Family Fun Day Out to Navy Musuem of Singapore

Republic of Singapore Navy

Navy Museum of Singapore is a place for the young generation to learn more about our navy's progress over the years and be up close to some interesting equipment found on board the ship. 

Located at Tanah Merah Coast Road, besides the SAF Yacht Club, this museum is pretty quiet on a weekend. We were told the museum usually has more group visitors from schools and other visiting navy friends from other countries when their ships are docked in Changi Naval Base.

As the museum is now located within the gated compound of the Changi Naval Base, you will need to park your vehicle at the pass office, change to a visitor pass, and a friendly uniformed personnel will come and escort you to the museum. Make you feel like VIP. 

Naval equipments in the early days

The museum is nicely spread over 3 levels. On the 1st level, it displayed some ship equipments used in the Navy during the early years. There was a working 10-inch Signalling Lantern (which was used for communicating via morse code) from RSS Mercury that was quite interesting as we did not get to see this before.

Video screening at the museum

There was a theatrette showing Navy life, songs that all Navy boys know and snippets of training on board ships.

Single Barrel 40mm/L70 Bofors

Single Barrel Oerlikon 20mm

On the second floor, we got to hands-on pretend firing at simulated targets with a decommissioned anti-aircraft gun which could rotate 180° and the gun turret which could be raised or lowered . It was so cool, got us entertained for a while.

Submarine at the Navy Museum of Singapore

Submarine mock up and diving suit

There was also a mock up submarine periscope for us to try.

Frigate simulator at the museum

Being a frigate commander and steering your vessel to the target point. One of the interactive games on level 2.

Naval assistance provided

On the 3rd level, it shows the many friendships that our Navy has forged through the years. It also highlights milestone events that the Navy was involved in, some to strengthen friendships between our countries, some to provide urgent assistance to people in need.

Gifts from different countries

Over the years, Singapore Navy has received many beautiful and interesting ceremonial gifts as they visited different Ports of Call throughout the world.

At the back of the museum, the outdoor exhibits shows some of the naval artillery found on board our Navy ships.  

Navy Museum of Singapore 

Naval artillery 

Naval guns at Navy Museum Singapore

It's really amazing to see how much our Naval force has progressed through the years. A lot of planning and effort has been put in to lead our Singapore Armed Forces to where we are today.

With that ending thought, another fun family outing has been done at the far end of our eastern shores.

Resorts World Sentosa S.E.A Aquarium | Safra Family Day Out 2014

This year SAFRA did a great job organising their yearly 'SAFRA Family Day Out'. It was held at the renowned Resorts World Sentosa  S.E.A Aquarium.

Entrance of The Maritime Experiential Museum and S.E.A Aquarium

Many fun games and activities booths

Free snacks for the family at the event

The collection area was held at the outdoor auditorium of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) Hard Rock Hotel. It was a pretty hot day and queues were forming fast for all the different fun activities booths. There were many fun family activities like 'Balloon Sculpting', 'Round Them Up', 'Temporary Tattoo' and many more. There were stage activities for families to participate too. FREE cotton candy, popcorn, Swensens ice-cream and sandwiches were provided as well.

After collecting the goodie bags and playing some games, we headed towards the S.E.A Aquarium.

Different kinds of goods traded

Upon entering, we were greeted by 'The Maritime Experiential Museum'. Over here we could learn the different regions and cultures that were prominent during the early days of maritime trade.

After walking through the museum, we went down to B1 towards S.E.A Aquarium. The children were starting to get more excited. It was a beautiful sight with so many different species of fishes, crabs, jellyfishes, rays and many more.

Shipwreck Habitat at RWS S.E.A Aquarium

There were mainly 7 zones namely the 'Shipwreck Habitat', 'Discovery Touch Pool', 'Ocean Journey', 'Ocean Gallery', 'Ocean Dome', 'Moray Eel' and 'Shark Sea'.

Shark Sea at S.E.A Aquarium

Santa Claus and Elf appearances underwater 

At this point, we heard a sudden screaming from the children. Oh no! Something happened? That's when we saw Santa Claus and elf gliding past us as we were walking along the Shark Sea exhibit.

Beautiful dolphin swimming underwater

It was really a sight to behold, when we saw the friendly dolphins swimming carefreely up-close through the viewing panels at the Dolphin Island exhibit. They looked so relaxed and happy. 

Commanding King Lobsters

Mesmerizing Moon Jellyfishes

Prickly Sea Urchins

We also saw king lobsters, different types of jellyfishes, sea urchins. Just some of the many marine life exhibits located throughout the aquarium and it was really interesting to read up on all the new information available.

Magnificent Ocean Gallery in S.E.A Aquarium

Different species of rays

More species of rays

The children were getting more and more excited as we were slowly approaching the 'Ocean Gallery'. Finally we got to rest our feet as the children sat amazed in front of the world's largest viewing panel, having fun looking and taking photographs of leopard sharks, goliath groupers, a squadron of magnificent manta rays and many more.

Just before exiting the aquarium, we went to the 'Tyhoon Theatre' to experience what it feels like on a ship caught in a raging storm.

Zheng He's Bao Chuan (Treasure ship)

We were in time for the Bao Chuan show, which gave us an insight into some of Admiral Zheng He's exciting voyages many centuries ago.

We must say, it was quite an impressive aquarium to visit. With so many things to see and do, the whole family will be kept happily occupied for hours.

Currently the aqauarium is having Merry Fishmas theme from 17th Nov 2014 - 4 Jan 2015. There are activities like 'The Great Christmas Trail', 'Sharing Sessions By Aquarists', 'Santa Claus and Elf Appearances' and 'Ocean Dreams, Christmas Edition'. Do check out for the availability here.

Resorts World Sentosa Singapore
8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Tel : (65) 6577 8888
Operating Hours : 10am - 7pm

4D3N Malacca Self Drive Holiday Trip 2014 ( Day 4 ) | Hatten Hotel

East & West Rendezvous in Malacca

Today was the last day of our trip. Before checking out, we had a quick breakfast buffet in the hotel and went to East & West Rendezvous to buy nonya dumplings. The dumplings were moist and delicious. We were told that the blue colour was made from a flower called bunga telang (butterfly pea).

Cooling cendol from East & West Rendevous

At the same time we ordered cendol. It was so much better then Jonker 88. The gula melaka and ingredients were much more.

East & West Rendezvous

60, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka

016-634 6283 (Grace Tan) 

Coordinates: 2.195405, 102.248892

(Great for their nonya dumplings and cendol)

Padang Kemunting Turtle Sanctuary

After checking out of hotel, we headed for a short day trip to the Padang Kemunting Turtle Sanctuary. Our suggestion is to go only during the turtle hatching season from April - September, where you may be lucky enough to help send the young turtles back into the ocean from the beach. 

Final stop was some last minute shopping at AEON (Ayer Keroh) and lunch.

By late afternoon, we started our journey back to Singapore. Stop at our usual place 'Machap' for toilet break and continued back home. Just before reaching the customs, we had KFC and satay dinner and pumped our petrol.

It was a nice family fun road trip with our friends. We had lots of fun and laughter along the way. Although we did not complete some of the food trail that we had noted down, we still managed to sample some yummy food along the way.

 Till the next fun family holiday trip.

Goodbye Malacca

Check out our day 1, day 2 and day 3 here too.

4D3N Malacca Self Drive Holiday Trip 2014 ( Day 1 ) | Holiday Inn

It was a fantastic family holiday trip this year end school holidays. This time we had another family joining us and we had so much fun together.

We departed Singapore in 2 cars at 7am. There was no queue at Tuas customs. After clearing customs we started the drive accompanied by beautiful weather which was nice and cooling in the morning. 

Breakfast stop before reaching Malacca

Nice breakfast selection 

Cafeteria at Machap stop

About 8.30am, we arrived at the halfway point call 'Machap' rather then the popular 'Yong Peng'. We preferred this stop as it was not so crowded and there was a 'Kaya Kopitiam' selling nice breakfast. There was the usual cafeteria and a small playground too.

After breakfast and toilet break, we continued our journey. We reached Malacca town about 11am. Usually we will stay at Hatten hotel  but this time round we were trying out Holiday Inn for 2 nights and the last night at Hatten hotel. Holiday Inn is not far from the main shopping area but in our opinion is not that convenient as there wasn't any traffic light near the hotel to cross over to Mahkota Parade shopping mall. 

Holiday Inn Melaka

As we were early for check in, the rooms were not ready so we took the hotel shuttle van and head over to Jonker street to have dim sum brunch. We were out of luck as the 'Low Yong Moh' coffeshop was closed for the day.

Low Yong Moh Restauarant 

32 Jalan Tukang Emas

75200 Melaka 

Operating hours : 5am till 1pm (Closed on Tuesday)

GPS Coordinate: N2 11.819 E102 14.859

(Served delicious bun and dim sum)

Mamee Museum and restaurant at Jonker Street

So we continued on to our next plan which was the 'Mamee Museum' for lunch.

Yummy cup noodles made by the children

'Mamee Musuem' is situated along Jonker Street and was not difficult to spot. Before lunch we headed upstairs to attend a short 'noodle doodle' workshop. Here you can personalise your very own cup noddles containers. The children had so much fun beautifying their own cup noodle boxes and choosing their own ingredients.

Mamee restaurant along Malacca Jonker Street

Nice family lunch at Mamee restaurant

After the creative workshop, we went downstairs to the restaurant to have a late lunch. The menu consisted of mamee noodles cooked in different variations.

Jonker 88 Cendol 

After lunch we continued exploring Jonker Street. Came across the 'famous' Jonker 88 cendol. Went in and order 2 bowls to share. The cendol was nothing special. The ingredients were basic and the gula melaka was too little. Don't bother to queue up for the cendol here.

Jonker 88

Jalan Hang Jebat and Jalan Laksamana

Situated along Jonker Street

Holiday Inn Interior

With a very satisfied tummy, we did some light shopping along Jonker Street, before heading back to the pick-up point to take the hotel shuttle van back. Upon entering our spacious hotel rooms, we were greeted by a beautiful view of the Straits of Malacca.

Sake Sushi at Dataran Pahlawan Megamall

We rested a while before heading out to Dataran Pahlawan Megamall for dinner at Sakae Sushi, as we still had a valid membership card with some expiring points that we wanted to use.

After dinner we walked back to hotel to have a good rest for tomorrow's activities.

4D3N Malacca Self Drive Holiday Trip 2014 ( Day 2 ) | Holiday Inn

Second day in Malacca. We started the day with a nice buffet breakfast in the hotel.

After breakfast, rested a while, we headed out to Melaka Wonderland. The weather was good to us. It wasn't as hot as the past few trips we came. As it was a weekday, the park wasn't crowded, so it was really enjoyable. We had so much fun on the rides like Tornado Chaser, Wave Rider, Crazy Slide and many more. 

Fun day out at Melaka Wonderland Theme Park & Resort

Fun at Adventure Island 

Tornado Chaser at Melaka Wonderland

Kamikaze Race at Melaka Wonderland

Big Wave Pool at Melaka Wonderland

It was difficult to get the children to bathe and leave the fun Wonderland. Finally after 4 hours we left the water themed park and drove to AEON (Bandaraya Melaka) to start our shopping. 

We had late lunch at A&W. Root beer float and curly fries was a must when eating here. 

Afters hours of shopping at AEON, we had dinner at 'Row-Six' restaurant. Had the Assam Laksa and it was quite nice, spicy and sour to my liking.

Just by spending half a day at the water park, we can't really do much of other activities since shopping was part of the itinerary too. This ended our 2nd day in Malacca.

You may like to check out our Day 1, Day 3 and Day 4 of our Malacca trip here too.