I mentioned earlier that the dating scene in Singapore is rather boring/expensive, where the primary activity dating couples partake in is to watch movies, and watch more movies. I know I’ve fallen prey to that boring cycle, but no more! The silliness ends here! Or I shall try to end it, at least - with a compilation of cheaper dating alternatives. :)

I. West Coast Park

Highly recommended for post dinner/late night explorations: it’s kid-free by then, the playground is yours for all the fun one can have, and for free! McDonalds is open 24 hours, and has a foot-washing station so you leave it not too much sandier than you were when you got there. Let loose screaming your head off on the Flying Fox, and relax, all sprawled out, on the middle rope-platform of the spider-net thingy. I’d not encourage too much ni-ni-noh-noh-ing, though. It might be a tad uncomfortable to get caught in a tangle - in a compromising postion, no less - in a mess of abrasive ropes. ;) Who said jungle gyms had to be for kids only, right?

II. Museum Visits
Singapore may not be brimming with arts and culture the way, say, Italy is. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to know, or see. Take an afternoon/evening/day to immerse yourself in history or art in one of Singapore’s museums. Not only does it give you the chance to educate yourself, the exhibits are sure to provide you with excellent conversational topics for you and your date. All that at a meagre price too!

1. Singapore Art Museum:

Admission fee is $3 adults, and $1.50 for students.

2. Singapore History Museum:

Admission fee is $2 for adults and $1 for students.

3. Asian Civilizations Museum:

Admission fee at Empress Place is $8 adults and $4 students, except on Fridays between 7-9pm where it’s $4 for adults and $2 for students. Admission fee at Armenian Street is $3 for adults and $1.50 students.

4. Singapore Philatelic Museum:

Admission fee is $3 for adults. (No student price available at present.)

At the risk of this sounding very National Education (especially seeing as how this is already a very Lomancing Singapore post), I’d highly recommend doing this, even if not on a date. It’s rather eye opening for those of us, especially, who may think that all there is to know about Singapore is what was drilled into our heads by mean old teachers in our Secondary 2 History class. Plus, you never know - your date might be some huge history buff and you could score some points by showing an interest in something they love, or just bag for yourself a very useful One Stop Information Nugget Vending Machine. :) Check the websites for upcoming exhibitions, and remember to bring your Student Card, if you’ve got one.

III. Indoor Picnics

Singapore’s climate isn’t quite so conducive for lazing around in a park, and if you’re anything like me, the grass and sand will make you itch and there goes the comfort factor. Instead, put a little picnic basket together, whip out your mat, blast the aircon, and lounge around in one of your living rooms. (This assumes that you have a living room to yourself, so make sure the rest of the family is out - and going to stay out - while you’re having your date.) If you want to up the naturalistic factor, plug in your Colour iPod and play a slideshow of beach photos to some Beach Boys/lomantic music! You can even attempt to time it such that the sun sets on screen around the same time that it’s setting outside your windows. Suggestions for picnic food: steak sandwiches, a bottle of wine, a light salad, and some cold cuts/finger food that you can feed each other. If you don’t cook, and have a bit of cash to spare, visit the Da Paolo Gastronomia in Holland Village, and buy yourself a gourmet-tasting picnic at affordable prices. Messy food is good too - your date getting some sauce on his or her face is as good an excuse as any for you to wipe (or kiss) it off him/her. :)

Righty-ho, you’re all officially out of excuses to complain about the lack of things to do on dates in Singapore (due to financial constraints), or how expensive dating is. Well, for the next 3 dates, at least! So get out there, do something different, and if you’ve enjoyed yourself on a date inspired by this post, please let me know, so that I’ll know if I should bother to think more up or not.

Now Playing: Number One Blind by Veruca Salt