Cheekiemonkies: Singapore Parenting & Lifestyle Blog: How NOT to waste your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers - with these Family-friendly activities from GlobalTix! Cheekie Monkies

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If you haven't used your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers, what are you waiting for? The $100 vouchers expire on 30 June 2021 so there's no better time to start planning now for either the upcoming March school holidays or the June school holidays!

There are many booking platforms to choose from when it comes to utilising your vouchers but if you wish to #supportlocal while having fun with your family at the same time, do consider making your bookings through GlobalTix as it is the ONLY booking partner that is born right here in Singapore!

Over the past month, my family and I had the chance to go on some of the best family-friendly options that GlobalTix has to offer and as things turned out, there is an activity suited for everyone, be it nature, heritage, active, indoors or even a staycation. So before you head to book, here are some of my suggestions so that you wouldn't waste your vouchers! 😆

NATURE & HERITAGE

If you are big on nature and heritage like us, then sign up for the SG Walk : My Queenstown & Beyond by X-Trekkers!

The guided walk kicked off at Tanglin Halt, Singapore’s first satellite town, where everything felt as if it was frozen in time with its old world neighbourhood charm all around.

Who else remembers these big biscuit containers?

The guide took us through the history of Tanglin Halt which will undeniably see its time come to an end when all 31 blocks of flats, seven commercial blocks and two markets and food centres are demolished from the end of this year.

From Tanglin Halt, we briefly trekked along the Green Corridor where the railway track which connected Johor Bahru to Tanjong Pagar once ran. That trek was fleeting though, because the guide took us through an opening where we came face to face with this.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

We walked through the Portsdown area, where the green landscape made us feel as if we were in another country! As an added bonus, we stumbled upon some air vents along the way - which probably indicated there were war bunkers present. However, the entrances were already sealed up.

Of course, a visit to the famed disused water tank in the Wessex Estate area was not to be missed... for the IG. 😁

We then found ourselves at Jalan Hang Jebat where we learnt more about the Colonial Terraces as we gawked at the huge colonial bungalows.

We even made a pitstop at Hang Jebat Mosque, which was opened in 1973. Its name was in recognition of the Hang Jebat Regiment of a nearby military installation as well as in commemoration of Hang Jebat, who was one of the five legendary warriors in the Malay folklore.

But the main highlight for us was when we went off-track and ventured into the forest in the Alexandra area!

And it was all for THIS.

This ‘lost ark’ in the middle of nowhere!

Apparently someone had converted this huge fallen trunk over a water body into a chill deck, complete with steps, chairs and even an BBQ pit. Ingenious! 😆

The deviation to see this 'lost ark' is not on the itinerary, so you have to let your guide know if you wish to visit it along the guided walk.

In addition, there is the option of having a bento picnic on the vast green fields in the Canterbury Road area for an extra cost of $15 per pax. Else, the tour will end at Hort Park.

Definitely a refreshing experience and a lovely afternoon spent in the surroundings of nature and heritage!

Activity: SG Walk : My Queenstown & Beyond by X-Trekkers

Cost: $30 per pax (no picnic)

Booking link

GET ACTIVE OUTDOORS

Our most intense weekend activity yet came in the form of this half-day Kayaking Mangrove Exploration.

And I wasn't kidding when I said intense because we kayaked 4.5km from Sembawang to the mangroves near Khatib Bongsu AND BACK (another 4.5km right there) - in the open sea!

I didn't know parents must also do OBS nowadays. LOL.

Sure, it was both physically and mentally tiring but the satisfaction and reward of seeing mangroves up close right here in SG were immense.

One of the highlights for us was when we had the opportunity to make a brief rest stop at a small island midway through our kayaking, where there were so many tiny clams right beneath our feet! Oh, and tiny crabs too.

And the water? It was so inviting and clear that we just had to dip in it!

It made me miss beach holidays so much. 😥

But the bright side of not being able to to travel overseas is it really made me discover so many sides of Singapore that I never knew existed.

Because I really never knew we had such untouched and beautiful nature right here on our doorstep.

Definitely an adventure worth paddling hard for!

After you return to Sembawang, the tour then ends with a ferried transport to Sembawang Hot Spring Park where you can soak your tired limbs in the therapeutic warm water.

Do note that the minimum age to participate in the activity is 10 years old. Two persons to one kayak, or if you have a child with you, three persons can share one kayak.

Activity: Kayaking Mangrove Exploration (Half Day)

Cost: $85 per pax

Booking link

GET COSY INDOORS

If you prefer to spend time indoors, march to the ArtScience Museum for the STAR WARS Identities: The Exhibition!

Visitors will embark on a customised, interactive identity quest to gain new insights on the Star Wars characters while discovering their own identities at the end of the quest, aimed at allowing them to answer the simple yet profound question: What force shapes you?

But more importantly though, you can get up close to 200 original items from the extensive Lucas Museum of Narrative Art archive to explore the science of identity through the characters of Star Wars.

And that to me, is the MOST important and fascinating portion of the whole exhibition! And yes, I am a huge Star Wars fan. 😁

The exhibition has divided its study of human identity into three major exhibition themes: the characters’ origins (Origins), the influences that shaped them (Influences), and the personal choices that altered their lives (Choices). Within these three themes, 10 components of human identity are explored: species, genes, parents, and culture in Origins; mentors, friends, and marking events in Influences; and occupation, personality, and values in the final zone, Choices.

And throughout, expect to see loads of original movie props, artworks, costumes and models of the famed star ships, like the Millennium Falcon and the Star Destroyer from Star Wars,

What's even more interesting is the creative process of filmmaking from early concept drawings, storyboarding, model making, through to puppetry and costume design, are also showcased. Who knew that Yoda was originally designed to look like a gnome??? 😂

Equally intriguing was to see how the original concept of Darth Vader looked like.

At the end of it all, you get to download your very own Star Wars character - your own Star Wars identity that defines you.

Like this cute (but evil) Ewok that is me. 🤣🤣🤣

FUN FACT: You can ONLY redeem your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers via GlobalTix! 😁

Activity: ArtScience Museum - STAR WARS™ Identities: The Exhibition

Cost: Adult $25 | Child $20

Booking link

ARTY & CREATIVE

Now this was one guided tour that my kids were looking forward to... A LOT and all because it involved spray painting graffiti on a public wall. 😅

If you are looking for something unique to use your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers on, I say the Discova Street Art & Graffiti tour is definitely the one.

Our guided tour started with an hour’s walk around Kampong Glam - I don’t have to tell you how eclectic that area is - where we were introduced to all the street art that were done using only spray paint.

All looked AMAZING! Especially the one with Ale in the photo above. Can you tell that mural was only done by spray painting???

In fact, all of them looked so beautiful and vibrant!

Even better that our guide was an actual street artist himself so he gave a lot of insights, especially struggles that the local street art scene faces. Like how this blank wall below was the site of a painful experience where mere hours the artwork was completed (as seen in the phone), the owner decided NOT to proceed and demanded that the wall be painted back to its original state. How heartbreaking.

And we also got insider information on some of the places where different graffiti artists left their 'mark' around the area. 😅

Great walk around the Kampung Glam neighbourhood overall, and we visited lots of places that we would never have if we were on our own.

Of course the highlight of the tour was the hands-on graffiti workshop. We were given a quick crash course on how to design our own street art and given a practical lesson on how to control the spray paint can.

AND IT WAS NOT EASY! Especially the outlining bit.

Even scored a personalised 'cheekiemonkies' graffiti tag on the wall. 😍

But we did bumble through in the end - with our very own spray-painted graffiti art to bring home!

Totally entertaining not only for kids, but for adults too. Somehow, graffiti art brings out the rebellious streak in a person? 😜

Activity: Discova Street Art & Graffiti

Cost: Adult $110 | Child $42

Booking link

CHILL & STAYCATE

In the absence of overseas travel, going on a staycation is the next best option. So it's no wonder that a 2D1N stay at Pan Pacific Singapore delighted all of us. 😄

Renowned for its excellent location, the hotel is within easy walking distance to the city's most iconic sights. Pan Pacific Singapore offers a wide variety of rooms that cater to different family sizes. But if you want to score the best deal, my suggestion is to snag it via GlobalTix's booking site where it is currently having a deal for the Panoramic rooms.

That's because if you book the Panoramic Room through GlobalTix, you will get the following:

- Room with breakfast for 2 persons

- $50 F&B dining credit per stay

- 15% F&B discount for hotel operated restaurants

- Complimentary internet access

- Pan Pacific Cares pack

Offering city skyline views, the elegant Panoramic Room comes with either a King-sized bed or twin beds and features a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a spacious executive workspace.

But my fave part of the deal? The number of occupants included in the package is for 2 Adults & 2 Children (up to 11 years old) if they share existing bedding. Woohoo!

Did I also mention that speakers are integrated throughout the room? So that I could enjoy music even from the bathroom. #justsaying 😁

If you desire more space, go for the City Suite which offers a whopping 79sqm of space.

The suite comes with a separate living area, with one sofa bed, And if you require an additional bed, one can also be added (chargeable).

Fusing comfort with modern design, the bedroom is one luxurious and relaxing space.

Erm yes, the bed is extremely comfortable too. Tried and tested.

The spacious ensuite marble bathroom is also well-stocked with luxurious bath amenities. Yes another soak-worthy bathtub we have here.

Or I could just chill on the bed and enjoy the panaromic view from the comfort of my bed.

Or I can just explore the various facilities and activities that Pan Pacific Singapore has to offer.

And I did just that.

I didn't know before, but I found out that there are plenty of kid-friendly activities at the hotel too.

There's of course, swimming in its large semi-circular swimming pool (Level 4). For younger kids, there's another semi-circular wading pool while parents can unwind in the inviting cabanas and sun loungers set amidst the tropical greenery.

Land activities include bean bag and ring toss games (Level 4)...

... as well as a bouncy castle (Level 4) for younger kids!

There is also the madatory outdoor playground (Level 4).

Kids can even go on a short tour at the tropical herb garden (Level 4) and marvel at the distinct and exciting scents which feature more than 30 varieties of herbs and vegetables.

Tip: You can even opt for a farm-to-table dining experience at its Poolside Bar, where a wholesome array of sustainably sourced and ethically produced culinary delights are incorporated with herbs that are grown in the lush tropical herb garden.

Also situated at Level 4 is the Japanese-themed garden.

Inspired by the serenity of Kyoto, the Keyaki Garden Pavilion sits in the heart of the tranquil Japanese garden.

With the lush landscape of weeping willows, a beautiful koi pond and flowing stream, the garden made us breifly felt like we were in Japan.

Not to mention it's a great spot for photo-taking too!

Food-wise, we had our meals at Edge restaurant which serves a selectable feast of ala-carte buffet items.

Everything is free flow - Ash loved the sashimi because he had four servings! - and the ordering system is a breeze. We just had to scan the QR code at the table using our phones, place our orders via the link and wait for our food to be served. Fantastic!

Did I mention there's durian pengat too? Yums.

In addition to the dinner buffet, we had the opportunity to try out various signature dishes from the other restaurants at Pan Pacific Singapore too.

Do note that the above dishes are NOT part of the dinner buffet at Edge restaurant.

As for the buffet breakfast, the ordering system was similar while its variety was pretty good - it was more or less similar to the selection offered during pre-COVID days.

Expect the usual american breakfast selections consisting of sausages, bacon, eggs and hash browns. For those who prefer something more Asian, there's congee, noodles and nasi lemak.

All in, it was a great staycation at Pan Pacific Singapore. And it's made even better by being able to use one's SingapoRediscovers Vouchers AND receiving a $50 dining credit through GlobalTix!