Luge adventure @ Sentosa

 Singapore - Sometimes, the best way to enjoy a day out is to let your hair down and have some good old-fashioned fun! We recently headed to Skyline Luge Sentosa for an exciting experience, and what a fantastic time we had!

For those who have never tried it, the Luge is a gravity-powered, three-wheeled cart ride that lets you control your own descent down a specially designed track. Think of it as a cross between a go-kart and a toboggan. You steer using the handlebars, pulling back to brake and releasing them to pick up speed as you navigate the twists, turns and slopes. It is easy to learn, but certainly exciting enough to get your adrenaline pumping!

There are four downhill tracks to choose from: Dragon, Jungle, Expedition and Kupu Kupu. Each has its own character, featuring winding corners, tunnels and downhill stretches through Sentosa's lush greenery.

The fun does not end at the bottom. After each Luge ride, we hopped onto the Skyride, an open-air chairlift that carried us back up the hill. It was a lovely opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Sentosa, the coastline and the surrounding greenery before getting ready for another thrilling descent.

We enjoyed the experience so much that each of us went for FOUR rounds of the Luge and Skyride! By the fourth round, we were already getting more confident with the steering and braking, and perhaps a little more adventurous with our speed!

It was a wonderful outing filled with laughter, excitement and shared memories. Whether you are visiting with family or friends, Skyline Luge is definitely an activity worth trying. One ride is simply not enough – once you start, you will probably want to go again and again!

Morning walk @ Fort Canning Park with sister

 Singapore -  My sister and I started our walk around Fort Canning Park at 7am, and it turned out to be a lovely morning. The haze had subsided considerably, and the weather was much more comfortable for walking. The cooler morning air and greenery made the early start worthwhile.

Fort Canning is one of those places in Singapore where you can enjoy nature while walking through layers of history. The park itself is 22 hectares and has nine historical gardens, making every visit feel like there is something new to discover.

One of the highlights was the newly renovated Spice Garden, which reminded us of how closely Singapore's early history was connected to spices, plants and trade.

We also stopped to admire Scholars in Conversation: Sir Stamford Raffles and Dr Nathaniel Wallich, two life-size bronze statues unveiled in May 2024. Rather than standing formally on pedestals, the two figures are depicted having a natural conversation. The sculpture commemorates their contributions to Singapore's early botanical heritage and stands at the site of Singapore's first botanical garden.

As we continued walking, we passed the old lighthouse site, reminders of Fort Canning's role as an important communication centre during the colonial period. The hill once had a flagstaff, time ball, lighthouse and telegraph office.

We also walked past the Fire Director's House, before heading towards the Singapore River and the rapidly changing Clarke Quay area. The former Liang Court site is now part of the major CanningHill development, with Moxy Singapore Clarke Quay, CanningHill Piers, CanningHill Square and Somerset Clarke Quay taking shape. Moxy is expected to receive its TOP around the end of 2026 and open in 2027.

Moxy (left) Somerset (foreground) and Condo (background)

We ended our walk at Sang Nila Utama Garden, where we spotted a squirrel, and an archaeological excavation site. Archaeological evidence shows Fort Canning Hill was inhabited as far back as the 14th century.

Sang Nila Utama garden

Spot the squirrel

A beautiful morning walk, exercise, nature and Singapore history all in one. Sometimes the best way to rediscover Singapore is simply to walk

A Morning at Sembawang Hot Spring Park with Friends

 Singapore - There is something refreshing about starting the day with a simple outing, good friends and a little bit of nature. This morning, we met at Canberra MRT at 9am and began our short walk to Sembawang Hot Spring Park. It took us about 15 minutes on foot, and soon we arrived at one of Singapore's more unique natural attractions.

Kiat Leng, Carol, Heng Choo and Shih Ting

My last visit was on 2 May 2022, when I came here with my two sons. This time, it was nice to return with friends and create another set of memories.

One of the highlights of our morning was breakfast. Kiat Leng started cooking the eggs, placing them in the designated egg-cooking area. While the eggs were cooking, we laid out our picnic mat and prepared ourselves for a relaxing breakfast.

Eggs cooking station

We also had freshly baked focaccia, beautifully wrapped and tagged by Heng Choo as freshly baked. The focaccia was delicious — soft, flavourful and a wonderful accompaniment to our eggs.

Of course, we could not leave without soaking our feet in the hot spring. The cascading pools provide different temperatures, starting from around 90°C, then 70°C and finally 40°C, which was the temperature we could comfortably enjoy. We settled our feet into the 40°C water and relaxed for about 30 minutes.

Sitting there under the scorching morning sun for half an hour certainly worked up an appetite!

The eggs were ready — half-cooked, with a little light soya sauce and pepper. Together with the freshly baked focaccia, it made for a surprisingly delicious and satisfying breakfast. There was something special about enjoying such a simple meal outdoors with friends.

After spending around two hours at Sembawang Hot Spring Park, we decided it was time for our next adventure. We packed up and walked towards Chong Pang Market for lunch.

A simple morning of hot springs, good food, sunshine and friendship sometimes, that's all you need for a great day!  

An interesting find....

A Relaxing Evening at Gardens by the Bay and Satay by the Bay

 Singapore - It was one of those perfect afternoons to catch up with friends while enjoying one of Singapore's most beautiful attractions—Gardens by the Bay. We agreed to meet at around 4.00 pm, but I arrived a little earlier and took the opportunity to stroll around the gardens on my own. 

The peaceful lake reflected the surrounding greenery beautifully, and I was pleasantly surprised to spot a few wild chickens wandering freely along the pathways. It was a lovely reminder that nature continues to thrive even in the heart of our bustling city.

Once my friends arrived, we spent the next hour leisurely exploring the gardens, chatting and admiring the impressive landscape. Just as we were enjoying the walk, the skies suddenly darkened and a heavy tropical downpour began. 

Like many other visitors, we quickly made our way to the Gardens by the Bay Information Centre, where we waited patiently for the rain to ease. Thankfully, the shower didn't last too long, giving us the perfect excuse to continue our evening.

Our next stop was Satay by the Bay, another popular places for a casual hawker-style dinner with a scenic waterfront atmosphere. We ordered a generous spread to share—flavourful chicken and pork satay, two varieties of steamed dumplings, a plate of fresh vegetables, and my personal favourite, Har Cheong Kai (prawn paste fried chicken). 

The satay was tender and smoky with a rich peanut sauce, while the Har Cheong Kai was wonderfully crispy on the outside and juicy inside, packed with the unmistakable aroma of prawn paste.

After our satisfying dinner, we made our way back to catch the spectacular Garden Rhapsody Light Show beneath the iconic Supertrees. 

Watching the colourful lights dance in sync with the music was the perfect way to end a relaxing evening. With smiles on our faces and full stomachs, we boarded the MRT home, grateful for another memorable outing with good friends, good food, and one of Singapore's most iconic night-time experiences.

Morning Walk with Friends at Chinese Garden and Japanese Gardens

Singapore - This morning, I had a wonderful and refreshing walk with a group of friends around Chinese Garden and the nearby Japanese Garden. It turned out to be one of those simple but meaningful mornings where good company, nature, and food all came together perfectly.

We arranged to meet at MRT Chinese Garden MRT Station at 9am. Unfortunately, just as everyone arrived, the sky suddenly opened up and it started raining cats and dogs. The heavy downpour caught many people by surprise, and instead of rushing around, we decided to wait patiently under shelter.

The rain gave us time to catch up and chat casually. Sometimes these unexpected pauses become part of the enjoyment, especially when spending time with old friends. We joked about Singapore’s unpredictable weather while watching the rain pour endlessly outside.

Fortunately, after some time, the heavy rain slowly softened into a drizzle. Seeing the weather improve slightly, we decided to continue with our planned walk.  It was great to see Gwee Koon joining us for today's walk with Kiat Leng, Carol and Heng Choo.

The cool weather after the rain made the gardens especially pleasant. The air felt fresh and clean, and the greenery looked even more vibrant with droplets of rainwater glistening on the leaves. 

One of our first stops was the beautiful Cloud Pagoda. The pagoda looked peaceful against the cloudy morning sky, surrounded by calm waters and lush greenery. Nearby, we came across the zodiac dragon sculpture and naturally stopped to take a fun group “wefie” since all of us happened to be born in the Year of the Dragon. There was plenty of laughter as we squeezed together trying to get everyone into the photo.

We then continued our walk toward the bamboo grove and waterfall area. The bamboo trees swayed gently in the cool breeze, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The sound of flowing water from the waterfall added to the relaxing environment, making it one of the nicest parts of the walk.

Along the way, we also visited the edible gardens where various herbs, fruits, and edible plants were grown. It was interesting seeing how beautifully the gardens were maintained while also serving an educational purpose. Nearby flower displays added vibrant colours throughout the pathways.

Another favourite stop for many of us was the bonsai garden. The carefully shaped miniature trees reflected years of patience and artistry. Some of the bonsai looked incredibly old and detailed despite their small size.

After exploring the Chinese Garden section, we crossed over into the serene Japanese Garden. The atmosphere there felt slightly different — quieter and more minimalist in design. We stopped for a while at the beautiful Water Lily Pavilion where the still waters reflected the surrounding greenery perfectly.

One particularly enjoyable section was walking through the forested walkways where tall trees provided shade and shelter. The cool post-rain weather made the walk especially comfortable and refreshing.

Eventually, we made our way to the Floral Garden shuttle bus point and waited for the shuttle service to bring us toward the North Car Park area. Around 11.10am, the shuttle bus finally arrived, driven by a kind and cheerful gentleman who greeted everyone warmly.

From the North Car Park, we walked toward Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre for lunch. After a good morning walk, everyone was naturally hungry.

We decided to try the famous Michelin Guide award Feng Zhen Lor Mee and it did not disappoint. The thick, savoury gravy combined with noodles and crispy ingredients made for a satisfying local meal. After lunch, we headed to Ya Kun Kaya Toast for coffee and more conversation.  Alec managed to join us for lunch and coffee.

By the time we finally left and reached the bus stop, it was already around 1.30pm.

Although the morning began with heavy rain, it eventually turned into a very enjoyable outing filled with laughter, beautiful scenery, good food, and great companionship. Sometimes the best experiences are not about travelling far or doing anything extraordinary, but simply spending quality time outdoors with friends and appreciating the little moments together.

A Refreshing NParks Morning Walk at Chinese Garden with my sister

 Singapore - I spent a delightful morning reconnecting with nature and my sister during a 2-hour guided walking tour at Chinese Garden, organised by National Parks Board. My sister and I arrived just before 9am, when the air was still cool and the park was calm.  It was a perfect for a relaxing start to the day.

Our journey began from Jurong Lake Gardens, where we met our guide, Siti. From the very beginning, it was clear we were in good hands. Siti was incredibly knowledgeable, especially when it came to edible plants; something I never realised was such a big part of our local greenery.

We entered through the iconic entrance arch and crossed the elegant bridge into the Chinese Garden. The scenery immediately transported us into a tranquil, classical Chinese landscape. 

Arch entrance to Chinese Garden

Jurong Lake

One of the highlights early in the tour was visiting the air-conditioned hydroponics enclosure. This was fascinating; almost like stepping into a mini research lab within a garden.

We walked into the editable plants area and there was the cat whiskers herb, known for its medicinal properties.  Cat whiskers herb is a traditional Southeast Asian medicinal plant widely used as a natural diuretic to treat kidney disorders, urinary tract infections, and reduce water retention. Rich in antioxidants, it also helps manage high blood pressure, gout, and diabetes, often consumed as a tea for detoxification

Cat Whiskers herb

The Jujube plant or Chinese red dates are often used in traditional remedies. Jujube fruit is high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories.  High in antioxidants. Jujube fruits are a rich source of compounds such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, and triterpenic acids. Some of these compounds have antioxidant properties.

The Red Button Spiral Ginger plant stood out with its vibrant colour and unusual shape.  the Red Button Spiral Ginger is edible, particularly the red, cone-shaped bracts and the yellow flowers that emerge from them. They are often eaten raw, offering a sweet, slightly sour taste similar to green grapes or apples.

We also learned about Job’s tears, which can be processed into what we know as Chinese pearl barley.  Chinese pearl barley or Yì yǐ rén, are nutritious, gluten-free, teardrop-shaped grains popular in Asian cuisine and medicine.  

Job's tears

Another interesting discovery was the Passiflora quadrangularis Erotica plant or the Penis passion fruit. 

Along the garden there were asparagus growing in the editable garden.

As we continued our walk, we arrived at a large, serene pond filled with lotus plants. The lotus flowers were in full bloom with graceful, delicate, and truly beautiful. It was one of those moments where you just stop, take it in, and appreciate the calm.

Then we walked pass the twin pagoda

Sister and me

Siti also pointed out the fragrant Ylang-Ylang flower, which is famously used in perfumes like Chanel No.5. It was amazing to think that such a luxurious scent has its roots in a simple flower growing right here.

Ylang-ylang flower

We then made our way to the iconic 7-storey pagoda, a striking landmark that adds to the charm and cultural richness of the garden. Nearby, the 12 zodiac statues added a fun and familiar touch, with visitors stopping to find their respective zodiac signs.

Further along, we came across another pond filled with water hyacinths. Their soft purple flowers created a stunning contrast against the water, adding another layer of beauty to the landscape. Our walk concluded with a peaceful stroll through a bamboo forest, where the tall, swaying stalks created a soothing, almost meditative atmosphere.

water hyacinth flower

Overall, the tour was not just a walk. It was an enriching experience. Thanks to Siti’s insights, we saw the garden through a completely different lens, appreciating not just the beauty, but also the purpose and stories behind the plants.  

It was a wonderful way to spend a morning—learning, exploring, and simply enjoying nature with my sister.