Thursday, 30 October 2014

3 Family Fun Activities | Singapore Labrador Nature Reserve | Labrador Park

Last weekend we had a wonderful family fun time exploring the nature of Labrador Nature Reserve. 

Entrance to a fun exploring activity at the Berlayer Creek
Entrance to Berlayer Creek

Labrador Park station next to Berlayer Creek
Labrador Park station 
Situated south of Singapore, you may be glad to know there is a Labrador Park mrt station just outside the entrance of Berlayer Creek. It was a relaxing 20mins stroll along the broad walk to the park.



A nice family walk at the Berlayer Creek
Broad walk at the Berlayer Creek

Low tide at the mangrove
Mangrove at the creek

A quiet lookout point along the Berlayer Creek in Singapore
Lookout point along the broad walk

Heart shape leave found along the creek
Heart shaped leave 


First family activity was to explore the Berlayer Creek. As it was low tide at about 5pm, there wasn't much water creatures to be seen, but it was nice to see the different shape of leaves on the trees. And this particular leaf caught our attention. Yup, it was a lovely heart shaped leave.






A re-created Dragon's Teeth Gate
Re-created Dragon's Teeth Gate





Walking along the promenade, many families were seen having a nice stroll just liked us. Not too long later, we came upon the re-created Dragon's Teeth Gate. It was formerly a gateway into the Keppel Harbour which was formed by two rocks. 

In the early days, it was a busy maritime gateway for the Asian and European sailors and traders to sail into Singapore.






Children having fun at the smaller playground
Small children's playground
Continuing towards the park, we saw a small playground for children to have fun. Although not big, it was sufficient for younger children to handle comparing to the bigger playground where bigger kids were playing.


Friends and families having a fantastic bonding time at Singapore Labrador Park
Family and friends bonding time

The park was also home to fishing enthusiasts as well as photographers. Family and friends were having fun bonding,while enjoying cans of beer and barbecue food.


Fun playground and maze for the children
Bigger playground and a maze 
As we approached our second activity, which was the bigger playground, the excited children ran towards it, leaving us behind. As the children were having fun at the playground which included a wooden maze, I decided to continue exploring other parts of the park.


Fun exploring Singapore war history
Coastal path 






That was how I came across the Coastal Path which was the third activity. It was well hidden by the trees of the nature park and well paved steps were created for easy exploring.



















An interesting relic of war in Singapore
Relic of Singapore war time

War history trail at Singapore Labrador Nature Reserve
War trail history at Labrador Park

Reaching the top of the hill, I saw a war history trail that brought me back to the relic of our war time. Although I had taken history classes during my school days, sad to say, I don't remember a single history lesson right now. Guess my history class was wasted hahaha. 

To enjoy learning during the history trail, please remember to bring mosquito patch or insect spray repellent to avoid being bitten by bugs, which happened to me! Come to think of it, I was behaving like a monkey!


Finishing the trail, I went back to join the kids. As the sun started to set, the kids knew it was time to leave the place. They were having so much fun and were so reluctant to leave the park. 

We had a fantastic family day out which ended with a beautiful sunset.


Beautiful sunset at Labrador Nature Reserve
Beautiful Sunset at the park





Thursday, 23 October 2014

Fun Things to Do At Army Museum Of Singapore | Family Day Out Exploring

Army Museum of Singapore is a place where it is always close to the heart for many Singapore men. Located beside the SAFTI Military Institute (SAFTI MI), this was where we could get all the information and history about our Singapore Army. 

Fun exploring day out at Singapore Army Museum
Entrance of Singapore Army Museum
After watching a touching movie of Dolphin Tale 2 at the Singapore Discovery Centre iWerks, we proceeded to take a guided bus tour of SAFTI MI.

For security reasons, photo taking was not allowed while on the tour. There wasn't much activities going on inside as the soldiers were preparing for their commissioning parade happening later that evening and we were on the last bus tour for the day. 19th October 2014 will be the soldiers' proudest moment of their life as it marked the day they become commissioned officers.

The well equipped training camp area was huge. It was interesting to understand the different levels of training the cadets go through to be an officer. At SAFTI MI, the cadets endure through 265 days of rigorous training before becoming an officer. 



A fun day at Army Museum of Singapore
Army Museum of Singapore 
After the bus tour, we headed towards the Army Museum of Singapore which was just opposite of Singapore Discovery Centre's Discovery Lake.

The museum is FREE entry for all Singapore citizens and PR. A small fee is applicable for non citizen.


Early days bunk area for the soldiers
Old bunk area in Pulau Tekong

Bunk bed mock up
Mock up of a soldier's bunk bed in the 1970s
After touring the camp, we continued our fun exploring the museum indoors. The first exhibit explains why and how Singapore decided to start the army conscription exercise in 1967. Then we came to an interesting room that showed our children how daddy survived the tough times when in army and the bed condition that he slept in.



The different types of rifles used by the Singapore Army
Different types of Rifles used
There were also displays of some rifles and the different types of uniforms used for different occasions.




A realistic 4D show at the Army Museum of Singapore
4D Show available at the museum
Moving on, we went to watch a 4D show. It was a realistic re-enactment of how the different vocations in army worked together to achieve success during mission time. 



Marksmanship training at the museum
Training to be a sharpshooter
Over at the Individual Marksmanship Trainer (IMT), you can try your hand at shooting electronic targets. Both the M-16 and SAR-21 is available for trying. "Firers, Watch Your Front!"




Fun play at Singapore Army Museum SOC mini course
Mini SOC (Standard Obstacle Course) for children 
Finally we proceeded to outside where a fun mini SOC (Standard Obstacle Course) awaits the excited children. 



A display of different types of decommissioned Singapore army vehicles
Different types of army vehicles 

Decommission Singapore army vehicles at the Army Museum
Display of various army vehicles 
Beside it, there were static displays of decommissioned military vehicles, which includes a Howitzer, old M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier and others.

As you can see, the place was not crowded at all. During school holidays the museum has various fun family activities going on, so do check their website for news when year end holiday arrives.


Singapore soldiers passing out parade
Passing out parade
It's heartening to see that Singapore has such a credible Army protecting our homeland. Our defence force had grown leaps and bounds from the very early days of independence. With great protection, we are able to have peaceful sleep every night.



Address : 520 Upper Jurong Road Singapore 638367

How to get there by train : SMRT (Alight at Joo Koon station - East West Line)

How to get there by car and bus : Directions






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