Who says Singapore is boring? We may be reaching the midpoint of the year, but the scene isn’t slowing down. In fact, there are new events, openings, and dining places that are popping up around our sunny island.
From Jurong Bird Park 2.0 to South Korea’s largest fried chicken chain reaching our shores, these are the new things you should absolutely check out in May 2023.
Things To Do
Mother’s Day At SAFRA
This Mother’s Day, look forward to many ways to celebrate your mum or wife at SAFRA!
There are fitness classes – think Zumba, yoga, dance – at selected SAFRA clubs from 12 to 14 May. Additionally, simply spend $5 at any SAFRA club till 14 May to redeem a flower bouquet and a personalised flower card.
At SAFRA Punggol , learn how to make a pizza with fresh ingredients at Pizza Hut. Each pair of participants will also receive an extra regular pizza, 6 pieces of roasted wings, garlic bread, a Pizza Hut goodie bag and a La Gourmet Sassy Collection Foldable Spoon and Fork Set (worth $15.90). While you work hard on your pizza, your mum or spouse will enjoy a terrarium workshop, after which you can savour your meal creations together at the Courtyard.
Or get crafty with mum at SAFRA Mount Faber at craft workshops where you’ll learn to make an amazing “floating” tea cup, a Hama beads coaster or a cute plushie. You can also get a free caricature of mum done and make her smile!
SAFRA members can also take advantage of deals such as the 1-for-1 Premium Face Spa ($244.08) or Signature Body Rituals ($118.80 to $277.56) at The Spa by The Ultimate (SAFRA Punggol); Mother’s Day Special Set Meal at $18 (U.P. $23.10) at 929 Dessert & Bites (SAFRA Tampines); and complimentary Mommy & Child dance session at Crestar School of Dance (SAFRA Tampines).
Whatever you choose to do, remember to share about the special moments with your mum on the contest post on SAFRA clubs’ Facebook page with the hashtag #SharetheMOMent, and stand to win prizes!
For more info and activities, go to safra.sg/whats-on/safra-celebrates-mother’s-day-2023
Stars of SAFRA
If you’ve been a SAFRA member for some time, you’d probably remember SAFRA Lil’ Stars, which started in 2013. SAFRA Lil’ Stars is a youth talent competition showcasing young talents and giving them a platform to shine. Well, it’s back in its 11th year and now has a new name: Stars of SAFRA. With the rebranding, the talent competition will be expanded to include youths up to 16 years old.
There are three competition categories this year: Vocal, Dance and Visual Arts. Participants can enter as a soloist for the Vocal and Dance categories, or get their friends or family members to join in the fun by forming a group. Don’t miss this opportunity to bond with your child and create great memories together!
Registration starts from $10 for SAFRA members and $15 for guests, and you can win up to $250 worth of SAFRA Rewards Vouchers.
For more info, visit safra.sg/whats-on/stars-of-safra-2023
Rink @ Punggol East
Some of us pick up random hobbies every now and then – and it’s hard to choose what to stick to. One day you’re bouldering, and the next you’re looking up secondhand longboards on Carousell. Well, you don’t have to pick just one at Rink @ Punggol East, a newly opened roller rink.
Spanning over 12,000 sq ft of fully-sheltered rink space, it’s Singapore’s largest as well. You’ll get to entertain yourself for hours rollerblading, skateboarding, longboarding, inline skating, scooting, and more. The rink is also connected to Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, so it’s easy to grab your skateboards, bikes, or scooters and explore the outdoors.
Even if you’ve got no sense of balance and can’t stand on a longboard, there’s an option to sign up for a trial lesson with professional coaches. The opening promotion starts at $16 for two hours, and includes the use of equipment and guards.
50 Punggol East, Container Park, Singapore 828826
Bird Paradise
Jurong Bird Park has officially relocated to Mandai Nature Reserve. Now called Bird Paradise, it’s having its soft opening from 8 to 26 May.
Bird Paradise has everything we love from Jurong Bird Park – and then some. It now boasts 10 zones including eight walk-through aviaries that take you around the world. Stroll along an elevated canopy while spotting over 800 African birds across 70 species at Heart of Africa, or head into Penguin Cove to escape the heat. The latter is a cold saltwater habitat home to different species of penguin.
During the soft opening, single park admission rates start from $38/adult, $23/child, and $20/senior citizen. But you don’t technically need a ticket to enjoy Bird Paradise, either. Next to it is Mandai Wildlife West, a new ungated public area with dining and retail options, with playgrounds for the kiddos to run around in.
20 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729825
Timezone Orchard Exchange
Remember the days after secondary school when you’d hang out with friends at the arcade? Well, it’s time to relive those memories now that Timezone Orchard Xchange – the largest Timezone yet in Singapore – has just opened.
Spanning 22,000 sq ft, this outlet has more than typical arcade games like your dance machines, claw machines, and basketball hoops. For one, there are two bowling alleys with four lanes each, as well as a whole section for bumper cars for both adults and kids alike.
What we’re most excited about, though, is the massive VR arena – Timezone’s biggest. It accommodates up to six people and you can choose from a range of games. Rack up points while playing and you can redeem prizes like a PlayStation 5.
437 Orchard Road, B1-01 to 04/ 07 to 18/ 25 to 44, Singapore 238878
Travel
Taiwan travel vouchers
In case you haven’t heard the news, Taiwan is inviting visitors back by giving away travel vouchers to 500,000 lucky tourists starting 1 May. Five hundred lucky tourists will get NT$5000 (S$210) in travel vouchers. You can choose to redeem them as a prepaid e-ticket (EasyCard or iPASS card) or as an accommodation voucher.
So how does one apply? Well, one to seven days before your arrival in Taiwan, log in and register your participation on the campaign website. You’ll then get a lucky draw QR code sent to your email address. Once you arrive in Taiwan, scan your QR code in the airport’s arrival hall. If you’re lucky, you can redeem your travel incentive at the prize redemption area.
Find out more at the Taiwan Tourism Bureau Facebook page
Shopping
Garmin Forerunner 965 & 265
Watch lovers, it’s time to celebrate 20 years of the Forerunner, the world’s first GPS Smartwatch. In conjunction with that, Garmin is releasing two new watches featuring AMOLED touchscreens – Forerunner 965 and 265.
The Forerunner 965 ($919) currently has the world’s longest battery life for a running watch with an AMOLED display – 23 days on smartwatch mode, to be exact. If you’re into marathons, this is great because it has features like Wrist-Based Running Dynamics, where users can access detailed metrics through on-wrist running dynamics including stride length and vertical oscillation directly from the watch in real-time.
The Forerunner 265 ($689) comes with a Ground Gorilla Glass 4 lens. You get two options of 1.3-inch AMOLED display, featuring a battery life of up to 13 days, or 1.1-inch AMOLED display featuring a battery life of up to 15 days. Users will also enjoy performance monitoring tools from Garmin Firstbeat Analytics like VO2 max, performance condition, training effect and more.
Available on the Garmin website
Dining
1-for-1 deals at SAFRA Tampines
Till 31 May, foodies should visit SAFRA Tampines and cop 1-for-1 deals from three different dining establishments: 929 Desserts & Bites, Renew Deli and Sarpino’s Pizzeria.
At 929 Desserts & Bites, you can get 1-for-1 small bingsu. Do note that any additional topping or menu item will be subjected to availability and additional charge. Meanwhile, grab a 1-for-1 coffee or tea at Renew Deli, where you have a choice to upgrade to a cappuccino or latte with a $1 top up. And at Sarpino’s Pizzeria, bring a buddy and get 1-for-1 Classic Pizza personal lunch set at SAFRA Tampines only. Each deal is limited to 100 redemptions only – so act fast.
For more info, go to safra.sg/promotions/may1f1-tm
BHC Chicken Marina Square
Those who’ve been to Seoul would know that BHC Chicken, South Korea’s largest fried chicken chain, is the bomb. Well here’s good news: the first Singapore chain has opened in Singapore at Marina Square.
While Singapore’s menu will not be as extensive as that in South Korea, you’ll still find signature items and favourites such as the Bburinkle Chicken, Cheese Balls, and Sotteok (sausage and rice cake skewers). If there’s one thing you absolutely should try, it’s the Bburinkle Chicken, which comes as a set of wings ($23.90), boneless pieces ($27.90), or a whole chicken ($31.90).
As part of BHC Chicken’s opening promotion, you can redeem free Cheese Balls with any purchase from now till 7 May.
6 Raffles Boulevard, 02-332A/02-332F, Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop in Sengkang
If chicken is your favourite choice of protein, you surely won’t be disappointed this month. Here’s another fried chicken chain that opened recently – and this time, it’s a local brand loved by Singaporeans. Tenderbest has opened a new outlet at Sengkang Riverside Park, Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop in Sengkang.
It’s time for your dose of affordable, tuckshop-style food. From the Roasted Tom Yum Leg Sedap Lemak ($10.90) to the Teriyaki Chicken Chop Sedap Lemak ($9.90), there are many varieties of this classic dish depending on your mood.
If you’d like to go a little Western, opt for the Laksa Prawn Spaghetti ($10.90) or one of the pizzas available. Of course, sides such as the Sizzling Caramelised ($9.90) banana fritters are a must-try too.
50 Anchorvale Street, Sengkang Riverside Park, Singapore 544834
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