Darren

Having lived in the northern part of Singapore for most of my life, the chance to spend a day walking through the streets of Katong and Joo Chiat and visiting all the places provided to us was indeed memorable.

This part of Singapore is largely different than other places, as there appears to be a quaint serenity guarding this area. The rows upon rows of shop houses form the blueprint of the area and each step brought with it many unexpected surprises. One of which was the Chin Mee Chin Confectionery that we visited as one of our stops. Being a junkie for all things retro, the moment I stepped into the place, I was filled with amazement and a strong sense of anticipation for the surprises that were in store. Looking around and picking out different items from an era of the past, I was able to reconnect and started imagining what the place would have looked like decades ago. Then, I wondered perhaps it was not much different today from what it was in the past. People were still thronging in for their daily kaya toast and eggs fix, much like how the residents here decades ago would have done so. In a way, the essence of the eatery has remained regardles of the countless facelifts the area has undergone.

We were also fortunate enough to strike a conversation with one of the residents of the unique houses along East Coast Road. She was extremely hospitable and would have let us into her house if not for her dogs that she was not able to control without the presence of her daughter. Still, she gave us invaluable insight into the history of the area. She seemed immensely proud of being a resident of the area and I was sure the place had given her countless valuable memories. Memories that we hoped to tap on to help us along.

The strong hints of a Peranakan legacy in the area also appealed to me. The colours and vibrancy of the culture and not to mention the good food it is known for could be found in many bits and pieces within the area. Being an ethnic Chinese, it was an eye-opening experience to be able to walk into the various Peranakan themed and run establishments and be treated to a wide array of items unique to this culture.

The trail might have taken a physical toll on my body, however, the experiences I have gained more than make up for it. It was indeed a enriching trip that provided me with many pleasant surprises along the way.