I'm having foreign visitors in town and they wanted to see old-fashioned Singapore. I brought them to Chinatown for dinner and to have a feel of our Chinese New Year mood. There are lots of old-fashioned buildings in Chinatown.
The modern kids find old-fashioned entertainment amusing.There was a puppet show. I enjoyed watching roadside puppet shows when I was 6. It was the only interesting entertainment for us village kids then, our families couldn't even afford black and white TVs then. I rarely see such traditional puppet shows these days.
Old-fashioned candyThese were the sweets we offered to our guests who visited during Chinese New Year 30 years ago. Candied lotus root, chestnut, winter melon, lotus seed, persimmon..... etc. Nowadays, kids prefer expensive chocolates and fancy candies.
PhotoHunt
photohunt
Where is that puppet show located?
ReplyDeleteI just came back from Chinatown. *smack.head* I think I viewed more 'heads','human backs' and 'footwear' than those CNY stuffs! The Man commented that going there on weekends is almost suicidal!#$%$!%$
napaboaniya,
ReplyDeleteThe puppet show's next to the Chinatown Heritage Centre. You were there tonight too!?
arghhhh.... the sticky and smelly bodies brushing against mine and the pushing!!! I would rather go in the day.
Go on weekends!!? DON'T!
Oh .. Singapore does sell those old fashioned candies! I miss those!
ReplyDeletePeople always ask me what do Hong Kong people get for Chinese goodies. Old fashioned candies is the answer ...
wilfrid,
ReplyDeleteYes... the old-fashioned candies are sold at Chinatown and there are many stalls to choose from. It was not easy to find them in Singapore a few years back.
These candies are imported from Hong Kong. ^-^
Old fashion... mmm... u still give angpow, right? Hehehe...
ReplyDeleteAll the CNY deco at the malls are sooo ugly.. all oso put lanterns... aihhh.. this year veli boring decos... they must hv blasted their budget for xmas!
eastcoastlife,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to show the visitors the culture of our countries. Good job there!:)
My husbands been to Singapore but I haven't... I think old fashion towns are neat!
ReplyDeleteOh that puppet show looks great!!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend.
You know.. ECL, the one thing i missed alot about Singapore.. is not being able to share all these cultural differences with the brat.
ReplyDeleteA good glimpse of Singapore for outsiders.
ReplyDeletei love looking at old building especially those that are restored to how it was. definitely a breath of fresh air compared to the ever growing skyscrappers :P
ReplyDeletehee hee hee..those old-fashioned sweets...used to love it!
ReplyDeletebut now..since it's from china, one does wonder abt it's quality control la..... unfortunately!
I haven't got a chance to see those muppet show. It's quite hard to find nowadays I think. And those traditional candies, I love it especially the persimmon.
ReplyDeletei've been to spore like a million times but i don't think i've been to chinatown..oopsss *walk away head hanging low*
ReplyDeleteOoo does this only happen because it's near to CNY? I mean, it really looks old-fashioned.
ReplyDeleteI love to go to China town of singapore everytime I visit singapore.. a lot of things to see and buy lol..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.keeyit.com
Those are great shots for the old fashioned theme. I always enjoy seeing what you come up with for photohunt.
ReplyDeleteInteresting pictures. Perfect for this week's theme!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to see my shot for this week!
My angel,
ReplyDeleteYes, I still give out angpows. Want to visit me during CNY? hehe...
The mall designers have no creative ideas for CNY decorations. In Singapore, they also use lanterns widely.
here a Big Bang - World Record Tag for u. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteKok,
ReplyDeleteYes. Even though some of my visitors are from China and Taiwan, they still love to see my Singaporean culture and the old parts of the city.
You come lah, I bring you around.
mamabok,
ReplyDeleteYou can show and teach her our culture using our official websites. You should bring her back one day and let her see for herself. Plan for the trip. I'll be here to help you.
mott,
ReplyDeleteMost goods are from China these days. Even though some food might be prepared in our own country, it can be quite unhygienic as well since consumers aren't looking.
I bought some candied sweets just for the occasion so as to teach the younger generation the wisdom of our ancestors. The modern kids think our ancestors were retards, ate and slept only.
Doreen,
ReplyDeleteOh, you tried those candies too. They may look yucky but some really taste good.
I haven't seen a traditional puppet show in years. I was lucky to see one last night. It is a dying tradition. Seems like no one wants to take over and continue with it.
Hi laundry amah!!
ReplyDeleteSingapore Chinatown is an interesting place. If you're not into the old fashioned cultural things, there's lots of shopping and food.
Singaporeans go to Chinatown for some unusual ingredients and finds. It has the widest variety of goods in the country.
I usually go for the food, there are many yummy eateries, food stalls and restaurants in Chinatown.
Great pics, as ever. The old-fashioned candy looks absolutely delicious. Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeletehuey,
ReplyDeleteChinatown still retain its old-fashioned charms, it's a preserved area in Singapore.
The Chinese New Year bazaar is an annual thing, it is attended by tens of thousands of people. It's the only place in Singapore where there is a thick atmosphere of CNY festive mood.
Many traditional performances and practices are carried out here.
A thought sprang to mind as I looked at the photos.. Remember those old style lanterns with candles? Nowadays gone battery operated lights! Pahhh!
ReplyDeleteGreat look into where you live ECL. I'll believe it's old fashioned if you say so, I think I would rather have chocolate too! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletegreat great old fashioned pics of china town.
ReplyDeleteyeah,new year is coming in your place!hurray!!
mine`s up here:
http://akoni.info
LB,
ReplyDeleteoh yes, for safety reason, the candles have been changed to light bulbs. You won't want a fiery CNY do you? hehe.....
At first I thought it was New Orleans!
ReplyDeleteWow, very cool!
That still looks like a lot of fun... of course I'm pretty easy to please ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do little puppet shows with my 2 year old nephew... I guess he'll outgrow that soon enough (sigh).
Now, this is a place I would love to visit... what a magical place... beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteThe Rocky Mountain Retreat
Hey, great blog and I like Chinese Cinderella too. But where is she gone?
ReplyDeleteoh i love puppet shows. i would visit that when i'll go Singapore. :)
ReplyDeletewhat we have here is Chinese Opera. however, we rely on foreign artistes as no one seems keen in doing it here. people are busy i guess. the last one we had was last year. they're from Beijing and I missed it! :(
i love eating those candies. :)
thanks for the visit. :)
Roadside puppet shows, I love that. Great post. Happy hunting.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is one old fashion town. CNY is coming and the "old fashion" shopping along the streets of Chinatown must have started..
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
Pearl
Great take on the theme. very interesting to read.
ReplyDeletehave a great weekend.
I hope someday can visit Singapore :D
ReplyDeleteMy Old fashioned
Have a nice weekend
I am coming ! I want to see that too !
ReplyDeletereally old-fashioned lor! me likes... ;)
ReplyDeleteecl mama, so r u modern or old-fashioned? :P
Beautiful photos. Great choice for old-fashioned.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of old fashioned. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI wrote that ivory is not allowed anymore, (hehe you missed that !) but my things are dating from 1910 or 20 !
ReplyDeleteOh, these are lovely pictures. Perfect for our theme! Did your guests enjoy their visit?
ReplyDeletegreat find! even though they are old-fashioned I think they are still in today's modern world. And many people still prefer the old things.
ReplyDeleteJuliana,
ReplyDeleteHope to meet up with you in Singapore one day!
Like the kids of today, I also love those expensive chocolates. Yummy, yummy! :D
ReplyDeletekyh,
ReplyDeleteI still have some old fashioned thinking. I'm a cool mommy you know, I'm rather open on certain stuff! hehe....
That's a great range of really old-fashioned things. I particularly like the candy. I'm sure it was much better for you!
ReplyDeletepastormac's ann,
ReplyDeleteMy guests enjoyed the trip very much. I left them and my staff to explore Chinatown and left for home alone.
It was very crowded and I dislike crowds. hehe...
I enjoy your blog and will link to you. My blog is fairly new and a link back would be appreciated. Thanks!:-)
ReplyDeleteI will be back.
God's Grace.
Serving those sweets has been a past experience. I guessed our guests nowadays are more demanding and prefer more sophisticated delicacies rather than the dried fruits and vegetables :P
ReplyDeleteHey, I want ang pow too. Am I too demanding? haha :P
good catch for the theme... hope you'll visit mine too.
ReplyDeleteNice shots! Interesting take this week:)
ReplyDeleteOur cultural heritage should not be forgotten even if progress in at hand. Some places here in Asia, sadly, at times, do not seem to preserve these, just for the sake of new buildings. I haven't tried those candies but have tried other kinds of Chinese candies.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! :)
My entries:
TeacherJulie
Homeschooling
It's interesting how old-fashioned things look different in every culture.
ReplyDeletewow i would love to visit china someday but i guess that's too far from now lol! Happy weekend! Great Shots!
ReplyDeleteinteresting photos. love the puppet show.
ReplyDeletereading yr post reminds me how long i havent gone down to Singapore. :(
ReplyDeleteThe candy looks very tempting. I would have gotten some for sure if i was there.
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for letting me know that there is a puppet show next to Chinatown Heritage Centre. If I could still bear to be in the crowd, I would consider taking a look.
ReplyDeleteIncredible photos! And a fascinating bit of history.
ReplyDeleteGood to see some of the old stuff still left,it sees the practice to rip all this down and replace it with some ugly modern building.
ReplyDeleteHope you are still enjoying the old fashioned sweets
I watched the puppetshow when I was a child. I never understood the story. I was more thrilled to play and own a puppet than to concentrate on the story.
ReplyDeleteYou lucky ones still have a chance to keep the tradition and candies of CNY.
It is not a public holiday in the US. I can't even find a CNY greeting card within a radius of 96km (60 miles) from my house.
Mine is up too.
wow - very different!
ReplyDeleteChinatown is good for lots of interesting shots good job.
ReplyDeleteIt must be crazily busy at Chinatown now with CNY coming up. Oo.. I want some of those candies!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to watch that puppet show. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Looks like a fun time.
ReplyDeletewow! that's a great place!
ReplyDeleteI used to work opposite the old Maxwell Road Food Centre. Chinatown was just around the corner. I suspect it has changed quite a bit with the upgrading and the MRT going through.
ReplyDeleteWow, my kids would love to see that puppet show! I've never heard of puppet shows in any other Chinatown around the world!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. I'm sure your guests had a great time. Happy weekend
ReplyDeleteThat does looks like a very interesting place to visit. I've never really been to Singapore before apart from the 2 hours transit at Changi airport - That's about fit I guess. Looking forward to it. Maybe one day I will step my feet on the land. ;)
ReplyDeleteAre town isn't even close to age of singapore.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a puppet show in ages.
My photo for the hunt is up.
Aw..looking at the photos reminds me of CNY back home..
ReplyDeletewhat beautiful photos!!
ReplyDeletevery nostalgic.
kids are like that. hahaha~
i used to dislike those candies mom bought for us. prefered new chocolates :D
happy chinese new year!!
this photo reminds me of the Philippines.. that puppet show looks interesting.. ;) great entry for this week entry..;) Mine is here take a peak if you have time.. ;)
ReplyDeleteI find that old-fashioned puppet theatre very pretty too! so rare they are these days. jom we put on a show! *wink*
ReplyDeleteHi!I always like your site showing the best of Singapore!Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow!Your visitors sure did have a good time!
ReplyDeleteawww....reminds me that CNY is just around the corner!! am so going to miss this. wish i could get my hands on those sweets!!! :D lovely shots, dear...
ReplyDeleteCool photos! Hope you are having a nice weekend :)
ReplyDeleteYou know in my age, I just love the Old-fashioned :-)
ReplyDeleteBtw: You've been tagged:
http://www.terella.no/2008/01/27/272/
wa...the candies...so tempting!!
ReplyDeletewow those are just beautiful....what a nice photos....thanks for sharing...Mine is up too:
ReplyDeleteEvery Beat Of My Heart
i love old school chinese deli. they are superb they can make me eat as if there will be no tomorrow c",)
ReplyDeleteMorning Sniffles