Durian Challenge

Earlier this month, Chun See threw a challenge for some bloggers to name 5 places where you still could find durians in Singapore. Contrary to the title of this blog, I didn't take up the challenge as I was pre-occupied with another incidental topic.

However, The New Paper seemed to have gotten wind of Chun See's article and today it published an article seemingly in answer to Chun See's challenge. The article is reproduced below. (You have just saved yourself 80 cents which can go towards buying yourself a grapefruit-sized durian.)

As for me, I would rather pay for my durians than to risk getting a hundred puncture wounds in my skull while going in search for free durians. And indeed, I just paid $5 for a very good durian sold at Marine Parade Central yesterday. No fighting with fellow durian-pickers, no enduring of mosquito bites, no driving 20 km to Punggol end and no waiting for long hours. Isn't $5 worth paying for all those exemptions? You decide.

TRIUMPH: Mr Tay Joo Mong found this large specimen in the forest near Punggol Road.

A Business Proposal For Marina Bay - Will It Work?

(This is an article written by my friend Peter Chan.)

"Singapore needs to plan for and invest in our city so as to safeguard our position as a premier place for business and talent. With its waterfront location and availability of unencumbered land, the Downtown at Marina Bay can be Singapore's competitive advantage, providing the opportunity to develop a unique business and financial hub as a seamless extension to the existing CBD (Central Business District)."

Photo 1: Model of the Downtown at Marina Bay

“The planning vision is to develop the area to provide prime office space for global business and financial institutions, complemented by a full range of residential, shopping, dining, and cultural and entertainment activities. Hence, the Downtown at Marina Bay will not be just a place for work but will be a business and financial hub that is integrated with quality housing and recreational and leisure facilities to provide a total live-work-play environment.” URA Vision Statement (2004)

So far, the progress has been very impressive:

Photo 2: Left; Marina Sands Casino, Right; One Raffles Quay, The Sail and Marina Bay Financial Center.

Hmmm…another project, another concrete jungle! How about some rustic charm that beats everything that has been called “entertainment” so far?

Photo 3: Floating Bar & Restaurant in the middle of Marina Bay with transfer service from pick-up points at Clifford Pier, Marina Sands Casino and the Promontory@Marina Boulevard.

Photo 4: Options for Transfer Services; “Quickie Quickie” or “Slow Boat”.

Photo 5: If you happen to lose your way, just look out for these prominent signboards.

Photo 6: On-board the deck is the “watering hole”, there will be space for a bar and a restaurant. Diving is also permitted.

Photo 7: Variety and reasonable prices on food and drinks.

Will this proposal work?

Third Shot Of Club Street

Above: Club Street from Ann Siang Hill (Circa May 1998)


Above: Club Street from Ann Siang Hill (Circa 2006)


Above: Club Street from Ann Siang Hill (Recent photo)

After several second shot attempts, it is time to up the ante and attempt a triple shot. Alright, I admit I cheated - the first two photos above were taken from this link. Also, the third photo could have matched the first two better. But believe me, this was yet another of my "last-minute" attempts.

Club Street extends from Ann Siang Hill on one end to Cross Street on the other. It is located in the vicinity of Chinatown and is another part of old Singapore where many pre-war houses have been conserved. Nothing much has changed in the architecture of these houses for the past century or so, except perhaps for some repainting and minor renovation done.

However, most of these houses are used differently now compared to yesteryear - from being mainly shopfronts below and residential abodes above to mainly bars, restaurants, boutiques and curios shops.

Below is the entry in Singapore The Encyclopedia on Club Street:

"Located in Chinatown, Club Street's name is believed to have been derived from the various Chinese clubs and associations sited along the thoroughfare. However, the establishment of Chinese clubs in the area was gradual, and occurred over a long time, so this explanation seems unlikely. The name may have originated from one particular club in the area, perhaps the Chinese Weekly Entertainment Kee Lam Club (established in 1891), or the Chui Lan Teng Club (approximately the same vintage). Recently, a number of restaurants and bars have opened along the street, rejuvenating the area."

For more information on Club Street, you can read Wikipedia's entry here. Below is a view of Club Street from Cross Street side, reproduced from the same link.