Camping at East Coast Park

 

 

It is our first camping trip in Singapore! Understand that you will require a permit (from NParks) to pitch a tent here and the good thing that it is free! So hubs went and booked a camping permit and so we are going camping today. As it is our first attempt, I wasn't very sure about staying overnight, but we will try to stay as late as possible so that the kids get a feel of staying overnight underneath the sky.

 

Rite, so hubs was in charge of all the camping gear like tarp (yes! I learnt a new word), water jug, cups, bowls etc while I was super keen on camping food and camp decor!

 

I read online on easy camping food and here's my list: Chorizo sausages, steak, tinned tomatoes, cheeseboard with fruits like strawberries and grapes. There's also hotdogs, frozen pizza but these 2 will be another time.

Above: The blue Stanley lunchbox has hubs cooking items like spray oil bottle, salt, pepper and italian herbs mix. Middle cooler bag for chilled foods like cheese and bottled drinks. The green container is our water jug.

We arrived at East Coast Park in the late morning and already there were some families there. First, we pitch our tarp.  What is a tarp? It is a large plastic sheet that we will put over our tent! It is like a big umbrella where you can sit outdoors if you don't want to spend the whole time in the tent.

Above: after we finished our tarp, we started on our tent, which I borrowed from my colleague. For tents, I highly recommend those tents that has a front and back opening for cross ventilation, if not it will be very stuffy!

once we have both tarp and tent up! We are start our tent decorations, tables and chairs and of course, our lunch!!!

Above: always remember to put your sunblock on! Today is a super hot and sunny day.

While the kids are playing at the beach, splashing water and making sandcastles, I started on my charcuterie board.

Today I have tomatoes on vine, pepperoni salami, camembert with cranberries, strawberries, grapes, cheddar cheese, meiji biscuits and sticks.

tada! my chacuterie board!

Besides real food, remember to bring snacks too! Card games are so much more fun when you have things to nibble on.

The kids played Hawker war and eathing cheetos. As it was drizzling outside, hubs and I also joined in for a game or two.

Things learnt: not just food and camping gear is important, with children, you will need to bring entertainment too!! Like a ball, frisbee and card games. If not, be prepared to entertain them yourselves!!!

While the kids were playing frisbee, we started on heating up our sausages with a tin of tomatoes and ate them with pita bread.

Next up, corn niblets (you can get them in packets, so it is super fuss free), prewash salad greens that comes with a packet of salad dressing.

Above: outside our tent, we have a fabric bunting and 2 solar lamps.

me and Jade!

Above: inside our tent, we have a little table (you can buy from Decathlon) for the children to play their card games, a rug, some cushions, tea light candles and a starry bunting.

Last but not least, a piece of steak...this was the highlight of our camping trip. For this, you only need salt and pepper! and don't even need to marinate, just season on the spot.

As the night falls, the kids played with sparklers and made animal shadow in the tent.

Another local card game - Singaporean dream, a little bit too difficult for Jade...

We left about 1am. Jules was quite disappointed that we didn't stay overnight. Next time kiddo, we will try to stay overnight. This time round, mummy is not really ready.