Everything You Didn't Know About Woodlands | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts

• Woodlands: A residential town in the northern tip of Singapore, known for its green spaces, family-friendly amenities, and unique corners.
• Just Fly It: A program that teaches children how to build and fly model planes, fostering joy and knowledge in aviation.
• Void Decks: Communal spaces found underneath apartment blocks in Singapore, often transformed with art and used for various community activities.
• Yip Yew Chong: A famous artist known for his murals in Singapore, including those found in Woodlands void decks.
• Dinosaur Playground: A free playground in Woodlands that is a popular attraction for children, especially those who love dinosaurs.
• Woodlands Botanical Garden: A large community garden on a hill in Woodlands, initiated by Ganesh to overcome grief and now a hub for residents and biodiversity.
• BioBlitz: An event where residents identify and record all living species in a specific area, utilizing apps like iNaturalist.
• iNaturalist: A mobile app used for recording and identifying species, contributing to global biodiversity data.
• Singapore Rhododendron: A native plant found in the Woodlands Botanical Garden.
• Futsal: A fast-paced version of football played on smaller courts with five players per side, emphasizing quick passes and teamwork.
• Woodlands Recreation Centre: A facility in Woodlands that houses a futsal court.
• Rasa Istimewa Restaurant: A halal-certified restaurant located on the longest jetty in Singapore, known for its seafood and Asian dishes.
• Longest Jetty in Singapore: A 400m jetty in Woodlands where Rasa Istimewa Restaurant is situated.

Exploring Woodlands: A Family's Journey

This video chronicles Amanda, Stanley, and their son Theodore Cheah's exploration of Woodlands, a neighborhood in Singapore that holds significant personal meaning for them as it's where their family began. Woodlands is presented as a diverse and engaging area, offering a range of activities from educational workshops to artistic installations and natural retreats.

Just Fly It: Aviation Education for Kids

The family visits a "Just Fly It" class, an initiative that has been running for 15 years. The program aims to share the joy of building and flying model planes with students. The process involves teaching children how to assemble planes and then demonstrating techniques for throwing gliders. A key technique mentioned is adding "blue tack" to the glider for weight, which helps it fly like a dart or arrow. The method involves a gentle forward push after allowing the glider to spin a few rounds. Theodore, Amanda's son, thoroughly enjoys this activity, highlighting its appeal to young children.

Woodlands: Location and Character

Woodlands is situated at the northern tip of Singapore, bordering Johor Bahru, Malaysia, via a causeway. It is described as one of Singapore's largest residential towns, distinguished by its extensive green spaces and family-oriented amenities. Amanda shares a personal connection, having gotten married in a "defunct plant" in Woodlands, underscoring the neighborhood's sentimental value for her and Stanley, who run a business exploring historical and forgotten sites.

Mural Art in Void Decks

A significant discovery in Woodlands is the transformation of void decks, the communal spaces beneath apartment blocks, into vibrant art installations. The void decks in Woodlands are adorned with unique murals painted by the renowned artist Yip Yew Chong. These murals feature three main themes: a kampong (village) setting, a futuristic scene, and a nature-inspired depiction. The art is praised for its color and detail, with the narrator expressing a wish for such artistic enhancements in all void decks across Singapore. Theodore's engagement with the murals, pointing out specific elements like a baby monkey eating a banana, further emphasizes the art's appeal to children.

The "Dinosaur Playground" and Nature Exploration

Woodlands offers numerous free playgrounds, including one specifically known as the "dinosaur playground," which is a hit with Theodore due to his love for dinosaurs. The family emphasizes the importance of instilling a habit of learning and curiosity in their son by taking him outdoors to interact with nature. This aligns with the broader appreciation for Woodlands as a place that offers constant opportunities for discovery.

Woodlands Botanical Garden: A Community's Green Heart

The exploration leads to the Woodlands Botanical Garden, a 4000 sqm hill garden located in the heart of the residential area. Initiated by Ganesh in 2020, the garden began as a personal project to overcome grief but evolved into a community effort. Residents joined in, contributing to its growth and enjoying the space. The garden hosts events like BioBlitz, where participants identify and record species using the iNaturalist app.

BioBlitz and Biodiversity in Woodlands

A BioBlitz event is highlighted, where residents collectively document the biodiversity of the garden. The iNaturalist app is used to record findings. A striking statistic is presented: this single hill in Woodlands has recorded 85 species of butterflies, surpassing the total of 70 species recorded for the entire United Kingdom on iNaturalist. The garden boasts over 350 species of plants, with a density significantly higher than that of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This demonstrates that significant biodiversity can be achieved in smaller, well-managed spaces. The challenge of photographing wildlife, particularly butterflies, is noted, emphasizing the need for patience. The garden also serves as a venue for community events, including music performances and gatherings, solidifying its role as a neighborhood hub.

Futsal at Woodlands Recreation Centre

Stanley participates in a futsal game at the Woodlands Recreation Centre. Futsal is described as a fast-paced version of football played with five players per side on smaller courts, requiring quick passes and tight teamwork. The court is noted to be located in the Woodlands industrial area, a surprising find for its quality. Stanley, despite initial nervousness about playing with experienced players, enjoys the game, emphasizing the fun aspect. The intensity and constant role-switching in futsal are highlighted due to the small pitch size.

Rasa Istimewa Restaurant: A Culinary Experience on the Jetty

As a reward for Stanley's futsal efforts, the couple enjoys a date night at Rasa Istimewa Restaurant, situated on Singapore's longest jetty, which extends about 400 meters. The restaurant, whose name means "taste is special" in Malay, has been operating for 12 years and is the sole F&B establishment on the jetty. Initially facing slow business due to its isolated location, it has since gained a loyal customer base. The restaurant is known for its halal-certified menu, offering a variety of seafood, grilled dishes, and Asian favorites. Specific dishes mentioned include salted egg prawn, sambal kangkong, and lemon Thai sauce fish. The lemon Thai sauce fish is noted for its surprising sweetness rather than sourness, and its appealing aroma. The dining experience is enhanced by the beautiful sunset and the view of Malaysia across the water.

Conclusion: Woodlands - An Underrated Gem

The video concludes with Amanda and Stanley reflecting on Woodlands. For them, it represents the beginning of their relationship and business. They describe Woodlands as the "most underrated neighborhood" in Singapore, a sentiment that has shifted for them after discovering its many interesting corners and hidden gems. The experience has led them to fall in love with the area.