We haven't been blogging of late primarily because we haven't been going on any fresh budget dates. We've been busy preparing for our wedding album photoshoot, planning for our upcoming wedding, and eating at Sumo House a lot. Ms Budget really likes the udon there.
Today Mr Budget is sitting in the photo studio, waiting for the make-up artist to finish painting... er... decorating... er... making Ms Budget more beautiful that she normally is, and since most guys don't wear make-up, there's really nothing much for Mr Budget to do except fiddle around with his phone.
For our wedding photoshoot, one of the places we are going to is the Botanic Gardens. One of the things that we, Budget Couple, like to do is the unusual. There doesn't seem like there's anything unusual about having our wedding photos taken at the Botanic Gardens, but for us, all our locations have special meaning for us.
We have spent many a Sunday afternoon visiting the Botanic Gardens to feed the animals that live in Swan Lake. The man-made lake is home to two pairs of swans that are really fun to watch. They swim round and round the lake, looking out for people who like to feed them.
One of the first times we went, Ms Budget was wearing a green dress and the swans quickly came swimming up to her. We think it's because they mistook her for a giant lettuce.
We quickly found out what the swans eat - leafy vegetables like spinach and cai xin - and what they don't eat - bread and alfafa sprouts. The fish that live in the lake, however, eat almost anything, including whatever the picky swans don't. But when hungry, the swans will eat anything that they are given. They are hungriest on weekdays, and most picky on weekends. That's because on weekends, parents like to bring their children to the Botanic Gardens to feed the swans. It's a cheap and fun activity for the whole family.
Once, while we were leaving the Gardens, we came across a father bringing his child to the Swan Lake. The child was carrying a whole loaf of bread - the kind with extra slices. We laughed ourselves silly about it, and then asked the father if they were going to feed the swans. He nodded, saying, "It's buffet time."
The water in Swan Lake is murky, not clear, so we can't really see what lives in the water. But we do know that there is at least one giant fish in there. Once, some mynahs flew over the water, and somewhere in the middle, a giant fish jumped out of the water at the poor bird. It made a huge splash but caught no bird. There are also smaller flying fish in there and some can jump about half a metre above the water surface.
Swan Lake is located towards the entrance closest to Gleneagles Hospital, where Holland Road meets Napier Road. If you're driving, you will probably need to park near the Visitors Centre, which is about 10 minutes' walk from the Swan Lake. There might be a closer one, but we're not sure because we don't drive. We normally take public transport and stop along Napier Road, just after the American Embassy.
What to bring:
If you're intending to spend an afternoon there, bring a groundsheet and pack a picnic basket to bring along. Otherwise, just bring along a bottle of water, full or empty it doesn't matter as the Gardens have water fountains for you to fill up. Alternatively, you can bring coins to purchase drinks at the vending machines. It can get really hot there in the afternoons.
Try to avoid buying your drinks from the refreshment stall near the Ginger Garden, as these are quite expensive. If you're there and are thirsty, search for the water fountain near the toilets just behind the Orchid Garden souvenir shop.
Also, if you're a shutterbug, bring along your camera. There's plenty of subjects, not to mention each other, to take photos of. We especially like to observe the huge variety of dogs that pet owners bring here for a walk. We don't have the camera at the moment though...
What to do:
The Gardens are huge. It takes 25 minutes of fast walking to get from one end to the other. Take your time to explore. The Evolution Garden, and the Ginger Garden are two places to start. Or you can just hang out at Swan Lake and people-watch.
Today Mr Budget is sitting in the photo studio, waiting for the make-up artist to finish painting... er... decorating... er... making Ms Budget more beautiful that she normally is, and since most guys don't wear make-up, there's really nothing much for Mr Budget to do except fiddle around with his phone.
For our wedding photoshoot, one of the places we are going to is the Botanic Gardens. One of the things that we, Budget Couple, like to do is the unusual. There doesn't seem like there's anything unusual about having our wedding photos taken at the Botanic Gardens, but for us, all our locations have special meaning for us.
We have spent many a Sunday afternoon visiting the Botanic Gardens to feed the animals that live in Swan Lake. The man-made lake is home to two pairs of swans that are really fun to watch. They swim round and round the lake, looking out for people who like to feed them.
One of the first times we went, Ms Budget was wearing a green dress and the swans quickly came swimming up to her. We think it's because they mistook her for a giant lettuce.
We quickly found out what the swans eat - leafy vegetables like spinach and cai xin - and what they don't eat - bread and alfafa sprouts. The fish that live in the lake, however, eat almost anything, including whatever the picky swans don't. But when hungry, the swans will eat anything that they are given. They are hungriest on weekdays, and most picky on weekends. That's because on weekends, parents like to bring their children to the Botanic Gardens to feed the swans. It's a cheap and fun activity for the whole family.
Once, while we were leaving the Gardens, we came across a father bringing his child to the Swan Lake. The child was carrying a whole loaf of bread - the kind with extra slices. We laughed ourselves silly about it, and then asked the father if they were going to feed the swans. He nodded, saying, "It's buffet time."
The water in Swan Lake is murky, not clear, so we can't really see what lives in the water. But we do know that there is at least one giant fish in there. Once, some mynahs flew over the water, and somewhere in the middle, a giant fish jumped out of the water at the poor bird. It made a huge splash but caught no bird. There are also smaller flying fish in there and some can jump about half a metre above the water surface.
Swan Lake is located towards the entrance closest to Gleneagles Hospital, where Holland Road meets Napier Road. If you're driving, you will probably need to park near the Visitors Centre, which is about 10 minutes' walk from the Swan Lake. There might be a closer one, but we're not sure because we don't drive. We normally take public transport and stop along Napier Road, just after the American Embassy.
What to bring:
If you're intending to spend an afternoon there, bring a groundsheet and pack a picnic basket to bring along. Otherwise, just bring along a bottle of water, full or empty it doesn't matter as the Gardens have water fountains for you to fill up. Alternatively, you can bring coins to purchase drinks at the vending machines. It can get really hot there in the afternoons.
Try to avoid buying your drinks from the refreshment stall near the Ginger Garden, as these are quite expensive. If you're there and are thirsty, search for the water fountain near the toilets just behind the Orchid Garden souvenir shop.
Also, if you're a shutterbug, bring along your camera. There's plenty of subjects, not to mention each other, to take photos of. We especially like to observe the huge variety of dogs that pet owners bring here for a walk. We don't have the camera at the moment though...
What to do:
The Gardens are huge. It takes 25 minutes of fast walking to get from one end to the other. Take your time to explore. The Evolution Garden, and the Ginger Garden are two places to start. Or you can just hang out at Swan Lake and people-watch.
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