Civil Defence Heritage Gallery

I think many of us drive or walk past the Central Fire Station and just assume that it's a normal fire station that happens to look grand. But there are two things we may not know. Firstly, it is the oldest existing fire station in Singapore. Secondly, it houses the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery. 

The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery spans two floors. Admission is free but you will be required to sign in. Since not many people visit this place, you basically get the entire gallery to yourself. On Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 pm to 8 pm, there is a tower tour where visitors will get a chance to ascend the 30m tower. Not for those with height phobia!

At the first floor, you get to see how fire fighting evolved throughout the years. You can also sit in a fire engine on display to watch a TV programme. TVs are aplenty in the museum to show real life situations, such as the video footage taken from a camera put on a rescue dog. 

The second floor contains more exhibits concerning rescue efforts which does not involve only fire fighting. Honestly, the mannequins on this floor freaked me out. Plus, there was an interactive station where you could press a red button and basically point the water gun to put the fire out. The loud sound effect of the water gave me such a scare!

If your aspiration is to be a firefighter, or if your son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter would like to be a firefighter, this will be a cool place to get inspired. Otherwise, it will still be interesting if you would like to see how rescue efforts are conducted. I got out of this place rather quickly because as I said, the second level was freaky to me due to the mannequins and the sound effects.

When I got out of the museum, I saw an ambulance race down the road with its sirens blaring. Shortly after, there was a fire engine coming from the opposite direction. We don't get to say thanks to them (e.g. policemen, firemen, paramedics, those in the SAF etc.) personally most of the time, but I never take their contributions for granted because I know that we owe it to them that our society is kept safe and sound!

Civil Defence Heritage Gallery 
62 Hill Street
Singapore 179367
Tel: 6332 2996

Opening Hours 
Tuesdays - Sundays, 10am - 5pm (including public holidays)
Closed on Mondays

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Trail #1: Chinatown

Introduction

For me, Chinatown and Chinese New Year are essentially one and the same. Because it's only that time of the year where I follow my family to Chinatown to roam the night streets and to get some New Year goodies. Besides that, I hardly go to the Chinatown area. 

This is unlike the Chinatown in other countries where ethnic Chinese often flock to Chinatown to get their favourite food or to buy some groceries which is unavailable in Western supermarkets. Since practically everything in Singapore's Chinatown is available everywhere else, Chinatown becomes more of a place to look at a piece of history. But I'm not denying the fact that Chinatown retains its charm for many Singaporeans because of some traditional shops (e.g. those selling pastries) or cheaper goods at some shops. 

Chinatown Trail

I did a Chinatown Trail yesterday and here, I've marked the places on Google Map. If you are interested in retracing my footsteps, all you need to do is to print out the map and to follow it accordingly. Why I did this was because sometimes when I was travelling, I was often bothered by which sequence I should take in order to maximise my sightseeing. 

View Larger Map

A. Chinatown MRT Station
Start at Chinatown MRT Station to begin your trail.

B. People's Park Centre
People's Park Centre is a said to be the first shopping centre in Singapore. Many people come here for lunch because the food here is affordable and good. At the first floor, there is a row of stores selling different kind of traditional kueh (cakes). This place is also famous for the travel agencies. There isn't much shopping to do here although there are shops selling clothes and spectacles. For cheaper food, you may want to go to Hong Lim Food Centre instead, which is very crowded during lunchtime.

C. Bee Cheng Hiang
For tourists, this is a definite visit if you come to Singapore. The Bakkwa (smoked and roasted strips of pork) is similar to jerky. This is a must-eat during Chinese New Year. However, customs restrictions may prohibit you from packing some of this back. It is also well known for its different kinds of floss.

D. Jamae Mosque
One great thing about urban planning in Singapore is that it reflects our multi-racial and multi-religious culture. In Chinatown, you can see a mosque and a Hindu Temple on the same street and a Buddhist Temple not too far away. Here's the Jamae Mosque which is one of the earliest mosques in Singapore. It was set up by the Chulias, who were Tamil Muslims who came to Singapore mostly as traders and money changers.

E. Sri Mariamman Temple
The Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore's oldest temple. It is a National Monument which was founded in 1827. Although admission is free, you have to pay $3 for a camera ticket and $6 if you are using a video camera. In the months of around October and November each here, the Theemithi (fire walking ceremony) will be celebrated at the temple.

F. Chinatown Heritage Centre
We had a school trip to the Chinatown Heritage Centre when I was in secondary school and I'm not going to pay another $10 (adult) to enter this place. It's $6 for children. It is probably interesting if you would like to find out about the Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore to find work in the early days. You will see antiques, living quarters of the coolies etc.

If you walk down a little, you will see the Singapore Coins & Notes Museum. Honestly, I never knew such a place existed. It's $10 for adults, $6 for children, NSF, students and senior citizens. As usual, I was not about to let a few dollars slip out of my wallet for this.

But if you are interested in looking at coins and notes from the earlier era used for barter trade and how it transformed to polymer notes, with an emphasis on pre- and post-independence Singapore, you could buy an entrance ticket. Otherwise, you may be content like me, just to take a picture of the World  Largest Coin.

Of course, along this street, there is some shopping you can do and you can buy some little souvenirs or have your name painted.

I took this picture, partly because I thought it accurately reflected Singapore. A piece of history always being retained in some way, but new things constantly sprouting out to deal with the needs of the economy.

G. Chinatown Food Street
The Chinatown Food Street is bustling at night but looks pretty deserted in the afternoon.

H. Tong Heng Confectionary 

This bakery dates back to 1920 and is well known for its traditional Chinese pastries. It is very well known for its diamond shaped egg tarts ($1.40 each). Lots of people also order the pastries here for their wedding. I bought an egg tart yesterday and it has a hard crust as opposed to the many layer crust of egg tarts commonly eaten in dim sum restaurants. You could takeaway some egg tarts or other pastries. 

I. Buddha Tooth Relic & Museum
Beautiful architecture and the famous Buddha Tooth Relic is housed in this place. Click here to read more.

J. Da Zhong Guo
This confectionery is well-known for its mooncakes during Mid-Autumn festival. However, I have tried them before and found them too oily.

K. Maxwell Food Centre
From Chinatown, you realise you are slowly walking into the Tanjong Pagar area. This is where you need to go in order to make your stomach sing a happy song. Recently, there was a food war between Tian Tian Chicken Rice and Ah Tai Chicken Rice. If you are patient enough to queue, you could order from both stores and determine who the winner is.

L. URA Centre
If you are interested in urban planning, this is for you. Read the post on this place here. Free admission.

M. Red Dot Design Museum
I went to this place a few years ago and found it quite cool. If you are interested in designs, whether quirky or practical, this is the place for you! The last time I came here with a friend, we spent around 2 hours in the museum, getting entertained by the strange but innovative ideas. Entrance fees are $8 for adults and $4 for children, students and senior citizens.

Just walk a bit more and you will see the Tanjong Pagar MRT station to proceed to your next trail! I took about 2 hours to walk this trail, but that's just because I didn't really enter the buildings. It should take you an entire afternoon to finish this trail! 

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Breakthrough Cafe

It is my second time here and I will say it again: This place has good and cheap food + good service! 

The Prawn Rice Roll (Chee Cheong Fun) ($3) had bouncy and small prawns in each segment of the rice roll. 

The Char Siew Pau's (90 cents) skin was a little dry but the filling was okay.

The Glutinous Rice ($2) was good. Tonnes of juicy mushroom covering the flavourful rice (with dried prawns).

The Har Gow (Prawn Dumpling) ($3.20) had a juicy, big and fresh prawn in every dumpling. The prawn practically takes up every void space there is between the skin and the prawn. Wished the skin could be a tad thinner though!

The Siew Mai ($2.50) was not bad although I think it has been steamed for a little too long, resulting in it being a little dry.

As you can see, there are plenty of servers, so the food came really quickly. Service was good with all of them being very friendly.

Our total bill for two worked out to $11.60 (No service charge). I think the above is a sufficient reason for you to visit even with the very slight misses in the food (mostly it being a little too dry). But if you need one more reason, it's because this cafe gives reformed drug addicts a chance at employment. Their service attitudes are a lot better than many others in the big restaurants, which makes it a joy to dine here.

Breakthrough Cafe

People's Park Centre
101 Upper Cross Street
#01-02
Tel: +65 6533 5977

Opening Hours
Mon–Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat: 7am – 3pm (Closed on Sun/PH)

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Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

Every Chinese New Year, I pass by a building with lots of beautiful red lanterns. I just assumed it was a normal building but I found out only yesterday that it was the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. This place is famous for housing the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic. 

Whether you are a devotee, a tourist or a local (regardless of religion), you are free to enter the place. There are no admission charges. Pictures are allowed on certain floors but definitely not allowed on the floor which houses the tooth  relic. Footwear is required at all places but not allowed when viewing the tooth relic.

There are also prayer sessions within the temple.

At the roof level, it is very serene with lots of orchids known as the Dendrobium Buddha Tooth orchid plants. There is also the Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel which was originally a book shelf for the sutras. It has a central shaft so that it can rotate, making it easier to search for sutras.

Dress code to be observed is no shorts/mini skirts or sleeveless. But even if you do wear those in, there are sarongs and shawls provided so just put them on to show respect.

This place is no doubt beautiful, peaceful with greenery at the rooftop and adorned with gold at the fourth floor. At the third floor, there is also a museum if you are interested in knowing more about Buddhism. But if you would like to visit a temple where many Singaporeans go to, it is the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple located in Bugis.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
288 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058840
Tel No: 6 220 0220 

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Singapore City Gallery (URA Centre)

It's my third time at the URA Centre Singapore City Gallery. Twice I came of my own accord and once because it was a school trip. 

There are some exhibits at the first floor. Currently, there's an exhibition titled Perspectives from the Ideal City.

The third floor is where the bulk of the exhibits are. You get to see the progression of Singapore, the use of space in Singapore with different themes such as sustainability and urban design. Truth to be told, a lot of it sounds like national education where it's repeatedly emphasised that urban planners can't make everybody happy but they try their best. (They didn't say it in that crude a manner but that's basically it.)

The cool thing about this gallery is that there are a lot of interactive things, including games. If you are one who likes prodding at screens or playing Sims City, get yourself here!

I'll round off this post with this picture, a gigantic model of Singapore. On your way to the exhibits, you actually see a room where they do the models. Cool stuff. 

There is no admission fee here. For people like me who are not that interested in urban planning, this place might be a little boring. But for those who love to know how our city has been planned and transformed over the decades, or simply if you like a place bursting with interaction and information, this is for you!

Singapore City Gallery
The URA Centre

45 Maxwell Road
Singapore 069118

Tel: (65) 6321 8321

Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

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Ah Loy Thai

We were here a few Sundays back only to realise that Ah Loy Thai was closed on Sundays. But were we deterred by that? Obviously not! So, we were back last Saturday. We thought we had to wait since it was lunchtime but we were in, in around 5 minutes. 

Note: No GST and service charge. 

Their shop was partitioned. This is one of the two spaces, with another to its left. By the way, I don't like the plastic chairs. They look stylo mylo but they don't feel good at all for balancing.

We ordered the classic Pineapple Fried Rice ($7). It wasn't too overwhelming but just right, with the wok hei fragrance. I suppose it's not cooked with the usual yellow curry paste which normally gives pineapple rice its distinct yellow colour.

You ain't at a Thai restaurant if you don't order Tom Yum. The Tom Yum Seafood ($7.50) had prawns and squids in it, and was not too spicy.

I think the Thai Pandan Chicken ($10) totally stood out! Four big chunks of chicken, marinated in delicious condiments, accompanied by dipping sauces at the side. All the moisture locked within the chicken. Only "bad" thing was that it was a little oily.

I didn't really fancy Thai Green Curry ($7.50) but that's a matter of personal preference because I don't like the milky taste to stand out too much. Otherwise, there are many pieces of tender chicken and fishballs in it.

The Thai Fried Tofu ($6.90) had the signature Thai sweet and spicy chilli sauce drizzled over it. Good, but nothing out of the ordinary.

We also ordered the Thai Mango Crispy Chicken ($8.50) which was basically deep fried chicken with sauce over it. The sauce didn't have a very strong mango taste and we felt that this dish was not worth it.

Besides the mango crispy chicken, we were satisfied with the rest of the food. Coupled with 6 drinks, it added up to $60+ for 6 people. Sure, the service isn't outstanding. But remember, no service charge? Totally worth your buck if you are in a big group and can share the food!

Ah Loy Thai 

Shaw Tower
100 Beach Road
#01-39/40
Tel: +65 9165 1543
(Closed on Sundays) 

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Bangkok Express

Many think of Newton Food Centre as a chopping board for tourists. Complaints of how the food is overpriced and not that great are rife. But you'll be surprised that there are actually many stalls selling good and affordable food. One such stall is Bangkok Express. 

The Pad Thai ($4.50) had a generous portion of peanut and was not oily. The prawns were also fresh. 

I had the Tom Yum Soup with Noodles ($5). Spicy and sour, every slurp of the noodles was tasty! Furthermore, they don't skimp on their ingredients.

Four or five prawns, together with lots of sotong and mushrooms make this a truly delightful tom yam!

The standard of Bangkok Express doesn't lose out to the run-of-the-mill Thai restaurants in Singapore. The difference is that the portion might be a little smaller, although the money you save compared to eating in a restaurant is probably rather significant!

Bangkok Express

Newton Food Centre
500 Clemenceau Ave North
#01-004

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Kim Dae Mun

Tired of eating at Plaza Singapura, I googled for food around the area. We ended up at Kim Dae Mun, located in the food court of Concorde Hotel. When we reached around 610pm, we were the first in the queue. By the time we finished at around 645pm, there was already a queue formed. The good thing about the food court in the evening is that it's very easy to find a seat. 

To view the variety of dishes, please click on the photos above and below to view their enlarged forms. 

I ordered the Spicy Shredded Chicken Set ($6.50). You could choose a side dish (kimchi, anchovies or cucumbers). I got the anchovies. There is a very generous portion of chicken on the hotplate and they make it an effort to inform you that they use water and not oil on the hotplate. The chicken is very tender. Below that mountain of chicken is some veggies to soothe your guilt of eating so much meat. I like the sweet and mildy spicy sauce and it goes great with rice. The anchovies were also very appetising. 

Yes, the food here is not bad. But I have tasted similar Korean food at some food places at similar prices. But if you are in the area and craving budget Korean food, you can drop by!

Kim Dae Mun Korean Cuisine

Concorde Hotel 
100 Orchard Road
Food Court at Level 1

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The Glass Castle

Just from the title of the book, The Glass Castle, you probably couldn't guess why it is titled so. This is the memoir of Jeannette Walls' which is so incredulous, sometimes you wonder how much of it is fact and how much of it is fiction. The thing about memoirs is that memories may get a little hazy due to the passage of time, or simply that, some things can look very different from different perspectives. 

(photo credit: The Turning Page) 

To many, Walls seems to have grown up in a highly dysfunctional family- an alcoholic father who is somewhat treated like an idol by Jeannette, a mother who only bothers about her lofty artistic dreams, two other sisters and a brother. The way the kids grew up was a little unimaginable- so unimaginable that it's actually surprising that the children are thriving today. Having to rummage through the dustbin during their breaks, having their mum steal the food when they already have that little, having over flowing trash in their yard because they couldn't afford garbage removal services, having their money saved up to go New York stolen by their father etc. 

And here's why it is titled Glass Castle. Jeannette's father always promised to build a glass castle for the children and he was a very powerful storyteller. Telling Jeannette and her brother that they had to dig a hole so that they could lay the foundation for the glass castle, only to have the hole later filled by trash, could be telling of why it is called a Glass Castle. Filling up dreams with lies and impracticality is probably what her Dad does best. 

A good read although being skeptical, I wonder how much of it is real because too many episodes happened when she really young. Despite this, overall I think it's a well-written book that will capture the heart of the reader. 

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Oversea Restaurant 海外天 (Singapore)

The first time I ate at Oversea Restaurant was in Kuala Lumpur. (Click here for a review of Restoran Oversea in KL). I'm not sure what took me so long to realise that it had a branch in Singapore, but better late than never. According to their website, it was set up in 2010. 

It was pretty empty on a Sunday afternoon with only a few tables occupied.

The BBQ Mixed (Char Siew and Roasted Pork) ($20) was a definite order as this is what they are known for. I'm going to quote word for word from my post in KL relating to this char siew and roast pork because the standard is consistent- consistently good. 

"Anyway, so the char siew here was both of the above traits mentioned- fatty and charred. I think people who enjoy eating the char siew here enjoy it precisely for the fats. The marinate was pretty good, but think clearly whether you are/are not a fat eater. That should be your sole determination as to whether you'd like to come here to have a meal. The 烧肉 here was VERY crispy. and i do mean VERY. So it crunches in your mouth and go KIAK KIAK KIAK. A little salty though, that's the trade off for crispy skin. But not bad overall."

The Fish Maw with Egg ($20) was an interesting combination that I haven't tried before. Wrapped together with the lettuce, it actually feels like a refreshing appetiser. The fish maw had a chewy texture.

This was the special of the day which is not on the menu. It was $12 and I actually have no idea what I was eating except for the fact that it was chicken. My least favourite dish that day although some of us said that they actually liked it and it tasted like rojak sauce (I choose to differ). The sauce tasted weird to me.

This is the dried shrimp with beancurd ($12). The sauce was a little salty but that's fine as long as it goes along with rice. The dried shrimp was deep fried and extremely crunchy. A plain dish, it may seem, but plenty of flavour (might be a little too salty for some).

Together with a Pan fried kai lan ($13), it worked out to $109.36 for six people. Tea was $2.20 per cup and rice was two dollars a bowl. No service charge. I think it's decently priced although I have to say that perhaps the only thing that you die-die-have-to-try is the char siew and roasted pork since it's well known in Kuala Lumpur for that.


Oversea Restaurant 海外天 (Singapore) 
Shaw Towers
Shaw Leisure Gallery

100 Beach Road
#01-27
Tel: +65 6294 2638

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