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 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 3 ) | Hatten Hotel

Gym at Holiday Inn Hotel Malacca

Swimming pool at Holiday Inn Malacca

Today is gym day for the adults and swim day for the kids. The children can't wait to dive into the pool. Comparing to Hatten hotel's pool, the water temperature here was so much better. The gym's location was great as it faced the pool and the Malacca Straits.

Having an exercise day makes our body feels good considering all the eating from the past few days hahaha.

After packing and checking out Holiday Inn, we drove over to Hatten hotel to check in for a night. As usual, the rooms were not ready, so we took a stroll to Jonker Street for late lunch. 

Famous chicken rice stall in Jonker Street

We had always wanted to try the famous chicken rice stall and had never done that from our previous trips as the queue was ridiculously long. But this time when we were there, there wasn't any queue. Thank God! (Ps : the queue started after we finished our meal)

Delicious chicken rice at Jonker Street

I must say this stall is really worth the queue. Although not much of presentation, the chicken was delicious. It was tender and juicy, the chicken rice balls were fragrant. The last time I tried another competitor, this is definitely better.

Chop Chung Wah Hainanese Chicken Rice

8 Lorong Hang Jebat, Melaka, Melaka 75500

Near Main Entrance of Jonker Street

Opens daily: 7.30am-5pm

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum

Exhibits and interactive musical instruments in the museum

After a great family lunch, we went to Cheng Ho Musuem. We learned so much about Cheng Ho and his achievments. Don't be deceived by the simple looking entrance, the two- storey building was huge and filled with lots of information.

Dessert time at Bikini Toppings

Delicious dessert at Bikini Toppings

After a nice historical education tour, we went to 'Bikini Toppings' to have dessert. The cendol coconut shake was delicious and cooling. We ordered cendol coconut shake, coconut jelly and waffles. It was so refreshing. If you are walking along Jonker area, please head to Bikini Toppings and be served by a lovely elderly couple.

Bikini Toppings

Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Malacca, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs: 10am-6pm, 

Fri & Sat: 10am-7pm and Sun: 9am-6pm

(Cooling coconut shake and coconut jelly)

St Paul's Church in Malacca

Red Square and Melaka River

Before heading back to the hotel we went for a walk along Melaka River, crossing over to Christchurch Melaka and up the hill to St Paul's Church, this area also known as The Stadthuys.

Hatten hotel room

After a nice walk, we went back to hotel for check in and had dinner at Wong Kok restaurant (basement of Dataran Pahlawan Megamall). Then we went to the cinema and watched Big Hero 6 (RM$8.00 per ticket). Very funny show, we totally enjoyed the show.

Ended the day feeling tired from all the walking. You may like to check out our Day 1, Day 2 or Day 4 of our trip too.