So far so good, plenty of fun stuff in SG to do when travelling to another country is still nowhere in sight … and somehow, Laos is the first country I would like to visit once it can happen!
But till that day, am thankful that there are still plenty of places to explore in our own little red dot! And with my ever sporty wife, these are the September and October highlights since those places we went to in my previous post (Four local tourists spots) ..
- Lower Pierce Reservoir at sunset
Very fortunate to be staying so near to the Central Catchment Reserve, and the many reservoirs nearby (walk/run/cycling distance away), but Lower Pierce is still the nicest at sunset! Check these two out, taken on 24 September, and 19 October!
2. National Gallery, view from the rooftop level
We went to the National Gallery to activate our free annual membership (for all Singaporeans and PRs) and visited several galleries, but this roof top view was still a first time for us even though we have been to the NG quite a number of times before..really nice panoramic scene of the CBD to the right, Marina Bay Sands and Esplanade and Padang directly ahead, and on the left (not shown in photo) is the St Andrews Cathedral and Raffles City!
Here is the link to find out more about the membership, but note the promotion ends 31 October 2020!!
3. Hampstead Wetlands Park
(click to go to National Parks Board “wet”site on this park)
This is a newly opened park at the Seletar Aerospace Hub area, just beside the “Oval” (see previous post). It is a small park but very picturesque and attracts many bird photographers. We made our way there by bicycle, and then went to the Jalan Kayu area to have morning tea (prata and dessert) … a great way to spend a leisurely morning!
(BTW: Free, unofficial, roadside parking available a stones throw from the park at the old colonial buildings, if driving).
4. Mid-autumn festival light up at Gardens by the Bay
This was rather underwhelming, as there were not many special exhibits to see. But the Supertrees are always fascinating and beautiful to behold, especially at night, and so is this “floating baby” – how is it held up there, defying gravity, supported only by the back of that right hand?!
5. Jurassic Mile
(newly opened dinosaur themed park connector linking Changi Terminal 2/4 to East Coast Park)
We went on a weekday morning (Friday 16 October, soon after it was opened), cycling from the National Sailing Centre at East Coast Park. It was quite obvious that there were many more people (walking, running, cycling) at that stretch of the park compared to usual times, and no doubt due to this new park. Apparently, bookings have to be made online to visit on Fridays and weekends from 16 Oct. We were fortunate that they were still setting up the “safe entry/crowd management” booths when we arrived, and as it was not too crowded, no one was stopped from entering.
We enjoyed the displays and the “murals”, and also cycling all the way to Terminal 2. It was sad though to see Terminal 4 all dark (its closed currently due to the lack of flights in/out). However, the experience may not be as pleasant on a very hot day when you have to walk, or deal with the crowds! Be warned that the path is rather narrow; and it has to accomodate cyclists, parents with kids in hand or strollers, and any other visitors! And really sad/disgusted to learn that an exhibit had already been vandalised (Straits Times article on dinosaur losing 5 teeth)!
6. Kampong Buangkok
Another place we went to (and for the first time!!) was Kampong Buangkok. Wife and I cycled along the park connector on Ang Mo Kio Ave 5 towards Hougang (turn left when you reach Yio Chu Kang Road, it is near the Shell Petrol Station after the left turn) to reach it in 30 minutes. It is a place that most people will not associate with the Singapore of today – see the unpaved dirt lanes above, and colourful single storey wooden houses, surrounded by lots of greenery (fruit trees and shrubs). Apparently, the rental for a house here is like dirt cheap … search “Kampong Buangkok” to find out more about this “last kampong in Singapore” to learn about its history and owners, and the families who live there. After visiting it, there is a shady park connector beside a waterway (“river”) one can take to head towards Sengkang Sports Complex for refreshments (e.g. MacDonalds)
7. Re-varnishing furniture and helping wife with the baking 🙂
And lastly, more homely pursuits during this period –
While I Live, I Learn 