Forget The Zoo – Make Some New Animal Friends At These Lesser Known Farms In S’pore

If your idea of paradise is to be surrounded by animals of all kinds, this one’s for you.

We all know the Zoo, the Bird Park, the Night Safari, and the River Safari. Let’s be honest, you can only visit these places so many times before you get bored of it.

Here are 7 lesser-known places in Singapore for you animal lovers to get up close and personal with some cute (and some less cute) critters. From rabbits to goats, to tortoises, you’re sure to find your spirit animal in one of these animal enclaves.

A word of warning though: some of these critters aren’t as cute and fluffy as the ones you may have in mind…

1. The Animal Resort

It seems like gone are the days when animals could run and roam freely around our homes.

The Animal Resort brings a taste of that back with its little zoo with a kampong twist!

[caption id="attachment_25431" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image Credit: T81 Seletar West Farmway 5, Singapore 798061
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm daily
Admission: Free
Contact no.: 64821160 / 91271323
Make friends with goats at Hay Dairies!

Walking down the enclosures, these amicable and curious animals will poke their noses through the bars to nudge your hand, as if to say “hello”. 

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No. 3 Lim Chu Kang, Agrotech Park Lane 4, Singapore 718859
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed, Sun: 9am – 4pm; Farm is closed on Tuesdays
Admission: Free
Contact no.: 6792 0931
These slow and chill guys are our spirit animal for sure.

The Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum lets you enter a rare world of turtles and tortoises.

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Image Credit: Wikimedia[/caption]

You’ll be surrounded by 200 turtles and tortoises of more than 60 different species.

Be entertained by the funny antics of the Terrapins and Soft Shells roaming freely through the park. You can also pet and hand feed some of them! If you are in luck, you might even witness eggs hatching.

The founders of this museum rescue and rehabilitate the rarer species. These include “Double Happiness”, a two-headed, six-legged turtle that was nursed back to health after she was found in critical condition.

It is a common Chinese belief that turtles and tortoises represent longevity. So come soak up the good fortune with these zen creatures!

The Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum
Address: 1 Chinese Garden Road, Singapore 619795
Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
Contact no.: 6268 5363
For a nature paradise and getaway from the hectic city life, try Farmart Centre!

Their simple setup and rest-and-relax activities will give you a glimpse of the kampung spirit.

[caption id="attachment_25427" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Image Credit: Adrian Video Image[/caption]

Its “Weekend Animal Corner” lets everyone interact with the small animals. Experience the feeding of goats, rabbits, bullfrogs, tortoises, and many more.

You can also sign up for one of their interesting and educational farm tours. You’ll be taken around and introduced to all the different farm animals around the Kranji area!

Don’t leave before having a good lunch of Traditional hot wok Zi Char, Hot Grilled BBQ Chicken Wings, Otah Otah and Malay Satay!

Farmart Centre
Address: 67 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699008
Opening Hours: Food Outlets: Sun – Thu: 10am – 10pm; Fri, Sun, PH: 10am – 12am
Admission: Free
Contact no.: 67670070
If calming sea creatures are more your thing, the endless rows of koi ponds at Mainland Tropical Fish Farm will be a treat.

It’s a great place to indulge in a bit of fishing or fish feeding!

[caption id="attachment_25423" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image Credit: Andrew, Shuhua, Claire[/caption]

Buy a pack of fish food from the shop and watch the pretty koi gather eagerly for a bite. Or try your hand at longkang fishing and prawn fishing.

Dip your feet at the fish spa for a ticklish, yet relaxing experience. Or simply gaze at the scores of ornamental fish on display and admire nature’s handiwork.

Should you decide to take home a finned friend, you’ll find everything you need for its well-being right here!

Mainland Tropical Fish Farm
Address: No.1 Pasir Ris Farmway 1, Singapore 519352
Opening hours: 8.30am – 7pm daily
Admission: Free
Contact no.: 62873883, 65843643, 65812550
You’ll hear them before you see them.

These outspoken creatures at Jurong Frog Farm are sure to greet you as you enter their home!

[caption id="attachment_26862" align="alignnone" width="1000"]
Image Credit: 51 (Plot 56) Lim Chu Kang Lane 6 Singapore 718864
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 9am – 6pm (reserved for booked tours and pick up of purchases); Sat, Sun, PH: 9am – 5.30pm
Admission: Free
Contact no.: 6791 7229
Don’t forget that insects are animals too!

Butterfly lovers will love Oh’ Farms Butterfly Lodge, a place that houses around 20 local butterfly species.

[caption id="attachment_25426" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Image Credit: Butterflies of Singapore[/caption]

This butterfly-friendly flight cage allows visitors to observe and enjoy the butterflies in a landscaped garden environment.

The habitats are carefully designed to allow the butterflies to fly freely and go about their daily business with as little interference as possible. Nectar collecting and flower pollinating is all very important stuff.

You’ll also learn about the ecology and conservation of butterflies, and appreciate the diversity and beauty of Singapore’s butterfly fauna.

Come marvel at the beauty of these flying jewels as they flit just by your ear!

Oh’ Farms
Address: 14A, Bah Soon Pah Road, Singapore 769970
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 8am – 5pm; Closed on Sundays & PH
Contact no.: 67538011
In Need Of A Happy Hour? This ‘Atas’ Food Hall In The CBD Has A Bar That Offers Drinks For Just $5

5 Places In Singapore So Eerie That You’ll Have Nightmares Just Exploring These Places

Halloween isn’t just about fun Halloween themed parties and terrifying movies (even though that’s a huge part of it!), it’s also the best time to do some exploring! Despite Singapore only being 51 years old, our tiny island is already full of scary stories and urban legends. While most of these places have been redeveloped or fenced up. We’ve complied the top 5 creepy places which are oddly picturesque and can still be explored!

Disclaimer: Some of these places are open to the public while some are not. Be careful when it comes to exploring!

1. Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel

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First built to protect Singapore’s then bustling port, Fort Serapong is located within Sentosa. But unlike Fort Siloso which has been well maintained, Fort Serapong is off the beaten track which makes it a lot less accessible. Be extra careful when exploring Fort Serapong, due to the rusty metal present  and overgrown flora you might just trip and fall if you aren’t careful!

Spook factor: While not as creepy as the other spots, Fort Serapong is more like a historical spot. But seeing how it’s pretty far from any other main roads and walkways, there’s an eerie silence that overwhelms this spot.

4. Lim Chu Kang Jetty

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Lim Chu Kang Jetty may not be creepy at first sight, I mean how creepy can a jetty be right? Very, according to some sources who have made their way to this quiet spot. If you’re exploring the are you might catch a glimpse of an old white structure. Also known as The Cashin House, it’s now gated so you won’t be able to go exploring inside but just making your way around Lim Chu Kang Jetty you can feel the hairs stand on the back of your neck!

Spook Factor: Creepy house that no one has lived in? Check. Quiet jetty where no one can hear you scream? Double check.

5. St John Island

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Also Read: Trick Or Treat In Singapore: The Best 7 Places To Get Spooked This Halloween!

 

Who Knew That These 4 Weird-Looking Produce Are Actually From S’pore

When you think of Singapore, the phrase ‘local produce’ probably seems odd. Given our country’s (occasionally intolerable) sunny and humid weather, limited land mass and natural resources, growing any form of produce here would prove to be a challenge. However, local farmers are working to elevate Singapore’s local produce scene.

You will be as surprised as we were when we found these 4 premium local produce growing within our shores! Get ready for the unexpected…

1. Hashima

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[caption id="attachment_11888" align="alignnone" width="2448"]Image Credit: neddely.wordpress Image Credit: neddely.wordpress[/caption]

Firstly, Hashima! With such a mysterious name, you probably won’t guess that it really refers to the dried oviducts (fallopian tubes) of female frogs! In fact, you’ve probably had Hashima while enjoying traditional Chinese desserts such as Snow Jelly or Double-boiled Hashima with American Ginseng. Previously only available to emperors, this highly-prized dessert ingredient is sold in a dried form, then rehydrated before use. It is typically boiled with rock sugar for a sweet aroma.

How is Singapore able to produce Hashima locally? Well, our own Jurong Frog Farm has conquered the challenge of Singapore’s sweltering climate. American bullfrogs have been bred since 1981 at a whopping 20,000 frogs at a time! And that’s excluding their 80% mortality rates. We know, we’re as amazed as you are.

Hashima from Jurong Frog Farm
56 Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, Singapore 719164
Website Image Credit: expatliving Image Credit: expatliving[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11894" align="alignnone" width="4866"]Image Credit: Farfoodnation Image Credit: Farfoodnation[/caption]

Next up, every foodie’s dream! Pacific oysters are native to Japan and have been cultivated for centuries. It is usually eaten by itself and can be recognised by its flat shell and radical sharp folds. These delicious oysters tend to be sweeter in taste compared to the briny characteristics of Atlantic oysters.

Singapore’s only oyster farm, Farmers @ Ubin, has been in business for 5 years now. It is located behind Pulau Ubin and faces Malaysia. It has declared that it has the “freshest LIVE oysters in town”!

While it is widely believed that oysters don’t grow in warm waters, Singapore’s tropical conditions are surprisingly more favourable than most people realise. Our warmer waters are no hindrance to the thriving oyster farm, whose quality remains consistent throughout the year.

In fact, their premium Pacific Oysters are available from farm to table on the very same day to anyone on our island! How cool is that?

Oysters from Sea Farmers @ Ubin
Pulau Ubin
Website Image Credit: Michelin Guide Image Credit: Michelin Guide[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11893" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Image Credit: circahappy.com Image Credit: circahappy.com[/caption]

Thirdly, we have the delectable pink oyster mushrooms! These highly perishable mushrooms are a pretty sight to behold, and are also found in gold and blue.

They are usually found in pasta, risotto, stir-fry dishes, and are even known to top sushi! European restaurant Portico cleans oyster mushrooms before they are sautéed and deglazed with dashi and teriyaki sauce. Even the bits that are trimmed off is put to good use. Portico includes them in their stock for dishes such as the three-grain mushroom risotto.

Pink oyster mushrooms require cooler weather ranging from 18 to 27 degrees to grow which is a tough feat for our 32-degree afternoons. Thankfully, Kin Yan Agrotech has ingeniously made use of technology to control temperatures and humidity with great precision. Do pay them a visit to see how these picturesque premium mushrooms bloom in our sunny island!

Pink Oyster Mushrooms from Kin Yan Agrotech
220 Neo Tiew Cres, Singapore 718830
Website Image Credit: Michelin Image Credit: Michelin[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11887" align="alignnone" width="660"]Image Credit: cookwithwhatyouhave Image Credit: cookwithwhatyouhave[/caption]

Lastly, we have purple sorrel! This exquisite plant is renowned for its rich colour and lemon-like taste. However, it is too tangy to be eaten alone. Chefs prize it for its ability to brighten up salads. In fact, sorrel serves as a wonderful compliment to chicken, fish or sauces!

Purple sorrel is known to be an extremely delicate plant to grow. It thrives between 15 to 27 degrees celsius and is thus especially vulnerable in Singapore’s intense weather. Too high a temperature and the plant wilts and browns. Too much rain and humidity will effectively rot the bulbs or attract pests.

Though an uncommon plant to find in tropical climates like Asia, Comcrop has found success in harvesting Sorrel here. Singapore’s first commercial rooftop farm can be found at- wait for it- SCAPE! That’s right, these greens are grown and can be bought in the heart of Orchard road.

Purple Sorrel from Comcrop
#04-01, 2 Orchard Link
Website here

It’s pretty cool to find out that these rare edibles grow in Singapore against all odds. With innovative trends such as urban rooftop farming, who knows what the future holds for our farming scene? All we can say is, only time will tell.

Also, read Green Homes In S’pore So Out Of This World, They’re Almost Unbelievable!

That’s Not A Fish! 4 Places In Singapore Where Crocs Roam Free

Nature photographers who are expecting birds, otters, or monitor lizards are now also able to spot crocodiles in Singapore. Well, you don’t have to visit the zoo or a safari to see these crocodiles. In recent years, there is a growing number of crocodile sightings in Singapore. Wander around the wetland reserve or nature park and you will

Wander around the wetland reserve or nature park and you might just find yourself up close and personal with these reptiles. For some of you, you may know that crocodile sightings in Singapore are common at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. However, do you know that they are spotted in the Northern and Eastern part of Singapore too?

Whether you are a reptile fanatic or an adventure seeker, the park, reserves and reservoirs are where crocodile sightings in Singapore are common. You may want to keep a close eye on family and friends if you’ll be around the area, as these are the spots where crocs roam free.

1. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

[caption id="attachment_10257" align="alignnone" width="780"]Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Image credit: The Straits Times[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10263" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Estuarine Crocodile @ Sungei Buloh Wetland Park-Singapore Image credit: Youtube[/caption]

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a great place to walk around. You get to escape the hustle and bustle of Singapore city. Walk along its boardwalk and if you are lucky, you may be able to spot a Saltwater crocodile. Also known as the Estuarine crocodile, these crocs are also usually found lying across the main footpath, soaking up the sun or lying under the waters.

Free guided walks at the reserve are available on selected Saturdays. Check out the details on the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website.

2. Kranji Reservoir

[caption id="attachment_10258" align="alignnone" width="780"]Kranji Reservior Image credit: The Straits Times[/caption]

Enjoy the panoramic view of Johor Straits at Kranji Reservoir Park. There are as many as ten saltwater crocodiles living in the north-west coast of Singapore, as reported in the Straits Times in June 2013.

In recent years, a 400kg, 3.6m-long saltwater crocodile – one of the largest to have roamed wild here – was found dead on the Kranji Reservoir grounds.

3. Tampines/Pasir Ris River Canal

[caption id="attachment_10259" align="alignnone" width="780"]Tampines River canal in Pasir Ris Park Image credit: The Straits Times[/caption]

Several years ago, an angler fishing at Pasir Ris Park snared an unexpected catch of a one-metre-long crocodile. Some of these reptiles have been seen in a mangrove swamp near Tampines/Pasir Ris River Canal. They are likely visitors from Malaysia! The reptiles are known to swim freely in the Straits of Johor.

4. Woodlands Waterfront Park

[caption id="attachment_10260" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Woodlandswaterfront Image credit: Asiaone[/caption]

Recently, an angler fishing at the jetty snared a crocodile which had bitten on his fish hook.

“The fishing rod was suddenly yanked by a huge force. On closer look, I realised it was a crocodile about 3m long that was caught,” Suhairi told the newspaper reporter.

These reptiles feed and rest in mangroves and freshwater bodies along Singapore’s North coast. Crocodiles and sharks have also been sighted lurking in the sea off Woodlands Waterfront Park.

The “no swimming” notices along these stretches do not warn about sharks or crocodiles. However, the park’s jetty and promenade are fenced off from the waters of Strait of Johor with railings. Despite this, children are often seen sourcing for crabs on the marshland bordering the sea.

[caption id="attachment_10486" align="alignnone" width="500"]Crocodile Image credit: giphy[/caption]

Whatever it is, when visiting nature reserves, always keep within designated land trails and footpaths. Don’t venture too near the water’s edge, you never know what could be lurking. Also, keep a close eye on family and friends!

(Header image by The Straits Times)

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

Farmers’ Markets in Singapore – Unearthing Their Locations

For a concrete metropolis like Singapore, having plots of farms dedicated to growing our own produce sounds rather incredulous. But in the recent years, there has been a growing trend towards locally-produced food and ingredients harvested or made by our very own Singaporeans. Boasting a slew of environmental and health benefits, many of these local farmers are starting to sell their produce at farmers’ markets.

While this concept might be relatively new here, it is one that has been embraced for a long time by other countries. If you’re planning to lay your hands on some of the freshest produce and locally-made products, try popping by these farmers’ markets that’s sprouting around our little red dot.

Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market

Image credit: Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market

The Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market is the brainchild of the Kranji Countryside Association, which hopes to spread awareness for local agriculture and food sustainability. Through their quarterly held sale, expect stalls from local farm produce, locally-made artisanal food and products and even community workshops suitable for the whole family.

Image credit: Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market

As you shop the premises, strike up a conversation with some of these ‘farmpreneurs’ who’ll be more than happy to share their preparation process or farming practices. Educational shopping? Count me in!

To find out when is their next market, head over to their facebook page.

Bolly Jolly Farmers’ Market

Image credit: Bollywood Veggies

On most weekends on the grounds of Bollywood Veggies, Bolly Jolly Farmers’ Market plays host to a range of vendors selling everything from homemade food products, natural insect repellant and even eco-friendly home cleaning products.

Image credit: Bollywood Veggies

When you’re done shopping, explore the expansive 10 acres farm where you’ll see fruits and vegetables growing at every corner. Otherwise, grab a bite at the Poison Ivy Bistro which incorporates the farm’s produce in their dishes.

To find out more about Bollywood Veggies, head over to their 

Image credit: chowandthecity

This cosy farmers’ market held on the third Saturday of every month plays host to different vendors each time. No two visits will be the same, and you can expect more than just the usual fruits and vegetables.

Image credit: Bakeries and food vendors will peddle their goods, while activities such as face painting will keep the young ones satisfied as you browse through the various stalls.

Check out the exact dates of the market on their

Image credit: Open Farm Community

The beautiful grounds of farm-to-table restaurant Open Farm Community transforms into a market at the end of every month. Expect fresh produce from farmers, socially conscious meals and artisanal products made locally.

Image credit: Open Farm Community

They also have a lawn bowl area which is used to engage the community and to conduct workshops ranging from yoga to beekeeping to help raise awareness for sustainable food practices.

For full details of their next market dates, head over to their facebook page.

The Weekend Farm

Image credit: The Weekend Farm

Run by Kok Fah Technology Farm, which is a Singapore based vegetable farm established back in 1979, this longstanding farm in Singapore has now caught up with the modern concept of farmers’ market.

Image credit: The Weekend Farm

Selling varieties of freshly harvested leafy vegetables, dried products, fruits and even potted flowers, this farm is also known for some uncommon varieties which cannot be found in your supermarkets. The Weekend Farm is only opened during weekends and public holidays.

Farmers’ markets make for a great place to shop, and to learn about the local farming and craft community. With many of them holding workshops as well, pop by a farmers’ markets for a different kind of shopping experience that’s unlike what you’ll get in the urban jungle.

(Header image: Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Markets)

Also read: Get Going! Try Something New This Weekend With These 6 Activities