singapore

Searching For Crocodiles at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore

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Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Kranji, Singapore

You might think it’s crazy to search for crocodiles at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore, but recent evidence might get you thinking…

Exhibit A: A wild elephant swims over from Malaysia and ends up on Pulau Ubin.

Exhibit B: Locals (also on Pulau Ubin), report sightings of a tiger prowling the island. While never verified, experts claim Pulau Ubin is within swimming range of Malaysia for a tiger.

It’s not much of a stretch then that a crocodile, a creature whose bread and butter is actually swimming (and eating, and fighting snakes) could swim over from the wilds of Malaysia and make its home in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It wouldn’t be the first Malaysian to cross the border in search of better wages and a more comfortable standard of living, and with this thought in mind I started my search. I actually had no idea there might be crocodiles lurking until I saw sign after sign warning people about them. I’d received my challenge and was determined to spot one in the wild.

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5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Quit Your Job and Travel

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Everywhere I look in this virtual world are inspirational travel quotes, interviews with perpetual travellers and just straight out abuse of the 9-5 lifestyle – all designed to inspire people to leave their old life behind and travel. I’m fine with the inspirational stuff, even though it’s not really my thing (you’ll never catch me repeating any travel quotes), but what I really can’t stand is someone denigrating another person’s lifestyle choice because it doesn’t align with their own. I have seen a lot of call to action slogans like “Quit your shit, soul sucking 9-5 job” and to me these are just completely insulting to the millions of people who choose, and probably enjoy, this lifestyle.

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Is Haw Par Villa the Weirdest Tourist Attraction in the World?

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A crab boy at Haw Par Villa, Singapore

Are you looking for something different in a tourist attraction? How about something a little bit weird (and a bit scary if you’re a kid!) Haw Par Villa might be the place for you, it’s definitely one of the strangest places in Singapore!

The Ten Courts of Hell

For some reason I thought Buddhism was a peaceful religion. That all changed when I entered the Ten Courts of Hell exhibit at Haw Par Villa, Singapore. Models of decapitations, people getting thrown on spikes, chucked into pools of boiling blood and almost every other gruesome torture you can imagine greet those who enter. The fact that punishments for things like cheating on exams and wasting food seemed just as harsh as the ones for rape and murder confused me, and I walked out of the exhibit completely rethinking my view of Buddhism. In reality that view was based on almost nothing, as the only time I’ve come in contact with the religion is at temples, and I’m not really one to ask too many questions about the spiritual side of them; I just like how they look. The Ten Courts of Hell is definitely one of the scariest places in Singapore, make sure you visit but warn your children first!

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A Day Trip to Pulau Ubin: Escaping Singapore City

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A pond on Pulau Ubin, Singapore

Five million people crammed into an area four times smaller than my hometown Dunedin (which has a population of around 120,000). People everywhere, all the time. This place has energy, a stir-fried charm that clings to your skin and makes you feel alive and exhausted at the same time. Every now and again, to stop … Read more

10 Tips For a First Time English Teacher in Asia

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Tips for a first time English Teacher

Are you a first time English teacher in Asia (or are you planning to be)? Check out these tips to make the transition that little bit easier!

Make a good first impression

The first impression I made in Taiwan was not a strong one. The day after training, the new teachers were supposed to make a visit to their respective branches for the first time. Still drunk from celebrating the night before, I woke up to an angry “where are you?” phone call. I didn’t make it to the branch at all and I’m pretty sure some of the management never really forgot it.

Go in strong

Just like prison, sometimes the key to survival in the classroom is to find the biggest, baddest kid in class and kick him in the teeth. Not literally of course, but there is often one kid in a new class who will challenge you, and it’s important to quash that rebellion straight away. Bring them down a notch or two and the rest of the class should fall into line.

Be yourself

There was a bit of an expectation in Taiwan to be the all singing, all dancing clown teacher. This isn’t my style. There is no point trying to be something you aren’t and as long as you find your own way to connect with the kids you’ll be fine.

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How to Save $3000 ($2400 USD) a Month Teaching English in Singapore

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How to save $3000 a month teaching English in Singapore

Choosing somewhere to teach in Asia can be a daunting task. Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, these all sound like great options, and they probably are, but where can you save the most money? Assuming you read titles, you probably already know that teaching English in Singapore is a great choice. Getting started The pay for … Read more