FON

Overland Trip to China (from Singapore)

2009-11-11T10:47:00.002+08:00

Trip to China

The AA organised a road trip to China September 2009.
Looks like a fantastic adventure.....

The Great Singapore Playcation

2009-07-07T15:36:00.002+08:00

From
http://is-magazine.com/feature/great-singapore-playcation

The Great Singapore Playcation

July 3rd, 2009

How 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.

Via Ferrata

2009-06-07T23:55:00.003+08:00

Opening in June 2009
Is the world's Tallest Indoor Via Ferrata

It is a challenging but yet not overly difficult way of experiencing the challenges of climbing.

Set up in the new Orchard Central, this 5 story facility will provide a safe and easily assessable way for just about everyone to try the alpine way of scaling and traversing terrain.

Via Ferrata

http://www.borderx.com.sg/index.html

Other climbing facilities in Singapore

Kampong Lorong Buangkok

2009-01-18T18:16:00.002+08:00

Kampong Lorong Buangkok

Tucked away in a corner in urban Singapore is a slice of village living that has barely been touched by modern life. Kampong Lorong Buangkok is the last surviving kampong (Malay for village) on mainland Singapore. The village is made up of wooden huts with zinc roofs, many of them empty as most families have since moved out.

Address Off Sengkang East Avenue near Yio Chu Kang Road

Climb Up A Rock

2008-12-25T19:30:00.001+08:00

Rock climbing

Rock climbing is becoming a more popular in flat Singapore.

With more rock gyms created, there are more people picking up the sport. There are a also a few climbing events/competitions are held in Singapore through out the year.

Some of the places where rock gyms can be found: -

Climb Asia Climbing Centre

117 Rangoon road, Singapore 218395
http://www.climb-asia.com/

Climb Adventure (Pacific) Pte Ltd
http://www.climbadventure.com/

Safra Adventure Club
Safra Yishun 60 Yishun Ave 4 Singapore 769027

http://www3.safra.sg/clubhouse_ys.aspx?pageid=257

Outdoor: There is also technical rock climbing at Dairy Farm Quarry.

100 km on 0 Litres

2008-11-27T18:40:00.004+08:00

Shoot them up!

2008-11-17T22:14:00.006+08:00

Fancy shooting a gun off?
In Singapore, no less.

Like archery, or other shooting sports, Shooting requires patience & focus.

It helps to build individual confidence and hand-eye coordination.

Everyday problems become secondary when one's focus is on the target..... as long as he boss' face doesn't come into the picture...

The charges for Day Member.

--------

Here are other locations that you can go shoot all you want!

http://www.combatlasersingapore.com/contact.html

http://www.laserclay.com.sg/abtlc.html

http://www.crossfire.com.sg/

http://www.singaporeshooting.org/nsc/facilities.html

Singapore: 10 Things to Do in 24 Hours

2008-11-12T16:02:00.002+08:00

This is an article from Time Magazine on things to do in Singapore

http://www.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1845806,00.html

Gili Meno - Turtles

2008-10-22T12:16:00.007+08:00

I love island life..... the sound of the waves and the feeling of sand under the feet!

One of the places highly recommended is Gili Meno, a little island off Lombok Island in Indonesia.

I had a fantastic time there swimming, diving (in one dive, I managed to see 6 turtles)
The dive sites are really wonderful with access just 5-10 mins boat ride from the islands.

The tiny island is very pretty with blue water views and Lombok island in the background.

I also spent time helping out a local that really impressed me with his passion and dedication to his adopted family: The Turtles of the region.

Boulong was a fisherman that did what every local did; he ate the turtles. He started to notice that yearly there were less and less of them around him. He decided to do something about it.

He used his own time and money and set-up a rudimentary turtle sanctuary to make sure there is another generation of turtles to speak off. When he goes fishing for his income, instead of selling it all, he brings back some of the fish to feed his little "babies". When he doesn't get anything, he feeds them bread bought out of his own money.

This Turtle Sanctuary will let the little hatchlings grow to a size that they are strong enough to forage for themselves and are then released into the wild.

We helped him put up signage about the turtles and his story as well as help in getting more of the facilities in order.

Update: one year on, he is adding a glass boat to his "company" so that he can take tourists out to see the turtles in the wild. He still channels the funds made to bringing up more babies.

If you are in the area, please do lend a helping hand to the babies of Gili Meno.

How to get there?
SilkAir flies from Singapore direct

A Rustic Little Getaway

2008-10-19T16:19:00.001+08:00

Situated at the crossroads of the India-China maritime trade route, Bintan was once a hot seat of power struggles between the Malays and the Bugis warriors. With a mere two hour ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (not to be confused with the one at Changi Village), we were transported to the island where Malay pirates and sea nomads (Orang Laut) once inhabited.

The north of the island is jointly developed by Singapore and Indonesia, and offers the comforts of Singapore - resort styled golf and island life, which can be just home away from home for some.

We decided to head out to the east side where we could explore unspoiled beaches and rustic kelongs on our trusty bicycles. 'Kelong' is a stilt house built for breeding or trapping of fish. Some are built for commercial use but, there are a few that offer stays on the 'Kelong'. Most of them are built away from the bustling town thus, it's a perfect getaway if you're looking for some peace and quiet.

Alighting at Tanjung Pinang, the city of Bintan, we were greeted by friendly villages as well as the searing heat. Our destination - 39km of hills away from the city centre - was a pretty and scenic kelong called Ocean Bay Resort on Trikora Beach. Undaunted by the distance, we set off amidst the heavy motorcycle traffic and incoherent road signs.

Sitting 50m offshore, Ocean Bay Resort was well worth the huffs and puffs. With no signs of commercialism, we were left to while away our time. A perfect time for reflection interwoven with action-adventure activities.

Not for the faint hearted:-

1. Cycle 39km to the resort
Time taken: 4 hours with breaks in between
Skill level: Intermediate

2. Swim 3km from kelong to explore deserted islands
Time taken: 2 hours at a leisurely pace
Skill level: Intermediate

3. Snorkel 1km from kelong
Time taken: at own pace
Skill level: Novice

4. Kayak 3km to explore deserted islands
Time taken: 30 mins at a leisurely pace
Skill level: Novice

5. Cycle 10km along Trikora Beach
Time taken: 30 mins
Skill level: Novice

Amazing White Powder

2008-10-08T21:55:00.000+08:00

Ok, in case you were attracted to the nice title, it is not the other types of white powder that one uses for recreation.

This particular white powder is used after recreation... little accidents, cuts etc that one has when enjoying the outdoors!

Yunan BaiYao: Literally means Yunan White Medicine

This powder seals wounds but just applying on the open cuts etc.
The scab for these wounds forms very quickly (1-2 days) and starts curing very quickly. It is actually scarily quick.

Check out the Instructions:
the applications of this powder amuse me.
Gunshot wounds?

Malaysian Moor

2008-09-08T16:15:00.000+08:00

What could be more romantic than watching the sunrise from your veranda, or taking long strolls in and around tropical gardens, or a riding adventure into the sunset, or even languishing in a Jacuzzi pool under the stars? Riders Lodge is the alternative quick romantic getaway for those who love the great outdoors - horse riding, great service and welcoming food.

The cafe is run by Agnes and her ever-warm crew, who made us feel at home with their kind hospitality. "Would you like your desserts now, or later, after your ride?" asked the kind waiter. And while we were swatting the flies away (from the heat plus horses), the reception provided us with drinks to cool us down, as we opted for desserts after.

The jungle trail ride was enjoyable for beginners like ourselves. Chestnut and the genteel Mr Grey were an easy ride. Due to the afternoon heat, Mr Grey needed more coaxing than Chestnut, who cheekily snatched a leaf or two in between "whoas" and "giddiups" to keep cool.

Although we did not stay at the handsome manor, we sneaked a peek at rooms before we "rode off" in the sunset, promising ourselves to come back another time, to acquire more equestrian skills and enjoy the sunset beyond the hills.

For more information, visit www.riderslodge.com.my.

Trek urges American drivers to get on their bikes instead

2008-07-21T11:00:00.000+08:00

Trek urges American drivers to get on their bikes instead

Carlton Reid Jul 18 2008, 10:48am

The ‘Go By Bike Challenge’ pledge campaign is led by 1 World 2 Wheels, Trek’s cycling advocacy initiative. This challenges American drivers to put down their car keys and go by bike instead.“The momentum for going by bike is undeniable,” said Trek’s director of advocacy, Rebecca Anderson.“Growing traffic congestion; skyrocketing gas prices; alarming obesity rates; concerns about global climate change as the result of greenhouse gas emissions; there is interest all over the country for transportation alternatives. "The bicycle, as arguably the most efficient mode of transportation on the planet, represents a simple solution to some of the toughest problems; and tons of communities are recognizing this fact by taking steps to become bike-friendly. There has never been a better time to go by bike.” From July 17th through August 31st, 1world2wheels.org will accept ‘Go By Bike’ mileage pledges online, displaying a homepage ticker that tracks total miles pledged, money saved, calories burned, and pounds of carbon offset accumulated.To promote the challenge, Trek will take out two full-page print ads in USA Today, and Trek’s network of independent bicycle dealers will ask customers to make in-store pledges. Each day of the campaign, one pledger will also be selected at random to receive a Trek 7.2 FX fitness hybrid bike, valued at $519.99. According to a US National Personal Transportation Survey, nearly 40 percent of all trips taken by car are two miles or less.

Bikes on Public Transport

2008-06-19T14:51:00.000+08:00

Well Done!!!!!

to LTA and the public transport companies to finally allow foldable bicycles onto trains and buses in Singapore!!!!!

This means that we can have a slightly health and greener alternative to our transport needs. However the new ruling is for a trail period only and for foldable bikes up to a certain size.

There are also conditions etc......

Here is the LTA press release:

http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1933

General guidelines:

http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/annex_General_Guideline.pdf

MRT guidelines:

http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/brochure_General_Guideline_on_MRT_Bus.pdf http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/poster_General_Guideline_on_MRT.pdf

Bus guidelines:

http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/poster_General_Guideline_on_Bus.pdf

Size when folded must be smaller than: 114 cm by 64 cm by 36 cm

This means that we can ride the little bikes to the nearest station (or take the bus), hope on and appear somewhere in the other reaches of Singapore Island and ride around there.

Examples could be

Kranji MRT station: where you can pedal to Lim Chu Kang to enjoy the peaceful farmlands of the NE part of Singapore

Kebangan MRT station: where you could get out onto the park connector to even go up to Changi village

Chinese Garden and or Lakeside MRTstation: where you can ride around in the lakes area

Bedok MRTstation: where you could pedal to and around Bedok reservoir or even down to East coast parkway.

Punggol MRT station: where you could pedal to Punggol Marina for a drink by the seaside.

Harbour Front MRT station: where you could pedal into Sentosa or towards the Southern ridges or West Coast park

Let's Play!

2008-05-06T14:44:00.000+08:00

Kudos to Singapore Sports Council on their latest exercise to ease the information flow for people to find out more on the Singapore Sports scene

They have just launched: http://www.singaporesports.sg/
a potentially one stop local sports portal to facilitate

Play and Entertaintment

The portal is supposed to make it easy for people to find out what sports events are happening in Singapore,

- where to play sports and book sports facilities online,

- how to play sports,

- who to play sports with,

- where to find other online sports communities and have fun

– all in one convenient online location.

I just love the rulebook portion.... they have posted the rules of rugby, football etc

To find out more, click here

A rumble through the hills

2008-04-23T00:29:00.003+08:00

Are there hills left in Singapore?
Red Hill is now flat... the story is that the entire hill is now all in Marina South!

Surprisingly despite our rapid urbanisation, there are still pockets of wild and hillside walks in urban Singapore

Walk from hill to hill in Singapore : http://www.nparks.gov.sg/southernridges.html
The above National Parks website link provides ways of getting to each trail of the Link way. Here is a Map of all the trails.

The trails link up to a total of about 9km and will take about 3-5 hours to complete from one end to the other. The trails are a series of connections will provide a seamless link between the various hills in the the Southern Ridges from Alexandra Road (and West Coast park) to the waterfront at Bukit Chermin (Vivo City) or the other way around.

It can also be taken in stages since the terrain is hilly (for Singapore) so leisurely walks can be undertaken on the various portions. The Henderson Waves portion and the Alexandra Arch portions seem to stand out in terms of nice walks affording good views and vantage points along the way.

Please note that the routes are not totally interlinked, such routes are an attempt to link various segmented and nucleated parks, often not seamlessly- you will still have to cross major roads, bridges, highways, etc to get from one park to another.

However, the Park Connector system is definitely a major step in the right direction.

Bukit Brown - a little piece of land that nature has reclaimed

2008-04-23T00:04:00.000+08:00

For those that love nature and are not Squeamish about visiting peaceful places where people rest their bodies after they pass on, the Bukit Brown cemetery is a haven in Singapore.
Bukit Brown is an old abandoned Chinese cemetery off Sime Road and Kheam Hock Road. I feel that it is one of the best kept secrets in Singapore.

As it is an old cemetery, nature has reclaimed much of the place with trees and bushes providing a very lush green canopy and foliage.

I have been there many times; walking, jogging, cycling, running with my dog (he loves the place!). Many of the times I visit Bukit Brown, I have seen birds like kingfishers, monitor lizards, squirrels etc. Bird watching lovers, bring your guide book and a good camera as there are amazing residents in the trees and flying around here.

Besides the animals look out for : Sikh Guards: Standing forever at attention guarding someone obviously prominent in Singapore's past. They are royal protectors who were once entrusted with business premises, they are now standing guard over valuable property in the afterlife ..

Treetops Walk

2008-04-23T00:03:00.001+08:00

Tired of the city life in Singapore?

Well, this little set of articles has always aimed at providing things to do besides the obvious shopping (an actually physically and mentally tiring activity) in Singapore.

An unsual place for Singapore is the HSBC TreeTop Walk at Macritchie Reservoir!! http://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature_central_treetops.asp

You will get to walk among the upper branches of trees in the nature reserve and watch wildlife at their level e.g. birds, monkeys, squirrels etc... Amazing Biodiversity

Bring along water good shoes etc.
Click here for a list of possible items to bring.

From the NParks website: "The TreeTop Walk is accessible from MacRitchie Reservoir Park via MacRitchie Nature Trail (indicated as Route 3 on map) or from

Venus Drive, off Upper Thomson Road.

The distance to the entrance of the TreeTop Walk is approximately 4.5 km (1.5 - 2 hour walk) from the reservoir park and 2.5 km (45 mins - 1 hr walk) from the carpark at Venus Drive. Therefore, a round trip including the TreeTop Walk is about 7 to 10 km (3-5 hours depending on your walking pace)."

Climb Up A Rock

2008-04-23T00:02:00.007+08:00

Rock climbing

Rock climbing is becoming a more popular in flat Singapore.

With more rock gyms created, there are more people picking up the sport. There are a also a few climbing events/competitions are held in Singapore through out the year.

Via Ferrata
Singapore's newest facility

Some of the places where rock gyms can be found: -

Climb Asia Climbing Centre

117 Rangoon road, Singapore 218395
http://www.climb-asia.com/

Climb Adventure (Pacific) Pte Ltd
http://www.climbadventure.com/

Safra Adventure Club
Safra Yishun 60 Yishun Ave 4 Singapore 769027

http://www3.safra.sg/clubhouse_ys.aspx?pageid=257

Outdoor: There is also technical rock climbing at Dairy Farm Quarry.

SnowBall Fight!

2008-04-14T09:29:00.001+08:00

Weird but certainly different in sunny tropical Singapore is mucking around in snow!
In Singapore this has been made possible by Snow City

At Snow City, in Jurong,
you can ski, snowboard or snow tube your way down a snow-covered slope.

Have a huge snowball fight like in colder climates.

Or just walk about, touch and play with 'real snow' created with the help of specially-designed snow guns.

Spin your browser to http://www.snowcity.com.sg/

to find out more.

Outdoor Gear- cycling, hiking, watever

2008-04-08T10:52:00.000+08:00

For Cycling or any outdoor activity, it is good to be prepared so here's a little checklist that may be helpful:

- Have your meal before coming
- Hydrate during the day
- Have a good rest before the event

ATTIRE
- Light coloured T-shirt/ jersey
- Comfortable shorts/ cycling tights
- Sport shoes/ cycling shoes

BIKE GEAR
- Sunnies/glasses...
- Helmet
- Gloves (recommended)- Gelseat : :-)

Bike is equipped with a back blinker light
- Tyres are well-inflated
- Brakes are working
- Gears are working

What Else To Bring
- water bottles/camel bag etc.... bring enough, more is best as water can always unload etc
- small bag to put your stuff
- personal documents
- some cash
- small towel
- Change of clothes
- medication (if any)
- Special energy foods (if needed)
- Last but most importantly..... your sense of fun and humor!

Help the Environment- transport

2008-04-08T09:46:00.000+08:00

Lower your transport carbon footprint

The Earth is in serious need of repair and everyone can help.
Besides the other environmental issues of industry.
One way of personally helping the environment is to be smart about your daily transport.
The following not only assists the environment but will also assist your pocket.

Here are some ways of getting around besides burning the petrol in your car:

Use
- Public Transport as much as possible; this overall efficiency of the system reduces overall strain on the environment.

- Cycle to work : not only are you helping the environment but you are giving yourself a little workout! Both the environment and your body benefits!!!!
Read my other post and the associated links for tips on Riding to work.

Now you can even bring your foldable bicycle onto public transport.

- Walk to work : Like cycling to work, walking or running to work also benefits the Earth and your body.

If you do have to burn some gas to get around,

here are some tips on burning less:
- Control your throttle
using excessive throttle to accelerate really pumps a lot of fuel to be burnt off or worse not even burnt out the exhaust pipe! This control and change of style can save a lot of fuel and naturally $$$ nop matter what you drive or ride!

-Car Pool

Share your car with as many people as possible, spreading the load and thereby consuming less as a whole

-Scooter or motorcycle to work
Two wheelers burn a lot less fuel and are many times more efficient than 4 wheelers. They take-up less space and don't have to push as much air and weight around. Unless you fill up your car with 3 other passengers every time, there is unnecessary wastage! Most cars have only one passenger moving along on the way to work.

-Cars
-Smaller Cars
Drive a smaller car!
Try not to drive MPVs, SUVs, Sports Cars!
Big Cars all really do the same thing as the smaller more fuel efficient car in the city, they are heavier, less streamlined and have bigger engines that need more fuel to run.

-Hybrids
Try switching to a Hybrid car. It might seem expensive to purchase initially but the cost savings in terms of lower fuel running costs are amazing.

Excess weight
Not talking about your weight.... though the lighter you are, the less needs to be pushed around ;-)

Most cars have a lot of items being carried around all the time that is not immediately needed: Golf bags, books, Overnight clothes (? hmmmm), Roof racks, bike racks etc.
All this adds to the weight that your vehicle has to burn fuel to push around.
The racks : are additional wind resistance to the car, breaking the original car's design for wind streamlining.

Cycle to Work

2008-04-08T09:09:00.000+08:00

Cycling to work is a great way of transport that
not only promotes your health
but also promotes the environment!

iwant2bike2work is a non-profit organization with one aim – to get more people to ride their bikes to work in the morning and home in the evening. We want to make cycling sustainable in urban Asia: to provide accessibility, promote a rewarding way of staying healthy and enhance cyclists’ safety on our roads.

Providing accessibility

Various routes to get to your office

A place to store your bike

A place to shower and dress before going into the office

Promoting a rewarding way of watching your health and the environment

Enable a healthy lifestyle

Bring down the barriers to becoming more active

Creating a fun way to get to and from work

Striving for optimal safety

Make motorists more mindful of sharing the road with cyclists

Show cyclists how they can best participate in city traffic

Spur government action to improve safety measures for cyclists

So what to do when you are hot and sweaty and your office has no bath and space for your bike:

The Bike Boutique

is one possible place in the city that offers bike "housing".
They will look after your bike during the day and has fantastic shower facilities so that you can look like a million dollars after your ride to work.

Besides the Bike Boutique, many gyms are willing to "house" your bike during the day if you are a member.

Map of Gyms In Singapore

Cable Ski

2008-04-03T20:28:00.000+08:00

http://www.ski360degree.com/

Get on the water without much logistical arrangements.

You can ski, wakeboard practically anytime!

Even after work at night till 10pm!

This Cable ski park is built in the East Coast of Singapore and was formerly reclaimed land and a swimming lagoon. Cables overhead pull skiers and wakeboarders around the lagoon.

Why wait for the weekend and the gang to finally get together for some fun on the water....
just do it!

The North Western day ride

2008-04-02T11:47:00.000+08:00

The North Western day ride
For those interested in riding with very unusual unique experiences in Urban Singapore:

http://www.kranjicountryside.com/template/farmpreneurs.html
There are a whole lot of farms in this area, not really what people expect from urban Singapore. These are however not the huge farms that we see overseas but specialised focused enterprises.

The plan will be to do the visit leisurely on bicycles going from farm to farm....
Yes this can be done hiking and driving.....

Note there is a big loop for the road
Groups can vote for which farms you wanna see - as these farms are really unique to Singapore

To get there, travel towards Kranji Way, head toward the Kranji Dam where you will have a view of the reservoir and of Johor across the Straits.

A good parking and
Meeting point:
http://www.sbwr.org.sg/images/map.gif
Kranji Reservoir Car Park

From here it is only 2km to

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve,

Singapore's wetlands are preserved here and migratory birds come here to rest on their long travels north and south when the weather changes. It there can be said that Singapore is also a transit/hotel stop for the birds as well as Changi airport is for the human travelers. Take a walk along the paths and hide in the many viewing platforms where you can chance upon both local and migratory birds, monitor lizards, possible crocodiles if lucky...

After the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, a possible different experience is travel about 5.5km west to visit Hay Dairies Pte Ltd , a Goat Farm

as well as the Jurong Frog Farm is the only frog breeder in Singapore.

After visiting the above, one would have worked up a little appetite, so pop by the Poison Ivy Bistro where the cafe provides local feasts in an organic farm environment.
very nice home style cooking ;-)
http://www.bollywoodveggies.com/bistro.html

To bring these items along

City Hike

2008-04-01T12:47:00.001+08:00

Hike up Fort Canning

One of the many ways of getting away from the desk and work is a gym workout in the city. How about doing it outdoors instead. Most people think of Fort Canning as a place for marriage or music festivals.

Duration: 7pm- 10 pm
Start UOB, walk along Boat Quay, Clarke Quay cross over via Bridge next to the Reverse Bungy, up the Fort Canning park slope to the top.

Interesting facts
Fort Canning Park was created in 1859 as an arms store, barracks and hospital and had the beginnings as a Botanical Garden.

Look out for the following on your leisurely hike:

There was an old Spring where the original Singapore settlement drew water from (it dried up ages ago!), old Christian graves, underground bunkers used during World War II
The Spice Garden, a small replica of the original 19-hectare tract Raffles established in 1822 as the first experimental and botanical garden in Singapore.

Here's a list of other attractions in the park.

To bring along some of these items