Off the beaten track - Shanghai Wild Animal Park

As you can tell by now, I stayed really long in Shanghai and explored some really good attractions that are not usually on most people's itineraries. For young families or even anyone, Shanghai Wild Animal Park was surprisingly fun and memorable!

You could feed literally every animal in the Shanghai Wild Animal Park which was awesome. As long as you paid around S$5, you would get a packet of food to feed the animals. We arrived in the late morning and missed a great deal of feeding sessions. Unlike our Mandai Zoo, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park had lots of animals of the same species. It was quite a sight watching the kangaroos fighting with another pair trying to mate in the background. 

The whole area was huge, we couldn't finish within the day. In addition, there was even a themepark nested within it. Truly regretted not arriving earlier. The children enjoyed it thoroughly and I think their mandarin might have improved, learning the names of all the animals there. If you love Pandas, there are even a pair of toddler twins there!

Our favourite was definitely the VIP ride that allowed you to feed ferocious animals up-close. I have never got to do that in my whole life and it was exhilarating. You had to pay around S$20 extra for the VIP experience and would be given some food. Depending on luck (which side the animals choose to stroll pass), you might not get to feed all. 

We were pretty lucky and got to feed the lions, white tigers, brown bear and a pack of hungry wolves. I took this ride the first thing when we arrived. But I think it could have been saved for last and I could focus feeding more animals in the park in the morning. In any case, this beats Mandai (Sorry Mandai!) For lunch, I would suggest having the Lanchengxiang Lanzhou Beef Noodles (if you can take beef) and get something separate for the children. The rest of the food selection was just meh!

Based on our research, best price is via Klook and there are occasional bundle options (1A + 1C, 2A +2C). Buy at least one day ahead for the best price!

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Shanghai Wild Animal Park: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/29808-shanghai-wild-animal-park-ticket

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5%  Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

DIY Easter at Home

This Easter, everyone was feeling a little under the weather. So we decided to do a Easter Hunt at home. Really friendly for our wallets too! We got the plastic eggs from Daiso and raided our fridge for snacks and chocolates to fill our eggs. All we had to do was to hide the eggs. And I took photos to remember where I hid them all. 

It was quite a hit. The kids had so much fun. They re-created the whole hunt themselves a few times. No need to pay for a hunt, they say <3 Can you spot where I hid them all? It was so much fun for me too!

Discreet Hearing Aid - Oticon Zeal

Decided to branch into conversations of things that matter. As I am ageing, I am starting to observe the world around me more deeply. More recently, I saw my grandmother with her chunky and unsightly hearing aid and I wondered if old age for me would be the same and dreads the day if hearing loss sets in for me early (I do listen to very loud music).

Finding about Oticon Zeal Hearing Aid through my mother was quite a relief. First of all, it is so small - it is nearly invisible, sitting comfortably inside the ear. I have seen some seniors non-retirees with their hearing aids and there is always some sort of sigma - as though the lost of hearing also equates to the loss of the abilities. Having a discreet tool to mask a hearing disability is definitely much preferred in a corporate setting as it help to maintain one's dignity and confidence. 

With technology advancement, the hearing aid serve like a ear bud. It can connect wirelessly to our devices such as the smartphone, tablets and computers. It blends seamlessly to our modern life. The premium AI Sound processing can reduce unwanted background noise, letting you hear clearly from all directions.  Unlike the traditional hearing aids, Oticon Zeal Hearing Aid allows same day fittings - you can work out being fitted within 10 minutes to 2 hours depending on your needs. 

One of my grandmother's grouse was the long charging hours of her current hearing aid. Pretending to be able to hear is no fun. I was glad to hear that the Oticon Zeal Hearing Aid comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 20 hours on a single charge. If a quick boost is needed, 15 minutes of charging 4 hours of use. Everything is really good, the only catch? It is a little pricey. As far as technology is concern, the price will go down in time. But if you are a senior with a bit of surplus cash, this might be something you would want to splurge on. 

Carnival-Themed Afternoon Tea at 1864 at Sofitel Singapore City Centre

In the mood for some fun, I popped by with the kids for the Carnival-Themed Afternoon Tea at 1864 at Sofitel Singapore City Centre. For those who are unsure, Sofitel Singapore City Centre is conveniently located beside Tanjong Pagar Mrt Station. 

An interesting highlight about this high tea was how it swapped the savory and sweets. My boy calls it a hearty joke. As we were pretty game, we didn't refer to the menu which listed the ingredients and ate our way through. Most were great surprises and my boy had a lot of fun pranking his sister and the husband. 

Priced at S$68++ per pax (minimum 2 to dine), which is quite standard for most high teas, you get to enjoy the high ceiling and posh area of the Sofitel Singapore City Centre. One thing that stood out was the impeccable service. My girl was fussing a lot and a staff quickly came over to offer them coloring tools. My girl broke into a smile again and my day was saved. 

The whole set doesn't shortchange anyone in terms of taste. Unlike the norm where it was defined strictly either sweet or savory, each item was a nice combination of the 2. Thus, it was not very surfeiting and we could finish everything in a sitting. Psss... book via Klook for best price. Only from now till 15 June from 2pm to 5pm. 

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Carnival-Themed Afternoon Tea: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/54049-1864-bar-lounge-reservation-sofitel-singapore-city-centre/

** To get additional discounts, you can use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Splash Wonder Water Park

Part of my writing joy is finding out great gems for you readers out there and one recent March holiday find was the Splash Wonder Water Park. For the sweltering Singapore, this was an affordable respite for the little ones and the Baby-Shark Crazy toddlers. It was a great combination of everything they love - bouncing around and splashing water.

The stations all had an age recommendation. Most of the stations were incredibly toddler-friendly except for the Ocean Wave Challenge which had an incredibly fast slide. The older kids are bound to go crazy over them. There were dry and wet stations. But you can swap between both anytime :D The dry stations were mainly bouncy castles and a kiddy maze. 

Now that the kids were older, I could just hand around at the side the watch them play. I enjoyed myself too :D Pinkfong and Baby Shark made guest appearances and my little girl who was still in that phase pranced and followed them around the park quietly. It was pretty cute. There was also fringe activities such as water-resistant face/arm painting/ hair extensions and caricature painting. On 21st Mar, you will even get to see mermaids splashing around with you. 

I was particularly impressed with the water-resistant face/arm painting as it lasted nearly a week. There were food and drinks available within the park grounds. There were good variety and very reasonably priced. I was an extremely pleased captive market and was very happy to splurge within their grounds. Well-fueled by food, everyone was in great mood!

If you haven't found anything for the family this March holidays, grab your swimsuits and sunblock and head over to the Splash Wonder Water Park at the Palawan Beach. Guaranteed fun! From now till 5 April only, don't miss it! My kids want to head back again, LOL! Hope there is another rendition next year!

Edge - Surf and Turf

Probably the best buffet theme we have had at Edge, I absolutely love the offerings for 'Surf and Turf', featuring delicacies both from the land and sea. Call me bias, but I adore the seafood selection more. Some of my favourites include the charcoal-barbecued giant squid and Jumbo white clam in Hakka Sweet Wine Broth. 

My usual favourites were also served i.e. Sashimi, roasted pork, snow crab etc. My only problem was that I enjoyed so much food that I couldn't find space for seconds. Also for me who was relatively familiar with Edge's usual offerings, I had quite a bit of fun exploring old spaces to find new dishes. 

Sorry for the massive amount of food photos, I just had so much fun eating and snapping. Another problem from over-stuffing was that you need to find food to break the taste. I particularly love the oriental soups and drank a few for this purpose. To be rather frank, I never remembered this to be Edge's strong suite. I was pleasantly surprised to find how good their soups are now. 

For those who love meats, don't miss the charcoal-barbecued Marinated Lamb T-Bone! It was so, so good. While we were there, the whole Edge was packed with no seats for walk-ins. So be sure to reserve early. Best of all, free flow of soft drinks for all. Only until 29 Mar (Fri to Sun) for dinner (6pm to 10pm), don't miss it! This is probably the most worth buffet to date. 

$128++ per adult | Inclusive of free flow of soft drinks

$64++ per child (6 to 12 years old) | Inclusive of free flow of soft drinks

Top up an additional $78++ for a bucket of five bottles of The Portman Lager

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** To get additional discounts, you can use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Off the beaten track - Shanghai

Shanghai was awesome. Believe it or not, we spent a total of 7 days within the city, without travelling out. There was so much to do and I am not even done. Not gatekeeping so here's 3 places that most people would have given a miss, but it is so worth visiting. 

1933 Old Millfun (Free!)

This used to be an abandoned slaughterhouse that have been revamped. Unfortunately, despite revitalisation efforts, this place still remained rather empty. There was very low take-up of spaces by shops and restaurants. As such, it was one of the most serene attractions which you could take photographs to your heart's delight. We saw some people modelling there as well.

For fans of architecture, this is not a place to be missed. I came with 2 kids in tow and we explored for more than an hour (which was way longer than what we initially planned). The whole place was like a concrete maze and there is something really pretty/ amazing about the design. It is a bit out of the way and not close to other attractions but it was 100% worth the detour. 

Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre

Another hidden gem in an office building, you are not really supposed to take photos of their posters. So here's one photo of a poster which I bought. To be frank, this place is not huge but it was really interesting watching how the government pivoted the people to certain beliefs and careers. If you can read mandarin, there will be more appreciation on the captions and quotes on the posters. To a certain extent, it also gives you a flavour of the old China. 

The entrance ticket is not expensive. As this is a private museum and the owner is getting on in age, I would really recommend you to get something for yourself at the souvenir shop to support it. Although most of the items there are pretty fairly affordable, another foreign lady and I each bought down some of their more pricey items. Perhaps he just wants to share his love and collection, but I am thankful he allowed us to buy a piece of history home. 

Marriage Market (People's Park)

It was so exciting to hunt this down. For the Shanghai market, it only happens on the weekend. It was raining that day and I was very anxious that the people will not gather. Fortunately, there was still an authentic crowd there with little curious foreigners. If you can read mandarin, you would be able to better understand the description of the notices and understand how materialistic the dating society is at the moment. 

I had the good fortune to chat with some of the matchmakers and candidates there. They explained to me they prefer this to dating apps because of the scams and onboarding fees of online apps. The matchmaker/ candidates would usually bring a bunch of profiles, some belonging to their other single friends/ relatives. For the profiles I read, their age tend to be on the higher side and most are very well educated. Very interesting and give you a good peek to the Chinese dating market!

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Activities mentioned above are either free or not on Klook at the moment. If you are booking any other experiences via Klook, you can use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Stylophone, Finally!

I was eyeing on the stylophone for the longest time, so I was so stoked to finally got it. And best of all, thanks to ecommerce, I don't have to fly to Europe/ US to get it and the price has fallen, making it affordable for the masses. Apart from trying out novelties, I also really enjoy collecting weird instruments. I still haven't master it. But I am so amused by it. The kids also had a great time fiddling around. 

For the older folks who love David Bowie, this is an instrument that is very familiar to them. If you have background in music, this is not too difficult to figure out. But to perform it with other instruments, that's a struggle for me (cos I am not musically inclined) >_< love its techno sound, here's how you could possibly perform it!

Exhibition at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

Not many people heard about the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, and I thought it was pretty rare to find such a good and free exhibition. Singapo人 is about the journey of a Singaporean Chinese, and what makes us uniquely us. A hidden gem, it is not very crowded and you could take your time to navigate through the different stations. I particularly love how much thought was made into the exhibition, making it both instagrammable and packed with knowledge.

Most of the exhibits were also very interactive and the kids went through them asking questions. With lots of different medium, I found it very engaging even for the adults. There were games (which were extremely fun) and it was thrilling to find PM's cup there. Very localised appeal!

Night Safari Review

It has been a while since we went to Night Safari. I have always remembered it being a top-notch attraction and the tram ride was a true highlight. All the animals were roaming, some even up close. It was truly a night to remember. One of the fire shows was cancelled that day which was a bit of a bummer. We managed to catch "Creatures of the Night" which was pretty interesting, just that I wish the show was a little longer. 

For people who are uncomfortable in the dark, the whole Night Safari is pretty dimly lit. At certain pathway, it could be pretty spooky. Halloween Night potential spots. We started with the walking paths first. Can't really decide whether this was a good idea because the queue for the tram rides were crazy when the night was early. By the time we were done with the paths, we didn't have to queue for the tram rides. But the kids were exhausted, one fell asleep on the tram (thinking it ended). 

Photo-taking was also extremely difficult. Most of my photos were not sharp. It is really a place where you will remember with your eyes. For families with young kids, I wouldn't suggest coming here cos the park becomes alive when your kids are ready for their rest. Fortunately, we were staying within the park. But by the time, we headed back to the resort, the children were sound asleep. 

For someone who has been to the park previously, Night Safari isn't like the zoo whereby you can visit over and over again. It is those place which you would visit once every 10 years (LOL!). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it. But even as an adult, I was drained after the visit and the dim lighting made me want to sleep. And I think it is extremely difficult to keep refreshing the park, given that it isn't huge. *

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Night Safari (for locals, please compare prices with at Mandai website): https://www.klook.com/en-SG/destination/p50057039-night-safari-of-singapore/

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5%  Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Kidsfest 2026 -The Gruffalo's Child

Back at Kidsfest this year watching yet another wonderful production by ABA Productions - The Gruffalo's Child. By now, this is a much anticipated yearly affair by the family. Tip for families, although there are re-runs, most are new. We usually avoid re-runs. Our first choice is always stories that the children are familiar with as it brings these stories we read daily alive. Otherwise, we will pick a production, find the book and read it through with the children before the actual day. 

As re-runs don't always happen, go for the production when you see it. Don't wait for next year because once you miss it, you might really miss it forever. For children theatre production, ABA Productions is my favourite because they tend not to incorporate singlish to it and there is more budget allocated to wardrobe and props.

For us and the children, this is a yearly highlight. The children always leave with fond memories. For those who know, the 2 of them have been growing up, watching theatre productions since they were 2 years old. So, it is true that appreciation for art forms can start young. :P They are pretty much seasoned theatre goers by now and can sit through the production with little fear of the dark. 

Only from 30 January to 22 February 2026, be sure to book your tickets here! 

Mandai Rainforest Resort Review

After lots of hype, we decided to make our way to the Mandai Rainforest Resort too. It was located right in the heart of Mandai Zoo, with lots of greenery, away from the bustling city life. First impression wasn't too bad. We were welcome by random monkeys. Check-in was very prompt and service was top-notch. Kids amenities/ room slippers were provided. You could even loan a stroller from the concierge. 

Our room was the Family Sanctuary. It was well decorated and spacious, and could possibly sleep up to 4A + 2C comfortably. The children were particularly excited about the bunk bed. For me, it was about the thoughtful, tiny details in the room that made it memorable. Plus, the room was really new :)

Each night cost a whooping S$400+ and we could only afford 2D1N on staycation budget. The first place we checked out was the pool. I thought it was pretty disappointing. It has an infinity pool but there isn't much to see. There was a half-hearted lap pool and kids pool. At 5pm, there was free ice cream distributed. But that was pretty much all. The kids had fun, but I expected more. 

There was a good amount of eateries within walking distance, but the queue could be really long during dining hours. I thought there should be at least discount for hotel guests. But nope, the same went for Mandai tickets (apparently, Singaporean citizens could get better prices if you buy via the websites.) During our 2D1N, we visited the Night Safari (read our review here). By the time we were done, it was nearly 10pm+ and the kids were dead tired. I was so relief that we only lived nearby. 

There is a kids club within the resort, but I thought it was ridiculous that they were charging S$10 per child per day given the limited and quite off the mill activities they had for them to do. (This should really be a free service). The playground look great, but couldn't really entertain the kids more than an hour, half an hour if you are lucky.

For those who wonders what is the catch, I think it is the complimentary breakfast. It was super impressive. The variety was huge (and the biggest I have ever seen in all my vast hotel/ staycation stays), including machines for you to create your own juice concoction, pancakes etc. There was even alcohol. Apart from that, non-typical breakfast menu such as ice-cream, chocolate fondues were available. I was so stuffed by the end. S$400+ is still quite a stretch for me, and I didn't even went for the most extravagant treehouse. Great for an one-time experience, but my pocket just can't do it again. 

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Mandai Rainforest Resort: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/hotels/detail/1752819-mandai-rainforest-resort-by-banyan-tree/

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5%  Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Food Tour 64: Great Food Choices (CBD)

Not denying, I really love enjoying a good meal every now and then. Some of the great calories choices I have made recently.

1. Spicy Noodle

Initially, I thought my husband was exaggerating when he said they were good and he had them twice within a span of 1 week when he was in Taiwan. When they finally opened in Singapore, I decided to give it a try. And boy it was good. The noodles were nice and springy and the broth was thick and yummy. It is of my better find. And honestly, who cares about the price! I am definitely going there again!

2. Moon Moon Food

This was another recommendation from the husband and I think it taste way better than Du Xiao Yue (which also hails from Taiwan). I tried their signature spicy sesame noodle and it was not to be missed. It was so good I could finish one on my own. My other favourite was their braised platter. I have never tasted anything so good. I can safely say I will be back for more. 

Apart from that, we also had the soup and a fried rice for the kids. I also tried their grass jelly (combined with black fungus). I quite enjoy it but I don't think it is for all (thicker version of the grass jelly drink). In all, a place to check if you hadn't.

3. Yogurt Planet

Personally, I feel this is not for everyone. But it is my favourite meal/ dessert replacement because I feel it is healthy. Please tell if me if it isn't. You are charged based on the size of the bowl and you can fill it up as much as you want. Part of me always feel like I got a great deal cos I will fill up all the way to the brim. There are a few delicious yoghurt flavours to choose from and lots of toppings  variety, which include fruits. I use it to give my daily fruit intake. :) Some of the toppings are pretty exotic which makes it an interesting treat!

Trying to be Cultured: All about Impressionism

In a bid to be more cultured, we made our way to the National Gallery to catch the largest French Impressionist Exhibition in collaboration with Museum of Fine Arts Boston. To be frank, before going, I don't even know what is Impressionism. Seeing it for myself up close, I realised I am not much of a fan. I prefer a lot more details in my art as compared to vagueness. I do agree with some art critics that some pieces look so much more like sketches than complete pieces.  

In the past, I have only heard of Monet. But interestingly, after seeing his works, I am a bigger admirer of Daubigny and his sea/ ship/ port pieces. I absolutely hated Renoir's masterpiece. Haha. I just didn't like the fused, unrealistic portraits. Though the style was distinct, I felt some were borderline sloppy. And the "anime" eyes just didn't sit well with me. 

If there is one thing I learn about art, it is that beauty truly lies in the eyes of the beholder. Comments by other attendees sometimes amuse me. There was a lady who was gushing over a piece of art which I totally hated. Lol. Apart from Monet, you will get to explore some of the iconic works by other artists such as Manet, Degas etc. Although I am in no way trained in art, you can still kinda realise that some "water", "peaches' and "roses' etc. are better drawn than the rest. 

A guided tour (or bringing a friend who is into art) isn't a bad idea if you are not into self-exploration/ self-realisation. A blind following the crowd, some of the appreciation techniques I have learnt include seeing the art up close, from the side and afar to notice the paint strokes and layering to create different effects. It is also interesting to notice the colour palette use to create different effects (i.e. some artist would use pink instead of white for water/ clouds).

Overall, I would still recommend making a trip down because it is not everyday we get to experience such masterpieces conveniently. For once, you don't have to travel to Europe etc. just to get to see these. Also, it is priced so affordably to encourage local attendance. It will only be in town from 14 Nov 25 to 1 Mar 26. Catch it while it is here!

National Gallery: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/1256-national-gallery-singapore/

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** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5% Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.

Starting the year at Pororo Park

It has been a while since we last visited Pororo Park (read the post here) and it is such a refreshing change. This is the safest indoor playground in Singapore and is extremely suitable for your toddlers. Our 6YO was borderline growing out of it. We got the 2 hours slot, but the shows and play areas could barely keep him busy. 

Our younger toddler on the other hand was having a great time, wanting to go for everything at least twice. Since our last visit, they have introduced new rides - Harry's Tractor Ride, Bubble Party at Tong Tong's Theatre, the bouncy area at Crong's Backyard.

For parents, this place is great because it has a nursing room within. Also, the kids here are around the same age group so there is barely any rough play. The kids will also entertain themselves - befriending and playing with the other kids.  Parents can take a breather and just rest as the kids play. Not going to deny it, but I kinda enjoy this. 

From a price perspective, it doesn't deviate too much from the established indoor playgrounds. However, if you are a family with kids that have a wide age gap, this may not be the best place to entertain your older kids. The train is definitely still a highlight but now that other indoor playgrounds are having their own, it is no longer something exclusive to Pororo Park. Nonetheless, still a great place to kickstart every child's indoor playground journey. *Winks*

Day out of Bintan Resort

Bintan have truly changed quite a bit since we have last visited. There is now more man-made sites to visit, making the place more interesting. Here's our itinerary should you be considering a trip out!

1. Dharma Shanti Temple

Do not be deceived by the photos, but this area is really quite small. It is at the the top of a small, modest temple. But this area is pretty impressive. I don't see anyone possibly spending more than 30 minutes here. It is quite a hidden gem. 

2. Blue Lake

This was the highlight for me. If you have a budget, you can just walk around to take photos. As the weather was good (and the kids really wanted to take the ATV), we decided to take it here. For info, most places are stricter and won't allow toddlers as pillion riders. It is market rate - around S$50 per pax, but the ride was really long and scenic. The guide would also help to take photos and videos. His photos are ok, but video skills can be improved LOL!

The weather was seemingly cloudy that day but we still ended up sunburnt. Remember your sunblock guys! No worries about insects cos it is pretty sterile. Strongly recommend this place as a pitstop. After this, we had lunch at a kelong recommended by the driver. I feel it is just a convenient tourist stop, nothing much to rave about. 

3. 500 Lohan Temple

I saw so many photos about it, I was pretty excited. This is quite far-flung and also actually a small area with humble temples around it. If you are not into buddhism, I think you can finish the place within 45 minutes max. As it is a man-made attraction, it is pretty curated. But kudos to Bintan tourism, for making the island more interesting. 

4. DeCliff Cafe

This is really quite remote. Honestly, I feel the photos look better than the actual place cos it is a little run-down. May have mozzies. But the food is really good. I think this should be shortlisted as a lunch/dinner spot. To go for tea-time is not the best use of time. To go during dinner and catch the sunset would probably make this a more memorable experience. 

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Private Day Tour: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/127779-bintan-private-car-charter-driver/

Our driver was pretty good. We could negotiate on the day on the actual itinerary and make minor changes here and there. He even gave us an hour extra. 

** Use the discount code "BABYNFAMKLOOK" when you book through Klook for a 5%  Discount. Applicable to All Klook Activities with min. spend of SGD50. Discount capped at SGD15.