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Hi & goodbye Kai. Hello XueLun, Tey! - news posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 17:53
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------------------- Kai's Thoughts ------------------- Q: What place/activity that you think is fun that travelers know little about? A: Everyone has a different idea of ‘fun’, but I believe it’s the local life and culture of a city that is to be held responsible for at least half the victims of wanderlust. I think seeing the local towns are something of interest the many travelers do not get the chance to see. Where people live and where they spend their time, not just the city and Chinatown etc, would be something travelers would find interesting. See it to believe it. Q: What are the bargain buys in Singapore? A: Local designed shoes and clothes can be found at very fair prices, especially if you’re not picky about the brand names, neighbourhood shops are places where you can get them pretty decent and cheap. Music CDs are generally good buys in Singapore too. Smaller music shops such as Sembawang Music store are usually 10-15% cheaper than larger, more extensive stores such as HMV, which are already considerably cheaper than overseas. These larger stores do however, have a much wider selection of music. The well known bargain buys in Singapore are electronics such as digital, video cameras and computers etc. For the guarantees of genuine and ‘original’ goods, electronics are value purchases. Of course, ‘bargain’ is relative to where you’re from, and where you’ve been visiting. What are your memories of Old Katong? A: I grew up in the Eastern side of Singapore, in the Tampines area. Parkway Parade in Marine Parade was a pretty special place. The games arcade especially, was a special treat on occasional weekends. Shopping trips (rare!) were held there. Vegetarian buffets, lunches at the food court followed by an afternoon at the bookshops (Popular/MPH) took up Saturday afternoons. I was a regular at the Indian barber in the basement as well! Cycling on East Coast and Pasir Ris beach were Sunday morning family activities. When you are away from Singapore, what do you miss? A: I’m not that huge a foodie (unlike most Singaporeans) but I do miss Nasi Lemak and laksa quite a big deal. Sea coconut and aloe vera with lime (Iced dessert). I miss my friends. Sometimes I just miss being in Singapore, simply cos it’s home. But most times, I miss my own bed in my own room. What is the craziest thing you’ve done in your life? A: Bully a kid two years my junior when I was staying in boarding school. Age: 15. Crime: Grabbed him when he was asleep in the middle of the night and hauled him into a tiny wardrobe. Held the door shut. Laughed evilly when he cursed at us. The kid turned out to be helluva sportsman. Motive: Payback for being verbally abused half our associated time. Victim: Names are withheld (The kid turned out to be helluva sportsman) Accomplice: See above. Fine. That was mean, not crazy. Stop looking at me with despise in your eyes. I’m a sane, wholesome boy. I don’t do crazy things. ------------------- XueLun's Thoughts ------------------- Q: What place/ activity that you think is fun that travelers know little about? A: Definitely the heartlands; something that most guidebooks bypasses, yet so crucial to the real experience of ‘cultural exchange’. A walk through the heartlands (guided or not) and you’re bound to discover something that you’ve never encountered/ given thought to in your life. Weather it’s herbal tea from a Chinese medical hall, durian from the market, conversation with the coffeeshop lady, somewhere out there is certainly going to make your day and bring a smile to you face. Q: What are the bargain buys in Singapore? A: Unfortunately it’s not going to be something tangible that you can bring home to your folks- FOOD! Especially those piping hot dishes that you get from hawker/ food centres. It’s amazing how these hawkers churn out such great and cheap eats from their little, but well-equipped, kitchen cubicle. Not to mention that our local dishes is also a fine exemplary of Singapore’s heritage and racial integration/ assimilation. Q: What are your memories of Old Katong? A: Not much actually. Vaguely remember going to East Coast Park/ Parkway Parade with my family every fortnight when I was really young (that must be when I was really ignorant and brave, when I wasn’t afraid of other cyclists sharing the same bike lane!). Certainly a family-friendly hangout with recreational amenities, bike rentals, bowling alleys, food centre… My good friend from college used to study at Katong. Hence Parkway Parade was a place we could get really tasty grass jelly, huge serving of mee rubus, fine hours spent in book store… Q: When you are away from Singapore, what do you miss? A: Honestly I’m 1 of those who’s dying to get out of Singapore all the time. But as I thought hard about this question, here’s my answer (and I wonder if that what I really want) - FOOD! Everytime I’m away from Singapore, I’ll miss chicken rice! Yes you’ve got that right, it’s just chicken + rice. But what I’m really missing is the garlicky, gingery chilli sauce that goes with the pandan-scented rice… - Late night shopping; being able to buy stuff (food included) at 9 in the evening… - Some call it racial harmony, some racial tolerance. I’ll say it’s the respect for differences. Being aware of differences and accepting them for what they are… Q: What is the craziest thing you have done in your life? A: I think I must have taken life too seriously to do even the slightest thing that would invite weird stares. And if I ever do anything crazy, it MUST be under the (devilish) influence of alcohol and that’s that… I probably won’t recall enough to share them with you. ------------------- Tey's Thoughts ------------------- Q: What place/ activity that you think is fun that travelers know little about? A: - The army market that I frequent very often. This is a place where I get cheap camping gear, backpacks, embroidered my name on my cap! - Prawning at Pasir Ris Park. I ever spent 5 hours in the rain without a single catch! Q: What are the bargain buys in Singapore? A: 2nd hand phones, gadgets, t shirts, bags… Q: What are your memories of Old Katong? A: Well, to be honest, I don’t have any impression of Katong. The only thing I remember is Katong Laksa! Q: When you are away from Singapore, what do you miss? - The FOOD of course. My favourite curry chicken, mince pork noodles with meat balls, pigs’ intestines, satay, bbq chicken wings, hokkien mee… yum yum.. Q: What is the craziest thing you have done in your life? A: I signed up for a thousand dollars course when I don’t have a job! But of course I managed to handle that and pay off all my debts already =) |
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