Seven Things to do During Recess Week

With recess week just around the corner, Lifestyle Writer Amanda Chai gives her two cents’ worth on what to do during the seven days.

By Amanda Chai

Market Monday

PHOTO: HOTSPOT.SG

Kick off your recess week with a trip down to a hidden gem in Singapore — Farmart Centre. It is Singapore’s very own miniature farmers’ market, tucked away in a corner off Kranji Expressway.

Hosting a small-scale animal farm, old-school produce markets, and even a prawning area, Farmart Centre aims to provide a rustic countryside experience away from the urban jungle. Its most endearing feature lies in its original architecture, which, though opened in 2000, looks straight out of Kampung days.

There’s much to do at Farmart Centre. The animal farm is home to goats, tortoises, rabbits, birds and other small creatures — visitors can choose to feed animals or go on farm tours. The produce markets sell a selection of fresh food, such as chicken eggs (straight from the chicken farms), bottled longan honey drinks, and exotic frozen meat like raw crocodile parts. If the mini farmers’ market is not for you, have a hearty meal at the hawker outlets instead, which sell a variety of (cooked!) food ranging from live seafood to ol’ favourite barbequed chicken wings.

For those who want a little novelty during recess week, or even a family-oriented day out, Farmart Centre might be just the place.

Farmart Centre

67 Sungei Tengah Road
S699008
Opening hours:
Sun-Thurs: 10am – 10pm
Fri-Sat/PH: 10am – 12mn
Price: Free

Treat Trail Tuesday

PHOTO: LADYIRONCHEF.COM

There’s no better occasion than recess week to beef up your Instagram feed with a slew of café photos. Take time out to chart a dessert trail of the tastiest cafés on the island. For a real combo-breaker, stick with a theme and plan your trail around it. Be sure to do it on a Tuesday, because many cafes are closed on Mondays (tré hipster). So a waffle trail might go something like this:

Creamier

Nearest MRT: Braddell
Toa Payoh Lorong 1
Blk 128, #01-835
S310128
Opening hours:
Tue-Thurs/Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Specialty: 2 waffles with 2 scoops of ice cream – $11

Wimbly Lu

Nearest MRT: Lorong Chuan
15-2 Jalan Riang
S358987
Opening hours:
Tue-Fri: 1pm – 10.30pm
Sat-Sun: 9am – 11pm
Specialty: Waffle with 1 scoop of ice cream – $8

Sunday Folks

Nearest MRT: Holland Village
44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-52
Chip Bee Gardens
Opening hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Specialty: 2 waffles with 1 soft serve – $11.90

Department of Caffeine

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar
15 Duxton Road
S089481
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 10.30am – 7.30pm
Sat-Sun: 9.30am – 7.30pm
Specialty: Buttermilk Waffle – $12.50

Group Therapy

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar
49 Duxton Road
#02-01
S089513
Opening hours:
Tue-Thurs: 11am – 6pm
Fri-Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Specialty: Peanut Butter Waffle – $11

For those looking for a more hearty meal, the café scene in Singapore also offers a savoury selection.

Waffletown

Nearest MRT: Newton MRT
Specialty: Turkey Bacon & Egg Waffle – $4
Chicken Sausage & Egg Waffle – $4

Spathe Public House

Nearest MRT: Newton MRT
Specialty: Belgian Waffles and Fried Chicken with Mornay Sauce – $17

Waffle Slayer

Nearest MRT: Outram Park MRT
Specialty: Buttermilk Waffles with Chicken Schnitzel and Kaffir Lime Mayonnaise – $19.90

Workout Wednesday

PHOTO: AMPEDSINGAPORE.COM

Treat Trail Tuesday may be a little sinful for most people. So why not make use of Wednesday to work off the few pounds gained? If you’re a firm believer in fun exercise, then the AMPED Trampoline Park is for you.

Opened in August last year, AMPED is Singapore’s first indoor trampoline park, boasting 5,000 square feet of interconnected quality trampolines. A foam pit and parkour walls offer some thrill for those seeking more challenge.

With its first branch at Tanjong Katong Road, AMPED opened its second branch in Jurong East in February last year, perfect for those staying in hall this holiday.

There’s a reason why this quirky trampoline park is such a hit with youth and families — AMPED proudly claims that a 10-minute jump on a trampoline is test-proven to be equivalent to a 30-minute run.

AMPED Trampoline Park

200 Jurong East Avenue 1
Level 2
S 609789
Opening hours:
Mon: 10am – 7pm
Tue-Wed: 3pm – 10pm
Thurs-Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Admission: $10/hour

Throwback Thursday

PHOTO: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

It’s always a good thing to go back to your roots, especially since Singapore has some cool history. Take a walk down memory lane (literally) with the Singapore History Gallery at the National Museum of Singapore this #tbt.

Exploring 700 years of history, the History Gallery chronicles the journey from 14th century Singapore to the cosmopolitan hub we call home today with an experiential storytelling approach.

This voyage through our historical drama features two ‘paths’ —— the Events path traces major national events and characters, while the Personal path tells intimate stories through the eyes of our early settlers, as well as the man on the street.

They say the future is a mystery, but we can be certain of the History Gallery’s future till next month. The History Gallery will be undergoing a revamp on 3 Nov, so do visit soon for nothing short of an enriching journey.

National Museum of Singapore

93 Stamford Road
S178897
Opening hours: 10am – 8pm
Price: Free admission daily (for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents)

Freaky Friday

PHOTO: RWSENTOSA.COM

With October around the corner, it can only mean one thing — the return of USS Halloween Horror Nights. Before you get caught up in the bustle of midterms and assignments, scare yourself silly with a trip down to Halloween Horror Nights 4, which opens on 3 Oct.

This year’s theme revolves around ‘Demoncracy’, with the demonic Minister of Evil serving as the title character. Visitors will be taken on a journey through four haunted houses — Jack’s 3-Dimentia, Jing’s Revenge, Mati Camp, and The L.A.B — and four scare zones.

If you do end up going alone, don’t be afraid; after all, a little haunting never hurts.

Halloween Horror Nights 4

Universal Studios Singapore
8 Sentosa Gateway
S098269
Opening hours: 7.30pm – 1.30am
Price: $68

Supersaver Saturday

PHOTO: LEMONBARLEYSTRAWBERRY.COM

Supersaver Saturday is the day to earn that extra buck while clearing out your old wardrobe.

Flea markets are an essential part of teenage retail culture in Singapore. With the banning of the sale of second-hand items at ex-flea giant SCAPE*, many youths have flocked to the market at Lucky Plaza to sell their ‘pre-loved’ goods.

Head over to www.forfleasake.com to book a flea booth, hosted every weekend at Lucky Plaza. A regular booth on Saturday is rented at $100 from 12pm-8pm, while Sunday booths are rented at $120 for the same duration. Don’t be too hasty to dismiss this flea market location, for it draws throngs of passersby — situated at the top floor of Lucky Plaza, it is right opposite the famed Jollibee Fried Chicken.

If you’re new to the flea market scene, be prepared for some heavy haggling. When faced with a tough buyer, always remember — the decision to sell lies ultimately with you. Ask yourself: Do I really want to let that Topshop skirt go for just $3? Or is your main goal just to clear whatever’s on your table? Stay firm but friendly, and you’ll make a good deal.

Sinful Sunday

It’s the last day of the short break and school starts in just 24 hours — you deserve a good sloth day. Excuse yourself and indulge in a sinful start to the end of the week — The Lie-In. The rest of your Sinful Sunday should consist mainly of eating comfort (read: junk) food, and catching up on that latest movie you never got around to watching.

That said, you might want to get a headstart on all that work you left untouched the whole week … before getting back to Midterm Monday, of course.