My Escapes Singapore Return to "Lion City" Mixed Street Adventures in Singapore

Mixed Street Adventures in Singapore

Few cities offer the level of excitement that Singapore does - when it comes to street explorations, that is...
The city feels close to perfection, boasts in richness and colour. Of course, it's multi-ethnic, multi-religious as well.

So, here comes - a mixed depiction of places, words about my experiences that I had while strolling on the streets of Singapore, following my Malaysian trip.

Mixed experiences, places and feelings that didn't fit into separate categories, so I decided to pack into a single article - here.

I couldn't stop exploring this time either. And, in the end, when I had to fly further, I felt as if I had left a piece of me there in "Lion City".

I'd love to return for the 3rd time and collect it!

Outram Park and the Pinnacle@Duxton Utopian Complex

The island country has captured my heart and I'm still fascinated by the its diversity, whenever I browse back through my photos (and it has almost become an obsessive-compulsive photo browsing mania).

Because good memories live strongly in our mind and our soul, I feel as if this Singaporean escape has happened yesterday... or the day before yesterday.

But it's been almost 3 years since then! (Hey, this is a retro post, but most things stand the test of time for a long time, no worries).

The memory is still pretty much alive...

From the charming Singaporean girls to the exciting architecture... from the delicious foods to the feel of the hot damp tropical air, I can remember everything!

Let's dip in deeper now, shall we?

During this second trip to "Lion City", I spent some time in the Outram Park area.
A relatively quiet place with peculiar architecture.

This weird massive building (photos above and below...) is the utopian, monstrous Pinnacle at Duxton (or, Pinnacle@Duxton) residential complex.

I first came across the Pinnacle@Duxton near the CBD on my first exploration stroll in Singapore.
A few days later I was back in Singapore and I decided to explore the area around it. It felt weird, interesting.

I wouldn't call this massive concrete block complex beautiful, but it sure is interesting!

It's a "block complex", because it's composed of 7 connected house blocks. 1,848 apartments, 50-story. And I hear they have splendid views from up there...

At least there are green areas on terraces and on the top of the complex...

I couldn't live in such a concrete complex, unless it were just for a short period of time - for fun, for experimenting.

Would you live in such a building?

While I was exploring this area in the Outram zone, I sat down to have a brunch, but a cat kept harassing me. Probably in need of affection?

As a matter a fact, Singapore has quite an interesting cat community.

It took a while until the kitty left me alone, so I could contemplate the area's architecture.

The external spiral staircases, the green-red-white-yellow-grey colours of the walls, the asymmetry of shapes makes this place so nice.

At first glance, it seems disorganized, chaotic.
But I reckon, the way they built these houses was rather an ingenious way of using space.

Again, just like in many other parts of "Lion City", I was able to enjoy multiple perspectives, multiple angles of the same places.

Anyway... here's another angle of the Pinnacle@Duxton from an old street... Look at how the monolithic (perhaps even utopian) phalanstery rises like a concrete monster in the background of the old shop houses...

Sri Thendayuthapani Temple

It was constructed in 1859 by the Hindu community of Singapore and it's dedicated to the six-faced Lord Subramaniam (Lord Murugan).

This temple also hosts the Thaipusam festival (it's also held at the Batu Caves in Malaysia).

During the festival, the protagonists puncture themselves with spears (ouch!). The ritual is linked to Lord Murugan, who was given a spear by Parvati to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.

I came across the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple by accident... While wandering and exploring the Chinatown and Outram areas.

Find it at 15 Tank Road...

And check the top religious sites of Singapore, it's worth planning from this perspective too.

I'd normally select what I consider the very best of the most interesting and I'd visit those.

From the religious sites' point-of-view, Singapore is like an intercontinental mix containing Chinese, Malay, Hindu, European, Arab and other sites.

More contrast on the photo below: skyscraper with a strong Asian fell, flat minimalist white house block, old grey Chinese shop house and the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple.

Nevertheless, it's a well-maintained temple that feels brand new.

They used modern restoration techniques. Airbrush or paint spray marks are abundant and the details are simply perfect.

There's more info and photos of the temple's interior on its official site.

One some sides it's close to other buildings and narrow streets, making it hard to take photos of it.

Weird Striking Contrast and Traditional Architecture

Singapore is a land of contrast - as I've repeatedly said in other articles as well.

Colours, architectural styles, but also sizes are in strong contrast with each other...

The building below has a slap in the face wild green colour. I'd say: poison green!

I get goose skin when I see such colours in abundance. It couldn't get much more unconvetional than this (in terms of colours, at least!).

Of course, there is an abundance of old buildings. They seemed to pop-up almost everywhere I walked - not just strictly in the central area.

Oddly, the areas where old shop houses are found, felt rather deserted...

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