Singapore's TidbiTs

Before the arrival of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1819, a small population of Chinese immigrants had already settled in Singapore, cultivating gambier and pepper. Shortly after establishing Singapore as a free port in 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles instructed Lieutenant Philip Jackson, an engineer, to draw up a master plan dividing the town into four areas for easy administration - the European, Malay, Indian and Chinese ethnic quarters. Between the 19th and mid-20th centuries, millions left their homes in China driven by famine, floods and unrest, and seduced by the hope of a better life elsewhere. They left in masses with many of them made their way to Nanyang, the southern seas. Singapore, in particular, was sought out as a place where one could earn a living. The new arrival is known as Sinkheh, or 'new guest' in Hokkien. That was what the Straits-born Chinese, who had arrived several generations earlier, called these new Chinese immigrants. It became what the newcomers were...

Kampong Glam is one of the oldest settlements in Singapore, whose history dated before Raffles. This area was to become the home of Sultan Hussein Shah, whom Sir Stamford Raffles recognised as a legitimate successor to the Johor empire and, who in 1819 signed a treaty with the British East India Company, to establish a trading post in Singapore. Gazette in 1989, Kampong Glam is now a conservation area near Bugis with art-deco, early, first and second transitional and late-style shophouses. Raffles zoned Kampong Glam as a Malay area, as part of his town plan as one of the ethnic areas or quarters, the other being Chinatown and European town. Bugis was named after the Buginese people from South Sulawesi, Indonesia, who settled there during the 1800s. There were already Buginese living around the palace area, but they moved further up closer to Rochor area once Sultan Hussein Shah with his entourage from Riau settled there. The palace, Istana Kampong Glam, was built by Sultan Ali, his so...

Many associated Little India with Mustafa Centre, the huge 24-hour department store that sells almost anything. Yes, they practically sell everything including electronics, jewellery, shoes and fresh produce. And we all know of someone who would dash to Mustafa Centre to get that last-minute travel luggage. Other than Mustafa Centre, another well-known landmark in Little India is without doubt Tekka Centre or Market and the Arcade. Although not part of the original Raffles Town or Jackson Plan, like the ethnic areas of Kampong Glam and Chinatown , the well-preserved Little India in Singapore evolved through trade-related activities and remain a magnet of all things that represent the Indian culture and heritage of Singapore. The area was developed around agriculture and cattle trading in the 19th century. Common traditional trades include garland-making, goldsmithing, and fortune-telling. Indian goldsmiths are prominent, as gold jewelry is culturally significant. Walk along Serangoon ...

Bugis Village also known as Bugis Street Market is a good place for tourists and locals alike to pick up a souvenir or two such as fridge magnets and keychains. It is not a flea market, but more of the street's night market concept stores with fixed price,though you can also bargain for higher value items like a luggage bag. You can find 'I love Singapore' or 'Singapore is a Fine City' T-shirts that go for three pieces for $10. But of course, it must look lame for locals to wear these T-shirts here or elsewhere. Not that we are not patriotic. I think one would look pretty hilarious too, wearing a 'no chewing gum' t-shirt. You cannot find chewing gum at Bugis Market or elsewhere in Singapore. So, do I miss chewing the sugary gum? Sometimes, but it is what it is. Snowman at the roof of busy Bugis Market If you are looking for inexpensive watches, you can get a $5 watch at Bugis Market. These are not fake branded watches like those found in some alleys in Bang...

You can find Roti John at many hawker centres and pasar malam (night markets). They are french bread coated with eggs and butter and and fried on hot plate and topped up with generous amount of chilli or tomato sauce and mayonaise. You can get them for around $4 to $5. The name John is English and roti is bread. So maybe during the early days this omelette sandwich is the equivalent of hamburgers or simply the french toast! You can find Roti John usually being sold at Malay stalls. At some hawker centres such as at Bedok Corner , the stall owners are getting creative. You can find Roti John Steak, Chicken or Sardine and Roti John Power! Grilling Roti John (front) and Ramly Burger Ramly Burger is that ubiquitous delicious and juicy meat local burger wrapped in egg and splashed with plenty of colourful sauces of tomato sauce, mayonnaise and mustard that you can only get at Pasar Malam . And it only cost about $3. The meat can be beef or chicken. Of course you can get value burgers at so...