#outdoors – Ask the Clueless Middle Age Dad

Playground Review: Sky Residence @ Dawson / Margaret Drive Playground

35 Margaret Drive [link]

Have not been writing for a few months. Mainly due to being busy with other things but also the fact that there wasn’t that much to write about on the family/parenting front. Still, it doesn’t mean that we’re sticking to the same routine. We’ve actually been expanding our options for weekend / leisure activities and not relying on the tried and tested.

Jungle gym concept with plenty of Freeform climbing

I would like to see it more from the perspective that trying something different / new had become less noteworthy and more the norm — hence, not much of a motivation to write about. I am taking more of an attitude of experiencing new things, letting it sink in for a while, before thinking about whether to write about it. Or maybe that’s what I tell myself to excuse my tardiness.. hahaha

We recently visited the newly opened Margaret Market. This is a new eatery and retail space located within a conservation building built in 1956 as a wet market within Queenstown which was Singapore’s first public housing estate. In the building’s previous iteration before the makeover, it had a huge “38” painted against a red roofing panel (see below).

Back to the playground, it’s nestled between Margaret Market and the newly completed Sky Residence @ Dawson [link] public housing development. The playground consists of a platform for a tube slide, a network of ropes for freeform play / climbing and a mini spinning wheel / merry-go-round.

We had slowly conditioned the little one to be more independent in playing and not expect either missus or me to hover around and rescue her at the slightest bit of distress. This playground allows her to play quite independently as the obstacles (mainly climbing cargo net for the tube slide) are quite manageable for her as she becomes more physically capable and confident.

During the weekend early evenings / late afternoon when we visited, you can expect there to be a good number of families with children of various ages there. I would say that the playground would be more suitable for children at least 4 years of age as the equipment (provided by Kompan) requires children to have some rudimentary to intermediate climbing skills to get around — though there is also a more accessible obstacle in the form of a staircase to reach the top of the tube slide.

The verdict on the playground, on evidence of the little one being totally at ease with running and climbing about, is that it’s a great outdoor space. It is mostly shaded at around 5 plus and it will be especially nice when it gets breezy.

The great part about this is that since it is quite popular, our little girl gets to interact with other kids as well as sometimes grownups who might help her or speak with her. Two occasions stand out. One was of an older girl giving her instructions on how to spin in the merry-go-round and the other was another parent giving her a hand in climbing down from the cargo net obstacle. Being an only child, such experiences are invaluable to our daughter.

I would highly recommend this playground for both for the design and the overall experience. Families can probably plan their evenings around it as they will be able have an early dinner (which is the norm for families with young children) at Margaret Market after the kiddos are done playing.

That’s it for this blog post. Not sure when I’ll write the next one. Thanks for reading. Signing off for now.

Mandai Wildlife Reserve – Singapore Zoo

Went to the Singapore Zoo some months back with the little one on a public holiday in April 2023. Again, this post is actually long overdue as I couldn’t find the time and energy to write. This was a father-daughter date as missus had a gathering with her friends and didn’t usually fancy the heat and olfactory sensations of a zoo visit.

This was the first time I had visited the zoo since I was in primary / elementary school — thirty plus years ago. So it’s a new experience for both the Lil Miss and myself. First thing that struck me was the massive scale. We drove there for the visit and while doing so, we had to pass through the areas under construction to house the Jurong Bird Park’s feathered friends (see link to earlier blog post). It was a good few minutes of driving before we finally reached the zoo’s multi-storey carpark.

Little one was excited to go to the zoo but was equally upset that she didn’t get to share the experience with Missus. So for much of the drive, Lil Missy was pining for her mummy. It was surely a test of concentration to drive with a crying kiddo behind you but I am well conditioned enough to get through it — my baptism of fire being a near cross-island drive when she was less than a year old.

The multi-storey carpark was really massive and you will need to take notes on where exactly you park if you don’t want to go through the panic or not being able to find your car — which was something I went through. Photos of the parking space surroundings, parking lot number and exit / entrances you walk through are a must.

When we got there, little one had thankfully gotten over the fact that Missus would not be part of the trip — I didn’t do anything other than to stay calm and weather the storm (which might be the best approach). So the first thing to decide was which animals she wanted to see. She was more familiar with animals from the books and flashcards so that was what I planned to show her. There was a tram service that runs through the different exhibit areas and, knowing how massive the zoo is, was the most logical way for us to get around.

So off we went tram hopping. First off, to see some Asian elephants. This was an amphitheater which visitors can observe the elephants in an enclosure as well as being a show / stage. When we were there, there wasn’t a show on and the elephants were just chilling.

We then went about trying to search for the African animals that the little one was familiar with. This was in the “Wild Africa” zone which required us to take the tram to the number three stop. The Lil girl’s reaction to seeing the animals was surprisingly muted. Maybe she was in awe of them but I was expecting her to make some verbal responses. Instead, she probably came across as quietly curious — the opposite of rabid fans of pop stars and very similar to how Singapore concert goers used to be (seated and politely clapping).

A lioness. I wonder if the brown pile was it’s faecal matter…

The animal the Lil girl was most interested in was the giraffe — she had the most reaction to it. I could see her visibly awed by their imposing stature. She even expressed interest in taking part in the feeding session. Alas, it was something which we needed to book in advance so we couldn’t do it. Lil one was not super disappointed and just shrugged it off — phew…

I think the feeding session ($8 for one portion of giraffe food) requires you to plan and commit to a zoo visit more than two weeks in advance. I tried simulating a booking and the slots were full even for up to about 3-4 weeks in advance. The next time we visit, we will definitely be planning this weeks in advance so that the Lil one can take in the experience of feeding a giraffe.

That’s it for another post. It was sort of a flying visit which lasted almost 2 hours. I think most families might spend a good portion of the day there. Will definitely plan better next time around the animal shows and feeding sessions so that we get a more complete experience. Thanks for reading 🙂

Kyoto Holiday: Hozugawa River Boat Cruise

Once again on the somewhat off beaten track away from the usual temple sites within Kyoto’s city centre, we found the Hozugawa River Boat cruise. To access the cruise, we needed to travel to the northwestern outskirts of Kyoto to where the stadium for J League team Kyoto Sanga FC is located. To reach the starting point of the tour, we needed to get to the vicinity of Kameoka JR station.

We didn’t really plan that seriously on this and ended up taking an hour plus long bus ride from Kyoto Central train station. It was in fact a spur of the moment thing but we were glad we did as it turned out to be quite an experience.

Before proceeding further into this post, I would like to express condolences to the respective families of the deceased and missing boatmen as a result of a capsize incident on 28 Mar 23. To the boatmen who looked after our family during our boat ride about a week before the incident, I would like to offer my sincere thanks for ensuring our safety. There were some relatively thrilling moments during our boat ride but the three men crew looking after us made us feel well taken care of.

As at the time of writing, the boat cruise service had been suspended pending safety review. I would like to wish the company, boat crew members and service staff all the best in this time of difficulty. It must have been a difficult blow given the service had also previously been suspended due Covid restrictions. Hope that the cruise can be safely resumed soon so that the company and its staff can continue to provide this wonderful experience.

Continuing with the blogpost, our long bus ride took us to the vicinity of Kameoka Station and Sanga Stadium. We reached way past 1pm plus and needed to rush for the last boat at 2:30pm so we got lunch at a karaage shop called “京都からあげ専門店開亀岡駅前店” (or Kyoto Karaage Specialty Shop / Kameoka Station Front) where our bus terminated at. Despite it being a hole in the wall shop, the karaage was great — an accidental discovery. They made it to a local television programme when they opened in 2021 (see below).

Screenshot of Kyoto Karaage Specialty Shop being featured on Kyoto television.

When we got to the river boat visitors’ centre, we were just in time to fill the last few spots left. A helpful centre staff saw us from a distance and came out to greet and guide us to where we got our tickets — excellent Japanese hospitality 🙂

After a short wait, we were ushered to our long boat. It seats 30 persons including the three men crew. The crew consisted of one helmsman (at the back), one “rower” ( and one backup (who is on standby at the back to replace the rower). Rowing was hard work. The crew member didn’t actually row but pushes the boat using a long pole.

The lead crew member gave us a briefing as best he could despite the language barrier before launch. The boat cruise probably usually only got domestic travellers but our boat consisted exclusively of foreign visitors. The crew was very professional and reassuring. We got a sense of what to expect during the journey despite their limited ability to communicate.

After the pre-launch briefing and putting on life jackets, we were on our way. The little one sat between wifey and me to balance the load. The trip started out at quite a serene pace with waters calm and the gradient almost flat.

Later on during the ride, there were portions along the river at which there were some dips. During such instances, those sitting by the two sides would have to be vigilant in deploying the tarp to shield ourselves and fellow passengers from splashing water.

The crew members had super impressive familiarity with the river. They seemed to know every nook and cranny. The rower would show us specific points which are especially deep as well as specific rocks which had been used by rowers to push that holes had formed in them.

The ride, 16km long at nearly two hours, was really an eye-opening experiences. A great way to immerse yourself in nature. Lots of greenery on both banks of the river and some spots where there were hills which tower over us. The cherry blossoms haven’t yet bloomed while we were there but there were a sprinkling of literally early bloomers here and there along the route. We also passed under several railway bridges which suspended high above the river.

Never seen such foliage. Felt like we were on a quest 😬

Near the end of the ride, a food vendor came along side us. They had a tepanyaki on the boat and there was squid. The early spring weather then was still kind of chilly so the tepanyaki squid was definitely a tempting treat. We got a serving to share between the three of us.

The boat ride ended at Arashiyama Park which was near the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a popular tourist destination which is also famous for its conga line when it gets too crowded.

What an experience to remember I must say. Been to some boat rides but this was right up there in terms of breathtaking sights. Would like to give thanks to the crew for ensuring our safety and keeping us entertained throughout the ride. Wish them all the best and hope that the boat ride can resume soon.

Origami given to the little one at the visitor centre.

Update (written on 25 Jun 23)

On 13 Jun 23, the investigation report (in Japanese) on the incident was released by the boatmen’s association (see link). The report contained details of how the incident happened and the necessary improvements to be made to safety. Amongst several additional measures, to better inform overseas visitors, there will be safety instructions available in different languages pre-departure.

As at the time of this update, the river boat service was still suspended. I wish the boatmen and other staff associated with Hozugawa River Boat Cruise all the best for the service to be resumed safely as soon as possible.

Farewell to Jurong Bird Park

Haven’t had the time to write anything for a while. So the next few articles may be about things that are chronologically a bit far back in time. Starting with this one.

One weekend in December 2022, we were looking for something new to do with the little one. Missus remembered reading somewhere that Jurong Bird Park was closing before relocation to Mandai and rebranded as “Bird Paradise” there was a significant discount on tickets. The little one, like all young children, is fascinated with animals and birds. So it’s something she’ll very likely enjoy. So we grabbed tickets for a Sunday afternoon.

We drove and when we got there, we realised just how popular the Bird Park was. The carpark was packed to the brim and we needed to head off further to a nearby industrial area to park along Tractor Road. Missus and I last visited the Bird Park some decades ago and she remarked that the industrial cocoa odour (turns out it wasn’t just chocolate) at where we parked brought back memories.

Upon getting there, the first birds we saw were some colourful macaws near the entrance.

Some very artificial looking tree trunks. I wondered what the birds thought of them….

We also saw some African penguins (below).

They were in a glass enclosure. We learnt on a placard that their guano was prized as fertiliser but it harvesting them was damaging to their habitat.

As the little one isn’t used to walking long distances yet and we’re not the stroller sort, we decided to take the tram as a way to look around the park. There was a long snaking queue. When we got within the front of the queue, the bad news hit like a bolt from the blue: the tram service is down…. We had invested 30 minutes of time waiting for it…

As we were near the bird show area and there was a Birds of Prey show starting in 40 minutes. We headed there for yet more waiting but were able to secure great seats in the shade. We were not disappointed. The show featured some spectacular flying by a sea hawk specie called Brahminy Kite, amongst others.

Not the Brahminy Kite but another specie of sea hawk… can’t remember the name.

Little one was really wowed by these high flyers. As were the missus and me! The hawks were really well trained. Birds like these were probably trained to assist hunters. I suppose now that no one is required to hunt for food, the same or similar sort of training is now used for entertainment.

I was kind of saddened by the sight of vultures at the show. The host / trainer explained that vultures at the park were those who got lost in Singapore while migrating. To see them hopping around rather than gliding in the sky was kind of depressing. They came out to music of the legendary WWE wrestler The Undertaker. I supposed it’s apt; that’s kind of like the role they play in nature.

After the show, we tried to get back on a tram but made the mistake of heading to the penultimate stop before the terminal near the entrance. Very few passengers got off so there was only room for Missus and Lil Miss. As it wasn’t a long distance I jogged my way back. Missus said the little one was looking out for me during the ride and didn’t really enjoy it that much as a result. Awwww…..

After reaching the terminal — I was only slightly behind the very leisurely pace tram — we bade farewell to Jurong Bird Park. Thanks for the memories for Missus and I. Thanks for the new memories and experience it’s given to our little one. Au revoir! See you in Mandai!

Till next time. Stay healthy and safe everyone.

Playground Review: Playground at 21 Telok Blangah Crescent

Telok Blangah Cres, Block 21, Singapore 090021 (link)

This post is a continuation from the Pirate Ship playground post. This playground was close by so we gave it a try as well. It’s another Playcraft System so oh well… This one is a typical generic design — functional but aesthetically boring…

It had quite a few slides, including a set of two which looked scarily steep. It’s designed for kids 5 to 12 supposedly. For them to relive falling hard on their bums as toddlers learning to walk?

Looked like it’s designed to drop you on your posterior…

The highlight of the visit had nothing to do with the playground but the local fauna. In the middle of the little one’s play, I noticed something bounding about on the tree above us.

It turned out that the little critter was after a bounty of treats left by someone as a ritual offering to their ancestors. Because of our presence as well as that of a few other kids and their minders, it was very cautious in approaching its objective.

It was a nice surprise. Worth the short walk from the pirate ship playground. The playground itself was okay — as Playcraft Systems playgrounds go…. The little squirrel’s antics really highlighted the whole experience — I think squirrels inhabit the area so you could expect a similar experience once in a while.

That’s it for another post. Thanks for reading. Stay healthy and safe.