Tag: chinese garden

Singaporeans Are Going Crazy Over Pokemon Go! Here’s The Evidence!

When baked cheese tart hit our shores, we thought the queue was crazy. But when Pokemon Go landed in Singapore, Singaporeans take crazy to a whole new level!

Day or night, shine or very hot sunshine, Singaporeans are all out Poke-hunting and we have the evidence!

1. Hougang is gungho…real gungho

When word about “rare” Pokemon such as Gyarados was spotted at Block 401 of Hougang Avenue, the precinct gained notorious reputation overnight.

2. ….doesn’t matter day or night

Hot sun? What hot sun? Nothing is hotter than a Charizard that I’m about to catch!

3.  Punggol Park is not spared either

It’s normal to see a park with people in sports attire but in flip flops and their smartphone on their hands? That’s the Pokemon effect!

5. Yishun Park at night

Dear, we’re not going to the movies tonight. Instead, let’s go catch some Pokemon! Pokemon Go – redefining date nights.

6. Orchard Road

How to get a bunch of youths going on a public holiday? Organise a Poke-crawl on National Day!

The event started at 1pm (read: hottest time of the day) and yet our Singaporean youths braved the heat to be the very best! In fact, the turnout was so massive that Poke-crawlers were chased away by the security staff of ION!

7. Orchard At Night

Just look at how everyone sits together so uniformly! It sure looks like they’re about to start a choir performance! Actually, they’re sticking as close as possible to leech from each other’s lure.

8. Chinese Garden, Jurong

It may look less crowded in this picture but the Chinese Garden is a hot spot for Pokemon GO players as it houses 20 rest stops and 3 gyms. It’s very spacious so it’s great for people who don’t like crowd.

9. Vivo City

We Singaporeans are all about efficiency. If we can get our shopping done at Vivo and catch some Pokemon too, why not?

10. Bishan Park

Remember how people used to say that Bishan Park is really scary at night? This was taken at 1:30am and the park is still lively and buzzing!

11. East Coast Park

East Coast Park is home to one of Singapore’s most haunting ghost stories. It’s one of those places people try to avoid going to at night. But ever since the launch of Pokemon Go, we’ve seen some really brave Singaporeans. And it’s the Hungry Ghost Festival now…

Do you have evidence of the Pokemon Go craze in your neighbourhood? Drop us a comment and share with us!

Header image source: Straits Times

Also, read Pokemon Go Guide: How To Catch Pikachu & Where To Catch ‘Em All

Pokemon Go Guide: How To Catch Pikachu & Where To Catch ‘Em All!

The Pokemon Go craze has hit Singapore. Unless you live a social-media-free life, your news feed is probably swamped with all things Pokemon. Like it or not, this craze is probably gonna be around for a couple of months. Whether you’re already playing, or late to the game, here’s our guide that will help you ace Pokemon Go!

Hidden Tips Every Trainer Should Know

Get A Pikachu When You Start

Incense is extremely useful if you want to bring Pokemon towards your location. To activate Incense, tap the Pokeball, followed by ‘Items’ and click Incense (make sure you have Incense in your inventory, otherwise, get it at Pokestops). A robot vacuum cleaner looking item will show up and you’ll need to tap it one more time to activate it. A clock will appear and count down for 30 minutes. Incense works really well when you’re on the go. If you activate Incense when you’re static, you’ll only be able to lure one Pokemon in every 5-6 minutes.

Make Good Use Of Pink Petailed PokeStops

Once you’ve reached Level 5, you’ll be able to access gyms and put your mons in battles. Gym battles can be a little chaotic mess of tapping and swiping (tap to attack, swipe to dodge). During battles, you should keep your eyes at the series of squares underneath your Pokemon’s HP bar. When all the squares turn blue, you can unleash your mon’s “Special Power”. You can only use this special power once per battle.

Catching Pokemon For Candy

Where To Catch ‘Em All?

Now that you’ve got some tricks up your sleeves, head to these hot spots around Singapore to expand your Pokedex. Just remember to be aware of your surroundings! Don’t put yourself and others in danger.

1.  Orchard Road

Just look at the number of PokeStops! No surprise that Singapore’s most happening road is one of the most happening places to Poke hunt. According to  eight Pokemon Gyms and 78 Pokestops can be found at 4 parks –  Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and the Singapore Zoo. The WRS has also developed Poke maps to help Trainers get the most from their hunt. One word of advice: Animals generally do not like intruders. Do not enter any of the animal exhibits!

4. MRTs

[caption id="attachment_12097" align="alignnone" width="870"] Image source: maxres

Also read: Better Safe Than Sorry? But These 10 Hungry Ghost Superstitions Are Unbelievable!

9 Chillout Spots In Jurong You Need To Call Your Own

Jurong? Let’s see. It has IMM, Bird Park and uhhhh, Science Centre?

Not exactly one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Singapore, the impression of this industrial area can be kinda vague. What else is cool in Jurong besides Snow City, right? But after a little digging, we realise that there are a few gems buried in the sands of the Wild West.

So chin up Westsiders, from tucking into bingsus to throwing electronic darts, listed below are nine chillout spots you can proudly call yours.

1. Coffee Nowhere

Coffee… no where? Now here? What is going on here.

Located within Nanyang Community Centre, we think this café is a hidden gem. Besides serving up a great Cappuccino ($5.80), this café also offers desserts such as waffles with ice-cream. So if you’re looking for a cosy café to host your coffee talks, look nowhere else because great coffee is now here in the West. Well, we did our best.

Coffee Nowhere
Address: 60 Jurong West St 91 #01-03, S649040
Operating Hours: Daily 10am-10pm

2. One Ice Café

If you are into all things Korean, One Ice Café is your perfect dessert stop. Not only does it offer a decent range of bingsus, but it also offers these ice-y desserts that are one of the most affordable around. So if you’re looking to chill (literally), give its Oreo Bingsu ($6.80) or Patbingsu ($6.80) a go!

One Ice Cafe
Address: JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1 #02-67, S609731
Operating Hours: Daily 12pm-10pm

3. Toby’s The Dessert Asylum

Sorry Eastsiders, you can no longer call Toby’s The Dessert Asylum your asylum. Besides whacky desserts such as the Split Personality (vanilla ice-cream, cendol, red bean & gula melaka) and Artic Bombshell (chocolate ganache, vanilla ice-cream, chocolate cake & meringue), this eatery also serves a mean Smoked Duck Pizza. So if you’re looking for a place to have your meal and dessert, Toby’s is definitely the place to be.

Toby’s The Dessert Asylum
Address: 8 Boon Lay Way #01-35, S609964
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Daily 11am-10pm

4. Idle bar

Prepare for some serious secret spilling heart-to-heart talk with Idle’s free-flow drinks. With drinks including gin, vodka, whiskey, bourbon and even beer, we highly doubt you’ll be leaving the bar without at least a confession or two.

Idle
Address: 13 International Business Park #K2-01, S609932
Tel: 9233 7533
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 5pm-12am

5. Jurong Country Club

Looking for something a little less wild? With its alfresco seating and quiet atmosphere, Time Out Pub located within the country club offers the ideal setting for overdue catching up sessions. If not, sip away at a couple of cold ones whilst enjoying the pub’s occasional live band performances or lounge by the pool and feel your tension melt away.

Time Out Pub
Address: 9 Science Centre Road, S609078
Tel: 6560 5655
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 4pm-1am, Sun 5pm-12am

6. iDarts

Too stuffed for drinks? Bond over a game of darts at iDarts and try your hand at electronic darts. Getting a bullseye may not be easy but hey, it’s the fun that really counts. So if you’re looking for something interesting to do, why not try iDarts?

iDarts
Address: 2 Jurong East Central 1 #01-17A, S609731
Operating Hours: Sun-Thu12.30am-1am, Fri & Sat 12.30pm-3am

7. Ice Skating

If you’re dressed in a pair of jeans, we say go for this fun-filled activity. Sure, you may fall a couple of times but your friends will be there to pick you up. We think. Tough luck if they don’t. Okay seriously though, ice-skating is a pretty sweet group activity. If you’re in luck, you may also catch some ice-hockey hunks teams in action. Yes, we have an ice-hockey team.

The Rink
Address: 2 Jurong East Central 1, Level 3, JCube

8. Jurong Eco Garden

Surrounded by lush greenery, the Eco Garden is the spot to chill for nature lovers. There’s even a lookout point that serves as an animal crossing. Besides strolling through the garden, grab a couple of drinks and simply make any space your own chillout spot!

Jurong Eco Garden
Address: 101 Jln Lekar S698953

9. Chinese Garden

Don’t roll your eyes because not only is Chinese Garden surrounded by breathtaking architecture, but its tranquil atmosphere also provides us the much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Experience a little slice of ancient China as you sit amongst the Garden’s towering pavilions and stone bridges. Quite a calming experience, we must say.

Chinese Garden
Address: 1 Chinese Garden Road S619795

The next time someone jeers at dear old Jurong, feel free to take this article and shove it in their faces show them its awesomeness. There is more to Jurong than just IMM, Bird Park and Science Centre okay.

Also Read: 7 Insanely Cool Places To Chill At In Yishun That You’ve Not Heard Of