My Lunch Time Discovery

As I took a walk near my office, I discovered a short cut to Chinatown.

Though the area is drabby and old, I saw as many as 5 medical halls selling traditional chinese medicines.

The aroma of gingseng and herbs were overpowering, reminding me of their existence.

Tucked between the rows of medical halls was this quaint buscuit shop that must have close to 100 varieties of local biscuits and preserved fruits.

These fantastic food items can be bought in per 100gm. 

Unlike me buying a tin of assorted biscuits for $7.80 without choice of what I really like!

I was so happy that I bought 6 varieties! 

My damage amounted to $15.80.

I wish I had more bucks to spare as boy oh boy, I would love to splurge and buy up every variety available.

There goes the diet plan😃

Home Cooked Dishes By Bird Man

Above: Hainanese Pork Chop

Above: Chinese Greens with mushrooms

Above: Kangkong stir fried with garlic

Above: white clams stir fried with chili, garlic and spring onions

Above: coffee pork ribs

Work Freedom Day 16 – Ben & Jerry’s@Dempsey Hill

Mum and dad had a scoop each of BJ’s – dad had Salted Caramel and mum had Berries sherbert.

Still, mum did not like the taste and vouched that the lime sherbert served at her favorite Thai Restaurant off Eng Neo Avenue tasted best!

The setting was as pretty as a picture in pastels and having my parents sit in it was just picture perfect! As if out of some Hello Kitty type play land.

The sight of iPads on each table showed technology harnessed for ordering method. Save staff cost 😉 and considering the buzz more from BJ’s counter than their cakes and cupcakes section, I’d size that their business is not quite as exciting as BJ’s.

Dad pointed out to me how smart of them to use milk bottles as light holders. Innovative, suited the theme of milk in ice creams and easy to replace.

$13.00 for 2 scoops for a tummy and visual treat😃 – costly but fun!

The customers that came through as we sat and enjoyed the ambience were many.

An experience indeed!

Bird Man Returns From Sydney, Australia

Bird Man has been silent as he has been busy travelling from Hong Kong to China and to Vietnam for his business in avian matters.

Though he is unable to wrangle a job as the market is quiet, he has been “self employed” doing fairly well for self in the bird acessories business.

In fact he did so well that he went for a week in Sydney with his wife and 2 boys.

Bird Man used to live in Sydney for 6 years as a student there. Below photos are courtesy of Bird Man.

Sydney Opera House – One of the world’s wonders!

Oysters are his favorite…

Freshly shucked oysters….

Baked oysters with cheese…..

Yes…..Bird Man is a true blue Singaporean…..a foodie!!😃👍

And a great sunset to end his trip…

Today we sat and talked over “yum cha” (*dim sum lunch) about old times and we both wondered how long Electrical Lord would last.

We both felt karma would catch up with him in time.

The only good thing that came out of EL’s work place was my friendship with Birdman.

I told Birdman to have faith and believe that he makes a better business man than being an employee!

We all need to believe in selves as it is with self faith that we get to be where we want to be. 

Work Freedom Day 13 – Exploring Lower Pierce Reservoir

4pm…..34C temperatures cooling a little in the late afternoon, I felt it was the perfect time to explore lil red dot again with my parents.

We visited the heritage trail of Lower Pierce Reservoir that was completed in 1910 and the reservoir was constructed by the British in such a way that it branched across Kallang River. 

A rather faded plaque that describes the history of Lower Pierce Reservoir.

Mum was intrigued by this bush that bore red flowers.

It has been a while since I have seen Bracken Fern going in its natural habitat.

Flanked by the natural forestation, I saw heavily dug up grounds by wild boars that scavenged for food at night and a troop of long tail monkeys ripping off food from the vegetation along the reservoir hedges. One even posed for me!

Cheekily on close up….here’s looking at you babe!😉

Nature at its best! 

Work Freedom – Day 8, Exploring Local Cakes & Cookies

It is hard these days to find local lil red dot treats that are indigenous to our population of hungry eaters like me😉.

So I was delighted to see this array of local goodies at Tampines Hub.

Tampines Hub is a mix of sports, retail and food. 

Housing 6 swimming pools, a bowling alley and a stage for singers wanting to warble should they feel like it, this is a modern hub for residents of this area.

In the photo below, these are our local kuehs (*cakes). 

The colorful rainbow cake or kueh salat is yummy made of rice flour.

The green ones are custard top with a bed of glutinuous rice.

Below:

The first row of brown or orange cake in plastic wrapping with pointed corners or like a flower bloomimg resembles “prosperity” or called “huat kueh” is used for prayer offerings. 

It is widely used in taoist prayers for deities’ birthdays, 1st and 15th of the Chinese Lunar Calenders and other auspicious occasions.

The second row shows Teochew treats such as caramelised peanut clusters used for weddings or birthdays of seniors.

Below:

Preserved fruits in containers are pictured on 1st row. 

I loved the rainbow colored wafers…I remember these are so light to eat that I could chomp through a whole pack without feeling full!

Definitely yummy!!

Work Freedom – Day 6 Part 1 Botanical Garden, Tanglin Gate

Our UNESCO heritage Botanical Gardens has several entrances, Nassim Gate, Tanglin Gate and near Botanics MRT gate. 

There is a new area called the Buffer Zone which is a tree tops walk through wetland area. (*I have not vemtured into this part just yet)

Today I spent an hour walking through Tanglin Gate as I wanted to clock my 7,000 step goal.

Entering from the Botany Visitors Center, my horticultural experience began.

I am always in awe of the well kept greens. Small wonder as every nook or cranny I ventured to had a grounds keeper sweeping or pruning away.

A bubbling brook greeted me and I loved the lyrical sound of water flowing.

I saw this unique tree with netball sized fruits.

It had a lovely bloom, almost orchid like.

Feng shui perhaps? This giant boulder was water propelled as it rotated on its axis.

Sculptures or metal statues dotted the garden and it was nice to see these amidst the greenery giving it the “life” near seats or wooden chairs for visitors to rest and take in the view.

I saw this brick stone staircase and learnt it was made by Prisoners of War.

The path with a trellis covered by creepers led me to a lovely pond.

I spotted a feathered friend amongst the greenery of the pond. It stepped onto the lily pads to get across!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my walk tomorrow

Work Freedom – Day 6 Part 5 Botanical Gardens, Tanglin Gate

Below is Sun Dial Garden

Swan Lake

The lone swan in the shade…

Having reached the Eco Buffer zone, I had already walked 7,503 steps and my left leg had started to hurt.

I started my walk home.

As I breathed the pandan scented air, I felt refreshed.. I saw this lovely palm tree with a fantastically naturally braided trunk….as if like a baguette braided loaf!

Work Freedom – Day 6, Part 4 Botanical Gardens, Tanglin Gate

Off to the land of Bonsai or miniature trees land…

I then entered frangipani land.

I heard rustling in the leaves and saw a monitor lizard foraging for food.

Finally arrived at the entrance of Orchid Garden or near Nassim Gate.

Work Freedom Day 6 – Part 2 Botanical Gardens, Tanglin Gate

I took refuge in a full canopy of trees walk and sighted some heritage trees.

Heritage trees…

The name of above heritage tree shown above.

Next is the cacti garden…stay tuned.