Leisure Farm

Sprawling Vistas With Varied Homestyles

 



Bungalow Homes with ready built swimming pools

Equestrian Club for the riding enthusiasts

In my previous posts I had featured some noteworthy properties which I thought you should look into if you are looking at properties in Malaysia, and specifically Johor.  You can read more on Forest City, East Ledang & Country Garden developments by clicking on them.

 

Leisure Farm must have been the first major developer who saw the potential of building an upscale residential cum golf resort near to Singapore in Nusajaya to attract the high net worth retirees and expatriate community to live and play in Malaysia, while working in Singapore.  In the last 20 odd years when I lived and worked in Singapore, we must have visited (and then contemplated buying a villa in Leisure Farm) the resort living development umpteenth times for its Leisure Farm villa stays - an initiative which we thought was very innovative in marketing its products to would-be buyers.  Alas, given that it is an upscale precinct, our bank account just was not fat enough to buy into Leisure Farm - but all's well that ended well - as we are very happy with our kampung home nearby.

 

What is different in Leisure Farm is it caters to the rich's varied home configuration preference - from acre-lot homes with sprawling backyard and flowing creek to townhomes with lake views.  We stayed in several of the model homes leased from our very friendly sales manager Ms Poreen - as we were then seriously contemplating living in Leisure Farm.  Our weekends were spent lounging by the poot or having teas at the Equestrian Club while the kids rode on Dolly the mare.

 Source: Leisure Farm

 Over the years, we had also organized many a gatherings and parties at the above facilities - from our anniversaries, birthdays to festive holiday get-togethers like Christmas and New Year's Eve coutdowns - at the upscale Bale clubhouse.  The staff mostly speak English as the expat community there is rather large - and they are very helpful and diligent in getting all the facilities and equipment in place within a short notice.  However, you would need to go to the venue at least once or twice before the event to ensure what they are offering tally with what you need and expect - email communication or phone conversation may not work so well in terms on both parties being on the same page.

 

USEFUL INFORMATION

Going there is best by driving your private car or rental vehicle.  From Singapore Woodslands Causeway, take the new Coastal Highway towards Nusajaya or Legoland.  Look for Gelang Petah and follow the "Leisure Farm" signs to destination. 

 

From Singapore Tuas 2nd Crossing, it is just 10 minutes' drive after the Malaysian toll.  Look for the Gelang Petah exit on your left (it will be just after the Rest Stop as you pass the toll) and then follow the "Leisure Farm" signs to destination.

 

If you are not buying into Leisure Farm - do go Jalan Jalan there, your idea of lux living will be sublimed by this haven.

 

Nurseries in Johor Bahru

Green Green Grass  Of  Bloom

Tropical Fruits Galore

I see many of my friends trying to buy plants and bonsais back to Singapore and are always being stopped at customs as plants and vegetation in soil condition (even in pots) are not allowed.  So visitors need to bear in mind on top of a host of forbidden items at customs, live plants are also not allowed to be crossing customs without proper documentation.

Here are some of the best around Johor Bahru area for your next nursery visits in Johor Bahru. 

KATSURA GARDEN

Katsura Garden
At Katsura, near Sutera Mall - which I will feature in future posts - you will find your family spoilt for a lazy afternoon soiree.  While some family members shop for plants and garden items at the sprawling compound, others could laze at its cool tiki huts for their afternoon tea break.

Besides the usual tropical plants, shrubs and bonsais, Katsura stocks a wide array of home and garden pottery ware.  We bought our front door Fu Lions from here, and most of our landscape plants are also delivered and planted by its friendly staff.

The garden tiki hut serves coconut drink, refreshingly cold and quenching fruit rojak, nasi lemak, otak and such.  And if you are looking for fresh fruits, this is the place too.  All seasonal fruits from durians, rambutans, jackfruits, longans, lychees on top of the staples like bananas, melons, papayas etc are always stocked to the brim due to its location along the main thorougfare where local residents and Singaporean visitors ply.

Katsura is along near Sutera Mall, driving towards Bukit Indah at Jalan Sutera Danga, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor.










Riverview Flora
Driving along Taman Sutera towards Bukit Indah, half way you will find Riverview Flora – this is where we had bought bigger ticket items – outdoor palms and oversized decorative urns and stone furniture for the garden.  Its owner Joshua is a young and helpful entrepreneur.  We had wanted a species of beach grass for our garden – and he was able to source for us, albeit after a few weeks.  My very specific-in-what-she-wants partner was elated as the grass now decorate the front entrance of our home.

RIVERVIEW FLORA

Although it does not have as wide an array of garden decor knick knacks as Katsura, it does carry unique items which you may not find in other nurseries.  Our garden water-mist fans for example were bought from here for just MR500 each, when in Singapore we were  quoted more than twice as much I recalled.

Riverview is along Taman Nusa Bestari heading towards Sutera Mall at PTD 118566, Jalan Danga, Taman Nusa Bestari, Skudai, Johor.

BL Blooming
Finally, is the new kid on the block which sprang up from Katsura Group due to the number of new homes achieving their occupancy permits and new residents seeking landscaping for their new gardens in the area.  As you can surmise, given that it is the closest to where most Singaporeans and expats live in Nusajaya, you probably have to pay a little more for the well-kept nursery.

BL BLOOMING

 It is even starting to showcase pets for the kids to have fun and taking selfies with (pets caged of course).  BL is just off Sultan Iskandar highway along Jalan Rawa at Lot 51713 PTD 32090, Jalan Rawa, Taman Perling, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor.

 

Chicks Galore

KAWAN KAWAN means FRIEND FRIEND

If you chance to be staying or be around Good Hope Hotel - there is hope for good food just around the corner. Restoran Kawan -  just steps across from the old but quaint hotel - offers morning spread of local fried bee hoon with their famous home condiments such as runny & sunny side ups, bean curd skin, tofu, the nine yards. 

What we find different is that the condiments to go with the bee hoon are more fragrant and tasty - perhaps due to the stall's home-made ingredients and food being fresh-cooked in the kitchen out back. 

By 7am, local folks rushing to work are already making a bee line for the delicious fare, while those who have more time to enjoy a lazy morning cup of coffee and breakfast - could chow down their food al fresco at the shady and breezy sidewalk.

Whenever we visit this neighborhood, we have to pair our been hoon with the chicken, char siew and roast pork rice - sinful but you only live once!  The plates are just MR4 or S$1.40 each - how divine is that to find traditional fare cooked to perfection, and served quite appetisingly if I may add - at Singapore prices of yesteryears?

I had mentioned before that my mornings are never complete without a good local cup of kopi.  Here at Kawan Restoran they serve the Ipoh White Coffee which I had also learned to cherish - so each time we are here, I would pair the scrumptious food with their white coffee - served piping hot in a mid-size glass mug....sedap (delicious) !!!

Thank you Kopi Soh (I was told to call her that and it means Coffee Aunty) for making my mornings with that delicious mug of white coffee!

Go Makan & Jalan!

Kawan Restoran is opposite Good Hope Hotel on Jalan Ronggeng 11.
GPS Coordinates: 1.529863, 103,664882
Open Mondays to Saturdays from 7am until food runs out around early afternoon.

You can stay at Good Hope on a budget at Agoda or Booking.

Dim Sum Jolly

You Say Taro I say Yam

Many Singaporean and Malaysian friends of ours love their dim sum (I have heard some say Yum Cha which literally means Drink Tea) breakfast and we are no exception.

We would go for our early morning walk and then head straight for our dim sum hideout at Tun Aminah, Johor Bahru.  The location  is as local as can be - situated at a corner shophouse, just across from the Tasek Mall - another very local shopping center where you will not find tourists and where we love to go Jalan Jalan (roam around) or shop for groceries at The Store after our dim sum breakfast.

To me this place has the best fried yam balls - with juicy lean meat inside - just the way I like them.  Give me the balls, a good bowl of century egg porridge and local kopi C Siu Dai ( coffee with evaporated milk and less sugar) to wash down my chow, and I will be a happy camper.

My partner loves their homemade char siew pao and turnip pancakes too.  They have a wide array of paos - from sweet to savory,  and a host of other fried and steam dim sum delights which my Singaporean relatives went berserk in ordering whenever we bring them.

All items are made fresh by the shop owner family whose members - from the grandparents to the grandchildren - all help at serving and running the morning-only business.  It is also very heart-warming to see a family happy and friendly at work - even when it is 7am in the morning!

YEW YEE Dim Sum 
is along Jalan Tun Aminah
GPS Coordinates: 1.517002, 103.658352

Malaysia Boleh

Does Your Car Suspension Feel Hard & Harsh?

 SOURCE YOUTUBE

I do not know if most drivers in Singapore and Malaysia feel the same as I do, but with heightening car ownership and the plethora of mega building projects around us - hence heavy vehicles aplenty - the roads are getting increasingly ill-maintained, leaving the bitumen surface worn out, or worse, with an obstacle course of pot holes.  I was once driving a 4X4 Chevrolet Truck hoping to circumvent these bumpy rides, but to no success - and eventually we switched back to saloon car as the truck was also too high for the lady and the kids.

Well I eventually found a cheap solution and the difference in the ride on all the cars I have retrofitted is just night and day.  How do I know?  As a car guy, I feel the pain every time one of my cars go over a pot holes or those omnipresent speed bumps in my neighborhood.  And that is exacerbated by my partner's not-too-refine lady driving (ok I take that back....apologies to all ladies!).  Ever since I had every car retrofitted with the Power Cushion Buffer from Germany brand AMT, the ride is much smoother, the suspension feels buffered (especially over bumps) and the best of all, I feel like I am protecting the suspension systems and making them last longer on my cars.

Trust me, there is only so much funds at bank to go around replacing shocks, springs and suspensions on my cars. - so I gotta make my cars run well and stay on the road for as long as possible.

Brother's at Taman Universiti

You can get the buffer pads at the best price of around MR50 per set of 2 at BROTHERS Carlife Store.  I like to go to the branch at Taman University as the boss lady Ms Wong gives me a good discount for all my cars.  Remember, specific pads fit specific make and model.  So buy the right ones, or better yet, drive your car there so that the mechanics can position the buffers in case your make or model is not listed - they can find one that fits.

Brother's Also Retrofit The Cushion

After that, you may fit them at Brother's or just go to any suspension shop to get it fitted in properly - you need around 1 hour - so you can go Jalan Jalan at U Mall or just drink some kopi around the myriad selection of cafes there.  Remember this - suspension uncles and mechanics make money when your car suspension is worn and needs replacement.  So they want your suspension to wear down soonest possible to keep their business running - cruel but true.  Be firm when they give you a song and dance about "It won't work", "Why don't you change your springs?" or this and that to discourage you from retrofitting the buffer pads. This is because on top of it being a tough job, they know the pads keep your suspension functioning longer. Your effort will pay off when you drive the car and immediately feel the glide and ride of a Jaguar's suspension!

If all else fails and you are not able to find a shop near Brother's to fit the pads - go to my suspension buddy called Chong from Mincent Car Auto at Bukit Indah.  He had retrofitted all my cars and tell him that "Crazy Ang Moh" sent you!  His fee is about MR100 for all 4 pads depending on how difficult it is to retrofit them on your suspension.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Brothers Carlife Store
38 Jalan Kebudayaan 1A
Taman University, Johor
Tel +607 521 5240
GPS 1.541182, 103.632474

Mincent Car Auto Service
73 Jalan Indah 16/11
Taman Bukit Indah
Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel +607 236 8386
Shophouses near Petronas Gas Station

Blepharoplasty In Bangkok

An Eye For Eyes 

The Vampire Lift Effects Were Quite Dramatic

 

My ex was a beauty by an everyday man's standard - and even though she is my ex, I must say she still is a raving beauty.  So I was always very curious why she was always complaining about her body or her facial features - especially her beautiful Lucy Liu-esque eyes - to which I was attracted when we first met.  She had her first double eyelid operation done when we first married decades ago in Singapore. Even then it cost S$2000 at a plastic surgeon's clinic. 

That lasted her for about 15 years before dissatisfaction set in, and we had to accompany her to Kuala Lumpur for a "consultation" which culminated in her having another pair of new lids.  It was not long before dissatisfaction set in within a year when the lids were obviously not "balanced" and "too Caucasion" for her.

We then set forth for Thailand where such double eyelid surgery called Blepharoplasty is immensely popular.  Our Thai supplier's wife was very helpful in showing us around and recommending us the ones either she or her friends had visited.  I for one was very grateful as I was not sure of the plastic surgery standards then - but my Thai friends gave us the reassurance that they had researched on the Thai language forums to make sure none were blacklisted or had bad reviews.  I was suitably reassured. 

Here goes.  There were 2 hospital recommendation if cost was an issue.  The common folk hospital for plastic surgery is YanHee.  But after checking with her friends back home, my ex felt that the feedback was too inconsistent for her.  Unless you are local and know exactly which local has been consistently good, you would be at the mercy of an English speaking marketer - who arbitrarily match you to a doctor who happens to be available.

There was also Bumugrad.  Our visit there was productive as the hospital was near Bangkok central, and the consultation with the doctor there was professional and sincere.  But the price was considerably higher than that of Yan Hee's.  So she decided to go to the other clinics recommended before deciding.

Next stop was Dr Pichet's clinic who emailed her his introduction ahead of our appointment DrPichetVideo.  Again, a kind doctor who listened to her concerns and was willing to perform the operation, and even recommended a canthoplasty to address her concerns of aging small eyes (what???? I remembered asking in frustration then!).



Her Eyes Were Revised Laterally - Canthoplasty

DrChartchaiClinic was professionally friendly and took his time to listen to her concerns and did not rush her into any decision. Dr Chartchai is a brilliant surgeon who works independently in a hospital. His cost are higher approximately 45,000 THB for upper eye lid.  He was quick to offer Dr Sutin and Dr Burin who had performed over one thousand eye lid surgeries, with of about about 26,000 THB (that is what my ex paid a long time ago in Singapore).

DrKamolClinic was a bit distant but we were glad she took the trip.  Dr Kamol is a leading professor in plastic surgery - and from the way he examined and tucked at her eyes, you could tell it was a master artisan at work. His assistant Khun Tak spoke perfect English and even showed us on the Thai forum that Dr Kamo was voted best for advanced Blepharoplasty procedures - which explains the prices - they are on the higher end.

Our last stop for what had been known in our family as the "Bleep Bleep Trip" (because the entire 5 day trip was spent visiting doctors and clinics - okay we did squeeze in some shopping, dining and massages) was  DrPatClinic.  The highlight of the visit was that Dr Pat pioneered his own technique for treating a common Asian eye problem called ptosis - which I belief is either uneven eyelids or lazy eye condition.  His before and after photos were very impressive:

  "Ptosis is a medical condition defined as drooping of the upper eyelid due to paralysis or disease, or as a congenital condition."

My ex ended going back on a trip with her friends to Dr Kamol for her 3rd Blepharoplasty - because "he is the best according to Thai forum chats" and specializes in the current "Korean natural eyefold as opposed to the Caucasian folds".

We subsequently went back again to Dr Pichet to do her Canthoplasty which Dr Kamol for some reason was not able to do on her previous trip:

Useful Information:
 
Dr Chartchai Clinic
Contact Sara Williams 
Email: info@intermedisol.com

Dr Kamol Clinic 
Email: kamolplastic@gmail.com

Dr Pichet Clinic
pichet@bangkokplasticsurgery.com

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Our Helpful Server's Name is Tiffany

With increasing frequency, we are encountering "foreign labor" of a different kind in Malaysia.  When we are in Kuala Lumpur, we were very often served by staff from Pakistan and India.  Over in Penang and Melacca, we believe most F&B staff were recruited from Nepal or the Philippines who speak good English for the sake of the tourists.

TONG SENG EATERY

Over in Johor Bahru, we find more and more service industry employees are from far flung states of Malaysia like East Malaysia.  They may be Christian Malaysians who look Malay, since they go by Anglo names.  We were served by Tiffany this morning when we went for our favorite morning Wonton Noodles and freshed rolled Chee Cheong Fun at Jalan Perwira 3 corner coffee shop, I believe it is called TONG SENG kopitiam.

The place is non descript so please do not expect bells and whistles.  But the flurry of local folks in their work clothes and jammies makes you feel nostalgic and that you have chosen the right spot for great steaming local fare - not the pre-cooked air-conditioned Food Court fare.

Wonton or Wan Tan - just as delicious!

The wonton noodles is one of the best in this vicinity.  The roast pork is of the lean kind, unlike some I tried in Singapore and Malaysia who use fatty pieces.  They provide five generous dollops of wonton in a bowl of soup.  Just like I like my spaghetti al dente, my noodles must be like what my partner said "kew kew" for springy.  SLURP!

Fast Disappearing Craft of Fresh Rolled Chee Cheong Fun

Another favorite of mine is the fresh hand rolled chee cheong fun (steamed rice flour rolls).  You can order plain or rolled with roast pork or prawns.  The samba chilli is not my cup of tea, but according to my ascerbic tongued partner - it is to die for!  Rarely can you find these fresh rolled delicacy in fast-pace Singapore as hand rolling the dish takes time.  But this gentleman makes it an art and the steaming velvety rolls make it well worth the short wait.

Tong Seng eatery can be found at junction of Jalan Perwira 4 and Jalan Perwira 3. GPS coordinates: 1.523891, 103.664137.  They are closed by the early afternoons.

Why Singapore Malaysia Thailand?

3 Pronged Strategy To Passive Income

My last few posts detailed how I had applied my 3-pronged approach to achieving my current ability to live in and commute between my three adopted homeland - Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  




Imperial Garden of Tokyo - Autumn Splendor...LOVE IT!

In STEP ONE, I had given you my story on how to maximize money income from high net worth Singapore through the purchase of low cost government housing.

In STEP TWO, I had detailed how NOT to live in the investment home in the high net worth country, but move yourself off shore to a country where you can find cheaper housing - which I find both Thailand and Malaysia appealing in this respect. I am happy to see one of my adopted home countries - Malaysia - voted 3rd best country to retire in by expatriates - according to a survey by International Living. 

Even the King of Johor - Sultan Ibrahaim Sultan Iskandar - reiterated his wish in a recent news interview that Singaporeans will buy homes in Johor and live in Johor while working in Singapore.

 

Visiting Africa For My Friend's Wedding

This page will focus on what I mean in STEP THREE - Let Your Hair Down And Enjoy The World!  I know it sounds contradictory - how could one travel and enjoy the world when there is no fat corporate account to charge to?  No more flying business? - there is now no dearth of budget airlines which are not half as bad as full fare carriers.  No more fine dining and all night drinking? - there are so many more interesting street food places and quaint drinking holes than you would ever imagine.  All you have to do is approach life with an open mind.

With the initial hefty profit from STEP ONE, you could afford to buy a home in a low cost location - bear in mind that for STEP TWO to work - the main objective is a safe low cost home as your base.  This is the base from which you look after your investments in high net worth country - in my case Singapore, and from which you fly off to enjoy the world!



Enjoying Our Yuzawa Hot Spring Water Filtered Coffee & Cakes

Budget Family Ski Holiday @ Mount Naeba

I use STEP THREE to not only take vacations, but also use the travel opportunity to go for medical treatments (like annual check ups in Thailand) or shopping for car parts and other big ticket items that will give me high value savings (like Taipei for parts & accessories).

I know it sounds simple, but that is how I had arrived at my current lifestyle arrangement (1)MAKE SINGAPORE WORK FOR YOU (or you can work in Singapore), (2)LIVE IN MALAYSIA WHERE HOUSING IS CHEAP (or Batam or anywhere you find cheap housing) & (3)PLAY IN THAILAND (and the world over ) WHERE FUN & MEDICAL SERVICES ARE CHEAP & GOOD! 

All the best in your pursuit of financial freedom, now go Jalan Jalan around the world.


With Friends In America - Revelry On The Street

Beauty In Bangkok

Drawing Blood For The Wrong Reason?

Being a Bangkok veteran and unofficial city promoter of the city to my relatives and friends, a couple friend recently accompanied us to Bangkok so that we can accompany them on their to-go list.  While the guys headed for the car parts and accessories sancturary near Chinatown, the fairer sexed made a hasty retreat to Siam Square for their Vampire Facelifts
 
I was too hot near the BTS station of Siam where we parted ways, to fully understand what they were heading for or ask for further clarification.  So fast forward to dinner time when we met at the fabulous foodie basement of Siam Paragon shopping center for dinner, the two ladies came back with slightly bruised but invariably rejuvenated complexion - like a pair of vampires who just found fresh blood.  "Yes!" they chanted in agreement, and further related that they were fed centrifuged blood at the beauty clinic - except it was their own viles of blood.  My apetite then was near gone and I had to put down my utensils to hear the details without food in my mouth!

Here's what they did.  Certainly not for the faint-hearted. Photo directly below is from Google Image as the photos they took of each other were not as systematically and aesthetically taken!  They spent a little over an hour at the clinic, including the numbing cream waiting period.  Here goes:

1. Face sanitized and anesthetic cream applied.

2. Platelet Rich Plasma from blood previously drawn at Photo 3 (sorry for the non sequential collage) injected back into problem areas of the face

3. Blood drawn from your arm for centrifuging to obtain platelet rich plasma to be injected back

4. Face injections should be done in 10 mins - apparently with slight bee-like sting per injection point

5. Neck injections (ouch!!!) is also available if you want to rejuvenate the neck area

Picture Paints A Thousand Words

The above shows how my partner looked just a few hours after the PRP filler. bEven though both of us guys were horrified by the process, we readily admitted that both girls came back resoundingly more youthful and refreshed - I guess "Vampire Facelift" was the right nomenclature coined by the inventor!

 

They paid about THB15000 each at YB Holistic Clinic founded by Dr. Adisorn Sirisunhirun.
 for the platelet rich plasma filler, which is supposed to last up to a year.  But you may do the blood letting 4 times in a year to get the optimal results of a mini facelift. 

Dr Adisorn is at

YB Holistic Clinic
Soi Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Take BTS to ThongLor and you can walk to the clinic

 

Happy Blood Letting!

Singapore Real Estate - Really?

Property Prices At A Rebound...Finally

The Boon Keng HDB on 40th Floor With An Expansive & Expensive $1M view 

 

I remember when I first relocated from the West to Singapore with my then Singaporean spouse, we were lucky enough to have a roof over our heads due to the good system of affordable government-subsidized housing for the lower and middle income populace.  On the advice of our real estate agent, we bought the lowest priced apartment in the least preferred locale on the island (trust me, even then the location was safe and well served by the island's efficient transport system).  We could only afford a simple unrenovated S$350,000 HDB (government) flat.

 

Fast forward a few decades later, we were able to monetize the flat at a hefty profit, split the difference, which allowed my current arrangement of simple living in and commuting between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and reinvesting in small investment properties for passive income.  More on property investment in the latter 2 countries in my later posts, let me opine on the real estate scenario in Singapore island now.

 

I believe it was Li Ka Shing who once said any tiny country in the world situated in a great location is a real estate gold mine.  Why you ask?  Well real estate is location location location, so that takes care of Li's the latter half of his statement.  Singapore is a tiny tiny nation compared to its vast neighbors like Indonesia and further north China.  So land is scarce and hence properties will be pricey.  Hong Kong is yet another prime example.

 

I have always advised my friends back in Europe to invest in Singapore because I am a good resource for them in Asia.  The last few years were doldrum years for properties worldwide - rental and sale of real estate in Singapore felt the heat as well.  But I advise all to start buying when you see your dream home as the rebound is already happening as we speak!  The government is right to say that buying a HDB is a good first step towards financial freedom and independence.  I benefited from a HDB for sure.

On The 3rd Floor & Over 4000sq ft Costing S$16m+

 

The recent Seven Palms Sentosa apartment is another jaw dropper.  Sure it has fun and sun with Sentosa Resort Island in its backyard.  Sure you feel like a million bucks each time you drive home on that private access road over the sea to your abode.  Sure you have the biggest mall in Singapore - VivoCity - within a stone throw away.  But at over S$3700 per sq ft?  Only for the uber rich I say.

 

So things are beginning to stir in Singapore.  Stocks are seeing sunnier days - and we all know property trends with the stock market performance.  I say call your agents and go house hunting if you had been holding out for the great deal.  Mark my words, the next property wave is coming, or may already be here!

 

Read more on the over S$1m Boon Keng HDB Sale

 

Read more on the S$26m Sentosa Island Apartment Sale

What's Going On Singapore?

Ode To Tiong Bahru Charm

Recently a relative from Wisconsin arrived in Asia for his 6-month rediscovery vacation.  Being a distant relative, I was averse to inquire deeper exactly what he was trying to rediscover about himself.  But the fact that he gave me a good reason to go back to Singapore and be his guide while he was on the S E Asia leg of his rediscovery tour, I was a happy non-nosey parker fellow.

 

I helped him book his stay at The Plot Hostel  @ Tiong Bahru where he can mingle with fellow travellers and not be too lonely should I not be able to pick him up for a some days.  For days on end he was raving on Singapore and his "hotel" cum "home" for the next few weeks were nothing short of being fabulous.

The Plot Hostel is cosy and promotes travellers to mingle and network

I am not unfamiliar to the old world charm of Tiong Bahru with its recent renaissance as a hip F&B hangout, I was nevertheless pleasantly surprised by the number of up-market condos are sprouting in the vicinity.  And with expats and trendy young locals moving into this "art deco" styled preccinct (its building archhitecture is protected by Singapore's conservation law) - the old world of Tiong Bahru has been given a new edge. Antique shops and other home decor galleries are occupying up the ground level of what used to be government-subsidized apartment housing, which are one of the largest - and most expensive - real estate in Central Singapore

 I am very glad effort has been taken to preserve the authencity of the neighborhood, such as the covered "5 foot way" of yonder years, the birdcage corner for the feathered ones and their owners to enjoy each other, and of course the ever popular Tiong Bahru wet market and its mega hawker center on the 2nd floor. 



Bunking In Syle

 

Just around the corner of the hotel is a myriad of local and western dining options which I will feature in my next post.  If you are visiting the Tiong Bahru area and would like to roam its safe streets until wee hours of the morning, why not stay the night at The Plot?  This would allow you to sauter over to the famous Tiong Bahru market for a very local breakfast spread, and visit its wet market on the ground level.

  The hostel is quaintly situated at:

 

259 OUTRAM ROAD, SINGAPORE 169056 / TEL: +65 6223 5866 / FAX: +65 6223 9626

CENTRAL RESERVATION
TEL: +65 6298 8889 / FAX: +65 6396 8356 / EMAIL: reservation@theplothostels.com

 

Or you may find promotional rates for The Plot on Booking.com or Agoda