Travel Singapore : HOME

From a quiet fishing village to an established entreport under the British colony; with the changes of time - the economy grew. It boomed. That was somehow the equation; Boomed economy equals increased population.

It all started with the people, transients who became immigrants and eventually stayed and made Singapore their home; home sweet home.

One fine showcase of earlier living conditions in Singapore is displayed at the HDB Gallery at Toa Payoh Town Centre. (HDB; the acronymn for Housing Development Board) Prior formation of HDB, SIT - Singapore Improvement Trust was formed in 1927 by then British Colonial Government as to overcome the housing shortage.

In the HDB Gallery, we see replica of a squatter's kitchen that used charcoal stoves and meat cupboards. See picture below:

Let's go back in time. In the beginning housing at that time were in crowded slums and squatters settlements with no proper ventilation, no sanitation, no water, no electricity/lighting. I cannot imagine myself living in such condition. The comfort and ease living that we have now is way beyond words.

Prior to squaters settlements and in between the public housing start up, it was the shophouses which built on long and narrow design.A good place to see this old housing - Chinatown Heritage Centre located at 49, Pagoda Street, Singapore 059207.

Click link: http://www.chinatownheritagecentre.sg

Over here, I personally liked the Cubicle Living gallery on level 2.
Sections of rooms were created on the 2nd level of the 3 stories shophouse in Chinatown. The transients occupant of these rooms were the coolies (odd jobs labourers with long cuetails),the shoe seller, the seamstress, the Majie (maids with cuetails that vowed celibacy) and the Samsui women (female contruction workers with their signature red headgear that shared same vow as Majie)

Amazing fact: Samsui women helped build the many first of Singapore's public houseing flats.

I noticed that the only thing that divide the rooms and somehow equally spaced in portion among these occupants were walls made of thin wood planks. Each room was sized to an approximately measurement of 54 inches × 75 inches ; equalavent to a double bed mattress! Well based on the description headcount in this gallery, there was an average of 3 person to a room. That doesn't leave any room to move about at all, don't you think so? Oh my!

The public housing of 1970s'

Now,let's move forward to the last quater of 20th century, where these occupants moved out and settled down in housing estates. The Toa Payoh New Town was the many first satelite town. The housing estate itself is self contained and had a town centre. Interesting fact about the town itself ; Payoh originated from the Malay word,"PAYA" which means swamp. Toa means "BIG" in Chinese. Prior resettlement into public housing/flats - the earlier dwellers were infact farmers and pig rearers! Now, we don't see these dwellers anymore as Singapore advances herself into the contemporary world. Another interesting thing is that majority of the flat owners are privately owned,thus making this very unique from world's public housing projects. If you like to see how everyday locals run their daily errands, here is the best place to see it all. The MRT station (Toa Payoh station) is up close, so does the central bus station, the library, the shops and supermarkets and eateries surrounding the vicinity. It's really so convinient!

Now, in the 21st century, we see the mega project of public housing and the apple of the Singapore skyline bordering Chinatown and the Central Business District - The Pinnacle@Duxton.

Born out of the first international design competition for public housing, it is also the first in the world with 2 unique skybridges linking the 7 blocks at the 26th and 50th storey. The skybridges create possibly the longest continuous skygardens in the world, offering panoramic views of the city skyline.

This paragraph excerpted from http://www.pinnacleduxton.com.sg/about.php

That's really an architecture to marvel at! I have yet to go up the skybridges at the Pinnacles@Duxton. Heard that que numbers are given out and advance reservations required through online with an admission fee SGD5 but let me find out for you.

If looking you are up for viewing venue of Singapore's skyline with unobstructred view; recommended places to visit are:

* The SkyPark,Marina Bay Sands on the 57th floor

* The Singapore Flyer (the world's largest observation wheel - taller than London Eye)

and..

* Swisshotel The Stamford (tallest hotel in Singapore)
I like The New Asia Bar on the 70th floor and go as early before 6pm to
get seats and of course,don't forget to see the light up of the city
state as the evening draw closer.

Housing is definately the safety neccessity. Comfort of living and sustainable living for all is the way to go. Not just here but in all corners of the earth.But you know, Carrie Underwood must have sing it better: Where we live is just a Temporary Home.

Note: Photos taken from HDB Gallery Hub, admission is free
For more details, please visit http://www.hdb.gov.sg

p.s: My camera's battery went flat during my recent visit to Chinese Heritage Centre, admission is SGD10 per adult and do visit their website for opening hours. The classic transient to immigrant stories are found here.

p.p.s: I am not paid for this write up, just wanted to share the places that I've visited lately , hence this blog - desvfashion : up and about in Singapore!

Shopping : Batik Trove # 2

This is my 2nd item!

A deep purple long blouse with batik kimono colar. The buttons are sewn in batik cloth too. I know, it looks messy at the moment - unironed. Have yet do a pre washing. It was hidden in the rack of shirts,shorts,tops,dresses. The SGD7 rack. It's lovely! Hint of modernity & 2 cultures. The shop owner gave a discount when he could not find me a new shirt (well, there was some dust stain on the left shoulder area) But it's okay. It's a done deal! SGD12 for the dress & blouse. I can't recall the name of the shop but pretty sure its' unit number : 119, Arab St. 2 shop away from Silk Shop - Poppy (They are at 111, Arab St)
Good luck!

Shopping : Batik A-Line Dress ; Found at Arab Street

Here is the trove that I found on Arab Street after the Sultan of Spice walking tour last Thursday. A-Line Dress made of Batik, the colour is very neutral. Its' length is way too long so am thinking to send for some alternation. It comes with a batik belt,hand-tied.Classic.

In this shop, 119 Arab Street (sadly, I can't remember the name of the shop) but it is just 2 shops away from POPPY - SILK SHOP at unit number 111. There is a Chinese couple, might be Indonesian Chinese..well, there are some retro styles in batik clothing which you might want to check it out. I am wearing UK Size 12 so I am pretty lucky to find this trove at SGD7nett! Good Luck !

Travel Singapore : The Original Singapore Walking Tour - Sultan of Spice

10 Feb 2011 - Thurday

8.10 am
Getting ready to go out. Need food to fuel the day.

8.45 am
Reached Raffles Hospital and went into Banquet - the first Halal Food Court in Singapore - got my half boiled eggs and kaya butter toast with a big cup of tea. Tummy sighed relief. Am full and am ready to go!

9.20 am
Made my way to the meeting point, Exit B of Bugis MRT ; the exit near to Raffles Hospital. The meeting time : 09:30am. There were some other tourist waiting at meeting point. Some elderly couple, 5 single ladies and two single men were standing at the exit.Altogether the final count was 15 of us. Pauline the tourist guide had arrived and greeted us with her cheerful "Good Mornings".

09:35 am
All were requested to register our names and later on, a fee for the walking tour SGD 30nett per person were collected and a ticket was issued in return.

09:40 am
All ready to go! We walked towards Parkview Square and headed to Bali Lane. There was row of shophouses, 2 storey high. Understood from the tour that these shophouses were the first initial design. The shophouses in Chinatown (Bullock Cart)were the later version, 3 storey high.

The Gateway Building, designed by I. M Pei (famous Chinese American architect)

Do you notice that the design itself looks like the blade of a knife?


We were walking further into the neighbourhood of Kampong Glam and stopped briefly at Haji Lane.It used to be the transit resting point for Muslim and at that time, Muslim men performing their haj in Mecca.
Hence, the aptly named "HAJI LANE". In steamships these men went in and travelled for an approximately 2 weeks from Singapore for their pilgrimage, to the sacred land of Mecca.

INTERESTING FACT: KAMPONG GLAM literally means Village of Gelam Tree
GLAM is derived from the Malay word GELAM. Gelam tree is known scientifically as Melaleuca Cajuputi. This village used to house kampong houses on stilts. Its community comprised mostly fishermen as it was near to the coast line. Hence ahead of these lanes,in the main road - it is known as the Beach Road. In this village, there were endless of gelam trees in the village. It's bark was said to seemed the planks in fishing boats. Apart from that, the leaves were used to make oil which smells like a mixture of eucalyptus and tea tree oil with medical properties antiseptic and anti bacteria. Pauline passed that tiny bottle that contains this said oil. It was uplifting smell, it smelled like the eucalyptus garment wash that I used for my laundry. NICE!

Back to Haji Lane...

It was said that Malay craftmen were plying their craft and art in this area. But they were nowhere in sight as I could see numerious small boutiques. Where are they now? You may asked. Last heard that they deserted this place when the rent went up.

Later of the walk, we stopped at a batik/sarong shop in Bousorrah Street.

This is tepak sireh (a Malay traditional metal container for storing betel leaves used for chewing) and keris (a uniquely crafted dagger,knife with waves)

There was a demonstration on wearing the sarong (a drapped long skirtlike garment worn by the Malay community) We now know the many uses of sarong! It was used as a carrier bag, the baby crib, the head bandana and interestingly enough, it can be used as your own private washroom when you need to answer the nature call! The unique thing about sarong is that no zippers nor belts required! AMAZING!(Men with bulging waistline, this might be an alternative dressing, only when you are in Singapore!)

A brief shopping time at the shop after the demonstration and we were brought into a magnificent golden dome mosque - Sultan Mosque. Interesting enough, the base of the dome was circled with bottles and bottles of soya sauce!

As form of respect, prior advise were given to visitors on wearing appropriate attire such as long sleeves and long pants. However, due to the hot, humid and sunny weather in Singapore - this might be somehow difficult for some. Nevertheless,robes were provided by the mosque's reception. Personally, I find the architecture serene.

The next stop was at the perfume shop and it was my favourite stop.
Oh yes, sweet smell makes the world go round!

The perfumes range were endless and contain no alcohol. Concentrated as it us and some parfum echoed similarity in well known brands. Their prices were charming too!

Of late, I am into ROSES. I asked the shop owner of any concentrated ROSE perfume. He quipped,"YES!" He took a die cut perfume card and dipped it into one of the big bottles container. He passed that sample to me for a sniff and immediately, I went crazy with it! That's it! That concentrated ROSE smell was the one I've been looking for. Without hesitation, I told him." I want this! " So how much does it cost? A tiny 3ml cost SGD5nett and the bigger bottle of 6cm in height with roller-on of 10ml cost SGD 10nett.

It is almost 12noon. We departed from the perfume shop to ISTANA KAMPUNG GLAM (Kampung Glam Palace). It was being refurbished in mid 2000s' and conserved into Malay Heritage Centre. It is the place where it showcase the history, heritage and culture of local Malays.

Malay Heritage Centre ; prior conservation it used to be the royal residence.

We walked deep into the once a palace compound where Pauline shared her last bit stories of the palace and lineages of Sultans in Singapore.

The finale of the tour was unearthly as the last stop was at a royal cemetary. There wasn't any specific signage as we walked into the area. But as we gather closer to the tombs, located on higher ground as there were staircases leading us up to the resting place ; we saw two blue signages with salutation of royalty. Surprising enough, there was a presence of an elderly man who was up keeping the tombs as he was clearing all the fallen tree branches in that area.

The Gelam Tree in the compound of Malay Heritage Centre

All of us were dispersed as when Pauline bid her goodbyes. I bought a discount card for SGD 1nett. Card holder enjoyed SGD 3nett off on the subsequent walking tour, fair deal. Worth every penny.

Met up some new found transicient friends in the walking tour. We went for Malay lunch at Minang Restaurant, just the opposite of Sultan Mosque. The lunch was spicy and hot! Right after lunch, some of us went to Arab Street to shop for silk and batik. While some went back to Bussorah Street to haul some shawls.I had an excellent bargains on batik at 119 Arab Street. The tourist guide recommended us to stop by at POPPY 111 Arab Street if silk is in your shopping list. Along Arab Street, you see row of shophouses left and right - selling clothes in many type of material and prices.

New found friend and I went for the 2 p.m guided tour at the Malay Heritage Centre. Well, I found out the early settlers in Singapore were the Orang Laut - Sea Men. We found other things too:

There was a fire in Kampong Glam that ravaged the village which was depicted in a mural painting with its 2D fire,smoke and lights effects. The guide was sharing with us the spirit of gotong - royong. In the Malay language it means co-operating and helping each other in times of need. In the mural, we see other races that came to help the dire straits Malay community with buckets of water to ease the ravaging fires on the attap kampong houses. Gotong royong was amongst the people of Singapore.

The Singapore's national anthem - Majulah Singapura - it's musical notes/script/lyrics were displayed here. The composer was Mr. Zubir Said.

The begining of kampong (village) life, a replica of a attap kampong house on stilts is located on the 2nd floor. As we enter the house,(mind you - in olden days - no shoes allowed and you have to washed both of your feet prior going in) the living room is airy. Not a sight of sofas in the living room. It was a communal living as doors and windows are wide open, welcoming neighbours and anyone into the house. As you exit the house, it will lead you into the typical Malay family kitchen that comprises of stove using dry tea branches and charcoal, a cabinet that stores food. No fridge, dish washer machine and all that sort of modernity. As we exit the kampong house, we walked into the living room of public housing in late 1960s.

The height and healm of popular Malay actor such as Mr. P.Ramlee in late 1950s'. A film set of Bujang Lapuk ((The Over-aged Bachelors) was in displayed too.

There are some artworks exhibits of ancient sword - the KERIS. The blade are shaped in a wave. The dagger are made of wood and its carving are of finest craftmanship and intricate quality.

As I leave the Malay Heritage Centre,I personally felt that every nook and corner of this neighbourhood brings you back in time and away from the hustle and bustle of city live. Sort of like a light strol over the weekend, laid back and you stood there to appreciate its' surroundings. I really appreciate the history, the culture and the heritage of this community.

That's the spirit!


ps: I am not paid for this write up and I just wanted to share what's under the sun on my day; on 10th Feb 2011. I've signed up the walking tour using my own money.

pps: I will share with you the bargains that I found on Arab Street on lovely batik attires with a modern twist on my next blog!

Shopping : Beauty Bargain from Nature Republic

This is one of my beauty randomness : MAKE UP !

During the last long weekend Lunar New Year holidays,I did some bargain splurging on Make Up!

Went to this Nature Republic shop at Parkway Parade, #B1-55

The sweet nice lady staff approached me and share with me about the FUKUBUKURO BAG. It was no mystery as she bought one for herself. She took out every single item from that bag and placed it on the counter.I was tempted. Well, it's because that lucky bag selling at SGD50nett and
my mental arimathics was telling me, all the items in it definately worth more than what I am about to pay for...

She was sharing with me the selling price of each item contained in that bag. At that point of time, I felt I was the luckiest person in the world (ok a bit too much) , luckiest person as there wasn't any shoppers in yet.

So, in the spur of the moment I told her that, "OK, I'm going to grab one!" Now the question is - Which one? Oh, the mystery of it sets in!

I was given a tip. .."Choose the heaviest.."

Yeah, that's right! Paid it at the cashier and once reached home, my heart beat paced a beat faster than the usual. I was set on to unleash all the goodies inside that lucky and mysterious FUKUBUKURO bag!

Amazing trove of goodies!

I am unsure though whether there is any FUKUBUKURO bag left at that outlet.
You may want to contact them at the following: http://naturerepublic.com.sg



p.s: I am still trying to figure out using this blog and wondering how I can post in more photos. In any way, that this failed - you can see the photos in my twitter @desvfashion

p.p.s: Also, I am not paid for this blogging, am pleased to share with you all of my lately found lucky and not so mysterious FUKUBUKURO bag which bought using my own money.

Travel Singapore : It wasn't DUCK TOURS but DUKW TOURS

It was the 3rd day of Lunar New Year.

A week prior to that there was some discussion among my gal pals to try out the DUCK Tours - a trip round Singapore's Civic District and Marina Bay on this amphibian vehicle which was appealing to us.Well, how could a solid and huge vehicle that lookslike a big boat moves around on land with its' gigantic rubber wheels and then splashes into the water and yet still manages to stay afloat?

It definately sound exciting somehow!

So, I took the liberty to do some research over the net.
Made some phone calls and signed up for the tour on the 3rd day of Lunar New Year, 05 February 2011, 11am slot.The tour kicked start at Singapore Flyer.

Appearantly, there are 2 operators that runs the amphibian vehicles.
DUCK TOURS and DUKW TOURS. Regardless of which is which, both have 2 seperate itineries and interesting enough - I've signed up for the DUKW TOURS.

We took the MRT - Circle Line, alighted at PROMENADE Station. Soon, we headed our way to Singapore Flyer. Looked out for unit #01-05 - DUKW TOURS and made our payment. Collected our tickets the tour commenced at 11.30am. We were requested to assemble at meeting point 30minutes prior departure. We were in the tour operator's office.

Later on, our names are called and were requested to gathered around and view the safety video. Every guest gathered round the flat screen tv and sat on the comfy sofa adjacent to the ticketing counter.  

We were shown on how to wear the floating vests in the event of emergency.(It is placed underneath our seat)

Then everyone were rounded up to follow the ever cheerful lady guide (fondly known as FUNbassafor) towards the amphibian vehicle (fondly known as FunVee DUKW) at the parking bay.

We found out that FunVee DUKW vehicle was a revamped Vietnam War Amphibious Vehicle! How cool is that?

We grabbed our seats, 28 seats in total. There were 25 of us. We took the seats at the back row. 6 seats spread across the aisle from left to right which good advise says,'Don.t take it!' Mainly because we personally feel that it's a little bit noisy because of the engines roaring just right behind us.

We departed from Singapore Flyer to the city and FUNbassafor into the civic district area which we passed by Connaught Drive where we've seen the Padang, Supreme Court, City Hall and War Memorial (or lovingly known as the chopsticks) There were brief tour commentary which was not over taxing as the weather on that day was absolutely sunny and nice!

Then, coming to the fun part. FunVee DUKW vehicle was heading back to Singapore Flyer and passed by the F1 Pit Building and going towards to one of the car park bays. This was the spot where FunVee DUKW was heading towards the wet and watery section.

Heart rate was absolutely throbbing, mind telling heart - 'You're going to get wet!FUNbassador teased us too and requested us to sit away from the sides.

Well, it wasn't too soon at that moment FunVee DUKW vehicle hit the shores! But no splish splash all over as the tide was hide...BOOHOOO! I was hoping that we could get wet?!

FACT: FunVee DUKW vehicle was driven by 2 captains, one on the land and one on the water/river

We were afloat and driven underneath Bayshore Avenue heading towards Marina Bay.Helix Bridge was underneath us too before we arrived at the Floating Platform @ Marina Bay.
Esplanade (or lovingly known by the locals as The Durians was seen from afar) before we reached at Merlion Park.

FUNbassador was telling us that Mama Merlion strutting and spouting water from her mouth unto the river..Lo and behold, Baby Merlion was just behind Mama Merlion and where's Papa Merlion?
He's guarding at the Sentosa Island!

Fact:  How many Merlion statues in Singapore?
There are 5!! Where?
Well, 2 are in Merlion Park. 1 at Sentosa Island.
The other 2 are located at Mount Faber and lastly in the headquater of Singapore Tourism Board at Orchard Spring Lane.

Our attention turned to the mighty sight of Central Business District of Singapore - skycrappers which limits its height no more than 280meters. Amazing view and as the we circled the bay, we saw the future architecture of Singapore - Marina Bay area which showcase the magnificent Marina Bay Sands and its surrounding area.

All good things come to an end, we headed back to Singapore Flyer.

And tummy wants food as the tour ended at 12.30 p.m. and it was lunch time!

Captain Explorer DUKW Tour liven to their promise of fun and excitement, well worth checking it out!

P/S:I bought the tickets using my own money. The tickets for each adult is priced at SGD 29.90nett and for more information; please check this link out: http://citytours.sg/funveeavtour.html