Coastal PlayGrove: Say Hello to the Newest Playground in East Coast

Looking for a recreational space where you can spend a day of endless fun? Search no further than the newest addition at East Coast Park! National Parks Board recently opened the family friendly Coastal PlayGrove. It is located at the Area B of the East Coast Park.

This recreational space may induce nostalgic memories as it was the former Big Splash site. The iconic Big Splash was redeveloped into the Coastal PlayGrove after it ceased its operations in 2016. Nowadays, we will be able to enjoy a 4.5-hectare recreation space with a Play Tower, a water play area, an outdoor classroom, as well as retail and dining offerings.

Let us breakdown Coastal PlayGrove’s interesting features. One of its main attractions is the 16m-high Play Tower. This impressive structure is hard to miss due to its massive size and its vibrant design. At its center is the Vertical Challenge. The Vertical Challenge is made up of climbing nets, which ascend from the base to the top of the building. Its dynamic design is a tribute to the coastal heritage of East Coast Park. Moreover, its vibrant colors are the same as the previous water slides. The Vertical Challenge is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 8am to 8pm. The slides are open daily, from 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm.

Image Credits: facebook.com/nparksbuzz

Next to the tower is a water play area. If your kids are looking for ways to cool down on a hot day, try playing at the water play area. This area consists of wading pools, which are connected by a stream with numerous water jets. What is more? These water jets vividly light up at night!

Here are some friendly reminders when playing in this area. It is suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years old. A toilet is located nearby to allow visitors to dry up and change out. Lastly, it follows the same schedule as the Vertical Challenge.

As you stroll further in the Coastal PlayGrove, you will be delighted with the Nature Playgarden. This playgarden allows guests to be immersed with the beauty of nature. It is divided into several themed sections to introduce kids to the different habitats. In all these sections, natural materials such as wood and sand were used. For instance, the first section lets the children explore the bamboo tunnel trail. The last section consists of a trail leading to a sand pit with planted native shrubs. You will be able to spot various fruits and flowers as well as animals such as butterflies and birds. Its biodiversity aims to ignite the curiosity of its guests.

Image Credits: facebook.com/nparksbuzz

Next to the Nature Playgarden is an Outdoor Classroom made for the preschoolers. It is equipped with chalkboard and log stools. Indulge in the coastal views as you learn with your child.

Aside from these interactive features, the Coastal PlayGrove has its own Event Lawn. Large events may not be permitted now, but this spacious Event Lawn can accommodate a whopping 5,000 people once the pandemic is over. Nonetheless, you can use this space by having a seaside picnic, a relaxing kite-flying session, or an exhilarating round of frisbee with your loved ones.

When visiting the Coastal PlayGrove, it is important to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and other safety protocols. With this newest addition to the East Coast Park, guests will be able to bask in the sun, immerse in nature’s beauty, and have a quality time with the whole family.

 

 

Address: East Coast Park, 902 E Coast Park Service Rd, Area B, Singapore 449874
Contact: www.nparks.gov.sg
Arrive by riding the bus (31, 36, 43, 47, 48, 134, 135, 196, 197, 401, 853M) or by driving your vehicle. There is a spacious car park with current charges of $0.60 per half hour. Bicycle bays are also available.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

 

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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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IATA says we might be able to travel leisurely after May or June 2021

SIA stewardess with a passenger

Are you hungry to travel? I sure am.

We’ve kept to several COVID-19 safety measures for about a year now, and it’s also officially been a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus outbreak a pandemic.

Singapore, alongside other countries, has fought hard to keep the numbers down, and we’re thankful that vaccine supplies are sufficient in our little red dot at the moment.

Furthermore, there’s good news from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently.

Return of personal travel

According to Alexandre de Juniac, the IATA director, in an interview with The Straits Times, leisure travel will return from mid-2021 as borders reopen to people looking to hop on a plane to a destination.

“We will likely start seeing a change in the air travel landscape after May or June this year,” Mr de Juniac said. “We at IATA are already working with states to design and plan protocols and road maps for the reopening of borders.”

Though the volume of travel by the end of 2021 will not be on par with pre-pandemic levels (which makes perfect sense), isn’t it fantastic news for peeps who are looking forward to meeting their friends and families living abroad?

IATA’s Travel Pass
iata-digital-travel-pass

Image Credits: NFCW

But we won’t be able to make our dreams come true without key protocols in place.

One of them is the IATA Travel Pass. It is a mobile health verification app that electronically stores information on passengers’ health and virus tests or vaccines status. This is essential as we take steps to revive travel.

In fact, Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to test out the full deployment of the IATA Travel Pass. Passengers heading to London with a phone operating on iOS later this month will have the chance to partake in the trial.

Travellers will be able to use the app to:

  • Submit flight information
  • Book a COVID-19 test at participating clinics in Singapore
  • View the test results directly and allow check-in staff at Changi Airport to verify their status accordingly

“Our partnership with Singapore Airlines for the first full deployment of the IATA Travel Pass will help get the world flying again,” said Mr Nick Careen from the industry body.

Leisure vs Business

Some of you might be wondering if business travel will take priority over leisure ones. But Mr de Juniac foresees that personal travel will come back more quickly than business travel.

He shares that leisure journeys will definitely bounce back, but business travel will take up to 18 months to recover.

Since more companies have hopped onto digitalisation technologies over the pandemic period to adapt to changing times, there is indeed a lesser need for in-person work meetings.

What’s next?

For those eyeing travel-related news, look out for the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao)’s latest protocols on health and safety guidelines. It should be out by April 2021.

Also, based on Mr de Juniac’s prediction of Asia-Pacific emerging as the most robust region for global air traffic recovery, that’s enough to bring a smile to the faces of travel-deprived folks.

Watch the news report here:

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Add these 6 lovely bookstores to your travel-later plans

Lovely bookstores worldwide cover image

As Stephen King rightly quotes, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”

Books are famous for having a unique spell that draws us in and keeps us hooked. Book lovers everywhere can fall in love with a story from the first page and spend days captivated by the world they’ve been drawn into and the stories the authors are creating.

Bookstores themselves have also become portals to our access, creating a location where you can disappear into the racks with your favourite book and enjoy that little safe space you’ve made.

If that resonates with you, you must check out these stunning bookstores worldwide for some ideas on your next getaway when travel resumes.

#1: Seoul Book Bogo, South Korea

This former warehouse is now home to one of the largest collections of books and used books in Seoul. The symmetrical space features curved bookshelves and beautiful open-air spaces with racks that stretch up high to the ceilings.

Each and every book here is unique, from independent publishers to personal collections donated by celebrities, bestsellers, and more. And yes, it’s one of the filming locations for the famous drama, Hotel Del Luna.

#2: Book and Bed, Japan

 

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Book and Bed makes the phrase ‘curl up with a good book’ more realistic than ever. This “accommodation bookshop” lets you read and buy books that you love and welcomes you to stay in the hostel if you would like.

The fusion bookstore and hostel offer you over 1,700 books to choose from in both Japanese and English. Can’t read Japanese? Fret not as there are specific genres in English translations available as well.

Beds are placed directly behind bookshelves, so you can simply reach out to grab a book and read yourself to sleep.

#3: Yangzhou Zhongshuge, China

 

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Plunge into a world of literary magic by visiting Yangzhou Zhongshuge, an underground tunnel-like room with reflective surfaces and curved structures to create an endless mirrored space that almost looks like still water.

The Chinese bookstore features mood lighting, starry twinkling lights, and a designated children’s space with colourful walls. Even if you don’t like to read, this place makes an excellent location for the gram or TikTok.

#4: Livraria Lello, Portugal

This grand and ornate bookstore stands out immediately as a beautiful work of old architecture and literary sanctuary.

Tucked into a city on the coast of Portugal, this neo-gothic masterpiece boasts a stained-glass ceiling, elaborated wood carvings, and ladders to the highest bookshelves. It fits in perfectly with the cobblestone streets and medieval atmosphere of the larger Porto neighbourhood surrounding it.

Oh right, did you know that this bookstore was even rumoured to be an inspiration for Harry Potter for J.K. Rowling? Rowling treaded Livraria Lello when she lived in the city in the 1990s.

#5: El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Argentina

 

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El Ateneo Grand Splendid was formerly a beautiful performing arts theatre in the heyday of Argentinian performing arts!

Later a cinema, the elegant bookstore still has its original frescoed ceiling, theatre boxes and balconies, red stage curtains, and even the same elaborate decorations and carvings from the past.

As you grab your next great read, allow someone to serenade you live on the piano. Sip a cuppa or waltz through the splendid space for an experience you will remember for a long time to come.

#6: Shakespeare & Company, France

 

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Known for hosting famous writers and readers for about seventy years, Shakespeare & Company in France is a must-visit, picturesque bookstore on every book lover’s list. To be specific, it’s sited right in the heart of Paris.

Go beyond the whimsical green walls, and you will time travel to a display of some of the world’s most famous collections of books. From Voltaire to Ernest Hemingway, this bookstore has kept pieces of literary history alive within its walls since the 1950s.

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Quirky accommodations worldwide to add to your travel bucket list

Dog Bark Park Inn B&B, United States

Are you ready to enjoy a fun and memorable vacation? Are you bold and prepared for an adventure a little off the beaten path?

Well, not quite yet with the ongoing pandemic. Staycations will do for now, but there’s nothing wrong with looking forward to “vaccine passports”. We’ve searched the globe looking for some of the most interesting, weird, and just plain quirky accommodations around the world.

Let’s venture forward right away!

#1: Dog Bark Park Inn B&B, United States

Dog Bark Park Inn B&B cover image

Price: from S$170+/night

Idaho might not be on your radar as a vacation destination. Still, this American state boasts beautiful mountain landscapes and tranquil recreation areas – not to mention some of the best potatoes on earth.

This is all nice enough, but Idaho also happens to host one of the unique hotels out there: the Dog Bark Park Inn B&B. The Airbnb accommodation is situated on the edge of Cottonwood.

If you have ever dreamt of living with a giant beagle, this is the right holiday space for you. This Airbnb offers guests two bedrooms, one bathroom, a balcony with a view, and a friendly wag.

#2: SiloStay, New Zealand

SiloStay, New Zealand

Price: from S$220+/night

Next up, we have this special accommodation in the shape of a silo. Do you know what a silo is? It is a structure used in agriculture to store grain or fermented feed.

SiloStay is sited in Little River, near Christchurch, New Zealand. It is built with green technology and eco-friendly systems throughout the location and conveniently located a short walk from the Little River Rail Trail. You’re just a stone’s throw away to an art gallery and a local cafe.

Guests will be housed in rooms that come with a kitchenette, electric blankets, and satellite television. SiloStay is a unique place for travellers to unwind after a long day of enjoying all that Christchurch offers.

#3: Huilo Huilo Montaña Mágica Lodge, Chile

Huilo Huilo Montaña Mágica Lodge, Chile

Price: from S$240+/night

The South American nation is home to the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, a natural wonderland in the heart of the forest. There, visitors can stay at the Huilo Huilo Montaña Mágica Lodge. 

Unlike an ordinary vacation space, the Montaña Mágica Lodge is built to blend in with the landscape. Shaped like a mountain and covered in natural vegetation, this lodge is absolutely distinctive.

While it may look like part of the wilderness and shabby outside, don’t judge the book by its cover. The accommodation features a spa & wellness centre and an indoor pool. By booking a stay here, you can chill out in your cosy room and enjoy soothing garden views with daily breakfast.

#4: V8 Hotel Classic Motorworld Region Stuttgart, Germany

V8 Hotel Classic Motorworld Region Stuttgart, Germany

Price: from S$250+/night

If an escape to the forest isn’t for you, perhaps this particular listing in Germany is more appealing. The hotel sits right in Böblingen, a town of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. You will be within a 30-minute drive to Stuttgart.

Boasting some of Germany’s sophisticated cultural attractions such as ballet and opera, Stuttgart hosts some of the top sights, including the Mercedes Benz Museum and Porsche Museum.

There’s no more attractive place for car lovers to stay in Böblingen than the V8 Hotel Classic Motorworld. This 4-star hotel is a masterwork of Bauhaus design and features an automotive theme. Guests can sleep in beds made from classic cars and enjoy uniquely themed rooms. 

If you can’t afford to drive in luxury, sleep in it.

#5: Dasparkhotel, Austria

 

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Price: from S$440+/night

Dasparkhotel is a unique new hotel venture just a 15-minute drive from Linz. You may wish to pack light as the Dasparkhotel is quite minimalist in design. Guests will stay in cosy, barrel-shaped rooms that were previously used as sewage pipes.

It is furnished with a mattress, storage, a lamp, and a power outlet for your devices. Travellers wishing to see the River Danube up close and personal won’t be disappointed when staying at the Dasparkhotel Ottensheim. That’s because the rooms face out to a creek flowing into River Danube.

It’s hard to imagine a weirder place to stay than in a recycled drainpipe! But we’re not yet done with our list.

#6: The Caves, Jamaica

The Caves, Jamaica

Price: from S$900+/night

Have you taken a vacation to the Caribbeans? Jamaica is one of the finest countries in this beautiful region, and we’re saving the best for the last. The setting at The Caves is uniquely close to the ocean and a perfect retreat for couples.

Unwind in your private cottage, wander down to the resort’s bar made from two limestone caves, or relax and soak in their cliffside hot tub. Take the stairs down to the water and enjoy the magnificent view of the ocean, or take a walk to Seven Mile Beach to swim and watch the sunset.

Or you can also enjoy a round of golf at the nearby Negril Hills Golf Club or head to the Kool Running Waterpark just a 15-minute drive away. There’s no better way to enjoy Jamaica than The Caves.

Final Thoughts

We can’t travel at the moment, but travel will resume someday.

The next time you’re planning your holiday, consider staying at one of these weird but refreshing accommodations. Chain hotels and resorts can be comfortable, but memories made at these quirky and unique locations will last you a lifetime!

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