december-2011

From top: Bugis Street
Market; Upper Boon Keng
Market and Hawker Center.
Mosque, and even some inspiration
from fashion stores along Haji Lane. I
grabbed two lovely Chinese hairpins for
S$8 (US$6.40) each; such is Singapore,
where you’ll fi nd Chinese-themed items
in the Malay quarters. I ventured into the
must-visit retro Children’s Little Museum
(S$2/US$1.60) to see what it was like
before today’s technology. You can even
buy these “old school” items!
Dinner was a short walk from the
hostel. Geylang, Singapore’s famed
little naughty spot, is also a refuge for
the hungry. Have some beef kway teow
(S$5/US$4) at the popular Lorong
9 Beef Kway Teow Stall and take a
long walk down the lorongs (“alley” in
Malay), before coming back up the other
side and sampling some durian in one of
the numerous fruit stalls — if you dare.
Shoestring budget
for Day 1: S$89/
US$69.52
THE SHOESTRING DIARIES
Unlike typical street markets, the
items are not all the same and are
actually on trend, and the staff don , t
force you into stores
Day 2
Crossing the road and heading towards
the Upper Boon Keng Market and
Hawker Center, I grab a breakfast set
from Old Coffee Joint, which consists
of a cup of coffee, two slices of kaya
and butter toast, and two soft-boiled
eggs (S$2.40/US$1.90). Eat slowly and
revel in the moment; watch families
have breakfast in their pajamas and
old aunties going about buying fresh
produce from the wet market. You will be
witnessing everyday Singapore life here;
a scene not found in Chinatown, Little
India and defi nitely not Orchard Road.
Then I do some stretches and take
the train to Bugis MRT station (S$0.73/
{ 152 }
US$0.60), where some heavy duty
shopping was about to begin.
Bugis Street Market is a cheapoholic’s
(my own word for cheapo and
shopaholic) heaven. This is probably
the place to get all of your shopping
done, typical souvenirs included. From
watches to shoes to bags and even
naughty toys, this place gets choked
with bargain hunters especially on the
weekends. You will see why when you
get here. Unlike typical street markets,
the clothes are not all the same and are
actually on trend, and the staff don’t
force you into the stores. Oh, and don’t
be afraid to ask for a discount! Two