Monday, December 29, 2014

Happiness is simple

Often people think that happiness is fulfilled as what they're expected, but I say happiness comes from the unexpected things, little things that filled my heart!

Receiving a post card with hand written wishes is my happiness, I felt loved and really touched!


Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust



Friday, December 26, 2014

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Extension - Part 2

This is the part 2 of our Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Extension trip.

Follow this link for part 1!


After spending some time on bird watching, we walked to the Coastal boardwalk! By the time we reached there, it was low tide, so we could spot some fishes and tiny crabs easily! I'm glad that there were many logs around, good to have a little rest!


After resting to enjoy the sea view, we continued our trip on the boardwalk, spotted another bird nest structure, it's the Eagle Pod!


There are five pods around here! So we had to find all of them to complete our journey!


No one was there besides us that day, maybe because of the gloomy weather, so we enjoyed our moments watching the sea, the waves and shouted all we want!


And then the dark clouds came and chased us away from the sea! But I love the sea view that day! Artistic view!


Walking on the pebble Coastal Trail after the boardwalk!



Experience the sights of the nature reserve up close.


Learn more about the common mangrove tree species! "It is not easy to be a mangrove tree! Mangrove trees have to survive tidal flooding by salt water twice a day, in anaerobic soil that is poor in oxygen. They also have to deal with violent storms that hit the coasts."


Found another pod, it's the Kingfisher pod!


Right next to it is the fourth pod, the Mudskipper pod!


I really love these pods!!!


Followed our trail to the Mudflats!!! Crossed the balancing bridge to get up close with the muddy habitat.


During the low tide, we could spot mudskippers and living things under the mud just by standing on the mudflats. The mud stench was not so pleasant though!


Finally reached the last pod, it's the Dragonfly Pod!!! Mission completed!


We walked all the way to the old Sungei Buloh entrance! There's usually no taxis at this area, so we had to take a shuttle bus to the Kranji MRT station! It costs $3 per person and the last bus departs at 6:50 pm.



Sunday, December 21, 2014

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Extension - Part 1

We went to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve lately to visit the new 31-hectare extension that was opened on Dec 6 this year!

Click this link for our previous trip to Sungei Buloh in 2011.



We took a taxi to the Kranji Way Entrance, since we wanted to go straight to the new extension! On the way there, we passed by lots of farms and plantations! I tried to see if we can take bus there, but sad to say it's quite a remoted place, even though it's totally worth the visit!


The pretty entrance immediately perked up our mood, despite the gloomy weather that day!


As we walked towards the Visitor Centre, we spotted a grand display of big ponds and a huge road!


The Little Heron Deck located beside the Visitor Centre, serves as a lookout point over the sea and bird watching, but we didn't take that route, because I got attracted by the Junior Adventure Trail!


The Junior Adventure Trail includes prop roots and platforms just above the mud to experience how a crab or mudskipper living among the mangroves!


I tried hopping around the Step and Jump! Easy and fun!


Also did some stunts since I am an adult!


We didn't miss out the Pulley Boat! I first thought the boat would roll by itself once we got onto it! But of course not, haha, pull the rope to get moving back and forth!


The expected rain came and it's pouring cats and dogs! We rushed to the Mangrove Gallery to take shelter, while waiting for the rain to stop, we learned some facts about the mangroves of Singapore!


When the rain almost stopped, we continued our trip by walking on the Costal Trail! Had a serenity moment while looking out to the sea, for both of us!


Found the first Pod! It's Fantail Pod! I was excited to see the bird nest structure, it's actually one of the bird watching spots!


When we were walking half way up to the Fantail Pod, a very loud clap of thunder roared into our ears, followed by a lightning strike!!! We were quite afraid, so we rushed down and made sure there's no more thunder or lightning before walking up again. But the open roof top structure was still scary...


We walked past the Mid-canopy Walk, where visitors can immerse themselves in a forest through an elevated, 120m - long boardwalk, to spot birds and insects! But we decided to follow the red line route, so we didn't walk that route. Always have a map to know where you are heading to.



We walked to the Eagle Point boardwalk along our way. It's quite a pretty scenic view!


Spotted some birds! Finally...


To be continued...



Friday, December 12, 2014

Christmas on A Great Street 2014

We like to go to all the Christmas light-up destinations in Singapore for this season, so one of the places in our list is of course Christmas On The Great Street at Orchard road.


First Christmas tree just outside of Ion!


The pretty decorated streets!


We walked from one mall to another along Orchard road to spot more Christmas trees and different decorations! I love the reindeer theme at Paragon shopping mall!


At Tangs shopping mall, bursts of love!


When the night falls, the street was lifted up with colourful lights!!! We enjoyed the Christmas carol performance on the stage!


Part of Orchard Road was closed for that day! So everyone was just happily walking on the road to snap pictures of the light-up!


After having fun along the road closure, we continued to walk to Takashimaya to see the giant 3-storeys tall Christmas tree!


We walked all the way to Orchard Central mall with the Christmas dream land theme!!!


Lots of Unicorn and fairy displays!


Our last stop was at Centrepoint, which had a Paris theme decoration! Sweet floral and fluffy bear!


Have a wonderful holiday everyone!



Monday, December 08, 2014

Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay

Christmas season is here! No snow, no cold weather in Singapore, but I'm always excited to welcome this season! We went to the first Christmas light up at the Gardens By The Bay, it's Christmas Wonderland!


Spotted a big decorated Christmas tree at the entrance! Go merry, merry!!!


We walked to the Spalliera to see the crown of lights!


The Spalliera is a part of the sculptures that were newly created for this season!


Next to the Spalliera is the Festive Market!


There are 19 huts selling Luminaire souvenirs, crafts, gifts and vintage finds! It's fun to walk around all the huts and discover lots of eye catching items.


We were at the Isetan Christmas Village and had some Hokkaido soft ice-cream! It's super yummy and there was a buy 1 get 1 free deal that day!


There is a mini cupola with pretty lights, we were just standing there, among the crowd, enjoying the "12 Days of Choir". The moments were precious!


Continued strolling through the Supertree Grove and explored all the huts.


We caught the Garden Rhapsody performance by the Supertrees, dazzling lights dancing across the sky with merry music!!! Enchanting night!


Walked through the illuminated arches back to the entrance! Pretty Christmas tree lighted up brightly! We had a good time!