Escaping the Heat

The first thing you’ll notice when leaving Changi Airport is that Singapore is hot. Really hot. At only one degree above the equator, Singapore has a hot and humid temperature 365 days a year. The average temperature is between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius with humidity between 70% and 80%. So while you’re here, chances are you’ll want to cool down.

Although everywhere indoors in Singapore is more than adequately air-conditioned, you’ll definitely feel like a swim while you’re here. For backpackers who don’t have access to a hotel pool, a very cheap option is one of the dozens of public swimming pools scattered across Singapore. Although a mission into the heartlands is required, entry to public pools is almost guaranteed to be under $2. There’s also the beach, with East Coast being the most popular. Sentosa also has three beaches with much nicer surroundings but visiting the island does cost money, even if you walk you’ll be stopped to pay a toll. Although Singapore is an island, ocean swimming isn’t that popular here, the surprising lack of beaches and the busy shipping lanes not far from shore being a possible reason.

For access to the most stunning swimming pool in Singapore, you’ll need to book yourself a room at Marina Bay Sands. On the roof, in what they call the SkyPark, is the world’s longest infinity pool. There’s a good chance you won’t find a pool with a better view anywhere in the world. Lounge right on the edge of infinity and relax while taking in the spectacular view of Marina Bay and the Singapore CBD, all at over 650ft above ground.

Those that can’t afford the high-flying luxury of Marina Bay Sands but still want a thrill; Singapore has two large waterparks where you can easily spend a day. Out on the east coast is the original; Wild Wild Wet. Located in Pasir Ris, Wild Wild Wet won the World Water Park Innovation Award in 2004 for its creative design and technology. Wild Wild Wet is more geared towards families, with award winning family orientated facilities and an emphasis on “gentler” water-rides. Also its location right near Pasir Ris MRT station so is very easy to get to.

For the new and closer (but more expensive) Adventure Cove Waterpark, head down to Resorts World Sentosa. Adventure Cove really ups the ante. One of the attractions is South-East Asia’s first hydro-magnetic coaster. Part waterslide, part roller coaster, this slide works by magnets inside the slide and inside the mat you sit on. The magnets work to pull you through a 225m track in just 40 seconds. Other attractions include a wave pool and snorkeling with 20,000 fish. Adventure Cove is actually part of the new aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa, meaning at one point during a gentle tube ride, you’ll travel beneath an aquarium making you feel like you’re underwater.

No matter how hot you get in Singapore, there’s always an easy way to cool down. Whether you just want to kick back in the public pool with the locals or hurtle down giant plastic slides, remember to always wear sunscreen as the humid and sometimes overcast nature of Singapore can be deceiving. Whatever you do while you’re here, just remember to try and stay cool.  

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Kranji Countryside

About 22 kilometres (13 miles) north-west of Singapore City is the Kranji countryside. Some of the last remaining countryside in Singapore, in 2005 The Kranji Countryside Association (KCA) was created by a group of farmers who wanted to preserve this important area and way of life. Livestock, vegetables, ornamental flowers and lots of fish are all farmed at Kranji.

Another reason the KCA was formed was to share the process of farming with the community. With so many Singaporeans growing up in a city and urban environment, the founders of the KCA wanted people to have a better understanding of where their food comes from.

The Kranji area has dedicated a lot of its existence to eco-tourism, or as the call it “agri-tainment”. All the farms are open for people to explore. You can visit the 800 goats that make up Singapore’s only livestock. These goats are raised for their milk and you can see them being milked in the mornings between 9:00 and 11:00. You can also visit one of the many fish farms but for something a bit more unique, stop by the Jurong Frog Farm. It’s here that thousands of American bullfrogs are raised before heading straight to the dinner table. You can even grab some frozen frogs legs while you’re there. One of the most popular farms in Kranji is Bollywood Veggies. This vegetable farm does not use any chemical fertilisers, pesticides or growth hormones. Make sure you sample the produce at their restaurant. As the farmers live here, this is technically a home-cooked meal. And what’s better for you than a home-cooked veggie meal.

If you really feel like getting away from the city for longer than a day, then you can actually stay at D’Kranji Farm Resort. Stay in your own villa with a balcony overlooking fruit and vegetable plantations. One of the main activities here is prawn fishing. Catch some prawns and then cook then cook them straight away for that ultra-fresh taste. D’Kranji Farm Resort also has a seafood restaurants and beer garden with live music.

As it’s the countryside, getting to Kranji Farms is not that simple without a car. As the Kranji MRT station is across the reservoir, your best option is to go to Bukit Gombak MRT and then getting a taxi from there. Kranji is pretty much on the other side of the island from the city and main tourist centres but if you want to try something completely different while you’re here, a trip to the Kranji countryside might be just the ticket. 

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Labrador Nature Reserve

Also known as Labrador Park, this nature reserve on the southern edge of Singapore has a very rich history. Construction of a fort was first started by the British as early as 1864. The extensive complex of concrete bunkers and tunnels were completed in 1878, its primary objective to defend Singapore’s waters. The strategic history of this part of the coast actually goes back a little further. In 1842 Admiral Sir Henry Keppel led a successful campaign against the pirates that had been attacking merchant ships in the area. Anchoring his boat off Labrador Park proved to be the perfect vantage point for defeating the pirate menace. A few years later when it came to building new defences against threats from European powers in the area, Labrador Park was an obvious choice. And so work on Fort Pasir Panjang was commenced. The fort also saw some action during World War 2. Although the Japanese surprised the British by invading over land from the north, the guns at Fort Pasir Panjang were used to try and supress the Japanese army once they were in Singapore. However as the guns weren’t designed to be anti-infantry, they had little effect on the advancing army so in February 1942, Fort Pasir Panjang fell. Its remains however, can still be visited today.

After the war, Labrador Park briefly housed an oil refinery.  The long wharf is the only evidence remaining of its existence. In 1951, Labrador Park was established as a nature reserve.

Today Labrador Park is one of the many parks Singapore prides itself on. What makes it unique however is it’s designation as a nature reserve and a coastal park. This leads to not only an abundance of birds but also shore-dwelling sea creatures, like horseshoe crabs and the common hairy crab. Because of the location of the park, coastal walks are very popular here. The main attraction though is still Fort Pasir Panjang. Its strong walls have survived 135 years of weather and as such provide a haunting view into the past. The World War 2 era guns are still standing which gives a good understanding of how the battle went down. Perhaps the most amazing bit of preservation is that the network of underground tunnels still exists. These are sporadically open to the public so if you’re lucky you’ll get to explore them and imagine what it must have been like running back carrying live ammunition.

Another more modern reason for visiting Labrador Park is for the recently opened Eco Gourmet Café. This beautifully constructed restaurant lacks outside walls making you feel like you’re immersed in nature while retaining the comfort of an upscale restaurant. Brunch and lunch are quite casual meaning it’s a good place to stop if going on a nature walk, while dinner is rather more at the fine dining end of the spectrum, but with a backdrop of the sights and sounds of nature at night.

For a walking day the best way to visit Labrador Park is via the newly built Labrador Park MRT station, not exactly on the edge of the park but still very walkable. If you’re visiting just for a meal at the Eco Gourmet Café then driving or getting a taxi is probably your best option.

There are many parks in Singapore but for history and great ocean views without the crowds of nearby Sentosa Island, Labrador Nature Reserve is one of the best options.  

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Tampines Eco Green

Visitors to Singapore are constantly taken aback by how green the country is. Expecting nothing but city, they’re always surprised by the amount of trees and parks throughout the island. So for a new park in Tampines, the council decided to do something different. Instead of creating a nice area just for human enjoyment, Tampines Eco Green was designed with nature and conservation as a primary concern. That’s not to say people have been left out of the picture completely, viewing platforms for bird watching, a running track, a nature trail and eco toilets have all been provided. That’s right; this waterless, odourless amenity turns all human waste into compost using special bacteria and wood shavings. The eco-friendly aspect of the park covers all aspects of the park with all signage and furniture made of fully recycled material.

One of the main attractions at Tampines Eco Green is the bird watching.  With so much new habitat grown, birds have literally flocked to the new area to make their home. 70 different species of birds now call the park home providing a perfect subject for all the photographers who make the journey here. The 12 species of butterflies also make for great photos, while the 13 species of dragonflies and 32 species of spider keep the birds well fed.

Tampines Eco Green is located 20 minutes’ walk south of Pasir Ris MRT station or 10 minutes from the bus stop at Tampines Regional Library. The park is also connected to the Tampines Biking Trail so it makes for a nice break in a day of cycling. Riding bikes in the Eco Green itself is not encouraged so jump off your bike and enjoy the nature. You can also continue on through to Sun Plaza Park.

At 36.5 hectares, Tampines Eco Green is quite a large area, but to prove the dedication is to nature, only 2.5 hectares is developed for public use. It’s these 34 hectares that has led to different species thriving in this otherwise urban environment. The park also contains no lights. Not only does this provide a more natural environment for the animals living here but also cuts down on the materials normally used in the building of public parks. Of course this makes it not very suitable for night visits.

If you’re a keen photographer in Singapore or if you just feel after a while in the city-state that you need a dose of nature, Tampines Eco Green might be the perfect place for you.   

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Island Hopping in Singapore

After previously covering the two most well-known surrounding islands of Singapore, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa, it’s time to look further out to sea.  

Sisters' Islands

Directly south of Sentosa Island sits Sisters’ Islands, made up of Big Sister’s Island and Little Sister’s Island, there are various myths as how the islands got their name. The most common myth is that two young sisters died escaping pirates and then two islands appeared the next day. Their proximity to Singapore makes them perfect for a short visit, the main attraction being the long-tailed macaques that live on Big Sister’s Island. Swimming and snorkelling is also possible but beware that the narrow channel between the two islands creates a very strong current. To get to Sisters’ Islands you need to charter a boat from Marina South Pier.

    

Saint John's Island

Just east of Sisters’ Islands is Saint John's Island. The island’s historical importance dates back to 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles anchored his ship here before meeting the Malay chief of Singapore. The island went on to further mark its place in history when it became a quarantine station for people with cholera, beriberi and leprosy. In the mid-20^th century it became a prison and drug rehabilitation clinic before being converted into a tourist destination in the 1970s. St John’s is the only island off the mainland that provides accommodation, with bungalows that can house up to 10 people available to rent. While on the island you can swim in one of the many lagoons or take a guided nature walk. To get to Saint John’s Island you can a take a ferry from Marina South Pier.

Kusu Island

Further east is Kusu Island. The most unique of Singapore’s islands due the number of holy sites, Kusu Island means Turtle Island or Tortoise Island in Chinese. The story goes that a magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors, one a Malay and one Chinese. The island has since become a centre of worship by both Malays and Chinese. Climb the 152 steps to see the Malay shrines or explore the Chinese shrines near the water. There is also a tortoise sanctuary which is a must see while on Tortoise Island. The ferry to Saint John’s Island also stops at Kusu Island.  

Pulau Hantu

Located south-west of the Singapore mainland, Pulau Hantu is a popular camping destination. Made up of two islands separated by a channel that can be waded across at low tide, Pulau Hantu is a popular swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving destination. Beware that if it’s been raining, visibility underwater may not be very good. On a clear day however you be able to see coral, angelfish and maybe even the odd stingray. To get to Pulau Hantu you need to charter a boat from the West Coast Pier.

Pulau Semakau

The furthest away of all the tourist-friendly islands of Singapore, Palau Semakau is just a bit further south of Pulau Hantu. Situated 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Singapore, the island makes a great escape from the city, boasting clean air and clear night skies. Without the light pollution from the mainland, the island has become popular with astronomers and casual stargazers. The best way to get here is by a guided tour from the Sport Fishing Association, the Nature Society, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity or the Astronomical Society of Singapore. The boat trip takes 20-35 minutes.

When staying in Singapore it’s great to discover that there’s more to the city-state than just shopping and food. Exploring the southern islands is the perfect way to do this. If you get a chance to go camping or stay in a Saint John’s Island bungalow you should take it as it will show you a side of Singapore tourist rarely experience. Just be aware that permits are needed for camping so just do a little research on whichever island you choose to visit. 

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10 Cheap Things To Do In Singapore

Via: The Huffington Post


10 Cheap Things To Do In Singapore


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Sentosa Adventure

Singapore’s Sentosa Island is the southernmost point of Continental Asia. Connected to the main island by a causeway, you can also get there via a monorail called the Sentosa Express or the Singapore Cable Car. If you decide to walk along the causeway, be aware that there’s still a charge. It is the cheapest option however, costing $1.00 while the monorail cost $3 and the Cable Car costs $29 for adults and $18 for children. The Cable Car is the most expensive but also the most spectacular. For the most convenient option, choose the monorail.

Sentosa means “peace and tranquillity” in Malay. A name that can be well applied to the white sandy beaches that line the south-west coast, but the island is also host to a lot adventures that will get your heart racing.

The first stop in the monorail line is Resorts World Sentosa. Opened in 2010 it includes a casino, a theme park, an aquarium, a museum, shops and restaurants. A visit to Universal Studios is essential for anyone visiting Singapore. An ultra-modern theme park, it features state of the art rides like the Transformers ride, which is a cross between a 3D movie and roller-coaster and the Mummy ride, which is a roller-coaster that has entire sections of complete darkness. There are also plenty of rides for younger kids and of course those that can’t stomach a high speed roller-coaster. Also worth witnessing at Resorts World is the largest oceanarium in the world, containing 45 million litres of water, 100,000 marine animals across 800 species and the world’s largest viewing panel. At 36-metre wide and 8.3-metre tall, it is intended to give visitors the feeling of being on the ocean floor. Marine Life Park is home to the only giant oceanic manta ray in captivity. It also showcases 24 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, scalloped hammerhead sharks, the Japanese spider crab, and relatively uncommonly-exhibited species such as the guitarfish and the chambered nautilus. Connected to the oceanarium is Adventure Cove Waterpark, featuring the region’s first hydro-magnetic water-coaster. While you’re there make sure you try and have a meal at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. With a total of 28 Michelin Stars, Joël Robuchon has more than any other chef in the world.

The second stop is Imbiah Monorail Station. Here you will find a large collection of Sentosa attractions. Learn to fly in the iFly, an indoor wind tunnel that can reach speeds of over 200km/h, although it will only be going about 80km/h when you use it. With an hour training required before entering the tunnel, this is serious business and not like a normal hop-on-hop-off ride. That being said, anyone can do it, young and old, just pay attention to your instructor or be prepaid to fall straight into the safety net. Around the corner from the iFlyer is the Sentosa Luge. Like a mix between a toboggan and a go-kart, control your speed and steering while gravity pulls you down one of the two routes built onto the hill. Next to Sentosa Luge is the Tiger Sky Tower, Singapore’s highest observation tower. Just board the air-conditioned viewing platform on the ground level and the entire thing will ascend 91 metres while slowly revolving, giving 360° views of Sentosa, the southern part of Singapore and on a clear day parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. And of course while you’re in this part of Sentosa you have to pay a visit to the Merlion statue. Standing at a spectacular 37 metres tall, this dwarves all other Merlion statues and even has viewing platforms in its mouth and on its head. For something a bit more educational check out Images of Singapore. A museum dedicated to Singaporean history. For even more history, venture north to find Fort Siloso. This is the actual fort that was manned by the British during World War II. It was because they were so preoccupied with the expectation of a sea attack that Japanese troops were able to invade from the north and occupy Singapore for three years.

The last stop on the line is Beach Monorail Station. From here you can transfer to the blue beach trams to get to Siloso Beach or the green trams to get to Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach. Siloso Beach is the one to go to for activities such as beach volleyball, canoeing, mountain biking and rollerblading. It’s also the location of Songs of the Sea, an hour-long music, fire, water and laser spectacular that is performed every night. You can also make up for the lack of waves by riding the artificial surf at the Wave House. The next beach along is Palawan Beach. Stop here for one of the numerous bars that sit practically on the sand. The last beach is Tanjong Beach. The smallest and most secluded of the three, this is the perfect place to chill out and maybe try the amazing food at the Tanjong Beach Club.

All these attractions are only a fraction of what’s on offer on the west side of Sentosa. Make sure you plan ahead as you may need tickets and bookings for some places. There are also plenty of hotels on Sentosa which offer perfect access to all the island’s treasures. The east side of Sentosa is mainly made up of private housing, a marina and a massive golf course. With wide quiet roads, don’t be afraid to explore this part of the island, the best way being by bicycle. With so much to do on Sentosa, you need more than a day to see everything. Luckily the transport system makes it easily accessible from anywhere in Singapore.

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Step Into The Past On Pulau Ubin

If you’re doing more than a short stay in Singapore and feel like getting out of the city, then there's no better place to do it than Pulau Ubin. As Singapore is officially a “city-state” you’d be forgiven for thinking that there was none of the real wilderness found in bigger Asian countries. In fact Singapore is more than just a city-state. Made up of 63 islands, it hides many treasures waiting to be found by the adventurous traveller. One such treasure is Pulau Ubin.

Offering a perfect glimpse into the past, Pulau Ubin is Malay for “Granite Island”, named for the granite quarries that were first dug when the British settled Singapore. Now Pulau Ubin is home to some of the last traditional villages, known as kampongs, in Singapore. With the diesel powered electricity generators and all the water coming from wells, you will feel like you’ve gone in back in time. Plus it delivers an amazing contrast to the modernity of Singapore City.

To get to Pulau Ubin from the mainland, you need to catch a train to Pasir Ris and then catch a bus to the jetty at Changi Village. From there you need to catch a bumboat to the island. The bumboats sit 12 people and the owners will wait for that many people until they leave. The boat fare is $2.50. On a weekend the boats will fill up in no time. You might have to wait a little longer on a weekday, however. The crossing itself takes about 10 minutes.

Once on Pulau Ubin the three main activities are walking, bike riding and kayaking. The main walking area is in the wetlands known as Chek Jawa on the south-eastern tip of Pulau Ubin. The area is unique as several ecosystems can be found in one area including sandy beach, rocky beach, seagrass lagoon, coral rubble, mangroves and coastal forest. Walkways have been carefully constructed so walkers can pass through the area without disturbing the natural flora and fauna.

Another way to see the coast and get up close to the mangrove forests is by kayaking. You can explore the vast system of waterways and see animals you might not see further inland from the biking or walking track. Lots of seabirds fish here and it’s sometimes possible to see a troop of monkey climbing through the trees or trying to catch mudskippers down by the water. The standard kayak trip takes you through the mangrove lined rivers and lagoons on the south and east side of the island for a few hours. Or for the more adventurous, you can travel to the north side of the island and kayak all the way back through, using the creeks, streams and rivers that criss-cross the island. Make you set aside an entire day for this as this relatively small island feels a lot bigger when you have to kayak your way across it.

The most popular activity on Pulau Ubin is biking. As soon as you arrive on the island and start heading toward the main square, you will see shop after shop renting bikes. The price for rental is based on the condition of the bike. In these circumstances it’s always best not to skimp too much as you don’t want to get stuck on the other side of the island with a broken down bike.  Biking around Pulau Ubin shows off the island’s history and provides some spectacular views. You will see the traditional villages and farms where the same way of life has remained unchanged for decades. You will also see what remains of the old granite quarries. Now mostly filled with water, they look like spectacular lagoons, but avoid swimming in them as they can be quite treacherous for swimmers, hence the large fine that’s now imposed on anyone that decides to take a dip. It’s not just sight-seeing that biking provides. For the more avid mountain biker, a dedicated mountain bike park was built in 2008. The 45 hectare park contains 10 kilometres of dedicated mountain bike tracks. It is also the first mountain bike park in Singapore where the tacks meet the international standard for mountain bike competition. Even so, the park was constructed with casual riders in mind, so don’t be afraid to explore the area even if you’re an amateur.

As any activity on Pulau Ubin is essentially a day trip, there are a few places to eat on the island. Sitting outside by the main square while eating seafood is an enormous pleasure and so far removed from eating in the hustle and bustle of the mainland.

Whatever you do make you sure you’re back at the main jetty before 7pm when the last bumboat leaves. And remember they only leave when there are twelve people so if you’re the last one there at 7pm you will have to pay the equivalent of twelve fares.  

If you want to see what Singapore was like in the past, Pulau Ubin is pretty much the only place to experience it first-hand. But be quick. With land running out on the mainland and developers with dollar signs in their eyes, it might not be long before the island is developed and modernised, and the old way of life is lost forever.

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