Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Family Day at Singapore Zoo

Last weekend, I went to Singapore Zoo with my parents. The last time I visited the zoo was about ten years ago and so much has changed. 

Now there are more than 2800 animals in the lush forest, restaurants, animal performances and rides. The zoo is really big and I'm glad there is unlimited tram rides where you can hop on or hop off. The tram rides is inclusive with the ticket but not for corporate pass. 

I think the highlight of the trip is the performance by Asian elephants who gave a rousing performance. I didn't know elephants could perform and listen to instructions. Also they look so cute when they smile.

Ticket for adult is priced at $28 and $18.00 for child. 
For more information, click the Singapore Zoo website here

How to get there?
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826
Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT and take bus 138 to the zoo.
The adorable asian small-clawed otter
 Red River Hog which is from Africa looks like a pig. 
 Now they have kangaroos from Australia. They look like a family of three.
 You can also experience elephant ride now at $8.00.
 There is only one polar bear in this air-conditioned room. Must be lonely for him. 
 Home of the polar bear.
 Rhino 
 Kids can also have fun at the Kidzworld 
 Orang Utan posing for photo.
 Elephants welcomed us by splashing water at us.
 Look at the giant elephant walking and balancing on the log. 
 See how cute this elephant is! It posed and smiled. Oh it greeted us by swinging its long trunk. I didn't know elephant can do that. So cute! 
 Mischievous elephant taking the hat away from its mahout. 
 And putting on the hat.
 Elephant kissed her mahout.
 Another great performance by the elephants.
 The mahout trying to tempt Jati with banana to make her lie down.
 Jati who is like a matriarch loves banana. See she took the whole branch of bananas.
Elephant feeding by visitors. Need to pay $5.00 for a basket of fruits and vegetable like carrot. 
 After exploring the zoo, we felt hungry so we had Kaya toast, coffee and half-boiled eggs.

Sunday, 9 November 2014

Europe Christmas Market at Singapore Gardens by the Bay

For the first time in Singapore, I'll get to experience Europe Christmas market in Gardens by the Bay. I can't wait to see beautiful light sculptures specially constructed and flown in from Italy and European-style christmas festive market which always look so beautiful in Europe travel brochures. 

Christmas Wonderland will start on 29 November 2014 and end on 1 January 2015. Light-up will start from 7pm and end at midnight daily. 

Click here to read more.
Image from Gardens by the Bay website.

Saturday, 8 November 2014

llao llao Healthy Yogurt at Marina Square

My favorite yogurt is Sanum at llao llao Marina Square shopping mall. It is No.1 in Europe and is the first outlet in Singapore and Asia. This healthy dessert is delicious and you don't feel guilty for indulging in it.Whenever I am at Marina Square, I will order it. Give this yougurt a try and you won't regret it. Oh it also comes with a cute spoon that looks like a leaf.

How to get there?
It is nearest to Esplanade MRT and about 8 minutes walk from Cityhall MRT. 
 
I always order sanum ($6.50) as I can choose three different fruits like mango, blueberry and strawberry, one crunch like sunflower seeds and a sauce. I always choose blueberry sauce though there are other sauces like coffee, chocolate raisin ram.
 Healthy dessert
There is always a long queue, especially on weekends.

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Tip:Don't Buy from Mobile Air Shop at Sim Lim Square


If you looking to buy mobile phone like Iphone 6, never buy from the controversial shop Mobile Air at Sim Lim Square, a shopping complex for electronics buffs. It has received several complains from customers. Recently it appeared on the news for refunding a tourist S$1100 in coins, causing the unfortunate customer to spend about three hours to count the coins. 

Today Mobile Air received 'news coverage' again when a tourist knelt down and pleaded to the shop owner to return $950.00 to him after he was told to pay additional $1500.00 for the warranty package else he can't get the phone. 

If you are in Singapore and want to buy mobile phone, remember not to buy from Mobile Air at Sim Lim Square.

Case investigates Sim Lim mobile shop which paid in coins - See more here.

Kai Kai & Jia Jia at Singapore River Safari

My favorite bears in Singapore are none other than the two adorable Kai Kai and Jia Jia, two adorable panda bears residing in air-conditioner River Safari. They received VIP welcome on their arrival to Singapore on 6 September 2012. Alright, I'm going to share the history of their arrival to Singapore which I saw outside the zoo.
 Kai Kai just lazing around after his bamboo lunch.
 Hurray we can see the pandas for ten years.
 A big send-off party for two giant pandas.
They are VIP in Singapore.
 They travelled from Singapore Airlines cargo.
 Everyone were excited to see the pandas.

 Watch them grow.
Panda is the only bear with six fingers on each hand.

Thursday, 23 October 2014

The Best Paper-Wrapped Chicken in Singapore

My cousin and her husband treated me one of the best paper wrapped chicken at Manhill restaurant near the Alexandra road. I'm not sure how much it cost since I didn't pay. 
One thing for sure is the paper-wrapped chicken is that best that I have tasted. The chicken is tender and tasty. I reckon they marinated the chicken with special sauce for very long time and that's why the chicken is so delicious yummy.
 Really delicious paper-wrapped chicken. I want to eat again. This is their signature dish and is a must try.
 This tasty pork is another great dish. 
 Not sure what is the name of this soup but it is really good for health.
Manhill restaurant at 99 Pasir Panjang road

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Singapore takes Lonely Planet's top country destination award


From Channel News Asia Singapore

Lonely Planet has named Singapore as top destination among countries in Best in Travel 2015, its 10th annual agenda-setting collection of the best trends, destinations and experiences for the year ahead.

SINGAPORE: Lonely Planet has named Singapore the world's top destination among countries for next year - this is the first time that Singapore has made it to its annual list of best destinations.
The travel media company listed Singapore top in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2015, its 10th annual agenda-setting collection of the best trends, destinations, and experiences for the year ahead.

Lonely Planet said many factors contributed to the win, including developments like a new crop of swanky hotels, and new attractions such as the Singapore Sports Hub and the National Art Gallery opening next year. It also noted that Singapore has been nurturing an emerging local fashion scene, and artisanal coffee has taken off here.
In the list, Namibia came in second, while Lithuania and Nicaragua came in third and fourth respectively. The other countries that made it to the top 10 were Ireland, Republic of Congo, Serbia, Philippines, St Lucia and Morocco. Washington, DC in the United States was named the top city to visit, while Gallipoli in Turkey was chosen as the top region to visit.

These destinations were chosen based on three criteria, explained Lonely Planet Marketing Director Chris Zeiher. "The first one we look at is topicality - is there something happening in that destination in that year to come? Because it is about looking forward, particularly for travellers when they are doing all their planning," he said. "The second one is a 'wow' factor. Is there something that is emerging within a destination that makes it really interesting from a travellers' point of view? The third one is whether a destination is value for money and family-friendly."

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) expects visitor arrivals to be at least 16.3 million this year and spending by tourists to be about S$23 billion. As Singapore puts on its party hat next year to celebrate its 50th birthday, tourists can expect bigger and better things.
STB Assistant Chief Executive Lynette Pang called 2015 "the year of arts and sports": "With the opening of Sports Hub, there will be an amazing calendar of sports programming. We also have the opening of the National Gallery Singapore, which will see for the very first time major pieces of art from Southeast Asia."

To continue appealing to tourists, Singapore also has to focus on marketing its authenticity, said Mr Kevin Cheong, Chairman of the Association of Singapore Attractions. "It is about being original. Moving forward, I believe that we need to start looking at what makes Singapore authentic. What is the Singapore blend of service and culture which makes people say 'Wow, this is something different' and truly a crossroads of East and West?"

Saturday, 18 October 2014

Travelling to Sentosa Via Monorail Sentosa Express

There are many different choices to travel from the main land to Sentosa island. You can travel by car,bus, walk via the boardwalk where there is travellator or the monorail at Sentosa Express located at the Vivocity mall level 3. You can read about how you can walk to Sentosa using the boardwalk here.

This post is focused on travel by monorail Sentosa Express from Vivocity mall to Sentosa. 

Website of Skyline: http://www.skylineluge.com/luge-singapore/luge-sentosa-prices/
 You can buy the monorail ticket at $4.00 for adult here. 
 Alternative ways to Sentosa
 There are only four stations.

 At Palawan beach which is about 5 minutes walk from Beach station.
 At Beach station, you can try indoor skydiving.
 You can also try Skyride chairlift to have a panoramic view of Sentosa
View from Beach Station platform.

View from the monorail

Monday, 13 October 2014

Exclusive Housing in Singapore Orchard Road

Recently, I went to the Orchard Road, a popular Singapore shopping paradise where tourists from around the world visit Orchard Road for the world luxury goods in iconic shopping mall like Ion Orchard. At a building in Orchard Road, I saw the exclusive private housing. With so many tall buildings surrounding this exclusive private housing, it seem like they don't really have much privacy.
 Exclusive private housing near Orchard Road


 Ion Orchard Shopping Mall where you can find the world branded luxury goods. 
  Tang shopping mall architecture inspired from Chinese architecture.

Monday, 6 October 2014

Gillman Barracks: International Art Galleries

Located at the lush greenery Lock Road, this former colonial military camp is now home to 16 international art galleries, three restaurants and the Centre for Contemporary Art. I always assume that galleries are like arts museums. Recently I learned the difference is you can purchase the arts in art galleries. Few weeks ago, I went to Gillman Barracks for a guided tour with my cousin and cousin-in law. 
If you want to learn more on different arts or purchase art piece, you can visit this place which is near Labrador park. 

Click here to read more.
  Gillman Barracks
 Chalk Arts on the road
 Money by Yukinori Yanagi.  This art is done on sand. The artist released live ants to this art and thus it created the cracks on the dollar note as it tunnel in the sand. This is an example of conceptual art with deep meaning. The hardworking ant is used as a metaphor for hardworking worker. It kinda symbolise the impact how a small ant or person could create significant damage to the world through mass consumption. 
Flower by Yukinori Yanagi. Similarly live ants were released to the sand art.
 Abstract arts
 Sunflower Seeds made of porcelain by Ai Wei Wei
 Graffiti arts
 Live band performance