Kayaking @ Kallang

I always thought Kayaking is only for swimmers but when I noticed that there was a Kayak/Canoe Orientation program going on as a promotional activity at the new Sports Hub @ Kallang, I jumped in and the first question I asked that if knowing swimming was a must. When they said it wasn't required, I was exhilarated and signed up for the program(free of cost...hurray!!!)

It was a 3hour orientation program where in they taught how to carry the kayak and how to get into it, the basic moves to pull the kayak forward and the methods of kayaking. All in all it was a fun session where we kayaked for around 2hours around the kallang basin on our own.

Though it was a lot tiring but the exhilaration of trying something new overtook every other emotion and tiresomeness.
There was a group of around 30 people and it was a lot of fun interacting with them.

 

With our trainer, a funny guy with a funny accent. When I told him that I am not a swimmer, he insisted I learnt swimming and then I can go ahead with the other star courses of Kayaking.

Well, swimming is now on the top of my list of new things to learn.

 

We got to these amazing views of the gardens by the bay and it was such a crazy session where each of our kayaks were hitting with each other, we got wet(there were 2 holes in the kayak to facilitate the buoyancy of the kayak and that made sure we got wet so much as to embarrass ourselves, and the worst part I didn't even take additional clothes...phew!!!).

I am not aware if these programs are still ongoing, but you can always rent a kayak and go about the kallang basin and have fun.
Check out the kallang wave mall website for the updates, boat rental and the courses.

Rent a House in Singapore

The most stressful task for a person when he/she migrates to a new place temporarily or permanently is to find a place to stay. A place we can call home.
Finding a house is not easy, not anywhere in the world. But there are few things if followed and if understood, will make this task a pleasant experience.

First of all determine your budget as it the single most important criteria and then determine the place. Frankly with such efficient transport system I would not worry about the place but the locality is also important.
Housing is the major expenditure in Singapore. Many expats in Singapore find it so much costly that they share the house. 2 or more couples share a house and if bachelors even a single room is shared as a cost cutting measure.
First of all the there are 3 major type of housing structure in Singapore. It is better to understand the types so as to determine which would fit your taste and budget.

A HDB (Housing Development Board) is the most common type of accommodation facility. It is an apartment built by the government authorities for the citizens of Singapore. It is the most affordable type of housing in Singapore.
Types of HDB flats:
1. 2-Bedroom Flat: basically it doesn't mean 2 bedrooms but it means 1-bedroom and 1 living room and a kitchen (don't ask me why but yes its weird that they consider the living room as a bedroom too)
There are again Improved (I) version and a Standard (S) types differences usually 20-30sqm and maybe interiors vary.
2. 3-Bedroom Flat: 2-bedrooms, a kitchen and 1-living room. There are many variations to it as NG-New generation, Modified, Improved, Standard and so on. Not major differences but things as attached bathroom with a bedroom in NG, store room facility in Improved and no such things in standard.
3. 4-Bedroom Flat: 3bedrooms, kitchen and living room. The same variations apply here too.
4. 5-Bedroom Flat: 3bedrooms(not 4), kitchen, living room and store room. Similar to 4 bedroom flat but with a store room and a larger area of course.
5. Jumbo Flats: These are basically 2 flats combined, usually a 3bedroom and 4 bedroom flat combined. Combined as such there is a common entrance or gate and then again individual doors to each house. It is in my opinion built keeping in mind the joint families where 2 or 3 generations stay together.
The rates vary again not only depending on the type but also on the location. Any flat in CBD (Central business district) is usually 200-300$ more.
The rental rates usually start from 1500$ to 4000$ or even more.
And so if a couple rents a 3/4 bedroom flat somewhere near woodlands it would cost them around 1800-2500$. So the best thing they do is to share the house with another couple which would bring down the cost to 900-1200$. (Sharing again is each one's preference, choosing between cost cutting or privacy)

Condominiums:
These apartments are usually a gated community types. Private housing which are gated and few apartments share a common swimming pool, gym, club, tennis courts and basketball courts and so on.
The rental rates are obviously higher compared to HDB atleast by 400-500$ for each type.

Landed Houses:
Yes there are landed houses in Singapore. And consider them a luxury here thanks to the space constraint. Rental minimum starts from 3500$ and they are usually located in remote areas.

There are also Serviced Apartments which are for the elite group of people who earn atleast 15k per month or for the fortunate few whose company pays it for them. They are in literal sense a 5star hotel (housekeeping and all that stuff) leased for a longer duration. And there might be other types too which I'm not aware of but these are the major types of housing.

So coming to the renting part, it is usually through an agent. There are few rental agencies/property sites which help us in this process, of course for a huge fee, but we are helpless as its the rule.
You can either hire an agent who will exclusively search according to your interests keeping in mind your budget or you can search their websites and search for an appropriate house and contact the agent listed for the sale of that particular house.
The advantage for searching the house on the internet by yourself is that few times you are lucky enough when the owner of the house has hired an agent to search for suitable tenants. Yes, even the owner hires an agent to make the process easier. So when such a thing happens, the agent fee is handled by the owner and you are saved from that burden.

The agent fee is usually half the rent of a month for an years contract(usually 1 months rent for 2years contract and so on). For example you have agreed to rent a house for 2000$, then you have to pay the agent 1000$ plus taxes for 1 year contract and 2000$ for 2year contract.The agent fee is applicable every time you change your house unless you are lucky. Obviously there are exceptions where there is no agent fee and you directly handle it with the owner and fill some forms online and submit to the hdb authorities but im not sure of the process and neither would recommend.
Ok so once you finalize the house, then the agent will make you sign the tenancy agreement which states everything including rent, agent fees, advance and the tenancy duration. Double check it and be sure to safe-keep it till the end of the contract.

There is a 1month or 2 month advance you pay to the owner which is thankfully refunded. Sometimes the owner might insist on a rental advance too which can be negotiated. The rental is also paid every month in advance. That means you pay for the month first and then you get to stay.

So if you are taking a house for 2000$ rent then your approximate cost while signing the tenancy agreement for 1 year would be:
Agent Fee                                               : 1000$
Rent                                                        : 2000$
Advance(refunded after lease period)    : 2000$
Total                                                       : 5000 $

The few sites which may be of use for your house hunt are: Property Guru, Stproperty, I property.
Happy Hunting

(This article is based on my personal experience and facts and figures are for explanatory purpose)

Pulau Ubin Islands Getaway

Pulau Ubin, a tiny island, the last kampung(village) situated north east to Singapore and is one of the places where you might get to see traces of what Singapore might have looked decades before.
It is one of the best & cheapest weekend getaways from the nerve wrecking city life and hustle bustle of traffic. So anyone who enjoys to catch a glimpse of the laid back life lest the amenities, this is a must place to visit.
A day would be sufficient to enjoy the island but there are facilities to stay overnight too. Though there are no specific luxurious hotels but few tents are set up and even one can setup their own campsite and enjoy a nice campfire with a bunch of friends.

How to get there:

Take a ferry from Changi ferry terminal or the Changi village. Make sure to go to the Pulau Ubin departure gate as ferry's to Johor, Malaysia also departs from the same ferry terminal. The ferry, a tiny bum-boat taking aboard 12-15 people.

Changi Point ferry terminal

Bumboat

The fare is around 2.50$ per person for one way and it takes less than 20 mins to reach Ubin Islands.
Don't worry its very safe and no need to carry passports. Just some ID would suffice, though no one really checks as it is a part of Singapore.
Bum-boats start from 7am to around 7.30 pm. Weekends are best to travel as there are lot of people traveling. Bum-boats don't start until they are full so expect to wait for a long time on weekdays or to shell out 30$ for a bum-boat for all by yourself.

Where to go and What to do:

The one thing most heard about Ubin Islands is the Chek Jawa. A small area or land which harbors multitude of ecosystems. The best ones being the Mangroves, Sea Grass Lagoon and Costal Hill Forest. Apart from nature once can also appreciate a cottage also called as the !st House in Pulau Ubin.

A board walk along the shore gives you a sight which is not to be missed.

There are many ways to explore the Island. The best way which I found is cycling. The best part is that there are numerous shops near the terminal which rent out bicycles for as low as 5$ and put in more money, you will be pampered to choices. For the aged and ones not so adventurous there a re guided trams and tours. You can even walk considering the weather is pleasant.

The best thing to do in Pulau Ubin is to be yourself and explore places all by yourself. Do not need to follow someone's tracks, make your own path. No traffic, not many houses. As of now there are just 3 families staying in the Island and except for them its just us the tourists and weekenders.

Do not be surprised when you do not find posh and convenient amenities as in Singapore. Remember to enjoy nature in its unaltered form.

Few things not to miss:
1. Do take a mosquito repellant or an insect repellant without fail.
2. An extra set of clothes if you intend to take a plunge into water.
3. Biscuits and Chips. Though eateries and pop up kiosks are available, but the locations aren't that convenient.
4. Get as many bottles of water as you can. If not be ready to shell out dollars every few min as you will be lot thirsty due to climate and also due to cycling.
5. Check this map before heading out.
 If you are not comfortable going all by yourself, search out for the guided tours on weekends.