Over the span of one and a half month, we went to 5 different nature attractions of Singapore namely Pulau Ubin, Singapore Botanical Garden, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Fort Canning Park.
At the attractions, we were able to experience and learnt about the importance of Mother Nature. They also provide one with a beautiful and tranquil environment to relax and escape from one's hectic lifestyle.
This project allows us to find out about places previously unknown to us and learn more about our country. It also taught us the significance of teamwork as each one of us had to contribute to the project either in the form of research or writing the blog entry.
Isaac: Great job! Sums up everything we have done and what we ca do more in the near future!
Ann Gie : My favourite is Singapore Botanical Garden
Vicky : I love Fort Canning. So clean and nice.
Silvia : Of Course, I went to clean up the place before I brought you guys there. (Just kidding)
Wanshi: For me, I prefer Pulau Ubin :)
Siyi: Bukit Timah has the best view, I can never forget that Quarry!
Before we end, here are some nature attractions we did not go to and the upcoming attractions of Singapore.
Upcoming attractions
Marine Life Park
Location: Resorts World at Sentosa
With 700,000 fishes in 20 million gallons of water, Marine Life Park is set to be the world's largest oceanarium. This attraction in Resorts World at Sentosa has research and education fundamentals so as to educate and enhance the importance of the oceans to the public. There will also be a showcase for ocean science education, research and stewardship.
In the Park, chances will be given to the public to admire dolphins up close. They can also dive with or feed menacing Tiger sharks. A wading pool allows children and adults to venture in shallow water for intimate interaction with reef fishes and serves as an introduction to the wonderful but depleting coral reefs in the oceans. Another highlight would be the whale-shark exhibition in the park.
The park has an innovative design, many engaging programmes and great skills in animal care. The beautiful-landscaped Marine Life Park will provide rich entertainment and education for visitors.
Target Completion: 2010.
Isaac: This would be open together with Universal Studios, definately won't be cheap but it is worth the money.
Ann Gie: I cant wait for it to open so that i can see a real life shark!
Vicky: We can still go together even though the project have ended!
Silvia: Yeah ! I love dolphins. :D
Wanshi: I doubt the entry ticket would be cheap!
Siyi: We can save a dollar every day!
Gardens by the Bay
Location: Marina Bay
Gardens by the Bay represents National Parks' vision of creating a City in a Garden. It will capture the significance of Singapore as the premier tropical Garden City with an excellent environment in which to live, work and help make Singapore a leading global city of the 21st century. A well-spread garden ambience and quality living environment will be put in place. It will complement and complete the necklace of attractions that have been planned for around Marina Bay.
Through plant-based edutainment, science and art displays of plants, garden craftsmanship and floral artistry, Gardens by the Bay will bring out the garden in our Garden City. Ultimately, Gardens by the Bay will help develop the lifestyles and recreational activities of Singaporeans and tourists alike through high-end educational and entertainment opportunities and a supportive green infrastructure.
The 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay site is made up of Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central across the mouth of the Singapore River.
Target Completion: Phase 1 of the Gardens is scheduled to open in the year 2011.
Isaac: This would be rather, a hybrid eco-nature and arts-culture place.
Vicky: Wow, another high end ecotourism attraction.
Wanshi: I think this might be be another ideal place for wedding photos :D
Siyi: It's going to be a must-go for tourists in the future.
River Safari
Location : Mandai
It will be created out of the 89- hectare compound of the Zoo and Night Safari and contain animals from the 2 attractions. Some things to look forward to are boat rides, freshwater habitat and new species previously unseen in Singapore like panda.
The aim is to increase the public awareness of freshwater habitat and water wildlife.
Target Completion: 2011
Ann Gie : The cute pandas will be located here.
Silvia: Pandas are cute, but not their eyes!
Wanshi: With this attraction , we could get closer to the wild animals like CROCODILES!
Siyi: I'm part of their family, I have Panda eyes: (
Isaac: Bamboo yum yum!
Existing Attractions
Butterfly Garden & Insect Kingdom
Location: Sentosa's Imbiah Lookout
Details: There are 1,500 live butterflies from over 50 species to flutter around you as you enjoy the cool outdoor atmosphere.
The Live Pupae house allows you to watch the blossoming of new life and being able to admire up to 3,000 species of the world's most beautiful and rare insects. Among them is the largest Dynastes Hercules Beetle ever recorded.
Opening Time: 9.30am - 6.30pm daily (Last entry: 6.15pm)
Admisssion: Adult- SGD 16, Children- SGD 10
Vicky: I want to go. I love butterflies!
Silvia: We were supposed to go there instead of Fort Canning but the entrance fee is quite expensive.
Isaac: Not as bad as Night Safari I guess?
Labrador Park
Location: Along Labrador Villa Road off Pasir Panjang Road
The Park is a pleasant of nature to wonder about. The park offers a beautiful view of the sea. You can climb up Staircase built on the edge of the secondary forest will see the cliff side vegetation. There is a variety of bird species in the park, including the Oriental Magpie-robin and Black-naped Oriole. Squirrels can be spotted while taking a stroll along the park. The popular things in the park are the World War II Memorial Plaque, Look-out points and Jogging paths.
Opening Time: 24 hours, park is lit from 7.00 pm to 12.00 am
Admission: Free
Silvia: That mean we can go there anytime we want? Sound fun!
Siyi: I went before: D
Isaac: A great spot for fishing! History monuments are also inside, much learning of the place can be done.
Hay Dairies
Location: No.3 Lim Chu Kang Agrotech Park Lane 4, Singapore 718859
Hay Dairies produces fresh goat's milk for sale. The farm also welcome visitors on Group tours or family outings. There you can see how goats are taken care of and the process of making goats' milk. Feeding of goats is allowed with the purchase of the given food. Goats' milk can also be bought there or ordered for home delivery.
Opening Time: 9am to 4pm
Admission : Free
Silvia: Personally, I prefer cow's milk to goat's milk.
Siyi: Goat's milk has a bad smell, I went to the farm once: D
Isaac: Try Goat's milk, smell is one thing, but the taste is really good.
Night Safari
Location: 80 Mandai Lake Road
The Night Safari is the world's first wildlife park built for visits at night. It offers a never seen before unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Through the use of skillful lighting technique, a view over 1,000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in vast naturalistic habitats can be seen.
At the night safari, the places to go are Fishing Cat Trail, The Leopard Trail, Forest Giants trail, tram rides, Himalayans foothills and many others. The new attraction is the Fragrant Walk which is a scented trail filled with 4000 over species of fragrant plant.
Opening: 7.30pm to 12am
Admission: Adult- SGD 22, Children -SGD 11
Vicky: It will be wonderful if the entrance fee were a little cheaper. I never went there before.
Silvia: Shall we go there one day when we are richer?
Isaac: Why not go during events? They are more interesting.
Avifauna Breeding and Research
Location: 2 Lim Chu Kang 3A Singapore 719842
Established in 1975, Avifauna Breeding and Research Pte Ltd has been one of the largest unique bird breeding and research farms in Southeast Asia. Their aim is to breed high quality pets for people. Parrot breeding are their top priority in their research.
Opening Time: (Appointments only)
Silvia: How do we make the appointment?
Wanshi: By callling them?
Isaac: Yes. It is not really for mass tourist but for students like us, tehy would welcome us for our studies.
Orchidville
Location: 10 Lorong Lada Hitam, Mandai Agrotechnology Park, Singapore 778793
Orchidville is the biggest orchid farm in Singapore, it occupies 43 hectares of land in the Mandai Agrotechnology Park.
Orchidville is strongly re-enforced by the Singapore Government to help in succeeding high-technology based products, agro-tourism and agro-related service businesses. It is a place for edu-tourism for students, events are also held there and there are retail shop that sells unique orchid souvenirs.
Opening Time: 8am to 6pm
Admission: Adult- SGD 16, Children- SGD 10
Vicky: Wow, the flowers of Singapore have a farm too.
Siyi: Imagine how much orchids there are!
Isaac: Plenty for you to fill your house.
Zoo
Location: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
The Singapore Zoological Gardens is setup in a rain forest setting, be inspired by the wonders of nature with the "open concept" of Singapore's Zoo. It is home to 2,500 from 315 species, 16% of which are endangered species. The Zoo has gained a high reputation internationally for its conservations and breeding programmes.
Opening Time: 8.30am to 6.00pm
Admission: Adult- SGD 18, Children- SGD 9
Isaac: I have double checked online with Singapore Tourism Board, this is indeed an eco tourism place.
Jurong Bird Park
Location: 2 Jurong Hill, Jurong 6259258
It occupies 202,000 sqm and house 9000 birds from 600 different species. It is divided into areas namely the Jungle Jewels, Waterfalls Aviary, Southeast Asia Bird Aviary, African Wetlands, World of Darkness and Penguin Expeditions. There are also 2 interactive bird shows which allow the public to see the birds in action.
Opening Time : 8.30 am to 6.00 pm daily
Admission: Adult- SGD 18, Children- SGD 9
Isaac: Applies to this too.
Underwater World
Location: 80 Siloso Road, Sentosa 098969
It is a well known oceanarium that 2500 marine life from 250 species from around the region. Some examples are sea dragons, jelly fishes, stingrays and moray eels. To show its commitment to conversation and breeding of marine life, it is involved in various environmental project.
After touring the Underwater World, you can head over to the Dolphin Lagoon which features the friendly pink dolphins.
Opening Time: 9am to 9pm (Last entry 8.30pm)
Admission: Adult- SGD 22.90, Children (above 3)- SGD 14.60 and Children (below 3)- Free
Ticket allows single admission to Dolphin Lagoon and Underwater World
Ann Gie : Wow, so many attractions, I never even heard of some of them!
Vicky: Me too !
Silvia; Make that three !
Siyi: Okay, what about a four: D
Isaac: Its never to late to try them all soon!
Itinerary
Time | Venue | Description |
Day 1 | ||
0900 Hours | Pick-Up Point | Get on-board Bus and leave for Bukit Timah Nature Reserve |
1000 Hours | Bukit Timah Nature Reserve | Arrival at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Set and ready to hike the Nature Reserve. Two Choices:
|
1200 Hours | Lunch | |
1300 Hours | Pick-Up Point | Leave for Botanical Gardens |
1400 Hours | Botanical Garden | Arrival at Botanical Garden. A 2 hour tour will be conducted. You will go to places such as the Swan Lake, National Orchid Garden, Symphony Lake, Evolution Garden and many more. |
1600 Hours | Head to Visitor's Centre for refreshments. | |
1700 Hours | Pick-Up Point | Home Sweet Home |
Time | Venue | Description |
Day 2 | ||
0900 Hours | Pick-Up Point | Get on-board Bus and leave for Fort Canning Park. |
1000 Hours | Fort Canning Park | Arrival at Fort Canning Park. A 2 hour tour will be conducted. You will go to places such as the 14th Century Walk, The Keramat Iskandar Syah, The Archaeological Dig & Exhibition, The Parit Singapura, The Fort Gate, The Spice Garden, Fort Canning Green, Battle Box, Raffles Terrace and ASEAN Sculpture Garden. |
1200 Hours | Lunch | |
1300 Hours | Pick-Up Point | Leave for Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve. |
1400 Hours | Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve | Arrival at Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve. Proceed to Visitor Centre to screen a 10 minutes show about the Nature Reserve. Tourist will first go to Kranji Nature Trail and then to Mangrove Boardwalk. After that, tourist will take Route 1 where it starts at the main bridge. It passes the Main Hide and Aerie Hide, a 18-m tall tower. It will also pass the Aquatic Plant Pond and Freshwater hide. |
1800 Hours | Dinner (At the cafeteria) | |
1900 Hours | Pick-Up Point | Home Sweet Home |
Time | Venue | Description |
Day 3 | ||
0900 Hours | Pick-Up Point | Get on-board bus and leave for Changi Ferry Terminal. |
1000 Hours | Changi Ferry Terminal | Arrive at ferry terminal and hop on to small boats and head for Pulau Ubin. |
1030 Hours | Pulau Ubin | Arrival at Ubin Jetty. Head over to Ubin Town for early light lunch. After lunch, Rental of bicycles and set off. |
1100 Hours | Head to the east side of ubin. Attractions:
| |
1300 Horus | Head to the north side of ubin. Attractions:
| |
1500 Hours | Head to south side of ubin. Attractions:
| |
1700 Hours | Head back to Ubin Town for dinner. | |
1800 Hours | Ubin Jetty | Leave Pulau Ubin and head back for the bus. |
1830 Hours | Pick-Up Point | Home Sweet Home |
Isaac: This was an Itinerary that i believe would be most suiting for a 3 days tour.
We have come to the end of the green journey. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did! See you.
Ann Gie: Goodbye, it was fun while it lasted ! Sorry about the right hand side of the table border but we cant seem to make it appear
Vicky: Yes ! It has been such a good experience , traveling to diffferent places and experiencing them. I had never had such a wonderful feeling before.
Silvia: This has been a good opportunity for us to enjoy the nature. If not for the project, i think most of us will not take time out to visit these places
Wanshi: Through this project, we get to see the other side of Singapore and have a better knowledge of our own country. Hope you enjoy the green journey with us :D
Isaac: I agree with Silvia. Many of us Singaporeans should ask ourselves this, "Have we been able to embrace Singapore's nature truly?". For people out there who have no idea of places we went or talk about, please do give yourself an opportunity to venture into those places. Discover Singapore like you never did before. Make your very own Green Journey. Lastly, I'm thankful to all 5 of my teammates for being wonderful in the Green Journey.
