Singapore Local Tour

Factory Tour -Fassler Salmon Factory

2012-01-24T12:31:00.002+08:00

To all Chinese, I wish you a very happy Chinese New Year!

This post aims to change the status of Fassler Salmon Factory from the warehouse category to educational and factory category.

For the past one year, the boss Martin and his Ops director Bruno has through their thorough and engaging tour open up many people eyes in the world of Salmon and Sashimi.

The tour will encompass several stations.

1) Descaling station

2) Salting Station

3) Deboning station (Kids can try to see how the seemingly effortless job requires lots of skills)

4) Smoking station (Learn smoke are produced without fire)

5) Slicing station (Kids learn how Fassler satisfy fussy chefs using hand slice and general market using machine slice)

6) Food tasting station (Depending on the mood of the boss, you may get a taste of the raw sashimi free!)

7) Packaging station (This include seeing how mushroom, lobster soups are cooked in huge kitchen and packed)

8) Freezer Tour (Warning! Kids go wild in this place. Experience -14 Degree Celsius environment in Singapore! )

9) Buying - Buy anything you fancy!

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.

Factory Tour - Coffee Factory

2011-12-12T00:06:00.000+08:00

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.

Educational Tour - Wan Qing Yuan

2011-11-08T01:28:00.000+08:00

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.

Garden Tour - My Waterway @ Punggol

2011-10-25T02:16:00.003+08:00

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

Educational Tour - Marina City Gallery

2011-09-09T11:50:00.005+08:00

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.

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.

Educational Tour- Kranji War Memorial

2011-08-28T00:05:00.002+08:00

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.

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.

Garden Tour - A hike to HSBC Treetop walk and Jelutong tower

2011-08-07T16:39:00.004+08:00

Recently, I have decided to treat myself to a nice hike at MacRitchie Reservoir. The past one month I have been busy with setting up a new business, bringing in a new product (will intro about it at the next post) and with NDP. The past week has bee fruitful but tiring.

I realised I have not blog about this wonderful place in the past which comes at a surprise to me. The place I am talking about is more like a journey than a place. I shall call it a hike to HSBC Treetop walk and Jelutong Tower.

Starting from MacRitchie (you can also access via Bukit Timah Reserve), it is an approximately 10Km round trip.

Walking inside the forest on a stony path with up and down, surrounding with dancing shadows and beautiful natural (and free) musical you will quickly go into a Zen mood which is both refreshing and even enlightening. If you have problems that you cannot solve, this hike will do you much good in solving it.

I have been to the HSBC Treetop walk many times and is confident of the way. However, to the uninitiated, have no fear as the path is now very clearly parked and scatter at every 500m to 1km, there are sheltered rest points.

The walk at the top of the forest canopy changes every time you are there. The best is when it is slightly cloudy with strong wind. As you stare at the passing clouds making shadows on the forest below you and see the swallows fly around you, you will give thanks that you have found time to be there.

The Jelutong Tower will also give you a breath taking view of the surrounding area and along the way up the tower, you will take away many knowledge about the forest around you.

I have classified this location as part of Garden Tour series.

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 Products and Payment Details page.

Places I have been - Jurong Island Chem Gallery

2011-07-13T08:19:00.003+08:00

All of us use petroleum in our daily lives. Be it in the form of petrol/diesel, plastic, cosmetic or smart phones all uses some form of derivatives from fossil fuel. These derivatives and products are distillated in refineries and further modified in specialise plants into specialty products.

In Singapore, this industry is primarily based on Jurong Island. As walking around the island (above 5000++ football field) is a hassle, it is all summarises in the Chem Gallery in Jurong Island.

Chem Gallery basically explained the how of drilling for fossil fuels, how fractional distillation is used to separate fossils fuels into different fractions. It also explains how heavier components into lighter one like Petrol which is more valuable. It also showcase different products that are derived in one form or another from fossils fuel derivation. Oh..there is also a giant periodic table there in case you need to look out for the element involved.

Last thing to note, Jurong Island is a gazetted area since 911 incident. Access is tough and generally out of bound to public..

This tour will be classified and under 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.

Factroy Tours - Malay Curry Puff and Frozen Product

2011-06-29T08:04:00.002+08:00

Finally the school holiday period is over. Time to restart my blogging exercise! During the school holidays, I have visited several new areas which I will blog about over the next few weeks.

Today, I will introduce a new curry puff and Malay "Kueh" factory in Bedok. In there you will get to learn how traditional hands made food are now being partially replaced by machineries.

Also indulge yourself in the nice aroma of curry and herbs that waff through the factory as the boss explains in detail the different part of the manufacturing process.

This location will be placed under Factory and Educational category

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.

Place I have been - Ion Sky park

2011-06-05T21:00:00.001+08:00

After visiting the dazzling heights of MBS Skypark, we have another Sky park in Singapore - Ion Sky. Situated on the 55 floor of Orchard Ion, this park promise a bird eyes view of Singapore heartland such as Bukit Timah, Alexandra and Macritchie reservoir.

The Ion sky park view is different from MBS. Compare the photos between MBS and Ion Sky below and see the differences. Other differences are
1) Ion Sky is totally air-conditioned! So no danger of winds blowing you off the roof;
2) Ion Sky is totally sheltered. No need to bring umbrella in the first place!
3) It is smaller than MBS skypark.
4) The Ion park is opened by Cloud observatory club, so geography teachers interested in teaching students about clouds should pay Ion Sky a visit!

Personally, I feel that I would love to feel the flutter of the wind on my face at such great heights!

At the bottom of the park, I discover that there is a free entry art gallery. I have also taken some of the photos and attached them below. To go to the sky park, you need to purchase a $16 tickets or the not so friendly security guard may just boot you out!

Since there are several educational information on clouds and their formation, I am happy to include location as part of random places and place it under educational category.

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.

Educational Tour - Tiger Beer Brewery

2011-05-30T08:53:00.003+08:00

Many of us like beer, but how many of us have a chance to visit a real functional brewery right in Singapore. Well do you know Tiger Beer is actually manufactured and bottled in Singapore?

Tiger Beer is the result of collaboration between F&N and Heineken and as part of the brewery tour; you will have a more in-depth understanding of how our most favourite brand - Tiger Beer come into being.

As part of the tour, you guys will be guided through Tiger Beer museum which showcase the transformation of Tiger Beer through the decades.

The tour is followed by two short movie clips that explain how Tiger Beer came about and basically how Tiger Beer are made.

Next, we will proceed to the production facilities itself to see the fermentation silos, settling and packaging process. Lastly, enjoy free flow of cool beer in the Tavern itself.

If you are interested, you can also plan to have company dinner there with Buffet and free flow of beers! You are almost guarantee to have a wild time.

As photo taking in the production facilities is not allowed, I have only taken photo in the museum and tavern itself.

Tiger Beer Brewery is categorised under educational and factory categories.

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.

Places I have been -Kampong in Buangkok

2011-05-03T07:54:00.002+08:00

I first heard about this place from Neil Humphrey - Author of book such as Notes from an even smaller island - and have finally decided to pay it a visit a few days ago.

The Kampong itself is pristine in a sense that it retains it most original flavour and culture. What hit you are the transformation of the area from a HDB sub-urban environment to a really lay back Kampong Village that you swear you will never find it in mainland Singapore.

The walk itself was quite great as it bypass small river streams, lovely archways, beautiful scrubs and bushes. The residents there in general are bemused with the folks walking through their Kampong. Be advise thou, from my quick glance, some of those residents own land and big cars that are parked at their doorways! Base on wiki search, these may be the original landlords that rent out the houses situated in the Kampong to people since the 1960s!

Garden Tour - Alexandra Canal

2011-04-16T16:37:00.003+08:00

After my visit to Lor Halus wetland reserve, I have visited another similar place that uses plants to purified our water system - allow me to introduce the newly renovated Alexandra Canal along Prince Charles Crescent.

Newly opened by Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 19 March 2011, it seeks to clean and purified rainwater collected from the neighborhood before releasing it into Alexandra Canal.

Most of the technical details have already been discussed in the write up on Lor Halus Wetland Reserve page and I shall not bore you further. However, I felt that Alexandra Canal and Lor Halus got very different atmosphere to it. Lor Halus has a wild functional feel to it, while Alexandra Canal is designed for families gathering and morning joggers around a nice neighborhood.

Take a look at both the page to see the difference!

This location will be classified under both Garden and Education categories.

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.

Opening by MM Mr Lee Kuan Yew

New Platform over the Alexandra Canal

Part of the new Rock landscapped Garden

Some of the plants used to clean the water system

Similar plants are seen in the Lorong Halus Wetland

A water splashing pool for the family

Factory and educational Tour - Green Energy Derivation from Used Cooking Oil (Alpha Biodiesel)

2011-04-01T08:54:00.005+08:00

Looking back at the nuclear incident in Japan, looking for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is of paramount importance. I have just visited an used cooking oil (UCO) to diesel recycling plant and is very impress with work and perseverance demonstrated by the founders.

The process is relatively simple; however the cost of production is not cheap. The process is as followed:-

1) Collect UCO from restaurant and households

2) Mix in a reacting tank with methanol and potassium hydroxide (KOH) at around 60 degrees Celsius.

3) Allow the glycerol (can be use to make soap) which is more dense to settle down and drain out.

4) Heat the remaining mixture to remove excess methanol

5) Filter the mixture(sawdust and resin) and the filtrate is allow to cool of again

6) End product - Diesel

No worries if the above seem quite complex. Participants who join the tour will be given a detail explanation on the whole process through video show, factory tour and lab-scale biodiesel making demo.

This location is classified under both factory and educational category.

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.

By product from the recycling process-glycerin

Cooling tank for the main recycling plant

Filtration column to remove KOH and methanol

Pipe show the condition of diesel

labs testing different type of method of recycling UCO

Micro refinery

Places I have been - Sentosa Boardwalk

2011-03-24T08:42:00.002+08:00

During my Secondary School days, I have participated in a mass walk across the then newly built bridge that link Singapore mainland to Sentosa.

Now the walk has been enhanced with travellator and restaurant with fantastic view.

Build with two way travellator; you do not have to move more than 10 steps to reach Sentosa from Singapore mainland. I find this quite amazing as I remember the hassle in the past.

To get to Sentosa will involve either buying ferry tickets from counter followed by taking a 15 to 20 minutes journey to Sentosa or an expensive cable car ride.

Well take a look at the new link in the pictures below!

Garden and Educational Tour - Lorong Halus Wetland

2011-03-09T10:27:00.003+08:00

Recently, our government has opened a new garden in Lorong Halus. It being where my old sand depository was, I paid it a visit as soon as possible. Boy was it good!

The drive from TPE (Tampines Express Way) into Lor. Halus is fantastic. Nice tree covered road that suddenly break into wide open sky and field, it totally feel like some other countries countryside in summer time.

I have cateogrised a park under both garden and educational category for the first time because I have learnt quite a bit from Lor. Halus wetland. The purpose of the wetland is to provide additional fresh water to our reservoir. However, Lor. Halus was a landfill until a decade ago. So how do we prevent pollutants from flowing into our reservoir and rivers? Lor. Halus wetland provides the answer.

The procedure is wonderful and has trial in countries like China Beijing during the Olympic Games. It is actually using plants ability to extract nutrients from the soil (example nitrates) which is considered a form of pollutants in our drinking water (seem like hydroponics technology).

At Lor. Halus wetland you can see a huge area of farm-like paddy field (it is not), ponds and may other features that are essential to this water purification process. There are amble sign boards along the way to explain concisely their purpose.

After the walk, you can cross the bridge to Punggol area where restaurants have been set up for you to enjoy a nice meal!

I think the night view will be fantastic too! I will post it once I have the time to visit at night!

This location will be classified under both Garden and Education categories.

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.

Update:- The bridge can now link to My Waterway @ Punggol.

View when driving in

Sudden clear expanse of land (old landfill)

Signboard telling you that you have arrived

History and development of Lorong Halus Wetland

Bridge across to Punggol

View of the river on the bridge

Walk along the river

Caught in the rain view

Educational signboard all around the wetland

Papyrus plant...I think

A whole field of them

Place to eat and relax

Factory Tour - Jewellery Shop (Qualitas)

2011-03-01T20:01:00.006+08:00

As everyone knows, gold price is increasing exponentially; it is now a good time to introduce another discounted gold and jewellery shop. While you are at the shop, you may have the chance to see how gold smith works their graft.

Learn about the history of different type of jewellery around you. Learn how a good jewellery piece can be differentiated from another one. Observe (if he is around) the nimble hands of the goldsmith working his graft using tools and modern day machineries.

Lastly, one can take sometime to engage in some retail therapy in purchasing the most value added gold piece to your investment portfolio.

This place will be placed under factory category.

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.

Explaining the jewellery crafting process by the boss

Scroll through the workshop with more in-depth explanation

The various tools and machineries to help the crafter. Old pictures depict the history of this factory

Their gallery. Phototaking not allowed

Educational Tour - ArtScience Museum

2011-02-23T23:04:00.003+08:00

Ever wonder how goods are transported before the start of air travel? Have you heard of the Belitung Shipwreck? Do you know who that Genghis Khan and his sons rule the largest land based empire for a time? If you are interested in the answer, it is time to visit ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands.

There are a total of 23 galleries in the Artscience Museum. The top floor is for the permanent exhibits which showcase several important scientific discoveries over the centuries. It seeks to showcase how both art and science are ideas that are born out of expression of human curiosity and inspiration.

The basement currently held the Silk road and shipwreck exhibits. Loitering in the exhibits bring me back hundred of years into the past where traders, soldiers and missionaries traverse ten of thousand kilometers of land in search of their dream. Along the route we can see how different markets cities have different type of markets that showcase their own brand of civilisation.

The Belitung shipwreck, continuing from the Silk Road showcases the large variety of goods that already exist in the past. Strangely I feel a certain sadness that the owner of the ship has already completed the tougher part of the voyage and was on the way back, however, a stroke of bad luck to him had make his misfortune a great gift to our generation.

The last exhibits - Genghis Khan showcase the life story of this legendary conqueror, the country he lives in and his style of management and battle tactics. Walking through the exhibits make me feel that right or wrong changes in time. Is it right or wrong to slay hundred of thousands to ensure peace for millions? Answer that yourself while you are there.

Well a picture speaks a thousand words. Enjoy the photos below.

This location will be classified under educational category.

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.

Main lobby of ArtScience Museum

Entrance to the Silk Road Gallery

The route travellers took in the days of Silk Road

Camels are the main mode of transport in tohse days

Silk Making loops

A busy market place

Unanswered questions about the Belitung shipwrecks

Gold bowl

Garden Tour - Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

2011-02-14T16:02:00.004+08:00

Just before the Chinese New Year shopping rush, I was introduce to the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden by a afterschool care center.

This Garden is tout to be Asia first children's garden. As quoted from them, it is designed around the theme "all life on Earth Depend on plants".

To enter the Garden, you must be 12 or below and accompanied by a adult. Inside there is mini wooden bridge, tunnel slide, pond with 2 black swans (by the way there is a book entitled Black Swan which is a good read),a large ground for families to hold picnic and a sensory garden similar to the sensory park at Toa Payoh.

I felt that it is a great place to spend the morning with your wards and for family to relax and have fun with their kids in a safe environment.

Parents and teachers, do your own homework on the place and you could just manage to impact a life time of interest in life science to your kids through the many interesting flora, fauna and artificial construct there!

This location will be classified under 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 Products and Payment Details page.

Update on Sengkang Rivertop walk - Sengkang Floating Wetland

2011-02-07T09:21:00.002+08:00

I will need to visit more garden to walk off my excess fats courtesy of my heavy Chinese New Year indulgence, hence more garden tour.

This is more of an update to my past post. The actual river top walk that make it the river top walk garden has finally opened two months ago!

Walk on top of mashes and see the beautiful flora and fauna that are thriving at Sengkang Floating wetlland. Admire the beautiful colour and sound of nature – From the beautiful flowers to the strikingly coloured birds!

Another nice innovation is that the walk is actually floating and not fixed to the river bed! This allows fishes to swim unhindered and allow a closer encounters with the wildlife as the bridge can be built low, otherwise it must be high enough to take into account the changing tides to prevent flooding!

This tour will be classified as part of garden tour .

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

Entrance to the river top walk

One of the numerous board along the way

The anchor that prevent the walk from floating away

Floating boxes that the walk is built on

Close up view of swamps flora

view of river top walk

Cat Tail Plant

Artificial islands

View of the wet land

Some place to sit???

Garden Tours :- Woodland waterfront

2011-01-31T23:00:00.003+08:00

Finally the Chinese New Year has arrived. Hope you guys have made your CNY purchases by now! I am involved in an accident today and in this joyous CNY occasion and in a spirit of sharing, allow me to give you my HOT 4D of the day...2913 haha HUAT ARH (to my non-Singaporean readers, Huat ARH means get rich).

After the Chinese New Year feast, it is my pleasure to introduce to a newly opened garden - Woodland Waterfront. The back drop of the waterfront is the skyline of Johor facing Singapore and the Causeway. Talk about peeping into our neighbor backyard!

Visit the waterfront around 7am to 9 am and enjoy the morning breeze before the sun shine over your head. Else, visit in the evening and have a nice picnic on top of the Jetty. The water around the jetty is also quit rich with marine life - visible sightings include crabs, fish, Jelly fish and even Sotong!

This location will be classified as part of Garden Tours category.

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 Products and Payment Details page.

Places I have been - City Alive! Singapore’s Biggest Street Dance Party

2011-01-17T11:01:00.003+08:00

Recently, I have attended a media release by People Association Youth Movement (PAYM) on the up and coming City Alive! event. The release was announced by Mr Yam Ah Mee (Chief Executive Director, PA), Ms Lina Chong (Chairperson, PAYM) and DJ Andrew Chow.

City Alive! is ear marked to be Singapore Biggest Street Dance party. I purposely include it here because after all the Chinese New Year introduction, I may have indirectly resulted in you guys adding a few kilogrammes from all the goodies.

City Alive! will be held on 12 Feb from 11 pm to 4am at Pit Building, so why not make use of this chance to dance the Kilos away.

It cost $15 to $28 dollars and can be purchase at Sistic or at door - comes with one complimentary drink. The host will be DJ Andrew Chow, DJ Tashi and DJ Sarasa. As Beer (Tiger Beer - Aisia Pacific Breweries is the official beer) will be sold, this event is limited to adults age 18 and above only!

See some of the photos take during the media release.

This page will be placed under places I have been.

Warehouse Tour - Song Fish

2011-01-12T18:17:00.002+08:00

A lot of the Frozen fish warehouse I have introduced to you guys are opened only during Chinese New Year period. However Song fish is opened for the whole year during business hours and is one of the larger Frozen fish company in Singapore.

I should have blog about this place long ago...but well with so many seafood companies around; I cannot remember which of them I have blog about. Well, thanks to a reader from National University of Singapore, I shall remedy that.

Song Fish is situated at Jurong Fishery Road, during CNY, apart from the Frozen fishes, it also sells drinks, dried seafood like fish maw and sauces making it a one stop place for CNY shopping.

It frozen seafood included snow fish, salmon, lobster, shell fish, grouper and many other type of edible fishes at a very low cost. Enough said, take a look at the pictures below.

This location will be classified under warehouse series.

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.

Warehouse Tour :- Wang Foong Food

2011-01-11T23:05:00.002+08:00

I was attracted by a nice aroma when I walked along Woodland Terrarce. It was the smell of BBQ lamp and sausages that make me find the warehouse. For this CNY season, Wang Foong has opened its door to allow CNY shoppers to buy sausages or hotdog (can someone tell me the difference?)!

There is nothing much to report as the Factory is not open for visit after Chinese New Year nor is it production process open for visiting. However, in this festive season, an addition place to grab some discounted CNY goodies is always welcome.

See the photo below.

This location will be classified as under Warehouse visits.

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.

Random Places I have been - Demsey Hill

2011-01-05T11:35:00.001+08:00

Hi guys Happy New Year. Now the next place (Demsey Hill) I am going to blog about does not meet my blog objective, therefore, it will be classified as random places I have been to. However, I really like the atmosphere around this place and feel that you guys can have an enjoyable time there too!

Dempsey Hill from what I can gather was a old military place that has seen been converted to a place where people can have a meal within a place that is quite well..arty.

In the hill you can find all sorts of art related industries ...from art galleries to wood workshop to sculpture workshop to furniture display room to artistic pedicure workshop. Even the water fountain is a work of art!

While I was there, I dine at the House followed by a coffee at Dome and laze away the afternoon while waiting for the rain to stop. I am not food critic but well, it is good. Purchase some salts at Jones Grocery and spend some minutes admiring arts (costing at least $10k) hanging on the various galleries. I have already decided to be an artist once I can design...I am good at abstract art.

Well take a look at some of the pictures I have taken. Oh if I offended anyone because of the copyright of art piece or nature of the picture do email me at longtian41@gmail.com and I will remove it immediately.

This place will be classified as part of places I have been to.

Educational Tour - NUS Museum

2010-12-25T16:08:00.003+08:00

Merry Christmas Folks! All of you must be thinking I will put up a place suitable for CNY shopping. Nope, not this time round, did that last year and I am afraid nothing much has changed! If you guys are really looking just for it, some old links to those CNY places can be found here.

As a NTU alumnus I am familiar with the Nanyang Heritage center and has introduced many local and foreign visitors there. However, my wife feel quite indignant that I failed to mention NUS Museum which she felt is way better than NTU. Recently, while selling to one of their staff that purchase my forks and spoon sets for their christmas party free gift, I make a small detour to visit the Museum and it really blows me away.

A quick intro of the Museum - It consists of several galleries such as Lee Kong Chian, photo, Malay Guru, South East Asian porcelain and specimen gallery.

For me, I love the collection of porcelain, glazed ware and old archaeological digs. One could spend hours reading on the history of those wares and admire their workmanship. Others may find their collection of specimen in situ interesting...I do not find it so.

Well some photos to capture your interest below.

This location will be categorised 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.

Entrance to Paint Gallery. It explores the concept of what does paint and painting entails

Some of the exhibitions are temporary loan by some of the notaries in Singapore

Exhibitions that showcase life of a Malay Guru

A mess of broken pieces of porcelain..seem quite artistic

A treasure trove of uncategorised items

A frog eating some lizard

Specimen of fish

Farm Tour - Mainland Tropical FIsh Farm

2010-12-13T09:17:00.002+08:00

"Long Kang" (Drains in Chinese Dialect) is synonymous with fun for a lot of Singapore senior citizens. I have often heard stories of them jumping into Long Kang for swimming, playing or catching fish. Nowadays, very seldom do we see kids given the opportunities to do so. Mainland Fish farm offers a wonderful venue for senior citizens to satisfy their nostalgia and kids to experience what they have been missing all along.

At Mainland with a small amount of money, you get to enjoy fish spa, fish feeding or prawn fishing. A good and cheap way to spend time with families and friends!

The atmosphere at Mainland is so peaceful that a lot of time while sitting on their swing listening to the sound of the ducks, hens and water, I felt asleep.

This location will be placed as part of farm 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 Products and Payment Details page.

Long Kang Fishing

Fish Feeding

Pond for fish spa

Educational Tour - Jelly Fty @ Tan Soon Mui

2010-12-07T01:50:00.002+08:00

This factory does not allow photos … as if we will steal their manufacturing technique. Never mind, it still make for a worthwhile visit. The Herbal Grass Jelly Factory in woodland - Tan Soon Mui Food Industries.

Learn how grass jellies are made from...no surprise here grass! Learn how it is mix, steam and finally pack in a short and quick presentation. After which buy drop dead cheap jelly from the distributor itself!

PS: My faithful reader will realise my rate of post is dropping. It is not because of lack of interesting places...I have on hand dozens of interesting place to blog on every week. However, as CNY approaches, we are really busy. I will try to post but the posting time will cease to be like clockwork. Instead of posting every weekend, it can now be anytime of the week.

This tour will be classified 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.

Educational Tour:- Singapore Crocodile farm

2010-11-22T09:04:00.003+08:00

I have decided to class this tour as educational tour rather as farm tour. The reason being, crocodiles here are no longer farmed for their skin or meat, but for their abilities to draw valuable tourist to this location.

During my visit to this crocodile farm, I was informed on the type, life cycle and feeding habits of the 4 different types of crocodile rear there. One important point that remains with me is that alot of this crocodiles can live up to 100 plus plus years. In fact, some of the crocodiles reared in the farm has been around for more than thirty years. Of course, these are the lucky ones; most of them are slaughter for their skin and meat in the past before they reach their prime.

During the tour, food will be fed to the crocodile and you can witness for yourself, your chances of survivor if you are ever caught in the jaws of one. I reckon it should be the same as winning 4D.

After the feeding session, it is time to visit the old factory where crocodile skins were being process. It is a really labour intensive job.

At the end of the tour, one can wonder around the retail outlet that sell products make of real crocodile skin...guarantee!

This tour will be classified as part of educational tour.

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

Educational Tour :- Skynest warehouse

2010-11-08T06:50:00.003+08:00

Folks I am back from the Subaru 2010 Challenge! Unfortunately due to disqualification I am out at around 48 hours. I was disqualified as I use my wrong hand to remove my spectacles during one of the water spray session. Anyway, I will take part again next year as this challenge is indeed quite addictive and rejuvenating!

Okay, my next update is another birdnest warehouse. Why one more birdnest warehouse you asked? This one is unique among the competitors as they hired a NUS (One of the leading University in Singapore) to explain to the participants how to differentiate between a real bird nest and those fakes one.

Apart from explaining the visual cues that participants can use, he also explain the laboratories usage of spectrometer, reagents and other methods which I shall not elaborate here as I do not understand them myself.

During the visit, participants get to have a small taste of birdnest and taste the different between their high quality birdnest compare with other competitors. Buyers of birdnest also have a free gift of a electric thermal pot!

This tour will be conducted as part of educational and warehouse 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.

Educational tour - Chinese Opera + food

2010-10-25T10:04:00.003+08:00

Recently, I have discovered a very interesting location in Singapore. A Chinese Opera mini-museum. Situated right next to Malay Heritage center, it also symbolise the ability of how different race in Singapore can co-exist in harmony and provide a one stop cultural exchange center for vistors visiting Singapore.

The museum is situated above a classy restaurant with a nice ambeviance that focus on ...no prize to those who guess correctly...Chinese Opera.

With a minimal fee, guest will be brief on the different aspect of Chinese Opera and its progression through history in Singapore. Also learn about what some of the tools of the trade are.

The picture posted here is lousy as I forget to bring my camera along when I visited it...as some readers are well aware..I am a very hare brain person.

A quick notice to readers, I am partcipating in the Singapore Subaru Challenge 2010...if I manage to pass the lucky draw stage. So there may be a lack in posting time.

This tour will be classified 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.

Place I have been - Filming of bridal shots at Sand Village

2010-10-11T09:55:00.000+08:00

It has been an interesting two weeks. Recently, the owner of Singaporebridal.com and singaporewedding.com has approached me in allowing them access to take some bridal photos at our Sand Depository Company.

It is an interesting idea that such location can be used as a good location shot for your wedding album. I decided to post here to let those unwed to have a new location to consider when their turn come.

Oh by the way, there are alot of photos but copyrighted are held by the owner, I can only post some photos here as I have left the shoot halfway.

The model is from Russia, this is my first close up look on a model. It is futile for mortals like us to compare against their poise and gracefullness. I remember during one scene when the photographer is reviewing his shots, a minder ask the model to relax her pose. Her reply was "I am not posting, I am just standing"

Factory Tour :- Gems and Jade Factory

2010-10-04T09:02:00.003+08:00

It has been awhile since I last introduce a factory tour. Safety, health and fire regulation has made factory owners think twice and twice again in allowing visitors to visit their factories. It is not about sales but rather educating and enhancing factory product image to the public are the two key reasons in conducting factory sales.

Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to a glittering world of stars and fire produce by The Singapore gems and jade factory.

As soon as you reach the factory, you will learn from the in-house guide how labour intensive crafting jades and making gems painting are. Learn how jade are cut to sizes, polish and crafted. See how craftsman painstakingly put one gem fragment by one fragment onto a piece of paper to complete a painting. For your info, an A4 size painting could take as long as one week to finish.

After the tour, you could visit their beautiful gallery where their best artworks are on display in beautiful shelves. It really seems as if you are transported back to those old medieval castles or those palaces where the old Tsar of Russia still rules.

At the end of the tour, you could grab a few of your favorite pieces at very reasonable factory prices!

This tour will be classified as part of factory tour 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.

Place I have been - Crave Singapore 2010 - Sizzling Kelong

2010-09-20T23:14:00.001+08:00

As part of a series of event organise for some of the F1 delegates and those related to the event, Chef Tan Yong Hua from Pearl River Restaurant was invited to cooke up a buffet style feast for over 20 delegates, event organisers from SPOC and the rest of us from the Kelong.

The preparation started at 2pm and delegates started arriving from 4pm. Chef Tan and his assistant - a first year student Benson(I hope I get his name right!) from ITE started preparing from 5pm till about 6pm.

I am not a fine dining person. I am a Kopitiam (coffee shop) and make sure my coffee and tea stay within 80cents (lower end of price for Kopitiam to foreign visitors reading this blog) kind of person. In my first up close experience with a world famous chef (people who watch TV will know he is one of the Chef in 《名厨出走记》), I discover Chef Tan is as humble as approachable as friendly as anyone can be. I feel comfortable talking to him...relaxing even. I hope that we can have more opportunity working together next time.

The delegates are put to task in fishing for the ingredients for chef Tan to cook from the Kelong fish farm. Chef Tan exercise his professional judgement in selecting the correct size Groupa, delegates have to re-fish if the fishes being netted failed to pass his stringent requirement!

Apart from sashimi, grill fish, prawns, mussels, Rose Mary (Kelong owner) also provide rice, mee goreng, bee hoon to ensure that the buffet will be a great success!

During the event, representative from the Fourth Estate also explain how wine can compliment seafood to make it taste better! Example, white wine can bring out the taste of sweetness in Seafood. I am not an expert in this area so if there are any opinions about this, feel free to write in the comments.

This write-up will be categorised under Places I have been.

Educational Tour :- Radio Station Tour

2010-09-17T11:25:00.004+08:00

Radio is and will continue to be an important part of our lives. They deliver time sensitive information such as traffic condition, sports news update to war declaration. They also deliver 24/7 entertainment such as musics, talk show and focus group discussion. The World without radio will be a totally different world indeed. So everyone need to visit and learn how the radio stations are operated!

Recently, together with a group of students from Rosyth School with the help of DJs from Mediacorp 938Live - Eugene Loh and Melanie Oliveiro we are given a thorough but fun walkthrough on the inner workings of the radio station.

First, we are received by a smiling Admin, Ms Zhuo before being given a detailed programme and introduction of the DJs and product of 938Live in one of their meeting rooms. This event was hosted by Eugene Loh and Melanie Oliveiro.

Next, we are brought to Traffic watch control room. Do you know that there are over 200 cameras placed on top of street lamps which monitor your every move? The cameras have zoom capability that can see the type of shirt you are wearing and enough to see the brand of bag you are holding. I was amazed when we are shown the live view of pedestrian walking along Orchard Road - From one end to the other.

After Traffic watch and a healthy respect of the fact that nothing is private in Singapore, we visited the radio studio or county. We visited 938Live studio where we saw Daniel Martin working in the studio. By chance we also saw Chen Ai Wei, Ivy from 933 Y.E.S who was nice enough to provide hints to some of the questions that the students need to answer.

After visiting the studios, we were also given a tour of the radio station reporters office. There from interviewing Ewan Mah, we learnt about the work that went into preparing the scripts for the radio DJs and their quite crazy working hours; some started work at 4am!

At the end of the tour, the students are given opportunities to do their own live recording for take-away. Students with the highest number of correct answers are presented their prizes and all participants are given a goodies bag.

All in all, it is a must go place for students or curious adults. Thank you MediaCorp for making our stay so enjoyable!

This tour will be classified 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.

Places I have been - Singapore City Tour Pass

2010-09-03T15:57:00.000+08:00

31st August 2010 marked the official launch of the Singapore City Pass, which saw its soft launch in early August. I had the honour of being one of the invited guests to witness this historical moment for City Tours. This hassle-free and user friendly SmartTapTag is about the size of my thumb, which really is not big. Its price ranges, after a discount of up to 45%, between S$20 to S$50, depending on the package/places that the visitors select.

At the moment, it has 8 places of interest and 2 F&B partners and a 6-sectioned pamphlet guide. Though it is small in size, it bears quite a lot of information such as bus rides via FunVee Hopper Open Top City Tour Bus (eye-catching orange open-top bus), admission to places of interest, food or beverages vouchers, gift vouchers etc.

Once the visitors reach their destination, using it is as easy as tapping it at the gate or ticket booth, pretty much like using the e-z link card. Thus, this small bundle of joy is not just convenient to use, but also save money while enjoying the fun. Purchasing it can be a click online via their website (http://www.singaporecitypass.com/index.html), a phone call away or you can drop by their retail outlets either at Esplanade or Singapore Flyer.

We end our trip at the Dolphin Lagoon and have a wonderful time there...and of cos the nice refreshment helps!

I think moving forward, it will be great if the pass allow priority access (after all we have paid for the entrance fee ) instead of queuing up again to get the tickets like the others non-pass holders.

Farm Tour :- Prawn Fishing

2010-08-26T11:27:00.001+08:00

This is not a farm tour per se. It is prawn fishing in Punggol Marina Country Club. Recently, I was invited to have a tour of Punggol Marina Country Club and to introduce it as one of the venue for visitation.

The thing that caught my attention is the large prawn fishing ground available. They charge a rate of $15 for first hour, $25 for second hour and $30 for three hour. As far as I can understand, once the prawn are caught, you could BBQ it over the pit (no rental charge, but need to pay BBQ start up kit-$2).

Apart from Prawn fishing, there are water sports such as water jet, take a boat ride around Singapore, Karaoke and other stuff.

I am not technically correct in putting this under farm tour. However, a prawn traditionally are grown in farms, I shall put it under farm tour.

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

Educational Tour at Science Art Pte Ltd :- Gua Sha(刮痧), Ba Gua Massage, Acupuncture (针灸) and herbs identification

2010-08-24T00:17:00.005+08:00

Today, I have an interesting day. As a Chinese, I have also heard and use traditional medicine and Chinese alternative medicine(link to Amazon Adv). As an avid SPA goer, I also love massage. Well today, I was given the chance to have a more in-depth understanding of Gua Sha(刮痧), Acupuncture (link to Amazon Adv), massage and herbs identification with a bunch of students from Chinese High.

We started the day with a course outline; follow by TCM history, present day application, myths and truths, different TCM components theories, break and finally practical lessons.

There are so many things to learn. Take Gua Sha (basically using any objects with smooth round edge - commonly side of horns - to massage your body)as an example , one must not use force more than 10 Newton (or approx 1 kg in Earth gravity) to scrub against the skin, the horn must be held at 90 degree or below and it must be in one direction (which direction depend on your age and which part of the body). Any error in Gua Sha may do more damage than cure.

In the four hour programme, it is a very enriching experience for the students and me. Held by a reputable TCM provider in Singapore, Science Art, I felt that skills learnt here can help everyone make life more comfortable for their love ones esp. the young ones and our senior citizens!

This tour will be classified under educational 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.

Educational Tour - Philatelic Museum

2010-08-20T12:08:00.004+08:00

I have a love of stamps (links to Amazon Adv)since my Dad handed down to me his old collection stamps from the 1960s. My fervor for them was further fanned when I have the opportunity to visit the stamp vault where those old stamps or misprinted stamps are kept in Sing Post.

Learning from the person in charge the work that went into making a stamp, the collaboration between Heritage board, artist, printer and Post office, I believe that every single stamp is worth more than the value stamped on the surface.

A stamp is not just a ticket for your letter, a stamp represent a country; most if not all stamps cover tell a story. It can be about an icon of the country, a great man that lives or used to live in that country or some cultural aspect of the country that is thought to be a good representation of the country. In order to do this, the varieties of stamps can boggle your mind. There are stamps that have smell, stamps that are 3D,postal stamps that have edges, no edges, metal print, etc...

Because of this, let me introduce you guys to Singapore Philatelic Museum. You can buy first day cover, old stamps and international stamps all from the Singapore Philatelic Museum. What more, you could learn some of the process that are involved in making stamps and how stamps play an important role in the history of mankind. If you are a keen collector, learn about the hierarchy of stamp collectors that you can aspire to rise up to!

This location will be categorise 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.

Random Places I have been - Lasalle College of the Arts

2010-08-15T23:45:00.001+08:00

Recently, I was having dinner at a restaurant near Princep Streets when I took the opportunity to visit Lasalle College of the Arts.

I have always wanted to visit this building as the building itself seem to be an work of art. I am not disappointed. When I stepped into the College, it seems like a giant gallery towering over me. Staring at me are all the tutorial rooms, exhibition rooms or labs full length windows. From the ground floor, it seems that every rooms contain some art pieces that are being prepared to be presented to the world. It seems that every rooms have in store some surprises for every visitors as long as you want to come in.

As a stranger to the building, I find the walkways, stairways and art gallery corridors both fun and intricating..it is like what can I expect to find at the next turn?

This is definitely a nice place to go. If anyone reading this blog has accessed to the depths of Lasalle, please bring me along. Now I will just put it under random places of interest. Hopefully, I can upgrade it to be part of educational tour soon!

This location will be classified...for now at least under Random places I have been...it will be upgraded soon, so keep a look out at this page!

Places I Have been - Durian Tour

2010-08-10T09:57:00.003+08:00

Singaporeans love their durians. I am quite confident the majority of Singaporeans have purchased and eaten durians before. However, a recent quick enquiry on a coach during one of the night tours have shown that most have not enjoyed eating durian at the durian store directly.

Below, I have posted some photos of the joy we have had during our feasting of durians at one of the stalls along Sim ave. In the photos below, we are at Chin Yong Fruits Trading - Durian King. A little tibits, the boss has retired and has handled over the stall to his daughter who is about the same age as me!

What are the joys/advantages of eating at the stall directly?

1) You got unlimited durians and many many varieties of them to boot.
2) These durians are not light and are a chore to carry back home (how many can you carry anyway).
3) If you are using public transport, you will be banned as the smell is repulsive to some.
4) You do not need to clean up the durian shells after eating.
5) If the fruits you purchased at bad, you can immediately asked for a change.
6) It is a great joy to see so many people (strangers or otherwise) enjoying their durians and observe the Geylang traffic crawling in front of you!

This place will be categorised under random places I have been to.

Random Places I have been:- NDP Review fire work display from Marina Bay Sands swimming pool

2010-08-02T13:33:00.002+08:00

By a stroke of blind luck, I have stayed at Marina Bay Sand on 31 July which happened to be Singapore National Day review. By another stroke of good luck, Singapore Minister Mentor also visited the Sky Garden at the same time. I was confused by the sudden camera flashes directed in my direction until I notice Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew standing right beside me, surrounded by guards of cos.

Since I find this interesting and fun, I will just post it under random places of interest as the pool is normally exclusive to hotel guests only.

At the same time, I will post some photos of the inside of MBS. This gives you guys a chance to look how it really looks like...not some nice marketing photoshoot by MBS.

Educational Tour - OpenNet Gallery from IDA Singapore

2010-07-28T22:31:00.003+08:00

A lot of Singaporean has received the letter from OpenNet, regarding permission to enter their houses to install OpenNet point. Sadly, a lot of senior citizens are not aware of this initiative and have refused the technicians entry. When your house is first schedule for installation, the first 15m is free. If you have rejected the initial installation, it will cost you at least $200.

In view of the above, IDA's Next Generation Services Development has set up a gallery to educate the public on the uses of next generation fiber optics network.

It can be from home such as playing network games to home office to monitoring of kids. It can be from office where life size round table meeting can be held. It can also be from bio-medical industry where doctors can scan and review x-rays over distance or MRI scan or perform remote operations.

Actually with such high bandwidths, what can be done with network is up to your imagination, from monitoring maids to conquering the world.

This gallery is well suited to senior citizens on how OpenNet can help to monitor their well-being and care; it also allays their fear on this new technology.

The photos are a bit bluish...as my faithful blog followers will know...it means I have forgotten to bring my camera out with me...I used my poor handphone to take.

By the way, this tour is fully guided...else not many people will understand just what is happening...

This will be categorised 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.

Educational Tours - Science center Kitchen Lab

2010-07-27T09:38:00.010+08:00

Science Centre is one of my favorite places to visit; I could stay in there for hours. It makes me feel like a child again and be amazed by all the exhibits at every turn. In fact, I was a friend of Science Centre when I was still schooling!

I did not post Science Centre earlier because I felt that it is quite commercialise and the exhibits changed regularly. Well, I realised technology and techniques are transient anyway. As the relentless march of science move on, Science Centre need to move in step to be in step in keeping us inform.

I am not going to introduce the whole Science Centre, rather I am going to introduce the Kitchen Lab. Currently, the lab is being used by the Genefest 2010 to educate children on the diversity of traits among human despite having similar DNA among us Human as a species.

Children and Adults are told to make cookies (all ingredients such as vanilla syrup, egg, flour and apron are provided for free) and discover how similar ingredients can still produce different looking cookies. Much like same DNA can produce different faces.

The kitchen lab class is normally open to schools only, however for this period it is open to public for free. So jump onto the bandwagon before it is too late.

Sadly, I forget to take photos of the finished product as I need to rush off to see the Tesla coils exhibition where lightnings at produced at these coils. See photos below.

I will temporarily post this under 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.

Educational Tour :- Singapore City Gallery

2010-07-22T12:18:00.004+08:00

Singapore City Gallery presents to you how Singapore urban landscape has changed from the 1940s to 2010. At the same time, discover when the future landscape will sort of look like 10 to 30 years from now.

As I browse through the gallery (a detail walk will take hours), I realise that Singapore government plans decades in advance. A lot of the exhibitions are for plans and landscape that are only realised this past few years. From our marina bay financial district to development of Punggol 81, all of this are planned and discuss before I am born to this year.

Singapore City Gallery is now undergoing some major renovation, however about 80% of it are still open, esp the second floor gallery. Go take a look if you have not! Once the new gallery is completed, you will never see these old exhibits again!

This tour will be categorised under 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.

Places I have been :- Marina Bay Sand Sky Park Observation Gallery

2010-07-13T20:02:00.001+08:00

Most of you must have heard about the Sky Park that was opened recently at the top of Marina Bay Sand. Recently, I was invited to pay a visit to the Sky Park and the view is really out of this world. The panoramic view of Singapore as seen from the deck make you feel like the emperor viewing his land haha.

The entrance fee is $20 for adults and free of children below 2. I cannot remember the cost for students..sorry!

As you walk around the deck, listen to your audio device (loan to you as you get your ticket) and learn about the history of the buildings and landmarks observe from the Sky Park observation gallery.

I wanted to take the night view from top of the gallery but well, I do not have too much time that day to loiter. I am staying at the hotel at end of the month and will keep you guys posted of the night view.

By the way only the observation deck is opened to public, the rest of the areas like the restaurant (not open yet...until Sept) and the pools are off limits (I have taken some photos too and will post it below).

I will just put this page under places I have been.

Beyond this point, the places are strictly off limited to public.

Farm Tour - Oh Chin Huat Hydoponics Farm

2010-06-30T13:47:00.002+08:00

Ever wonder how vegetables are grown before reaching your favorite super market? Come join the guided vegetable tour!

Learn how the various stages of how your favorite vegetables are grown. The processes in general are seeding, nursery stage, sorting stage, adult stage, harvesting stage and lastly packaging stage. In this guided tour, you will learn the details of the above-mentioned stages.

In additional, visit the cold room at 0 to 4 degree Celsius and see how the farm produces are stored. Also see how onions are sorted base on quality and size.

At the end of the guided tour, learn how to grow your own plants using the hydroponics method followed by a simple question and answer session, those who got the answer right will walk away with some potted plants!

Before leaving the farm, pay a visit to their shop and buy some fresh produce, compost, gardening equipment, etc.

This tour will be classified as part of farm tour 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.

Factory Tour - Cooking Oil by Sime Darby

2010-06-28T10:11:00.004+08:00

Readers, I am sorry for the slower post for the month of May and June. I have come to realise School Holiday is more hectic than Chinese New Year!

I am going to introduce to you guys cooking oil factory! Learn how the whole process of how your everyday cooking oil are made. Basically, the process involves cultivating oil palm trees, to harvesting of the fruits, to extracting oil from the fruits.

You will also learn about the benefits of vegetable oil and how to use different cooking oil to cook different type of meals. All of the above are conveyed through a nice and cute video clip.

After the hour long clip, you can taste some of the foods cooked with their cooking oil. Children can also take part in drawing competition and walk away with attractive prices.

Through a small window, you can also observe how the packaging of oil containers is done.

Before leaving the factory, everyone will walk away with some goodies bag.

Sadly, no purchasing of the cooking oil are allowed.

This tour will be categorised under both factory tour and education 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.

Educational Tour - Youth Olympics Learning Center

2010-06-09T17:58:00.003+08:00

Almost everyone in Singapore knows that Youth Olympic is going to be held in Singapore. But are you guys aware that there is actually a Youth Olympic Learning Center open to public?

In the center, one can learn about the history of Olympics, the torch carrier route as they travel around the world, history of some of the sports played in the YOG - Fencing, horse riding, canoeing, football, etc.

You can also see drawing and mock up of our YOG mascots and try your hands at fencing! A must go for kids and sports enthusiasts.

This location will be listed as part of Educational 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.

Rice Dumpling Factory

2010-05-21T14:13:00.001+08:00

Hope you guys are well after my long absence! The fall of Euro has huge implication for my work and this blog has to take second burner for awhile! Well, the June holiday season is coming and I hope my blog can help you plan your tour in Singapore.

The next place I am going to intro is the Rice Dumpling factory in Aljunied. For those who love dumplings, this is the place to go. See how the workers stuff the dumpling and roll it out. Many people commented that they also know how to make dumplings. I am sure you do...but do you know how to roll our 10,000 dumplings in a day with abt 4 person? See how it is done here.

You can buy dumpling here also. This includes “Tao Sa”, plain, meat, white rice or normal rice dumpling!

This tour is classified under warehouse tours.

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

181 Seafood

2010-04-29T16:58:00.002+08:00

This place is quite crude to my taste. This is a live seafood center. Whatever seafood that fancy you are purchase as fresh as you can imagine (fresher than NTUC). The seafood is slaughtered live before your very eyes.

The fishes or frogs are mostly hammered to death before being slice and skin (or vice versa). This place is full of blood and gore. I have visited it when I am a small kid. 10 Years later the image is still retained. Unfortunately (Fortunately to some), nothing has changed 10 years on.

Apart from viewing life eels, groupers and the aunty hammering skill, witness how a few thousands frogs live together and their stuggle to get out. Either physically by building a living ramp or by having sex constantly...

This place will be placed as part of Farm 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 Products and Payment Details page.

Random places of interest :- Marina Bay Sand and The Helix

2010-04-29T16:03:00.002+08:00

Gosh! It has been more than 1 week since I last posted! Oops! Well in the one week much has changed. The greatest change is the opening of another iconic building in Singapore and a new bridge to link it. Yes, its the Marina Bay Sand and The Helix Bridge.

After work, I take a quick stroll to the MBS and bridge. As all of you should know, only a small part of the complex is open. Well see picture below for a sneak review.

This tour will be classified under random places of interest to as it does not meet the objective of the blog.

Educational Tour :- HDB Gallery @ Toa Payoh

2010-04-20T22:26:00.004+08:00

Hi everyone, sorry for the late posting. Learning how to blog properly and touching up my HTML and CSS skill really took a lot of time...any expert out there. I have reset and redo this blog due to errors countless times for this past 3 weeks...

Well, the show must still go on so the next place I am going to intro to you is the newly refurnish HDB Gallery!

Learn the living environment of our forefathers; learn how the different housing estates are named and the story behind them.

See cool 3D holographic effects and play around with new touch screens that resemble iPad, watch a all surround movie from a 3D projector.

This tour will be grouped as part of educatiopnal 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.

Factory Tour :- Thow Yen Bao

2010-04-14T10:10:00.002+08:00

Thow Yen Bao is a "bao" (or bun) manufacturer in Singapore. One of the first things to WOW you is that you will never get to see so many "bao" gather in one place.

Inside the factory, you can purchase either hot or cold bao (both bao are already cooked..). Cold “bao” is suitable for steaming at home while hot “bao” is for immediate consumption.

Now, there is all kind of fillings for the “bao”. It ranges from red bean, vegetable, pork meat, chicken meat to sweet corn filling. So just take your pick or ask the staff to each one take one!

Apart from "bao", they also manufactured "siew Mai", "loh mai kai" and some other food stuffs. If the boss is in a good mood, he may even allow you to tour his factory (it really depend on mood...sometimes yes, sometimes no...). Regardless of the outcome, no photographs are allowed to be taken (this explain my blurry images which the boss ask me to quickly take before others also take).

This trip will be classified as part of either Factory Tours or Warehouse Tours. Which one is applicable will depend on the Bao boss mood!

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.

Educational Tour - Chinese Heritage @ NTU

2010-04-11T15:24:00.004+08:00

I am a Chinese. I am a Singaporean. Have you guys ever wondered how a Chinese who is a migrant from China lives his/her live in the 1890s to 1940s? Have you ever wonder what happen to the rest of the Chinese that migrant to Philippines, USA or even Africa? A decision make by your ancestor at that point in time decide whether you are a Singaporean, US citizens or Africans!

Visit NTU Chinese Heritage center to find answers to all the questions above. See how some of the famous Chinese shape our current history. This includes Mr Lee Kuen Yew, Haw Par brothers, Mr Sun Yat Sen and many others who have made their mark in their chosen profession.

While you are there, also visit the NTU gallery. This gallery highlights the timeline of how NTU was first founded all the way until now. If you are an Alma matter of the University, you will definitely enjoy this. For me, I was once a resident of Hall 2. One of the oldest halls in NTU! Hall Two ROCKS!

This tour will be classified under Educational 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.

Blog Updates

2010-04-07T08:32:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

This blog will be undergoing a quick and short revamp. Everything that is already here will still be here. Navigation pages will still be the same. What is new is that we will be providing for details and words to help users with non-image based browser to understand the places we are introducing.

It may be a shock to Singaporeans, but many users out there are still dependent on non-image based browser due to the lack of broadband connection which we have already taken for granted.

So after receiving alot of complains about this issue, we have decided to take some time to at the same to provide more information where possible at the various post.

As there are now more than 100 posts and I am not a full time blogger it may take more than a week. However, do come back from time to time as new post will be provided when I need to take a break in redoing old post (quite tiring job actually...)

This Post will be deleted once this revamp is completed and will not be classified anywhere.

Toyogo plastic - Warehouse Tour

2010-04-03T14:21:00.003+08:00

Have you guys heard of Toyogo plastic? I am sure you have. Well the next place I am going to introduce is Toyogo warehouse in Toa Payoh!

This is a huge warehouse that sells everything from tupperware, plastic containers, heat sealer to all items found in a normal DIY store.

Purchase in excess of $30 dollars in a receipt and you get huge discount on certain items display outside. Photography is not allowed in the warehouse and well this is what I can get outside the shop.

This tour will be classified as part of the Warehouse Tours.

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

Warehouse Tour:-Vinegar Coarse Rice warehouse

2010-04-01T14:12:00.002+08:00

Vinegar and coarse rice warehouse is situated in Ang Mo Kio. They are well-known for products such as bird nest, coarse rice powder (which seem to be all the hot these days), black vinegar and ready to cook herbs mixture.

Found in many NTUC and other supermarkets, you will recognise some of the brands. Well visit them (Booking is required!) and get them at a much lower rate than NTUC!

Participants will also get to enjoy sample some of the herbal soup they have made for free.

This location will be classified as part of warehouse tours.

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

Warehouse Tour :- Brown Rice Tea

2010-03-29T18:39:00.002+08:00

I do not like to do balancing. I hate to have a balance diet, I hate to balance my or other people accounts and I hate to balance my time. What I love is to eat what I like, screw the balances sheet and profit and loss statements and to play all day!

Sound like a dream? Well it is a dream until we do something about it. Anyone got any great idea, kindly inform me.

Brown Rice tea is all the craze recently. It purports to improve blood circulation, aids digestion and relieve stress (how a tea can relieve stress is beyond me...I drink tea when I got tonnes of work and need to keep awake) and the nutrients in the tea constitute and important part of an balance diet (that dreadful word again) .

Highlander is one of the main importers of Brown Rice tea in Singapore and they sell several other products related to Brown Rice Tea. Situated in Aljunied, booking is required and participants will be served a cup of hot desert and some herbal soup made from Brown rice.

This tour will be classified under the 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.

Kelong Tour Updates

2010-03-28T15:09:00.001+08:00

Have anyone heard of Linzhi "Po Pi Bao Zhi Fen"? I am given two boxes of such powder free of charge. I am told that this is supposed to be a great but expensive tonic. Being a greedy pig that I am, I start taking them immediately. However, there is a curious side effect...I keep having to "LS" at night (LS is diarrhea) but feeling very good during day time. Weird!

Anyway, I have revisited the Kelong the other day and the Lady Boss has kindly shown the group several interesting stuff! This is an update post from the original Kelong Tour article.

During the tour, we saw how the fishes upload at Changi Point is monopolized by a family (down with cartel I say) of trader.

Cartel is bad because fishes by local fishermen or Kelongs are force to sell to this Cartel at a ridiculously low price but at sell to the logistic or other middleman at twice the price, who sold to the restaurant at twice the price and then to us at twice the price again!

A fish sold by the fisherman for say 16 dollars could become 64 dollars by the time it reaches us!

After viewing the upload, we went to the Kelong and witness the feeding session for Cobia and Tiger Grouper. Oh there are lobsters in the Kelong too...but it seems that lobster feeds on the crap that flow around in the sea and do not need feeding (they are omnivorous scavengers...same as Cockroaches).

After the feeding session, climb up onto the Kelong to witness how the nets are lower and rise. On a good night the high power lamp is able to attract up to 800 kg of fishes. These fishes are then used to feed the fishes in the fish farm. On a bad night, the lowest record is 8 kg.

After the tour, enjoy a good meal of Nasi Lemak and Otah (from this otah factory) and drinks before leaving the Kelong to Singapore.

This Kelong tour will be categorised under both educational tours and Farm/Nursery tours.

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

Farm Tour - Hay Dairy

2010-03-24T18:49:00.003+08:00

I am back after suffering a serious bout of food poisoning...anyone misses me?

Hay Dairy is the only goat farm in Singapore. The milk are not sold through retails, rather it is by direct delivery. This ensures that only the freshest milk is delivered to you...just like old times.

Visit Hay Dairy only in the morning. In the morning, the farmers will milk the goat and will give a detailed explanation of the type of goats, the advantage of goat milk vs cow milk, etc. During the explanation, see how the milking process is carried out.

As a quick introduction, goat milk differs from cow milk in the following way:-

1) Goat milk is alkaline while cow milk is acidic (Goat milk is good for those with gastric)

2) Goat milk has less lactose compare to Cow (suitable for those with lactose intolerance)

3) In Chinese medicine, Goat milk is cool effect while cow milk is heaty effect (If you do not understand what I am talking about, never mind)

Due to HSA restriction, feeding of Goat is NOT allowed.

Oh a last trivia, there is only 1 male goat to satisfied the hundreds of female goat there (the goats need to be pregnant to produce milk)....Chew on that guys!

Booking is required and there is a entrance fee of $3 per person. Contact us for more info.

This tour will be classified under both Farm Tours and Educational 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.