SengkangBabies, Author at Sengkang Babies

Arts In Your Neighbourhood

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From now till 29 Mar, Arts In Your Neighbourhood (AYN) hopes to bring a myriad of Dance, Music, Visual Arts and Theatre performances for everyone to enjoy an enriching arts experience at their doorstep. I am not exactly the arty-farty person, but this French lady “Claire Ducreux” totally impressed us with her creative act.

To quote from the organiser :
“Arts for All is an initiative by National Arts Council to promote self-expression, creativity and bonding through the arts by bringing it to where people live, work and play.”

Arts is very subjective, everyone brings home different interpretation. I can definitely learn to appreciate street art performances.

Venue : Woodlands Civic Centre
The beauty of arts performances is we do not know what to expect. With “Barco De Arena“, Claire rocks her boat, or is a boat? Nevermind, just use your imagination.

As the performance sails along, more curious families popped by to see the arts performance.
Arts in your Neighbourhood

It is hard to peel our eyes off her mesmerising moves. As her “boat” swung left and right like a pendulum, you realised every motion is synchronised.

We adored Claire’s interaction with the crowd! Her volunteer gamely row the “boat”, while romantic ballad played in the background. Audiences were clapping and cheering them on, and the whole atmosphere is just so soothing.

Video : Row row row your boat

Venue : Nee Soon East Courtyard
The second act we attended was “A Prince’s Journey” by Ding Yi Music Company. It is a fusion of live Chinese chamber music, theatre, and animation. We follow the Prince as he escaped from his palace. Along the journey, he learns to appreciate things which he had taken for granted.
day 1 Friday French6

Audiences were introduced to Chinese musical instrument like 柳琴 (Liu3 Qin2) and 琵琶 (Pi2 Pa2). The guitar look-alike 中阮 and 大阮 (Zhong1 Ruan3 and Da4 Ruan3) do not sound like Chinese instruments at all.

So melodic!

As the Prince tried to run and hide, kids (seated at the front row) purposely sent the palace guards running in the opposite direction.

“Arts in your Neighbourhood” wants you to enjoy arts in a comfortable setting. Yes, sandals and shorts are fine, sit on the floor. (No need for formal wear and strict auditorium manners)

Interaction with the Ding Yi Music Company.

Grab the Arts booklet, book your next Arts calender event. Be it Ang Mo Kio, Tanglin Halt, Tampines or Bedok, there is something to intrigue everyone.

All the events are free!

We are curious about a giant Doodle artwork at Circuit Road Food Centre (this art piece was conceived with residents’ input of iconic Circuit Road trademarks)

(image credit Instagram @artsforallsg)

Kids can collect badges at each show or summit an activity card (example identify 5 neighbourhood activities in doodle map) to win an exclusive “Arts in your Neighbourhood” collectible.

Venue : Hougang Central Hub
We love Claire Ducreux’s performance so much, we did an encore with “De Paseo“.

After my arts immersion, I do have some take home messages for the kids.
Be creative and inspired, dare to dream, think out of the box!

Do pop by the following links for more updates about “Arts in your Neighbourhood” :
– https://artsforall.sg
– facebook.com/artsforall.sg
– Instagram @artsforallsg

Desaru Crocodile farm

At Desaru Crocodile farm, one of the crocodiles came close to Boon Kang (camera angle). Parents need not worry as water is shallow, and crocs cannot propel their tail and rocket upward.

Buaya alert as this croc is only 5m, and weighs 400kg!

Desaru Crocodile Farm is one of the popular attractions for tourists, there are more than 1000 beasts in this farm alone.

It is about 30km drive from Lotus Desaru (or 80km from Woodlands checkpoint)

(image credit Google map)

It happened to be Boon Yee’s Birthday when we visited, we rented a crocodile (inclusive duct-taped jaw) for him to pose. His No2 brother Boon Kang’s keep-that-BUAYA-away expression is priceless haha!

(RM2 per croc per child)

We paid a small fee (RM20) for three dead chickens. The encik (keeper) will then invite poke the crocodiles to feast, but they need to perform first.

Feeding frenzy.

Waiting eagerly for the crocodiles to leap up. We suspect they already had breakfast, not many were eager. If you wish to have a feel of the crocodile tail’s strength, stand near the wall and wait for it to splash water onto you.

After watching the crocodile’s prowess, everyone heeded the warning signs. There is no doubt humans are fair game for the crocs and there will be little left when they are done with human steaks!

Ok, taking wefie is still safe, as long as we do not lean over the wall.

We follow the Uncle as he show us the different crocodiles around the farm.

To get the crocodiles’ attention, he has a 4m pole to poke them. When the crocodiles are angry, you can hear their low frequency hiss and your hair might just stand. Imagine coming face to face with one of them when you are swimming!

This one is staring at you! It’s menacing gaze was seizing us up and down, definitely not the most comforting thought.

Desaru Crocodile farm (鳄鱼场) also harvests crocodile hide for Bonia bags. We heard herbal tonic made from crocodile meat is highly nourishing. Have you heard of a sick crocodile before, these crocs were once relatives with dinosaurs and they will likely outlive the human race.

Older crocodiles have their own enclosures. Perhaps to prevent provoking each other, these are territorial beasts.

The crocodile living in captivity can live above 300 years old! A few specimens are above 155 years old, and even 170s years old already!

We saw a deformed crocodile too. Initially Daddy thought it sustained the injury in a fight, but apparently, it was born without a tail.

Tourists

We would strongly recommend Crocodile World for the kids, you do not get so close to “dinosaurs” everyday.

More details about Desaru’s Crocodile World :
Tickets – Adult RM8, Child RM4
GPS – N1.56537 E104.02647 (30 min drive from Lotus Desaru)

Do pop by our recent Desaru JB itinerary :
– Kota Tinggi’s Waterfall
– Mario Kart, Go Karting at Permas Jaya
– Crocodile Farm (up to 170 years old!)
– Best Bak Kut Teh in JB
– Sungei Rengit Seafood

Catch more crocodile photos on our Fanpage album.

ps.. Follow our Instagram tag #SengkangBabiesJohor for more JB adventures