Just when you think you’ve seen all the sights and sounds that Singapore has to offer, think again! Aside from the good food and drinks, shopping centers, and the nightlife, there’s always more ways to have fun while in the Lion City.
Here are a few cool things you can try right now:
1. Drone Racing
Drones are more than just for capturing fancy aerial shots – you can race them too! There are specialized racing drones to fulfil your long-time fantasies of flying a plane while being safely on the ground.
Unlike an actual plane, you can customize your drone with different parts, such as remote controllers, speed controllers, motors, propellers, and even special cases.
You can even join a drone flying meet-up to see what it’s like to fly one of them, or compete in a friendly match of whose drone flies the fastest.
2. 3D Printing
Who’s to say 3D printing is just for serious science? The possibilities of this tech are endless –from making your own toys, mock-ups, missing parts that you’ve been meaning to replace, to even works of art. Scanning services are available for those who want to convert object into 3D models before printing.
For as low as a hundred dollars a day, you can rent your own 3D printing machine. There are even free beginners’ classes to help you get started on how to use it.
3. Rock Climbing Pong
If you’re into stupid fun, then rock climbing pong is the sport for you. A game of virtual ping pong is projected onto a rock climbing wall that tracks you as you try to hit the virtual ball.
The Augmented Climbing Wall takes projected graphics and body tracking software to make interactive games that are more fun to play, and is suitable for all ages and skill levels.
4. Perfume Making
Feeling sweaty? Refresh yourself and make your own bespoke fragrance based on your personality.
Je t’aime Perfume uses oil extract from the Singaporean hybrid orchid, as well as over 400 top-quality ingredients flown from around the world used in high-end perfume making. Their workshop is located at the sleepy Goodman Art Center, the old campuses of LaSalle and SOTA.
When moving abroad, it’s easy to assume that life will be better in your new home. However, as many serial expats can attest, all places have their own ups and downs – expenditures, weather, the environment, or even the culture of the people who both work and live there.
For those expats who need to make a decision about moving to the Lion City, here is a list of helpful tips made just for you:
Living and Transportation
There are many options for living, since more high-rise buildings are sprouting all over Singapore. However, because land and space are rare, rent is high especially in areas that are closer to the city center, as well as other good neighborhoods. Landed homes are just as expensive, if not more. Good deals might be in reach for expats willing to wait a while to get to the city center.
However, living far from the party shouldn’t be a cause for worry. Most Singaporeans don’t own cars because the convenience of owning them costs a fortune. They instead opt for the MRT or taxis, both of which are cheaper. This makes getting around in Singapore much easier, with more train lines expected to be built sometime within the next decade.
Weather
Dress lightly: compared to other colder tourist destinations, Singapore is consistently humid year round. Since the country is close to the equator, this means that temperatures can be from 22 degrees to 35 degrees Celsius. Haze from bush fires from neighboring Indonesia, usually Sumatra Island, can be experienced between July and October.
Instead of observing daylight saving time, its time zone adds an extra hour (GMT +8) for the typical zone for its geographical location.
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen – just in case.
Culture
Adjusting to any place’s culture will always take time. This is especially so if you’re seriously considering moving to Singapore, as Singaporeans use gesture and tone to communicate their feelings, rather than words. They would rather suggest than say something outright.
Silence is an important part of communication in Singapore. Quietness among Singaporeans is usually seen as shyness or being reserved, rather than being rude. When answering questions, pause for a moment as if you were considering the question.
As many citizens are of Chinese descent, there is a distinct emphasis on respecting elders, often called “uncle” or “auntie” despite them being strangers. Silence among them is considered a form of respect.
And of course, laws are strict, especially on littering.
The colors of Christmas are finally coming together as the end of the year feels like the end of a painting. With the last stroke filling in the last touches, the painting of your year 2017 is almost finished. Throughout the colors of Singapore, you’ll find the evolution from an urban paradise, into a festive one. Colors come out from every corner of Singapore from Shangri La all the way to Clarke Quay. Even Chinatown is adding in green to their theme of red all throughout. Everyone is starting to celebrate Christmas!
The hard part for some of us is that when Christmas comes, we are still expected to work. The pay may be bigger, but maybe you had a different picture in mind on how to spend your Christmas. Well, one of the first things you need to think about is not where to spend your Christmas but rather with who. Making plans to spend your Christmas with your family and your friends should definitely be your first priority in comparison to what to do.
There are many beautiful places during Christmas like Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza’s Christmas City taking you to a whole new Singapore in general as it transforms into this Christmas themed plaza. But wait, let’s not get carried away, there are so many more things to Christmas than the place. Another big thing that makes up Christmas is gifts. The pressure usually takes place some time around November when we realize that December is definitely fast approaching and we haven’t even picked decided who to give gifts to and not just what to give them. There are so many things expected of us during Christmas and giving the best gifts ever is definitely one of them. Another thing that may add to the pressure is when you are incharge of Dinner or maybe even cooking. What are you to do? Sit back, relax, and remember, Christmas is a time to smile.
Christmas isn’t a time to break your back over the pressures and expectations this holiday puts on your shoulders. Christmas is a time to look back and be thankful for all that has happened this year. Christmas is a time to motivate yourself once again for the upcoming year. But most important of all, Christmas is a time to smile. A smile can be so powerful that it can actually dictate your mood! On Christmas, everybody deserves to smile. After all, what’s there to frown about? Throw a smile into the world, you’ll see what the world has to give in return, on Christmas day.
This is the time of year when the underworld gates are breached by souls allowing them to wander in the human world. Taoists and Buddhists call this Hungry Ghost Festival. The festival is is observed by Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.
The Taoists call this festival Zhong Yuan Zie while the Buddhists call this Yu Lan Pen. The festival is observed during the 7th month of the Chinese calendar (August 28, 2015 to be exact). They believe that spirits, ghosts and ancestors come up to visit.
Even if we do not observe Hungry Ghost Festival, the sounds and sights are captivating enough.
When the months hit “ber”, that means Christmas is coming. Here in Singapore, as early as September, Christmas preparations are underway. This goes to show that Singaporeans love the holiday season. Who would not love Christmas? The sparks and colours are treasured by children. The festivities and gatherings are prized by adults. Christmas is indeed a celebration for all.
For this Christmas, what are your plans as a family? You may decide to stay at home and cook good meals. You can also decide to visit your relatives outside of Singapore and spend the Christmas there. Families have their own Christmas tradition but it would be great to spend it now at the Gardens by the Bay. Gardens divulged their plans for Christmas.
Sounds interesting, right? If you hear activities or showcases sponsored by Gardens by the Bay, you should expect no less than perfection. Gardens by the Bay will introduce Christmas Wonderland. Here are some things that you need to know about it:
This will be enough. For sure your Christmas will never be the same. The good thing is that the admission is free. You can invite your relatives abroad so they too can witness its grandeur.
