Mint Toy Museum

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Photos to be uploaded on National Day weekend

Hi Folks,

So sorry to be mass updating my blog @ one shot although I was travelling around Singapore quite a bit under my mini "Rediscover Singapore" project.

"Rediscover Singapore" project is actually my personal aim to discover new stuff and rediscover forgotten fun that a typical Singaporean can do and should do!

I usually try to go under budget style for a weekend fun with my friends or cousins or friends!

Rediscover Singapore - Been there!

Horse Riding Trial with Coupon!
Japanese Cemetery Park
MacRitchie Reservoir Mini Walk
Botanic Garden (Orchid Garden)
Botanic Garden (Free Performance)
Bt. Batok n Little Guilin
Chinese Garden
Japanese Garden
Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum
Old Ford Factory
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall Open House
East Coast Park
Istana Open House

Upcoming places

8/8 - Stamp Museum; Toy Museum
16/8 - Bt. Timah track before closure Round 2 (YES, ROUND 2!)
22/8 - Bugis Cat Cafe

Unscheduled - How Par Villa
Unscheduled - Sentosa Hiking + Cycling
Unscheduled - REFLECTIONS AT BUKIT CHANDU

Beside Singapore, I will try to upload some of my overseas trips including Japan (especially Aomori, Hokkaido, Kyoto)

Last but not latest, I will upload yummy food across Singapore and overseas!

Istana Open House for Post Hari Raya and Pre NPD 2014!

Another impromptu trip!

And this trip is to Istana!

Since young, I had went into Istana grounds quite a couple of times as a volunteer but never as a visitor so after checking out from Istana Official Website, I decided to go down for a 1/2 day trip with my brother.

Figuring that since the Istana will be crowded, I decided to go there at 8.30am to avoid the morning crowd.

Guess the crowds are even earlier! I managed to clear the queue and security checks after more than 1 hr of wait.

Just to warn most folks that are 1st timer :- it will be VERY crowded with a lot of kids and there will be a lot of events going on.

If you are one who love crowds, this is a very good event but other than that, this is pretty boring as there is minimum places to shoot without people blocking your view.

Some interesting facts on Istana grounds:

• The Istana grounds is usually open to the public on:
• Chinese New Year
• Deepavali; 
• Hari Raya Puasa; 
• Labour Day; 
• National Day

• Admission to the Istana grounds
• Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents : FREE (Please bring proof of identification) 
• Other visitors : $1/pax 

• Admission to the Istana building (air-con; visitor zone to are only on 1st floor; 2nd and 3rd floor are for offices of President/PM and those IMPORTANT people. )
• All : $2/pax 
• Tour conducted by volunteer within Istana grounds/Istana building : $4/pax 

• Entrance to the grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road (nearest MRT will be Dhoby Ghaut). 

• Opening hours during open house are usually from 8.30am to 6.00pm.

• Pointed and sharp objects (e.g. knives of any size, forks) and flammable items (e.g. lighters)  will not be allowed within the Istana grounds for security reasons

• The following activities will not be allowed within the Istana grounds:
• Wheeled sports (e.g. cycling, roller blading)
• Littering
• Smoking
• Consumption of alcoholic drinks
• Pets (except for guide dogs)

• No storage facilities will be provided. Security personnel reserve the right to turn away visitors who bring along items that are not allowed.
• Visitors should have either kids below 3 years old or elder folks above 60 years old or wheelchair access will have priority queue at the entrance but will still subject to queuing up for security screening.
• All visitors will need to go through security screening prior to entering the Istana grounds.

• The sale of tickets to enter the Istana Main Building will close at 5.30pm, subject to crowd conditions.

• All proceeds from the sale of the souvenirs and the entrance fees collected are donated to charity. 

PS: Photos will be uploaded later!

Cycling @ East Coast Park on Hari Raya Eve~!

We went on an impromptu cycling trip to East Coast Park (ECP) on Hari Raya. It had been at least 3 years since I last visited ECP.

Just an overall good time there but it was awfully packed with people!

For a start, please note that the map given by Nparks is a bit outdated. I had added a bit more details to help those who are going to cycle around ECP especially for folks coming from Marina Parade/Parkway. :)

Area A : This is the utmost west side of the map. 

There is currently ongoing constructions at the LEFT end of the cycling/running pathway. 

In short : DEAD END and CLOSED until further notice.

Area B : Where the big splash or utmost western shops should have been.

They are closed for renovation so no access to the food/toilet/cycling facilities near the Amber Garden underpass.

The Road Safety Community Park is open for people who want to have free fun/nostalgic feel. 

Area C : Where the old McDonald's and bowling area used to be.

They are closed for renovation so no access to Marina cove and Parkland Green.

Nearest food/cycling/ facilities from Parkway parade would be at the Raintree cove area. 

There is a BK and 24hr convenient store (Quick 7 if my memories didn't failed me) there. 

Please note Raintree cove only have toilets @ BK and there is 1 super long queue for the ladies. (2 cubicles only)

I didn't manage to find the Pitstop shop nor the public toilet through.

Area D : Where the East Coast Resort was previously known as.

A lot of people BBQ-ing so if you want free fragrance, you know where to head to :P

There is a multi tracks for cycling on the left side of the map so chose your route carefully to avoid getting a bit lost in the mini rainforest (althrough I doubt you will get lost in ECP).

Area E : Where the famous Seafood Centre and Hawker Centre are.

There is a mini slope for cyclists slightly before hitting the Hawker Centre.

VERY crowded on last weekend with a lot of traffic (cars/humans) coming toward this area.

For folks u want to try the motorised surfing, this is the place but that looks kinds boring to me.

Area F : A very beautiful garden on the left hand side of the map (Bougainvillea garden) that will  kill most of the people who are on leisure cycling :P

My recommendation is to actually pedal enough speed to go up the slope and enjoy the breeze while on wheeling down slope.

There is also a Xtreme skate park (nearer the Food area) for youngsters who wanted to try out there stun tskate/bike skills here. It is open to the public for free :)

Area G : Where the crowds starts to thin out.

This area is generally very flat and easily to cycle around. 

Please note that this is the last 2 public toilets before reaching the end of ECP. 

If you are venturing beyond ECP, I believe that you should do a pitstop here for the toilet before hitting the road.

Area H : The utmost east side of East coast park

I had specially marked a "W" mark here. 

There's a water cooler here (infront of the entrance to SAFRA club) for any water top up.

There's a narrow bridge toward Changi but not really suitable for cycling if your speed isn't fast enough.

Beyond the bridge is the normal pavement (not suitable if you want a smooth cycling) so you have to choose between cycling on the main road or staying on the walking pavement. 

Hope this update is good for people who want to do a general cycle in ECP!

Some Interesting Details to note (extracted from Npark):

• Total land size : 185-hectares
• Scenic coastline : >15 km
• Marine Cove is currently under redevelopment and is scheduled to be completed by 2016.
• East Coast Park Car Park C1 is closed for redevelopment works until September 2014. Please use the next nearest carparks: B2 and C2.
• ECP F1/Bayshore Underpass are undergoing improvement works which is scheduled to be completed by November 2015
• The bridge between East Coast Park Area A and Area B will be dismantled from 6pm, 23 July 2014 onwards. In its place, a new steel bridge will be installed and opened in late 2014. During the construction period, East Coast Park Area A will also be closed.
• Camping is only allowed in Area D and G at East Coast Park. Campers will need to apply for a camping permit via the AXS machine if you wish to camp in our parks. [LOL I saw a lot of tents that are beyond these 2 areas]. Alternatively : HERE
• BBQ is only allowed in designated BBQ pits. Please apply for a permit via the AXS machine if you wish to BBQ in our park. Alternatively : HERE

Victoria Theatre Concert Hall Open House

After more than 4.5years of major renovation, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall is FINALLY OPEN!

I was informed by a fellow art lover that there is a 2 day OPEN HOUSE via National Arts Council website link that she passed me to via WeChat.

After a tired Saturday (Bukit Gombak + Ford Factory), I decided to visit Victoria Hall after all.

There were some free performances available but the one that I looked most forward to, ended as a semi disappointment due to overwhelming crowds coming for the free performances. Heard from one of the usher that some of the crowds came as early as 1 1/2 hours for the free performances. But I did get to enjoy the free music outside the hall from the live TV display through.

By the way, all upcoming show and concert tickets for Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall can be purchase through Sistic.

Interesting facts about Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall:

• It was original Singapore's Town Hall and Victoria Memorial Hall that are built separately with a clock tower in the middle. Before the 2010 major renovation, most parts of the building are non air-conditioned.

• Since 1979, Victoria Concert Hall has also been the home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

• Locations: 
• Victoria Theatre, 9 Empress Place, Singapore 179555 
• Victoria Concert Hall, 11 Empress Place, Singapore 179558

• Access:
• Via nearest MRT : Raffless Place Walk in General direction from Fullerton Hotel and cross the bridge
• Via Bus : 75, 100, 107 (on weekdays; before 7pm), 130, 131,167

• Capacity:
• Theatre 
• 614-seat
• Concert Hall 
• 673-seat

PS: Photos will be uploaded later!

Live Tortoise and Turtle Museum @ Chinese Garden on Weekend~!

Despite the fact that I'm a Singaporean, I only know that there is a turtle/tortoise museum @ Chinese Garden 2 weeks ago from the internet. So I asked my brother and cousin along on a weekend day for something out of the norm despite that I am not a reptile lover myself.

For a start, please note that the Chinese Garden is currently run by JTB and not by Npark so you will not be able to find much needed information on the Chinese Garden. 

Read from the article that this is a private collector in Singapore who come to love turle and tortoise so he collects turtle/tortoise related items and keeps live turtle/tortoise as a hobby. Some of the turtles are actually rescued/abandon/surrendered by the previous owners. 

(Source : Map from Turtle/Tortoise Museum website)

Directions: From the Chinese Garden Mrt, walk the path that will lead you to the 7 storey pagoda. After passing the bridge and reaching the 7 storey pagoda, turn on your right and you will see 7 stone statues from different parts of China History. Further down the path will lead you to a mini lake within Chinese garden. Continue walking while keep right, until you reach the museum. 

The guide said it is a 5 mins walk from the MRT without stopping. For us, the leisure group, it took us 20mins slow walk while chatting and snapping photos along the way.

Understand from the staff that the animals are fed once a day towards 5.30pm and they really encourage you to try feeding some of the animals except for the alligator snapping tortotise and the turtles that are swimming in the tanks.

**There are originally rumors that the museum is closing down but after speaking to the staff, they told me that the owner managed to extend the contract for another 2 years.**

Beside the museum, I really encourage tourist to come early to enjoy the Chinese garden and Japanese garden. They are a pretty good getaway from the urban city. :)

Hope this update is good for people who want to do something different on a weekend in Jurong Chinese Gardens!

Some Interesting Details to note (extracted from JTB; Turtle/Tortoise Museum):

Total Chinese Garden land size : 13.5-hectares

Opening Hours of Chinese Garden : Daily 6am - 11pm 

Admission : Free

Opening Hours of Turtle/Tortoise Museum : Daily 9 am till 6 pm 

Admission: $5/adult (My apologies but I didn't jolt down the price for children under 12)

Contact Museum Tel: (+65) 6268 5363/6271 1846

Good and cheap food around Chinese Garden MRT:
Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre
347 Jurong East Avenue 1
Singapore 600347

Photos will be uploaded later...

Japanese Ceremtary Park