ASRS Verandah Suite

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa's Verandah Suite is located on the upper floor of a two-storey building, some distance away from the hotel's reception. After checking in, a staff drove us in a buggy to the building and helped us carry our belongings up the stairs to our room.



It's a pity that the televsion looks rather disproportionately small in this big room.


A selection of complimentary Twinings tea is provided. There's English breakfast, jasmine green tea, peppermint, camomile and lemon & ginger.


There's a Nespresso coffee machine and complimentary capsules are provided.



Since the room is already air-conditioned, the mosquito net around the bed is more for decoration purpose. We didn't bring down the net when we were sleeping and we didn't get any mosquito bites the next morning. However, it is still a good idea to bring along insect repellent if you're going outdoors. The door on the left leads to the bathroom and the door on the right leads to a balcony.





The balcony is accessible from the bedroom. We didn't spend much time here, because Singapore's weather is hot and humid and with the forest surrounding us, we don't want to risk being "attacked" by insects.

Soap Making at Soap Ministry

KB and I went for the basic, intermediate 1 and intermediate 2 workshops at Soap Ministry. Their soap making workshops only involves the "melt and pour" technique, not the cold process or hot process kind of procedures that typically begin from vegetable oil.





The basic workshop was really easy. We start by cutting the block of soap base into small pieces and melt them over boiling water. After that, we add glycerin, vitamin E and essential oil (or fruity scent) into the liquid soap base. Then, we pour a small amount into a cup and add colour. Finally, we pour the mixture into mould, let it cool and solidify. When the soap has harden, it is removed from the mould and the product is done. There are two types of soap base. The clear one is the basic soap base and the white one is goat's milk soap base.





The intermediate levels, however, requires a lot more patience and skill. In level 1, we learnt to make a soap within a soap. We also learn to add colours onto a uni-colour soap, such that the product is no longer monochrome. In level 2, we made sushi soap using a method that is pretty much like how one would make the real sushi. We also made other food items.

Raffles Marina Country Club

Raffles Marina Country Club is tucked in the corner of the island. If you missed the exit on AYE that leads to the country club, you would end up at Tuas Checkpoint.



The room looks decent enough, except for the stale smell in the air, even though the club did try to improve this by putting in an air freshener.


The bathroom looks like it has been newly renovated and looks more modern than the bedroom.



The "balcony" or roof garden space is shared by the adjacent rooms, so there's not much of privacy hanging out here.


The rooms are on the third floor with the little balconies. These rooms does not have access to the shared roof garden.


Our complimentary breakfast is served at the Bistro, where most of the tables are al fresco dining.



There isn't much diners in the morning and we get to sit at the table with the marina view. Fortunately, it was cloudy and we could enjoy this rare scenery in Singapore. I doubt that we would still be sitting here if it was a hot sunny day, with hot breeze blowing into our faces.


Since the breakfast is part of the room package, we could only order selected items in the menu.





After our breakfast, we took a slow stroll around the marina. The walk ends at the lighthouse and I was really excited to discover that there is still a lighthouse in Singapore. (In fact, a Google search shows that there are some others offshore too.) In the background on the right of the lighthouse is the Tuas causeway to Malaysia.

50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic

Over the weekend, KB and I went to see the 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic exhibition at the ArtScience Museum. I love turning the pages of National Geographic magazines, so this visit was indeed a feast for my eyes.



A panel at the entrance shows the thumbnails of all the photo exhibits.


Here are some of the 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic that I managed to find online. (Click on image to go to image source website.):
Photographer: Simon Norfolk
Image Source: Institute for Artist Management


Photographer: Mitsuaki Iwago
Image Source: National Geographic

Photographer: Thomas Abercrombie
Image Source: National Geographic

Photographer: James Stanfield
Image Source: National Geographic


Photographer: Michael Nichols
Image Source: National Geographic

Photographer: Lynsey Addario
Image Source: National Geographic

Photographer: Emory Kristof
Image Source: National Geographic


Photographer: Wes Skiles
Image Source: Daily Mail

Photographer: Chris Johns
Image Source: National Geographic

Photographer: Gerd Ludwig
Image Source: National Geographic

Photographer: Michael Nichols
Image Source: National Geographic


~ photos taken 17 years apart ~
Photographer: Steve McCurry
Image Source: National Geographic





Since the invention of digital camera, photography has become a hobby of many people. This exhibition does not only showcase the 50 greatest photos, it educates about some basic principles of photography.


A model of the optical system in a camera lens.


Diagram showing the cross-section of a film camera.



Rows of developed photographic films against white light for viewing through the magnifiers.


One of the negative image in the film row.


Before leaving, pen down a wish for our Mother Earth and hang it on this global model.