As the June school holidays roll in, the familiar itch to pack a suitcase and head for Changi Airport is palpable. But before you lock in those expensive flight tickets, it’s worth taking a hard look at the world around us.
Between skyrocketing travel costs and a spike in global uncertainty, travelling abroad right now feels less like a getaway and more like a gamble.
Just this week, the geopolitical climate grew tenser as Iran reported no tangible progress in peace talks with the United States, and conflict persists in Lebanon despite ceasefire declarations.
Even closer to home, favourite holiday destinations are proving unpredictable. Heavy typhoons on Japan’s Pacific Coast have already forced Singapore Airlines to reschedule flights, turning dream vacations into logistics nightmares.
Honestly? There has never been a better time to spend your time and hard-earned cash right here on our own island. Singapore’s lifestyle and entertainment scene is bursting with fresh, world-class experiences that rival anything you would find abroad.
If you are craving an adrenaline rush, you don’t need to fly to an overseas theme park. On June 7, Skypark Sentosa is launching Skyslides by Klook, featuring South-east Asia’s tallest dry slides.
Standing at a dizzying 44 meters, roughly 14 stories high, the attraction features the Skydrop, a near-vertical free-fall slide, alongside the family-friendly Big Klook Slide, where riders can personalise their experience with disco, jungle, or space soundtracks.
For nature lovers, Mandai Wildlife Reserve has just unveiled Rainforest Wild Adventure East. This massive 7-hectare, Afro-tropical zone marks the completion of Mandai’s decade-long transformation.
The star of the show is the elusive okapi (the forest giraffe), an endangered central African mammal making its exclusive Southeast Asian debut. Alongside pygmy hippos and iconic baobab trees, it brings a slice of the Congo basin right to our doorstep. Combine that with ongoing local gems like the albatross exhibition, and your holiday itinerary practically writes itself.
Stroll, Don’t Doomscroll
Beyond saving money and bypassing airport chaos, a local holiday offers a much-needed mental reset. It is the perfect opportunity to implement what Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently championed at the launch of Screen Smart From The Start—a national movement urging families to foster healthier digital habits.
An MDDI survey revealed that only 37 per cent of parents feel confident guiding their children’s digital use, with many seeking more support. PM Wong’s suggestions were simple: hold back on giving kids smartphones for as long as possible, and keep devices out of the bedroom and during family meals.
This June, let’s take that advice to heart. Instead of losing hours to doomscrolling on your phone, try strolling around the island for a change. Unplug, reconnect with your family, and rediscover the vibrant backyard we often take for granted.
