Singapore's Fire Stations!

Visit any number of Singapore's Fire Station's of a Saturday morning and treat your kids to the sights and sounds of a real live Fire Brigade!

This is an activity we have been meaning to do for a while but one thing or another got in the way until last Saturday.  It is quite exciting for little boys in particular, but I have to say our soon to be two year old daughter was in her element too.  Overmore, all Daddy's I saw were getting a real kick out of it, and just quietly some of the firemen are... lets say 'easy on the eye'....  making it a fun family day out with something for everyone!

The Central Fire Station is on the Corner of Hill Street and Coleman Street and is probably the most obvious choice for those new to this activity.  They are very organised and several guides are on hand to give visitors a little bit of context and help them better understand the workings of the Station and the Brigade.  I noticed our Guide was working very hard to recruit for the Brigade but there were unfortunately no takers from the assortment of parents, grandparents and children in our batch.. better luck next week uncle!

I can't speak for the other stations but the central station really is a stereo typical Fire Station.  Complete with huge oversized red doors and 3 storey polls for firemen to slide quickly to their truck in the case of a fire!  It provided for some awesome family photographs and memorable moments.  Hands down, our favourite moment was watching the firemen demonstrate the time honoured art of 'poll sliding'.  Without giving too much away it seems Singapore's Firemen have developed a special sliding technique!

The kids are also able to try their hand at high pressure water guns and climb around inside the fire trucks and emergency vehicles.  I stand to be corrected but were this Australia I'm pretty sure there would be loads of supervision and clearly marked 'no-go' zones... fabulously in Singapore it was pretty much free reign for the kids to explore.... hats off to the Singapore Fire Brigade for being relaxed and welcoming!









Getting there
Take the bus - there are LOADS of buses which will drop you right outside (Hill Street) ... too many for me to name.
The City Hall MRT is within easy walking distance.  Exit on North Bridge Road and follow it north to Coleman street.  Turn Right... easy!
Parking is available in the area (there are several parking lots on Hill street)

Remember
Saturday MORNINGs only.  The Stations are open from 9am til about 11am so don't leave your run too late.

Make a day of it!
Our plan next time is to take a picnic breakfast to the Fort Canning Park and head to the station thereafter.
OR if you are done with the station and rearing for more - check out the nearby Singapore Philatelic Museum (I'll save you googling... STAMPS!).  Stamps are not my bag but I'm told it is a really great set up and kids LOVE it.  Another day another post... stay tuned!

Lets go fly a kite... Marina Barrage

If you are looking for a late afternoon activity this weekend you might consider a visit to the Marina Barrage!

The Marina Barrage is built across the mouth of the Marina where it basically functions as a levy... keeping freshwater in and salt water out.  The structure of the building is quite unique... kind of a spiralling lawn roof which flattens at the top and provides for excellent kite flying conditions and exceptional views back across the Marina.

Getting there... by car you need to take Exit 17a off the ECP heading toward vivo city and then follow the signs.  If you are coming from a different direction please reference the website here.
If you are looking to take public transport there is a regular shuttle.  You need to get the MRT to Marina Bay Station... Take exit A and walk (about 2 minutes) to the shuttle bus pick-up point (I understand this is marked).  Please check here for shuttle schedule.

Start with the Sustainability Gallery on level 2.  Miss May really enjoyed this although clearly had no idea what it was all about.  The brochure described it as a "sensory extravaganza" which is actually pretty accurate!  The lights and sounds are very intriguing for little ones and for the bigger ones (namely my fact-loving husband) there is lots of information to take in.  BUT... when Miss May said "DONE, DONE, DONE" Daddy tore himself away from the 3D display of a water pump (!!) and we moved on.

I suggest you then take the stairs or the escalator to the top floor.  You will be greeted with a very wholesome scene indeed.  Loads of people, primarily youth, taking in the views and enjoying their weekend AND WOW so many kites.  If you do not have a kite of your own they are available for purchase in the downstairs gift shop, or simply cop a spot on the lawn and take advantage of everyone else's hard work!  

When you're ready, walk the parameter of the lawn and then down via the spiral lawn, to the water park on the ground level!  Although a bit tired and a concrete jungle, the water park is good value and a great way to cool off.

When it's time for chow... you'll find a steamboat restaurant on the ground floor and a gallery cafe on the 2nd floor!  I can't personally recommend either of these establishments as I have never eaten there but I can say they seem to have great views of the ocean side of the barrage and therefore lots of ships and boats to keep little ones amused.

We are creatures of habit and tend to jump the car back to the Marina Bay Sands for a nibble at Southcoast where Miss May can muck around on her scooter while we have a sneaky wine!

Our day at The Marina Barrage was nice but here are a few things to be aware of before you go...

• Is Singapore: is HOT!  We went on an overcast afternoon, so it was fine but beware of sunny days as there is absolutely NO shade on the roof!  That said the water play area offered parcial shade which is great!  
• Have a bit of an idea where you are going... it is a little confusing due to all the construction taking place in the area at present.
• Beware of kids in electric wheelchairs!  I kid you not those electric scooters, reserved for the elderly in other parts of the world, are available for rent!  Kids were zooming around the ground floor having a great time but lets face it... they are kids... they dont have licenses and anyway they should be walking.... or is it just me that thinks this way?

Oh well, each to their own... HAVE FUN!

Buddha's Birthday - Vesak Day!!

In Singapore diversity is celebrated!  Within the permanent population, ethnic Chinese account for some 74%, Malay 13% and Indian just under 10%.  Each ethnic group have traditions and days of cultural significance so it follows that the nations public holiday's are set accordingly.  Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya to name the big three!  As guests in Singapore we have enjoyed the opportunity to join ALL the celebrations!

This weekend the Buddhist community in Singapore and throughout Asia are celebrating Vesak Day.  Vesak Day talks to the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Gautama Buddha  on who's teachings Buddhism is founded.  I guess for children is it a little easier to talk about birthdays than achieving 'Nirvana' so we are happily referring to it as 'Buddha's birthday' in our household!

We are planning a trip to the Buddha Tooth Relic and Museum in Chinatown where I understand we will get some insight into the more traditional aspects of this auspicious day... but for the time being we thought a birthday cake was in order!

In the case you are a baker and interested in my choice of recipe.. it is a layered coconut cake from the Flour Bakery & Cafe cookbook... and it is easy and yummy Lah!!!
 
Thanks for your help Miss May...

NB.  Apologies for my enso (the sacred symbol of Zen Buddhism) - I know Zen Buddism is generally not practised in Singapore, or South East Asia for that matter!  It was a last minute inclusion with the help of shredded coconut and a little bit of yellow food colouring! Pow!!!

1/2 day itineraries, out and about in Singapore with Little Kids

#2: Bikes at East Coast Park

Wanting to run the kids ragged for a couple of hours?  Look no further than East Coast park!

We like to arrive early and park near The Polliwogs indoor play centre which is right near the Burger King (map).

Hire a bike from the multitude of such bike hire establishments (about $20 for 2 hrs from memory) and head EAST toward the Hawkers markets.

Stop along the way: and let the little ones watch the wakeboarding at the Cable Ski Park for a while.

Then onto the Food Centre and find your favourite local specialty for breakfast!

If you have good bikes you can continue right up to Changi Airport and picnic beside terminal 1!!!  Ok this does sound a little bizar BUT kids LOVE watching the aeroplanes take of and land and there is much conversation to be had about where, in the world, all those people are going!!!

Brussel Sprouts play equipment

Alternatively, perhaps if you arrive later in the day you can opt to ride WEST and grab a beer at Brussel Sprouts where the management have graciously provided play equipment for the kids!

The beach is reasonably clean, and the sand is prime for some family sandcastle competitions while you watch the amazing assortment of boats out to sea directly in front of you!






We love to visit the East Coast Park but here are a couple of things to keep in mind..
- Much of the parking is along the road so remember to take your popper-streetparking-ticket thingy's
- Is Singapore, is hot!
- The hire bikes are hard work - there are no gears on the carriage/tandom style (see photo) which we typically hire and these in particular can be a lot of effort for limited return (return = speed!)
- The weekends are really crowded with campers, bikers, roller-peeps etc... embrase chaos!!!
- The Polliwogs fee for entry (check your website for details) will make you want to make the most of your time there... if dont have a good hr or so, give it a skip and make the trip especially on another occasion!

gaga for maps!

My husband LOVES maps because they are factual, informative and complex.  I LOVE maps because they often have just the right shade of turquoise and make my living room look fabulous!

So in searching out the best map for our family my husband consulted national geographic and I naturally turned to etsy...

Check out some the great stuff I found.  I hope it inspires you to go gaga for maps like us!!!

Source: bellemaison23.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: amazon.com via Kate on Pinterest

 

Source: etsy.com via Kate on Pinterest

Introduction

Last week I (re-)commenced life as a stay at home mum!  I did take time off when Miss May arrived nearly 2 years ago and it was a very special time without question, but it was a merry-go-round of feeding, sleeping and …. poo!  By18 months Miss May was so full of energy and enthusiasm and every day I cursed myself for not being able to better balance the demands of work and home… in essence I failed to make room for both and as a result both suffered.  So Hubby and I agreed I would resign and spend 2012 at home with Miss May, making a mess and exploring Singapore!

I came across the term “Third-Culture Kids’ through a friend of my Husband who is an Australian teacher living and working in China – his youngest, who speaks fluent Chinese and has lived in China her entire life, apparently thinks she is Chinese… or at least seems to prefer the idea of being Chinese over being Australian.  All this is of course very cute coming from a blond 4 yr old!  

As I’m sure many parents who have moved their families overseas will attest, there are wonderful benefits to bringing up kids overseas.   Potential language opportunities, increased family unity, cultural acceptance and awareness to name a few.  However, what I was initially surprised to hear about are the potential feeling of displacement that Third-Culture Kids can battle later in life.  In particular that when it comes to moving home a Third-Culture kid is likely to feel a sense of loss, can struggle to fit (back) into life at home, and will likely miss their host country, where they spent their key formative years and formulated their special brand of self!  Indeed there are experts who have dedicated their professional careers to research and awareness of these issues.

Our daughter “Miss May” came to us through adoption, and I feel some characteristics shared by Third-Culture Kids may not be too dissimilar to concerns I already harbored for her as an adoptee and this has strengthened my resolve.  So I hereby dedicate this blog to the following ambitions for my daughter in the coming year and beyond.

1.      To learn about the global community we are part of here in Singapore and beyond through experiential, hands-on, fun activities
2.      To establish strong relationships with our family and friends back in Australia with the help of technology, story telling and art activities.
3.      To make new friends and learn from other parents who might share their own ideas…  (yes that is an invitation!)
4.      To strengthen the bond between the members of our little family with laughter and shared experience!

So I hope you will follow our journey and look forward to hearing from you soon!