Category: Cool Places In Singapore

Singapore Museums Are Boring? These 5 Museums Will Prove You Wrong!

Boring, dead and irrelevant. These are probably the three most common words associated with museums. As history junkies, we’d stab anyone who says museums are boring and defend the reputation of museums with our lives.

In all seriousness, not all local museums are established with the sole purpose of telling the Singapore story. In fact, not only do some museums have nothing to do with History, they are also fun and interactive. Not convinced? Listed below are five alternative museums you must know about. If none of them surprises or in the very least intrigues you, we’d eat our hats.

1. The Cat Museum

Yes, you read it right the first time; a cat museum.

Nestled in the heart of Purrrr-vis Street is the three-story cat mansion that houses all things cat related. Besides surrounding you with at least 20 cats and kittens, the museum actually encourages you to adopt and bring a furry friend home. Take that cat cafés! But before you rush down to grab yourself a feline friend, do note that some of the most gorgeous felines are residential cats and are not up for adoption.

If being a cat lady has never been in your radar, this museum will have you seriously consider it.

8 Purvis Street #02-02
+65 6336 2133
[email protected]
$9 per entry

Operating Hours:
Fri: 4.30pm-7.30pm,
Sat/Sun: 12pm-3.30pm, 4.30pm-7.30pm

2. Singapore Philatelic Museum

Before you roll your eyes at the possibility of visiting a stamp museum, hear us out.

The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, this museum, besides exquisite stamp collections, also houses exhibits held in conjunction with current events. One of the current exhibits, With Love from Snoopy, Charlie Brown & the Peanuts Gang, for instance, not only acquaints you with the characters but also enables you to send letters and postcards to Charlie and gang. For the history junkies, discover Singapore’s tribulations and achievements over the past 50 years as told by stamps unique to the decades.

If you’re not already a pen and paper person, this museum experience will make you want to bring snail mail back.

23-B Coleman Street
+65 6337 3888
[email protected]
Free

Operating Hours:
Mon-Sun: 10am-7pm

3. The Intan Peranakan Museum

Blending into a row of colonial shop houses at Joo Chiat, it’s unsurprising for many to miss out on this unassuming museum. Previously a residential house, owner Alvin Yap recommissioned the space into a haven for Peranakan culture. Think you know all about the Peranakans from binge-watching The Little Nonya? An experiential tour at The Intan will have you realise that the TV series barely scratched the surface of the rich culture. We welcome you to step through the wooden doors, into embroidered beaded shoes and back to the ‘30s, where you’ll witness the full glory of the forgotten heritage.

*Visits to The Intan are strictly by appointment only.

+65 6440 1148
Admission is free for all Singaporeans and PRs. For foreign visitors, tickets are priced at $6 each

4. Museum Of Independent Music

Ac-chording (see what we did there) to this one of a kind museum, the Museum of Independent Music documents not only the history of Singapore’s indie music scene but also holds performances, talks and workshops for all music lovers. Always been a sceptic of Singapore’s music scene? From rock band Cashew Chemists to screamo band Yumi, learn more about our hidden local talent and how our music culture has helped shaped our nation’s development. Yes, we do have more to offer than just The Sam Willows and Gentle Bones.

1B Aliwal St Level 3
+65 8607 3534
[email protected]
$4 per entry

*Visits are by appointments only

5. The Wax Museum

Spent a bomb on Tay-Tay’s concert but returned with a tonne of blurred photos? Have always been gaga over Gaga but never got the chance to meet her? What if we told you you’re now able to not only snap away at your favourite celebrities, but to also take as many wefies as you wish?

Be prepared to be star-struck at Madame Tussauds’ wax museum as you rub shoulders with both local and international icons including PM Lee Hisen Loong, Nicole Kidman, Cristiano Ronaldo and gasp, Justin Bieber. The uncanny resemblance of the celebrities’ wax sculptures to their real selves will soon have you forget that you’re in a museum. We guarantee that you’ll be snapping away in no time.

40 Imbiah Road, Sentosa Imbiah Lookout
+65 6715 4000
[email protected]
Adults: $25, $39
Child: $20, $29
Senior Citizen: $20, $30
(purchase online for cheaper ticket prices)

Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-7.30pm

So the next time someone laments about how boring museums are, be sure to whip out our article and shove it in their faces show them the contrary. Yes, museums can be fun too.

保证后悔没到访过！23张让你惊叹的魅力新加坡

每年都有超过20万名旅客观光东南亚这一颗小红点——新加坡。一个由不同民族、文化、教育、信仰组成的多元化国家，却能把每个人的心紧紧牵连在一起。团结融合的国度自然吸引来自世界各地的旅客到访新加坡，除了必试的本地美食像辣椒螃蟹、海南鸡饭、新加坡炒虾面、肉骨茶等等，还有热门景点比如新加坡观景摩天轮、鱼尾狮、莱佛士酒店等。而小编今天要为你介绍的景点，可以让你用不一样的角度，从“心”发现新加坡的美！

1. 新加坡新闻及艺术部大厦

MICA (Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts)，位于克拉码头北侧，是属于新加坡政府部门的其中一个，主管创意产业发展。其中Art-2 Gallery、Element Artspace、Gajah Gallery、Tembusu Art Gallery和Y2 Arts都展现了中国的当代绘画作品。

2. 无边际泳池，滨海湾金沙酒店

全世界最高最大的无边际泳池，坐落在滨海湾金沙酒店的57楼。试想一下在顶楼泳池漂浮，俯瞰整个闪闪发光的城市天际线，很是壮观。在畅泳后，你可以直接躺在池畔旁的豪华躺椅上，享受片刻的日光浴。

3. 威斯丁酒店

这家酒店位于新加坡市中心的金融商业区，坐落在美丽迷人的滨海湾边缘地带，距离企业办公场所、餐厅、购物商场、和金海湾金沙赌场仅数步之遥。哪里还能和这里一样，在钢骨水泥中游泳呢？

4. 小印度遗产中心

这是新加坡第一间关于印度文化的展览馆。时髦的建筑外观让它白天像闪亮的宝石，夜晚就像发光的灯笼。馆内有5个常态展示区，追溯至19世纪以前，印度在南亚的历史发展。小印度遗产中心以照片、影像、蜡像、文件史料和多媒体互动式游戏，让参观者深入了解新加坡印度社群的过去与现在。

5. 小印度特色商店

从小印度地铁站走出来，竹脚中心的喧嚣活力迎面而来，转个弯，就进入宝龙岗路的幻彩世界；满街的莎丽裙摆随风飘扬，缤纷的花环被高高串起，远方兴都庙传来的焚香气息挥之不去。来到这里，一定要试一下由印裔同胞冲调的拉茶和印度煎饼。啊！还有别忘了做Henna Painting！

6. 虎豹别墅

虎豹别墅建于1937年，世界上共有三栋，均在亚洲。第一座位于香港；第二座位于新加坡；第三座位于中华人民共和国的福建省。它们均是著名药店商人胡文虎先生出资建造，并开放给民众参观。它的特色是把中国历史故事、神话故事和建筑、雕塑艺术熔于一炉，有着浓厚的中国色彩和情调。

7. HDB政府组屋

房子短缺问题早在新加坡二战时期前就已存在，为了解决当时恶劣的住宿环境问题，政府就推出了组屋建造计划。新加坡虽然地小，可是一片地却能住着这么多人民！时至今日，新加坡有85%的公民都居住在政府组屋中哦！

8. 夜景

无可否认，新加坡是一个越夜越美丽的城市。只要在市中心任何一座高楼往下看，就会被眼前这一道美景给震撼住。尤其到了国庆庆典或是跨年倒数活动，这里周围的酒店都早在半年前被预约满了。想要见证此生必看的这一道风景线，就必须安排在非高峰时期咯！

9. 滨海湾花园

想要从容地玩滨海湾花园，或许一个下午是不够的。因为这里有两个独特的冷室：云雾林 (Cloud Forest)，花穹 (Flower Dome) 。而周边的18座擎天树在花园四处散立，高聳而巨大的设计，抬头看非常壮观，若想从高空与它相遇，不妨到华侨银行空中走道 (OCBC Skyway)享受居高临下与体验美丽的花园踩在脚下的感受。

10. 哈芝街

哈芝巷曾是战前房屋的空荡街道，如今大批本土设计师和年轻创业者的进驻已使这条旧巷重获新生。用色鲜艳大胆的壁画，颇具童趣。这里开设了许多有个性的精品时装店，专门出售各种具有新加坡本土风格的时尚配饰和物品。 在这里，你可以找到非常棒的古着店，或是各种奇特的现代服饰及配饰，还有不少彰显独特风格的本土新兴设计师精品店。

11. 中峇鲁

在新加坡，没有到过中峇鲁，你很难想像繁忙的城市里还有这么一片清凉之地。它的范围不大，小小的住宅区里都是战前的旧式组屋，空气里弥散着一种悠闲的味道。中峇鲁发展于1936年，是英殖民政府兴建的第一批公共住屋，经历了战火，仍然完整地保存下来。2003年，新加坡政府宣布中峇鲁为保留区，它与众不同的建筑外观，它的一砖一瓦，将永久成为新加坡历史遗产的一部分。

12. 武吉士街

20 世纪 50 年代，武吉士街曾经是著名的风月场所，吸引了许多国外的海员和军人来此感受灯红酒绿。而今，武吉士街已经成为了一个独具特色的购物胜地。经过一番大力整顿后，这条街道上汇集了约 800 家店铺，成为了新加坡规模最大的购物街。这里的商品令人眼花缭乱，从时尚新潮的服装和配饰到美甲和美发沙龙，应有尽有。

13. 李光前自然历史博物馆

这座位于新加坡国立大学文化中心旁的李光前自然历史博物馆，展出约2000件稀有动植物标本，包括三副来自美国的恐龙化石。这个耗资4600万元打造，收藏约50多万件物品绝大部分迁自莱佛士生物多样性研究博物馆。你也可以在馆内欣赏巨型石斑鱼、大海龟、蝴蝶、鸟类等标本哦！

14. 中央商业区

想要来到这里，你可以搭乘地铁到City Hall，从地铁站走出来，马上就能看见这些灰色建筑物林立在四周围。这里是许多上班族拼搏的战场。坐在绿油油的草地旁，抬头一望既是相中景色。被高楼大厦包围的你，心里又想些什么呢？看着上班族匆忙的脚步，仿佛永远在和时间赛跑。

15. 亨德森波浪桥 (Henderson Waves)

亨德森波浪桥位于南部山脊内，是步行桥中造型最为独特的。而整个全长 9 公里的步行桥衔接三个公园，沿途青葱的环境、开阔的空间让这里成为了徒步与单车骑游的理想场所。它拥有 360 度俯瞰城市的视野，是饱览新加坡、海港与南部岛屿全景的最佳地点。来到这里，千万别忘了带上相机。

16. 牛车水

牛车水是新加坡的唐人街，这里有着华人味浓郁的商家林立，独特的文化色彩更让人忍不住多看几眼。除了必到牛车水传统菜市场及牛车水大厦感受当地居民的朴实生活外，还可以看见许多价廉物美的中国式古董玩意儿，也可以尝试四川麻辣汤等中国道地小吃。

17. 牛车水商店

牛车水有上百家可供你选择的吃饭地点，还有许多的饭后娱乐夜店。只要在牛车水地铁站走出来，就可以快速进入昔日的老街区，直达传统店屋的大本营。在这里，你可以找到古玩、药草、肉干、糕饼等传统店铺。

18. 圣淘沙

圣淘沙大概是离市中心最近的岛，就算是从Vivo City, Harbourfront步行进入圣淘沙，也只不过是十分钟的事情。你也可以选择搭轻轨、缆车等不同的交通工具入岛。圣淘沙汇集了环球影城、S.E.A海洋馆、名胜世界、赌场、杜莎夫人蜡像馆、特丽爱3D美术馆等，为了玩尽圣淘沙，多待两天都值得！

19. 罗弄万国村 Kampung Buangkok

新加坡最后一个幸存的甘榜——罗弄万国村。掩映在高大树林间，这片土地上坐落着众多木屋，一些还带有波状铁皮屋顶。村民们还过着质朴简单乡村生活，鸡狗在村中漫步，蟋蟀声鸟鸣声不绝于耳。这里的村民似乎过着无忧无虑的自在生活。但这片未被城市化的净土，很快也将变成高楼大厦了。

20. 榜鹅水道 (Punggol Waterway Park)

这是新加坡本地最长的一条人造水道，水道长4.2公里。它最初只是一条横跨榜鹅市镇的沟渠，连接新加坡东北部的两个蓄水池——榜鹅蓄水池和实龙岗蓄水池。榜鹅水道的东部起点是实龙岗蓄水池，西部的尾端就是榜鹅蓄水池了。两边都一座造型别具一格的行人桥，在东边的桥上可以观赏日出，在西的桥上可以饱览夕阳西下的景色。

21. 榜鹅牧场

小编发现到一般旅客到新加坡，甚少会把这类休闲去处的地方加入清单里，其实小编我对于榜鹅牧场还挺钟意的！如果可以住上一晚，在这里骑骑马、散散步、再来一顿丰盛的BBQ晚餐，感觉一定很棒！这些大篷车里干净舒适，内部甚至有电子壁炉，使得整个小屋更有魅力。

22. 小桂林

位于新加坡的东部的小桂林，由废弃的花岗石矿场改建成的市镇公园，由于风光类似中国的桂林山水，因此在新加坡被誉为小桂林。这里环境优美化，绿树成荫，四通八达的羊肠小径，处处曲径通幽，吸引大批摄影爱好者及来拍摄婚纱照片的情侣。

23. 裕华园

裕华园是由著名台湾建筑师虞日镇 (Yuen-Chen Yu) 仿效中国北方的宫廷建筑风格与景观而设计，有着一股浓浓的中国古典韵味。裕华园内高耸巍峨的宝塔和谐地融入周围的自然景色，沿着曲径悠闲漫步，观赏花卉的同时也可以看见山石与流淌其间的清溪流，一片宁静祥和沁入心扉。

Cover Photo：Nguan Photographer
资料来源：Tripzilla Magazine

Kranji Marshes Opens With Free Guided Walks To Restricted Areas, Perfect For Nature Lovers!

Bird watchers and nature lovers rejoice! The largest freshwater marshland, Kranji Marshes, has finally opened its doors to the public. For those unfamiliar with Kranji Marches, the 56.8-hectare freshwater marshland is home to unique biodiversity.

Here’s what you need to know for a trip to Kranji Marshes.

1. Public Area vs Core Conservation Area

Kranji Marshes is actually split into two main areas – the public area that is open to all members of the public, and the restricted core conservation area that is deemed to be ecologically sensitive. You can enter the core conservation area if you sign up for a guided tour.

2. Free Guided Walks

If you’d like to access the conservation areas, do sign up for a guided walk. NParks offers a 3km walk (2 hours) of the marshes once every month, bringing visitors through the different habitats of marsh, grass, and woodland.

Nature Society (Singapore) also organises guided walks that take visitors on a boardwalk exploration of the marsh.The walk takes about 3 hours and include opportunities for birdwatching.

While both tours are free, members of the public must register online beforehand. Visitors who turn up without registering will not be able to join the tours. Find out more here.

3. Home To Rich Biodiversity

According to NParks, Kranji Marshes is home to more than 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies, and 33 species of dragonflies! Alongside Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, Kranji Marshes plays an important role in providing a habitat for the conservation of wildlife in the Kranji area.

4. Plenty of Shelter

A visit to Kranji Marshes will give you that breather you need! Have a moment at Moorhen Blind or Swamphen Hide and enjoy the therapeutic sounds of birdsong. Both stations have wooden seats that overlook marsh landscapes, are great places for birdwatching and taking in the sights of nature.

5. An Instaworthy Location

Are you always on keen lookout for instaworthy locations? Well, here’s one more to add to your list! Apart from making a good picture, the 10.65m Raptor Tower offers you a panoramic view of the surrounding marshes in the conservation area. There are also boards that help you identify the different species of birds you may catch glimpses of.

6. Look Up & Down!

While at Kranji Gate, look up and down! The glass roof has decals of birds in flight and when sun rays hit the roof, their shadows get projected on the ground.

7. Bird Watching Stations & Information Boards

If you’re worried about not being able to differentiate one bird from the next, fret not! Information boards are set up at every bird watching station to help you with the identification process. There are even fact files about some birds, and other little nuggets of information. Talk about bringing learning out of the classroom!

8. Other Park Information

The park is open from 7am-7pm daily. Do note that there is no lighting in the evenings! The park is also wheelchair- and pram-friendly, with the exception of the Raptor Tower. You may also refer to NParks’ website on Kranji Marshes for more information.

9. Getting there

Planning a visit to Kranji Marshes soon? Here’s how to get there.

From Kranji MRT Station, hop onto the Kranji Express Bus which operates daily from 8.30am-5.45pm. It will take you to Kranji Gate. Fares cost $3.00 for adults, $1.00 for children under 12 years old, and $1.00 for senior citizens 60 years old and above.

If you’re driving there, the address is 11 Neo Tiew Lane 2, and there is a car park with 20 parking lots, 10 motorcycle lots, and 30 bicycle lots at Kranji Gate.

五大80后曾经喜爱 但已经不复存在的地方！

由于新加坡走在进步之路上一直不断前进的脚步，很多80后们童年最喜欢去的地方由于没能跟得上时代的脚步，现在都已经不复存在。现在，就让我们在回忆里走一遭吧！这些儿时的地方你还记得几个呢？你又曾经在这些地方留下什么样的回忆？现在小编就来分享这5个地方，让你和你的朋友们一起缅怀这段过去的日子吧！

1.Escape Theme Park

啊！是Escape Theme Park！很多人的学校假期都曾在这里度过，这里是那个你曾经会花一整天的时间玩乐的地方。有没有人还记得那些游乐设施？很多人最喜欢的设施就是里面的海盗船和独木舟(Log Flum Ride)！你还记得在给海盗船排队的时候那些喷雾吗？小时候大家都对那些喷雾着迷呢！

[caption id="attachment_1817" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Credits:

这个主题乐园在2011年为了进一步的发展而关闭，以便适应游客的需求变化。它后来经过扩建后已经变成现在的Wild Wild Wet 啦！

2. King Albert Park 麦当劳

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如果你仔细回想你的中学时期，相信“麦当劳”这个单词一定会首先从你的脑袋里跳出来！为什么呢？因为大家的记忆中一定存在着一间放学后常和朋友们去的麦当劳店面！

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如果你住在西部，那你一定还记得 King Albert Park McDonald’s吧？无论是和朋友一起去，又或是在快餐店的一个角落里一起为 O’levels做准备，很多90后的人也一样在这个地方留下了美好回忆！可惜的是，King Albert Park McDonald’s在2014年为了腾出空间建造新公寓，与其邻近的住户一起被拆除了。

3. A&W 连锁快餐店

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你知道吗？ 远在麦当劳和肯德基之前，A＆W就已经在1966年进驻我国成为第一家快餐连锁店。不幸的是，现在新加坡已经没有它们的踪影了。小时候，我们倒是很常光顾这家快餐店，最喜欢点的就是它们的超大杯Root Beer Float。到了现在，我们唯一能找到的A＆W是在超市里的褐色罐装饮料。2003年，由于业务的严重下滑，A&W撤出了本地市场。

4. Kallang National Stadium

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那些消失的也包括了去加冷国家体育场观看国庆阅兵预演的日子。我们其中一些人的儿童时期甚至还体验过最爱国的时刻，那就是和陈洁仪一起献唱众多国庆日庆典的经典歌曲，让许多人在这个地方留下了美好回忆。

加冷国家体育场在2007年被关闭，并于2010年被拆毁。过后，这个地方也重新建造了一个较新的新加坡国家体育场与体育城。新的体育场在2014年开始启用。

5. Comics Connection

对于女生来说可能没什么，但是对男生来说，不管是来买漫画或者游戏卡片，这间漫画店绝对是当时最标志性的店面之一。有时候，即使我们没有要买任何东西，我们也会在等待朋友赴约的当儿来到这间店闲逛一下。

最后一家位于狮城大厦(Plaza Singapura)的Comics Connection也在短短的几个月前，也就是2015年12月正式关闭了。

附加!!: M)phosis

时尚品牌 M）phosis可是当时拥有高人气的的本土品牌之一。但据说因为现金周转的问题，它们在去年的11月关闭了在新加坡的所有店面。无论如何，我们是再也无法光顾这家店啦！

这些地方对你又有什么特别意义呢？在下面留言告诉我们吧！

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If Your Date Brings You To These 8 Places In Singapore, You Know You Are Special

Living on an island-nation like Singapore, it becomes a challenge to find fresh activities and places to go to for dates. You either go back to the same places for your usual dates, or follow the crowd and check out trending cafes you saw your friends posting about on Instagram or Facebook.

If your other half ever brought you to the places below, you know you must be that special someone who made him or her go the extra mile to discover them. Some of them could be tucked away in a quaint and cosy corner of Singapore; some not the most common activities; and others you could hardly associate dating with (and yet it could be proven otherwise!).

1. NOX – Dine in the Dark

You know you are exceptional when your partner is willing to try something different with you, such as savouring a mystery set dinner in complete darkness. It’s not easy to dine comfortably with someone when nothing is in sight. You must be absolutely at ease with your dinner date, knowing that conversations will keep coming through while you engage your other senses during the meal.

Seated in a pitch-black dining room, in the comfort of your company, you will be served their exquisite European menu crafted from the finest ingredients. A truly human experience like this is not something he or she will share with just anybody!

2. Bollywood Veggies

(Image Credits: Bollywood Veggies Official Website)

A farm and a bistro in the rustic environment of the Northwest Kranji side, this place is a rare find on our little red dot. Besides enjoying a farm-to-table experience as you indulge in their local and fusion cuisine, there are many other fun, hands-on activities available. These activities include a guided farm tour, potting session, culinary class, and more.

Honestly, a trip to Bollywood Veggies would make a fresh date, literally. If your significant other has made the effort to plan a trip with you there and was happy to explore a more rural routine with you for a day, he or she is quite a keeper because you know no one usually goes for farm dates in Singapore.

3. DIVINE Wine Extraordinaire

(Image credits: DIVINE Official Website)

Located in so-called Singapore’s Gotham City (an art-deco business complex Parkview Square), DIVINE is a lush wine bar featuring bold decorative art designs and textured planes of the Jazz-Age. The highlight of this extravagant wine bar is definitely its spectacular centerpiece – a 12-metre high wine cellar. Holding up to 3,000 bottles, it chills over 200 varieties of the world’s finest wine vintages. The most fascinating part is that, they actually use a wine fairy (yes, it’s a human wine fairy dressed up with fairy wings) who “flies” up to retrieve the bottle of wine you order from the cellar! We guess your partner must have done his or her homework to uncover this beautiful and intriguing bar for you?

4. Cups N Canvas

(Image Credits: CupsNCanvas Instagram Page)

Arteastiq might be a recent hit for couples wanting to paint together, but did you know about the conceptually similar cafe-studio Cups N Canvas? Housed within a characteristic art-decor shophouse with a peculiar personality, Cups N Canvas is a great place to enjoy a sensual painting experience with your significant other while sipping an aromatic cup of coffee. They provide art-jamming sessions on weekdays, and guided art painting sessions with experienced tutors on weekends. Choose from not just acrylic paint, but also watercolour and oil paints. Brownie points for your partner if he or she managed to introduce this place to you!

5. Whale & Cloud

(Image Credits: Whale & Cloud FB Page)

Unlike the usual cafe, Whale & Cloud is only open for a few hours during weekends, caps the maximum number of guests at 12, and does not have an obvious main entrance. Well, we wouldn’t disagree with what their Instagram profile states – “Many will seek and not all shall find” – it does actually require prior research to locate the cafe! If you have been there on a date before, you know the chance did not come by easy. (P/S: Heads up if you want to try going – The last we heard, the secret café has gone on hiatus for a while.)

6. Homerun Baseball

(Image Credits: Homerun Baseball FB Page)

Forget the mainstream sports that the both of you might have tried together before. You must be someone who is spontaneous and game enough for an alternative recreational activity if your date brought you along for some swinging action! As Homerun Baseball provides an automated indoor baseball and softball batting cage location, you can perfect your swings and work on your batting accuracy without sweating under the hot sun. Even if you are not a baseball enthusiast, this is a great place to de-stress, work your arm muscles, and just have fun with your date.

7. Palm Ave Float Club

(Image Credits: Palm Ave Float Club Official Website)

Who says a date necessarily means that both of you have to be together doing something all the time? Here’s something different for the adventurous: Floatation. After engaging in your usual activities, reset your mind and body as you experience floatation in a special tank. With your mind from distraction and body free from gravity, floating benefits you through rapid stress relief, faster recovery of the body, and many other ways. The float rooms are for individuals, but we are pretty certain it is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience that you cannot wait to share with your partner once each of you is done with it!

8. Raffles Lighthouse

(Image Credits: The Straits Times)

Not everyone will think of bringing their other half to visit a lighthouse, and that’s something interesting by itself! Raffles Lighthouse, built in dedication to Sir Stamford Raffles, is located at Singapore’s Southern-most island of Pulau Satumu, which is also known as “One Tree Island”.

If you have ever climbed the 88 spiraling steps to the glass-paneled dome that sits 29 meters off the ground, you were pretty lucky because the lighthouse is usually not open to visitors. It is only accessible to the visitors during certain times of the year, with the most recent public access during Singapore Maritime Week 2015. Besides exploring and learning about the beauty of the towering lighthouse, the island also provides lovely scenery with its clear waters, sea breezes and fresh air. Guess what – there are occasional rare sightings of wild dolphins in the waters near the lighthouse too! If you are keen to go with your date next time, keep a lookout for the next tour provided by Singapore Heritage Fest or MPA.

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Not sure where to go for your date? Join us as a beta-tester for our new and upcoming app – WhereTwo! WhereTwo is all about helping you find the best places in Singapore to go for dates, be it by areas, themes or occasions. On the app, users contribute real reviews from their couple experiences on a dining, activity, or event location. In short, it provides date recommendations by couples, for couples and dating singles.

Interested? Sign up with your email in this link and you will receive a unique download link for exclusive access to our beta version! 🙂

This article is written by Yuting Lai from Between.

Caring And Loving The Nature – Spending Valentine’s Day On Coney Island!

On 14 February 2016, when the Sun had yet to rise, we woke up at 6am for a special Valentine’s Day out. It was our honour to be invited to join National Youth Council (NYC) and Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) for a guided tour of the newly opened Coney Island. The tour was conducted by cheery NParks volunteers.

Trading our heels for a pair of practical sports shoes, we gathered at the meeting point (Punggol Jetty) at 7:30am. We were warmly welcomed by friendly staff from NYC, OBS, and a sea of OBS Alumni members. Enthusiasm shone in everyone’s faces as we could not wait to start the trial. Most of us were visiting Coney Island Park for the first time.

Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Mr Baey Yam Keng, was also there. He joined us in the trail and encouraged us to contribute ideas to existing environmental education efforts.

We were encouraged to think of how we could expand OBS’ existing efforts to reach out to more youths in its outdoor adventure education programme. Charismatic and passionate, he reached out to every one of us and listened to our opinions on increasing environmental awareness and preservation in Singapore.

“I am pleased to see many young nature-lovers spending the morning of Valentine’s Day here at Coney Island. Youths are always looking for something fresh to interest them and today’s activity is one of such engagements. As youths are the future leaders who would see Singapore through SG100, it is important for them to be aware and proactive in conserving the environment,” enthused Mr Baey.

We started the trial from the West Entrance (enter from Punggol Promenade Nature Walk towards Punggol Point Park). There’s a bicycle bay, shelter, and Casuarina Exploratory upon entering Coney Island.

An NParks volunteer kindly explained to us how Coney Island came to be. The history of the island, also known as Pulau Serangoon, dates back to the 1930s. At that time, it was bought over by the famous Haw Par brothers – Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, who built a beach villa there. The villa fell into shambles after World War II and the island remained uninhabited until 1950, when Indian businessman Ghulam Mahmood took over the island with the intention to turn it into a resort.

Fortunately for us, his plan did not materialise and the island was transformed into a rustic nature park complete with a boardwalk and bird observation points in late 2015.

Lush greenery greeted us the moment we stepped into the park. Varieties of trees stood tall on both sides of the pathway, reminding us of how blessed we are to reside in this tropical region of the world.

An escape to Coney Island is a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life in Singapore. For those who intend to cycle, do note that the park’s pathway can be a little rocky at times. For those intending to walk, do bring along or wear a pair of comfortable shoes.

As we walked deeper, we were told that there are 80 species of birds within this park. Bird watchers are able to catch them early in the morning before the sun rises and at dusk when the birds return to their homes in the park.

Other than bird watching, visitors can also indulge in nature photography, have a picnic, or take a nature walk in Coney Island.

Sheltered by the tall trees of Coney Island and enjoying the gentle breeze by the sea, we participated in the SGfuture session hosted by the organisers. An SGfuture session gives Singaporeans the opportunity to share and co-shape our future.

Exciting ideas such as a dedicated ecological literacy programme, and flora-fauna treasure hunt competition were mooted by participants. The goal was to encourage more youths to celebrate the rich bio-diversity in Singapore.

We ended our journey on the beach (Beach Area C) which is situated past the mangrove forest. A family of monkeys caught sight of us and followed us to the beach while waiting for the opportunity to seize our food and drinks. The monkeys are harmless, and were just scouring for food as it is their nature to do so.

A tip for visitors at Coney Island – hide your food and water bottles unless you wish to start a war with the monkeys. They can be very persistent when it comes to food.

That day, we saw Singapore differently. Coney Island’s beauty and rustic appeal has humbled and inspired us to do our part for Singapore. OBS wishes to educate everyone to do their part to protect nature.

Do not leave our rubbish behind in the park, minimise our impact on nature by keeping ourselves to the designated main trek and live in harmony with the flora and fauna.

In fact, at OBS’ recent Project IsLand-A-Hand, championed by volunteers and staff, they built flotsams on the beaches of Coney Island to prevent rubbish from being washed up onto the island.

Thanks to OBS, NYC and NParks, this is the best Valentine’s Day we ever had. We have learnt more about our country and how we can play a part to be more environmentally-friendly. Do pay Coney Island a visit and remember while you admire the beauty of the park, show your love by reducing the impact on our environment.

Tips for visiting Coney Island Park

• The terrain is rugged at parts and may be unsuitable for young children.
• As there is no lighting in the evenings, the park is only open from 7am to 7pm for safety reasons.
• There is no electricity or piped water on the island. Please bring sufficient water with you when you visit the park.
• Please wear long pants and covered shoes for protection from insects such as sandflies.
• There is a free-roaming Brahman cow that has made the island its home. Please avoid approaching, disturbing, or trying to take close-up photographs of the animal.
• Do keep to the designated trails and appreciate any animals you may see from afar. If you encounter Long-tailed Macaques (a.k.a. monkeys), keep a safe distance and do not feed them.
• Do avoid visiting the park during a storm, or seek shelter immediately if it rains while you are within the park.
• Please remember to take only what you have brought in, and leave nothing behind but footprints.

A few extra tips from DiscoverSG:

1. Protect yourself with ample insect repellant
2. Phone reception can be quite poor in the park, and you may not get Internet connection all the time. Do plan your trip in advance.

We hope that you will be able to fully immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Coney Island and make memories that will last a lifetime.