Jani Journey Journal

Artscience Museum is currently the most hype place in Singapore, especially their Future World exhibition. Future World is a combination of arts and science in the most beautiful ways. It supposed to make you feel like you are in a futuristic world of high-tech interactive artworks. This exhibition is created in collaboration with teamLab, a renowned Japanese interdisciplinary arty collective.

The admission ticket is sold right in front of the exhibition entrance. A single ticket cost you about SGD 17. From what I read, the Future World is a permanent exhibition in the Artscience Museum, so no need to rush. However please note that they have admission time as follows: 10 AM, 11.30 AM, 1 PM, 2.30 PM, 4 PM and 5.30 PM (last entry). This admission time is to ensure all visitors have ample and quality time to interact with each exhibition.

The exhibition is divided into 4 (four) zones. Nature, Park, Town and Space. And each zones has their own major and minor exhibitions. I didn’t took much pictures since there were so many people inside. Even though there are admission time rules, apparently they didn’t have any visitors limit in each admission time. So yeah, it was packed with people.

I personally thought that this place will please the kids more than the adults. There are so many interactive exhibitions that will make kid’s eyes popped and play for hours. Not that I don’t like the exhibitions, I do love them. But for some people it might get them bored after 1 or 2 times trying the interactive exhibitions. But then again, it all down to every one preference. However I really enjoy taking pictures there.

And now it is time for the big questions. Will I recommend it? No, if you are looking for something really exciting; Yes, if you are looking for an instagenic place for your instagram. Will I come back? Yes. They change the exhibitions regularly, so I am looking forward to see what they got in the future.

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Top tips for Artscience Museum:

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Artscience Museum

6 Bayfront Avenue

Singapore, 018974

Opening hours: 10 AM TO 7 PM (Everyday)

All aboard!

Welcome to the Platform 9 ¾ 1094, a themed café based on the Harry Potter series. Actually Platform 1094 was not in my Singapore trip itinerary. But this place magically popped up in my instagram explore page and I suddenly have this urge feeling that I need to visit this place. So I texted my cousins and asked her to accompany me, since all of my friends is already on the line for the Coldplay concert.

Located in the 1094 Serangoon Road (hence the name), Platform 1094 is small cafe where you can come and dressed in robes, wave your magic wand and no one’s gonna judge you. We all crave for a little magic in our lives. Which is why Platform 1094 is packed with people when I came. The interior takes a warm shades with brown color all over the place. The floors are made of wood, the walls are tiled bricks, wooden tables and beautiful chandelier which made me instantly feel like I’m in a different realm. To me, they have successfully captured and delivered the magic atmosphere. But the most amazing thing (in terms of the interior) is the deer designs chairs. A nod to Harry’s patronus, I see.

After hours of looking through the potions book menu, my cousins and I decided to order the Truflle Fries, Mr. Lich’s Flaming Brew, Mrs. Lich’s Butterscotch Ale and Bloodberry. We didn’t order much food, since we both already eat before I came here. And so the magical culinary journey begins (insert Harry Potter theme song here).

The Truffle Fries (SGD 10) is a simple french fries drizzled with truffle oil on top of it and some mayonnaise on the sides. I think this is a good choice for a quick bites. Not like any other truffle fries I have tried before, this one is the bomb. The fries is cooked perfectly. It was crispy on the outside yet so fluffy on the inside. I think they drizzle the truffle oil quite generously since you really can smell and taste the truffle. I really love this one! Even I was thinking to order some more.

I came here for the Mr. Lich’s Flaming Brew (contains alcohol) or should I say the Goblet of Fire. Claimed to be the platform’s secret recipe, I squeak in full of excitement when the drink arrived at my table. The set up for the drinks is done right in your table. The Bacardi is put into the Blue Curacao liquor and ignited with a blowtorch. Shake the cinnamon powder to see the flames rises, swirls up and dancing in front of your eyes.

To be honest I don’t really like the drinks. We were trying so hard to make the flames big enough to be captured by the camera and we end up pouring the cinnamon powder too much. All I can taste from the drinks was just cinnamon. Yeah, we were trying that hard to make the potion work. Snape and Slughorn will be disappointed with us. However, at SGD 15 per drinks, I would say this is a very good deal. Since most of basic cocktails usually priced around SGD 20 to SGD 25, right?

The Mrs. Lich’s Butterscotch Ale is probably their own creation of butterbeer, the most famous drinks in the wizarding world. I can’t compare it to the one in the Universal Studio since I haven’t tried one (anyone be kind enough to fly me there?), but this one is super comforting. The drinks taste like a cream soda with a butterscotch taste like (and a hint of toffee, I guess). And also topped with creamy foam that reminds of vanilla ice cream. With only SGD 10 per cup, you really should order this. And I gotta warn you, a cup is not enough.

And last but definitely not least, a beautiful plated desserts named Bloodberry (contains alcohol). For about SGD 18, you’ll get a plate filled with Hoegaarden Rosee mousse and yoghurt parfait in chocolate pot shell, macaroon sticks, compressed plum, berry foam, honey caviar, dark and white chocolate soil, assorted berries and chocolate decorations in wand form.

At first I thought the desserts was very expensive. As the desserts came to our table, I know why it was a little bit expensive. The desserts turns out to be an artisan desserts and came almost too beautiful to be eaten. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was very decent. All of the chocolate instantly melt in your mouth as it touch your tongue. The mousse was very light and smooth, the honey caviar brings a funny different texture to the desserts, the berry has a sour taste that complete the whole desserts experience. Overall it was a nice high-end desserts. Not to mention it was instagram worthy too!

In conclusion, Platform 1094 is a very fun place to be at. The food and drinks are fascinating and pretty decent with a very reasonable price. I definitely will come back to try the mains. Until then...

HARRY DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FAIYAHHH???

(Sorry, I can’t help not writing that down)

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Platform 1094

1094 Serangoon Road

Singapore, 328192

Opening hours:

11AM – 10PM (Tuesday to Friday)

10AM – 11PM (Saturday to Sunday)

Closed on Mondays

Food: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Themed cafe is being a current trend in Singapore. Gudetama is currently one of the hippest place in terms of themed cafe. I have read quite a few good review about this place. It has great food, cute place, nice ambiance, and amazing service. All these good review make my expectations so high about this place, but will it exceeded my expectations?

If you don’t familiar with the words Gudetama, it is one of Sanrio’s character and quite possibly the current most popular. This character is deemed the lazy egg and has been a popular phenomenon in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

My friends and I came here around 10 or 11 AM, the perfect time for brunch. When we arrived, there were no lines at all. But right after we got our seats, the lines are begin to form. The interior was very lovely. It felt like I was in some kind of eggy playground. There are cozy egg booth, egg capsule chairs, egg posters, etc. They really do pay close attention to the smallest detail. Even the tissue has Gudetama all over it.

They also have desserts display near the main entrance area. And of course, the desserts resembles the Gudetama character very much.

We looked through the menu book and instantly fell in love with all it. All of the food presented in the cutest possible way. I remember I was being crazy trying to order every single thing in the menu. But considering the price was pretty expensive for a budget traveler like we did, we decided to order a few menu and share it. We ended up ordering “I’m Cold” Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Shoyu Ramen and Gude Pudding.

The “I’m Cold” Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict cost us about SGD 26.90. It was a pan filled with two poached eggs wrapped with a generous amount of smoked salmon, over a mashed avocado on a toast drizzled with hollandaise sauce. It was also served with seasonal greens, sautéed mushrooms and tater tots (hell yeah tater tots!).

I’m loving everything about this dish! The egg was runny and yumm, the smoked salmon was given very generously, the toast and the tater tots adds a new textures to the dish, the greens and mushrooms was seasoned perfectly and the hollandaise sauce complete it all. The only thing I hate is the mashed avocado that taste a bit bitter and kinda ruined it. But it was still a perfect choice for brunch.

If you though the Shoyu Ramen (SGD 21.50) is some kind of savory dish, you are absolutely wrong. It is a chocolate mousse cake topped with chestnut Mont Blanc, earl grey jelly and orange tuille. Also served on the side is some pannacotta with sweetened rose tea. I also taste something kinda crumbly and nutty but not sure what it is.

I kinda like how rich the chocolate taste was. The nuttiness from the crumbs brings a new flavor to it. However, I’m not a big fan of it. It was too big and too dense, it made you feel full after one or two spoons. Do eat the pannacotta and sweetened rose tea after you finish with your cake. It has the perfect smooth and silky texture, it freshen up your palate after those densy (is that even a word?) chocolate cake.

The final dish was Gude Pudding, and yes it was another desserts. With a SGD 16.90, you’ll get a caramel flan, vanilla soft serve, caramelized bananas, apple crumble and crispy orange tuille. This is my personal favorite! Not because I’m a sweet tooth kind of person, but because it was that good.

The caramel flan was wobbly and soft, the apple crumble was crispy and has a perfect sourness, the caramelized bananas was perfect and mixed with vanilla ice cream. I think I already died and lived in a heaven full of desserts! I love every single thing about it. Everything goes perfectly well without overpowering one another. I was kinda doubting about this desserts, since the other table doesn’t seems really enjoyed it. But hey! If you don’t like it, just pass it to my table because I can’t get enough.

So was Gudetama Café exceeded my expectations? In some ways, yes. Two out of three food that I ordered was taste nice. The interior was super cute and insta-worthy, the service was quite good. The only thing that burden me, is the food price. I was lucky I can try three dishes because I was sharing it with my friends. Imagine if I eat there alone. I don’t think paying that much for one meal is not really worth my money, even when it was that good. But then again, this is my first visit to a themed café. Maybe most of themed café price is as high as this one.

Will I come back? Maybe. Even if I do, I have to bring some friends to split the bill again.

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Gudetama Café

Suntec City Mall #01-61

3 Temasek Boulevard

Singapore, 038983

Opening hours:

9AM – 10PM (Monday to Thursday)

8AM – 10PM (Friday to Sunday)

Food: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Price: 3/5

Service: 4/5

So no one told you life is gonna be this way.

Is there any of you who doesn’t familiar with that sentences? If you don’t familiar with it, why don’t you just lock yourself up in your room, because you really missing something amazing. I may not be the biggest fan of F.R.I.E.N.D.S sitcom, but I gotta admit F.R.I.E.N.D.S is definitely the most iconic sitcom of all time. So when I heard there is a newly opened café with FRIENDS theme, I need to go there (even when it is thousand miles away from where I lived).

It was 10.37 PM when we arrived at the Central Perk Café at the Central Mall. My friends and I wasn’t expecting anything since the closing time is 11 PM. The waitress was kind enough to let us in anyway. I think that is because our tired and sad face. However the food and beverages selection is very limited she said. We don’t mind as long as we can take pictures at the iconic sets.

The place was pretty spacious. I think there were about 100 seats inside arranged exactly looked like the Central Perk Café (complete with extended studio set area) and also outdoor Streets of New York (recreated indoors). The replicas of the TV show properties is all over the café. The orange sofa, the brick walls, Monica’s kitchen and even Rachel’s wedding dress. It really do feel like you are a part of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross life.

The menu incorporated the sitcom into it, such as ‘Monica Marinara’, ‘Rachel Green Salad’ or ‘Potato the Way Joey Likes It’. Cute huh? Rumor has it, the whole team watched the entire series before deciding the menu. Since it was near closing time, We ordered the ‘Heavy Fudge Chocolate Mudcake’ and ‘Mrs. Braversman’s Cheesecake’.

The ‘Heavy Fudge Chocolate Mudcake’ (SGD 16/IDR 152.000) is a layered brownie cake with chocolate mousse, chocolate glaze on top and berries plus chocolate crumbs on the sides. It was super duper rich! I love how intense the chocolate taste was. It was so rich and gooey and amazing. But since the cake was pretty dense, you’ll get full after about 3 or 5 spoon. I suggest you share the cake with your friends, even if you are not the share food kind of person.

On the other hand, the ‘Mrs. Braversman’s Cheesecake’ (SGD 16/IDR 152.000) was very light. The mousse-like layer of cream cheese was so smooth and has a tangy aftertaste that taste like mango. The berries and biscuit crumbles on the sides bring another texture and make it feel fresh. However the cheese smell pretty strong. Since I’m not a cheese kind of person, I’m not a big fan of this one.

I was very thankful to the waitress who let my friends and I came in, eventhough it was 20 minutes to closing time. I probably will come back again to try other menu. From what I read online, the food there was pretty good. And did I mention that they got 6 kind of roasted coffee that matches the personality of the F.R.I.E.N.D.S character? Yep, I'm definitely will come back to try those!

Disclaimer : some of the pictures in this post is belong to a dear friend of mine,Rani.

Kindly check her instagram @mmanggraeni for more pictures from her.

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Central Perk

Central Mall #01-01

1 Magazine Road

Singapore, 059567

Opening hours: 11AM – 11PM (closed on Monday)

Food: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Price: 3/5

Service: 4/5

My trip to Singapore a couple weeks ago was very low on budget. I don’t have much money by then but I still want to make the most out of my trip to Singapore. After reading through tons of articles on the internet, I found out that Singapore has lots of FREE entertainment for a low budget traveler like me. And after hours of searching, turns out Sentosa Island, one of the most popular and considered expensive tourist attraction, offers lots of FREE entertainment also.

I gotta thank the Sentosa Island team for having an amazing website. The information given on the website was clear, complete and very helpful. I even arrange my Sentosa Island trip using their planner apps. After having a few back and forth discussion with my friends, we finally set the Sentosa Island itinerary just a few weeks before our flight.

And so my low budget adventure begins.

Disclaimer: the numbering on the list doesn’t mean it is the best or whatsoever.

It is just the number of the first to the very last attraction that I visited.

1. Southernmost Point of Continental Asia

Southernmost Point of Continental Asia is a small island, located at the southern part of Sentosa Island. The Southernmost Point of Continental Asia is supposed to be some kind of geographic phenomenon. However, I don’t think that this is the real Southernmost Point of Continental Asia though. The island is connected to the mainland with a beautiful suspension boardwalk. It has two viewing tower with a wooden bridge in between.

It offers the view of Sentosa Island coast, some ships and endless view of the South China Sea. I went there around 1PM and it was freaking hot! However I find this place quite calming since you can sit down, relaxing, cooling off yourself after a exploring the Sentosa Island. You can get a quiet evening walk along the coast.

Southernmost Point of Continental Asia

Palawan Beach

Sentosa Island, Singapore

Opening hours: 24/7

2. Palawan Beach

To be fair there are a few beaches on Sentosa Island. The Palawan Beach happens to be located right on the same location with Southernmost Point of Continental Asia.

Palawan Beach is great for taking an afternoon stroll with your family and friends, hanging out or even sun bathing. It has beautiful white sands and clear blue colored ocean. I instantly fall in love with this beach as it somehow makes you want to get in immediately.

Palawan Beach

Palawan Beach

Sentosa Island, Singapore

Opening hours: 24/7

3. Animal & Bird Encounter

Located right across the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia, Animal & Bird Encounter offer you an up close animal experience. They have three spots for the show. A mini stage where you can get close to the animal, the bird aviary which filled with tons of beautiful birds and an amphitheater where main show usually happens. They have different show every hour, however the show may be cancelled due to the bad weather.

We missed the ‘Bird Encounters’ show at the amphitheater. However we managed to catch the ‘Close Encounters’ show at the mini stage which adjacent to the bird aviary. I was expecting to see some bird, monkey or any other animal (just please not snake). But then, the show was showing a Siberian Husky. I knew some other people was a bit upset with it. They probably expecting some other animal but it was just a dog, I felt the same way. But in the end I don’t mind because Mako (the name of the husky) was the sweetest dog I ever seen.

I haven’t check if whether the dog is the regular show or the other animal was just not ready by that time. Will check and update you guys later.

Animal & Bird Encounter

Palawan Beach

Sentosa Island, Singapore

Opening hours: daily programmes from 2PM to 5.30PM

4. Fort Siloso Skywalk

Fort Siloso Skywalk is a walkways in the sky that give you aerial views and beautiful scenery of Sentosa. The Fort Siloso Skywalk stands at 11 story high and accessible through both stairs and lifts. Along the trail, you can enjoy the treetops, sea and Singapore city on the other side.

There are a few rest stops where you can read up Singapore’s defense history. And by the end of the bridge, there is some sort of canon statue. From what I read online, there supposed to be a military museum and show by the end of the bridge. But my friends and I didn’t check it since it was already almost 5 and we are planning to go to somewhere else.

Fort Siloso Skywalk

Siloso Beach

Sentosa Island, Singapore

Opening hours: lift operation hours - 9AM to 7PM

*Guest still can access the skywalk through stairs near lift lobby

5. Crane Dance

Actually I didn’t see The Crane Dance show last week. I watched The Crane Dance a couple years ago, when I came here with my grandparents. However since it was free, located in Sentosa, I’ve seen it before and I personally love it, I really recommend you to see this one.

The show is a combination of robot gigantic crane, waterworks and fireworks combined as one. The show was beautifully done, even though I was a bit confused about the story at the beginning. From what I read online, it was a story about two crane that fell in love with each other. Hence the blue and pink led color around the robotic crane. Even with all of the confusion about the story, I felt happy to watch such a beautiful show. The combination of waterworks and lighting makes it feel more alive. Not to mention closing it with an amazing fireworks display. To be honest, it felt magical.

Anyway, please make sure you come early to get the best seat on the house. Since this show is free of charge, it will mostly packed with lots of people.

Crane Dance

Waterfront

Sentosa Island, Singapore

Opening hours: 8PM with a 10 min show daily

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Top tips for Sentosa:

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Sentosa Island

Singapore

Website: http://sentosa.com/