Singapore's TidbiTs

A Reservoir with a Past Bedok Reservoir is one of Singapore's 17 freshwater reservoirs, but unlike many of its counterparts, it carries a distinctly industrial past. Before it became a recreational hub, the site was a sand quarry . Today, it collects rainwater runoff from the eastern part of the island, and the surrounding land has been transformed into a vibrant park that offers far more than just waterfront views. The park sits in the eastern part of Singapore, bordered by Bedok North and Tampines West, making it especially convenient for residents of those housing estates. It also lies directly behind Temasek Polytechnic — a bonus for students who have nature and watersports practically at their doorstep. For cyclists and walkers, Bedok Reservoir is linked to the broader Eastern Corridor via the Park Connector Network (PCN) , connecting you to Pasir Ris Park, Tampines Eco Park, and the Siglap Park Connector. What to See and Do ...

Singapore is not all concrete blocks and skyscrapers. You will be surprised there are nature reserves and parks all over the island, and one of the preserved nature areas is an island called Pulau Ubin or granite island. Singapore is actually made up of a total of 64 islands, though some islands have been combined so the number is lesser now. Do you know that the word pulau means island in Malay? And the word ubin means stones or specifically the Jubin tiles that used to come from the many stone quarries on the island. Pulau Ubin is a laid-back boomerang-shaped rustic looking island located at the eastern corner of Singapore. The island, about 1,000 hectares or ten times the size of Gardens by the Bay, is the only preserved kampung island left intact in urbanised Singapore. Previously Pulau Ubin supplied granite for major construction works in Singapore including the Horsburgh Lighthouse on Pedra Branch and the Raffles Lighthouse. The last active granite quarry on the island, Aik H...

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. Before British colonisation, the area around Sungei Changi or more commonly knows as Changi Creek, which is a short river that runs next to Changi Beach Park, was inhabited by indigenous Malay communities. These kampongs or villages relied on the creek for fishing, which was the primary source of livelihood back then. The livelihoods of kampong residents living in Changi were shaped by the area’s resources and geographical landscape. While some villages were sustained by coastal trades, other inland villages relied on agriculture. Now, Changi Village is still a rustic village at the eastern corner of Singapore where the tallest building is barely five storey high d...

Most who head to Pasir Ris will invariably think of Wild Wild Wet, a water theme park, and Downtown East that contains the E-Hub mall. Downtown East and E-Hub are synonymous with each other. 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 epiphytic crab called Eppy. Its full name is Episesarma singaporense. It is also known as Singapore Vinegar Crab , well as the name implies, this crab can be cooked, eaten and pickled with vinegar! It is a native crab. As you walk along the boardwalks you may see moun...