Checking Out The Orchard Christmas Light-Up 2021

Hi Huneybees,

Orchard Road just lit up and got all dressed up for Christmas, so I made a date with hubby to go for a stroll and soak in the festive mood. Themed as "Christmas in Bloom", this year's iteration will see the shopping street set aglow with about 68km of fairy lights and oversized floral decorations, with some parts dressed with bold neon lights, spanning from Tanglin area till Dhoby Ghaut.

There's also a giant outdoor video projection as the highlight of this year's annual Orchard Road Christmas light-up. It takes up an entire wall of the Mandarin Orchard hotel and together with augmented reality, you can see the fireworks animation through a mobile app - PopAR.

The giant outdoor projection will be screened from Nov 1 to Jan 2, with a 10-minute 3D show from 8pm to 10.30pm daily. A virtual tour of the shopping street, which will start from Nov 19 through Jan 2, will also offer 360-degree views and feature performances by local buskers.

While, like last year, there will be no street activities and performances, there will be speakers put up on the stretch between ION Orchard and Ngee Ann City playing popular Christmas carols. From Nov 1, shoppers walking along the stretch will hear the tunes daily between 5pm and 10.30pm, extended to 12.30am for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The 3.1km light-up will kick off on Nov 13, with seven weeks of festivities till Jan 2. The lights will be turned on from 6.30pm to midnight from Sundays to Thursdays, till 2am for Fridays and Saturdays, and stay on overnight on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, until 6am.

The 12m-tall main arch at the Scotts-Paterson road junction is always the highlight for me. This year, it is decked with colourful lights accentuated with red and rose gold poinsettias, a traditional Christmas flower that symbolises purity and mirth during this Christmas period.

Right next to the arch, is ION Orchard and this year their highlight is the huge Chanel Christmas tree, which if u scan the secret QR code, you can redeem a little gift at their boutique store in the shopping mall. The blue and gold lights combination makes the mall look so majestic at night.

Walking down the street brings us to Wisma Atria and this year their theme is Alice in Wonderland. Above their iconic lighted steps, you can find some friendly animals and forest land with a red Christmas tree waiting for your Insta-worthy shots.

Walking down to Ngee Ann City, was the AR projection that took attention, so after watching that, we crossed the road to Paragon and captured some pictures with the huge red Christmas tree.

Further down the as we enter the Cairnhill-Orchard road junction, the flowers on the gold arches changes to white Christmas roses. Creating another new sector as we approach 313@Somerset's magical fairytale-themed Christmas set...

After a little Christmas gift shopping, we headed down towards Orchard Gateway. We were anticipating for something grand as every year they seem to be the highlight of the street. Sadly we only found a lighted Christmas box at the entrance that you can walk in for a photoshoot. It was a little disappointing as the lighting was a little difficult to get a nice shot and a lot of people simply just walked past it.

**Updated**

Orchard Gateway haven't had their Christmas decorations up yet, so we went to town another day to get more pictures when we saw on Instagram that they had an "airport terminal" ready for North Pole.

In the mall, you can find a plane waiting area with baggage ready for Northbound, whereas outside along the mall, there's a pink lighted train parked right at Orchard Central Station, celebrating LOVE. :)

If only our MRTs were disco lighted too right? So, hopping off the "train", we came to Dhoby Ghaut to catch up on the latest POP MART Molly-s. Molly is a doll character created by Hong Kong designer Kenny Wong and because of her adorable large eyes and pouted lips, Molly soon gained fame. In recent years POP MART has collaborated with Molly and came up with tons of blind box series which drove the fans crazy.

If you are a fan of Molly too, you can find more collectibles on display at FUNAN too. Ok, so here's my little Orchard Road Light Up summary, of course there are more decorations to find around the heartland malls. Anywhere you think their Christmas decorations stands out too? Share them with us too. 

Merry Christmas my Huneybees! 

May the festive season bring in love, warmth, fortune and health! 💓

Do follow me on my social media for more daily updates...
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Help TURN Things Around For Wildlife #TogetherforWildlife

Hi Huneybees,

Yes, I intentionally posted this picture upside down. I'm doing my part to help turn things around for the wildlife, hoping to cease extinction and you can also do your part. How? Read on...

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of Mandai Park Holdings and Mr Mike Barclay, Group CEO of Mandai Park Holdings flagging off the 'Walk for Wildlife'.

Last week, we did a little walk with Mr Tan Chuan-Jin (Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of Mandai Park Holdings, the holding company of WRS) around Singapore Zoo as part of its World Wildlife Day's 2018 Conservation Campaign - 'Together For Wildlife'.

The animal kingdom is such a fascinating world on its own, every animal has its distinct survival skills and features, they are everywhere in our daily lives, we have so much to learn from them and it's wonderful to be to co-exist with them in this Earth.

But sadly, as the world progresses, the wildlife is also at risk. A lot of them are facing extinction and in order for our future generations to continue seeing and living with these lovely animals, a new conservation campaign  - ‘Together for Wildlife’; by parent company Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) has been launched to call on communities, businesses and individuals to come together to protect the future of wildlife in Singapore and around the world.

“Our planet is under immense pressure today as a result of human impact, and wildlife is more at risk than ever before. Through raising awareness for the importance of conserving wildlife and biodiversity amongst our younger generations, and educating them on the ways they can take action, we’re putting our best foot forward for a chance to really turn things around for wildlife in the future.” --- Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of Mandai Park Holdings (holding company of WRS).

‘Together for Wildlife’ lines up a year-long programme of events and community activities, encouraging everyone to play a part in protecting wildlife from the growing threat of extinction. It launched last week when over 200 preschool children marched resolutely together on a conservation education ‘Walk for Wildlife’ at Singapore Zoo, held in conjunction with World Wildlife Day (3 March).

“The world is facing what scientists term the sixth mass extinction event, with the prospect of many species going extinct due to mankind’s impact on their habitats. The problems are complex, and we believe that only a coordinated effort by diverse stakeholders can mitigate the crisis. For years, WRS has been working with biologists, academics, and government agencies on a myriad of conservation projects. Through Together for Wildlife and the various events and in-park activities that we will be running in 2018, we are encouraging schools, communities and businesses to also get involved and learn how they can take action too. 

Small choices we make individually can collectively have a major impact, from recycling and reducing demand on certain unsustainable resources—the farming or mining of which is destroying many species’ natural habitats—to boycotting products made from endangered animals. With the right public education and empowerment, we can work together to turn things around for our planet and its wildlife.” --- Mr Mike Barclay, Group CEO of Mandai Park Holdings.

In Singapore, WRS’ community and education programmes continue to grow, and have already
engaged around 340,000 school children since 2016, in programmes including interactive behind-the-scenes tours, experiential programmes which allow children to transform into a keeper for a day, and
wild overnight camps under the stars.

Among them were 500 preschool students from Kinderland who learnt about how plastic pollution is harming otters and other wildlife. Inspired and empowered to take conservation action, these children and their teachers went on to organise their own mini-carnivals and fund-raising events, and subsequently contributed S$10,000 for the adoption of four Asian small-clawed otter pups in Singapore Zoo.

Of course, individuals can also do their part to help throughout this March. An online public awareness campaign by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, #TogetherforWildlife, has been launched to encourage everyone to join together in "turning things around" for wildlife.

Post a picture of yourselves upside down on Instagram together with the hashtag #TogetherforWildlife. In the month of March 2 – 31 March 2018, WRS will pledge S$1 towards wildlife conservation for every photo turned around (upside down). Spread the word and tag your friends to do their part for wildlife too.

Here’s how you can participate:

1.   Select any photo of your choice and rotate image upside down, using the photo editing tools on your phone

2.   Upload it on Instagram with #TogetherforWildlife. You can use the following text to get started:

I’m helping to turn things around for wildlife cuz with every upside down photo I post, @wrs.ig will pledge $1 towards wildlife conservation. @<Friend 1>, @<Friend 2>, and @<Friend 3>, I want to see you upside down too! #TogetherforWildlife

WRS contributes more than S$2 million annually towards wildlife conservation efforts, and among the sources of the funding are corporate sponsorship and adoption, a 50-cent contribution from each park admission ticket sold, collections from animal token feeding and experiential tours in the parks, and sales from non-woven and corn bags from retail and F&B outlets.

A community programme has also been lined up in 2018, in support of the Together for Wildlife
campaign. It will include education and outreach activities both within and outside of the parks, to
share wildlife conservation messages with the community and encourage their involvement.

In addition, as part of its collaboration efforts with zoos around the world, in 2018 WRS will join hands with San Diego Zoo Global to create special edition content for the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel, bringing the healing power of animals to millions of hospitalized children around the world.

Members of the public can visit www.TogetherForWildlife.sg for more information and to learn more
about the campaign and steps they can take to come to #TogetherForWildlife at home. There's also a series of in-park activities running through March 2018 in support of the Together for Wildlife conservation campaign.

TOGETHER FOR WILDLIFE BOOTH
Date: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 March 2018
Location: Orangutan free-ranging exhibit area, Singapore Zoo
Get to know rainforest animals better and find out what’s happening to their home! Complete fun
activities for exciting prizes and start your very own wildlife-friendly garden with coffee grounds.

BUILDING THE PHOTO ARK WITH JOEL SARTORE – A SINGAPORE ZOO SHOWCASE
Date: Until 31 March 2018
Location: Opposite Babirusa exhibit, Singapore Zoo
Admire our stunning animal portraits by National Geographic photographer of threatened species,
native species and species supported by Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund.


COFFEE WITH A CAUSE
Date: 2 March 2018 onwards
Location: Wild Deli, Singapore Zoo
Owa coffee is grown in a wildlife-friendly manner to preserve the rainforest habitats of endangered
Javan gibbons and provides a source of income for the farmers. Save wildlife and benefit the community by purchasing Owa coffee available at The Wild Deli. Enjoy a cup or purchase the coffee beans – 30¢ from every purchase go towards conservation efforts.

WHO’S GOT YOUR VOTE?
Date: Ongoing
Location: Outside the main gift shop, Singapore Zoo
We fund projects in Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia to protect threatened wildlife. Vote for
your favourite project to show support – Javan Gibbon, King Cobra or Southern River Terrapin.


GO GREEN AND SAVE!
Date: 2 – 31 March 2018
Location: Main gift shop, Singapore Zoo
Pick up earth-friendly souvenirs at a special eco corner of Singapore Zoo’s main gift shop. Plus, enjoy 20% off refillable water bottles!

GREEN GUESTS
Every visitor at our wildlife parks makes a difference too! 50¢ of each paid admission ticket goes
towards conservation efforts in the region and all proceeds from our animal token feedings also go
towards wildlife conservation.

Photo Credits: https://pandas.riversafari.com.sg/

Since it's the March School Holidays, why not bring your kids and family along to the zoo to admire the animals as well as to do your part for the wildlife? My favourite place to hang around is the Giant Panda Forest in River Safari, Jia Jia and Kai Kai are simply too adorable!

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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Bringing Friends & Families Together With "Singapore Invites"

Hi Huneybees,

Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly
Pack up, let's fly away!!

This song sung by Frank Sinatra is simply every wanderlust dreamers' theme song and yes, it is mine too! Singapore Tourism Board - STB will be making this dream come true by flying 25 lucky winners to my home, MY SINGAPORE!!!!

We may have friends, relatives, and loved ones from around the world, and across myriad cultures. Singapore itself often becomes a backdrop to strike bonds with these loved ones over a tapestry of shared Singapore experiences.

To celebrate these wonderfully diverse relationships, “Singapore Invites” is a new initiative launched by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), encouraging people from all over the world to invite their loved ones to experience Singapore together.

Anyone around the world who has a story to share about their relationships or a vivid anecdote about a slice of Singapore they want to relive or experience, can participate and stand a chance to win a trip to Singapore with and for their overseas loved ones (*The invitee must be based outside of Singapore). Participants simply need to share a photo of an experience they would like to share with their intended invitee on Instagram and hashtag it with their country of residence (e.g. #Singapore) and #SingaporeInvites. Alternatively, entries can be submitted via www.yoursingapore.com/singaporeinvites. The contest period runs from 18 October to 6 December 2015.

One Dance to bring friends together

The “Singapore Invites” initiative is inspired by real stories of today’s cosmopolitan relationships. In the lead up to this project, STB unearthed many heart-warming stories, including one featuring Singaporean couple Marcus Tan and Rachel Lee, who are passionate dancers.

The duo had serendipitously met New York based American couple Michael Fields and Kai-Ti Kao last year in the States when they went to further their dance techniques and have kept in touch via social media since.

The chance to connect their New York friends with the Singapore dance community was what motivated Marcus and Rachel to invite their dance counterparts to visit. “When we went to America, he showed us around so we wanted to repay the favour. Dance is a social thing. As long as there is someone who shares the passion, we can immediately click,” said Tan.

For Fields and Kao, their first Singapore experience was a cherished one. While both were glad to see Singapore’s dance culture celebrated and embraced, Fields felt that it was the people that made it unique. “I really enjoyed my whole journey here in Singapore. You can feel that it’s the people who make it so special,” said Fields.

Searching for a long lost friend

While a shared passion for dance was what brought the two couples together, it was the opportunity to reconnect and reminisce that spurred internationally renowned Singapore actress and singer Kit Chan to want to invite a childhood friend back to Singapore.

"She was my childhood best friend, Lina Yap. When she was 15, her entire family migrated to the US. We would write to each other all the time. She would write these very lengthy letters telling me about how she was adjusting to high school life in the US. But at one point, we all got busy with life and we lost touch with each other," Chan recounted. "I’d definitely take her to one of my favourite places in Singapore, which is the Esplanade, and we could watch a show together."

For more details on Singapore Invites, contest mechanisms, and more inspirational stories that celebrate relationships, visit: www.yoursingapore.com/singaporeinvites. Here's more of the contest T&Cs, so get posting and can't wait to see your submitted stories!  :)

ELIGIBILITY
This Contest is open to all legal residents of any country. Participants who are below the age of 18 must have their parent’s or legal guardian’s written permission to participate.

SUBMISSIONS
Participants are required to submit a photo, in jpeg format and no bigger than 500KB in size accompanied by a description of up to 150 words describing:

• Who the participant wishes to invite to Singapore (up to 3);
• Why the participant wants to invite these guests to Singapore; and
• An experience that they would like to share with their guests.

Participants can submit their entries via two methods:

• The Singapore Invites website at www.yoursingapore.com/singaporeinvites
• Participant’s Instagram account with the hashtags #SingaporeInvites followed by a country hashtag based on participants’ country of residence. (For example, a participant from Singapore will use #SingaporeInvites #Singapore.

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Relevance – what is the significance of the reunion, and why?
• Originality and Creativity – why have you chosen this dream experience for your family and friends, and what’s so special about it?
• Popularity – how many “Likes” did your invite receive on our site?
• Aesthetics – is your photo well-taken?

PRIZES
Return Economy Class ticket(s) to Singapore (including travel insurance and visa application fee, if applicable), 3 nights’ accommodation and that dream experience indicated in the participant’s invite submission

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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