Short, Shady, and Serene — Our Walk at Mandai Boardwalk

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.

Is Mandai Boardwalk Worth Visiting?

✅ Yes, if you love:

•Nature walks beside water

•Shady, tree-covered paths

•Easy 1-hour park strolls

•Quick food stop after walking

*** 

Mandai Boardwalk

(W) https://www.mandai.com/en/mandai-boardwalk.html

We Thought We Were Healthy... Until 2025 Hit Us Hard 🥲 (Our Gentle Reset Story)

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.

See you on next week’s update!

✨ ITO NA ANG SIMULA. ✨ 

You can join/follow our routine and eating habits. On our next blog we will post what we ate for Week 1.  

This $9 Bulalo Shamed Every Overpriced Filipino Restaurant in Singapore

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.

***

Lechon Pinoy – JEM Food Court

(W) https://lechonpinoy.oddle.me/en_SG/

(A) 50 Jurong Gateway Rd, #05-01 (Stall MR9), Singapore 608549 

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