Clifford Pier & Esplanade Park
80 Collyer Quay

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=15&Itemid=73


Opening Hours:
Daily 24 Hours

Admission Fees (In SGD $):
Free

Estimated Visiting Duration:
1 - 3 Hours

List Of Star Attractions (Must See):
Merlion Park & 2 Merlion Statues
2 Statues Of Sir Stamford Raffles
Victoria Theatre And Concert Hall
The Arts House At The Old Parliament
Lim Bo Seng Memorial
Old Supreme Court And City Hall
The Cenotaph
Tan Kim Seng Fountain
Civilian War Memorial

List Of Main Attractions (Good To See):
Clifford Pier
The Fullerton Bay Hotel
The Fullerton Pavilion
The Fullerton Waterboat House
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Empress Place
Dalhousie Obelisk
Indian National Army Marker
Cannonball Tree
Leopard Tree
Padang
War Memorial Park
Queen Elizabeth Walk Promenade
Singapore River Cruise

List Of Other Attractions (For A Complete Experience):
Clifford Square
OUE Bayfront
Window Of Hope Sculpture
The Fullerton Heritage Trail
Cavenagh Bridge
Anderson Bridge
ACM Green
The Foundation Stone Of The Monument
Singapore's First Pedestrian Underpass Tunnel
Frangipani Tree
Singapore Cricket Club
Singapore Recreation Club
Esplanade Park Exterior & Surroundings


Many Historical Sites In A Small Area


(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Visited: Jul-2012


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Clifford Pier & Esplanade Park has many historical colonial buildings and monuments, packed within a small area. This makes it easy to explore the whole place on foot, and even squeeze in visits to the different museums here.

At Clifford Pier, the highlights include the Fullerton Group of hotels, utilizing restored colonial facades. And also, the Merlion Park, with its 2 iconic Merlion Statues.

Connecting Clifford Pier to Esplanade Park are a pair of iconic bridges, the Cavenagh Bridge and the Anderson Bridge. The Cavenagh Bridge leads towards Empress Place and ACM Green, with its various old government buildings. Anderson Bridge leads towards Queen Elizabeth Walk Promenade, with the war monuments.

Part of the attraction of Clifford Pier & Esplanade Park is the various views, of the city, the waterfront, or the Padang and the Old Supreme Court And City Hall. A different way to take in the view is the hop on a boat ride of the Singapore River Cruise.

If you're planning a visit, it's best to come during daylight hours, and allocate between 1 to 3 hours for viewing.


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Fort Canning Park & Battle Box
51 Canning Rise

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=16&Itemid=73

http://www.legendsfortcanning.com/fortcanning/battlebox.htm


Opening Hours:
Fort Canning Park: Daily 7am - 7pm

Battle Box: Daily 10am - 6pm


Admission Fees (In SGD $):
Fort Canning Park: Free

Battle Box: $5


Estimated Visiting Duration:
1 - 4 Hours

List Of Star Attractions (Must See):
Battle Box
Fort Canning Centre
2 Gothic Gates
Keramat
2 9 Pound Cannons
Mural Walls
Light House
Time Ball
Fort Gate

List Of Main Attractions (Good To See):
Cupolas
Memorial To James Brooke Napier
Bond Terrace
Picnic Terrace
Raffles Terrace
Raffles House
Flagstaff
Cox Terrace
Fort Wall
Old Married Soldier's Quarters (OMSQ)
Sally Port
Ruins Of Ancient Singapore
ASEAN Sculpture Garden
Archaeological Dig Exhibition

List Of Other Attractions (For A Complete Experience):
Ancient Singapore Trail
Colonial Singapore Trail
Heritage Trees Trail
Stamford Green & Sculpture Let There Be Peace
Spice Garden
The Parit Singapura Bridge
Lewin Terrace
Badang Terrace
Dobbie Rise
Old Gunpowder Magazine
First Christian Cemetery
Fort Canning Park Exterior & Surroundings


2 Historical Trails - Ancient Singapore Trail, Or Colonial Singapore Trail


(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Visited: Jul-2012


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Fort Canning Park & Battle Box is one of Singapore's oldest parks, and also one of the earliest seats of government during the colonial days. The Battle Box is actually a museum located within Fort Canning Park. Getting around is relatively easy, however, there are 2 different trails you could take to explore the place.

The more popular trail is the Colonial Singapore Trail, as you'll get to see most of the remaining artifacts and architecture within Fort Canning Park & Battle Box. This trail features highlights like 2 9 Pound Cannons, the Gothic Gates, the Light House, Time Ball, Fort Gate, Sally Port, and of course, the Battle Box museum.

In contrast, the Fort Canning Park & Battle Box trail called the Ancient Singapore Trail features more storyboards rather than exhibits. The highlights here include the Keramat and Mural Walls.

Because of these 2 different trails, exploring Fort Canning Park & Battle Box over 2 short visits, rather than 1 long visit, is an option. Furthermore, exploring the Battle Box museum will take some time as well.

Located at Cox Terrace in Fort Canning Park, the Battle Box museum is a restored underground bunker. Though small, they've managed to fill the place quite well with various exhibits, and it is well worth a look.

If you're planning a visit, do note that while Fort Canning Park is free, the admission to Battle Box costs $5. Allocate between 1 to 4 hours for viewing, and bring water along.


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The Top 10 Best Street Food Cities


Credits to VirtualTourist.com, and Reuters. The 2012 data on the Top 10 Best Street Food Cities in the world.







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Swiss Culture Restaurant has been in this location at Suntec City ever since its opening in 2002. It is somewhat of an odd location, since you can't actually approach Swiss Culture Restaurant directly, instead having to pass by 2 other restaurants to get here, including the popular Japanese buffet Kuishin-Bo. But it's well worth dining here! 


What I like best about Swiss Culture Restaurant is their friendly, efficient and attentive service staff. You can tell staff are knowledgable about their food, and happy with their work... All of which leads to a more pleasant experience for customers. 


The food portions are Swiss Culture Restaurant are relatively large, and good value for money. Generally, their food is tasty and full of flavour. Their signature dishes are generally better, but their other items on the menu are pretty good as well. Swiss cuisine is known for its use of Cheese, and this ingredient is liberally applied in many dishes here. 


I only have 1 complaint about Swiss Culture Restaurant... Their dishes have a little too much oil for my liking. That aside, I'll definitely dine at Swiss Culture Restaurant again! 










The only noticable difference between a traditional Latte and their Schale (Suisse Latte), is the amount of milk used. The Schale (Suisse Latte) has more milk added, which makes it slightly creamier in texture. 

Schale (Suisse Latte)

The Gratin Half Shell Scallop & Mussels With Melted Swiss Cheese features fresh seafood, covered with mozzarella cheese. Good, but it would have been even better if the quality of seafood was the absolute freshest and premium. Quite value for money at SGD $11.90. 

Gratin Half Shell Scallop & Mussels With Melted Swiss Cheese 01

Gratin Half Shell Scallop & Mussels With Melted Swiss Cheese 02

The Swiss Pork Sausage With Rosti Potato is a classic Swiss dish. A huge meaty house-made pork sausage accompanies a well cooked rosti potato, with a crisp outer shell and soft interior. Topped with sweet caramalized onions and brown meat gravy, with a side of fresh salad. Excellent signature dish, at SGD $20.70. 

Swiss Pork Sausage With Rosti Potato 01

Swiss Pork Sausage With Rosti Potato 02

The Chicken Zurich Style With Rosti Potato features their signature rosti potato, fresh salad, and chicken slices cooked with mushrooms, in a white wine and butter sauce. The sauce was fantastic, and really addictive. Highly recommended, at SGD $20.70. 

Chicken Zurich Style With Rosti Potato 01

Chicken Zurich Style With Rosti Potato 02

Cheese Fondue is another Swiss classic. This has emmental cheese and gruyere cheese melted with Fendant wine, also known as Chasselas Blanc, a dry, fruity white wine from Switzerland. It's accompanied by cubes of house-made boule bread for dipping. While tasty and filling, I like it more for its fun factor! Costs SGD $42.70 by itself. You may add additional ingredients like vegetables, chicken slices, pork sausage slices or cubes of beef sirlion at an additional price. 

Dipping Bread 01

Dipping Bread 02

Cheese Fondue 01

Cheese Fondue 02

Cheese Fondue 03

Cheese Fondue 04

Cheese Fondue 05

Sticker


Design inspired by Sticker Lady, Samantha Lo.





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Labrador Nature Reserve
Labrador Villa Road

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=naturereserves&id=48&Itemid=75


Opening Hours:
Daily 24 Hours,
Best During Lighted Hours Of 7am - 7pm

Admission Fees (In SGD $):
Free

Estimated Visiting Duration:
1 - 2 Hours

List Of Star Attractions (Must See):
Dragon's Teeth Gate
Red Beacon
6 Inch Quick Firing Cannon
Casemate
Wonders Of The Wind
Fish Poison Tree

List Of Main Attractions (Good To See):
5 Lookout Decks
Machine Gun Post
Old Fort Entrance & Portcullis
Labrador War Memorial Plaque
Fishing Points
Fitness Course
Labrador Nature Reserve Exterior & Surroundings

List Of Other Attractions (For A Complete Experience):
ComChest Green
3 Event Area
Jetty
Obelisk & Rock Wall
Storyboards
2 Gun Emplacements
Tunnel
BBQ Pits & Picnic Area


War Ruins Amidst The Greenery


(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Visited: Jul-2012


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The best thing about Labrador Nature Reserve is enjoying the sea breeze and view along the sea wall and Lookout Decks.

One of the highlights in Labrador Nature Reserve is the colonial history trail, where you'll get to see various for ruins. The star highlight along this trek would be the 6 Inch Quick Firing Cannon, and the Casemate.

In the main park area of Labrador Nature Reserve, stands a lone Fish Poison Tree, so named for its use by fishermen to stun fish for capture. It has a unique looking, pink and white flower, and box shaped fruit. While poisonous to fish, it is safe for humans to handle.

Also look out for the Dragon's Teeth Gate and Red Beacon, located at the tip of Labrador Nature Reserve.

Labrador Nature Reserve is quite easy to traverse, and also won't take long to explore. It's quite popular for fishing, and picnics.

If you're planning a visit, it's best to come during daylight hours, and allocate between 1 to 2 hours for viewing.


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Bongo Burgers is only located at 2 tourist attractions in Singapore, the Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park. Straight off, be prepared to pay slightly higher prices for a meal here, as Bongo Burgers supposedly caters to tourists. Fortunately, their prices are reasonable, as compared to other food outlets located in these tourist attractions. 


I like the wild african savannah theme in Bongo Burgers, very fitting for the fast food joint! The ambience at the Night Safari outlet is actually better, as you'll be able to catch the live fire-breathing performances from your seat. 


Service is acceptable, and so is the food. Food portions are quite huge though, and slightly more value for money; about the same prices at a decent cafe. I actually recommend dining here, rather than elsewhere if you're visiting either the Night Safari or Jurong Bird Park. 


However, I definitely won't go out of my way just to eat here. The food, ambience, and service is good, but not worth the trouble of travelling there just to dine. 

Bongo Burgers Signage

Bongo Burgers Interior Night Safari

Bongo Burgers Interior Jurong Bird Park

Jumbo Hot Dog With Chips 01

Jumbo Hot Dog With Chips 02

Jumbo Hot Dog With Chips 03

Jumbo Root Beer Float 01

Jumbo Root Beer Float 02

Jumbo Root Beer Float 03

Bongo Burgers Menu