Kampong Glam Singapore

After visiting National Orchid Garden, we moved to Kampong Glam. The word "Kampong" in Malay (or Kampung in Indonesia) means village. "Glam" is the name of a tree, which grew in abundance in the area in early Singapore. From our tour leader, we knew that Kampong Glam was a fishing village at beginning, place for sailman and traders from Malay, Indonesia (Bugis), and Arab. Then, the population and trading  grew, and Tengku Ali built Istana Kampong Glam in 1840 at Sultan Gate.

Now, Kampong Glam is a historical area. There are many interesting places, such as Sultan Gate, Malay Heritage Centre, and Sultan Mosque. As we didn't have much time here, we didn't enter all of them.

Infront of Malay Heritage Centre

Sultan Mosque

In front of the Sultan Mosque, old buildings have transformed to shops and restaurants where we can buy souvenirs in best price in town (seriously, half price of China Town price!). Halal food is also easy to find here.

Shops in Kampong Glam

Infont of Halal Turkish Restaurant

Sultan Mosque in the back

While others busy of shopping, we sat at small shop in the corner of mosque, enjoying fresh coconut. Perfect choice in the (very) hot day, wasn't it?

Fresh Coconut

National Orchid Garden (Singapore Botanical Garden)

I do love garden..wherever they are..

Same garden..Same orchid..Different packaging..bring to different level..

In early of May, Ms Karmi went back to Singapore for course from IMF-STI, record  three-years-in-a-row courses in Singapore. Although the course itself was interesting, i found a little bored feeling at first time. But then, when you can do nothing to change everything, all you can do is to enjoy everything

As participant, I have choice to join the city tour during weekend. Since I have missed two last year changes, I decided to join this year. The reason was the place. Garden. Yes, we will visit  National Orchid Garden (Singapore Botanical Garden). I do love garden, for its green leaves, fresh air, peace sorroundings --you can find how much The Karmis have visited Garden in this blog :)--

crane fountain

National Orchid Garden is a part of Singapore Botanical Garden (SBG). As we all know, orchid is national flower of Singapore, that's why they build their orchid national garden. We went to SBG by bus, organized by STI-IMF. For whom may interested to come, you can go there by SMRT, bus, etc (please refer to this link).

From the first walk entering NOG SBG, all you will see are orchids. Yes, they have thousands species and hybrids orchids.A small fountain will welcome us after ticket checking. Enjoy your slowly steps sorrounding by the most beautiful flower, orchids. Here are some of their collections.

The NOG has a historical place, called Burkill Hall, where head of British General lived many years ago. This hall no longer occupied, and now open for public. People can also held wedding reception here. Ehm how romantic garden party!

in front of Burkill Hal

There is a part of NOG named Celebrity Orchid Garden. In this section, we will see orchids which named by famous people in the world. The beautiful orchid below is Dendrobium Tien Soeharto, First Lady of Second President of Indonesia. Bu Tien is famous in Indonesia as Flower Lover. She initiated Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), the miniature of Indonesia. TMII also has orchid garden in it.

Dendrobium Tien Soeharto

Visitors can find many interesting spot to take a picture. Believe me! You will never far from your camera, as I did :)

Golden Shower Arches

 

Inside Tan Hoon Siang Mist House

Ms Karmi

Joyfull friendship

 The temperature in The NOG was quite hot and humid. But you don't need to worry. They have cool house in the last section. Seems that they understand us, don't they? That is Singaporean. Understanding us!

Inside The Cool House..

Orchids are everywhere in my country, Indonesia. We also have some orchid garden here in Bogor, TMII etc. But, Singapore again beat Indonesia. In my objective opinion, this NOG is a higher level of orchid garden. Hope that Indonesia will improve their garden in the future.


Singapore Botanic Gardens
1 Cluny Road
Singapore 259569

Nasywa 5th Birthday: Frozen Party

Our Birthday Girl in Queen Elsa Blue and White Costume

Nasywa is turning 5! We want to make this birthday special for her, so we arrange a party with every little girl favourite right now: FROZEN.

Although Frozen is quite famous, but we then realize that in Jakarta, Frozen party stuffs aren't easy to find. Okay, It's time for Mami and Ayah to be creative, and do all the printables for the party. The template can be bought or downloaded for free. Another stuffs like baloons, crepe, plates ets we bought by online at here. For the invitation card, we bought it from cute label. We put Nasywa's picture on the card. We love the cards very much.




Here was the result. Our home became blue and white :)
so lovely.. Before this party, we never think that girl's party can be that fun with blue..

Nasywa and Her Best Friends

We played "Wheres Olaf Nose" in this party. The kids wanted to play this game. We planned this game for KG ages, but little kids also wanted to play. You were so brave, kids!

The next game was dancing Let It Go! song. But unfortunately the speaker didn't work well, so we couldn't play this game. so sad..

Then, the main session, birthday cake. We bought the cake from Domino Cake. They have several type for Frozen Cake. This one was Nasywa's choice.

Frozen Cake

The Karmis

Blow the candles

The first cake was for Mbah (means Grandma). Thank you for coming, mbah..

 For lunch,  we had Olaf Nasi Tumpeng. Nasi Tumpeng is usually used by Indonesian to celebrate special moment. We still want to keep this good tradition, so we ask Ms Widya from Dapur Cabi to make this special Nasi Tumpeng. You did it, Ms Widya! Thank You so much.

Nasi Tumpeng consists of rice as main dish, accompanied with kids menu, fried chicken, fried noodle, egg rolade, etc. Our little guests enjoyed their lunch very much.

 

 

 Hey, our birthday girl also enjoyed her lunch.. being a nice queen made you hungry, sweety? LoL

 We prepared goodiebag for our precious little guest, but sorry that we forget to take the picture :(

Our Little Guests..Thank you for coming..

The party was end, but the memories last forever.

We hope that you enjoyed your party, our little girl..

Happy birthday, Nasywa Aqila Karmi

We love you!