately, our senses were not overwhelmed by the feeling that tourists from all corners of the globe had descended on this piece of shoreline billed by Singapore’s tourism gurus as “continental Asia’s southern most point”. Compared to the mind-boggling queues at Sentosa’s Impiah Station where popular attractions like the Sentosa Luge, Sentosa 4D Magix, Sentosa CineBlast, Images of Singapore and Cable Car Arrival Plaza were congregated, visiting Palawan Beach was a more sedate family-friendly affair.

Cross the long narrow wooden rope bridge that barely accommodates two slim adults standing side by side and you will reach an isle that houses two observations towers. Made-of-wood and unlike sky-high counterparts like the fictitious Twin Towers in J. R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers or Kuala Lumpur’s Twin Towers, the twin peaks on Palawan Beach are easy to climb. There is an interconnecting bridge that allows visitors to cross over to the other tower around its mid level.

The reward for scaling about four levels high is a panoramic bird’s eye view of Singapore’s Sentosa shoreline. To the east, I could make out the perimeter fence to the Sentosa Dolphin Lagoon Show and hear the commentator’s voice as the Dolphin Lagoon Show progressed. Towards the Sentosa’s main land, construction work is close to completion for the new Capella Singapore hotel. To the west, I could just make out the image of the gigantic Merlion sculpture and the Sky Tower. Off the coast of Sentosa, you will note the reason why Singapore has the tag for the busiest port of call in the world.

Next to these towers is a six-feet tall concrete sculpture. Sculpted in the name of Sentosa and tagged with ‘southernmost point of continental Asia’ catchphrase, this man-made marker is a magnet for fastidious visitors to Sentosa who require their obligatory family photograph to demonstrate unequivocal proof of their visit.

The waters of Palawan Beach on Sentosa are fairly litter-free although underwater visibility is only two to three feet. Ample space along Palawan Beach, covered by soft powdery white sand, allows many visitors to make merry by the water’s edge. Two lifeguard towers sit prominently on Palawan Beach, while two lifeguards per tower stand in brightly coloured attire on their shift.

After some serious beach games, visitors can head to the Kopi Tiam foodcourt for comfort food and replenishment. Children can play outside this food court at an open area with free flowing waterspouts in a fountain. There are several pubs and restaurants along Sentosa’s Palawan Beach that can satisfy Palawan Beach visitors looking for a more elegant dining experience.

Nearer to the pavement along Palawan Beach, a small cactus garden added a surprise finding to the beachside landscape. As I noticed cyclists and pedestrians ambling past these prickly thorns, I wondered about the danger posed should unfortunate cyclists or pedestrians stray off the pavements. Continuation along this pavement towards the west will lead to the Animal & Bird Encounter and Palawan Amphitheatre.

If you drive to Sentosa’s Palawan Beach, prepare to pay $2 per passenger (adult and child) plus another $2 for car entry. A carpark, situated close to Palawan Beach, offers cheap convenient parking space at $1.07 per entry, inclusive of GST. If you don’t mind walking, you can park further away at Tanjung Beach near the eastern end of Sentosa for free.

For map of Sentosa, check this link to Sentosa map here.

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Camping Permitted In East Coast Park, Changi Beach Park And Other Parks In Singapore

Camping Permitted In East Coast Park, Changi Beach Park And Other Parks In Singapore

For a taste of the great outdoors, you can camp out in selected parks of Singapore. Camping is allowed at the following five parks:

Changi Beach Park
East Coast Park
Pasir Ris Park
Sembawang Park
West Coast Park

In Singapore, camping is a very popular activity for families, school-going children, teenagers and even adults. Popular areas to pitch tents for a night out include East Coast Park, Changi Beach Park and Pasir Ris Park.

I fondly remember my school days when I had many opportunities to camp overnight, sleeping outdoors under the moonlight at Sarimbun camp. The refreshing cool pre-dawn air always gave me a buzz whenever I rose to watch the sun rise. The touch of cold dewdrops on my poncho never failed to send a thrilling tingle up my spine. In the eerie darkness, I shook with every shrill blast of cicadas calling from the shadows. The tremble of tree leaves under coarse brush of breeze enchanted with their mildly haunting symphony.

Nowadays my children would rather spend the night in their air-conditioned bedrooms than under a hot stuffy tent. When they were introduced to camping initially, enthusiasm was boundless. They tried out for a few hours inside a tent; but alas surrendered to discomfort, and asked to go home.

Permit Required
Since 7 November 2005, the National Parks Board has mandated that a permit is required for camping on weekdays. The areas at the parks that you can camp overnight are also limited to certain portions of the park. This requirement is to weed out over-stayers, the homeless and even illegal immigrants who may exploit the use of amenities and space in the various parks as their temporary home.

The camping permit can be obtained easily. Just set up your tent at the designated area and the park ranger will make his/her round to visit your site. The park ranger will scan your identification card and issue a verification slip that is then attached to your tent. Scanning of the identification cards will be done daily. There is no fee involved.

On weekends and public holidays, no permit is required. **
[**Latest: camping permit required everyday - read new post.]

Map Source (below): Nparks
Precautions To Take
Beware of thunderstorms, floods, fire and lightning.
Know what to do in an emergency like flood and fire.
Keep your important belongings in a safe place.
Beware of theft and robbery.
Keep the campsite clean.
Do not obstruct other park users and cyclists.
Do not disturb other park users.

Most of all, enjoy your camping!

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[**Latest: camping permit required everyday - read new post.]



Read more on camping, map locations in Singapore:
1. Camping around Singapore island
2. BBQ booking and locations

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Join An Unusual Party At Marina South Promenade

Join The Party At Marina South Promenade

Situated off Marina Way, most of the northeastern part of Marina South Promenade has been sealed off for construction of the Marina Barge and the future Marina Reservoir. The path that I use starts at the junction of Marina Way and Marina Grove. After walking one hundred metres on an unpaved road that runs alongside a canal, you will reach the familiar signboard that announces the correct location.

To me, it feels like I am joining a party whenever I visit Marina South Promenade. The strong trade wind that presses your clothes and face seems like a bear hug from a long lost friend. The roar of foamy waves slapping a rocky shore sounds like your friends welcoming you. The occasional splash of salt that lands on your skin feels like the spill from an icy cold drink. You sit along the shoreline as you would on an empty space in a friend's house. The scene before your eyes is like watching your friend's vacation videos: of him whipping his fishing rod at the blue sky, trying to hook a catch while barges and ships shift gingerly to the sides, trying not to trip on his line.

The best part of this party emerges when you wake up from your dream. The promenade's still here, with the breeze, the sea, the sky and all your vibes still nice.

Take care, stay happy.

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Bottle Trees Near Simpang Kiri Park Connector, Sembawang Singapore

Bottle Tree Village At Simpang Kiri Park Connector, Sembawang

You will not find trees in Singapore that are stranger than those at Bottle Tree Village, where Jalan Memburong meets the Simpang Kiri Park Connector in Sembawang. As a free draw for patrons to its on-site restaurant, the Bottle Tree attraction should work well especially with free parking thrown in. However, I did not partake of any meal there, as this was an uninvited detour from nearby Sembawang Park.

Other than a small pond with several koi fishes to peep at, the star exhibit here is undoubtedly the Bottle Tree. Transplanted at a reputed cost of $100,000 from native southwest Queensland in Australia, these Bottle Trees (or Brachychiton Rupestris) earned their names due to the “spare tyres” around the mid trunk region. These trees are not uniform in trunk or height dimensions. They can grow to heights of 4 to 7 metres. The shorter the trees, the wider will be their trunks. The bark can age from a smooth, green surface to a furrowed gray layer as they mature. The canopy can spread to 4 metres and provide substantial shade. Leaves develop through five distinct stages.
1. Two seed leaves

2. Alternating single "finger" leaves up to 20cm long.

3. "Hand" leaves which are divided into 2,3,4,7, or 9 segments.

4. Groups of "finger" leaves.

5. Adult Leaves



Besides the study on trees, I learned that the beach at the back of Bottle Tree Village was worth accessing. While the rocky shore was nothing to shout about, the night breeze, sparse crowd and dim lights from distant ships raised a romantic mood. Discreet police presence and soldier patrols looking out for escaped JI fugitive Mas Selamat Kestari along the shoreline were unmistakable. Fortunately they did little to dampen the heady atmosphere.

Recommended for romancing couples, curious passers-by from Sembawang Park and cyclists looking for a pit stop along Simpang Kiri park connector.

Take care, be safe and be happy.

Read in Seen This Scene That about Bottle Tree Park and more:

1. Bottle Tree Park

2. Sembawang Park

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Punggol Point Beach, Singapore

Punggol Point Beach Singapore

What is this place?
Welcome to an ‘ulu’ (undeveloped) part of Singapore’s northern shoreline at the end of Punggol Road. Once an estate for farms catering to pigs, poultry, fishes and plants, much of Punggol has undergone metamorphosis in a spanking new residential estate. Fortunately the upgrading has not extended right up to this part of Punggol.

In the northeastern reaches of Singapore, this place of interest is much nearer to Johore, Malaysia than to Singapore’s central business district. Far from the maddening crowd, this isolated strip of shore runs for several kilometers along the coastline with cloud-dotted sky in its line of sight. Wide open spaces lifted by sea breezes light up one’s spirit upon arrival. The salty air, however, is laden with industrial fragrances from nearby ocean-crossing tankers.

What did I learn?
Besides the customary sandy beach, small jetty and the usual visitors, a tombstone-like artifact, left behind by the National Heritage Board stirred my interest. Ultra-modern Singapore Inc had pinned a slab of concrete marker for posterity to remember a gruesome act of WWII history at a spot next to the flimsy-looking police post. Under torture of the sun, you can read inscriptions carved into marble on a trapezoid plaque. They explain the horrific plight of up to 400 Chinese civilians who were wiped out at the beach in the Sook Ching operation on 28 February 1942.

Besides attracting world-war veterans, peace-loving activists and curious by-standers like me, this heritage site had a compelling function. It reminded me of my years performing National Service when at times we would camp out by the sea. On another level, it touched a realization that my 2.5 years in National Service plus another 10 years of reservist (Nsman) service did possess intrinsic value: the sacrifice for the greater good of protecting our Little Red Dot’s survival and success. No matter how unmentionably tough our training was, or how disappointed we might have felt at the way the system treated us, deep down inside there remained an unspoken pride that came with completing those years of service. I am now able to look at the past through rose-tinted glasses with the mellowness that grows with each passing year.

I enjoyed the natural refreshing views. Beneath the L-shaped jetty, barnacles cling for life against tidal trauma. When the sea retreats, moss-laced rocks peep out from sandy shores. Sit on these smoothened rocks as you watch sampans ferry passengers and crew to distant ships. If you look back towards land, you may imagine Casuarina trees nodding to the wind, as if they are participating in the celebration of picnickers sitting around them.

Take care, stay happy.

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Sun, Sand And History At Sembawang Park Singapore

Sand, Sunset and History At Sembawang Park Singapore

On a weekend evening outing to any place of interest in Singapore, one can expect hordes of visitors. I was therefore not surprised upon hitting the sandy shoreline of Sembawang Park, at the end of Sembawang Road. What would interest me more, would be the reasons people chose to gather here.

Few would really come here just to appreciate the rich naval heritage of the area, which started as an old watering hole for British naval personnel in 1920s. The Sembawang Shipyard to the west was home to British Naval Fleet from 1938 to 1968. The Beaulieu House or Beautiful House, built in the 1910s, was an architectural gem of the past with its high ceilings and trellis rooftop design. Down the slopes from this house, stands the Sembawang Jetty, which was built in 1940s initially by the British before its completion by the Japanese during the war. Nearby lie the remains of the Sembawang Pier, which also saw action during the war when it was partially destroyed.

The reason I came to this part of the island was to watch the sun set over the Johore Straits and to enjoy the sand on one of the few remaining natural beaches in Singapore. For a Singaporean accustomed to urban living, opportunities for me to venture outside a concrete jungle are few. From the beach near the jetty, I could see people milling around smoky barbecue pits, laughing, eating or doing both at the same time. Under shelters with columns designed like stacks of while dices with blue dots, families and friends, decked out in merry-making finery, made the most of their precious moments together. Elsewhere by the water's edge, children built sandcastles while anglers waited patiently for their evening's catch.

Past sunset, we moved to the wooded part of Sembawang Park. With the exception of the playground heavy with happy kids surrounded by a phalanx of parents and maids, the rest of the park appeared quieter. Isolated corners saw fitness equipment put to good use by park users, while the lone jogger pressed his shoes on the restored old pathways used during British occupation.

While most visitors will be satisfied to leave this area after fulfilling their recreational and cardiovascular rehabilitation needs, a few may be tempted to walk under the spell of the Sembawang Tree (to which the park took its name) to contemplate Sembawang Park’s history.

Take care and be happy.

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A Dragon's Spell At Batu Belayar Singapore

Dragon’s Tooth Gate

Situated at the end of Port Road, off Labrador Villa Road, the Dragon’s Tooth Gate stands as a sentinel, overlooking the western entrance of Keppel Harbour. Also known as Batu Belayar (Sailing Rock), this rock outcrop, which looks like a giant tooth, was used by Admiral Zheng He 600 years ago during his maiden voyage from Nanjing, China to navigate his fleet into harbour. Currently the red coloured 6-metre high rock is a replica installed in July 2005. The original was destroyed in 1848 to widen the entrance to the harbour.

Nearby there is a pier at Tg Belayar which never fails to draw me whenever I visit. One can walk on the pier that slopes into the sea or a muddy seabed depending on the tides. Unlike other beaches with powdery-white sand, the shore is lined with rocks. When the waves lap the shore, white waves crash onto concrete and then dissolve into foam as they cling in retreat. I usually fall into a sweet hypnotic spell after a prolonged stare.

The breeze is benevolent and there is a shelter for wet weather. Views of passing ships and tugboats provide a visual feast. The usual visitors are often anglers and couples, with the occasional families. Due to the recent escape of a terrorist, military personnel appeared to be familiar scenery at this park too.

Above: The Belayar Beacon

In this state of heightened alert, take care and stay happy.

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