Saturday, September 13, 2025

Our Experience Watching The Lord of the Rings Musical in Singapore

ABBEY: When Wilma spotted an online ad for The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, she immediately asked if we could watch it. Of course, I said yes! And lucky for us, we managed to get discounted tickets in celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday. It is definitely a great deal compared to paying the full price.


I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t know if they will correct the whole narrative of the novel or even how long it would be. But to my surprise, the production covered the entire journey from the formation of the Fellowship all the way to Mount Doom. All that epic storytelling was compressed into a three-hour performance which has the same length as one of the trilogy films!


The show began even before the curtain rose. As guests were settling into their seats, Bilbo himself wandered around and casually interacted with the audience. When he passed by, I even greeted him with a “Happy Birthday!”—a nod to the first scene set at Bilbo’s birthday party. Other hobbits joined in the fun, playing little games with the crowd, which made the atmosphere lighthearted and immersive.


Like many fans, I couldn’t help but wonder how the stage production would recreate those legendary scenes we know so well from the movies. But I was blown away! From the intense battle in the Mines of Moria between Gandalf and the Balrog to Gollum’s chilling first appearance and eventual fall into the fiery depths of Mount Doom. It is nothing short of spectacular.


What makes this musical truly impressive is that everything unfolds live on stage, without any green screen magic. Seeing these iconic moments brought to life right in front of your eyes is an experience every Lord of the Rings fan should witness.


$60 ticket experience watching The Lord of the Rings Musical live in Singapore.
$60 ticket experience watching The Lord of the Rings Musical live in Singapore.


WILL: Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an opera, a play, and a musical? According to Google’s AI, the main difference lies in the performance style:
-- Plays: consist entirely of spoken dialogue
-- Operas: are sung-through dramas with no spoken dialogue
-- Musicals: combine spoken dialogue with songs.

That clears up the confusion, right? And speaking of musicals, let’s talk about the latest one that has arrived in Singapore: The Lord of the Rings Musical. When we saw tickets go on sale for just SGD 60, we immediately grabbed the chance to watch the next day. After all, it’s not every day that you get to experience J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary story in a live musical format The show felt like a feast for the senses. It opened with Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday, instantly pulling the audience into the world of Middle-earth.

But here’s what really stood out for me: 
1. The actors and musicians came out to the audience even before the show began, greeting us, asking about our day, and encouraging us to join fun mini-games

2. Performers didn’t just stay on stage — they appeared from the aisles and corners, making the whole theatre feel alive

3. The musicians were everywhere, not just in a pit, which was refreshing. Though I couldn’t help but think this was also a creative way to fill up the stage, since the set design felt a little lacking

4. The costume design leaned heavily on Indian-inspired aesthetics, which makes sense since the production was influenced by A.R. Rahman.

If you’re looking for a fast-forward version of The Lord of the Rings story, this musical will give you exactly that. It’s entertaining, interactive, and unique in its presentation.

However, if you’re a die-hard fan expecting every detail and grandeur from the books or movies, you might find it a bit underwhelming. The only real “wow” moments for me were Gollum’s voice and appearance.

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Marina Bay Sands' Shows and Concerts
(W) https://www.marinabaysands.com/entertainment/shows.html


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Sunday, September 7, 2025

Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar vs Suntec – Where’s the Best Chinese Hot Food in Singapore?

ABBEY:  If you’re craving authentic Chinese flavors in Singapore, Scarlett Supermarket is more than just a place to stock up on groceries. It’s also a spot to enjoy hearty Chinese comfort food. We’ve visited both their Suntec and Westgate outlets, and each trip has been a delicious experience.

One of our favorites has to be the dumplings. They’re generously sized, packed with juicy meat and fragrant chives, and perfect for sharing (though you might want them all to yourself!). Another standout dish is the red mala noodles. At first glance, it looks intimidating with its fiery red broth, but if you can handle spice, it’s absolutely worth it. The soup is tangy, spicy, and loaded with ingredients like mushrooms, lotus root, and tender meat.


We also tried their Chinese sausage, which caught our eye because it’s shaped like a bratwurst. While it looks Western, the flavor is distinctly Chinese; on the sweet side.


Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar vs Suntec City Singapore – best affordable Chinese hot food
Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar vs Suntec
Where’s the Best Chinese Hot Food in Singapore?



WILL: Is this a sign? Haha! Paparinig ako kay Abbey… baka naman China trip na next destination namin? 😍
So, what’s the relation of Scarlett and China?
Scarlett Supermarket in Singapore is a well-known grocery store that mainly sells Chinese products—from snacks, sauces, frozen goods, to everyday essentials. Prices are affordable, quality is ok, but for me, the real highlight is not just the supermarket… it’s their hot food section!

If you’re wondering where to eat affordable Chinese food in Singapore, Scarlett should be on your list. We recently visited two branches: Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar and Scarlett Supermarket Suntec City, and here’s my quick comparison:
     >Suntec Branch – More serene and quiet, but with fewer tables. Perfect if you want a calm spot to enjoy your meal.

     >Paya Lebar Branch – Spacious, wide variety of dishes, and they even offer free noodle or rice refill! Downside: not every dish hit my taste expectations, but with so many choices, you’ll never run out of new things to try.

Now, my must-try dishes in Suntec Branch:
     •Signature Hot and Sour Noodles – Suntec branch nailed this one! The flavors brought me back to my first visit in Qingdao, China. Pure nostalgia!
     •Mala Dumplings – Spicy, savory, and absolutely drool-worthy. A total winner!

Whether you go to Scarlett Supermarket Suntec or Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar, you’ll enjoy exploring both their grocery aisles and hot food counter. It’s a mix of affordable Chinese groceries and delicious meals—authentic, budget-friendly, and oh-so-satisfying!


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思家客Scarlett Supermarket Singapore


Saturday, August 30, 2025

Why Exercise Alone Isn’t Enough for a Healthy Body (+ Our 1-Week Meal & Workout Plan)

“Ha? He looks so healthy—full of muscles and runs every morning! How come he got a stroke?” My sister answered: “He eats a lot of meat. A lot of street food. And mga matatamis”

Well, we were shocked too! When Abbey was diagnosed with high blood pressure, it didn’t make sense at first. Ha? We eat mostly vegetables and not a lot of meat! So how did this happen? 

The truth is, regular workouts and eating vegetables aren’t enough to guarantee a healthy body. You need a balanced diet, portion control, and mindful choices. I realized this too—despite thinking I was eating healthy, I still have high uric acid.

So, what’s the takeaway? Exercise is great, but nutrition matters just as much. High blood pressure doesn’t care how fast the morning run was if meals are loaded with sodium, fried oils, and processed meats. Small swaps—less salt, fewer fried foods, more whole foods—consistently beat “outrunning” a poor diet. 

👉 In this post, I’m sharing our first week of healthy meals and workouts designed for lowering blood pressure and reducing uric acid levels. If you’re starting a wellness journey for better heart health, this might inspire you too!

Meal plan for high blood pressure & Workout plan lowers uric acid
Meal plan for high blood pressure & Workout plan lowers uric acid