RETAIL THERAPY. FOOD AND SHOPPING

Mention Singapore and it conjures up all sort of images and expectations that is as unique to the individual as its tourism tagline Uniquely Singapore suggests. The past five days that I spent in this exciting and happening city with my kids had been productive for me and most importantly for the kids, fun! This was also the first time I travelled with the kids while corporate mom stayed home due to work commitments so the opportunity to make up for lost time was not to be wasted!

^ While standing at the lights on Orchard Road, I caught this red mini in a slow shuter pan just as she pulled away. Seems to me like an expat family having a blast on a weekday in the crowded streets.

^ On our way to Toys R Us at the FORUM shopping centre, we stopped by a GAP store where I picked up one of their recent (RED) signature tee that reads INSPI(RED). I’ve shopped at ESPRIT stores for a while now since I dropped corporate suits and ties for the more casual and comfortable choice having permanently switched from IT to photography. It was only a couple of months back that I “discove(red)” GAP’s line of clothing to be rather interesting. Bitten by the lure of one casual item after another, I find it liberating to be able to actually make a living as a photographer in clothes that inspire creativity instead of conforming to standards that choke! Read more about GAP (PRODUCT) RED?

^ Conspicuous consumption is nothing new in Singapore. In my last trip, I walked along the side streets of Orchard and discovered to my amazement the sort of exotic cars that are tucked away in some garages. It has been reported that Singapore has recently seen a steady rise of millionnaires and while the concept of living on credit is still a way of life not just in Singapore but in many parts of a growing economy and competitive society, Singapore has done brilliantly in every aspect of the economy and is a shining example of how SMALL CAN BE BEAUTIFUL a topic that themed a recent conference organised by Asia Inc Forum.

In any economy, food seems to be the only universal truth that brings people of all nationalities together at any time of the day and night. It’s where East meets West and vice versa when it comes to choices of fuel for the body to pull us through another day besides several shots of caffeine-induced drinks.

^ At home, we have regular items for breakfast such as butter on toast, half-boiled eggs, noodles, rice dumplings and maybe even other stereotypical Asian meal that I cannot recall at this time. Mac D breakfast @ basement of Centre Point along Orchard Road is one or perhaps the only western style breakfast that’s conveniently available in the early hours that we are so accustomed to getting up. So much so that during holidays, the latest we’d wake up is 8.15 am while everybody else we know love the extra hours of luxury in bed.

^ Besides Mac Donalds BIG Breakfast meal, I treated the kids once to an American Breakfast room service and they almost cleaned out the plates and basket.

^ Jamie enjoying his Mc Donalds Sausage and Egg McMuffin

^ Lunch hour at Food Republic is no less spectacular at Wisma Atria

^ These succulent roast duck rice and gigantic wanton just the sort of lunch the kids craved. They never seem to tire of noodles and kway teow and will find all kinds of excuses not to have rice. On this day, no excuses needed and despite the insanely packed food court, a certain operator seemed to have just the seats for the three of us starved beings. The kids are happy too as barely an hour and a half ago they had picked out their toys at Toys R Us which in quite a walk from our hotel (in a typical Bruneian context, having used to parking right in front of the store, such walks may be unthinkable and downright torturous).

^ A bit of green never hurt anyone nor has this amount proven to be beneficial either but it sure makes a great picture. When kids are happy they’d happily hold their food up for a pose before they disappear. 

^ Do we need to see more pictures of these yummy roasted duck? Of course we do. I’ve also included a double sunny side up pic from our earlier room service indulgence. These sausages aren’t nearly as tasty or exciting as the exploding Chicken Cheese ones at Marché Restaurant. It’s particularly hard to tell your little one that she cannot have eggs when she is allergic to egg whites. Letting my guard down for a moment and seeing just how delighted she was, I gave her the OK but had to deal with her rashes afterwards.

^ After breakfast and lunch came Tiramisu cake for tea @ Coffee Bean Vivo City.

^ Delifrance’s Cheese pastry at Sentosa became Jewel’s favourite. Next to that is what is locally called Cheng Tng, a concoction of Chinese herbs sweetened with sugar syrup served cold. Thanks David for introducing me to this.

All images © Jan Shim Photography