Y FIRST MAKE LASTING MEMORIES - ABS-CBN Newsimg.abs-cbnnews.com/2017/downloads/1-16_stb.pdf · In...

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GEORGIA AND ARMAND DEL ROSARIO, WITH DAUGHTERS NADIA, SONIA, KATIA, AND IRINA EXPLORE SINGAPORE! THE ULTIMATE SINGAPORE GE TA W A Y FA M I L Y S I N G A P O R E S I N G A P O R E SG . BOND CELEBRATE FAMILY FIRSTS MAKE LASTING MEMORIES . .

Transcript of Y FIRST MAKE LASTING MEMORIES - ABS-CBN Newsimg.abs-cbnnews.com/2017/downloads/1-16_stb.pdf · In...

GeorGi a and armand del rosar io , w i t h dauGh t ers nadi a , son i a , ka t i a , and i r i na explore si nGapore !

The UlTimaTe SiNGaPORe

GeTawayFamilySINGA

PORE

SINGAPORE

SG

.BOND CELEBRATE FAMILY FIRSTS

MAKE LASTING MEMORIES

..

t

fun under t he sinGapore sun!

Choosing a family destination can be tricky—it is important to

find something interesting for each child, as well as activities to

enjoy with your spouse. In my case, I have a tween, a grade-

schooler, a preschooler, and it was also our first time traveling

with our newborn daughter. We needed to go somewhere that

had a varied selection of things to do as well as good weather

and clean surroundings. Singapore was the perfect choice—with endless

attractions and tourist spots, shopping, and dining hubs, we knew that

we would all be entertained completely.

We flew via Singapore Airlines, which was a wonderful experience,

with their friendly crew who were excited to get to know and help us

with our children. Arriving on a bright and sunny Sunday morning, we

were ready to dive into the day’s activities. As we checked into our home

in Singapore—the Festive Hotel in Sentosa—we knew we were in for a

treat! The hotel itself was so inviting for the family—our adjoining rooms

came with bunk beds which the kids enjoyed tremendously, and the

king sized bed and large bathrooms were an added bonus that Armand

and I definitely appreciated.

It was truly an exciting experience for our whole family, complete

with adventure-filled days, delicious meals, and relaxing moments that

allowed for uninterrupted bonding for all of us. I am so excited to share

all the fun activities we did, as well as all the wonderful sights we saw.

I wish for you all to experience awesome Singapore with your family!

Katia and Sonia goofing around in the Good Old Days café.

love, GeorGia

Armand and I are hands-on parents and we love spending time with the girls. We try to document every milestone of their growing up years as these captured moments will become the precious memories of tomorrow.

Magnificent architectural marvels

juxtaposed with lush greenery makes

Singapore so distinctive.

Me and my four girls enjoying the beautiful

surroundings of the Flower Dome.

flowerdome

my l i t t le fa iri esThe Flower Dome at Gardens

by the Bay was listed as the world’s largest greenhouse in the 2015 Guinness World Records and true enough its wide array of floral blooms is absolutely stunning. The girls enjoyed this enchanted garden tremendously, as they wore their flower crowns and explored this world of perpetual spring like little garden fairies. The dome replicates the cool-dry climate of the Mediterranean region, and our family had such a lovely time stopping and smelling the flowers in this colourful changing floral display, that showed different seasons, festivals, and themes.

Creat e maGiCal momen ts

Text by GeOrGia Schulze-Del rOSariO • Photographs by Paul del RoSaRio Hair, Make-up and Grooming by MuRiel VeGa PeRezProducer aThena FreGallina • Creative director Sherwin llaMeS layout artist Karl BelarMinO Graphic artist KriSTOFFer naGaMOS editorial assistant arlyn rOSaleS

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t r iCk eyemus eum

Let your imagination run wild with these incredible

optical illusions.

As soon as we stepped inside the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, we knew we were in for a surreal experience. There was a change in the atmosphere as a mysterious world veiled in mist greeted us when we entered the enclosed dome. From a distance, a 35-metre tall mountain covered in lush vegetation stood majestically amidst a grand indoor waterfall, which we were told is the tallest in the world. For an undisputed view, we took a lift up to the peak of the mountain, where we strolled along a walkway in the clouds and caught an aerial view of the canopy and mountainside below. As a treat, we even saw little rainbows through the mist, which really made the experience so much more magical!

As it grew darker, we headed out to the Supertree Grove to catch the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show. It was a musical extravaganza and as a big broadway fan, I couldn’t have been happier with the repertoire. My husband and I watched the show in silence, happily observing our daughters who danced excitedly around us. We didn’t know where to look, there was just so much to see! The sky was filled with a myriad of colors, of rainbow hues that seemed to match its movement with the beat. We left feeling exhilarated, happy at the chance to see this breathtaking show together as a family.

Ch ildren’s l i t t lemus eum

THe SuPeRTRee GRoVe liGhTS anD SOunDS ShOw is not to be missed! you can catch it daily either at 7:45pm or at 8:45pm

Gardenrhapsody

Cloud forest

an enChan t inG world

Be part of t he art !

Singapore’s first interactive museum presents interesting and fun optical illusions that both kids and adults will enjoy. Our daughters thoroughly immersed themselves in the different artworks, and mom and dad had a bit of their own fun too! From wacky carnival themes to famous paintings and mind-boggling exhibits, there is something for everyone in the Trick Eye Museum.

The Children’s Little Museum was a fun and quirky stop for us. Tucked in a quiet corner of Kampong Glam, you can find here a mishmash of carefully preserved toys and memorabilia from a bygone era. We loved the nostalgia and enjoyed showing the kids a glimpse of our childhood.

pi eCes of our past

Creat e maGiCal momen ts

Find it here!Flower dome, Cloud Forest, and Supertree GroveGardens by the Bay18 Marina Gardens drive

Find it here!

42 Bussorah St., Singapore 199460

resorts world Sentosa26 Sentosa Gateway #01-43/44 Singapore 098138

Find it here!

J unGlefever

The Singapore Zoo

comprises hectares of land

dedicated to the preservation

of wildlife. It is one of the most

remarkable zoos in the region,

with world-class amenities,

natural habitats, and

immersive experiences. Aside

from providing kids with fun

experiences, the zoo is also

big on wildlife conservation

which was something we

wanted for our kids—for them

to respect and appreciate the

animals, with whom we share

our planet with.

Start your wildlife

adventures by having a

jungle breakfast with the

friendly orangutans! Yes,

these furry friends are so

adorable and cuddly and

it took all our willpower to

not reach over and give

them a hug. don’t forget

to have a family picture

taken with them too!

play int he w ild

Get up close and personal with the

wildlife of Singapore.

sinGaporezoo

ri versafari

The highlight of our zoo adventures was definitely the giraffe feeding session. apart from their long necks, did you know that giraffes also have the longest tongue in the animal kingdom! The girls got to experience this first hand when the giraffes wrapped and grabbed the carrot sticks from their hands. it was slimy, but the sweet and gentle demeanour of the giraffes made up for it.

one of the Singapore zoo’s most popular attractions

is the Frozen Tundra and the star is definitely

inuka, the first polar bear to be born in the tropics!

The beautiful white bear is playful and smart, and

he enjoys performing amazing tricks and wowing

visitors as they cool off in this enclosure that is built

to resemble the arctic habitat.

Katia loved the panda bun filled with chocolate custard, from the Mama Panda Kitchen.

The girls had a special treat at the River Safari where they got to meet one of their favourite animals, the panda! Kai Kai and Jia Jia were the resident pandas at the Giant Panda Forest and the girls were really tickled to learn that the cuddly creatures are truly how they are depicted in their favourite cartoons contented with rolling around their habitat and could not stop munching on bamboo!

Panda mania aside, the other highlight of the River Safari was the Amazon Flood Forest, which gave a unique perspective into the underbelly of the submerged Amazon. The girls watched in awe as the massive manatees swam gracefully past them, through the gargantuan viewing gallery which gave them the perspective from the bottom of the forest floor right up to the water’s surface, a truly magical sight indeed.

Find it here!

80 Mandai lake Road Singapore 729826

under t he sea-ven t ures

One of the girls’ favourite stops was the S.E.A. Aquarium™. As a

family, we frequently visit the beach and go boating together, so the

ocean holds a special place in my children’s hearts and being so close

to the marine life was a special treat for them.

The girls particularly enjoyed being up-close and personal with

the jellyfish. The sight was really something to behold. They stood

transfixed with awe, observing the electrifying pulsating dances of

their neon blue tantacled friends.

With more than 100,000 species of aquatic creatures, the most

spectacular feature of the largest aquarium in South East Asia is

the giant viewing panel standing at 118ft wide and 27 ft tall, which

allows you to sit back and marvel at the sweeping ocean scenery.

Stealing a kiss from my second daughter Sonia as we both hugged the giant dolphin plush toy before purchasing.

A must-try!Yakult Frost

a family!feast inG as

The EATPLAyLOvE CRAFT CAFé appears to be a destination just for kids with their wide selection of arts, and crafts, fun vintage candies, and child-friendly menu, but to our surprise, even the adults seem to be enjoying themselves thoroughly. Perhaps it was because the food they serve is delicious—from Asian inspired dishes to classic American grub, plus frozen drinks and amazing desserts to hit that sweet spot— there is something for everyone! And who can resist an establishment that gets kids to look away from screens and promotes creativity? It is a win- win for all and a culinary destination that is a must!

The EatPlayLove Craft Café has so many

fun crafts for the kids to do, as well as

interesting nooks for adults to enjoy.

For those who love snapping photos for

social media, this is your go-to café.

Though finding restaurants has never been difficult for us, when we travel, we like to make sure that everyone gets to enjoy their meals. Luckily, Singapore is a food haven for all! From serving up the world’s most delicious street fare, to mastering

continental food and offering hotspots

with international celebrity chefs, dining

in Singapore is always a pleasure.

eat playloveCraf t Cafe

S.E.A AquAriuM TM was a special treat for the girls as it was

the closest they got to experience marine life. The dolphins

and the pink jellyfish were their favourites.

arts, crafts, and Fun Fare for all.

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Find it here!

28 aliwal Street #01-07 Singapore 199918

Find it here!

resorts world Sentosa 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa island, Singapore 098269

Happy Camper! My second daughter Sonia enjoying a big bowl of noodles after a long day at the River Safari.

My daughters love to drink hot tea. TWG has a great selection of decaffeinated teas that they are allowed to drink. Paired with one of their signature tea infused macarons makes the perfect afternoon treat.

Bon appe t i t ! t he fondest memori es are made over food

Being in Singapore, it was essential to sample their famous delicacies. I specifically wanted to take the girls to a hawker centre. This is where you can get the best of Singapore’s local dishes, with Asian flavors that are so vibrant and decadent. A must-eat when visiting Singapore is the famed chili crab. Though it is a little spicy and it will probably get messy, the kids will enjoy breaking through the shell to taste the sweet and succulent crab meat. We especially loved dipping fried Mantou bun into the chili crab sauce. And lastly, it is always special to visit TWG. Founded in Singapore, the tea brand has become quite popular globally so it is nice to go to the Singapore establishment and enjoy some of their famous teas and pastries.

JaMie’S iTalian – Pizza, pasta and so much more!

Jamie oliver is a chef i follow on social media so i was excited to try his restaurant’s take on classic italian dishes. it is a great family place because there are sophisticated plates for the adults, and kids’ favourite options—pizzas and pastas.

There is nothing more special than the family

table—conversations between

mouthfuls are the best.

Said to be one of the most popular stops when in search of Singapore chili crab, lonG beaCH Seafood ReSTauRanT does not disappoint. With crabs so big and meaty, the sweet and spicy dish will definitely leave you wanting more.

Goodold days

saBioBy t he sea

satayBy t he Bay

lonG BeaCh @ dempsey seafood restauran t

t wG t eaGarden

t ionG Bahru Bakery

slappy Cakes

mamapanda k i tChen

Jami e’si tal i an

Eating together as a family is a must for us every day. Whether at home or dining out, we definitely use it as a time to catch up and talk about our day.

You must visit a hawker centre when you are in Singapore! armand and i watching our food being prepared at SaTaY bY THe baY, found at Gardens bythe bay.

Specializing in classic Singaporean fare, Good old daYS presents authentic dishes that are packed with flavor. Served fast food style, it is a quick, easy, and delicious way to get your favorites such as laksa, mee goreng, chicken rice, and so much more.

Find it here!

Spanish tapas have been gaining popularity throughout asia in the last couple of years. of course our family is quite used to eating this cuisine, coming from a Spanish — filipino household, so this meal felt like home for us.

Quayside isle at Sentosa Cove 31 Ocean way, #01-02 Quayside isle, Quayside isle @ Sentosa Cove, Singapore 098373

What could be better than telling your children that they can play with their food? at SlaPPY CakeS, that is the whole idea! Children are encouraged to get creative and make their own pancakes in various shapes and sizes. needless to say, the girls had a blast… and so did the adults!

amand is a coffee lover so one of this favourite things to do is to take our daughters (and sometimes me) on little dates over coffee and sweet treats. Seen here enjoying his cuppa with the little ones. The bakery’s famed buttery and light croissants with crispy and flaky skin are not to be missed!

Find it here!

1 habourfront walk, #01-165-167, VivoCity, Singapore 098585

Find it here!

18 Marina Gardens drive #01-19 Singapore 018953

Find it here!25 dempsey Road, Singapore 249670

Find it here!

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront avenue, B2-65/68a, Singapore 018972

Find it here!

60 Siloso Beach walk Sentosa, Singapore 098997 (Beach Plaza)

Find it here!

56 eng hoon Street, #01-70, Singapore 160056

Find it here!

resorts world Sentosa 26 Sentosa Getaway (next to uSS), #01-29 Singapore, 098269

The Sultan Mosque, with its stunning

traditional architecture and massive golden

domes, sets a beautiful backdrop which

reminded the girls of the setting in the Disney adaptation

of Aladdin.

The streets and shops of Haji Lane are so picturesque, everywhere you look is truly a sight to behold; I was enamored by so much in the area, and could not resist purchasing a Persian carpet, imported from Turkey.

Walking the streets hand in hand, we were in awe of all the beautiful sights in Haji Lane. This shopping mecca is a feast for the eyes with all the quirky stores that hold great finds that are unique and beautiful.

The girls were given traditional flower garland necklaces to wear, but not before they were taught the art of making them. A visit to one of the city’s largest Indian temples showed the girls that though our beliefs may be different, each religion teaches about goodness and faith. As sweets are a big part of the Indian culture, we set out to visit a sweet shop. For just P70, we were able to sample authentic goodies such as gulab jamun.

My eldest daughter Nadia loves beauty products and scents. Here, she was able to create her own perfume using essential oils, herbs, and flowers. She also learned that traditional perfume was made using natural materials without alchohol, parabens or additives. She got to sample all the different scents on her own, and concocted her own special perfume as a souvenir for home.

t hesultanmosque

l i t t leindia

Cult urevult ures

When traveling with the children, we always make sure to take the opportunity to really immerse them in the country’s culture. Singapore is rich in this, being a culmination of so many various Asian and European cultures. From the food, to the beliefs—it was imperative for us to show a little bit of this to our girls.

a pair of handmade gold chandelier earrings fromlittle india.

Find it here!Sifr aromatics42 arab St., Singapore 1997741

Find it here!

715 North Bridge Rd, S198684

Kidzania is probably one of the most enjoyable activities for children. What began in Mexico is now a worldwide phenomenon, allowing kids to roleplay in ‘grown up’ jobs and have a go at earning money. The girls got to try many professions – from runway models (because mommy was one once upon a time), to museum curators and even working in a traditional barbequed meat shop where they learned to make the famed Asian pork jerky ‘Bakwa’.

Aside from having jobs, the girls were able to spend their money or ‘kidzos’, Kidzania’s form of currency to buy thing such a toys, snacks and other fun knick knacks. There were even ATM machines made for kids to teach them how to manage their finances.

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My favorite activity was the Future World exhibit. Aptly explained as a place where ‘art meets science,’ this display was interactive, allowing you to experience a world far more modern than what we are used to, in what is a stunning show of what the future can hold. The activities respond to each individual’s behavior so kids can really see how everything they do has great impact on the world that surrounds them. Having found a permanent home in Marina Bay Sands, this is a must when exploring Singapore. One of my favorite experience is walking through a field of flowers—it was as if you’re looking at nature’s changes first hand.

My favorite activity was the Future World exhibit

at the ArtScience Museum.

i t ’s a k i dz ’ world

Walking through the entire kid-sized city was much fun for us. Apart from the creatively laid out streets that had hospitals, banks and the likes, don’t forget to check out the star attraction: a huge, real-life Boeing 737 aircraft, where kids get to be pilots for the day at the edutainment centre.

Checking out fossils and other ancient artifacts at the LEE KONG CHIAN NATuRAL HISTORy MuSEuM

modernmarvel

dino tales

Find it here!Palawan Kidz City. 31 Beach View #01-01/02 Singapore 098008

Find it here!

Faculty of ScienceNational university of Singapore2 Conservatory driveSingapore 117377

Find it here!

6 Bayfront ave., 018974

This is where you can see real dinosaur bones!

family t ravel made unforGe t taBle

w i t h sinGapore’s many adven t ures!

Whether it is just the two of us, or with the

entire family, Singapore will always be a place

we look forward to coming back to.

Whether it is just the two of us, or with the

entire family, Singapore will always be a place

we look forward to coming back to.