Up and Around Chinatown

Took a quick stroll around Chinatown this afternoon in search of buddhas and beads. I love getting lost and wandering around Singapore. Definitely one of my favorite aspects about living here is discovering all these very typical and different ethnic neighborhoods. In one day, I can "travel" from India to China via Malaysia and then back in my hood which is know here as "Little Paris" or the Goon for others.

PS. If like me you're in the search for beads & trinkets head to People's Park Centre, a treasure trove.

Shophouse Envy

Walked around Joo Chiat area this morning and lusted over the Peranakan (early Chinese settlers) style shophouses of the area. Love their pastel color facades. Pastels, isn't that one of the big trends for this summer? Shophouses traditionally housed shops at street level and living space for the shop owners above. Each have their own veranda as to create a protected walkway, very handy in this tropical climate. Singapore definitely has some of the most eclectic architectural styles I know of, undoubtedly a reflection of the melting pot that Singapore is.

Sunday Stroll

Checked out a new hood this weekend: Tiong Bahru.

Loved the white-washed art deco architecture of the area, definitely has a little Miami vibe to it, and loved all the funky cafés and stores, especially my fave: Books Actually. http://www.booksactually.com/

Today, found out that Tiong Bahru Estate is actually one of oldest housing estates here in Singapore, built around 1930, hence the art deco and more to that...

"Tiong Bahru was once the choice place of living for the upper class and also the place where the rich and powerful kept their mistresses. As a result, the estate used to be known as Mei Ren Wuo, which means ‘a den of beauties' in Chinese. " 

http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/singapore/singapore_district/1023/tiong_bahru.php

Afternoon Jaunt to Pulau Ubin

Decided to leave behind shoppers & malls for an afternoon in "rural" Singapore. We headed to Pulau Ubin, an island only 5 min away by boat  from Changi Village. Basically, Pulau Ubin's only activity is bike riding around the island's different paths. We loved sipping coconuts along the road, visiting the different shrines, bird watching and getting lost along the way. Totally recommend Pulau Ubin as a simple afternoon get-away.

http://pulauubin.com.sg

Mangroves of Sungei Buloh

Another one of our favorite recent discoveries - the wetland reserve of of Sungei Buloh. Initially, we were looking for a bird farm in the northern part of Singapore, animal related activities are the way we lure our children out of the house...Anyway never found the farm, and instead walked around the mangroves and ponds of Sungei Buloh. We loved it, beats walking around the malls any day. Kids wanted to spot crocodiles and instead spotted countless Komodo dragons as well as colorful hummingbirds. Definitely want to head back there for one of their guided tours.

I'm repeating myself, but if in Singapore you need to visit this nature reserve. 

www.sbwr.org.sg

MacRitchie Must Go

 

As of this weekend, we have favorite new hang out that I want to share it with you and if in Singapore or if ever here you need to go there: the MacRitchie Reservoir. It's simply beautiful. Different trails take you into the jungle or you can just stay around the reservoir and observe the monkeys which Oscar loved. Zoe loved chasing fish in the pond and even catching some. JD dreamed of kayaking and Rose was content to cool off her feet in the water. As for me, I managed to run/jog the "yellow" trail this morning with a little help from french sporty ladies. 
See you there.

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=naturereserves&id=49&Itemid=75

A Walk around the Nature Reserve

Saturday morning stroll at Bukit Timah reserve.

Kids loved the jungle gym in the middle of the jungle 

and we loved the reflexology path - feeling that much more serene now.

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/

Afternoon Stroll

Keeping cool by the waterfalls

Orchid garden with their Nouna

www.sbg.org.sg

To Little India we go

and decorated our little hands along the way

and to each his own