This year’s sembreak is by far the most memorable one because we spent it in Singapore. It’s memorable because this is the first time we’ve been back in the City in a Garden as a family of four. Though I was back here last year for work, the last time I was here with my family, I didn’t even know I was pregnant with lil’ Mr. JG!
Since this is a first for our family, allow me to indulge on the different things that we did during our vacation in Singapore. So let me start by sharing with you all the places we’ve visited and activities my kids truly enjoyed doing.
RIVER SAFARI
River Safari is a river-themed zoo and aquarium that’s over 12,000 hectares. It’s nestled between the famous Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. Our visit was extra special because Gabbie and Juro were able to spend their Halloween here, and lucky for us, there was a Halloween themed event, which made it really fun!
First time for my kids to see a crocodile just few feet away from them.
River Safari had stations where different monsters and aliens give out treats.
It’s also their first time to trick or treat in a zoo. Gabbie dressed as a cutie cat while Juro preferred to dress as a Storm Trooper (he wasn’t able to wear his mask though because he had such a hard time seeing and talking heehee).
Safari Boo, a Merry-Not-Scary Kids Event filled with cute “monsters and aliens”. It was such an entertaining show that even kids-at-heart had fun watching.
Different kinds of animals paraded and one of which is my favorite bird–owl.
Aside from trick or treating, they were also able to watch the mermaid show up-close. Mermaid performers swam alongside friendly sea creatures inside a tank. No tricks here, just a purely magical treat, especially for the kids!
What a fun first Halloween event away from home.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE
No Singapore trip with your family or friends is complete without visiting Universal Studios Singapore! This world-class theme park is the first Hollywood movie theme park in Southeast Asia. Did you know that 18 out of the 24 movie-themed rides here were designed just for the Singapore park? Such a good reason to never miss out on USS while you’re in Singapore!
We’re back in USS and this time we’re a family of four!
Battlestar Galactica Human vs Cylon rollercoaster are two of my favourites rides–next to Transformers. Though I wasn’t able to experience it during our visit, it took me back to the time I didn’t know I was pregnant with my son, still I had fun riding it!
Sesame Street show according to my son was one of his favourites! He’s such a fan that he was starstruck seeing Elmo and Cookie Monster come up to our aisle waving ‘hi’ to everyone.
We chanced upon Woody Woodpecker on our way out. We’ll definitely be back to try the other rides, hopefully when lil’ Mr. JG is big enough to ride most of the attraction.
MOSH at Kidz City
MOSH is an interactive digital multi-media theme park and the first of its kind in Singapore. It’s a futuristic edutainment park that uses advanced, special tools and cutting-edge technology from Japan. Literally brining your child’s imagination to life, instantly!
All set to get creative in this digital world!
The Doodle Aquarium transfers your child’s doodle into a digital artwork.
That’s lil’ Mr. JG’s cute lil’ fishy. Swimming in the doodle aquarium which is a full-sized wall for everyone to see. First time for this guy to see his artwork come to life. He was so happy to see his fish swim around the room. So cool!
CABLE CAR
The Singapore Cable Car is an aerial link from Mount Faber on the main island of Singapore to the resort island of Sentosa.
My kids aren’t afraid of heights so they were so thrilled to see the gorgeous view of the two islands.
One side you see the main island of Singapore
On the other side you see Sentosa island.
First time for this guy to see the world (that is Singapore) around him. The look on his eyes was priceless!
My mini me all smiles as she sees Singapore again, this time with a better memory (last time she was here she was just a year old).
Riding the cable car was relaxing. Seeing the City in a Garden was such a refreshing sight–the fusion of concrete skyscrapers and lush greens is proof that modernisation and nature can harmoniously work together.
BELLE OF HAPPINESS
The century old Bell of Happiness is conveniently located at Faber Peak right when you get off the cable car.
First time for these two to make a wish and ring this century old bell of happiness.
We all want to be happy! So if you’re in Singapore, make sure to drop by Faber Peak so you can make a wish and ring the bell of happiness.
Crossing our fingers our wishes come true!
SINGAPORE FLYER
Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel with a height of 165m. It’s one of the world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel and one of Asia’s biggest tourist attractions. It promises more than just a view, but a panorama that captures Marina Bay’s skyline with a glimpse of neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia.
The 360 degree view of Singapore was breathtaking! Another first for my kids–riding Singapore Flyer–seeing Singapore well lit at night. So much familiarity with the best places to see in Singapore, that they were able to pin point what’s what–Marina Bay Sands and Gardens By The Bay to name two.
First time to see beautiful main Singapore island lit up.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
The National Gallery used to be two national monuments: former Supreme Court and City Hall. It’s a new visual arts institution which oversees the largest public collection of modern art in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Though I fear my kids would get bored at the National Gallery I was surprised they find it fascinating.
From the moment we arrived–they were amazed at how lovely the building is– they immediately behaved like young adults–using indoor voice, walking slowly and just looking at pieces that caught their eyes.
Beautifully restored, The National Gallery in Singapore is almost Instagrammable at every corner.
There’s a library section where guests can pick a book to read and enjoy.
The National Gallery has good light it’s almost impossible to resist not taking tons of photos.
Since The National Gallery used to be a Supreme Court, there’s also a holding cell where those in trial are brought prior to getting their verdict. This is as close as I get to being locked up. Heehee.
Fascinating how the entire building was preserved over the years. I couldn’t help but admire the hallways. Kinda matches my #OOTD don’t you think? 🙂
Delighted to be surrounded by works of two great Filipino artists of the late 19th century–Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo and Juan Luna.
Art appreciation.Our family’s first. Enthralled by the beauty of Forest Fire, a painting by Indonesian artist Raden Saleh. My daughter appreciated the painting’s intricate details while my son anchored on the emotions it presented. I love how our trip to The National Gallery made me know my kids more and how they see things differently.
KEPPEL LEARNING CENTER
When you visit the gallery with your kids, don’t forget to visit the Keppel Learning Centre for Art Education at Level 1 of the City Hall. It’s got different exhibits and interactive areas for kids to unleash their imagination and creativity. Definitely a good place to learn art and appreciate it.
Voyage installation by Twardzik Ching Chor Leng is a large scale puzzle maze which you’ll find at the entrance of Keppel Learning Centre.
The Project Gallery is a space where kids can create their future, literally. Imagine what it’s like to have a flying bus, an elevated or underground house.
Kids are given kits that they can build to their hearts desire. 
There’s also an area where they can create whatever masterpiece they can think of using scrap materials. 
First for this little guy to create his very own monster made of recycled materials. 
Look at my monster mom! He can eat all the garbage in the world so there won’t be anything left!
And his work is displayed! Hashtag proud mom. Heehee.
While they kids run around, here I was appreciating more art. 
Artist Sandra Lee created Art Playscape. An area inside Keppel that looks like a story book pop-up. So colourful and visually enticing, not only did my kids enjoyed it, so did I.
That look on his face gave away how much he had fun during his first gallery visit.
GARDENS BY THE BAY
Gardens By The Bay has 12 attractions suitable for everyone, young and old. We went for the Cloud Forest, OCBC Skyway and the Flower Dome.
Cloud Forest has falls that are just breathtaking.
Stalagmites displayed in the middle of the Cloud Forest for everyone to appreciate.
The magnificent view from atop the Cloud Forest.
We also got a glimpse of Marina Bay Sands from inside Cloud Forest.
Our visit at Gardens By The Bay was a fun first for everyone.
Flower Dome at night is beautiful.
Captured this father & son candid moment.
Our first and only selfie during our trip! He wanted me to take our photo inside the Conservatory Flower Dome because he said it’s as beautiful as me. Awwwww man am I lucky or am I lucky to be the mom of this boy? 🙂
Supertree Grove was a fascinating sight to see!
We were also able to watch the light show that night.
We ended our Gardens By The Bay visit by strolling along the OCBC Skyway. At a height of 22 metres and surrounded by panoramic vistas of the Gardens and Marina Bay skyline, this 128-metre-long aerial walkway is an experience not to be missed.
KIDSSTOP™
KidsSTOP™ is an edutainment centre suitable for preschoolers to low primary schoolers. The 3,000 square meters space has various thematic zones all offering learning while playing.
One of the fun things we did is to try the Typhoon Stimulator–definitely another family first. Since typhoons are very common in the Philippines, we all hopped inside the tube and experienced what it felt like to be in the middle of a typhoon. It was fun at first but when the intensity of the wind became strong, it was scary!
We chanced upon KidsSTOP™ mascot herself, Belle!
My kids being an archeologist for a few minutes. The joy of unveiling dinosaur bones was the highlight of their KidsSTOP™ visit.
MARVEL AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
MARVEL AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training And Tactical Intelligence Operative Network) Exhibit is at running until May 2017 at The Annexe, Science Centre. It’s all about The Avengers. A training ground fro recruits who have what it takes to be an Avenger. OMG. The moment my son saw the poster, he screamed in excitement! He loves the Avengers and has boxes of toys filled with Avenger characters.
The exhibit showcases the costumes and interactive activities that kids and even adults can try–to test if you have the skills to become an Avengers.
At the end of the exhibit we even got to defend the city and become the Avengers and defeat Ultron. It was pretty awesome!
Our first trip back to Singapore as a family of four was definitely one for the books. We managed to visit different tourists attractions that both adults and kids enjoyed. Watch the video I made to see how fun it was to visit Singapore during our children’s sembreak. 🙂
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