Monday, December 12, 2011

Factory Tour - Coffee Factory

Singaporeans and the world at large love their coffee, at least I do. Many of us survive through the day with not a few cups of coffee. Do you know that Singapore has her own coffee powder factories? Do you know that different coffee powders, different ingredients and different type of grinding are used for coffee powder used in Starbucks and coffeeshop?

Recently, I was invited to a coffee factory to learn about coffee manufacturing process. From adding of maize, butter and sugar to coffee bean, to the baking process to the cooling process, to the grinding process and to learning how to identify the readiness of the baking from the smoke, it is really an eye opener.

 It is a not an easy environment to survive as the heat from the cooked coffee beans spread quickly once they are poured onto the mixer. Through out the factory, you can find large trumpet like structure to suck hot air out of the factory.

This tour will enables coffee drinkers a greater appreciation of the effort, time and ingredients that went into making your favorite cup of coffee!

I will classify this place as part of factory and educational tour.

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.







Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Educational Tour - Wan Qing Yuan

Wan Qing Yuan was a place where Dr Sun Yat Sen stayed when he setted up Tong Men Hui in Singapore.

If you are like me, with no clue on the important role Dr Sun Yat Sen played in the modern day Chinese revolution from old Imperial culture or his role in WWII effort (maybe I should include this place as part of WWII series too!) against Japanese in China and Wan Qing Yuan colourfull history, you should visit Wan Qing Yuan.

Situated along Ah Hood road, it has recently been renovated and is again opened to public.

Inside the museum you will learn about the history of China revolution, WWII, various effort undertook by Dr Sun in finding Nationalist China, his role in Xinhai revolution.

Apart from the nice exhibits and the peaceful garden (now that the free entrance is over...I guess it will be peaceful once more), one thing that stick with me is the revolutionary wait for putting 3 timeline for the same event in different locations together.

 It is easier to observe how events in different location can advance either independently or dependently of each other. During a time where Telegram is the main mode of communication, we can already see time is of the essence and feel the urgency of the situation.

Other exhibits that stick to me are the newspaper clipping. It shows case the importance of newspaper media and how life must still go on despite the war. Just that instead of headline news on dead bodies at Bedok Reservoir, it will be how many sailors or warships were sunk in the Straits of Malacca.

I will classify this place as part of educational tour.

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.












Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Garden Tour - My Waterway @ Punggol

It has been a while since I have touched the blog. I have been busy setting up a system for a new venture. Hopefully, I can push out 2 related blog entries - both Garden Tour - My Waterway @ Punggol (this entries) and Punggol Promenade and a blog entry that lists the CNY must visit warehouses and factories before my Subaru Challenge on 29 Oct.

My Waterway @ Punggol entrance is situated beside the intersection of Punggol Drive and Punggol Road. To be frank, I am not sure just how huge the place is.

I spend 30 minutes walking from Punggol Park to the Waterway, followed by about one hour to explore and walk to Lor Halus wetland Reserve. Finally, you can be up close and personal to the barrage across Sungei Serangoon I have talked about in the entry on Lor Halus Wetland Reserve.

Within the Waterway @ Punggol, three things interest me

1) The huge empty land that connect with the sky (hard to find in Singapore)

2) The stick bridge that link both side of the artificial river

3) A section of old Punggol Road with her Wall of knowledge talking about the type of flora and fauna found there in the past and present.

If you continue along the Waterway @ Punggol, you will come to the other side of the Lor Halus Wetland Reserve and the reservoir. I sat there along the river slope listening to the waves against the strong and stare at the sky while enjoying the constant blow of the wind. I cannot describe the immense feeling of peace I have felt. You need to be there to feel it.

Continue walking for maybe an hour, you will reach Punggol Promenade. I shall not elaborate here as it will be the topic of my next blog. By the way, while at the Punggol Promenade, I saw the submarine recently purchase by the Navy and I have taken pictures of it and will post it. If anyone or government find it offensive, do tell and I will remove it.

This location will be placed as part of Garden Tour.

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 from Surrounding HDB flats..Can I buy?

View from Surrounding HDB flats..another view

Entrance to My Waterway @ Punggol

The iconic Slited Bridge

To those born after 1980s, ask your parents about it


Roadmap of My waterway

Clear view of Sky and land Part 1

Clear view of Sky and land Part 2

Clear view of Sky and land Part 3



Good luck if you are on foot...a nearly an hour walk to Punggol Promenade

Sungei Serangoon Reservoir barrage as seen in Lor Halus previously


This is the sea the barrage above is trying to prevent the fresh water from the river from flowing into

Friday, September 9, 2011

Educational Tour - Marina City Gallery

I have just finish meeting at Raffles Place when I decided to take a trip down to Marina Bay MRT to take a look at the "Twin" of City Gallery at Maxwell which I have blogged about previously - The Marina City Gallery.

The gallery is situated in a double story building that seem expensive to build, however looking at the small size of the building, I am not sure how long it can hold my attention or what interesting galleries can it hold to compare with City Gallery.

Top 10 Singapore (EYEWITNESS TOP 10 TRAVEL GUIDE)Upon entering the Marina City Gallery, the first thing that draw your eyes will be the similar model seen in Maxwell City Gallery, with some differences:-

i) Marina City Gallery focuses on Marina Bay Area while Maxwell City Gallery focus on Singapore as a whole
ii) Marina City Gallery is sort of illuminated with Led lights that sort of brighten up when selected spots are being chosen on a touch panel, while Maxwell City Gallery is just a "static" model.

Apart from the above, there seem to be a temporary exhibition on different artist on the second floor and this concluded my visit to the Marina City Gallery. While inside the Gallery, I have learnt about the mist emitting structure that is supposed to cool down pedestrian as they walk between Marina Bay Sand shopping center and the Marina City Gallery and I have decided to give it a trial (I am still not sure if it worked or now).

I am torn between just listing it as a random place I have been or place it under educational tour. However, since it did showcase the history and growth of Marina Bay area and is a sustainable building and it explain the theory behind some of the structure, I will placed it as part of educational tour.

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.















Sunday, August 28, 2011

Educational Tour- Kranji War Memorial

In Singapore, this is the month where we pay respect to those who have moved on before us. Of our forebears and ancestors who have moved on, a group deserves special mention. As Singapore elects her new President, we must remember these heroes who have spilled their blood to ensure this land remains forever free.

Kranji War Memorial is the resting grounds for various wars in Singapore and Asia, especially War World II. In addition, on these grounds rest the graves of President Benjamin Henry Sheares and President Yusof Bin Ishak.

Apart from the names of heroes and some of our more prominent fore fathers, you can also learn about the history of World War II through a detailed timeline.

This memorial is maintained by Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Note: For a detail write up on Kranji War Memorial during the Remembrance Day, please click here.

I will places this place under educational site as it is vital that citizens learn about the sacrifice that is required to keep our land free.

 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.