Still on our first full day, we joined a two hour+ walking tour of Chinatown conducted by Monster Walking Tours. (It's free; you tip the guide at the end, in accordance with your satisfaction). The tour was superb, best ever for me. In addition to the history, architecture, social/political insights, wit, etc., there were tastings, something unusual for general walking tours. But this is Singapore, and food is the national pastime. I have to do two posts.
 |
| En route to Chinatown, a traditional Chinese pharmacy |
 |
| Main street decor: it's the year of the rat |
 |
| Alley scene |
 |
Our tour begins with some architectural/social history: in an area of shop-houses
(shop at street level, residence on the upper floors) above is the peep-hole whereby
the proprietor can see who is calling |
 |
| Our guide, Collin |
 |
| A street of 19th century shop-houses |
 |
Indian temple in Chinatown; the Brits thought this was a
pagoda, hence, Pagoda Street |
 |
| Big moment: at the durian shop, Collin opens a durian for the tasting |
 |
Me, tasting, very bravely; the aroma is not so bad as people say; the flavors...
cheese, garlic, onion...the texture...repulsive...but J'ai ete la bas...Jai fait ca.
another once in a lifetime experience |
 |
| Street scene with historic colonial building |
 |
Chinese New Year tree...pussy willow, symbolizing growth,
prosperity, etc. |
 |
| Another colonial |
 |
| Some beautiful murals here and there in the off-alleys |
 |
So earlier we had figured these were cardboard New Year costumery; no, they're
to burn in honor/remembrance of deceased loved ones ("he so loved pink shirts") |
 |
| New Year decor |
 |
At the Chinatown Complex food hall, another tasting...this time popiah, a rhubarb
spring roll; she's drinking lemon tea, sugar cane juice for me |
 |
| From this place |
 |
Outside, the skyline, including a big building being enshrouded
in live greenery |
 |
| Our little tour group |
 |
More skyline; most Singaporeans live in flats in complexes like these; incredibly,
85% of Singaporeans own their own homes |
 |
| In the Buddha tooth relic temple |
 |
An amazing, huge silk embroidery; in the main hall, the embroidery was much
larger, but we couldn't get close enough for a decent photo |
1 comment:
You were brave to try the durian! I noted the plastic gloves--good safety measure. :)
Post a Comment