Sunday, February 24, 2012
Encino, California
Gorgeous Spring Day
Meant to post this a couple of weeks ago but have been busy with work! Anyhoo, now I'm in LA on my way to New York, to catch up with friends, check out my home and of course, watch the Oscars! Actually writing this while watching the "E" preview show of the Oscars.
Anyhow, back to the topic. I thought I'd had enough time in Singapore to do everything what I planned on doing. BUT, I did not count on Lunar New Year so missed three things I wanted to do. First thing was to take a historical tour of Singapore. Singapore is a relatively young country but gained independence just recently. I really wanted to learn more about life under the British rule, the 'dark period' when the Japanese took over and how they gained independence. Next time.
I also wanted to learn more about Peranakan or Nonya culture, especially after taking the cooking class. The Peranakans refer to the ethnic Chinese who settled in the Malay peninsula and intermarried with Malays and the Indonesians. Not only do did they have distinctive cuisine which I learned in cooking school, but they have a very interesting PoV in architecture and pottery. I really wanted to go to Baba House which is a preserved Peranakan traditional house but of course, closed for New Years. So instead, I took photo of a few remaining Peranakan homes off Orchard street and on Emerald Hill Road.
And then there is Nonya-ware…GORGEOUS! Loved them and wanted to buy a few things but stores that specialized in Nonya-ware were CLOSED! I did go to the famous Katong Antique House where Peter Wee the curator patiently showed me all of his collection. Things I wanted were way too expensive but he told me I could buy "non antiques" at other stores at more reasonable prices. However, he had a set of spoons that were over 100 years old so I had to get them! I love the designs and the colors of nonya wear. Have to go back and buy more.
I bought six of these and broke one in less than 24 hours.
Beautiful Nonya-ware
And the last thing I wanted to do was take the night safari of the zoo. I thought it will be empty because it was day one of Lunar New Year but NO. All of China was there it seems. It was awful. I could not enjoy the animals at all, with people using flash scaring the animals and being loud. Awful! So have to do it again.
The Lines were LONG!!
So I need to go back to Singapore to do the night safari, do the historical tour, go nonya-ware shopping and might as well take another cooking class.