Thursday, December 31, 2009

Chinese New Year Part 4 - Fish Port

After vegetable wholesale center, the next will be fish wholesale. Everything in veg whole sale applied to fish wholesale.

In Singapore there are two ports - Senoko and Jurong. The best time to visit the ports are after 3am. Beware of the heavy fishy smell and the movement of heavy machineries as they move the fishes around.

This is classified under warehouse tours.

If you need transportation services to visit this place, please refer to our product listing page.

You can also purchase a list of Top 40 Must Visit Places in Singapore with Sample Itineraries at the Donation/Payment Details page.

inside view of Jurong Fish Port from elevated walkway
view of Jurong Fish Port stalls
array of fish displayed for sales
array of fish displayed for sale
array of fish displayed for sale
array of fish displayed for sale
array of fish displayed for sale
array of fish displayed for sale
array of fish displayed for sale


Booking:- Booking is required. Please contact Richard Yap at 93893820 for more details.

Chinese New Year Part 3 - Pasir Panjang wholesale Vegtable Market

As the Chinese New Year approaches, many home makers will be busy buying fresh produce to stock up their fridge in preparation reunion dinner. There are no better place than the 24 hours operated Pasir Panjang Vegetable wholesale market.

A first time visitor to the market may feel intimidated by the rush of wholesaler and retailer arguing, uploading of veg to lorries or even the shouting among various interest groups. Alot of us are scare that the "small flies" like us will be scorned at. Well, if you are scared, nothing can be accomplished. Be daring! Go up to them and demand your purchase, as long as you can pay sooner or later you will get the freshest vegtable you will ever get baring those from the farms!

This tour is classified under warehouse tours.

If you need transportation services to visit this place, please refer to our product listing page.

You can also purchase a list of Top 40 Must Visit Places in Singapore with Sample Itineraries at the Donation/Payment Details page.
 
view of Pasir Panjang Veg wholesaler center at night
big Pumpkin for sale
waterchest nut
Collection of fresh peppers and vegetables
mushroom really for sale to retailers
some fruits
picture of fruits and vegetables
picture of fruits and vegetables
picture of fruits and vegetables


Booking:- Not required

Chinese New Year Part 2 - Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple

To all my blog readers, I wish all of you a Happy New Year!

Chinese New Year is not just about buying stuff. It is also time to get together with family and give thanks to the gods for such a good year and hope for a better year ahead.

One of the most famous (yet not so well-known to tourist) is the Loyang "Da Bo Gong" Temple at Loyang.

Inside the temple, one can find gods from Taoist, Hindu and Muslim religion. To me this example perfectly reflect the multi-racial aspect of Singapore. Its proof that different religions can exist under one roof.

History state that the temple was found base on a few abandon idols dump under a tree (the idols are found to be from different religion). One kind hearted soul took pity on the idols and build a roof over them. Over time, the shed was enlarge again and again till it become what you see today.

Take a look at the rich decoration of the temple in the pictures below.

This tour is listed as part of temple tours.

If you need transportation services to visit this place, please refer to our product listing page.

You can also purchase a list of Top 40 Must Visit Places in Singapore with Sample Itineraries at the Donation/Payment Details page.

entrance to Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple
big golden coin with 4D number written on it
Above:- Hopefuls writing down their lucky 4D numbers on the tael
Below:- Free food given out on a Sunday
Free meal on Sunday for all
group photo from Alexandar Hospital
different races praying to different religion gods in the same temple
Above:- Taoist Gods
Below:- Hindu Gods
Hindu Gods
Indian and Chinese folding incense paper together
Above: Indians and Chinese folding incense paper for burning.
writing 4D number again

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Hollywood Dino Tour Review

Hollywood dino Tour is in town at Jurong bird Park. Today together with a group of residents from Hougang we made our way to Hollywood at Dino after visiting choc room and a tour of Fire station. We joined the guided tour and was given a quick commentary on the different type of dinosaurs found in the park.

Just before we reach a artificial cave, there are 2 compounds filled with sands with dino bones hidden in it. It seem to be a great attraction to children as they play with the sand while digging for bones.

In a cave, we saw several static and moving dinosaurs, there is a moving bridge that way left and right. In additional the atmosphere is made very humid and hot by some water fogging machine.

The duration of the tour is just about 30 minutes even with phototaking and slow walk. Personally, I felt that the concept may be good, however, the number of dinosaurs is too little and the floor area is just too small.
Front view of Hollywood Dino Entrance
dinosaur live size model
dinosaur live size model
dinosaur live size model
dinosaur live size model

Booking is not required.
Available until 21 Feb.
Website:- http://hollywooddinos.com/

Chinese New Year Part 1 - Roast Duck

Like Christmas, Chinese Singaporean also have a traditional bird serve on their dining table on the eve of Chinese New Year (we call it the reunion dinner). In this case, it will be the roasted duck. In Singapore, there are many roasted duck shops, however to many locals, those at the Ubi must be considered the very best. Two of the more famous shops are Yan Chuan Roaster and Yap Chai Lack.

This tour is classified under warehouse tours.

If you need transportation services to visit this place, please refer to our product listing page.

You can also purchase a list of Top 40 Must Visit Places in Singapore with Sample Itineraries at the Donation/Payment Details page.
front view of Yan Chuan Roaster (S) Pte Ltd
Above: Traditional roasted duck store.  
Below: Roasted duck roasted with herbs.
Front view of Yap Chai Lack Farming Co


Booking: No Booking required.

Friday, December 25, 2009

5 do and don't of arranging a successful local tour itinerary

Today is Christmas, I thought we should take a break from introducing new locations. Instead, I will be introducing to you guys the 5 DOs and 5 DON'Ts when organising local tours in Singapore (for that matter anywhere in the world for some of the points).

Do:-

1)DO understand the objective of the tour. Is the tour an educational tour, business tour or shopping tour? Understanding the purpose of the tour will ensure you will not go off topic and disappoint all your particpants. This point can be obvious, but it cannot be stressed enough.

2) DO state upfront or imposed a limit on the number of particpants. This is important because the number of particpants will determine how many vehicles and type of vehicles are required to transport the tourist. It will also determine how many guides (if any are required). Lastly some of the locations you are visiting may imposed on the number of visitors one can visit at any one time.

3) DO understand the type of particpants that are joining the tour. In Singapore, where we live in a multi-racial society, it is of upmost relevance. For example, we need to be aware of any diet restriction (Halal, vegetarian, prefered mode of communication and any movement aids required).

4) DO know the age group composition of the particpants. Are there alot of kids, senior citizens or is it a mix group? Are the participants together with families or friends? This enable us to communicate in advance to the vendors the type of customers they are expecting. It also help us to assign helpers to folks who are alone to ensure that nobody get lost.

5) DO book in advance the venues and vehicles required to prevent disappointment. Nothing can be worsed then going to a venue and see that the metal gates are shut!

DON'T

1) Don't forget to count the number of particpants when you are moving off from one location to the next.

2) Don't go to busy shopping centers if you can help it, especially, if there are alot of senior citizens in the group

3) Don't allow particpants to go off on their own without telling the organiser or person-in-charge. For that matter, DON'T forget to count the number of particpants before setting off from a venue.

4) Don't allow senior citizen or young children to go off on their own. Also ensure that the location you are visiting align with the physically ability of the particpants. Example boat ride and hiking demand a certain level of physical ability.

5) The most important! DON'T forget to remind and let the particpants have fun!

Related Articles
10 Things a participant must do to enjoy a tour

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas and Chinese New Year Shopping Tour - Chocolate Room (Part 6)

Okay, Christmas is just round the corner folks! If you have not make your Christmas purchase,there is no time to waste in thinking what to buy! Well, what gifts there are fail safe (almost)? Foods like Chocolate of cos.

Allow me to introduce Chocolate room situated in Defu. It is operated by one of the largest Chocolate distributor in Singapore, Cocoa Tree. The chocolate room is not a huge warehouse, however, within it little belly, the owner has stored almost every kind of chocolate imaginable (mid range type and below). Eg include M&M, Belgium chocolate, Waffles, Tofe, Kiss, etc.

At the end of the day, esp for those with diabetics, please control yourself...Take a look at the buying frenzy in the pictures below. A great way to control your sugar level is by drinking tea and exercising more.

This tour is classified under warehouse tours.

If you need transportation services to visit this place, please refer to our product listing page.

You can also purchase a list of Top 40 Must Visit Places in Singapore with Sample Itineraries at the Donation/Payment Details page.

view of cocoa tree room


guest wowing at the cocoa tree room
Product Kagi Cocount
dark Kit Kat Chocolate
Geisha Chocolate
Kinder bueno chocolate
Ferrero Collection Chocolate
Golden Toffles



Info:- Booking is not required

Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas and Chinese New Year Shopping Tour - Science Art (Part 5)

We just cannot get sick during this festive season. However, the good food and drinks, the dance and partying may deplete our energy. Therefore, I will make use of this opportunity to introduce Science Art.

Science Art specialise in making ready to consume chinese medicine using tradtional herbs. Situated in Macpherson,it has over 20 years of operational history in Singapore. One can buy numerous health supplements such as chicken essence, ache spray, tonic soup base, lin zhi spores powder base, etc. For group booking, you can also enjoy special discount rates not found elsewhere!

This tour is classified under warehouse tours.

If you need transportation services to visit this place, please refer to our product listing page.



view of Science Art auditorium

Above: Auditorium with participants watching a short clip


LingZhi
Birdnest

Above:- Birdnest
Cordyceps extractCordyceps extract
Above:- Cordyceps extract with ginseng
Below: Free blood pressure test by the resident Doctor
Free blood pressure test by the resident Doctor

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas and Chinese New Year Shopping Tour - Frost Products (Part 4)

My vocab for food is strictly limited to normal Singaporean common food. This warehouse retail shop sell most of the food ingredients that I have never heard of before. The food are more suitable for Western palates.

Sugar-Free Yeast-Free Fresh Pita Bread - Pack of 6The warehouse sell food such as Pita bread, Avocadro slices, egg tart, ice-cream dessert, frozen mushroom and drop dead cheap Esprit drinks at $2 dollars.

So if you can find some uses for the food named above (There are many other food, too bad I cannot remember all.) feel free to visit them on weekdays.

This tour is classified under warehouse tours.

If you need transportation services to visit this place, please refer to our product listing page.

You can also purchase a list of Top 40 Must Visit Places in Singapore with Sample Itineraries at the Donation/Payment Details page.

view of frost showroom

Esprit drinks sold by Frost on shelves
Eaprit drink upfront view
free cookie, waffles for sampling
Above: Waffles, cookies, Esprit and other drinks for sampling (Avail only if booking was made)


Booking: No booking is required.