Marina Barrage

Marina Barrage is a dam in Singapore that built across the Marina Channel between the reclaimed lands of Marina East and Marina South. It was officially opened on 1 November 2008. This S$226 million project turns Marina Bay and Kallang Basin into a new downtown freshwater Marina Reservoir. It also provides water supply, flood control and a new lifestyle of attraction.

There is a green roof top which doubles up as a recreational space, open to public access. You will be able to see a lot of visitors flying kites or having picnic on that area too. Other than recreation area, it is also serves as an insulation to lower the temperature of the building. The pump house which located at the ground floor contains seven pumps are used to flush water out of the reservoir during stormy weather at high tide. But the interior of the pump house is closed to members of the public.

This is the Marina Bridge which containing the press gates that form the barrier of the Marina Barrage. Besides separating the seawater from freshwater, it also acts as a tidal barrier to keep out high tides. The 5m tall steel gates can be lowered during heavy rains so that water from the reservoir can be released into the sea.

Other than the outdoor activities, they also have "The Sustainable Singapore Gallery (SSG)" which is an information and sensory extravaganza showcasing Singapore’s efforts towards environmental sustainability.

From 3 August 2009, SBS 400 will be added to the shuttle service between Marina Bay MRT Station and Marina Barrage. Please refer to the chat list of the schedule here. If you are free, do drop by either in the morning or late evening to enjoy the beautiful scenic from another side the city.

Swenses Ice Cream & Dessert Buffet

Recently at our visit to ION Orchard, we will given a leaflet each from some of the Swensens staffs. But at a glance we didn't notice anything unusual on it maybe because we have just finished our lunch. The leaflet is something about Ice-cream.... and it says ALL YOU CAN EAT!!!!!

Until today I was caught up with this cute advertisement on TODAY newspaper then I realised about this EAT ALL YOU CAN ICE-CREAM & DESSERT Buffer exclusively only at Swensens, ION Orchard. So all the Ice-Cream lover, don't miss out this Special Offer @ ION where you can sample around 50 flavor of ice-cream at the price of S$19++

Other than the above advertisement from the Newspaper, I also saw this On-line promotion from the Great Deals Singapore website. You can take a look at the site if you are interested for their 1-for-1 Ice Cream & Dessert Buffet which valid till 30 September 2009.

Singapore Kite Festival

Recently, I saw a very big advertisement at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT where they features this NTUC Income coming event on 29 - 30th August 2009. For those who are interested in Kite Flying, this will be a great event for family or group outing.


Kite flying is an inclusive activity that transcends cultures, nationalities and ages. In short, it is a wholesome activity that is suitable for everyone, whether you are young or old, rich or poor. Whether you are an expert flyer or a family on a fun outing, NTUC Income Kite Festival Singapore aims to create opportunities for everybody to be creative, to experience the thrills of kite flying, and to share with others the unforgettable exhilaration of seeing a sky come alive, dotted with dancing kites of all shapes and colours.

There is also a Kite Road Shows(click link for more details) in conjunction with this event at 3 of Singapore's most popular malls:-
~ Raffles City Shopping Centre
The Atrium, Level 3
7 – 10 August, Friday to Monday

~ Vivocity
South Court , Level 1
14 – 16 August, Friday to Sunday

~ Northpoint Shopping Centre
The Atrium, Level 1
21 – 23 August, Friday to Sunday

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens at its present site was founded in 1859 by an Agri-Horticultural Society. Planned as a leisure garden and ornamental park, the Society organised flower shows and horticultural fetes. And over the years, the Gardens is steering on a long term upgrading programme to provide better public facilities and amenities. New attractions, such as the Ginger Garden, Evolution Garden, Coolhouse and the Children's Garden are being added to keep the Gardens relevant as a leading destination.

Upon arriving at the main entrance of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, we managed to chance upon this growing room where they showcase the process of the growing seedlings and also a month exhibition called 'Two Minds, One Theory' which starting from 01st August 2009 - 31st August 2009. (for more details, click here) .

Look at these lovely flowers, even though the weather is kind of gloomy but they still bloom well at sight. It really makes you feel great when looking at them.

This gazebo is a Victorian cast-iron garden shelter. It was built in the 1850s and stood for many years in the grounds of Old Admiralty House in Grange Road. In 1969 it was dismantled and re-erected in the Gardens at the entrance to the Rain Forest. We didn't go anywhere further into the Garden except till the Swan Lake Gazebo where Rey can feed the fishes and turtles in the pond as well as spend sometime admiring the Swans in the lake.

P/s: The information shown here is just roughly about 1/4 or less of the park attractions, for more information, please refer to the park website here.