Have you enjoyed all the experiences that Singapore Sports Hub has to offer?
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
It’s rare for two public holidays to fall in the same month, let alone the three we’ve been blessed with this May. Maximising these days off will need careful planning. After all, work-life balance is important, and knowing when to take some time off is half the battle won. We’re here to help! Read on to find out how to maximise those holidays. We’ve got many recommendations for new experiences that you can enjoy with your friends and family at the Singapore Sports Hub.
Labour Day
Also known as May Day, Labour Day falls on the 1st of May every year. This year, it happens to be on a Saturday, which means that most of us will get the following Monday off. Make the long weekend last even longer by taking 4 to 7 May off and enjoy yourself a nine-day holiday, for the price of four. Now, the only labour you’ll be doing is thinking of how to spend this time.
Staycations have understandably become the default choice while we’re still waiting for international travel to return, but with nine whole days out of office, you might be open to new ideas. Why not use this time to pick up a new hobby? Many studies have linked having a hobby to good mental health, and those looking to truly unwind might find respite in sweating it out. If you’ve already been going to the gym regularly and are looking to shake up those workout plans, the Singapore Sports Hub is where you can do it all.
Why not give skateboarding a try? The Skate Park here is a great place to try your hand at it, or just people-watch and be wowed by the cool tricks of Singapore’s gifted skaters.
Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa are the most important seasons of the Muslim calendar.
PHOTO: ANDRE FROIS
Hari Raya Puasa
Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for muslims, and it falls on 13 May this month, which is a Thursday. Make the festivities last a little longer by taking the Friday off that week to make it a four-day weekend. Whether you celebrate Hari Raya Puasa or not, it’s a great excuse to spend some quality time with your family. Going for a swim is always a good idea, given Singapore’s unrelenting heat, but did you know that you could swim in the same pool where our Olympic athletes train? That’s right, the Olympic-sized pool at the OCBC Aquatic Centre is open to the public, and you can make a booking right now.
Find out more about the free facilities at Singapore Sports Hub or make a booking here.
Buddhist spend Vesak Day reflecting on the life and teachings of Buddha.
PHOTO: ANDRE FROIS
Vesak Day
The third and final public holiday in May is Vesak Day on 26 May, a Wednesday. As it falls smack in the middle of the week, you have the option of either taking Monday and Tuesday off or Thursday and Friday off that week, to make it an extra long weekend. Vesak Day is one of the most important festivals for Buddhists, as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. For Buddhists, Vesak Day is a time of joy, peace and reflection. Even if you don’t celebrate it, any time is a good time to take a breather and detach from the fast pace of city life. After all, Singapore was ranked in 2020 as the second most overworked city in the world, right after Hong Kong.
Once you’ve set that out-of-office vacation responder, the only thing on your to-do list should be to relax, which you can do by taking a stroll along Stadium Riverside Walk. It’s accessible from right outside Kallang Wave Mall and just a short walk from Stadium MRT station exit A. From this panoramic waterfront boardwalk framed by lush greenery, you can enjoy an unhindered view of the city skyline, which is already majestic by day and changes dramatically come nightfall. There’s also a water feature out front for kids to play in. It’s a calm, quiet place to take in a sunset — or a sunrise, if you’re an early riser — and breathe in the fresh air.
