Singapore Turf Club - Think Entertainment, Think Racing

ABBEY: I've never been to a horse race track even back in the Philippines so I was excited when Wilma told me that we will visit Singapore Turf Club at Kranji. 

Public entrance for level 1 grandstand is at 6SGD while going to Owner's Lounge is priced at 30SGD. At first we bought the 6-dollar ticket but we were asked by the usher if we wanted to upgrade our ticket. We complied and we didn't have any regret on our decision, as the place is nice, beautiful and comfortable. You can have table with a monitor for your viewing convenience. Also you can order food and drinks for as low as 10SGD and 4SGD respectively. 

Each guest in the Owner's Lounge will be given the programme for the day. In it are the race schedules, horses', trainers', and jockeys' information as well as intructions on how to bet. We placed bets but unfortunately our horses didn't won. It was a fun experience for that day. 

WILL: As you all know, I am easily bored. I hate a day-to-day routine. And as agreed by me and Abbey, every year we will go, do or taste something different. Last year we slept under the stars and beside the gentle waves of East Coast Park. Now we were here to see a horse race.

Do not get me wrong as I am not promoting gambling here. The billboards say on the middle of the track "Know Your Limits". Well, before going there, I limit myself for one bet and for $2 only win or lose and fixed my mind to go in second floor air-conditioned grandstand with a $6 entrance fee. Hey please check the dress code at the turf club or else you will not be allowed to go and holler for your horse. Haha

I wore a little white dress (again thanks Ate Minnie for sponsoring) and Abbey went for white polo shirt, jeans and black shoes. We headed to the ticket counter and they asked us if we want to go for Owner's Lounge that costs $30.00 each. Abbey is pushing me to allow him to buy that but I insisted the opposite. He failed and we moved on at the gate. 

The marshall halted us to stop and asked us why we do not want to go to the owner's lounge. He described it and as usual my
husband was enticed by the comfort the marshall is describing. Although all of the floors were air conditioned but having your own table and tv screen will be a great experience. And then I gave in. Abbey held my hand and rushed to the ticket counter to refund the $6 ticket and buy the owner's lounge one. We were handed our ticket and envelope consisted of ballpen cum highlighter and booklet of days races. 

We entered a carpeted area with nice chandeliers. We entered the lounge and we were welcomed with gleeful ambiance. It is so beautiful. Everybody is shouting with joy..it seems. We walked and walked looking for a table, darl, the nicest spot were all
flagged reserved. Then one of the men on the higher bench showed me that table B14 is free. We sat, took the betting paper, and non-stop laughing filled the air. The 1st race is on and we are looking for race 3, that would give us enough time to study how to bet. After minutes of discussing and tummy-clenching happiness, Abbey officially handed our bets and get the receipt. The result? We lose! This is really a game of chance. So even Abbey told me to go for another bet, I stand firm and declined.

We ordered food... yes! We ordered food, price range is from $5-$15. The fried beehoon is nice and can serve 2 pax.
after our light mirienda, we went down to see the parade of the horses and its jockeys. 

We went out to feel the action under the sun. There we saw the betters seriously checking out the program and the results. The cheers and cursing for their horses is higher here.

A very out-of-box dating experience. You can go here via mrt, alight at Kranji or just hail a taxi. :) 

Know your limits guys!

River Safari Singapore Asia's First River-Themed Wildlife Park

ABBEY : Ok, so we've been to Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. And when River Safari opened, we planned on going to it. 

While waiting for the gates to open, we took snaps on their facade. The park was sectioned into two and by different rivers around the world; Nile, Yangtze, Gangee, Mekong, and Amazon. For me, Amazon is the best. You will be at awe when you see the river giant, manatee (seacow or dugong). They are very huge creatures but can gracefully swim on the tank.  

On the side of the Wild Amazonia is a 10-minute boat ride that costs SGD5(adult) and SGD3(child). Be sure to be there on time of your ride. You can see flamingoes, maned wolf, copybara, macaws, squirrel monkeys and a lot more.  

On the other side of the animal park are giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia who welcomed us also on their abode. We were shown what food they are eating and how it was prepared. Be sure to keep quiet so they won'be startled. Along with them are red pandas that look like oversized racoons and golden pheasant. 

We also got a taste of their Panda buns (choco and red bean flavor) at SGD2.90 a piece. Fish like puffer fish, catfish and Australian lungfish can be seen as well as giant salamander, Indian gharial and stingrays. You will be able see all in it at half a day but you will enjoy it.

WILL: River is calling. River Safari's tag line advertisements are everywhere so who are we not to answer that calling. Before my Ate Sol's 10-day vacation here in Singapore, we went at Mandai Lake area where the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are also located. River Safari is just in the middle of the two well-known tourist spots in Singapore.

The park exhibited the great rivers of the world and the inhabitants of those. It is not an ordinary aquarium, its not an ordinary zoo. With great thinking they showcased the endangered animals that needed our care. 

Be owed by different rivers and its characteristics. Mississippi River, Congo River, Ganges River, Murray, Mekong, Yangtze River and the great River Nile were all there. Showcasing their inhibitors. 

Amazon, the virgin forest, once flooded will be a home to the great giants of the sea. I turned dwarf when we were standing in front of the foot to ceiling glass.. The glass that separates us manatees who swim gracefully under our watch. A jaw-dropping experience indeed.

We ran to catch up the second batch of (Amazon River Quest). Maybe because the boat is too fast, we do not have enough time to see some of the caged animals.

Hush yourselves when you enter the Giant Panda Forest. We just saw the retiring panda from a screen through a cctv camera. The other one is just sleeping, hmm, maybe she is trying to get rid of her panda eyes. Haha.. Joke!

You can go in here and finish for 3hours. 

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Village Hotel Bugis' - The Landmark

ABBEY: We had our lunch at The Landmark on one of the days Ate Sol visited us here. It is located at Village Hotel in Bugis (Bugis MRT Exit B - head to Arab St.). Yes it is a buffet one; international. The place has a touch of Mediterranean theme; white table cloths, blue wine glasses and crystal chandeliers.

The chef manager, Oktay, warmly welcomed us to the buffet table. In there are variety of food like chicken tandoori, vegetable samosa, chicken shawarma, prawn dry chilli, fish fillet in spinach sauce, and bbq chicken drumlets. Desserts were overflowing too; nyonya kueh, fresh fruits, and pastries. 

What I like the most is buttered naan matched with yellow dhal and chicken tandoori. It was a hearty lunch and were filled with delicious food and new acquaintance.

WILL: I like the way Chef Oktay Sahin entertain each visitors in his restaurant. He literally walk on and chit-chat to his diners one by one. So if you want to have some conversation to a head checf of a restaurant The Landmark must be in your list. 

We are all excited to have a buffet lunch to celebrate my 31st bday. We were greeted by the men at the concierge and brought us at our table. OMG, a blue wine glass and a very neat table waiting for four of us. I felt that I am so special that time, well Happy Birthday to me! 

The food, oh the food. How many times I went back to take food? I forgot to count because some were served in our table. It is an indian cuisine so all were bit spicy and curry. 

What we love the most? The garlic naan!!! The freshly baked aroma was all-over the place everytime it hit our table.