OUT & ABOUT IN SINGAPORE: Kampong Glam

Text by Lianne Chilton 

Photos by Isabel Jones  (except for the photo of the drumming which is by Lianne Chilto) 

After a quick coffee and even quicker history lesson we headed off for our first stop in the Kampong Glam Historic District. Haji Lane was quiet and peaceful as most of the businesses do not open until later in the day. We were able to stroll down the middle of the lane and admire the shophouses and storefronts of the often one of a kind fashion boutiques and cafe/bars. We cut across Arab Street to Bussorah Street and wandered up the pedestrian mall. The Little Shophouse owners gave us a Peranakan beading demonstration and talked about their hand-crafted Peranakan slippers.  

In the Sultan Arts Village on Sultan Gate we were treated to a drumming demonstration by the owner of Tribal Arts.   I must say, some of the ladies showed promising talent as they beat out a rhythm on the drums with Sonny Wee.  Our final stop was a batik workshop with batik artist Imelda Sarkasi in a classroom at the Sultan Mosque.  We all tried our hand at batik painting and left with our signed masterpieces as a reminder of our morning.  Lunch was a delicious Malay buffet at Tepak Sireh Restaurant in the “Yellow Mansion” beside the site of the Malay Heritage Centre.  Moe, the restaurant manager, welcomed us warmly and gave us a brief history of the building as well as a tour of the upstairs throne room.  Who knew we were all queens at heart??