Cloud Forest and Floral Fantasy 2026

Despite seeing the dinosaurs at Cloud Forest last time, I'm still back for it since it is so fun. And this place features some really exotic-looking floweers.

I love the crystal-like petal of these flowers:

And back at Floral Fantasy after all these years! It is really a fantasy land full of flowers. I love the ceiling of hanging flowers.

Gardens by the Bay - Sakura Matsuri 2026

This year, a couple of Japanese wooden houses are featured at Sakura Matsuri, really adding to the event that vibe of Japanese philosophy of harmony with nature. I love it. And there are water features added this time, with water pouring down the wooden sloped roof, water streaming out from wooden barrels. And there are cute sanrio characters featured for that cuteness. I also saw Ishikawa specialty plates with Sanrio characters on display in one of the wooden houses. And I go, “I have these!” 😆 

Gimme Gimme Disco

I went to Gimme Gimme Disco at Zouk because I want to wear my hot sequinned top and dance the nigth away. Lots of patrons are dressed to the nines, with glitter and sequins. Lots of dancing, grooving to the songs of disco era and sing along. I really like it that the place has a second floor, where I can go to see the disco floor from top down (nice view) and have lots of space to myself to dance.

Thoughts: Dazzling, Glitter, Nostalgia

Wheelers TROPIKANA - Live Bands and Good Food

It is quite an experience to go to Tropikana to chill, savour some good beef tartare and enjoy awesome live music.

Huge props to Shirlyn + The UnXpected for livening up the place with our favourite rock classics and totally nailing it when performing the technically challenging “Sweet Child O’ Mine” on the fly. With the live band performing, every song feels more alive. The vibe, the presence, the music and the impact all have that extra oomph when played live by an awesome band.

Tropikana really features that tropics feel: located in idyllic, serene Gillman Barracks, which is like Dempsey Road of the south, has a lush forest as backdrop, swimming pool, open space with lawn, rustic wooden tables, rattan chairs, huge rattan ceiling lamps, and a stage for live band. I immediately feel like relaxing with a cocktail or some beer when arriving here.

The food here is Italian classics with a bit of local flair, and it is good, especially the beef tartare.

Beef Tartare impresses me right at first bite. The combination of tangy Capers, meaty sweet raw cubed Beef, creamy egg yolk and the spiciness of Tabasco wows me over at first bite. The earthy goodness of super crispy thin Truffle Purple Potato Chips balances the simulating taste of the beef tartare so well. The bits of Pickled Cucumber adds the zesty crunchy goodness to make it even better. Definitely a must try here.

The Jack Sparrow immediately hits me with its briny sweet aroma when served. This pizza with superthin dough base is full of different kinds of briny sweetness: mussels’ creamy one, squid's light milky one, and cold shrimp's crisp one. Onion, Fior Di Latte (an Italian cheese), Chilli Flakes, Tomato Sauce adds the extra kick to the taste.

Hot Chocolate Pudding is a rich treat with Dark Chocolate cake with a molten core, stacked with Vanilla Gelato and Pistachio Praline on top.

Sunset Sling of Brass Butterfly Pea Gin, Orange Liquer, Pineapple, Honey, Lime tastes so smooth with a good balance of sweetness, bitterness and zest.

Thoughts: Fantastic Experience!

9A Lock Road

66 Chambers (Sins and Seduction Poolside Edition event) - Seductive, Cool and Idyllic Lifestyle

66 Chambers is back with another Sins and Seduction event, this time is Poolside Edition, with DJs onboard to hype up the atmosphere. I like the atmosphere here where everyone is dressed in white and express one's uniqueness and individuality with details, silhouette, design and movement. And due to the nature of the alternative lifestyle the 66 chambers subscribes to, we have daring individuals who dare to challenge the norms and dress in the non conventional way that says, "This is me." This is an eye opening event that feeds the curious minds like mine.

Due to the open and brighter space of this event at El Chido at Pullman Hotel's rooftop, I find that the energy here is more free flowing and vibrant as compared to the previous event. The presence of the pool, DJ booth, ample walking/dancing spaces and availability of numerous seats and standing tables make it possible for patrons to engage in a variety of activities for interaction instead of just standing around, unsure of what to do, or gather around the bar to get a drink to kill time. And as an observer, the brighter settings make it easier for me to observe expressions of the attendees. I have to admit that I do prefer this edition. This time, I'm pretty impressed.

Photo from 66 Chambers' Official Instagram

Thoughts: Sensual and Intense, Curated and Mind-freeing

Sing My Song Family Karaoke - Best Karaoke with Unique Setup

Going to Sing My Song Family Karaoke is such an unique and awesome experience. While the place has individual rooms for those who want privacy, the highlight is actually the singing hall where all patrons take turns to sing. This is where the fun is: other patrons cheer you on (yes, they have clappers at each table for us to clap and cheer fellow singing patrons), or we sing together with other patrons at other tables. No competition, there are only good vibes on enjoying the night through the songs.

The excellent sound system and the premium drinks available, of course, make the experience even better. I also like the variety of tempting snacks available for ordering, and they are served crispy and piping hot. The staff was very helpful and friendly, sealing the deal that this is one of the best places for karaoke.

Thoughts: Super Fun Experience!

Ikkoten Omakase - Amazing Meticulously Crafted Dinner

I’m back at Ikkoten Omakase for this year’s first experience of the taste of spring, and yes, this proves to be an exciting start for thid spring. Where the light herbaceous freshness of vegetables and leaves brightens up the taste of the dishes and subtly refreshes the palates. Carefully and specially prepared, drizzled with specialty homemade sauces to bring another unexplored dimension in taste, every dish of this menu is a standout on its own.

Cold Nanohana Chawamushi embodies the lovely mellow, fresh taste of spring. The freshness of the rare Nanohara vegetables, the zesty creaminess of the egg custard, tangy sweetness of the tomato work beautifully together to create a taste that is subtle, exciting and complex. The flying fish roe adds nice crunchy pop texture to contrast with the smoothness of the custard. 

Sakura Shiraou is full of light, airy briny sweetness and is amazingly super crispy. The sakura salt is light and carries a tint of earthy flavour to balance the briny sweetness. Delightful snack.

Otsukuri of Katsuo Tataki Sashimi with Ponzu Foam is immediately wow and shiok at first bite. The spiciness from Tabasco and fresh pungency of Japanese Negi cut through the rich taste of Katsuo to actually highlights its sweetness. The light balanced zest of foamy ponzu sauce adds the excitement, also highlighting the sweetness of the fish. The dish also has awesome texture due to the crunchiness of negi juxtaposing well with the texture of the fish.

Tai Sashimi with Midori Su showcases the bright, clean, refreshing taste of spring, in the form of sashimi. Clean, clear taste of Tai is made exciting by the tangy umsmi of midori su sauce, crunchy, spongy texture and refreshing freshness of Kyuri aka Japanese cucumber, and clear tangy sweetness of tomato. This is a brilliant dish that comes after the tastebud simulating Katsuo Tataki.

Chef Brandon specially prepares one of the three kings of the fish kingdom: Kinki! (And Norugoro and Maguro are the other two kings).

Kinki fish has this lovely intense sweetness harmonised by the kelp with vinegar sauce harmonises for a balanced awesome taste, amazingly bringing out a softer and smoother sweetness of the kinki. This is like magic. The refreshing freshness of the kelp also cuts through the intensity of the fish for an even more balanced awesome taste. The crispy skin of the kinki creates an awesome texture for a good, exciting bite.

The sakura leaf wrapped around the uni is the taste of spring realised in Oshinogi dish. The leafy, fresh taste of the leaf contrasts so well with the rich creamy umami of the uni. A treasure trove of different kinds of earthy goodness: steamed handmade goma tofu’s nutty earthy sweetness cut, mushroom's earthy, woody rustic taste, lily bud's clear earthy pureness nicely soften the briny sweetness of the leek soup for a well-rounded taste.

Yuzu sauce is the magic is in this dish, where it pairs wonderfully with the creamy, perfectly cooked A5 wagyu beef and the specially prepared foie gras. So good that it is unbelievable. The foie gras is amazing in taste and most probably the best I ever have because it is lighter on the palates, buttery, smooth and not as oily. This is due to the extra preparation to manage the oilness and get the tendons carefully removed.

The Donabe is so amazing in taste. Every smooth starchy grain is packed with briny goodness and vegetable freshness, invoking the feeling of bliss in spring. Amaebi is so briny sweet and has an awesome firm texture with a slight crunch. And Chef Brandon is so generous in adding lots of them. Lots of vegetables are added, which elevates the taste and texture so much. Love, love this.

The dessert showcases how hojicha and pine nuts can work beautifully when paired together. The balanced roasted smoky astringent taste of hojicha is elevated by the buttery nutty taste of pine nuts. The slightly crunchy texture of the nuts also render the texture of ice-cream exciting.

Thoughts: Awesomely Amazing Gastronomic Experience