The Knicker-Napper

This morning one of my aunts hung her knickers out to dry with the rest of the laundry, and within moments they were missing! We're told there is a pervert in the area who kidnaps ladies' underwear! This new discovery spurred my mum to check her luggage - where she found only 3 of her 9 pairs remained.

Lucky for me, the knicker-napper so far seems to be only after granny pants a la Bridget Jones.

That being said, granny pants may be making a comeback, thanks to Spanx. Sported recently by Sienna Miller, Beyonce and (below) Kimberley Walsh, who knows? They might soon be arriving at a closet near you!

National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore by night

The National Museum of Singapore was renovated about two years ago and is an absolutely beautiful architectural space - a seamless blend of the historic and modern. I heard it's just a short walk from the Dhoby Gaut MRT station (but I have the worst sense of direction, so naturally I got lost and by the time I arrived at the Museum I was all sticky and panting and stressed, and to be honest, in a pretty disgraceful state).

The interior of the Museum

All my stresses were alleviated however, by a 3-course lunch at Novus ($35 Mondays - Saturdays).

My crab & potato starter
(yes, I'm allergic to crab, no, it doesn't stop me from indulging once in a while)

Spot the Tash in the Steak

Aerial view

Hungry Mum & D

Dessert

After the free guided tour (very worth going on by the way), we had a look at the temporary exhibit "Come In: Interior Design as a Contemporary Art Medium in Germany". I was expecting interior design exhibits, but the artists actually created weird and whimsical installations that were just loosely based on interior design concepts. The pieces worked as a kind of social commentary on modern day life.

This was a reconstruction of the room of a man who planned a bomb attack in Europe - in the room itself, a TV played footage of the bombings




My favourite piece

The funniest thing I saw all day was this video of artist Hans Hemmert bouncing around in a yellow balloon to this catchy song "Shame on You". I know it doesn't sound particularly exciting, but watching the massive yellow balloon bounce around the screen was somehow really mesmerising and entertaining.

I also loved the Fashion and Food halls on the upper level of the Museum. The gorgeous fifties-style dresses were on display, funny videos about makeup application in the 60's and the room full of Southeast Asian herbs and spices entertained me all afternoon.

Pasir Panjang Fruit Market

Went to Pasir Panjang wholesale fruit market last week with the parents. It's all geared up for Chinese New Year, with plenty of oranges & mandarins in special boxes on sale.

Gorgeous yummy Korean strawberries

Our stash :)

Dad showing the fruiterer how it's done

Love going to markets in every country I visit! I realise this blog so far has been entirely about FOOD in all its glorious forms. Promise there will be more on the other aspects of travel as well!

Welcome to Singapore

I've been in Singapore for ten days and welcomed myself back by eating...eating...and eating.

I really miss Singapore food when I'm back in Melbourne! I have a zillion South-East Asian cookbooks, but nothing beats the real thing. When I think of Singapore, I think of touching down at Changi late at night watching the reflections of lights from the barges in the bay twinkle in the water. Then, the quiet, sanitized trip through the airport terminal full of gentle beeps and electric scanners. The post-flight reverie is always broken by the blast of heat that shocks you into life when you leave through the glass doors. And finally, there's the first trip to the hawker centres, the bustle and noise, the smells and the heat, and the food that just hits the spot.

'Or luak' (oyster omelette)


Satay



I love my coconuts :)


Popiah (a kind of spring roll) - I could eat these all day!

East Coast Food Village at night

This year, apart from all the epicurean excess, it's been good to have the whole family together again after more than a 13 months.