Monday, December 31, 2007

Bugis & Kampong Glam

Singapore is one big Shopping Mall


You have many places in Singapore where you can shop. But there is an unique one where you can shop cheap. Burgis Street is one big block in which you can get squeeze as much as your wallet. The gigantic fan is not enough to support the no personal space experience you have down there.


Not only you have to shop, but you have no seat to stop. You are constantly on the move. If by chance you find a chair, a stool, or better a bench, you will have to fight will old Chinese man on their daily nap.


Right in the middle of the area, a mass gothic building erects from the ground. This post modern-pre art Nouveau style could have been the live décor of Metropolis.


The building is right in the middle of an open space, and the legend wants that the owner of the building did not support any people around him. I guess he made it happen. The building is surrounded by grass and takes one entire block.


On the way to Kamplong Glam, you cross the middle-eastern part of Singapore. You must enjoy the Cairo Café on one hand and the Narguile pipes with all the colorful flavors you can imagine, but also all the designs shops from the latest trends (mid-80’s).


At the end of the street the Bussorah Pedestrian Mall leads to Masjid Sultan (Sultan Mosque). The mosque is considered one of the most important mosques in Singapore. The prayer hall and domes highlight the mosque's star features.


Kampong Glam is derived from two Malay words, Kampong, meaning "village" or "settlement", and Glam (or Gelam) referring to a variety of eucalyptus (Malaleuca leucadendron) which grew in the area. Today, Kampong Glam still retains strong ties to the ethnic-Malay and Muslim community, and has sometimes been termed the "Muslim Quarter" due to its history.


Before another beautiful sunset under the tropic, the only descent food stop was at the Qi Ji (160 Rochor Road) for some Popiah rolls.