Time. Planning. Itinerary. Location. These are all words which my group and I were all too familiar with throughout the weeks of planning our facilitation day. On Sunday however, our first day in Singapore, all these words just went out the window. Being in a new and unfamiliar country, everything we had planned took MUCH longer. It was 8am on Sunday morning when we were standing around without food for breakfast that we came to realise this. This was when we said: Goodbye itinerary! Goodbye carefully planned departure and arrival times! And lastly, goodbye to some of the locations and activities we had planned to do. But we knew this would happen right…?
Monthly Archives: June 2015
Supertree Sustainability InfoVid!
The Supertrees of Singapore truly are a mouthwatering sight. They are unique in appearance, sport a diverse range of flora, light up with incredible lights at night and put on a light show to a emotionally charged soundtrack. However what you may not know, is that they are completely sustainable!! This video provides an informative glimpse at what makes this attraction sustainable.
Is it only for the looks?
Awesome. This is undeniably the word of the day, however, it still does not capture the experience each and every one of us had today.
I went into the day knowing we were going to see some pretty fascinating places but wanting to know how they connected to nature and more specifically their link to nature education. I came into the day thinking ‘are the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and Supertrees simply for show?’ They do look extremely pretty after all. I am the first to admit my struggles to take in lots of information, however, I found it difficult to be in places full of thousands, if not, millions of different plants and wonder ‘why have these places been made?’ and ‘what do they do?’
Restoration, reclamation, what does it cost?
It can be easy visiting a country for the first time and be swept up in the moment, exploring a place so foreign to our own and being swept away by the surrounding culture is a wondrous experience and as many will comment the place, people and culture are all beautiful. However of the many questions framing our experience one has rose prominently amidst the experiences that I have partaken in over these past two days and shaped my thinking: How can urbanization be married with nature in a harmonious relationship? And therefore allow the establishment of a connection between nature and the people who inhabit the area.
Continue reading Restoration, reclamation, what does it cost?
Cooking up a storm
A meal will taste as good as the capabilities of the chef who cooks it
An outdoor experience is only as good as the ingredients (e.g. planning, skills, cooperation, communication etc.) that the facilitators bring to the day. How we as outdoor facilitators cook up those ingredients and the processes we take to produce the final dish, impacts on how satisfied and fulfilled the learner/customer will be…
Continue reading Cooking up a storm
Le Tour de Singapore
Well hello calves, I had nearly forgotten you were there.. After a solid 50km bike ride, I feel you loud and clear!
What a terrific way to take in Singapore, on a bike riding along the Park Connector Network (PCN). This connects a great deal of Singapore to other areas along a walking and bike track that the people can use to access recreational areas. The weather conditions were as usual, hot and muggy, but the curiosity and eagerness to explore was high as well!
Humidity, Food and Super Trees, Super Trees!
From the moment we walked out of the airport we were met by somewhat of a punch in the face by the 35-degree temperatures with the humidity at 95%. After a long day on the wheels I have become some what acclimatised but as a result have a ripping blood blister.
Continue reading Humidity, Food and Super Trees, Super Trees!
We ain’t in Ballarat no more…
We have hit the ground running on the first full day in Singapore! After arriving late last night to our accomodation at Labrador Adventure Centre we were welcomed by the lovely staff who had patiently waited for us in the muggy, hot climate. What struck me first was of course the drastic change in weather, but also the people. The bus driver who took us to our accomodation from the airport was so great waiting for us all to drag our 23 lots of luggage onboard. All with a smile! We were all secretly sad to say goodbye to him …. after 3 wonderful bus stops together.
Cake for breakfast?
Cake for breakfast? Yes, that’s right! A delicious white carrot cake from Panjang Pasir Food Centre was a scrumptious treat to start the trip and to get my first taste of Singapore.
First steps
What do you get with a grant, 21 Outdoor Education students and 2 weeks in Singapore? You’re about to find out! “There is a time for everything under the sun” and this trip is finding a lot of ‘Firsts’ for me;