Missed the beginning of Aunty's wander through the quiet streets of Dakota Crescent?
Come, let's revisit Part 1 before continuing our adventure!
Dakota Crescent – A Walk Through a Sleeping Estate Before Goodbye (Part 1)
The sky was gradually brightening as Aunty continued wandering through the quiet estate of Dakota Crescent.
In Part 1, we explored the deserted flats, empty corridors and familiar corners of a neighbourhood preparing to say goodbye.
But Dakota Crescent still had more stories to tell.
This time, Aunty's camera turned towards the little reminders of everyday life — old shopfronts, forgotten corners and traces of the people who once called this place home.
And look what greeted Aunty first… an old shop signboard still proudly hanging above its shuttered entrance!
The Signboard That Refused to Say Goodbye
Aunty: Hello, Tian Kee! Anybody home?
Signboard: Sorry, Aunty. Shop closed. Everybody has gone.
Aunty: Then why are you still hanging around?
Signboard: Somebody has to stay behind and tell the world we were once here, mah!
Behind that rusty gate, there must have been years of everyday stories — customers dropping by, neighbours chatting, and familiar faces coming and going.
Now the shop is silent, but its signboard is still proudly on duty.
The Silent Watchers
Aunty: Hello, windows! What are you staring at?
Windows: We're watching over the memories, Aunty.
Aunty: But there's nobody left inside!
Windows: That's why we must remember them all the more.
Once upon a time, these windows framed the everyday lives of families — children peeping outside, mothers calling their little ones home, and neighbours looking out for one another.
Now the windows are dark, but the stories behind them haven't disappeared.
Morning Has Broken…
Morning has broken… And what a beautiful sky to greet the day! ❤️🎶
Look at those soft blue shades and the wispy clouds, almost like somebody has gently brushed them across the sky.
Aunty: Good morning, Mr Sky! Finally awake, ah?
Sky: I've been awake all along, Aunty. You're the one who came out before the birds!
Aunty: Aiyoh, don't remind me! My bed must be missing me terribly!
Sky: Never mind lah. Look what you would have missed if you'd stayed in bed!
As daylight slowly crept over Dakota Crescent, the darkness began to lift — a new morning for a place nearing the end of its own chapter.
Another Morning, Without the Neighbours
Look at them! The little two-storey flats standing shoulder to shoulder, with the taller block keeping watch behind them. ❤️
And that pale morning sky… so peaceful, yet the whole place feels strangely lonely.
Aunty: Good morning, friends! Everybody awake already?
Flats: We've been awake all night, Aunty.
Aunty: Aiyoh! Why never sleep?
Flats: We're keeping watch over the place we once called home.
Aunty: But where are all your neighbours?
Flats: They've moved on… and all we have left are their memories.
Once, these windows would have welcomed the morning with familiar sounds — footsteps, conversations, doors opening and neighbours greeting one another.
Now, even with the sun rising, the estate remained quiet.
Isn't it strange? The buildings are still standing together, but the people who gave them life have already gone their separate ways.
Look at that lonely footpath stretching into the distance! And those street lamps are still glowing even though morning has arrived. 😄
But wait… those empty clothes-drying racks caught Aunty's eye! Once upon a time, they must have been very busy, hor?
From Laundry Ropes to Bamboo Poles
Looking at these empty racks at Dakota Crescent brought back memories of our family's move from Tanjong Pagar to an HDB rental flat.Back in our old home, laundry was simply hung on ropes tied across the airwell. We had no need for bamboo poles.
Having proper laundry racks behind our HDB unit was something new to me. Mama made full use of them, drying everything from clothes and bedding to her precious salted fish.
Aunty: Hello, laundry racks! Wah, seeing you brings back memories!
Laundry Racks: Really, Aunty? Were we famous in your childhood?
Aunty: Of course! But before I met you, our laundry used to hang on ropes stretched across the airwell of our old house in Tanjong Pagar.
Laundry Racks: No bamboo poles, meh?
Aunty: No need lah! We had our ropes. It was only after we were relocated to an HDB rental flat that we had laundry racks like you behind our unit.
Laundry Racks: Wah, then we must have been quite a novelty!
Aunty: You bet! Mama even had new bamboo poles. Mattresses, blankets, clothes — anything that needed sunshine went up there!
Laundry Racks: Anything else, Aunty?
Aunty: Her salted fish also! HAHAHA!
Laundry Racks: AIYOH! We thought we were a laundry service! How come suddenly become seafood drying centre?!
Looking at these empty racks at Dakota Crescent brought back memories of our family's move from Tanjong Pagar to an HDB rental flat.
Block 12 – The Staircase That Missed Its Footsteps
Aunty: Hello, Block 12! Still standing proudly, ah?
Block 12: Of course lah! My name and number are still here for everyone to see!
Aunty: Wah, and what a handsome staircase you've got!
Staircase: Handsome but lonely, Aunty. Nobody comes running up and down nowadays.
Aunty: Aiyoh, last time must have been very noisy!
Staircase: Children racing home, neighbours carrying groceries, families coming and going. Those were my busy days!
Aunty: Never mind, I'll take your photograph so people won't forget you.
Block 12: Thank you, Aunty. Make sure you capture my good side, hor!
From its familiar address signs to the long open corridors and external staircase, Block 12 still carried the character of an older HDB estate.
Once, every staircase led to someone's home and every corridor echoed with everyday life.
By the time of my visit, the residents had moved away, leaving the building standing quietly with its memories.
Hello… Anybody Home?
Aunty: Helloooo! Anybody home?Staircase: Shhhh! Aunty, lower your voice lah!
Aunty: Aiyoh! Still got people sleeping, ah?
Staircase: Don't know leh. But why take the chance?
Aunty: Okay, okay! I better tiptoe away before somebody comes out and scolds me!
Flowerpots: Oi, Aunty! What about us? We're still here keeping the place company!
Aunty: Oh yes! You all look very comfortable here. Carry on enjoying your morning sunshine, hor!
The staircase was quiet, but the potted plants still gave the landing a homely touch. It was easy to imagine how lively this corner must once have been, with neighbours tending their greenery and chatting along the corridor.
I decided not to disturb the peace and continued my little exploration.
A Staircase Worth Remembering
Staircase: Oi, Aunty! Never see a staircase before, is it? Why keep taking my photograph?Aunty: Seen plenty lah. But not another one quite like you.
Staircase: Aiyoh, what's so special about me? I'm just a few concrete steps!
Aunty: Because one day, I won't be able to see you again.
Staircase: ...
Aunty: So let me take one more photograph, okay? At least I'll have something to remember you by.
Some things seem so ordinary that we hardly give them a second glance — a staircase, a corridor, a familiar doorway.
Yet when we know they may not be around forever, even the simplest things become worth remembering.
Today We're Here… But What About Tomorrow?
Aunty: Hello, Mr Pathway! Where are you leading me?
Pathway: Towards tomorrow, Aunty.
Aunty: Tomorrow? But will tomorrow really come?
Pathway: For some things, yes. For others, tomorrow may bring a goodbye.
Aunty: Then what should I do today?
Pathway: Walk slowly, look around, and treasure what is still here.
Aunty: That's why I'm taking photographs. I want to remember today, even when everything changes tomorrow.
As I looked down the quiet pathway, I couldn't help thinking about how quickly familiar places can change.
The newer buildings would continue welcoming residents and new beginnings, while the old Dakota Crescent estate was waiting for its next chapter.
Tomorrow would come, of course. But would everything we saw today still be here?
Perhaps that was why I wanted to capture as much as I could during this early morning walk.
The Road That Forgot About Rush Hour
Aunty: Hello, Mr Road! Nearly 7 a.m. already! Where's your morning traffic?
Road: Aiyoh, Aunty! Don't ask me lah. I've been waiting too!
Aunty: Not even one car? One bicycle? One sleepy uncle going for kopi?
Road: Nothing leh! Today you and Ah Boy have the whole neighbourhood to yourselves!
Aunty: Wah! Private road, ah? No ERP, no traffic jam, no need to pay COE! WAKAKAKA!
Road: Enjoy it while you can, Aunty. I used to be much busier.
It was almost 7 a.m., yet Dakota Crescent remained unusually still.
There were no neighbours heading out for breakfast, no children rushing to school, and hardly any sign of the morning bustle that once filled this estate.
For a little while, it felt as though Ah Boy and I had the entire neighbourhood to ourselves.
But an empty road is not quite the same as a peaceful one. Sometimes, the silence tells a story of its own.
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