Tag: coney island

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

Weekends ARE supposed to be fun, entertaining or at least relaxing. If you’re shrugging your shoulders and sighing whenever someone asks ‘what are you doing this weekend?’, you’ve lapsed into the lazy, predictable routine weekend.

But don’t worry, we’ve lined up six new attractions in Singapore for you to end your week with a bang. Don’t blame us if Monday comes too soon!

1. Urban Ski

Yes, we understand its really hot lately so here is something cool for you… like skiing and snowboarding kind of cool.

Nope, you don’t need to take a cable car, and no you don’t need to put on your heat tech winter jacket. Basically, Urban Ski is Singapore’s one and only indoor ski and snowboarding centre. There’s an indoor rotating ski slope that caters to both beginners as well as seasoned skiers and snowboarders.

This rotating ski slope (more like a treadmill for skiers) allows you to ski downslope continuously for hours up to 60km/hr. All you have to do is to try to remain standing at the same spot (a mean feat!).

A group session (2-4 pax) costs $310 on weekdays and $360 on weekends. Individual classes cost $230 on weekdays and $270 on weekends. All classes are an hour long.

Urban Ski
Address: Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard, Unit 01- 46 to 49, 039596
Contact number: +65 6238 0575
Operating hours: Mon to Fri (11am- 9pm), Sat & Sun (10am – 10pm)
Website: PA Water Venture

Also read: What’s Down This April: Rooftop Disco Party, Gourmet Feasts, Kampong Memories & More

3. Bombay Howrah Dining Car

We’ve heard of supper clubs but how many of us have actually tried one that is run by a Master Chef Asia finalist?

Founded by Priya of Master Chef Asia (famed for her Stuffed Paratha with Dhal and Tomato Chutney), Bombay Howrah Dining Car offers a modern take on traditional flavours from lesser known regional cuisines (West and East India), over a six course meal.

Among them, some dishes you will get to taste include Sabudana Vada (savoury sago patties), Kolhapuri Mutton Chops (a spicy meat preparation from interior Maharashtra), Prawn Malai Curry (a fragrant and creamy prawn preparation from West Bengal), Bhapa Doi (steamed yoghurt pudding) and Masala Chai Panna Cotta.

Foodies who love Indian food, this is definitely the car that you don’t wanna miss.

Bombay Howrah Dining Car
Event dates and updates: Bombay Howrah Dining Car
Bookings: Bon Appetour

4. Sentosa Broadwalk Bazaar

Too much clutter at home? How about setting up a stall at the Sentosa Broadwalk Bazaar?

Perfectly smacked between Vivocity, Harbourfront Centre, the Cruise Centre, and Resorts World Sentosa, the Sentosa Boardwalk is a popular spot among locals, visiting touristsas well as expatriates alike.

Whether you’re selling off some pre-loved clothes, baking goods or trying your hands on being an entrepreneur, this is the place to test your ideas and product. And the best part? Booth prices start from as low as $35!

If setting up a stall is not your thing, come and support local makers and brands, and maybe discover a hidden gem.

Sentosa Broadwalk Bazaar
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269
Operating Hours: Sat (4pm – 11:30pm), Sun (2pm – 9:30pm)
Booth registration/ information: TGIF Bazaars

5. Smith Marine Kelong

Hong Kong-ers have their Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurant. We at Singapore have our very own floating Kelong seafood restaurant.

If you want to fish for your own dinner or enjoy the freshest seafood in Singapore, Smith Marine Kelong is a great catch. Located off Pulau Ubin and Changi, this restaurant has a ‘sure catch’ fishing pond where you can give fishing a go. It costs $35 per fish if you’d like the restaurant chef to cook it for you or alternatively, you can take your fish home at $15 per fish.

To get there, you will need to take a 10-minute ride on a bumboat from Changi Point Terminal. It usually costs $100 for a boatload of 12 pax (round trip) but it costs the same even if you go in a smaller group (payment to be made directly to the boatman). Plan your trip wisely and save that extra money for yummy seafood instead.

Smith Marine Kelong
Address: Off Changi and Pulau Ubin (GPS Coordinates: 01’23’52″N – 103’57’42″E)
Contact number: +65 9792 7609
Operating Hours: Daily, 10am – 7pm
Website: You Can Now Fish & Dine At Singapore’s First Kelong Restaurant! You’ll Want To Check This Out!

6. Coney Island

No, we’re not referring to the Coney Island at New York. We’re talking about the island that was once owned by the Haw Par brothers of Tiger Balm.

Formerly known as Serangoon Island, this tranquil island has had relatively few visitors despite it’s easy accesibility (you can cycle or even walk there). It’s only about a hundred metres away from Singapore at its closest point.

To get there, just head over to Punggol Point Park (end of Punggol Road) and look for the bridge that connects the mainland to the West Entrance of the Island.

What we love about Coney is this place feels like a world away from urbanity. Take a stroll at the mangrove broadwalk and trust us, you will feel so refreshed it’s as if you’ve just decluttered your mind.

The sound of the waves is so mesmerising that no one would believe Singapore is just a 500m walk away!

Rumour has it that there’s a lonely cow at Coney Island. We have no tips about how you could find that cow but if you’re planning a trip to Coney Island, do check this, and this out for a better understanding of the island.

Coney Island
Entry fee: Free entry
Opening hours: Daily, 7am – 7pm

With 6 cool attractions to spice up your weekend, which one will you go for? I think I’ll try my fishing luck at Smith Marine. If anyone wants to share a boat, drop a comment!

(Header credit: gdsamaritan, words by editor)

Also read: 10 Stunning Beaches Near Singapore That You Must Explore

While You Were Busy Sleeping, 300 Youths Did Their Part For OBS Project IsLand-A-Hand!

Debunking the myth that young Singaporeans lack idealism, more than 300 young volunteers lent their hands in various environmental conservation initiatives organized by Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) at Pulau Ubin and Coney Island earlier last weekend while all of us were still sleeping.

This is to commemorate the first death anniversary of Singapore’s founding father Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and honor his legacy of a clean and green Singapore.

These youths, aged between 15 and 35 years old proactively did their part for nature through reforestation, coastal and swamp cleanup, invasive weed clearing, flotsam fence maintenance, species survey and bird box construction. This is the second time OBS has organized this large-scale outdoor conservation classroom, with overwhelming participation.

To further encourage youths to appreciate the environment, OBS will also be opening its campus to the public for the first time for a series of March school holiday Nature Appreciation Programme.

A total of 11 workshops will be organized featuring activities such as nature treasure hunts, mangrove appreciation and nature photography to promote family bonding and a greater understanding of Pulau Ubin’s history, geography and ecology.

Members of public could register for the free workshops at which can be found on the OBS website.

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.

13 Best Things To Do In Punggol That Show Punggol Is Not Boring At All!

If you’ve exhausted your list of places to go, worry no more – this comprehensive guide to Punggol means you’ll be able to stuff yourself silly and explore what was once considered one of the most ulu parts of Singapore.

1. Explore the former landfill that is Lorong Halus Wetlands

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBCqvjak3kK/?taken-at=1547318

Spanning over 18 acres is Lorong Halus Wetlands, a former landfill that extends along the eastern bank of Serangoon Resevoir. Enter from Punggol Promenade and make your way across the snaking Lorong Hulas Bridge, which was fashioned to resemble a railway bridge.

2. Have a futsal tournament with your friends

Source: 6 Tebing Lane #01-05

Opening Hours:
Off-Peak
Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm, $50/court/hour

Peak
Mon – Fri: 6pm – 2am
Weekends and Public Holidays: 9am – 2am, $95/court/hour