Two Chefs Eating Place @ Sin Ming

Sambal Kangkong

Fried Yam

Drunken Cockles

Butter Pork Ribs

The End

Dakota Crescent – A Walk Through a Sleeping Estate Before Goodbye (Part 1)

4 AM?! Aunty, Ah Boy was organising a heritage photography expedition or a military operation?! 🤣

Even the chickens hadn't reported for duty yet!

Aunty: "Ah Boy! Why must wake up at 4 AM?! Dakota Crescent won't run away what!"

Ah Boy: "Ma, they're going to redevelop the estate! Must go take photographs!"

Aunty: "But why so early?!"

Alarm Clock: "Don't look at me! I was just following orders!"

Look at those corridor lights glowing against the night sky. Most people were probably still enjoying their sweet dreams!

Aunty: "Ah Boy! You sure we're here to take photographs, not deliver newspapers?"

Ah Boy: "Ma, early morning got atmosphere!"

Aunty: "Atmosphere? I can't even see the buildings properly!"

Corridor Lights: "Lucky got us working overtime, hor!"

Another building standing in the darkness! This one looks almost like a sleeping giant, with just a few corridor lights keeping watch.

Aunty: "Hello, anybody awake up there?"

Building: "Aunty! What time you think it is?!"

Aunty: "Don't scold me lah! My Ah Boy dragged me here!"

Building: "Then go wake HIM up at 4 AM next time!"

I haven't eaten breakfast, but my SHADOW has already eaten a buffet!

Aunty: "Aiyoh! Haven't makan yet, why am I still so big big?!"

Shadow: "Excuse me, Aunty! Don't blame me lah! The streetlights stretched me!"

Aunty: "Then can you stretch me UPWARDS instead of SIDEWAYS?!"

Shadow: "Sorry hor! No slimming service available before sunrise!

First unexpected discovery at Dakota Crescent: Aunty's supersized shadow! 😂

Look at that lonely footpath stretching into the darkness! The sky is beginning to turn a little blue, but the streetlights are still on duty.

And not a single person in sight! WAKAKAKA!

Aunty: "Hello, hello! Where is everybody?"

Footpath: "All sleeping lah! Only you come jalan-jalan at this hour!"

Streetlight: "Aunty, faster take your photos! My shift ending soon!"

Aunty: "Don't switch off yet hor! I haven't finished exploring!"

Aiyoh, this one a little sad leh. Once upon a time, this laundry rack must have been surrounded by bedsheets, shirts, towels and aunties hanging out their washing. Now standing there with nothing to do. ❤️

Aunty: "Hello, laundry rack! Why so free today?"

Laundry Rack: "Aunty, everybody moved away already lah. No more clothes for me to hold."

Aunty: "Then you can enjoy your retirement loh!"

Laundry Rack: "Yalor… but I miss those colourful bedsheets dancing in the wind."

Aunty: "Never mind, today I'll take your retirement portrait!"

That loose string still dangling from the rack… it's like a tiny reminder of the everyday life that used to fill this estate.

Look at that beautiful blue dawn sky! The old flats, those magnificent trees, the neat little garden and the quiet road… such a peaceful neighbourhood leh. ❤️

And those zigzag staircases glowing in the darkness! Almost like the building is wearing a necklace of lights!

Aunty: "Wah, such a lovely neighbourhood! Why so quiet?"

Old Flats: "Our residents have moved away, Aunty."

Aunty: "Aiyoh, but you're still so beautiful!"

Old Flats: "Then take a nice photograph of me before I say goodbye, hor!"

Aunty: "Smile! You're going into my memory album!"

Look at those little squares, all arranged so neatly. And the lights shining through make them look like a giant checkerboard!

These old ventilation blocks had so much character, hor? Nowadays we don't see them as often.

Aunty: "Hello, wall! Why you got so many holes?"

Wall: "Aunty, these are for ventilation lah! Let the breeze come in!"

Aunty: "Then why you look like a giant chessboard?"

Wall: "Because I'm an architectural masterpiece, not an ordinary wall, hor!"

Aunty: "Wah! So many holes, but still so proud!"

Look at those old-fashioned zigzag window grilles! Once upon a time, somebody might have stood behind them watching the world go by.

Perhaps a mother waiting for her children to return from school? An elderly uncle enjoying the evening breeze? Or a little child peeping down to see whether Papa was coming home?

We shall never know, hor.

Aunty: "Hello, window! How many faces have looked through you over the years?"

Window Grille: "Aiyoh, Aunty! Too many to count lah!"

Aunty: "Any interesting stories to tell?"

Window Grille: "Plenty! But I promised the residents I wouldn't gossip!"

Aunty: "WAH! Even an old window knows how to keep secrets!"

The sky is slowly waking up, but the old flats are still wrapped in that lovely golden glow. And look at the palm trees standing quietly beside them!

Aunty: "Hello, lights! Why are you still awake?"

Lights: "Aunty, we're keeping the neighbourhood warm and cosy!"

Aunty: "But everybody has moved away already…"

Lights: "Yalor, but we can still give our old home one last warm hug!"

Aunty: "Aiyoh… then let me take a photograph before the sun takes over."

Meanwhile, Ah Boy still busy with his tripod somewhere! 

Look at that beautiful blue morning sky above the curved block. A new day is beginning, but the familiar morning routines have already disappeared.

No more lights flicking on in the flats. No more children rushing downstairs with their schoolbags. No more parents calling, “FASTER LAH! LATE ALREADY!”

Aunty: "Good morning, old friend! The sun is coming up!"

Old Block: "Good morning, Aunty. But my residents have all moved away."

Aunty: "No more children rushing to school?"

Old Block: "No more, Aunty. Even the morning rush has retired."

Aunty: "Then let me keep a little memory of you."

And hor, that gentle curve of the building is lovely! It gives the old flats such a distinctive character.

Look at Mr Lamp Post, still glowing so proudly beneath that enormous old tree. And behind him, the staircase lights are still shining, even though the residents have gone.

Two old friends nearing the end of their duties.

Aunty: "Good morning, Mr Lamp Post! Soon you'll be off duty, hor?"

Lamp Post: "Yalor, Aunty. The sun is taking over my shift."

Aunty: "But one day, this whole estate will be off duty too…"

Lamp Post: "I know, Aunty. I've watched over this place for so many years."

Aunty: "Then smile for my camera. I want to remember you."

Lamp Post: "Make sure you capture my good side, hor!"

A little WAKAKAKA through the sadness.

And Aunty, there's something touching about that huge tree beside him. The buildings may change, but I wonder how many mornings that tree and lamp post have greeted together.

One last photograph before the lights go out…

Aunty finally found a staircase that wasn't blocked! And up I went, camera in hand! 🤣

Wah, look at that view! The beautiful blue dawn, the palm-lined road and Block 18 Dakota Crescent standing proudly beside you.

Aunty: "Hello, staircase! Can I go up?"

Staircase: "Nobody stopping you, Aunty. But what are you looking for?"

Aunty: "Just a better view lah! I promise not to disturb anybody!"

Staircase: "Then climb carefully, hor! No lift service from me!"

Aunty: "Aiyoh! Even my legs have to work overtime today!"

When the Lights Are On, but Nobody's Home

Wah, look at that beautiful blue dawn sky! The old flats are still standing quietly, with a few corridor lights glowing. But downstairs, those boarded-up doors and windows tell a different story. No more neighbours coming out to greet one another. 😢

Aunty: Hello, everybody! Good morning!

Old Flats: Shhhh, Aunty… there's nobody left to answer you.

Aunty: Aiyoh… but your corridor lights are still on!

Old Flats: The lights haven't said goodbye yet, even though our families already have.

Somehow, that little bit of light made the deserted estate feel even lonelier.

And Aunty, that palm tree standing there like a faithful old neighbour… still keeping watch over the place.

When Neighbours Become Memories

As I wandered through the deserted estate, I couldn't help feeling a little sad.

I imagined the neighbours who had lived here for so many years, the children who grew up together, and the familiar little shops where residents had been regular customers for decades.

Then came the day when everyone had to say goodbye.

Some families might have moved nearby, while others went their separate ways, perhaps far from this familiar neighbourhood.

Would those childhood friends ever meet again? Would the neighbours who once greeted each other every morning still keep in touch?

I wondered how many tearful farewells these old buildings had witnessed.

A home is more than four walls and a roof. It's the people, the friendships and the everyday memories that make a neighbourhood feel like home.

To Be Continued…

The sky was slowly waking up, but Dakota Crescent remained strangely quiet.

With every step, Aunty found another little reminder of the lives once lived here.

But our early morning adventure wasn't over yet. There were still more corners to explore, more memories to uncover… and perhaps a few furry residents waiting to say hello!

Stay tuned for Part 2 — Aunty's walk down memory lane continues! 🐈

Dong Fang Hong 东方红 – A Korean-Chinese Makan Memory from 2014

A Little Makan Adventure from 2014!

Come, come! Aunty is taking everyone back to May 2014 for a makan adventure at Dong Fang Hong Korean-Chinese Restaurant in Far East Square, Telok Ayer Street.

Chinese name, Korean-style food? Aiyoh, sounds like an international affair already! WAKAKAKA!

Sadly, this restaurant has since closed its doors, but luckily Aunty's camera was there to capture the memories.

So, shall we turn back the clock and see what was cooking?

Aunty: "Dong Fang Hong? Sounds very Chinese leh! You sure you're Korean?"

Restaurant: "Aunty, don't judge me by my name lah! Come inside and see for yourself!"

RED RED everywhere!!!

Aunty: "Aiyoh! So much red! Chinese New Year came early ah?"

Restaurant: "Aunty, we're Korean-Chinese lah! Must welcome you with double happiness!"

Aunty: "Then where's my double portion of food?"

Aunty sees red, but tummy sees makan opportunity! 

Feng shui table for five secured! 🤣

Aunty: "Table for five, please! Must have good feng shui hor!"

Waiter: "No problem, Aunty. This table very auspicious!"

Aunty: "Good! Then hopefully the bill also auspiciously small!"

I like that dramatic purple ceiling drape leh! Looks like we're dining under a royal canopy. But hor, royalty also must pay the bill! 😂

Aunty studying the menu like sitting for an examination! 🤣

Tummy: "Aunty! Faster lah! I'm starving!"

Aunty: "SHHH! Let me think first!"

Tummy: "Think so long for what? Just order everything!"

Wallet: "OI!!! You two never ask my permission ah?!" 😂

Aiyoh, now even the wallet wants to join the argument!

Banchan – Little Appetisers Before the Main Event

Main dishes haven't arrived, but Tummy already recruiting Mouth for backup! 

Aunty: "Mouth, behave yourself hor! These are only the side dishes!"

Tummy: "Mouth! GANBATTE! Don't let her stop you!"

Mouth: "Aiyoh! One tells me to behave, the other tells me to attack! WHO DO I LISTEN TO?!"

Chopsticks: "Me lah! I'm the one doing all the work!"

Aunty ah, even the side dishes haven't escaped our family quarrel! WAKAKAKA!

Jajangmyeon – My First Korean-Style Encounter!

Look at that generous blanket of black bean sauce! Aunty's noodles playing hide-and-seek underneath! 

Aunty: "I've eaten plenty of Chinese versions, but Korean-style jajangmyeon? First time leh! Let's dig in!"

Tummy: "CLAP CLAP CLAP! Finally! The main event!"

Noodles: "Hello! Before you eat, can somebody rescue us from underneath this black blanket?"

Aunty: "Don't worry! My chopsticks are coming!" 🤣

Sweet & Sour Pork – An Old Childhood Favourite!

Aunty's childhood favourite has arrived! And look at those colourful peppers and onions mingling with the pork!

Aunty: "Aiyoh, my favourite since childhood! Who can resist that tangy sauce?"

Sweet: "Aunty, I'm here to make you happy!"

Sour: "And I'm here to make your mouth water!"

Tummy: "Enough introductions lah! BOTH OF YOU COME INSIDE!" 🤣

This dish really knows how to tempt people! That glossy sauce coating the crispy-looking pork — no wonder it's been a favourite all these years!

Crabmeat Soup with Scorched Rice – Slurp Slurp!

Aunty, that big pot of soup looks so comforting leh! And the red spoon already standing by for action! 

Aunty: "Ooooh! This reminds me of Chinese 锅巴! One of my favourites too!"

Soup: "Come, Aunty! I'm waiting for you!"

Spoon: "Excuse me! Can you stop admiring and start scooping?"

Tummy: "SLURRRRP! Aiyoh, heavenly!"

Aunty: "Mmmm! Just like Chinese 锅巴! Still got a little crunch leh!"

Scorched Rice: "Of course lah! I haven't surrendered to the soup yet!"

Soup: "Never mind, give me another five minutes!"

Aunty: "Five minutes? Sorry hor, you'll be inside my tummy by then!" 🤣

Aiyoh, even the rice fighting for its last bit of crunch!

A Little Memory from 2014

Back then, Aunty wasn't really into blogging yet. People took photographs, so Aunty also took loh! WAKAKAKA!

Who would have thought that these casual snapshots would become precious memories years later?

Dong Fang Hong has since closed its doors, but at least this little makan adventure has found a permanent home in Aunty's blog.

Camera: "See lah, Aunty! Luckily you brought me along!"

Aunty: "Yalor! At that time I didn't even know you were helping me collect memories!"

Tummy: "Excuse me! I also contributed hor! Without me, where got makan adventure?"

And with that, another little chapter from 2014 is lovingly tucked away in Aunty's memory album. ❤️