ABBEY: We finally got to experience the beauty of Mandai Boardwalk, and it was absolutely worth it! Stretching for a little over 3 kilometers, this tranquil trail runs along the boundary of the Singapore Zoo, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Our journey began at Tree Frog’s Hangout and concluded at Kingfisher’s Cave, with breathtaking views of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Upper Seletar Reservoir along the way. The still waters and lush greenery create an atmosphere of pure serenity, making it the perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with nature.
Pro Tips for Your Visit:
•Wear sunscreen: The open sections of the boardwalk are sunny, so protect your skin.
•Stay hydrated: Bring water to keep refreshed throughout your walk.
•Take breaks: There are restaurants and cafes nearby where you can relax and refuel before or after your walk.
Whether you’re a nature lover or simply looking for a peaceful weekend activity, Mandai Boardwalk is a must-visit destination in Singapore. Embrace the calm surroundings, enjoy the scenic views, and let nature recharge your energy!
Short, Shady, and Serene — Our Walk at Mandai Boardwalk
WILL: If you’ve been following our Facebook Stories lately, you probably noticed—we’ve ditched binge-watching and junk food for a little sun and greenery. Like many of you, we’ve spent way too much time indoors. So in 2nd quarter of 2025, we decided to start our “Park Hopping” series in Singapore—and the first stop? Mandai Boardwalk.
Mandai Boardwalk is a short and peaceful trail near Mandai Reservoir, located just beside the Mandai Rainforest. It’s perfect for those who want a calming walk close to water, minus the intense sun. The boardwalk is lined with creeping plants, and trees, making it one of the shadiest park walks we’ve experienced so far (in a good way, of course!).
How Long Is Mandai Boardwalk?
Not more than 5KM. It’s an easy, breezy walk—flat, stroller-friendly, and beginner-approved. If you’re looking for a chill nature escape without trekking your lungs out, this is it.
After your Mandai stroll, don’t rush home! Outside the Mandai Rainforest zone, there’s a small cluster of restaurants and cafés you can explore. Perfect for a post-walk coffee, brunch, or even an early dinner.
When I got a full-time job, Abbey and I slowly slipped into a comfortable routine. We were working hard, eating once a day (OMAD), and convinced that as long as our meals were mostly veggies and fast once a week, we’d stay fit and healthy — even if we barely exercised.
But as 2025 began, reality hit hard.
Despite eating meat only once or up to three times a week and having mostly gulay sa ulam, our health markers didn’t lie. Abbey was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I had elevated uric acid. Oof.
Kasunod pa noon? Abbey got a sprain. I started noticing that my shoulders were always clicking. He had to see a physio, and I was told to always warm up before any workout. That was our wake-up call. It felt like our bodies were rusting. 😢
People say it’s because of age or hormones — but honestly, we don’t fully buy that. We believe the ALMIGHTY wants us to live healthy and joyful lives, so we won’t use aging as a reason to let ourselves go.
It’s not our body’s fault. It’s our habits and mindset.
So we began searching for a sustainable way to reset our lifestyle. That’s when we discovered Kaizen by Cho Lim. We were actually ready to join even if it cost ₱20,000. But to our surprise, the price was ₱40,000 per person. 😲
We took the online orientation, slept on it for a few days (literally 😆), and decided not to join — not because we didn’t believe in it, but because we wanted to test our own discipline and commitment first. Again!
What stood out to us from the Kaizen call was this:
✔️ It’s not just about body workouts
✔️ It’s also about mindset, habit building, and accountability
That’s when we remembered: during the pandemic, we opened a small support group among our family and friends — and it worked. So why not do it again?
We Thought We Were Healthy... Until 2025 Hit Us Hard 🥲 (Our Gentle Reset Story)
Thus, The Gentle Reset for 40s Community was born.
💡 Our Plan
Each week, we’ll post:
✨ Our actual weekly exercise routine
🥗 Our simple, budget-friendly, healthy weekly menu
🧠 Small mindset shifts that helped us stay consistent
This is not a fitness challenge. This is a reset. A gentler one. For us 40s na hindi na bata, pero hindi rin matandang-matanda. 😅
If you’re also in your 40s and want to feel stronger, lighter, and more in control again, join us on this journey.
ABBEY: After a refreshing stroll along the scenic Mandai Boardwalk, we decided to reward ourselves with a hearty Filipino meal at Lechon Pinoy in Jem Mall. It took just a couple of minutes to get a table, and trust me—it was absolutely worth the wait!
We indulged in some of our all-time favorites: bulalo (beef marrow soup), pork barbecue, and of course, their signature lechon (roast pork). Each dish brought a taste of home and didn’t disappoint.
The bulalo was rich and flavorful, with tender beef shanks and bone marrow that simply melted off the bone. The pork barbecue had that perfect smoky sweetness, just like the ones sold at street stalls back in the Philippines, and paired beautifully with the tangy “sabaw” (broth) of their sinigang.
And the star of the show? The lechon! With its crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, it was so irresistible that we ended up ordering an extra serving to take home. To top it off, the staff even gave us an additional portion as a bonus- such a thoughtful gesture!
Lechon Pinoy SG
This $9 Bulalo Shamed Every Overpriced Filipino Restaurant in Singapore
WILL: Let me be brutally honest—I rarely eat Filipino food in restaurants. Not because I don’t love it (I do!), but because:
1.Abbey cooks it better at home, and
2.Let’s face it—most Pinoy dishes in Singapore are ridiculously overpriced.
So when I crave something like Bulalo, I brace myself for a tiny portion, bland broth, and a hefty bill. But this time, I was pleasantly surprised.
After our nature walk at Mandai Boardwalk, I was craving soup. Bulalo, specifically. Comforting. Savory. Homey.
We headed straight to Lechon Pinoy at JEM, and I immediately saw Bulalo with rice on their menu—SGD 9.25 / pax. Sounds reasonable, but I thought: “Baka puro soup lang talaga to ah, no meat.” So I ordered a few sticks of BBQ as backup.
What came to our table shocked me—in the best way. 😲
✅ Tender, fall-off-the-bone beef
✅ Deep, savory broth
✅ Generous portion (more than enough for me and Abbey!)
This wasn’t the usual “sabaw lang” disaster.
It was comfort in a bowl—legit, sulit na sulit.
And the Pork BBQ? Flavor? On point.
Well-marinated, smoky, sweet—but yes, I do wish the meat were a bit bigger for the price. Still, it was a great combo with the soup.
My Chismosa Moment. Haha. Okay, I eavesdropped a little. A group of Pinoys at the next table were saying. “Mas masarap dito kaysa sa Lucky Plaza ah!”
I know, chismosa ako 😅 but they had a point.
This tasted more authentic, more generous, and honestly—more affordable than what we’ve had in other Filipino restos.
We couldn’t leave without trying their lechon. So we it takeaway. Wink!And wow—it was another hit. Crispy skin, tender meat, not overly salty. Perfect for a simple feast with a wine at home.
Final Thoughts
✅ Affordable Filipino food
✅ Big portions
✅ Authentic taste
✅ No “daylight robbery” feeling
Lechon Pinoy at JEM surprised us—in the best way. We’ll definitely be back. Maybe next time we’ll check out their Orchard branch.
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We chose Citadines Barbican London because of its proximity to our colleagues’ offices. After late-night meetups, it was a relief to walk back without hassle. Although it was cold when we arrived in London, the warmth we felt at Citadines was like a cozy embrace.
A special touch? A welcome basket filled with snacks and chocolates to celebrate my wife’s birthday- thoughtful and heartwarming. The room itself was spacious, with plenty of storage for our shoes, luggage, and clothes. For refreshments, filtered water is available on the ground floor, and you can grab specialty drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, or hot chocolate from the self-service station at the basement level. The hotel’s close proximity to a train station was another major plus, especially since we relied heavily on public transportation throughout our stay.
ibis Styles St Andrew Square
In Edinburgh, we stayed at ibis Styles St Andrew Square, a stylish hotel located right in the heart of the city. It was perfectly situated- just a short walk from the train station, top museums, restaurants, and even the airport bus stop.
Our room had a large, clean bed where we enjoyed unwinding with streaming content on the internet-enabled TV (a welcome feature, especially since cable channels were limited). The complimentary breakfast buffet offered a satisfying start to the day, with fresh pastries, scones, oatmeal, fruits, and juices. Bonus points for offering umbrella rentals- very handy for those drizzly Edinburgh days when you still want to explore.
Hampton by Hilton in Dublin
Our final stay was at Hampton by Hilton in Dublin, which offered easy access to city hotspots like Temple Bar and Jervis Shopping Centre- just an 8-minute walk away.
The room was impressively spacious with a city view, giving us plenty of room to spread out and relax. One of our favorite highlights? The breakfast- especially the DIY waffle station with toppings like whipped cream, blueberries, and syrup. I also enjoyed the classic English breakfast options, complete with pork and blood sausage, eggs, grilled tomatoes, and beans. The lobby bar was a great spot to unwind and catch up with friends over a drink.
What It’s Really Like to Stay in Budget Hotels in London, Edinburgh & Dublin
WILL:When planning a trip to the UK and Ireland, hotels can take up a big chunk of your budget. But here’s the question: should you sacrifice comfort and security just to save?
We say—no need!
You can have both—and here are the budget-friendly hotels we stayed at during our recent London, Edinburgh, and Dublin trip. We’re sharing honest reviews to help you decide whether these places are for you.
🏨 Citadines Barbican London
There’s no shortage of hotels in Central London, but why did we choose Citadines at Barbican?
1.It’s within walking distance of Abbey’s office
2.Centrally located and close to many tourist spots
For our 4-night stay, we were surprised that housekeeping wasn’t included. That meant we had to take out the trash, change our own towels, and refill our water from the gym (or basement). No tea/coffee refill too.
A bit of a hassle—but:
— The room size fits 2 open large luggages comfortably
— The bed was cozy, and the quilt was warm and fluffy
So, if you’re okay being independent, this is a good pick.
🛏️ ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square
I’m glad Abbey picked this over other hotel chains. What makes it stand out?
1.The location feels peaceful, yet you’re just minutes from the buzz of the main streets.
2.Breakfast is a winner—fresh bagels, scones, a great cheese spread. One of our fave breakfast buffets!
3.And don’t miss their sticky toffee pudding—a surprise hit.
Heads-up though: The room and bathroom are quite cramped. But if you won’t be spending much time inside, it still works.
☕ Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Centre
We’re not big IHG fans—but this hotel was a smart choice.
1.Walking distance to the mall, St Stephen’s Green, and major bus stops
2.And since Dublin was our “sleep vacation,” we appreciated the restful vibes here
—Room and bathroom sizes were more generous than London
—Housekeeping came daily, and
—Breakfast? Always exciting—especially the fresh fruits and DIY waffles!
That wraps up our hotel picks for our UK-Ireland trip. Hope this gives you a glimpse of what it’s like to stay at these three hotels—and helps you decide which one suits your travel style best.
If you’re looking for comfort without going over budget, these are worth considering. 💸✨
Happy planning!
SAVE MONEY ON YOUR TRAVEL HERE!!!
ExpediaBooking.com, Hostelworld: Your one-stop-shop for hotel and hostel bookings. Find your perfect home away from home with Expedia's extensive listings.
KKDAY: Not Just for Attractions. KKDAY offers excellent options for accommodations. Explore and book with confidence.
GetYourGuide:Don't just visit your destination — experience it. Book your activities with GetYourGuide!
Aparthotel Citadines Barbican London - Official Site
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