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I took a leisurely 2-hour stroll from Kallang to Joo Chiat
https://mothership.sg/author/andrew-koay/
https://mothership.sg/2021/03/2-hour-stroll-kallang-joo-chiat-geylang/
Image by Andrew Koay
Yet, the surprisingly cool evening breeze made for nice walking conditions so it wasn’t all bad.
Earlier, I’d looked up a route on Google Maps to get an idea of just how this walk would go.
Wanting to inject some element of interest into the journey, I decided against the most straightforward path to Parkway Parade (which is near my home) in favour of the “scenic route”.
Image by Andrew Koay
And by “scenic” I mean the sights, smells, and sounds of Geylang; despite living relatively nearby I’d never actually explored the place properly.
Image by Andrew Koay
By the time I arrived at Geylang proper, the sun was just about vanishing, allowing the district’s prominent neon signs to shine.
Image by Andrew Koay
Despite it’s less than stellar reputation, I quite enjoyed the vibe of Geylang.
To truly savour the experience, I was going without earphones and in between the sound of cars zooming by, Geylang’s native noises came alive.
Image by Andrew Koay
Families and workers alike lounged in the coffee shops and eateries which seemed to be found at every street corner chatting about their day while produce vendors haggled with shoppers over the price of fruits and vegetables.
Image by Andrew Koay
Image by Andrew Koay
As I walked past, hardware stores pulled their shutters down and middle-aged men dotted the sidewalks puffing cigarettes after a long day’s work.
It was laidback yet busy and bustling at the same time.
Image by Andrew Koay
Geylang soon spilled over into Paya Lebar, where large new shopping malls stand shoulder to shoulder with rundown arcades from decades past.
Closer to the area’s residential flats, most of the stalls at the hawker centre were closed giving the place a peaceful quiet.
Image by Andrew Koay
Nearby, individuals casually strolled through brightly lit but sleepy stores appraising the discounted shoes and cheap clothes.
Image by Andrew Koay
The pause in action gave me a moment to realise that I was actually quite enjoying myself during this walk.
While it might not seem like the most exciting activity, it was a nice way to unwind from a long day sitting at the desk.
Besides, a quick check on my smartwatch showed that despite going at a rather (or actually, incredibly) relaxed pace, I was actually burning a fair bit of calories.
As easy and relaxing as the walk, it was good to be reminded that life isn’t so smooth sailing for many in Singapore.
Doing the walk for Community Chest, shows that if other ways of helping the less fortunate may seem daunting, there are less intimidating means — such as going on a stroll — that can go someway to making a difference in the lives of others who call this country home.
Before I knew it, I was on the homestretch: Joo Chiat Road.
This was an area I was quite familiar with, having visited often to grab a meal.
But slowing down and really soaking in the environment, I was struck by how much of a Vietnamese enclave the neighbourhood was.
Image by Andrew Koay
Apart from the myriad of restaurants serving authentic pho and other Saigon fare, the streets were lined with little Vietnamese speciality stores with the families who ran them gathering for dinner outside and conversing in their native tongues.
Image by Andrew Koay
Of course, for those who prefer something a bit more “Instagramable”, Joo Chiat is also home to multiple hipster cafes and quirky casual dining restaurants.
Image by Andrew Koay
As I saw off the last corner shop eatery on Joo Chiat Road, where expats and young professionals were gathered for some after-work drinks and food, my destination was finally in sight.
Image by Andrew Koa
https://mothership.sg/2021/03/2-hour-stroll-kallang-joo-chiat-geylang/
https://mothership.sg/author/andrew-koay/
https://mothership.sg/2021/03/2-hour-stroll-kallang-joo-chiat-geylang/
Yet, the surprisingly cool evening breeze made for nice walking conditions so it wasn’t all bad.
Earlier, I’d looked up a route on Google Maps to get an idea of just how this walk would go.
Wanting to inject some element of interest into the journey, I decided against the most straightforward path to Parkway Parade (which is near my home) in favour of the “scenic route”.
And by “scenic” I mean the sights, smells, and sounds of Geylang; despite living relatively nearby I’d never actually explored the place properly.
By the time I arrived at Geylang proper, the sun was just about vanishing, allowing the district’s prominent neon signs to shine.
Despite it’s less than stellar reputation, I quite enjoyed the vibe of Geylang.
To truly savour the experience, I was going without earphones and in between the sound of cars zooming by, Geylang’s native noises came alive.
Families and workers alike lounged in the coffee shops and eateries which seemed to be found at every street corner chatting about their day while produce vendors haggled with shoppers over the price of fruits and vegetables.
As I walked past, hardware stores pulled their shutters down and middle-aged men dotted the sidewalks puffing cigarettes after a long day’s work.
It was laidback yet busy and bustling at the same time.
Geylang soon spilled over into Paya Lebar, where large new shopping malls stand shoulder to shoulder with rundown arcades from decades past.
Closer to the area’s residential flats, most of the stalls at the hawker centre were closed giving the place a peaceful quiet.
Nearby, individuals casually strolled through brightly lit but sleepy stores appraising the discounted shoes and cheap clothes.
The pause in action gave me a moment to realise that I was actually quite enjoying myself during this walk.
While it might not seem like the most exciting activity, it was a nice way to unwind from a long day sitting at the desk.
Besides, a quick check on my smartwatch showed that despite going at a rather (or actually, incredibly) relaxed pace, I was actually burning a fair bit of calories.
As easy and relaxing as the walk, it was good to be reminded that life isn’t so smooth sailing for many in Singapore.
Doing the walk for Community Chest, shows that if other ways of helping the less fortunate may seem daunting, there are less intimidating means — such as going on a stroll — that can go someway to making a difference in the lives of others who call this country home.
Before I knew it, I was on the homestretch: Joo Chiat Road.
This was an area I was quite familiar with, having visited often to grab a meal.
But slowing down and really soaking in the environment, I was struck by how much of a Vietnamese enclave the neighbourhood was.
Apart from the myriad of restaurants serving authentic pho and other Saigon fare, the streets were lined with little Vietnamese speciality stores with the families who ran them gathering for dinner outside and conversing in their native tongues.
Of course, for those who prefer something a bit more “Instagramable”, Joo Chiat is also home to multiple hipster cafes and quirky casual dining restaurants.
As I saw off the last corner shop eatery on Joo Chiat Road, where expats and young professionals were gathered for some after-work drinks and food, my destination was finally in sight.
https://mothership.sg/2021/03/2-hour-stroll-kallang-joo-chiat-geylang/
