Serangoon's French invasion

Posted on: Jan 26, 2012

No narrow streets, no French bakeries and no roadside cafes. Yet this part of Singapore feels a lot like France because of all the French people living in the area.

The reason is a private school called the Lycee Francais de Singapour.

The school, which holds classes for children aged 2 to 18 from kindergarten to secondary school, opened in 1999 along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.

French national Delphine Desaulles, a stay-at-home mum, said that the school is primarily why she chose to live in the area. She would otherwise have stayed in the Bukit Timah area instead.

New MRT stations along the Circle Line

Posted on: Jan 18, 2012

2 new mrt stations were opened last Jan-13. They are Marina Bay Interchange and Bayfront stations, both along the Circle (Yellow) Line.

Now we have better access to Helix Bridge and the Youth Olympic Park.

It will also boost connectivity to the Marina Bay area, linking commuters to developments such as the Marina Bay Financial Centre, the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resorts, Gardens by the Bay, The Promontory @ Marina Bay and the Marina Bay City Gallery.

Halloween 2011

Posted on: Oct 28, 2011

Scream time!!!! Our favorite time of the year is back! If you're sick and tired of spending boring weekend nights then it's time to get out and see walking deads, ghosts, and other friends of Sadako:

Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Studios Singapore®
Oct 27-30 2011

This October, come face to face with terror at the first ever Halloween Horror Nights® in Universal Studios Singapore®, Resorts World™ Sentosa. Wander around six scare-zones but beware of the Director who’s filming his latest gruesome movie – you could be his next victim! Feel what it’s like to be trapped in a horror film as you run for your life in a Carn-EVIL of crazed clowns. Step into the haunted Peranakan house where you face the Vengeance of the Matriarch as the demented Nyonya stirs her bubbling brew of black magic. Mutated zombies roam around in a Post-Apocalyptic Rage, ravenous and starving for human flesh and blood. An awful curse has befallen tormented inhabitants who are now infected by a foul toxic plague in Pestilence. Can you escape the insane clutches of the Mad Scientist as he stalks unsuspecting victims in The Void to dismember them and fasten on hideous artificial limbs? Shrivel in fear when you flee to The Edge of Darkness from hordes of rampaging mummies and mindless demons seeking fresh souls!

Fright Night
Asian Civilisations Museum
Oct 29 2011
Free admission: 5pm – 1am
Children’s activities: 5pm – 10pm
Other programmes: 7pm – 1am

Experience the museum at night as ghoulish ghosts from the Singapore Paranormal Investigators haunt the galleries. Visit the Haunted Kampung at ACM's basement and scream your lungs out! Watch free screening of Korean movie "Hansel & Gretel", and Indonesia movie "The Real Pocong (The Real Ghost)".

Escape To Helloween - Graveyard Shift
Escape @ Downtown East
Oct 28-29 2011
7pm - 11pm

Ghost and Ghouls are unleashed to raise “Horror” while roaming the grounds of Escape this Halloween. If you are lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of a lady spirit who is looking for her child whom was killed in Pasir Ris. Are you her child? She might just be looking for you!

Spooktacular
Sentosa Imbiah
Oct 28-30 2011
7pm - 11pm

Are you afraid of the dark? Spooktacular dares you to experience the horror of Asian folklore and myth at the SIX spine-chilling haunted trails contained within the spooky shores of Sentosa. The nightmare is about to begin so prepare to be driven to the brink of insanity.

Barrage of endless fun

There has never been a better time to soak up Singapore's waterfront experience - and the latest attraction there, the Marina Barrage, takes this to a whole new level.

Sure, a ride in a glass-fronted capsule on the nearby Singapore Flyer will give you a quick high, but the panoramic views at the $226-million barrage are something you can take in at your leisure, with nothing between you and the seabreeze cooling your face and it is free.

The barrage, located at Marina Channel where the Singapore and Kallang rivers meet before flowing into the sea, opened to the public last week. It separates sea water from fresh water, boosts Singapore's water supply by 10 per cent and controls floods in low-lying areas such as Chinatown by keeping out tidal waves.

But aside from those practical benefits, it is also set to be a lifestyle hot spot in the heart of the city.

Whether you want a day out with the family, a fun evening with friends or a lunch break away from the office, there is something for everyone at the barrage's dam, promenade bridge and its distinctive, building housing pumps, galleries and eateries.

For example, you can picnic on top of the spiralling building on its eye-catching 'Green Roof', which has grassy lawns to act as an insulation layer to reduce the need for air-conditioning.

The rooftop spot - the size of four football fields - offers 360-degree unblocked views of the central business district, Singapore Flyer, Benjamin Sheares Bridge and the South China Sea.

It slopes downwards in two interlocking spirals to a courtyard, which has fountains, a water play area for children and water-related art pieces.

In time, visitors can expect to attend concerts or organise private parties up on the roof, said Mr Yap Kheng Guan, director of the Public Utilities Board's 3P (people, public and private sectors) network.

Or you can dine alfresco at the building's Gallery Cafe, facing the South China Sea.

From the middle of next month, you can also enjoy a steamboat meal by the sea at the 7th Storey restaurant, which is actually on the ground floor.


Hit the roof for picnics

Pack a picnic and laze around the grassy lawns of the barrage's Green Roof, which is bound to become a red-hot destination for visitors.

You are spoilt for a backdrop - take your pick of the Singapore Flyer, city skyline or open sea: The Benjamin Sheares Bridge and Kallang River are on your right, if you are facing the Flyer, and on clear days you can also see as far as Golden Mile Complex.

The rooftop lawn sits 13m above ground, giving unblocked views of Marina Bay, and is likely to be the next hot spot for people to watch the National Day Parade fireworks.

Views to your left are obscured at the moment by the heavy construction for the upcoming Marina Bay integrated resort. But come 2010, visitors to the barrage at night will be treated to the twinkling lights of the new IR and, by 2011, by the lush gardens of Gardens by the Bay.

But be sure to slap on some sunblock if you plan to go there in the afternoon - there is no shade to take cover from the sun.


Location and how to get there

Free shuttle bus (40-seater) service from Marina Bay MRT Station to Marina Barrage at 30-minute interval.
Mondays to Fridays 8.30am to 6.30pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 9.30am to 8.30pm
For enquiry, call 6514-5959

Botanic Gardens

If you are looking for a simple way to spend your weekend with your family, I recommend that you go to Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Yesterday, my husband and I braved the hot burning sun to see the splendid orchids of the Gardens. While touring the National Orchid Garden, we happened to meet new friends, Robert and Monica. I think they were the kindest British couple we've ever met. Sadly, they were in Singapore just for a short vacation. I hope we could visit them when we go to UK someday:)

We were also surprised to discover that a certain orchid, Aranthera, was named after Phil. President Gloria Arroyo.







Meet my husband! Snoring under a heap of newspapers! I swear, he can sleep anywhere even while standing up!




Or meet hyperactive Mr. Squirrel:

Singapore Flyer

At long last, Singapore Flyer was finally opened officially to the public!

Singapore Flyer offers a breathtaking panaroma of the shimmering Marina Bay waterfront and historical landmarks dotting the city skyline.

Standing at stunning 165m, the Flyer is the height of a 42-storey building – that’s some 30 metres taller than the famed London Eye. As the wheel turns, you’ll be treated to a visual 360° feast of iconic and historical landmarks and views from the Marina Bay to the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang. There is no other place in Singapore that offers these breathtaking, panoramic views.

Visit http://www.singaporeflyer.com/ for more information!

Watch related videos shot by tourists:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=singapore+flyer&search_type

Pasko in Singapore

Are you thinking of places to check out this Christmas ("Pasko" in Tagalog)? Some tips:

1. >> Orchard Road and Marina Bay Light up -> My husband, brother and I were at Orchard on Dec-14 and we were definitely dazzled by the beautiful decors inspired by the The Nutcracker ballet
2. >> The Jewel Box at Mount Faber -> Experience snowfall, watch live musical shows & see one of the world's tallest Christmas tree. I will definitely check this out! I have never been to The Jewel Box before.

I initially planned to list 12 but so far, after spending 2 hours rummaging the net, I only found 2...sigh... Any other ideas?

Jag älska Ikea!

As I've stated in my previous post, my husband and I bought a flat before the rental increase. One of the reasons why I've been enjoying our new place is that it's very near from my dear Ikea! :)

Ikea is a world renowned home products retailer that sells Swedish designed furnitures, accessories, bathrooms and kitchens. Actually, there are a lot of other shops here in Singapore that offer sophisticated stuff which echoes endless elegance but the thing that I like most about Ikea is that it offers functional yet reasonably priced furnitures. I like the idea that it has different designs to suit different tastes. So many coffee tables to choose from!.
Almost everything are flat-packed which saves me money from paying delivery charges and I can easily take my purchases home which serves me perfectly as patience is not one of my virtues...

Just one of the funny Ikea commercials floating in YouTube:

Kampong Glam

Tucked away on Bussorah Street, Kampong Glam is a charming district, seemed completely different from the usual Chinese-themed shops, signboards and sounds of Singapore.

I love how the shops are nicely laid out, greeting the tourists before reaching the majestic Masjid Sultan (Sultan Mosque). And whenever the wind brings me to this place, I never fail to have my favorite Kofta Tangine, bread and tea at Deli Moroccan. The food is superb, authentic and not expensive. The owner and all the staff are very friendly, too. It's a cozy place to spend a nice quiet early dinner with your love one.

At Arab Street, I always ogle at the beautiful embroidered silks and colorful persian carpets. Although I have anosmia, I also try to smell the countless scents, from cinnamon to vanilla, from delicate pretty arabian perfume bottles in a shop at Baghdad Street. However, my mood quickly turns from jovial to despair, as I wish if I could only know the smell of lavender. Oh well, that's life. At least I have a pretty nose :) hahaha...

Changi Beach

This area is believed to be haunted by ghosts of the executed Chinese during the Japanese occupation. Passersby often report hearing strange crying and screaming. The heads of the dead bodies are sometimes seen flying everywhere. Headless bodies walk around the beach as well. More scary cases include a passerby witnessing a ghostly execution leaving blood stains.

During the Japanese occupation of Singapore in WWII, Sook Ching (a purge through cleansing) massacre was carried out to kill perceived hostile elements among the Chinese in Singapore by the Japanese military during the Japanese Occupation. This was after the colony was surrendered by the British empire. The current site of the popular Changi Beach Park was the site of one of the most brutal killings in Singapore's history. On 20 Feb 1942, Chinese males were lined up along the edge of the sea and shot by the military police.

Naturally, people started telling tales of ghosts that linger around Changi Beach. However, when I camped there in 2005, I was not able to sleep... not because of any paranormal activity but due to some @!#* noisy teenagers who decided to skateboard in the wee hours of the night. Aside from this, I was constantly awaken by the sound of airplanes taking off from the nearby airport. So if you're planning to camp at Changi Beach.... DON'T! The beach is better than Sentosa but it is not for camping.


For ghost stories about Changi, please click here.

Ghoulish Trail

Tired of eating, shopping and clubbing? Then consider a whole new form of excitement – ghost hunting! Sign up for a ghoulish trail with the Singapore Paranormal Investigators (SPI), touted as Singapore’s own version of Ghostbusters.

It will take you to Singapore mysterious urban legend landscape where you won't find on usual tourist maps. Discover remarkable journal down the Singapore unbeaten paths, with intriguing accounts of paranormal sightings and haunting, legends, mysteries, historical wonders, and gruesome stories of murder, suicide and violent deaths.

For more information, click here.

Old Malay Cemetery at Kampong Glam

For me, this is the scariest place in Singapore. It never fails to send chills down my spine everytime I pass by Victoria Street. It's so creepy...


Situated at the junction of Victoria Street and Jalan Sultan, founded between 1819-1820, it is the earliest Malay cemetery in Singapore. When Sultan Hussein and his followers settled in the area between Arab Street and Jalan Sultan, there was already a sea gypsy's village occupied by the Glam tribe. The Cemetery had probably been used prior to this period. The Sultan himself died in Malacca on 5th September 1835, but some of his relatives were buried in Kampong Glam. Mr. Tassim labeled this place 'Tombs of the Malayan Princes' in a map he drew in 1936.

Coming to Singapore

I’ve already written a lot of things about being a Pinoy in this blog. It’s about time to write about the country that we now call home --- Singapore.

To tell you the truth, I knew next to nothing about Singapore prior to my coming here. I guess it was discussed when I was dozing off in my Asian History class at Torres High School. I only heard about it when I was in BPI and when most of my colleagues were resigning to go to Singapore.

Since I didn’t want to be left behind by my friends and I also didn’t see any future at BPI, I decided to follow them. Surprisingly, after one week of submitting my resume I was accepted so I filed my resignation. All the while, I was thinking that this country was near from China like Taiwan... I was surprised to know that it actually lies near from the equator and Indonesia.

So on Sept 15 2001, I finally arrived here. It was just a few days after the dreadful 9-11 so I was really uncertain on what will happen to me and whether I did the right decision.

But when I was already in a cab from Changi airport -- my jaw dropped! I was amazed by the line of trees and bougainvilleas along ECP, by the clean roads, and by the unpolluted air. There was no “alikabok.” There was no bumper-to-bumper traffic. No pesky noisy horns from vehicles. The cab was cruising smoothly that it made me enjoyed a cab ride for the very first time... without the fear of getting kidnapped or robbed.

From that very moment, I knew that the best was yet to come.