A Family Escape to Remember in Christmas Season in Singapore

It is almost unbelievable that in a compact city-state like Singapore, one can still find a quiet hideaway where families can truly gather, relax and spend meaningful time together. Our stay at Civil Service Club @ Changi II felt like a rare escape from urban hectic life. The sea was just a short walk away, an open field stretched invitingly just in front of the rest house, and a patch of “jungle” lay only a few steps from our door.

In less than a day - barely 24 hours from check-in at 3.00 p.m. on 26.12.2025 to check-out at 11.00 a.m. the next morning - we managed to do so many things. Of course, we wished it could have been longer! 

We strolled along the boardwalk, saw a spotted moonfish just hauled in by an angler. With my two granddaughters, we ventured into the fringes of the nearby “jungle.” We played the limbo game in the field.  We spent quiet moments simply watching the sea. As evening fell, we fired up the barbecue and shared a leisurely dinner together. Later that night, we connected with Serene’s family in Western Australia over a video call, exchanging stories and laughter that bridged the distance between us.

The next morning, my wife and I rose early and walked eastward to catch the sunrise. We caught a glimpse of a soft golden glow, partially hidden behind towering trees and tall buildings.

In this rare outing, we explored, played, talked and enjoyed one another’s company without hurry. Time seemed to slow, and the hours were filled with warmth and togetherness, creating beautiful, unforgettable memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. Those simple yet precious moments truly brought us closer.

We saw this spotted moonfish caught by an angler along our boardwalk.

Along our boardwalk, we paused in front of the jetty of the nearby yacht club.

Livvie was particularly keen to get into the "jungle"!

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A sumptuous dinner.

For dessert, we had panettone all the way from Italy!

We were pleasantly surprised  by the thoughtful and unexpected gifts from the families of Sam and Paul.

After dinner, we had a video chat with family members living in WA.

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The night scene was equally stunning. In the distance, a multitude of lights from berthed sail boats shimmered against the dark waters, creating a gentle, twinkling horizon. This glow contrasted beautifully with the green field in the foreground and the softly lit lamp posts, while a colourful night sky stretched above as a dramatic backdrop. The entire scene was truly captivating, leaving us quietly mesmerised by its calm beauty.

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This is the final photo shot taken at 10:54 a.m., just minutes before the 11:00 a.m. check-out. Livvie and Maddie were pleading for a little extra time to watch the last moments of an episode of Wild Kratts - one of their favorite cartoon series!

At that moment, I really wished the check-out time could have been extended just by a couple of minutes more!