DAY OUT: RESERVOIR

Solitude

DAY OUT: ARAB STREET (PART 2)

Among the things that I love about Arab Street and its surrounds are the old shophouses that had been given new lease of life by quirky owners.

Nestled amidst the well-conserved shophouses in Kampong Glam is the most impressive Muslim architecture in Singapore: Masjid Sultan (or Sultan Mosque).

The Sultan Mosque isn't the only mosque in Kampong Glam.  This is the Masjid Hajjah Fatimah (Malay for Hajjah Fatimah Mosque) on Beach Road:

And my favourite blue mosque - Masjid Malabar located at the junction of Victoria Street and Jalan Sultan:

DAY OUT: ARAB STREET (PART 1)

Last night I dreamt I was in beautiful and mystical Istanbul. There was such a familarity about the place that surprised me since I've never set foot on Turkish soil in my life.  Yet it was all so vivid, I could actually smell the aroma of spices of the Grand Bazzar!  (It might well be that my neighbour was grilling lamb kebabs in the middle of the night ..)

This week I made a trip to Arab Street.  I'm aiming for colours, bright and vivid.

The shop owner of the rattan shop is really something. He demanded to know how many photos I intended to take of his shop front. When I glared at him, he said, "You are only allowed three photos!"  What a pleasant fellow!