Our Triumph Herald

I was sat in a queue of traffic last week, waiting for the lights to change, when a Triumph Herald pulled up beside me. It was almost identical to the one we had in Singapore and Malaya in the 1960s but where as ours had a red stripe, this one had a green stripe. What struck me was just how small the car was and, as I sat at the lights, it reminded me of our days in the Far East. We went everywhere in that car including Jason's Bay, the Botanic Gardens and into the city. Someone mentioned recently how their dad would drive them over the causeway from Johore with no shoes on, buy new shoes and wear them back. Of course, this was to avoid the duty that had to be paid when you returned back to Malaya. Everyone did it and nearly everyone got away with it.
I've told the story before about when we visited the Botanical Gardens and it was so hot that my dad left the windows down. When we came back to the car, it was full of monkeys! One looked like he was trying to drive. I remember my dad chased them off and I also remember that one pooped on his seat!
I also remember going into the city and kids would ask for money to look after your car. You had to give it to them else you might find bits missing to be sold as spare parts to other people with similar cars.
We went everywhere in that car but not one of us can remember what happened to it! I suppose it was probably sold to the next Naval family that moved in after we left. I doubt it's still going!

Foodage repeated on Okto in Singapore

I see that Foodage is currently being repeated on Okto in Singapore. I loved taking part in the programme and it was great to see my fellow bloggers James Seah, Lam Chun See and Dick Yip.
Below, again, is one of my favourite clips featuring Dick singing and playing the ukelele.



 
To give you a taste of the programme, the second clip from Foodage features Dr Leslie Tay of ieatishootipost.




Luckily, the bit I was in is nowhere to be found on the internet!

Sampans, Banyans and Rambutans on Facebook

A while ago, I started a 'Sampans, Banyans and Rambutans' group on Facebook.  It includes memories and photos of Singapore and Malaya as it once was. Please feel free to join and add something.
Facebook decided to 'migrate' their groups a few months ago which meant that a lot of people who had previously joined were deleted. They won't let me add old members myself so, if you were deleted, please join again.
I hope to add lots of new photos soon as well as memories and bits and pieces about Singapore as it once was. The group is at http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/318117058080/

A Ride to Remember

Alicia Tan from Ink On Paper Communications Pte Ltd very kindly sent me a copy of the book, 'A Ride to Remember' which chronicles the story of the Mount Faber and Singapore Cable Car. There are some wonderful photos within its pages including many historical pictures. I sent them a couple of the photos used in the book including one of the long-vanished snake charmers who used to ply their trade on Mount Faber. The book makes great reading and there's plenty of history included as well as lots of information about the cable car today. It makes me want to travel back to Singapore to have a go on it! I've searched for the book online but have been unable to find it but, perhaps, if you're in Singapore, it may be available from the shops etc around the cable car or from Ink On Paper Communications Pte Ltd at 57 Ubi Ave 1, #06-03 Ubi Center, Singapore 408936.

Singapore in 1990

My fellow blogger and friend, James Seah, recently featured a video of Singapore on his blog that I shot in 1990. It's funny, at the time, I thought that Singapore had changed beyond all recognition but watching the film again today, I can see that a lot of the old buildings and sites were still there. The greatest change has been since 1990 to today. Looking at recent photos of Singapore, it looks like nearly all that I remember has either gone or changed. There were still some lovely buildings and a few fishermen in the river back in 1990 but today much of Singapore seems to consist of high-rise offices and apartments, fast roads and an extensive MRT. Much of what I remember from the 1960s as a boy has now long gone. Take a look at the video again and see if you agree.

The hotel we're staying in at the beginning of the film is the New 7th Storey Hotel which is also now long gone. You'll notice the bamboo scaffolding on the outside. It's worth watching to the end just for the underwater shots of the swimming polar bear at Singapore Zoo!

Davy Jones

 It was very sad to hear that Davy Jones had died yesterday. Like most kids in the 1960s, I loved the Monkees. It's funny, I don't remember the show being on tv when we lived in Singapore and Malaya between 1965 and 1968 but I do remember the songs being played on the radio.
'I'm a Believer' particularly reminds me of playing in the arcade at Sandycroft in Penang, it was always on in the background.
There are many songs that remind me of our three years spent there but this one does  the most!

Good Morning Yesterday

Fellow blogger and good friend, Lam Chun See, kindly sent me a copy of his latest book which I've been enjoying reading very much. It's a lovely book and I'm sure it will prove very popular.

Chun See has gathered together his memories of growing up in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s and, with Singapore changing so much, it makes fascinating reading. Chun See's incredibly popular blog, 'Good Morning Yesterday' has received over one million page views and the book combines the many interesting stories and photos featured within its pages. It includes chapters about kampong life, family, friends and neighbours, festive occasions, family outings and much, much more.

I think that it makes excellent reading and made me feel like I was actually there. I think that it should feature on the school curriculum in Singapore to show children of today what life was once like in their beautiful city. So much has changed over the years, even since I was last there in 1990.
It was also good to see a piece in the book from another good friend and fellow blogger, James Seah.
Last year, we all appeared in 'Foodage' together and I can't help thinking that all the material featured within the pages of the book would make an excellent educational tv series in Singapore.
I'd certainly recommend the book to anyone who has an interest in the Far East and I hope it sells many copies.
There's more information on Chun See's blog at:
http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/