Locals Singapore

28/10/2024

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sisters-islands-marine-park-reopens-visitors-can-hike-a-coastal-trail-and-see-corals-up-close

The spruced up island is located about a 30-min boat ride from the mainland. Read more at straitstimes.com.

01/08/2024

Having breakfast and watching the world go by at this charming little coffeeshop right after the Ubin jetty. Melah Cafe has been around since 1973, started by Pak Ali Bin Montail, the deputy headman of Pulau Ubin, and his wife. Now in the hands of the second generation, they serve some of the tastiest Malay food like mee rebus and mee siam. But our absolute favorite? Their lontong! The rice cakes float in a light vegetable coconut curry and crumble perfectly in your mouth, unlike the usual plasticky ones. Because it takes a lot of effort to prepare, they only serve it on Sundays, so be sure to come early to get some!

22/07/2024

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/water-lilies-sunken-garden-to-greet-visitors-when-japanese-chinese-gardens-reopen-in-september

The features incorporate feedback from over 14,000 suggestions gathered through public consultations. Read more at straitstimes.com.

28/06/2024

As we witness the sun setting behind the Johor-Singapore Causeway, we reflect on a significant milestone: today marks 100 years since the Causeway was officially opened on June 28, 1924. Initially inaugurated for railway goods traffic on September 17, 1923, it was opened to vehicular traffic the following year on this day. The Causeway replaced the ferries that once transported passengers and goods across the Johor Straits and established a crucial direct rail connection from Singapore through Malaysia to Bangkok, Thailand.

Today, over 300,000 people cross the Causeway daily, making it one of the busiest land border crossings in the world. If you're interested in experiencing this historic overland route, join us for our next JB exploration!

01/06/2024

Katong laksa is a variation of laksa found in Singapore. Consisting of thick rice noodles in a spicy soup made from prawn stock, coconut milk and rempah(spice paste). It is then topped with prawns and fish cake. A bit of chilli sambal and a touch of laksa leaves(daun kesum) completes the dish.

We headed to Katong to taste the laksa from 2 stalls which have their roots in the original Katong laksa - Janggut Laksa Square and Katong Laksa (George's). Our verdict? We prefer George's Laksa as the soup was more robust and the fine prawn grains enhanced the soup texture.

Let us know your preference in the comment box below!

14/05/2024

The Small Muji Exhibition currently at Muji Plaza Singapura features miniature artwork using Muji items. These 16 artworks by photographer Tatsuya Tanaka depict everyday life, including iconic Singapore landmarks. How many of these can you identify? The exhibition is open from now until June 26, head down to see for yourself!

08/05/2024

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/shell-sells-singapore-assets-at-pulau-bukom-jurong-island-after-strategic-review?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1qs-KZS6UO-0Oa4sPigbKHKNgzkvSvymCxOAvnv7jGEFgoqJ8Fl14tUlg_aem_ARKRFJCrLA_-Tu6oD9EbQsYaturjmpcrkpvVt5GdApk2RQLhAYWps6Wpneuu4yYorZpU9Sqc09aO3F3MZ3jZaR0s

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Read more at straitstimes.com.

25/04/2024

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/critically-endangered-raffles-banded-langur-eco-linkbke-spotted-first-time-nparks-desmond-lee-4291126?cid=FBcna&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2g_8NnpcS-Cu538zky19zHhxph3zWotm9nihY8fLQYPIfOAVoj2Ib-T-0_aem_AR13vRIGbkuIniFuJfrn_9ntvAPrj6LCSPs9HhQK94Y6Tse2qTSmWSHPM2Jayg7K0VKRTimo2TuII4dWqPapCjn8

The sighting of a Raffles' Banded Langur on the Eco-Link@BKE suggests the monkeys - known to only reside in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve - may be expanding their habitat to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

22/04/2024

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/telok-blangah-hill-park-trails-closure-2026-slope-failure-nparks-4282181

SINGAPORE: Certain sections of the trails at Telok Blangah Hill Park will be closed to visitors over the next two years for repair works. This was caused by heavy and prolonged rain on Feb 28, 2023, which resulted in a slope failure at the park’s elevated Forest Walk, said the National Parks Bo

14/04/2024

Beautiful moment of a couple posing, with the ornated townhouses as backdrop. These houses follow the Rococo style where almost every inch of the facade is covered with ornamentation in a layered, “wedding cake” style. Together with the vibrant colours, it's no wonder these houses along Koon Seng Road are so instagrammable.

01/04/2024

On a warm morning, we headed to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, oblivious to the surprises awaiting us. Little did we know, the Main Bridge, long closed, had quietly reopened as a lookout platform. As the morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of mangroves, the air was suffused with a sense of serenity.

But tranquility swiftly gave way to tension when we caught sight of a king cobra stealthily slithering through the undergrowth, its massive frame hinting at a length of possibly 3 metres. Moving amongst the labyrinthine mangrove roots, it meticulously scoured tree hollows in search of its morning meal.

Just as the tension peaked, another player entered the scene - a reticulated python, concealed in a hole by a mud mound. But fate has its ways, and the king circled to the opposite side of the mound, presenting the python with an opportunity. With lightning speed, the python seized the moment, making a daring dash for the safety of the water's edge.

In a heartbeat, the king cobra sprang into action, giving chase with astonishing agility. But despite its efforts, the python eluded capture, disappearing beneath the surface of the water. A heart-pounding moment, reminiscent of scenes from a National Geographic documentary!

01/03/2024

Joining the crowd at the atrium of Toa Payoh town centre, our US guest looked up her Chinese zodiac sign and learnt about her fortune this year.

The Chinese zodiac is a system of 12 animal signs, each representing a year in a repeating 12-year cycle. These 12 animals are in order; the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal has its own unique personality traits and fortune predictions.

What does the year of the dragon holds for you? Join us in our local neighbourhood tour and discover for yourself.

15/02/2024

A dramatic day with driver going MIA and sudden rain. Matters got worst when our US guest left behind his beloved camo hat on the taxi. A 30-year-old hat that holds cherished memories. Thanks to the driver who drove all the way from Queensway to Gardens By The Bay to return the hat. Look at that smile on the guest!

01/02/2024

Fried Hokkien prawn noodles, locally known as Hokkien mee, is a dish of yellow noodles fried in a rich prawn and pork stock, served with sambal belacan and lime on the side. There are 2 versions - dry and wet. This portion of dry Hokkien mee comes with fresh decent size prawns, squids and bits of scrambled egg. The real star is the noodle, infused with the flavourful stock and with a slight smoky flavour. Mmmm ...

15/01/2024

Enjoying some lovely weather as we make our way up to Macritchie Treetop Walk. The view of Upper Peirce Reservoir and the northern parts of Singapore was clear. We even had the pleasure of watching a sneaky long-tailed macaque pull off a snack heist on an unsuspecting family. These clever macaques associate plastic bags as food, so remember, no munching or carrying plastic bags around them!

31/12/2023

When venturing into the outskirts of Singapore, keep an eye out for the lively pasar malam, which translates to "night market" in Malay. These markets, commonly seen in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore, pop up in residential neighborhoods at night. In Singapore, you'll find them in open spaces near town centres or MRT stations. Due to their roving nature, staying in one spot for just 1-2 weeks before moving on, you'd be lucky to spot one. It's like a treasure hunt!

Pasar malams are the ultimate spots for local street snacks like sweet corn, herbal eggs, muah chee, pisang goreng, Ramly burger, otah, and even cotton candy. But wait, there's more! Get ready for mini-carnival games, from dart-throwing to air rifle shooting, where you can score some nifty prizes. And if you're in the mood for some impromptu shopping, you might just find clothes and household items that catch your eye.

With its vibrant atmosphere, it's a place to soak in the lively energy and enjoy a bit of "look see, look see" time. So, keep your eyes peeled for this moving feast of delights and entertainment!

15/12/2023

We recently visited Singaporean visual artist Yip Yew Chong's I Paint My Singapore exhibition. The exhibition showcases a 60-metre long canvas painting of his impression of Singapore in the 1970s and 1980s. It is currently held at Raffles City Convention Centre from 30 Nov 2023 to 01 Jan 2024. We had a wonderful time travelling back in time with snippets of scenes, trades or buildings that no longer exist, in danger of disappearing or given a new lease of life in other forms.

How many can you identify with?

01/12/2023

Whenever we pass by this house on the CTE (Central Expressway), the distinctive roof never fail to intrigue. With elaborate curves and flashy colours, the roof has an uncanny Gaudi-style. Antoni Gaudi, the Catalan architect, created such works as Casa Batllo, Casa Mila and Park Guell. Though we ain't certain if the roof is Gaudi-inspired, it is nevertheless a breath of fresh air in an otherwise concrete jungle.