THE PERANAKAN TRAIL OUT & ABOUT TOUR

Text and photos by Dolores Parker

This was a wonderful tour to kick off a new season.  We were fortunate to have Irene Boey and her colleagues from Far East Organization sponsor this tour, beginning with a lovely breakfast at the Orchard Scotts condominiums and a tour of the impressive grounds and show flats.

Once aboard the tour bus we were introduced to the Peranakan culture enroute to the Peranakan Museum.  Our guide, Agnes, showed us the highlights of the beautiful museum and explained Peranakan customs as we admired the distinctive beadwork and pottery.  Many of us have plans to go back and spend more time there. 

Our next stop was the Kim Choo Kueh Chang shop on East Coast Rd, where we had tea and Nonya snacks.  We watched a dumpling making demonstration and Joy tried her hand at making one.   It’s harder than it looks!  Next we learned more about the unique beadwork and how to wear the sarongkebaya.  Our model, Sara, looked gorgeous.

We ended with a delicious lunch at the Kim Choo Kueh restaurant.  The only problem was that the tour ran over an hour!  Oh well, I suppose that can happen when you spend a fun morning with 30 old and new friends, mix in some good food and shopping, and explore another aspect of Singapore’s history.