Fromhttp://is-magazine.com/feature/great-singapore-playcation
The Great Singapore Playcation
July 3rd, 2009How to have a great mid-year vacation without leaving the country.
By Ramesh William, Shahirah Mohamed Ansari and Walter Sim
Why go abroad when there’s a global Swine Flu pandemic raging and an economic depression in full swing? Couple that with the weakening Singapore dollar and you have no better reason than to stay on these shores and make your own fun. I-S shows you where to start.
Island-Hop
Bet you didn’t know Singapore is made up of over 60 islands and islets. Take a ferry from Marina South Pier (return trip: $15 per adult; $12 per child. 1800-736-8672) to explore our smaller Southern Islands such as Kusu Island, where hundreds of worshippers descend annually to pray at the numerous shrines and temples, or sail on to Saint John’s Island, where Sir Stamford Raffles first docked in 1819. Clear waters and pristine beaches make the trip worthwhile.
Beach Out
Sentosa is quickly losing its laidback charm as it undergoes development to become Singapore’s island playground. Thankfully, Tanjong Beach still remains relatively untouched of flashy new developments. Adding to its peaceful, island-life vibe is The Shack (120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa, 6338-8035), a rustic beach bar furnished with recycled and re-purposed materials, where you can lounge lazily on colorful deck chairs and day beds. Grab a cold beer and walk along the scenic beach—it’s pure bliss.
Aquatic Daredevilling
Located at Raffles Marina, Maxout Hydrosports (Raffles Marina., 10 Tuas West Dr., 6869-2291) offers wakeboarding, wake surfing, kayaking and even banana boat rides at one of the most idyllic and scenic areas of Singapore. Whether you’re a novice, or a well-seasoned rider seeking a challenge, Maxout Hydrosports promises the ultimate wakeboarding experience. For a little group action, you can even charter a yacht to island-hop with your friends.
A Good Bend
Never done Yoga and keen to give it a go? Then head over to True Yoga (Level 27 Ocean Towers, 20 Raffles Place, 6536-3390) for a $8 trial class. Also try COMO Shambabala Urban Escape’s (#06-01 Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6735-2163) open yoga class every Friday, 7-8pm. It’s free of charge, but donations of any amount will go towards the MILK Fund’s provision of crucial primary healthcare to women and children in Timor Leste. Stretching out for a good cause—it doesn’t get any better than that.
Spa-cial Treatment
Who doesn’t need a rub-down and a spot of self-pampering? Without going to Bintan, unwind close to nature with a blend of indoor pampering and outdoor treatments amid the lush greenery of Spa Botanica (The Sentosa Resort & Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Rd., Sentosa, 6371-1318). Or rejuvenate yourself with chic treatments at Spa Esprit (House, 8D Dempsey Rd., 6479-0070) that will leave you feeling like royalty.
Natural Goodness
Bask in the laidback vibes of rural Singapore by cosying up to nature, the ideal cure for city sickness. Learn about goats at Hay Dairies (3 Lim Chu Kang Agrotech Park, Lane 4, 6792-0931) and watch milking sessions in progress between 9-11am. If amphibians are your thing, you’ll enjoy Jurong Frog Farm (56 Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, 6791-7229) with its 6,000-strong bullfrog population. Otherwise, just take a leisurely stroll through Bollywood Veggies (100 Neo Tiew Rd., 6898-5001) for some farm-fresh bites before picking up some homegrown vegetables.
Free Parking
The picturesque tranquility of these free-for-all, accessible parks make them perfect for idling hours away. Park yourself amid the lush greenery of the 150-year-old Botanic Gardens (1 Cluny Rd., 6471-7138), just a step away from bustling Orchard Road, or enjoy the mystical Chinese heritage of Haw Par Villa (262 Pasir Panjang Rd., 6872-2780). Meanwhile, the rustic Changi Broadwalk (starting point along Telok Paku Rd., near Changi Village) is lovely for its range of local heritage trees and idyllic sea view.
Cool Neighborhoods
Trawl Singapore’s funky neighborhoods for kitschy knick-knacks to embellish your home with. Katong Antique House (208 East Coast Rd., 6345-8544) sells a variety of Peranakan artifacts ranging from furniture to crockery. Similarly, Lim’s Art and Living (#02-01 Holland Road Shopping Centre, 211 Holland Ave., 6467-1300) at Holland Village is a treasure trove of Oriental-inspired homeware. If unsightly piles of laundry are your problem, a pretty rattan basket from one of the ubiquitous rattan shops at the famous Arab Street neighborhood will solve your strewn dirty socks and shirts problem. While you’re here, chill out over a coffee or tea, and smoke shisha at Samar (60 Kandahar St., 6398-0530) as you watch the world go by.
Catching Fleas
There’s no need to hop on that plane to Bangkok or Taipei when cheap steals abound in our very own shopping haven. Fashionistas will love the irresistible offers at Zouk Flea ‘n’ Easy (Zouk, Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. Aug 2, 2-7pm), while the artsy will enjoy the eclectic range of works by budding designers at Maad (Red Dot Design Museum, 28 Maxwell Rd., 6534-7209. 11am-7pm on the first weekend of each month). We also love the (in)famous Thieves Market (Sungei Rd., 1-7pm daily) for its plethora of bric-à-brac goods not sold anywhere else.
Walk This Way
We know Singaporeans hate walking and would only do so under the comfort of an air-conditioned, covered walkway. But do yourselves a favor: take a walking tour with a difference and give yourself the opportunity to see our city in an altogether different light. The Original Singapore Walks (www.singaporewalks.com) has a different walking tour everyday; our particular favorite is the Tipple Exchange every Thursday, where you’ll get to learn about many a seedy tales about Boat Quay and Clarke Quay in between gulps of beer. Also try an audio-tour of Little India through drama company Spell 7’s Desire Paths (www.spell7.net/desirepaths/); armed with a map and a discman, you can listen to stories, secrets and whispers of this enchanting neighborhood.
Gallery Gaga
Like trawling museums and galleries? Then check out Opera Gallery’s Roméro Brito exhibition, Summer of Love (Jul 10-26; #01-20 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St., 6735-2618), which features a collection of the artist’s exuberant and colorful paintings. If paintings aren’t your thing, check out Steve McCurry’s first solo photo exhibition in Singapore, The Unguarded Moment at the Asian Civilisations Museum (Jun 19-Jul 19; 1 Empress Place, 6332-2982), featuring images from McCurry’s 30-year career photographing Asia.
New Chews
While the short life span of restaurants in Singapore is lamentable, it also means there is never a dearth of new options to try out. Popular American chain Chili’s Grill and Bar (#02-23 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd., 6733-3317) recently opened at Tanglin Mall, offering its signature tex-mex cuisine and cocktails like margaritas and mojitos. Those seeking American-French food and avant-garde desserts can head to Heaven’s Loft (#08-01/02 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6884-9505), perched eight stories above Orchard Road. By the way, if you’re a UOB cardmember, you can get a one-for-one chef’s selection special.
Clubbed Away
The notion of slurping down a gourmet dinner on an oversized bed immediately screams “holiday excess,” and that’s exactly what you’ll get at the supperclub (331 North Bridge Rd., 6334-4080), where cross-dressing divas, cool art and groovy sounds combine to transport you somewhere else altogether. If you prefer eschewing laidback for something more hectic, then Powerhouse at St James Power Station (3 Sentosa Gateway, HarbourFront, 6270-7676) or the gritty-grunge, indie-kid swinging Home Club (#B1-01/06 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd., 6538-2928) would be choice options. If you want to look cool, don’t miss the rampaging The Butter Factory (#02-/02/03/04 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd., 6333-8243) and Zouk (17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988).
Mall Rats
No need to suffer stiff upper lip service at Harrod’s or snooty sales assistants at Bloomingdale’s. Just do it right here, at three swish new-smell-still-intact malls. ION Orchard’s (2 Orchard Turn. Open Jul 21) high-end designer offerings has every respectable label from Cartier to Louis Vuitton, while Orchard Central (181 Orchard Rd.) conjures up the Mediterranean vibe right on our shores with retail shops like Spain-based fashion chain Desigual. Iluma (201 Victoria St.) meanwhile is a nice knick-knack kind of place where you can pick up suitable playcation souvenirs.
History Chapters
History buffs know that Singapore holds many an interesting stories. So why not go dig for it. Labrador Park (Labrador Villa Rd. off Pasir Panjang Rd.) may not be quite a walk in the park to get to, but once there, you’ll find cool underground ammo dump complexes used during World War II. Then head across town to the Japanese Cemetery Park (22 Chan Hoe Ave.) in Hougang, where you’ll find over 900 tombstones containing the remains of executed war criminals, soldiers, young Japanese prostitutes and Singapore’s first Japanese resident Yamamoto Otokichi, who died in 1867. Pack a picnic basket; its idyllic and tranquil grounds are perfect for a nice late afternoon chill out.
Boutique Sleeps
Cool, chic, artsy and tiny. Boutiques are a nice alternative to the identikit world of chain hotels. Although Naumi (41 Seah St., 6403-6000) pitches itself to the corporate suits, its location, intimate rooms and sophisticated guests-only, roof-top bar make this a soothing chill pad. Those with a more artistic bent will appreciate the New Majestic Hotel (31-37 Bukit Pasoh Rd., 6511-4700) for its mix of Wallpaper-esque chic designs, designer furniture and stunning wall art; its Attic Suite is a sight to behold. A less pricey option can be found at The Link Hotel (50 Tiong Bahru Rd., 6622-8585), where you can explore the art deco charms and food joints of Tiong Bahru; and The Scarlet Hotel (33 Erskine Rd.,
6511-333) still ranks as one of the most elegant boutique hotels in town.
Alive & Kicking
The local live music scene is alive and kicking. Check out the acoustic strains of Ngak & Clement (Thu, 9pm) at Loof (#03-07, 331 North Bridge Rd., 6338-8035), the incredible repertoire of the Goodfellas (Sat, 10:30pm) at the live music institution Timbre (45 Armenian St., 6338-8030) and the electrically enthusiastic Shirlyn Tan & UnXpected (Thu& Sat, 9pm) at Holland Village’s Wala Wala (31 Lorong Mambong, 6462-4288).
Stage Laughs
Singapore is pretty serious. But a slice of The Melbourne Comedy Festival (Jul 22-25, 8pm; $45;6100-2005) is yours to enjoy later this month with a line-up comprising Dave Thornton and Celia Pacqola. For laughs of another kind, the musical Sing Dollar (Jul 23-Aug 8) will leave you gagging and chortling with laughter all the way through with familiar stand-up names like Kumar, Selena Tan and Pamela Oei.
Horsing Around
Aspiring equestrians can hone their trotting and jumping skills at Gallop Stable @ Pasir Ris (61 Pasir Ris Green, 6583-9665). With nine ponies, two miniature ponies and a yearling residing at the stable, you can take riding lessons and pony rides, and even feed the ponies, all a mere stone’s throw from the beach.
.jpg)