Author: Lim Lixuan

Mid-Autumn Fest: 5 Romantic Places To Visit With Your Date That Will Set Your Heart Aflutter

Every year, families gather to indulge in mooncakes, and enjoy dazzling lighting displays and lantern processions in celebration of Mid-Autumn festival.

In appreciation of the lunar moon, celebrations go into full swing once the sun sets. Thinking about where to celebrate this year’s Mid-Autumn festival? We’ve round up the best places to visit with your date that’s bound to set your heart aflutter. Enjoy the full moon, savour mooncakes, and soak in the sights and sounds!

1. Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations 2016 

This year, the street light-up features lantern displays telling the legendary story of Chang’Er and Hou Yi. Book your date and head to Chinatown to view the gorgeous yearly Mid-Autumn light up. The light up will be displayed till 30 September.

After viewing the massive light displays, join in the festive fun with live nightly performances at Kreta Ayer Square. With performances by local entertainers and troupes from China, you’ll be entertained by animated and dynamic Chinese cultural acts, folk songs and music and dances.

During the festival, walk along the bustling street and shop through the night. The streets will be bustling with stalls selling traditional and modern mooncakes, decorative ornaments, preserved fruits, potted plants, clothing and many more!

Date: 2 to 15 September 2016
Time: 7pm till late
Location: Chinatown

Mass Lantern Walk
Date & Time: 11 September, 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Starting point: Kreta Ayer Square

2. Mid-Autumn @ Gardens by the Bay

Happening from now till 18 September, experience Gardens by the Bay in a whole new light. You can expect dazzling displays of handcrafted lantern sets to multimedia installations and nightly performances located at the Gardens.

[caption id="attachment_14101" align="aligncenter" width="1670"] Credit: gardensbythebay.com[/caption] [caption id="attachment_14103" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Credit: gardensbythebay.com[/caption]

Bring your lanterns and join in for a stroll along the Gardens! Nothing else will set your heart aflutter like strolling among beautiful light displays.

Date: 3 to 18 September 2016
Time: 7pm to 11pm
Location: Gardens by the Bay

3. Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2016

[caption id="attachment_14104" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Credit: Jamie Koh[/caption]

Relive your childhood memories at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall as life-sized lantern installations resembling old playgrounds will be displayed.

Head down this weekend on 10 and 11 September as there are free programmes for everyone – Lantern Making Workshop, Shadow Puppetry, Xin Yao Live Band, and more!

You can also wind down and relax to popular ’90s music performances or listen to storytelling featuring Mid-Autumn tales. Sounds like a great idea for an awesome date!

Date: 9 to 18 September 2016
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Location: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

4. Moonfest 2016 Esplanade

Join in the celebrations at the Esplanade with its annual Chinese traditional arts festival.

There are workshops available such as DIY Snowskin Mooncakes, as well as a Lantern-Making Workshop. No better time to impress your date with your handicraft skills!

Both ticketed and free programmes are available, check out the detailed listings here.

Date: 9 to 11 September 2016
Time: Various timings
Location: Esplanade

5. Chinese Garden Mid-Autumn Festival 2016

The Chinese Gardens is one place you must not miss out during Mid-Autumn Festival. With spectacular displays of large-scale lanterns and props, this tranquil garden will be transformed into an epic date-worthy place.

Location: Chinese Gardens

With so many events happening this Mid-Autumn festival, take some time off and spend it with your date, friends or family. Indulge in those delicious mooncakes and stroll along the parks and gardens with your lanterns.

Though the Mid-Autumn festival is largely celebrated by the Chinese community, everyone from all walks of life and races are always welcomed to join in the fun!

(Header image by yoursingapore)

Also, read Boutique Fairs Is Back, And It’ll Make You Say “I Do” All Over Again

6 Absolutely Beautiful Spots In Singapore That You Can Actually Dive In!

Surprising to many, Singapore is not just a stopover for feasting and shopping. Do you know what we also have a range of diving sites? You probably thought that we have no marine life at all, but our research has proved us wrong!

It doesn’t matter whether you are a seasoned or novice diver, check out our list of diving sites in Singapore. Get your game on for your next adventure!

1. Sisters’ Island Marine Park

Opened to the public recently, scuba divers are now able to register to explore the underwater trails at the Sisters’ Island Marine Park. A wide range of marine life has actually been found in the waters and NParks has developed a first dive trial. It’s located at Pulau Subar Laut or the Big Sister’s Island. Divers have spotted huge seafans and many seawhips along the dive trail.

How to get there: Check out the Dive Trail schedule by NParks here.

2. Pulau Hantu

A 30-minute boat ride from Singapore, Pulau Hantu is a popular diving site for local recreational divers due to its accessibility and sheltered reefs. Pulau Hantu is made up of 2 islands, Hantu Besar and Hantu Kecil. Visitors are able to walk between the islands during its low tide season.

Although Pulau Hantu is located in close vicinity to the Pulau Bukom’s refineries, divers are able to spot rich marine life and reef collection. The high density of divers has led to some coral damage. However, it is still the best and nearest spot for diving in Singapore.

How to get there: Join one of the many dive groups that organise regular trips to Pulau Hantu.

3. Kusu Island

Unlike Pulau Hantu, the reefs of Kusu Island are not as well known to recreational divers. This island is great for divers looking for a less crowded setting. Located just 5.6km from Singapore, Kusu Island houses a 8.5 hectare holiday resort. The island is home to one of the highest densities of anemones and anemonefishes known in Singapore!

How to get there: Ferries depart daily from Marina South Pier. Prices for a two-way trip are fixed at $18 for adults and $12 for children aged 1 to 12 years old.

4. Pulau Salu

Pulau Salu is a small island located to the South of Jurong Island. The coast consists of many coral formations and is a popular spot for scuba diving. Divers would be able to see sharks, barracudas and even dolphins if you’re really lucky. However, currents here can be quite strong thus you must be an experienced diver.

How to get there: There are no scheduled ferries to the island. Charter your own private boat or join dive groups that organise trips to Pulau Salu.

5. Pulau Jong

Being a tiny island, one would not expect Pulau Jong’s waters to be filled with rich marine life and reefs. Black-tip sharks and schools of parrotfishes which are rarely seen on our reefs in Singapore are often spotted in Pulau Jong. Recently, pipefish has also been found there. It’s a new sighting and record for Singapore’s waters.

Due to its location and size, Pulau Jong’s reefs can experience strong and tricky currents of up to 3 knots. There may also be choppy waters in bad weather conditions during the monsoon season. Do check the weather before heading out to dive in Pulau Jong.

How to get there: There are no scheduled ferries to the island. Charter your own private boat or join dive groups that organise trips to Pulau Jong.

6. Labrador Reef

Labrador Reef remains as our last stretch of coral reefs on the mainland. This spot is a popular destination for students, nature lovers and recreational divers who want to explore a natural shore. Even at high tide, interesting marine life is spotted here.

As Labrador is a Nature Reserve, diving there requires the prior permission of NParks. Under NParks regulations, dives are allowed at Labrador reef, but dive trainings are not to be conducted.

How to get there: Labrador Reef is located South of the mainland island.

Nothing beats the thrill of diving in our very own Singapore waters! Call all your diving kakis and make a trip down to one of these islands. They’ll definitely amaze you!

(Header image by WaikikiDive)

Also, read There Are Wild Dolphins In Singapore’s Waters? We Did The Research & Uncovered The Spots.

There Are Wild Dolphins In Singapore’s Waters? We Did The Research & Uncovered The Spots.

There’s no doubt that dolphins are one of the most loved marine animals in the world. You may think that these beloved dolphins are only sighted around the waters of Bali or Australia. However, do you know that people have sighted dolphins in Singapore? Right in our own backyard!

There have been at least 50 sightings reported to the National University of Singapore’s Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) in 2012. More than 169 dolphins were also spotted between 2008 and 2011. Species such as the Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin or pink dolphin are commonly found in Singapore’s congested southern waters. Dolphins in Singapore? Just wow!

Here are some places where you can catch a glimpse of these lovely wild dolphins in Singapore.

1. Between St John’s And Lazarus Islands

Dolphins in Singapore are spotted most frequently between St John‘s and Lazarus Islands, south of Sentosa. These wild dolphins often generate excitement on social media. The waters are calm during monsoon rains. Fishes at the nearby coral reefs attract these wild dolphins to the area for food and rest.

2. Sisters’ Islands Marine Park

Another spot to view lovely dolphins in Singapore is at Sisters Island Marine Park. Recently, in early August 2016, Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins were spotted near the area. Being located in close proximity to one of the world’s busiest ports, the Marine Park provides a safe place for marine animals to feed and rest.

3. Between Brani Island and Sentosa

On 18 June 2016, 4 to 6 dolphins were spotted between Sentosa and Brani Island. Due to their small dorsal fins and slight pink colour, these wild dolphins in Singapore are believed to be the Indo-Pacific humpbacked (also known as pink dolphin) species. Having been sighted twice by a passer-by, one can assume that the pod of dolphins have taken up residence in Singapore’s waters!

4. East Coast Park

[caption id="attachment_13481" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: Singapore’s 63 Islands. Here Are 6 Islands You Can Visit To Get Away From The Crowd!

Fill The Void In Your Life With These Equally Good Milk Tea

For all Chun Cui He fans, here are 5 other tasty milk tea alternatives that will fill the void in your life.

It may take a while before you can get your hands on a bottle of the popular Chun Cui He drink here again. A food additive not permitted by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) was found in the drink. This famed drink has since been recalled.

Whether you need to fill a void in your life or not, you can grab a bottle of any of these Milk Tea. Because they’re pretty darn good.

1. Kirin Afternoon Milk Tea

Kirin Afternoon is a favourite, go-to drink in Japan. It has a rich taste and a silky texture. Kirin’s milk tea is a refreshing drink and comes in 1.5l. Instantly satisfies all your milk tea cravings.

You can find it at Isetan supermarket at $6.90 for 1.5l.

2. Pokka Premium Milk Tea 

This is 100% real brewed from specially selected premium Ceylon tea leaves and high-quality milk. The creamy taste and sweet aroma of Pokka Premium Milk Tea will linger on to delight your taste buds. This is one of the better milk teas because of its rich tea flavour. Also, no preservatives or colouring have been added.

Available at most supermarkets and convenience stores, $1.40 for 500ml.

3. MineShine Milk Tea Drink

With carefully selected high-quality tea leaves brewed to perfection, the MineShine Milk Tea Drink tastes similar to those you get from bubble tea shops. Also from Taiwan, this drink claims that it contains powerful tea catechins, a disease-fighting flavonoid and antioxidant that also reduces fat! You believe? We’re not too sure if this is true.

Anyhow, this drink has its own fans and tastes pretty good. Still worth a try.

Do check them out at 7-Eleven stores islandwide.

4. Unif Premium Assam Milk Tea

Made from freshly picked Assam black tea leaves from the Himalayas foothills, the Unif Premium Assam Milk Tea is blended with premium milk from New Zealand to create a spicy and rich taste. The fragrance of the tea leaves is strong. The tea was milky and fragrant, not too sweet.

Available at most convenience stores.

5. Bale’ Shake Bubble Milk Tea

Bale’ Shake Bubble Milk Tea tastes unexpectedly good with a creamy and rich taste. Imported from Uni-President (Thailand) Limited, this brand is uncommonly thought of when it comes to milk tea. If you like your milk tea sugar level at 50%, this is the one to try.

It’s pretty fragrant because of the assam tea leaves. It also has a subtle caramelised taste from the brown sugar.

Craving for some cold milk tea in this hot hazy weather? Head down to your nearest supermarket or convenience store and chug down these drinks.

(Header image by ladyironchef)

Also, read Never Say #bojio Again: MakanBus Brings You To All The Food Places You’re Sure To Love

Noise Singapore Festival 2016 – Show Your Support For Our Local Talents!

It’s the time of the year again where young budding Singaporean artists showcase their works at the annual Noise Singapore Festival. Its 11th edition this year, Noise Singapore Festival features over 200 artists, 300 new works and a new venue. This year, Noise Singapore Festival presents an exciting line-up for everyone! Support local talents and head down to the various exhibitions, artist market and concerts this August and September!

Noise Singapore Festival Exhibition 

Themed “Uncharted”, this year’s festival presents a showcase of original artworks and commissioned installations by young people in Singapore. Explore works in both the Outdoor Plaza from 13 – 31 August and indoors from 13 August – 30 September.

Festival Exhibition
Location: Capitol Piazza Outdoor Plaza & #01-23
Date: 13 – 31 August 
Time: 10.30am – 10.30pm

Noise (co)Lab

Also located at Capitol Piazza, explore Noise Singapore Festival’s collaborations with partners such as Converse, EZ-link, Naiise and Snupped. With these partnerships, Singapore artists have a chance to express their creativity and showcase their works with the world. EZ-Link Pte Ltd, for example, has launched a set of three 2016 Special Edition National Day EZ-Link cards featuring the works of young artists.

Don’t forget to try out hands-on activities and workshops and discover what it means to be an artist!

Noise co(Lab)
Location: Capitol Piazza #01-23
Date: 13 August – 30 September
Time: 10.30am – 10.30pm

Alumni Exhibition

In collaboration with Noise Singapore Festival, swing by the Esplanade Festival Corner. Have a look at how selected Noise Art Mentorship alumni artists have gone all out to explore unknown territories. View their new commissioned works as they share the results of their creative progression as they gone on to continue developing their art.

Alumni Exhibition
Location: Festival Corner at the Esplanade Concourse
Date: 16 – 31 August
Time: 11am – 11pm

Noise Singapore Festival Concert

Besides the Noise Singapore Festival exhibitions going on at Capitol Piazza and Esplanade Concourse, music lovers will also be treated to performances by Noise Singapore Festival alumni musicians. Wind down the weekend to gigs featuring a mix of old and new songs. The line-up is exciting! Expect music talents like Stopgap, Take Two and enec.e. What’s more, three emerging Australian acts will also join in to add an international flavour to the concert.

In addition, in conjunction with Weekend Noise, some of the Noise Singapore Festival Artists will also be performing at Singapore Night Festival‘s festival village at SMU. It’s happening this coming weekend on 26 and 27 August.

Festival Concert
Location: Esplanade Outdoor Theatre and Concourse
Date: 26 – 28 August
Time: Various evening timings

Noise Artist Market

Lastly, not to be missed is Noise Artist Market! Drop by Esplanade Concourse and be treated to an array of original art, crafts, accessories from local artists and designers. Support 12 local artists as they showcase their works from miniature air-dry clay dishes by Tiny Supply to colourful art prints by Nadia So.

Noise Artist Market
Location: Esplanade Concourse
Date: 27 – 28 August 
Time:5pm – 10pm

There’s so much do to at Noise Singapore Festival 2016! Drop by the exhibitions, shop at the artist market or chill at the concerts. There’s something for everyone at the festival!

(All photos are by Noise Singapore, otherwise stated)

Also, read Here’s A Recommended Guide To Help You Conquer Singapore Night Festival!