Fun Activities To Explore In St. John’s Island

Nestled in the string of islands on the Southern coast of Singapore is St. John’s Island. What was once a quarantine facility in the late 1800s has since become a destination for locals who want a quick getaway from the cityscape.

St. John’s Island is bigger than its neighbors namely, Sisters’ Islands and Kusu Island. Despite its size, less than half of the island is accessible by the public. Huge portions of the land are dedicated to research and to lodging. Nonetheless, there is plenty of activities to explore within the island.

If you are all set, start by riding a ferry to get to the island. There are two ferry companies that travel between the Southern Islands. You can either go with the Marina South Ferry or Singapore Island Cruise. Prices start from S$15 (adult tickets).

Sit back and relax as the short ride will last for 30 minutes. You can even choose to sit on the top deck, if it is available. Upon arriving in the island, here are some of the activities that you may explore.

1. GO ON A WALK TRAIL

Refresh your mind by being one with nature as you walk through St. John’s Island. The first curated trail on this island was developed to encourage appreciation for its rich biodiversity and history. In fact, you can spot eleven Heritage Trees within the island. Only a selected number of trees have earned the title of Heritage Trees. These trees are handpicked for their exceptional size and their outstanding botanical and cultural value.

The St. John’s Island Trail includes fifteen stations marked with signboards that serve as educational resources and station markers. Thus, it will let you see the beauty of its fauna and flora as well as its vibrant history.

2. JOIN THE GUIDED TOUR

Free guided tours are held on the first Sunday of every month. Join the National Park volunteers as they highlight the key features of the St. John’s Island Trail. The land-based trail covers 1.6 kilometers and would span for about 90 minutes. What’s more? It is free! Do note that registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit the nparks.gov.sg page for more details.

3. CYCLE AROUND THE ISLAND

If you opt to travel the island through wheels, you may rent bicycles or two-wheel step pedals. Enjoy the cool breeze as you pedal along the island and feast your eyes with its biodiversity.

A pop-up bicycle rental store called Gogreen Bicycle Rental offers access to bicycles, two-wheel step pedals, and tents. Convenience comes with a price as renting a bicycle or a two-wheel step pedal starts with S$30.

4. GO FISHING

Upon exiting the ferry, you will notice how clear the waters are. Try looking down and observing the schools of fish. If you are lucky enough, you will catch a huge range of fish from snappers to groupers.

5. EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON MARINE LIFE

As you take a dip on the calm waters of the island’s Swimming Lagoon, you will be able to see different sea creatures such as sea sponges and seagrasses. Many of these can be encountered at low tide on an intertidal walk around the island’s coasts.

6. INDULGE IN BIRD WATCHING

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings during your visit to the St. John’s Island. Add an element of fun to your sightings by writing down the birds and the animals that you spotted. Take pictures and add that to your “nature journal”, which you can make with your child.

What are you waiting for?

Explore the St. John’s Island with your loved ones by checking out the ferry schedules and its COVID-19 safety measures. Make sure to pack water, sunblock, insect repellant, and snacks.

There are no stores within the island. It is best to come prepared! You can either pack your essentials or grab snacks like bread at the Marina South Pier’s convenience stores. Moreover, please help conserve the beauty of the island by throwing your trash properly.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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All Adult Singaporeans Will Receive S$100 Tourism Vouchers In December

Highlights

  • The vouchers can be spent on local attractions, tours, and hotels.
  • No limits will be given in the number of vouchers used on a single transaction.
  • Vouchers are valid from December to June 2021.
  • Attraction operators will be able to apply for an increase in their operating capacities.

Singaporeans aged 18 and above will receive S$100 in virtual SingapoRediscovers vouchers to spend on leisure attractions, local tours, and hotel staycations. These SingapoRediscovers Vouchers will be accessible through SingPass from December and can be used to offset ticket purchases and hotel bookings until June 2021.

Permanent residents will not be eligible for these vouchers.

Adult Singaporeans will be able to purchase up to six subsidized tickets for attractions and tours – each at S$10 off too. These subsidized tickets can be given to Singaporeans under the age of 18. The validity of these subsidized tickets spans from December to the end of June 2021.

Last Wednesday, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that the duration of this program is timely as it coincides with the December, March, and June holidays. He stressed that this is an “economic scheme to help our tourist attractions preserve their capabilities that have been built up over their years while they consolidate the capacity in the interim”.

Because the tourism sector was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the $320 million SingapoRediscovers Vouchers program was part of the Government’s efforts to boost tourism in the country.

Since the SingPass is the primary mode of issuing these vouchers, it is a distinct identifier that will be less susceptible to fraudulent activities. The Government will design other anti-fraud mechanisms into the system as they work with the eventual appointed platform operators.

LARGER CAPACITY LIMITS FOR ATTRACTIONS

From September 18 onwards, attractions may apply for an increase in their operating capacity from 25% to 50%. The applications are subjected to the approval of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Attractions can also apply for an increase in the capacity of their outdoor shows. The maximum is five zones with 50 people per zone. These are all subjected to safety management measures.

CURRENT TOURISM STATUS

40 attractions, 214 hotels, and 438 tour itineraries were given the green light to resume operations with safety management measures in place. These numbers include Singapore’s 4 wildlife parks, hotels on Sentosa, and guided tours in Pulau Ubin. You will have a myriad of options to think about as you rediscover our own backyard.

With more than 200 deals and packages launched by the local tourism sector, the SingapoRediscovers vouchers will encourage more Singaporeans to see what the Red Dot has to offer. STB chief executive Keith Tan said that while F&B and retail businesses are part of their marketing campaigns, the core beneficiaries of these vouchers will be hotels, attractions, and tours.

What is nice about this program is that there are no limits in the number of vouchers you can use in a single transaction. The S$10 vouchers can be used across different visits or used up in a single staycation package.

The means as to how you use your vouchers is completely up to you!

Sources: 1 & 2

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10 Free Forms Of Entertainment You Can Do At Home

To minimize the further spread of COVID-19 in Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has implemented some social restrictions. This includes social distancing measures such as the closure of entertainment venues (e.g., bars or cinemas), suspension of religious services, and closure of enrichment centers. Organized tours in public venues such as sightseeing or guided walking tours will also be suspended. All these will take effect from March 26, 2020.

With the closure of various entertainment venues and other establishments, how can you efficiently pass time without spending too much? Well, you can look thru this list and employ what you fancy.

#1: CHANNEL MARIE KONDO

Channel your inner Marie Kondo by de-cluttering your home. Categorize your items based on its usefulness or its personal value. Find things that are important to you or your family. Keep these items as neatly as possible. For the rest of your items, you can either junk or donate them. It is cathartic to go through your belongings and to see how neat your area has become.

#2: PRACTICE YOGA AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

This is the perfect time to focus on yourself and your wellbeing. An ancient practice that has been known to relieve stress is Yoga. Search through countless free beginner Yoga classes on YouTube. I recommend starting with Blogilates or Yoga With Adriene as they have a library of videos for different levels of strength.

#3: GET FREE AUDIOBOOKS

Speaking of libraries, you can get free audiobooks from openculture.com and audible.com. Keep yourself company with books that can help improve your skills or help drift your mind. These websites include free audiobooks for kids too!

#4: GET FREE PC GAMES

Believe it or not, Epic Games offers two excellent PC games free of charge. I am referring to Watch Dogs and The Stanley Parable. Simply add these two to your Epic Games account anytime before March 26. Creating this gaming account is also free.

#5: ENJOY FREE GUITAR LESSONS

Take up a new hobby or brush off the dust from your guitar by signing up for the three-month subscription of Fender. This three-month free trial allows you to learn how to play acoustics including ukulele from the comforts of your home. You can track your progress anytime using any devices. Note that although a credit card is not required, this promotion is limited to the first 100,000 sign-ups.

#6: CREATE A BLOG

I manage my Cabin Fever using the best way I know how – through writing my thoughts. I am very thankful for the extra time I have on my hands as I am able to write more on my MISS PSYCHOBABBLE Psychology blog. Turn your quarantine experiences into colorful stories by establishing a blog on free websites such as blogger.com or wordpress.com.

#7: PRINT COLORING PAGES

If you need to keep your kiddos busy and stimulated, consider printing coloring pages for them. Crayola offers free coloring pages, which are categorized by season. Simply round up the coloring materials in your home and start getting creative.

#8: MAKE A DONATION BOX

Collect clothing and nonperishable items that you no longer want or need. Select items that are in good condition and store them in a donation box. You are not only giving your belongings to the people in need, but you are also cleaning up your home.

#9: TAKE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS

Wake up to a new perspective by taking photographs of things around your house. Do you see the pretty vase on top of your coffee table? Use your smartphone or a stand-alone camera to capture that moment. You may also peek thru the world outside of your window and take some snaps. Upload your best photographs on Instagram and cap it off with a witty caption.

#10: CONNECT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES

Despite being at home for a period of time, you can still connect with your loved ones through online platforms such as Skype, FaceTime, and Facebook Messenger. Who are the people whom you normally do not see? Consider giving them a call now.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Take care of your health and avoid shutting yourself from the world! 🙂

Sources:1 & 2

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6 New Ways To Save Money In Singapore

Improving your financial well-being does not only involve your earnings as it also involve your spending habits. The latter is important as we live in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Despite this, there are some creative ways you can employ to save money in Singapore.

SWITCH TO KOPI

Yes! I know how a brewed cup of joe can wake up your sleeping spirits. However, you do not have to frequent a signature or a “branded” cafe in order to reap its effects. Save S$6 or more by purchasing a cup of coffee from a local kopitiam. Cut down your savings by letting your Starbucks loyalty card have its break.Or better yet, make your own coffee at home.

DISABLE YOUR AUTO-FILLED INFORMATION

Recently, I was trapped by how quick it is for me to purchase shoes online through the auto-fill feature. You see, smartphones have the seemingly safe auto-fill feature. This allows you to skip typing your credit card and other personal information. I am still not sure whether this modern feature is entirely foolproof. Nonetheless, it heightens the temptation of online shopping.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Remove this temptation and increase your cyber-security by disabling your auto-fill feature.

PRACTICE SAYING “NO”

When faced with peer pressure and budget constraint, remember that you can always say “no”. You may feel bad for rejecting or disappointing someone. However, politely saying “no” can ensure that you spend within your means. You can join your friends next time or give a token of appreciation instead.

AVOID SMOKING

I cannot imagine how hefty it is to maintain a smoking lifestyle in Singapore. The country charges so much tax for it. Not to mention, there is a possibility to get fined when caught in a “No Smoking Zone”. As of the time of writing, smoking cigarettes is banned in Orchard Road (No Smoking Zone). Individuals can only light up their sticks in designated areas within the precinct. Smokers who are caught can be fined with a minimum of S$200 and a maximum of S$1,000 once convicted in the court. Being caught smoking is one of the fastest routes you can take to deplete your budget. Are you willing to risk that?

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE ENTERTAINMENT

The Red Dot may be expensive, but there are still a myriad of free stuff to enjoy. For starters, you may indulge in the scenic views that Gardens by the Bay and Fort Canning Park have to offer. These spots have been pleasing locals and travelers alike.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Aside from the natural attractions, you can search through the island for some free entertainment. Esplanade, Singapore’s performing arts center, hold interesting exhibits and concerts on a regular basis. Free concerts take place within their small amphitheater outside the main building. Search through Esplanade’s website to learn more.

SKIP ON THE BOTTLED WATER

It comes as no surprise to many locals that a bottle of water can cost anything from a dollar or more. Do not get me started with the artisinal bottles that come with the luxurious branding! With this in mind, you must fulfill your needs without having to deplete your daily budget. Drink perfectly safe water by consuming the tap water available around the country, especially in the tourist attractions. Singapore tap water is colorless and odorless. Bring along a tumbler or a collapsible cup to quench your thirst whenever you feel. Check out 10 best reusable water bottles – Globo Surf that comes with filter so you can enjoy smooth tasting water.

Sources: 1 & 2

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What’s The Hype About Jewel Changi Airport?

Scheduled to open this month is the latest Jewel of Singapore – the Jewel Changi Airport. This multi-purpose development includes a hotel, aviation facilities, retail stores, dining facilities, and various attractions. A complex that houses all these facilities must be massive! The complex covers a total gross floor area of 134,000 meters, which spans about 10 stories.

I am most excited about the key attractions including the world’s largest indoor waterfall and the five-story indoor garden. Let us start with the HSBC Rain Vortex. Standing at 131 ft high is the world’s largest indoor waterfall. At night, the Rain Vortex glistens with lights and sounds. These were curated by the water design expert WET Design. I expect nothing but the best!

Lastly, Canopy Park aims to astound you with its two gardens including Topiary Walk and Petal Garden. The former features animal-shaped topiaries. The latter features seasonal floral displays. These natural displays excites my flower-loving heart!

Aside from flowers, food holds a special place for us. Singaporeans are enthusiastic about the flavors offered by Shake Shack and the comeback of A&W Restaurant.

Image Credits: danielfooddiary.com

Probably the most anticipated F&B opening at Jewel, is the famous burgain chain called Shake Shack. Its first outlet in Singapore is set to open on April 17. Shake Shack will offer its classic coffee milkshake along with locally brewed Jewela Melaka and Pandan Shake. Jewela Melaka is a frozen vanillacustard ice cream with coconut salted caramel, Lemuel chocolate chunks, shortbread, and gula melaka. Pandan Shake (S$7.80) puts a Singaporean-spin to their classic brew by adding pandan. Putting a spotlight on their burgers entails that its made with freshly ground 100% Angus beef. Rest assured that it has a delicate texture, great taste, and no added hormones. ShackBurger costs S$9.20 to $12.90.

Last but not the least is the ultimate throwback F&B opening of A&W Restaurant in Jewel Changi Airport. It is operating for 24 hours daily and is Halal-certified. Many are thrilled to taste the Root Beer Float, Coney Dogs, Curly Fries, and Waffle Ice Cream once more. This all-American restaurant will welcome long queues for sure!

Image Credits:greatdeals.com.sg

Oh! The Jewel houses a Pokemon center too. Certainly, the nation is shaken by the opening of the Jewel! Wait and see for more.

Sources: 1 & 2

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