Singapore: Lavender-Bugis District

It's one of the rare times I feel inspired to take snapshots around a very familiar place - home. Lavender and Bugis are actually names of subway stations on the East-West MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) line in Singapore and I find it easier to term the district as such. As with most adjoining stations around the world, it's easy (and fun!) to navigate around on your own two feet (and get lost while you are at it).

Despite it being almost in the central of Singapore, think the business and shopping district, there are those little pockets of vintage charm of yester-years waiting to be discovered, yet are slowly, but surely, disappearing. Do pop by for a little heritage exploration (dedicate about 3-4 hours) around the area while it lasts!

Despite living and working around the area, I still do get lost at times (for a start, I mistook Jalan Pinang for Haji Lane). There is no fixed route or map I recommend, but here are a few major (and interesting) streets so you know you are on the right track (it's hard to get lost around here) - Kitchener Road, Syed Alwi Road (for Mustafa Shopping Mall), Victoria Street, North Bridge Road, Arab Street, and Haji Lane. Most street names are in Malay (it's the Arab Quarter afterall), and I'm sure the names have a story behind them.

Start the walk from Lavender MRT Station (V Hotel is strategically situated next to the Station) towards Kitchener Road

You won't believe this - it's a multi-storey carpark

Not as French as expected

Shophouses along Kitchener Road - an interesting nugget - the width of each unit is five-foot-steps long (plus minus), hence the name, five-foot way

Along Arab Street (for textiles):

Juxtaposition of conservation shophouses and modern skyscrapers

Zam Zam - with drive-thru!

The Sultan Mosque

Perfume bottles, in case you were wondering

Now a Spa

The area is also a popular backpacker district.

Along Victoria Street - got a bit lost around this point in time

Where bicycles can choose any lane and direction they wish to ride on

Alas, a dying trade

Finally found Haji Lane, a narrow (the narrowest?) lane lined with hip shops and restaurants (and legal graffiti)

The Pan Pacific Hotel looks nearer than it actually is

Blu Jazz is a popular bar (which I frequent infrequently)

Don't you wonder if the shutter can be lifted?

Kuching (Malay for cat, it's after all, Haji Lane)

The roving ice cream man - always welcomed

The ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) gantry - for you know when you're in Town

Along Liang Seah Street for some dessert

Our National Library (I'm not  joking), most books that you can borrow out can only be found in the Basement though, take the elevator up for awesome (and free) views of the vicinity

Bras Brasah Complex - the old-book-lover and art-student haven (it also has the largest outlet for the Popular Bookstore chain)

There may be a book fair, if you are lucky

One of the few used book stores left, which resort to diversifying to survive

Another enclave for hip shops

The historic Raffles Hotel and Chijmes Cathedral (the Old Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus premises) are just around the corner from here on, and beyond it you will reach City Hall MRT Station (and the adventurous, with time, energy and the right bearings, can always continue walking to Dhoby Ghaut, Somerset and Orchard Stations).

Walk around the Lavender-Bugis District

Cost: Nil

Access: Lavender / Bugis MRT Station (and lots of walking later)

NB: Getting lost in Mustafa Shopping Mall - the 24-hour shopping haven on Syed Alwi Road - is an unavoidable and unforgettable experience. It sells practically everything, although not necessarily cheaper. Not for the claustrophobic!