Singapore TidbiTs

Other than Sentosa Island , do you know there are many islands that you can visit off the Southern shores of Singapore for a fun day out under the sun? While there some islands that are not accessible to the public such as Pulau Semakau and the Raffles Lighthouse that require special permit, there are still many islands that you can easily access with the regular ferry services. These islands include St. John's Island, Lazarus Island (Pulau Sakijang Pelepah), Pulau Seringat, Kusu Island, Sisters' Island (Pulau Subar Laut) and Pulau Hantu. That's quite a lot, right? And many of these islands have colourful histories. Lagoon at Lazarus Island On all these islands you have wide open spaces for a day out of island-hopping, or you may want to just laze around at only specific islands. Ferry companies based at Marina South Pier (MSP) run inter island shuttle between Sisters, St. John's and Kusu Island. The ferries from Marina South Pier run at specific time of around 9am, 11a...

Kampong Glam is one of the oldest settlements in Singapore, whose history dated before Raffles. This area was to become the home of Sultan Hussein Shah, whom Sir Stamford Raffles recognised as a legitimate successor to the Johor empire and, who in 1819 signed a treaty with the British East India Company, to establish a trading post in Singapore. Gazette in 1989, Kampong Glam is now a conservation area near Bugis with art-deco, early, first and second transitional and late-style shophouses. Raffles zoned Kampong Glam as a Malay area, as part of his town plan as one of the ethnic areas, the other being Chinatown and European town. Bugis was named after the Buginese people from South Sulawesi, Indonesia, who settled there during the 1800s. There were already Buginese living around the palace area, but they moved further up closer to Rochor area once Sultan Hussein Shah with his entourage from Riau settled there. The palace, Istana Kampong Glam, was built by Sultan Ali, his son, after the...

Changi was famous for its coconut plantations in the 1800s. By 1845, Changi Point was already a fashionable retreat for picnics and beach parties. At Changi Village, also known as 14 1/2 milestone Changi Road, prior to World War II, many facilities sprouted to serve the British officers and families of the Royal Air Force. Now, Changi Village is still a rustic village at the eastern corner of Singapore where the tallest building is barely five storey high due to the close proximity to Changi airport. If you walk along Changi Beach closer towards Nicol Drive, you can see and hear how low the planes are flying toward the runway. If you compared to the glitzy downtown areas of Marina Bay, Orchard Road or the Central Business District, you will be amazed how different Changi Village is. The place is calm and have a kampong feel. Where every weekend you will see long line at some nasi lemak stalls at the big Changi Village hawker or food centre . The hawker centre is big and comprises of ...

This is year 2020. A very challenging year for tourism worldwide battered by Covid-19 pandemic. In Singapore to encourage locals to patronise and support tourism industry, the government will be giving out each Singaporean adult aged 18 and above $100 voucher consisting of 10 x $10 in which can be used specifically for staycations , attraction tickets and tours as part of SingapoRediscovers (Singapore Rediscovers) initiative. Yotelair staycation at Jewel Dubbed by some as Singapoliday, the vouchers will be valid for seven months starting early December 2020 till end June 2021. For under 18, adult Singaporeans will be able to purchase up to six subsidised tickets for attractions and tours, each at $10 off. So even if you cannot go to Singaporeans perennial favourites such as Japan or South Korea to enjoy snow, you can still have winter experience at Snow City right here in Singapore. It will never be the same as the real thing but it is in Jurong and perhaps you can combine the visit to...

Most who head to Pasir Ris will invariably think of Wild Wild Wet, a water theme park, and Downtown East or E-Hub. Very close to Wild Wild Wet and Downtown East and hiding in the eastern corner of Singapore is the mangrove forest and swamps, home to mudskippers, the amphibious fish that can live both in water and land (you really have to look hard as they blend very well with the environment and has the colour of brownish mud) and otters! Pasir Ris mangroves forest are part of the larger Pasir Ris Park. Other marine creatures that you may spot are crabs and they are several different species of crabs including the brownish tree-climbing resident crab called Eppy. Its full name is Episesarma singaporense or Singapore Vinegar Crab, a native crab. As you walk along the boardwalks you may see mountains of crabs' 'condominiums'. Another crab which is commonly found living among mangroves is the small porcelain fiddler crab. Male fiddler crab has one claw larger than the other th...