Jane’s Walk Singapore with Tony Tan: Geylang Serai & Joo Chiat Uncovered

The government sponsors a lot of community programmes 
in Singapore. This particular community though has come 
together on their own to grow a variety of veggies - such 
as these sweet peas!

Colourful rainbow umbrella hanging on the window grills of this vibrant teal facade. I love the distressed door and the understated ornate door knob.

Saw one of few sand covered playgrounds left in Singapore. All are slowly being replaced by rubber matting. 

There are laws to protect the integrity of shophouses in heritage areas. But they only cover building facades - meaning property owners can do as they please to the other sides of the exterior as well as the interiors.

I love snooping around the back of pretty facades. Always humanises the other-wise too perfect experience. 

Pops of bold colour. Grill-work pattern. 

Beauty in the ordinary

This palm tree mural at the side of a building is the only thing that hints to what used to cover this whole area - a coconut plantation.

Educational graffiti 

Rectangles & triangles.

View from above - see the ships along the coast beyond? 

Like little toy houses with little toy people

Geylang Serai Market

Soft curves of the roof tiles vs the sharp lines of the grill work

White canvas

Tour guide extraordinaire - Tony Tan

Like many old buildings from Singapore's past - this building will most likely be demolished to make way for new structures.

Like how Thai's have Golden Mile and Filipinos have 
Lucky Plaza, part of Geylang Serai is called Indo-town. It is a 
popular hang out on Sunday's for domestic foreign helpers on 
their day off. 

One of few overhead bridges that have retained their original form 
since first being built. On the other side of the road once stood the 
Hollywood Theatre, a cinema which would always feature new films 
from the west. In its place the new developers are building a new 
mall which will boast several kilometers of shopping.

Purple & red

Easy like Sunday morning

I love that many places in the East have a law about how high you can build buildings. I think currently it is at 4 floors? With space becoming a commodity, it was shared this will move likely change in the near future.


Tony Tan's deets are here.

Jane's Walks are here.

Lost at Fort Canning Park

I had a date to meet up with K and her family at the Singapore Food Festival. I got to Clark Quay early so I thought to explore the area a bit.

Took some more pictures of this cute building (Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts) - which never fails to make me smile every time I see it.

Then I saw stairs that lead up to Fort Canning Park. Never been, so I thought why the heck not?

Large complex and will probably go back and explore some more. Lots of people (all armed with really decked out cameras!), lots of interesting things going on. Almost lost my way as I wasn't allowed to go back the way I had come in (closed for a wedding), but finally found my way out and to my friends before it got dark.

Be(a)sty Weekend

Good friend of mine was in town last weekend, so we spent some time wandering around Singapore.

DAY 1

Arab-Malay Quarters: Also known as Kampong Glam. Hot hot day so spent most of the time here along the partially shaded Haji Lane. Lovely lane with lots of interesting things to see. This was after our morning "teh tarik" (where I had spotted Anthony Bordain the week before!), and lunch at my favorite Moroccan place. 

Little India: This was a quick pit spot only because we were so freaking tired by the time we reached here. We walked from the MRT all the way to Mustafa, then zoned out a nearby resto with Lasi's and cheeseballs to reenergized. 

Marina Bay Sands: We ended the evening at Marina Bay Sands, exploring the giant expanse of a mall and having late dinner with a friend at Mozza Pizzeria by celebrity chef Mario Batali. 

DAY 2

Orchard: After checking L into his hotel, we met up a friend for late brunch (ie: at 2pm!) at PS Cafe. I'd been hearing so much about it (and their famed truffle fries) that I thought it'd be a good opportunity as any to try it out. We spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around some of the malls along Orchard.

Lau Pa Sat: how do you not go to Singapore without trying some local fare? Stuffed ourselves silly at dinner with satay, fried oyster & carbs. 

DAY 3

Din Tai Fung: Introduced L to the wonderful world of the Xiao Long Bao

Many of these places I've seen before, but as I was going there under different circumstances, it may have well been the first time.