Year-end travel bookings are fast approaching! How can you celebrate your birthday without disappointing your guests? Fret not! It is possible to embrace the strangeness of celebrating while overseas.
Take a moment to plan your virtual party. From virtual party games to virtual potlucks, here are some fun and budget-friendly ways to honor your big day while you are overseas!
#1: ENJOY A MOVIE NIGHT
The Netflix Party app allows you to watch a movie simultaneously with multiple viewers. It lets one person start and stop whatever you are watching for the whole group to stay on track. What’s more? It gives you a chat room to discuss what you are watching.
#2: HAVE A VIRTUAL POTLUCK
Nothing beats a party filled with food. If you and your relatives or friends love cooking, pick a cuisine or a theme for your potluck. Allow everyone to showcase their dishes while you are at a virtual party. Everyone can eat together and describe their creations in entertaining ways. The most creative entry will win!
#3: OPEN THE VIRTUAL VISITING HOURS
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Who can decline to a party when the visiting hours are forgiving? Post a message that they can come any time from “0:00am to 0:00pm”. You can set the Zoom meeting to a recurring one to allow visitors to drop by any time. Just send them the link to your party and be ready to say: I am so glad that you could make it! This is especially helpful when you are separated by different time zones.
#4: PLAY CHARADES
Virtual parties can have a variety of games such as Bingo and Charades. When attempting to host a party via video meeting, embrace the technical glitches that can happen. No activity is better suited to this platform than charades. Pick a topic that the majority enjoys such as the famous singers or iconic Singaporean food.
Are you planning to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Book your year-end trip to enjoy the cool winter season overseas.
Once you are all set, you can update your wardrobe to include some cold-weather staples. Drop by these budget-friendly places to stay stylish while avoiding the feeling of freezing to death!
#1: DECATHLON
This popular sports hub needs no introduction. After all, Decathlon has it all. Swing by any of its stores for winter clothes at affordable prices. Alternatively, you can shop through their online store and have your items delivered to your doorstep. For instance, you can purchase a Ski Jacket for S$65.
H&M can help expand your children’s winter wardrobe without breaking the bank. You can find plenty of hooded faux fur jackets, sweatshirts windbreakers, water-repellent mittens, puffer jackets, and other winter necessities here. Each item comes in stylish patterns and prints, so you and your children can match while on a holiday. Kids’ winter jackets retail for S$30 and above.
Layering for chilly weather is an easy task with Marks & Spencer’s vibrant collection for children and adults. Not only does this retail chain sell a range of windbreakers and jackets, but it also sells a variety of jumpers and sweatshirts. You can complete your holiday look with their winter wear offerings. Children’s hoodies start at S$13.90.
Coldwear Singapore doesn’t just offer winter wear, they also have other travel-related accessories such as travel pillows, luggage, and more. You can shop for their winter jackets, sweaters, gloves, and hats from their in-house brand or keep a look out for winter clothes from international brands such as National Geography, Dexshell and Caterpillar. Sweaters are on sale for less than S$30 here.
Known for its annual year-end sale, Winter Time can give you as much as 80% savings. Jackets and parkas can go as low as S$29 while accessories can be bought at S$8.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Winter Time sells cold-weather staples such as winter boots and winter clothing for men, women, and children. You can take your entire family while shopping at any of its branches including IMM, Northpoint City, Vivo City, Parkway Parade, and Changi City Point.
The staycation trend has increased significantly in recent years. Instead of travelling far for your vacation, you can stay in a hotel nearby to act as a tourist discovering local attractions.
Staycations have several benefits that make them attractive to couples and groups of friends. Here are some of the benefits:
#1: SAVE MONEY
Staycations are more cost-efficient than traveling overseas due to cutting expenses such as airfare and expensive meals. Travel and accommodation can cost a lot of money. A chunk of vacation budget goes towards these categories.
When you are preparing for a staycation, you can use your money towards more entertainment activities and delightful food.
#2: MAXIMIZE TIME
Say goodbye to airport stress and the possibility of flight delays. Your travel time will be shortened due to staycationing nearby. Aside from saving time, you do not have to deal with the stress of queuing, traffic, and so on.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
#3: LEAVE YOU INSPIRED
Having some down time can give you a chance to explore innovative ideas. Steer away from chaos and generate fresh ideas as you lounge in the hotel lobby or sit near the hotel pool. Inspirations can later be turned into productive projects.
#4: FIT FOR SHORT BREAKS
If the vacation days your organization gave you is short, it is vital to make use of your time. It is easier and more practical to allot it in a weekend getaway.
You can be spontaneous year-round as you book and enjoy a relaxing break, within Singapore. Consider alternative places such as a glamping staycation, a staycation in a yacht, at SG Hotel On Wheels, or at Resorts World Sentosa.
#5: NO JETLAG
With international travel, you can experience time differences and jet lag. Arriving at 7 am after a 14-hour flight and having to stay awake all day may make you feel uneasy.
The time difference can also impact your vacation quality and access to contacting your family back home. There is no need to worry about jetlag and time difference during a local staycation!
#6: PLAN LESS
Planning is a huge part of people’s holidays. You have limited time to explore a new country and you want to pack in as many things as possible. However, planning to visit a new country can take time.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
The beauty of a staycation is that you can leave home without completing a list of tasks such as searching for cheap flights or searching for accommodation near the airport. Less planning will enable you to spend more quality time with the people you love.
Rediscover the beauty of Singapore with its newly opened restaurants and cafés. From Minion-themed dishes to lattes topped with frozen teddy bears, you can take your gastronomical journey to new heights with this list. Best of all? You do not have to travel outside of Singapore to experience these five Instagram-worthy restaurants.
#1: MINION CAFE
Southeast Asia’s first Minion-themed café graced our shores this year and will stay until January 2022. Fans of the lovely characters from the Despicable Me film can enjoy dishes that are decorated with minions. Do not miss the chance to eat a pizza topped with minions or a banana boat dessert with Kevin, Stuart, and Bob.
The café’s menu was curated for the Singaporean palette and highlights dishes such as Minion Singapore Prawn Noodle ($24) and Minion Pumpkin Mantou with Chilli Crab Meat Dip ($15 for four pieces).
Price: $$
Location: 3A River Valley Road, Merchant’s Court #01-01C to 01D, Block A Clarke Quay, Singapore, 179020
#2: SHINJUKU KISSA TETSUDO
What better way to reminisce your last trip to Japan than by dining at a Japanese railway-themed establishment? At Shinjuku Kissa Tetsudo, you can get behind the controls of model trains and pass the time by sipping coffee.
Image Credits: instagram.com/p/CUr5Q1vvjpw
Visit Shinjuku Kissa Tetudo at 111 Somerset to drink a cup of coffee ($6 to $15) or eat a slice of cake. Roll cakes cost about $8. Then, you can amp up your experience by operating the miniature railway models. Interactive railway activity rates start at $15/hour.
Open the door at the Knock Knock Cafe to feast your eyes with the floral-themed décor. Knock Knock Cafe serves a range of classic and fusion dishes using only the freshest ingredients. Excite your taste buds with the Seafood Laksa Pasta, Salted Egg Prawn Taco, Aglio Olio, and Ribeye Steak. End your meal with a satisfying dessert or an adorable drink like the foamy lattes topped with frozen teddy bears.
Image Credits: facebook.com/knockknockcafe.sg
Worry not about your social media feed because this place is adorned with flowers and studded with neon-lit signs. Reserve a seat in advance to secure your spot.
Nestled at Tanglin Road is a hidden gem named Lucky Saigon Restaurant. This Vietnamese restaurant is the perfect spot for affordable food and picturesque ambiance. You will notice the green canopies, bird enclosures, and water fountain as you step inside. We do not blame you if you want to take a snap or two!
Image Credits: facebook.com/luckysaigonrestaurant
Do not forget to try the Fresh Spring Rolls ($7.50 for three pieces) and Slice Beef Pho ($12.50) when you are there. Apart from these, Lucky Saigon offers catering services for events such as birthday parties and staff dinners.
On November 21, Australia will open some of its states to Singaporean travelers. While waiting, you can get a taste of the Land Down Under by eating at Dewgather. Dewgather serves hearty Australian-inspired dishes tinged with Asian influences.
Image Credits: facebook.com/dewgather
Satisfy your cravings for Australian grub with options such as The Aussie Crumpet ($15), Salmon Avo ($8), Dew Swordfish Pasta ($27), and Waffle & Fried Chicken ($20). As for beverages, you can try the Houjicha Latte ($8) or the Prana Chai Latte ($8).
Price: $$
Location: #01-46 The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, Singapore 138617
“Just being surrounded by bountiful nature, rejuvenates and inspires us.“
– E.O. Wilson
Nature heals. Research showed that environments can increase or reduce our stress. What you are seeing, hearing, and feeling at any moment changes your physical and emotional well-being.
If you feel suffocated within the walls of your home, try visiting farms in Singapore. From vegetable farms to animal farms, we have you covered!
#1: HAY DIARIES
Since its inception in 1988, Hay Diaries has been the only goat farm in the country. Located within Lim Chu Kang, guests are free to explore the premises and to witness the goat milking session between 9:00 to 10:30 am.
Get close with the goats as you purchase the Alfalfa Hay (S$5 per packet) and feed the goats. End your goat farm experience by skimming through the souvenirs such as fresh goat’s milk and handmade soap.
Image Credits: Hay Diaries via facebook.com
Location: 3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4, Singapore 718859 Website:haydairies.sg
#2: BOLLYWOOD VEGGIES
Home to the Poison Ivy Bistro, the Bollywood Veggies lets you travel back to simpler times. Their Bistro is a farm-to-table eatery where guests go for a quick lunch after visiting the nearby farm. Try their unique Blue Nasi Lemak, which is infused with blue pea flower.
After a hearty lunch, you can walk around the premises to enjoy the wide variety of plants. What’s more? They have a food museum with about twenty-four oil paintings that illustrate the relationship between food and human civilization.
Did you know that this place is a Guinness World Records holder? Witness the undeniable charm of various species of turtles and tortoises such as the Six-Legged Tortoise and the Pig Nose Flying Turtle. See and feel the spirit of the Sulcata Tortoise for luck, and the Thailand’s Golden Temple Turtle for wealth.
You will be given the chance to interact with these creatures by petting and feeding them. However, please do not lift them up as it can cause them stress. Tickets cost S$10 for children aged 3-6 and S$14 for those above 7 years old.
Image Credits: The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum via facebook.com
Note: Due to the Phase 2 Heightened alert, group entries will be limited to 5 people per group. Only fully vaccinated visitors will be allowed entry. Children under 12 years old need not be vaccinated.
Location: ORTO, 81 Lor Chencharu #01-16, Singapore 769198 Website:turtle-tortoise.com
#4: THE SUNDOWNER
Nestled within a once empty concrete rooftop, the Sundowner is an urban farm and lounge space which offers guests the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of organic farming and to indulge in farm-to-table goodies.
It is an oasis of green floating above the bustling cafes and bars of the Siglap restaurant belt. You can opt for the Rooftop Farm Experience to learn about organic farming as taught by a master gardener, to don a bee suit, and to get a sample of unifloral honey. This experience is priced at S$115 for adults and at S$85 for children.
Image Credits: The Sundowner via facebook.com
You can also make your own pizza with their 3-hour class. This activity is perfect for friends, families, and co-workers. Private Pizza-Making experience costs S$350, for two pax.
