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.

Singapore Maritime Gallery | All Aboard For A Fun Day Out

A Day Out At Singapore Maritime Gallery

Singapore port made out of Lego bricks

We can't believe that we had not visited this fun interactive gallery till now. Singapore Maritime Gallery was officially opened on 12 September 2012 and it occupies Marina South Pier 2nd floor. A magnificent view of our harbour can be viewed on the 3rd floor playground too.

Sad to say we had very little clue about our Singapore port development. Boy, were we glad to find lots of information in this gallery. We were impressed with the set up of the gallery and the vast information available.

In our opinion, there were 8 main core zones.

A Fun Interactive Connectivity Table 

Zone 1 : The Sea In Our Lives

An 'Interactive Connectivity Table' allows us to understand how our daily needs like rice, oil and medical supplies and many more, were met through daily shipment from other countries. We learnt also how Singapore facilitates the shipment and how Singapore's growth is important to other countries.

Journey of our Singapore Maritime Port

Zone 2 : A Cruise Through History

Over here we could discover Singapore's maritime development from a fishing village in the early days into a major port today.

A 20-foot container at the gallery

An interactive ship model

Zone 3 : Interactive Ship Model 

Walking through a 20-foot container brought us to this interactive display that showed the different processes ships go through at our Singapore port and the many variety of occupations involved in the maritime industry.

Fun experience as a Captain at Ship Bridge Simulator

Zone 4 : Ship Bridge Simulator

This is the one of the most fun activity. We got to act as a captain for the day and experience how to steer different vessels of ship. It was surprisingly realistic, with all 5 screens showing you exactly what you'll see as a captain on the bridge. We realised it wasn't that easy to steer a ship.

Interesting system to understand 

Zone 5 : Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS)

Another fun activity to check out. Here you get a first hand feel of how it feels like being a naval traffic controller on Singapore's sea. That's a huge responsibility given the large amount of sea traffic we have in our waters. 

Different kind of oil rigs built in Singapore

Ice Breaker display at the gallery

Zone 6 : Mega Structures of Oil Rig

This is an interesting section where we could see many different vessels of ships, oil Rigs, and many more.

Different methods of tying knots

Zone 7 : Bends & Hitches

This area highlighted the different methods of tying knots, commonly used on the naval vessels.

A fantastic harbour view at the relaxing area for  families

'Fun At Sea' Children's corner 

Zone 8 : 'Fun At Sea' Children's Corner

This room with a fantastic view of the harbour, was filled with fun activities available for children and families. 

Small but fun children's playground on 3rd floor of Marina South Pier

Singapore Marina South Pier

Singapore Marina Bay Cruise Centre

Not forgetting on the 3rd floor above the gallery, there was a small playground. Although it was small, the view was magnificent. It was quite therapeutic sitting there and enjoying the breeze. In a distance, we could see Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Interestingly the cruise centre structure was like a cruise ship which could be mistaken as a real cruise ship actually.

Although it was not a huge gallery, we had so much fun learning and playing as a family with the exhibits available. It was a great way to have family bonding time.

Currently the Singapore Maritime Gallery can be reached by taking the MRT to Marina Bay station and take bus no.402 to Marina South Pier, and also via car or taxi. Look forward to the extension of North-South line to Marina South Pier station which is just next to the Marina South Pier. How convenient it is going to be with Singapore's well connected MRT lines.

Address : Singapore Maritime Gallery 

Marina South Pier

31 Marina Coastal Drive

Singapore 018988

Opening Hours : Tuesday - Sunday (9.00am - 5.30pm)

Closed on Monday (except public holidays)

Admission is FREE