A quest to see the world and to get more out of life
Experiencing Singapore’s culture was one of my biggest motivations in going. No unnecessary touristy activities — just immersing myself in the variety of cultures that molded what Singapore is today. By now, I have exhausted all that I can talk about Singapore’s neighborhoods and their architecture. Food is up next. Hainanese Chicken Rice I’ve had…
I’m slowly realizing that my Singapore series has become a mini architecture series on Singapore with my posts on its traditional neighborhoods and the civic district. However, talking about Singapore without paying tribute to its progress and modernity would be a sin. Here are some highlights of my Singapore postmodern architecture appreciation. Central Business District…
The Armenian Church was a humble match to the previous church we visited, yet it was undeniably extra special. Our visit coincided with choral practice where the songs were sung a cappella. The group’s voices just reverberate in the small structure. Every hymn was heartfelt, and it felt like we were in a private concerto….
On many occasions that I stare at Singapore’s modern skyline, I find it difficult to imagine its colonial past. The progress and success of Singapore’s economy made it a little dissociated from the characteristics of former colonies: struggling nations seemingly incapable of combating poverty. Yet, only a heartbeat away from the towering skyscrapers lies the…
Singapore’s Kampong Glam might be tiny, but it packs a punch. This Malay neighborhood might be the smallest one I visited during the trip, yet it certainly had a charm of its own. My first stop was the country’s narrowest alley, Haji Lane, home to some of the oldest shop houses. They were typical Malay shop…
Following my Michelin-starred gastronomic adventure, I sought out to see more of Singapore’s Chinatown. I roamed around the nearby streets, mostly rows of shophouses. It was the most populous neighborhood in Singapore, not only because it comprises the majority of the country’s ethnicity, but also because the tourists had been drawn in. In fact, I…
I could vividly recall the time I got closest to visiting a Michelin-starred restaurant. I was planning our trip to Hong Kong and had just learned that the cheapest Michelin restaurant in the world was located there: Tim Ho Wan. Pressed for time, I decided to skip it, with a note to myself to come…
It was still quite early when I took the bus down to Chinatown. I was anxious to see the neighborhood where majority of Singaporeans trace their ethnicity from. The jewel attraction, apart from the food, is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The building is fairly new, compared to hundreds of centuries-old temples scattered around Asia….
Tired of trying to keep myself dry, I braved the rain and took my time wandering around Little India. From Little India Arcade, I crossed Serangoon Road and walked along the little shops along Buffalo Road. Bollywood music filled the damp air, while the smell of incense was everywhere. Numerous flower stalls were by the roadside,…
Rain, rain, go away. The streets were wet. Locals were clutching on to their umbrellas. It was my first neighborhood exploration day, yet the weather wasn’t exactly cooperating. I checked the weather forecast; it should turn better by midday. From where I was staying, it was a mere 5-minute walk to Little India. In fact,…