6 Benefits of Staycation in Singapore

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.

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Experience The Natural Wonders Of These 4 Local Farms

“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.

Image Credits: Bollywood Veggies via facebook.com

Location: 100 Neo Tiew Road, Singapore 719026
Website: bollywoodveggies.com.sg

#3: THE LIVE TURTLE AND TORTOISE MUSEUM

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.

Location: 705A E Coast Rd, Singapore 459062
Website: thesundownersg.com

Sources: 1 & 2

 

Read More...

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

Read More...

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

Read More...

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

Read More...