Sports Hall

Visit to Singapore Sports Hall

My first time playing table tennis was with colleagues at a community club. As I was clueless about the game, my former boss had to tell me to ‘go away’ as we were playing doubles. Very few community clubs have table tennis facilities and so it was easier to play the game at a sports hall. An hour of table tennis and badminton cost S$3.20 and S$7.40 respectively.

Singapore has 17 sports halls for badminton, basketball and netball. Most of them include a gym which charges an affordable rate of S$2.50. Some includes other facilities for table tennis, muay tai, fencing, etc. You can usually locate a public swimming pool nearby.

I find that badminton and gym are quite popular.

So how do you book the facilities? You can book them two weeks in advance at www.icanbook.com.sg or over the counter. Opening hours are from 7.00 am to 10.00 pm daily.

For a full list of facilities and rates, please visit www.ssc.gov.sg.

VivoCity

Visit to Singapore VivoCity

Eating and shopping are our favourite activities. VivoCity which opened in 2006, is the largest shopping mall in Singapore. Designed by Japanese architect, Toyo Ito, the façade looks like waves of the sea.

Enjoy the sea view of Sentosa and relax at the large open space at its 3^rd level Sky Park. Children can go barefoot at the low wading pools. The nearby amphitheatre provides a place to rest and watch performances. In addition there is a children’s playground on level 2. VivoCity also houses GV Vivocity,  the largest cinema multiplex in Singapore.

Various art pieces are on permanent display. Here’s a 13 metre high snowman overlooking the waterfront.

Popular outlets

Basement: Giant Supermarket

Level 1: Uniglo, National Geographic

Level 2: Golden Village cinema, FrancFranc (newly opened)

Level 3: Daiso $2 shop, Marche

What’s Nearby

Linked to St James Power Station (night entertainment)

Linked to Sentosa Boardwalk

Gateway to Sentosa Island via Sentosa Express on 3^rd level

Linked to HarbourFront Centre next door

Walking distance to Singapore Cable Car Station (HarbourFront Tower Two)

Discover more at www.vivocity.com.sg.

Mini Toons

Visit to Singapore Mini Toons

I like to visit shops that sell things that are both creatively designed and useful. I saw a table clip with a round hole that slots a cup, silicon coin purse, etc. at Mini Toons at Clementi Mall.

While I was looking at some hair accessories, a cheerful and helpful salesgirl came by.

‘Hi, we have a GSS promotion,’ she said, ‘buy three and you get one free. You can also mix and match…’

I nodded and looked around the shop. Meanwhile she attended to other customers.

While I was looking at some tissue packs with cute patterns, she dropped by again and introduced the more popular patterns and mentioned a promotion on this item.

At the payment counter, while keying my purchase she introduced another two outlets under the same company called Mini Bits and Mini Princess which sells gifts for children.

Wow, I was impressed by her salesmanship and chirpiness throughout. Although there are little signs about the promotions, she bothered to highlight them to the customer. She also tried to generate interest in their other shops.

That’s very good customer service. Kudos to Mini Toons.

Mr Bean

Visit to Singapore Mr Bean

What do Singaporeans like to drink? Soya bean, grass jelly, bandung (rose flavoured drink), sugar cane, barley, chrysanthemum, coffee, tea, and the list go on.

Mr Bean is one local brand of soya bean drinks that has grown to over 50 chains outlets wide. You can easily locate them in mrt stations, shopping malls and hospitals.

Their menu includes soya bean drink, bean curd, pancakes, grass jelly and the delicious soya ice cream - made from non-genetically modified soya beans. The soya ice cream is soft and not too sweet.

The outlet has come up with new pancake fillings such as chocolate, tuna, egg mayo, etc in addition to the traditional red bean, peanut and kaya (jam made of egg and coconut milk). My personal favourite is the red bean pancake.

When you are in a hurry, a simple pancake and soya bean drink will satisfy your stomach.

I heard that Mr Bean gives older workers a chance to work in their outlets. Thumbs up to Mr Bean!

Library

One of the best things in Singapore is the public libraries. The facilities are clean and bright, with comfortable chairs and air condition. You can borrow newspapers, books, magazines, audio books, films and more. The self-service book check out kiosk and book return slot is convenient and saves labour. The quiet reading corner with comfortable chairs is private and most welcomed. Recently new community libraries have sprouted in shopping malls. Though small in size, they nevertheless provide a cosy environment for reading. Nowadays the library organise exhibits, talks and events. You will always find something new.

Here's a picture of the check out kiosk:

You can search for a book at www.nlb.gov.sg, reserve it and arrange for collection at a minimal fee of S$1.55. Don’t forget to sign up for their reminder service so that you never have to worry about overdue books.

I love the additional table space in Bukit Merah Library (see photo). 

Congratulations to the National Library Board for an impressive job!

FAQ

Do you need to register as a library member?

No registration is needed for Singaporeans aged 15 years and above. You can use your identity card to borrow library items.

How many library items can you borrow?

6 books inclusive of 2 audio visual materials.

How long is the loan period?

21 days for books and 14 days for audio visual materials.

How much is the penalty fee if the library items are overdue?

S$01.15 per day per book.

$0.50 per day per audio visual material.

How do you pay for overdue penalty fee?

Go to the self payment kiosk and pay using your Cashcard, ezlink cards or NETS.

Can you renew books?

Yes, there is a free one time renewal for 21 days. Just scan the book at the check-out kiosk. Renewal is not available for audio visual materials.

What is the charge for using internet?

You need to register for a pre-paid account and fund it. The cost is S$0.03 per minute.

Which library has the best view?

Library@Esplanade.

Which library has the best study/reading environment?

National Library, 5th floor.

Where can I search for library catalog?

www.nlb.gov.sg

Where can I sign up to receive reminders to return library items?

www.pl.sg. Reminder alerts will be sent to your email, fax or handphone.

Teck Kee Tanglin Pau

Visit to Singapore Teck Kee Tanglin Pau

Char Siew Pau (barbecue pork bun) is eaten for breakfast or as a snack. The char siew pau from Teck Kee is sweet and juicy. You will likely not stop at one. The steamed buns are handmade daily and cost S$0.90 each. You can keep them in refrigerator for a few days and they taste just as good after steaming.

More dim sum (tiny Chinese snacks served for tea) choices are available at their website.

Teck Kee outlets are located at:

83 Killiney Road
180 Bukit Timah Road

Centrepoint B1-14 (beside 7-Eleven)

Compass Point B1-38 (inside Cold Storage)

Great World City Shopping Mall#B1-18/19 (inside Cold Storage Supermarket)

ION Orchard #B4-59 Opp Tea Loft near Food Opera

Suntec City Mall Tower 3 (Outside Carrefour)
Tiong Bahru Plaza #B1-24

United Square Shopping Mall (inside Cold Storage Supermarket)