3 May Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Show KC Arts Centre
Based on the classic children’s book series by David McKee, this fun puppet show features Elmer, an elephant who refuses to be grey and dull, instead sporting a patchwork of brilliant colours. His cheerful personality keeps everyone in a playful mood, until the day he gets tired of being different and tries to blend in with the herd. The show’s message for kids is that you should always be yourself. Tickets from $42, Sistic
10-26 May This Is What Happens to Pretty Girls Drama Centre Theatre
Playwriter Ken Kwek and local theatre company Pangdemonium examine eight lives that become entangled in sex, violence and blurred lines: an undergrad and a lecturer begin a precarious flirtation, two workmates go on a date that each remembers very differently, and a long-lost bogeyman returns to draw new blood from old scars. For audiences 16+. Preview tickets from $25, Sistic.
11 May Jason Mraz Good Vibes Tour Star Theatre
Multiple Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz is bringing his Good Vibes Tour back to Singapore. The crooner will perform a host of hit songs, including his record-breaking singles, I’m Yours and I Won’t Give Up. Tickets from $98, apactix.com
11-12 May OCBC Cycle 2019 Singapore Sports Hub
This fun cycle event has categories for families (kids from 5 years), adults and corporates and the competitive OCBC Cycle Speedway Club Championship. The event also has a green heart, with organisers pledging to plant one tree for every 50 cyclists, offering workshops on recycling and upcycling, and replacing trophies with reusable steel tumblers.
ocbccycle.com
16 May – 2 June Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) Various locations
Celebrate the arts with this eclectic line-up of boundary-pushing theatre, dance and music performances from around the globe. SIFA brings together the best of local and international artists and aims to inspire diverse audiences through unusual and ground-breaking artistic
25 May – 29 Dec Gallery Children’s Biennale 2019: Embracing Wonder National Gallery Singapore
Families will adore this wondrous exhibition, which features 11 interactive artworks by Singapore and Southeast Asian artists, which aim to spark imagination and creativity. Compose your own tunes using 300 ping pong balls, peer into a magical mirror, and explore three reimagined spaces at the Keppel Centre for Art Education’s Project Gallery, Children’s Museum and Art Corridor. General admission applies. childrensbiennale.com
25 May AIA Glow Festival Sentosa Island
This chilled beach festival, offers live music, 30 yoga classes, a 5km charity run, and healthy festival food. All day pass from $99 (other passes available from $19)
glowfestival.sg
Until 31 May Universal After Hours Resorts World Sentosa Fridays, Saturdays and Select Public Holidays
Universal Studios keeps the fun going after the sun goes down. From 5pm, experience adrenaline-filled rides under the stars, the neon and LED magic of the Hollywood Dreams Light-Up Parade, local bands, food from pop-up stalls, and end the night with a brilliant fireworks display. Tickets from $75, rwsentosa.com/universal-after-hours
WHO ARE THEY? Most Thursdays at 10am this small group meets at each other’s homes to work on various needlecraft projects, share ideas and form new friendships. They also head out once a month to explore Singapore’s crafting world. “All skill levels are welcome,” says organiser Elizabeth Mann. “Have you begun a needlecraft that you never finished? Well, dig it out and come along to ANZA Stitches!” WHO CAN COME? “Our group is open to anyone who quilts, knits, crochets, embroiders, or does any other needlecraft,” says Elizabeth. “Bring your projects, share ideas, or ask questions. We are always looking for more members, so come join the fun at one of our Thursday gatherings. Whether you pop in for an hour or you stay for longer is totally up to you.”
WHAT? “We work on our own different projects, which can be anything from hand quilting, appliqué, paper piecing, a quilt top or embroidery, to sewing buttons on a dress or knitting a scarf,” says Elizabeth. “We chat about what we are working on and help each other where needed. Once a month will also head out to different areas and explore all the amazing crafty things Singapore has to offer.”
What’s happening next? “We’re planning more sewing and craft-related outings, including mini tours in Chinatown and the Peranakan museum. We’ll also be starting a new quilt-along, having just wrapped up the round robin quilts we worked on together last year.” BEST THING ABOUT THE GROUP? “We’re always learning from each other – observing fabric combinations, exploring different styles and new techniques. Not to mention seeing and talking about the latest notions, fabrics, yarn, tools, designs and where to shop for them all! I often feel motivated to go home and start a new project after we meet. There’s also an opportunity to develop friendships with like-minded people and fun days out to explore Singapore.” HOW DO I JOIN? To join Stitches, you must be a current, registered ANZA member, but apart from that, it’s free and there’s no commitment required.
From the very beginning, awareness for the natural and marine environment has been an important part of ANZA Singapore Nippers. When we started in 2016, our sessions commenced with a beach clean-up, and we continue this practice today. Our kids, parents and volunteers collect rubbish from the beach, shoreline and water each Sunday. It’s a simple thing to do, that admittedly won’t change the world, yet this effort delivers five valuable results:
1.We create a safe space, removing any debris that could injure participants.
2.We leave zero footprint of our activities behind, and hopefully leave our surroundings better than we found them.
3.Through repetition, the kids increase their environmental awareness and carry that with them outside of Nippers.
4.The act of trying to make a difference to the planet informs the kids about gratitude, consideration and unity.
5.Occasionally onlookers notice what we’re doing and maybe this gives them pause for thought about their own behaviour, you never know!
Beach Clean Ups
With Singapore being a trading hub and ships anchoring near Sentosa, waste does wash ashore on Tanjong Beach. There’s also a considerable amount of rubbish left behind by people visiting the beach recreationally. A lot of this is made up of plastic and polystyrene. But there’s a variety of hazardous materials we come across. We’ve found glass, large nails, rubber footwear, chairs, metal objects and wooden planks that can really give you a good whack when you’re swimming! We try our best to collect this stuff each Sunday.
Obviously, conservation is not just about garbage disposal though. Through the act of collecting rubbish each week, our participants have become more curious about the beach environment. They ask about marine life in general, and the habitat at Tanjong Beach in particular. They point out hazards in the water and ask where they came from. They wonder what they can do to improve things. This led to a few great initiatives and events for ANZA Singapore Nippers last year.
Awarding Environmental Efforts
Through our partnership with corporate office design company, Steelcase, and their focus on sustainability, we implemented a monthly Nature Nipper Award in 2018. Rather than being a prize for picking up rubbish, we wanted to acknowledge Nippers who show vigilance towards the environment and a special interest in conservation. The first few batches of recipients were proud as punch to receive a certificate in front of their peers, and other kids were spurred on to get curiouser and curiouser…
Then a wonderful thing happened. Halfway through last year some Hawksbill turtles decided to lay their eggs right where we meet each Sunday. To protect the eggs from predators, Sentosa Development Corporation organised for a barrier to be erected around the nest. For two months we waited for the eggs to hatch. The expectation of what might happen was a great incubator for the kid’s questions and ideas, but we quickly realised we were out of our depth – as committed as we are to imparting conservation ideals to our kids, we’re just a bunch of parents and volunteers. Luckily for us, our Event Manager and U6 parent, Jaq Molloy, spotted a great opportunity and got in touch with S.E.A Aquarium’s Guardians of the Sea. This conservation division of the aquarium kindly prepared an interesting talk with animal specimens for our age groups, sharing information about the turtles, as well as other local marine species. We were very glad 106 hatchlings eventually made it to the sea!
Outdoor appreciation
Capitalising on all this enthusiasm for nature, we were able to finish the year having held two great events for kids in our younger age groups, thanks to the initiative of parents. Our U6 group camped out overnight and discovered a nature trail in a hidden part of Singapore. Meanwhile, our U7 group, organised by Age Manager Assistant Felix Green, hopped on a ferry to Pulau Ubin, pitched some tents and embarked on a jungle adventure. It’s hard to tell who loves it more – the kids or the parents. Either way, we’ll continue to include an environmental aspect in our activities in 2019. We’ve got some plans already so watch this space!
If you’d like to partner with us on environmental programs, or sign up your child for the next Nippers season get in touch! anza.org.sg/sports/nippers/
Imagine fishing in remote Northern Territory or Cape York for Australia’s iconic Barramundi, surface fishing for Giant Trevally in the Coral Sea or luring Black Bass in Papua New Guinea.
If saltwater trips aren’t for you, how about a weekend getaway, fishing the beautiful gorges of Northern NSW, targeting Australia’s largest fresh water fish, the Murray-Cod. Along with fishing, why not enjoy a unique camping experience which is a popular way of getting families to connect with the great outdoors.
We’re all working more than ever, taking less holidays and our kids are using too much screen time. Outside Edge Adventures aim is to help clients ‘escape their everyday’ and all our tailored fishing trips certainly do that!
Outside Edge Adventures (OEA) is a Queensland-based outdoor adventure tour company who explore some of the regions most untouched waterways and use experienced local guides so that you can land the fish of a lifetime.
We customise fishing packages and charters throughout Australia and abroad to provide clients with a fishing experience never to be forgotten.
OEA books fishing packages for small and larger groups with each trip carefully planned to meet your fishing and comfort expectations.
We have fishing holiday options in places such as Darwin, Cape York, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Brisbane which are all easily accessible from Singapore.
There are direct flights from Singapore to our favourite destinations and OEA is the perfect fit for your next fishing experience.
OEA understands that anglers have different expectations and skill levels. We have packages that cater for the ultimate beginner right up to the most seasoned anglers, with our trips catering for all budgets.
OEA don’t only cater for fishing trips, one of our newest packages offers a couples getaway to Noosa or New Zealand which will enable you to explore the region’s best fishing whilst your partner can opt for yoga, hikes and spa packages. The day ends meeting back at a private lodge for dinner and drinks prepared by a personal chef.
If you are looking for a new and exciting fishing adventure, we would love the opportunity to hook you up on one of our tailored fishing holidays.
For information about our packages, please contact us info@outsideedgeadventures.com.au or phone Nathan +61423489545. To keep up to date with all of our fishing adventures, follow us on Instagram and Facebook or check it all out via our website www.outsideedgeadventures.com.au
“Each year I book my staff and clients on a fishing adventure with OEA. We are by no means serious fisherman however the trips have always been carefully planned and all of my clients and staff head home with plenty of stories about the experience. We have landed some amazing fish so far on our trips and credit to OEA for the planning that goes into each package. We have had day trips for 30 people and also 7 night trips to the Great Barrier Reef and Weipa for our smaller groups. Highly recommend OEA’s services” Chris (Gannon Fabrications)
“My wife booked my 2 sons and I on a guided Murray Cod camping trip for my 50th Birthday, with Nathan from Outside Edge Adventures. Freshwater fishing was a new experience for us and we were all delighted to catch our first Murray Cod on surface lures. Outside of the fishing, we had some great scenery on the Severn River and Nathan’s camp oven dinners were awesome.” Alan (Gladstone, QLD)
After eight years as Camp Kilo at Kampong Bugis Road, Kilo has relocated to uber trendy Duxton Road with a modern new look and refreshed menu. This sleek, bright location feels spacious and comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows and multiple sectional seating options, allowing guests to pop in for a few drinks or stay and dine. The bar is the perfect spot to sip a drink or two with views into the bustling open kitchen, while the dining room is luxuriously chic, and a wrap around terrace offers alfresco dining.
To begin I sipped a Spicy Margarita with jalapeno infused tequila, citrus, sour mix, lime and salt ($19) Then it was onto a tasting menu showcasing visually stunning dishes. Chef Manel Valero brings a taste of his Spanish heritage and European influence, accentuated by delicious Asian flavours.
Our feast included Crab Croquettes with basil vinaigrette (2 for $18), Grilled Avocado with buckwheat puffs and ponzu ($10), Burrata Cheese and Dukkah ($20), Wasabi Tuna Tartare with nori dusted crisps ($22), Beef Tongue Tacos with apple miso slaw (2 for $18), Kilo’s Seafood Ceviche with tuna, octopus and snapper ($22), Atas Lentils with manchego, bacon, truffle, iberico and egg yolk ($26), Squid Ink Rice ($29), and Sea Urchin Rigatoni Pasta ($42) The sweet finish was a Chocolate Terrine with tuile and smoked salted caramel ($14), and a refreshing Coconut Tembleque with chocolate, pineapple and oats ($14). I’d happily recommend all the dishes, but the stand outs were the deliciously creamy burrata cheese, with its contrasting textures and spicy dressing; seafood ceviche, packed with freshness and zesty flavours; and squid ink rice, which could be described as an Asian paella. Verdict: A real winner, great food and ambience at reasonable prices, with knowledgeable serving staff.
Did you know? After dinner guests can enjoy music late into the night at Kilo Lounge, located just a few steps away at 21 Tanjong Pagar Road.
Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro opened in 2003 as a small neighbourhood eatery in Greenwood Avenue, Bukit Timah, quickly becoming a favourite. Since then, the family-run business has spread its catch to four establishments, with the newest addition recently opening at Dempsey.
At a whopping 8,300 square feet, there’s a retail area with live seafood in tanks, an oyster bar, meat section, grocery and wine shelves, plus a bakery, and in-house florist.
You can opt to be seated indoors or in the lounge, but sitting outdoors amidst natural greenery is a real treat. On my two visits, I enjoyed oysters (especially South Australia’s Coffin Bay variety), sushi, sashimi and grilled barramundi from the multi-concept menu featuring Western, Japanese and Chinese selections. Spicy apple crumble with ice-cream completed the meals nicely. Should you prefer, pasta, burgers, steak and lamb are also available. A kids’ menu includes fish and chips, spaghetti and beef burgers.
Verdict: The ‘sea to table’ philosophy shines through in the freshness of the seafood.
Learning more about Singapore and Asia. Immersing oneself in the local culture. Expanding the mind. Acquiring new skills. These are just a few of the reasons to become a member of Friends of the Museums (Singapore). For more than 40 years, FOM has been providing support for the museums, art and heritage institutions in Singapore.
With your FOM membership you are able to be exposed to a variety of topics related to the history, religion, philosophy, culture and arts through attending our various offerings. Some of the events include the weekly Monday Morning Lecture (followed by an optional FOM docent led tour) and our monthly evening offering, Fridays with Friends. We also offer a community created magazine, PASSAGE that contains organization highlights, articles and events.
If you prefer a hands-on experience, there are a number of groups you can join including, the Textile Enthusiasts Group or the Asian Film Study Group. Even more offerings include a walk in the footsteps of history with the Asian Study Tours, the local Curiogroup and the Explore Singapore!tours. If you would like to take a more active role in the cultural exchanges, then you could consider training to be a volunteer guide at one of nine museums, art and heritage centres across Singapore.
An FOM membership will acquaint you with Singapore and Asia, and it will give you greater insight into the region’s history, culture and art. A membership can also make you an informed traveler by introducing you to places and destinations across Asia. Our expert lecturers and well-researched articles can help you connect the dots between Asia, your own culture and cultures of other countries around the world.
There are many opportunities and events to join and you will find that these networks forged through common interests are heartfelt and long lasting. Perhaps the best part of being an FOM member is the friendships and connections that you will make with people from Singapore and around the world.
For more information about FOM, please visit our website www.fom.sg
Normally, I don’t travel in organised groups, preferring to plan my own trips, but when my friend Johanna, an adventure guide for YMCA Singapore, invited me along on a tour of Mongolia I jumped at the opportunity. I became a part of a group of Singaporeans keen to discover more about this captivating adventure destination, bordered by China and Russia.
Photography by Tatyana Kildisheva, kildi.com
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
We arrived in the capital Ulaanbaatar’s tiny airport and made our way into the city. The urban planning in the city immediately threw me back to my 1980s childhood in the Soviet Union. The resemblance to the Soviet urban planning and architecture was very eerie – with ugly grey building blocks screaming of cookie cut construction done on the cheap over 30 years ago. To top it off, Mongolians adopted Cyrillic script (also used in Russia) for their language, so for me at least, all the signs were easily readable. Sadly, the gorgeous curvy, ancient Mongolian lettering can rarely be seen.
Mongolia’s landscapes are vast but the population is sparse – a little over three million people are spread across the whole country, with roughly half residing in Ulaanbaatar. Tibetan Buddhism is the predominant religion and there are still many beautiful temples and monasteries that thankfully weren’t destroyed during the Soviet times, when religion was widely suppressed by the communist regime.
Photography by Tatyana Kildisheva, kildi.com
Home stays
Our two-week tour included city sights, national parks and home stays with nomads and camel herders. For the first home stay with nomadic Mongolian families, our large group was divided into smaller units and we were taken from the city to the vast steppes. The isolation was astounding – there’s nothing around, not even a single tree. Five of us were assigned to a completely empty traditional yurt or ger: a portable, round tent covered with felt and canvas, with a sturdy roof supported by interior wooden posts. Yurts have been used as a dwelling by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia for thousands of years.
As there’s literally nothing on the ground of the tent, our sleeping pads and warm sleeping bags came in handy! The nights proved chilly, but during the day it was a comfortable 20-25°C. Since there’s not much available wood in the flat, unforested grassland steppes, all cooking is done by fire on the outdoor stove, using dried animal dung that we collected. Since most nomads’ own horses, cows, goats and sheep, the stove fuel is plentiful. The hosting family appeared and spent a couple of hours with us, taking care of the animals and herding them for the night using dogs and motorbikes.
With the help of our guide, we made our own dinner – soup with vegetables and lamb. The Mongolian culinary choices were underwhelming for our group, spoiled by Singapore multicultural cuisines and wide variety of choices. Mongolians consume a lot of meat, while vegetables are quite hard to come by, since most of the land is dry and not suitable for farming. Most vegetables, if you can find any, are imported from China, while packaged snacks, candy, chocolate, cookies and dry goods usually come from Russia.
Photography by Tatyana Kildisheva, kildi.com
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Our next stop was a few days in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, a breathtakingly scenic region. We climbed the beautiful Bodgkhan Mountain and spent two days horse riding. None of us had any riding experience, but to our surprise we quickly learnt to guide our horses through the wild terrain, including river crossings! It was a highlight of the trip. We also spent a night in a large ger that we built ourselves with felt and wooden sticks using ancient techniques. I’m not sure I’ll use this skill in the future, but it was certainly entertaining!
Photography by Tatyana Kildisheva, kildi.com
Gobi Desert
It took us five days to travel to the Gobi Desert – along the way we visited the famous Flaming Cliffs: red sand formations that glowed and reflected the sunset. They also contain dinosaur bones within their hard-packed structures. When it comes to dinosaur fossils, the Gobi Desert is one of the world’s top sites – three of the most famous dinosaur species have been found here. Dino fans should head to the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs in Ulaanbaatar, a palaeontology museum offering exhibits of dinosaur fossils, artefacts and educational programs. Travel in the desert was a breeze as there were very few tourists. We were far outnumbered by wild camels – easy to spot from a distance in the sparse terrain. We climbed to the top of Khongoryn Sand Dune, the largest sand dune in the desert. The hike was exhausting and the sand was treacherous – two steps up, one slide down. Up to 12 kilometres wide and 180 kilometres long, the dune rose to a height of around 80 metres. We also saw a very unusual place – Yolyn Am Ice Gorge, where the mountain gorge is so deep the sun never reaches the bottom and even in the hottest part of the summer people can see, touch and walk on ice!
Photography by Tatyana Kildisheva, kildi.com
Life as a Camel Herder
We spent some time with a multi-generation family of camel herders in the Gobi, learning their way of life. Their ger had some furniture and decorations, however it was still small and basic. Their proud possessions included an old Soviet radio set from the 1970s (my granny had the exact same one!) and a National Geographic photo book from the 1990s, where the family was featured with stunning photography and stories about their life.
When we arrived, the men were out herding the camels, while the eldest daughter and her younger brother welcomed tourists to the settlement and tended to a few camels. The daughter informed us that women in Mongolia are very important in the family and independent in decision making. We helped her make dinner and learnt how to make dumplings with camel, goat and mutton fillings.
There was no electricity and running water in this settlement, so everything needed to be purchased in a village and transported out to the desert. The way of life is basic, but the people seem content and happy to be free and roam the desert the way they’ve done for thousands of years.
I didn’t know what to expect from this landlocked country, sandwiched between two empires: China in the south and Russia in the north, but our trip was fantastic, and I learnt so much about Mongolia and its people.
Nature notes: Keep flower arrangements unstructured and opt for edible greens where you can, like fresh parsley, herbs and ornamental cabbages. Make it even more enchanting with whimsical quail feathers, little birds’ nests and bursts of colour.
Emerald and jade green shines among the metallic and neutrals of this setting. Decorate with pots of narcissi bulbs, moss covered eggs tied in twine and bunches of fresh herbs. A simple striped tablecloth provides the canvas, and we also propped up a retro bike to add to the laidback mood.
Let seasonal produce steer your colour palate from there. Although citrus accents pop our picnic, deep purple makes a striking statement, along with dashes of radish red and rich orange, reminiscent of an informal cottage garden.
Yellow notes are continued across the table using fruit, tableware, ribbon and other accessories. Green glasses and assorted plates complement the overall look.
Where to shop:
– Spotlight for paper straws, napkins, artificial moss and Peter Rabbit spotlightstores.com/sg
– Terracotta or plastic garden pots from Hawaii Landscape, 559 Thomson Road
Melamine tableware from Binlin, 17 Temple Street Chinatown binlin.com.sg
– Teacups by Royal Doulton
– Fresh hormone and antibiotic free poultry supplied by The Fishwives, Cluny Court thefishwives.com
The menu:
An icy cold ginger and turmeric lemonade is refreshingly exotic on a hot spring day, plus it has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties. A touch of The Source gin with its lemon, orange and coriander notes is a great combination, for those wanting a little more zing! For the kids, you can never go wrong with fresh strawberry lemonade.
If you’re hosting a crowd, rather than a formal table setting, allow guests to move around and mingle. Keep the menu simple with homemade sandwiches, enchanting cupcakes and healthy crudités. Here I’ve made chicken rolls with a hint of mint and lemon zest, and tried and true egg and chive sandwiches. Lamington fairy cakes and lemon coconut muffins are an excellent end to the day.
Method
Whip butter until fluffy, then add sugar until creamy. Add eggs, then baking powder. Alternate flour and milk and mix for about 45 seconds. Fill cupcake pans and bake for 18 minutes at 180 degrees.
Method
Warm milk and butter until butter is melted, then add sugar and cocoa and mix well. Place in a flat bowl and add coconut to another. One at a time, dip the cupcake in the icing and then the coconut. Top with whipped cream rosette.
Ginger Tumeric Lemonade: Bring to the boil 2 cups of water with 1cm piece yellow ginger and turmeric, plus 3 x 8cm stalks of lemongrass. When cool, add 1 ½ tablespoons of raw honey, 2 more cups of water and 1 cup of lemon juice. Add a sprinkle of black pepper or chilli flakes. Serve over large ice cubes with a lemongrass stalk.
By Jonathan Cox, Secondary Years Deputy Principal at GEMS World Academy (Singapore)
Choosing the right pathway for your son or daughter’s move from High School to University and beyond can be a nerve-racking affair. But it needn’t be.
One of the great things about education nowadays is that there are so many different routes and very few dead ends.
The most common concern that parents have, is that (at the grand old age of 15!) their son or daughter doesn’t know what they want to do. Actually, this makes choices relatively straight forward.
Start with what they are good at, look at what they enjoy and pick those subjects. It has become a cliché that most of our children will be doing jobs that don’t even exist yet, but like all clichés, it is based on a large degree of truth. Flexibility, emotional intelligence, a sharp intellect and communication skills are some of the most employable skills and any good degree programme will develop these.
If your child does know what degree/career they want to pursue, you should still start with the same two questions:
What are they good at?
What do they enjoy?
Once you have answered these, then go to question 3:
What do they need?
I have worked with countless students who have nursed a ‘lifelong ‘ambition to be an engineer or doctor – only to find that their science and math’s grades are terrible! There may still be a pathway to their career of choice, but it may not be a direct line. Or it might just be that the ‘lifelong’ ambition needs some readjustment. After all, we all want our doctors to be great scientists and our engineers to be outstanding at math’s for very obvious reasons!
I remember very clearly sitting opposite a family. Mum and Dad were both doctors. They told me with great confidence that their daughter also wanted to be a doctor. I noticed the daughter’s eyes drop slightly and asked her if that was true. She looked up and said, ’No, I want to study design.’ Mum looked aghast. ‘You never told me that.’ she said. The daughter looked at her and replied very simply, ‘You never asked.’
And this leads me to my final point. Above all else, LISTEN TO YOUR CHILD.
Pulau Hantu
A few kilometres south-west of Sentosa Island, Pulau Hantu comprises two islets with a surrounding reef. The area has an abundance of hard and soft corals, and local marine life including clown anemone fish, anemone shrimps, giant clams and a wide variety of nudibranchs. Bamboo sharks are also spotted and divers are encouraged to report sightings to the Coastal Marine Ecology and Sustainability Laboratory (cmesl.org/sharks), where a team from Singapore’s James Cook University is studying the biology and ecology of this species.
Debby Ng started an online blog, The Hantu Bloggers (pulauhantu.sg) in 2003, to showcase the diversity of marine life. This developed into a non-profit volunteer dive organisation, raising awareness and inspiring action to protect Singapore’s biologically diverse reefs.Funds are raised through public guided dives of the reef. Group members also undertake educational talks and assist researchers and local authorities such as the Maritime Port Authority.
An important part of the Hantu Blog’s work is education. “Part of our work is to help people realise why it’s meaningful for an urban country like Singapore to understand and develop our coastal areas in a sustainable way,” says Debby.
The Hantu reef also hosts a vulnerable population of tigertail seahorses, who play a significant role in the marine ecosystem. Divers and snorkellers can report sightings through the global initiative Project Seahorse at iseahorse.org.
Hantu Blog members’ frequent visits to the reef mean they can monitor changes in the area. Divers noticed a significant amount of construction debris around the reef and reported this to the Maritime Port Authority, who sent out a surveyor team. A salvage operation was planned, and members of the dive group took the engineers out to the reef to help crane out the debris, which included paint cans, paint rollers, and boxes of nails. “Because we’re at the reef regularly, we could narrow down the time window to when the debris likely appeared,” says Debby. “This helped the Maritime Port Authority track down the responsible party.”
Sisters’ Islands
The waters around the Sisters’ Islands, south of Sentosa, were designated Singapore’s first ever marine park in 2015.
“This was a very important step for marine conservation in Singapore,” says Debby. “National Parks engaged all marine users in the process, to provide them with reef awareness. People were used to going wherever they wanted, but these new laws now govern how they interact with the reef.”
The Marine Park protects coral reefs, inhabited by rare and endangered species of seahorses, clams, fish and other marine life. It’s also home to Singapore’s first turtle hatchery, providing a favourable environment for baby turtles to incubate, hatch safely and make it out to sea. Despite the busy waterways around Singapore, the coast is home to several species of turtles, including Hawksbill and Green turtles. The hatchery aims to increase the survival rate of turtle babies through technology, research and community involvement.
Late in 2018, as part of the National Park Board’s ‘Grow a Reef Garden’ project, an artificial reef structure was sunk within the Marine Park. The project will add additional reefs to the area, to support and enhance the existing habitat.
For visitors to the Sisters’ Islands, National Parks provides regular guided coastal walks, and an underwater self-guided dive trail for divers and snorkellers. (nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/sisters-islands-marine-park).
Pulau Ubin
Ria Tan, founder of the website Wild Singapore (wildsingapore.com), and co-author of a book of the same name, has been working in conservation in Singapore for nearly 20 years. She was one of the founding members of the Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M) initiative, formed by a group of people passionate about restoring the mangrove habitat on Pulau Ubin. “These mangroves provide a vital habitat for wildlife and aquatic life,” says Ria.
The project involved monitoring the mangroves of Pulau Ubin, regular site clean-ups, undertaking biodiversity surveys and mapping surveys with researchers, and holding guided mangrove walks to educate Pulau Ubin visitors about this important habitat.
Pulau Ubin hosts one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems, the Chek Jawa intertidal flat. The area also has mangroves, a seagrass lagoon, rock pools, and a sandbar, providing homes for rare plants and animals. Local conservation group the Naked Hermit Crabs (nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.sg) conducts guided tours of the Chek Jawa area, raising awareness of the importance of the ecosystem and the hermit crabs that call it home. Chek Jawa’s seagrass beds, home to Hawksbill turtles, seahorses and other species, are the subject of ongoing monitoring by Team Seagrass (teamseagrass.blogspot.com). This volunteer group has been monitoring the seagrasses on Singapore’s shores since 2007. Changes in seagrass health can impact marine biodiversity, and often act as an early warning of impacts from coastal development, pollution and climate change. Team Seagrass submits their data to National Parks, and to Seagrass-Watch, a global seagrass monitoring project. Volunteers from Team Seagrass conduct guided tours of some of Singapore’s seagrass beds and the group is always looking for more volunteers. “It’s a great opportunity for ordinary people to experience some of our best seagrass meadows and contribute to scientific monitoring of them,” says Ria.
