Archive for the ‘Bonding : Local trails’ Category

Yesterday after a heavy rain, we decided to drive to Punggol Beach.  The beach that has been neglected for a long time.

Papa Ed was suggesting that it would be nolstagic if we could take some photos of Punggol before and after developments. I remember the vicinity of Punggol beach fondly as I used to patronise the Punggol Seafood restaurants here with mom, dad and relatives when I was a child. We see potential of this future hub and was eyeing a new property within walking distance to the beach two years ago. Oh mine! It was so ex and we had to drop the idea:( It’s such a waste that we have heard of the area to be developed even before Brendan’s birth and we are still awaiting…

We were surprised upon arrival because we didn’t expect a crowd in this remote beach and especially after a heavy rain. The air was really fresh and the weather was really cooling  for a jog or stroll. There are the fishing deck, viewing deck,  nature walk path, Punggol beach connector and comfy shelter! 

Well, does it have anything to do with age? Cos’ I am starting to love serenity and tranquility more and more each day:)

Many were fishing. Perhaps I should cultivate the PATIENCE of our 3 males at home by dragging them to fish here one day *grin*. 

 Others were busy ‘hunting”. Wonder what they were in search of. Curiosity kills the cat. If only I were in the right attire. Hmm..what could have drawn the interest of a kid and parents?

What exactly are in this? Crabs? Seashells? Sea snails? Sea horses?

Children were happily playing in the playground. 

A colourful sight of  two huge ponds with lotus and many many fish. 

Some were having picnic under the shelter. This is where our boys will do their sketches. Artistic yeah? 

Others taking a stroll, jogging or cycling along the walkway. Kiddo and I  were strolling. Haha! Since Darren and Yuki love racing on their legs, I know where to bring them next time with less congestion and where I could enjoy the cool breeze:)

Wet floor. Why is it raining everyday for weeks already? However, nothing will dampen my mood to enjoy nature.

“Mommy, you see the red roof building over there? That’s Malaysia!” Bingo! You pass your Geography, son:) As usual, Bren will always be my best navigator.

Speed boat amidst the bigger brothers. I don’t mind owning one and touring the sea.

Aha! Our favourite $1 ice cream with biscuits or cones. Papa Ed and I could not resist. Hmm…everything is so nolstagic here. 

Sunset here must be really beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to catch it in the gloomy weather. We were on an aimless journey prior to that and I didn’t bring my camera along. Photos had to be taken with his iPhone.

I am sure we will be back again with bikes, pup, drawing board,  jogging gears, kites and camera. While I snap snap, I would like our boys to immerse themselves in the beautiful sunset and put that scenic sight in drawing. Oh yeah, we would like to visit the nearby Punggol Marina Country Club too:)

Bye! Pungool Beach. It would be nolstagic years down the road to see this scene being transformed into a buzzling area being enjoyed by more Singaporeans one day. How many harmless animal and plant species will be sacrifced? 

As at now, it is of course still not as packed as East Coast or West Coast beaches. Emmm…the beach soothes my nerves, as always:)

*As the long stretch of road towards the beach can be really remote and deserted in the dark, I do not suggest that anyone tries to walk there from Punggol housing estate at night unless by cars.  The beach is also serviced by Bus 84.*

We were at the Kite Festival 2011. 

We didn’t fly any kite though. We didn’t participate in the kite workshop either. Neither the kites nor the scenic view created any excitement in Darren that day. 

INSTEAD. 

He was more interested helping out with the set-up of a huge banner because of the giant stapler although it was not an activity for the event. *Kids TEND to FOCUS on strange things at event!*

Spotted the similarity in dress code between Darren and the organiser? Pure coincidence*hehe*

Helping out in setting up a banner was FUN for Darren as long as he had the giant stapler.

While Darren was fascinated by the giant stapler (he was exclaiming “Wow! So powerful!”),  mommy was busy studying the display of traditional kites of different Southeast Asian countries.

Traditional kite of Malaysia : Wau Bulan. There is a legend behind this kite that farmers used these kites as flying scarecrows to frighten away birds from their padi fields.

Traditional kite of Vietnam : estimated to be 2000 years old and famed for creating music in the air.

Traditional kite of Philippines: Kite fighting spirit

Traditional kite of Indonesia: invented for fish catching centuries ago.

 Traditional kite of Cambodia: Kite flying as a religious ceremony dating back to 400BC.

Traditional kite of Thailand: Kite flying as a sport which became popular 700 years ago.

There is a rich history and culture behind kite crafting of these Southeast Asian countries.  To know more about the history, you may read here.

With the huge varieties of kite designs im modern days and while we fly kites nowadays as a recreational activity (or even to enjoy the kites perform stunts), how much do we know and value these stories behind each traditional kite?

Seriously, I never knew that kites could be used to create music in the air till now:)

It has been a trend for parents to spend part of the school holidays travelling with their children. So, like others, we will make our way to NATAS travel fair and travel agents few months ahead, committing a travel destination for our family during the school holidays.  Many of us spend lots of money buying an experience overseas, sightseeing and just have that break from Singapore.

[It is interesting how I sometimes get even more exhausted and drained after travelling long distance with two boys instead of getting that very much needed rest.]

During the recent school holidays, I called off a plan to visit my family members in Hong Kong and we decided to spend our school holidays, without travelling, in other meaningful ways.  Instead of travelling out of Singapore to learn more about the culture of others, why not I involve our boys to learn more about Singapore’s heritage and culture instead?

[I realise how much Brendan read up and researched about our travel destination overseas but how little he knows about his country's heritage].

So, that’s when we spiced up our school holidays at meaningful places in Singapore.  Instead of driving, I got our boys to plan the journey through public transport. Surprisingly, our boys appreciate MRT rides and walking more than travelling by the usual car.  Amongst a few places that we have visited like the museums, railway station, last Kampong in Singapore, Brendan suggested that we also dropped by LITTLE INDIA.

The last time I visited Little India was when I was a teenager.

It hasn’t changed much except that it is now more accessible with MRT station just at its doorstep.

The shophouses

Cultural and educational

Restaurants

And…..

The shops did not excite our Darren unless a TOY SHOP would pop up from nowhere *haha*.

However, I would say it is still a flavourful trip with the colourful architecture, rich heritage, beautiful textiles, bright jewelleries in the displays and many varieties of spices, fruits and vegetables.

The boys have been to Chinatown and I guess we would make time to drop by Geylang Serai (Malay village) too in future.