I had planned for this post to be out in December, during the Christmas period, hence the merry title.

But hey, it’s still relevant! Especially with COVID-19 not letting us travel anytime soon. Still in the right season.

Here in Singapore, everyone is out on a journey of wonderful staycays, thanks to the SG Rediscovery Vouchers. After two staycays in 2020, I realised I rather rent a car and travel around instead of spending $$ on one fancy hotel room.

Where I stayed during my two separate 3D 2N staycays:

Pan Pac:

Hotel Boss:

When exploring your local area, there are usually some places that we overlook, but pass by on a daily basis. But we will only start to look for these locations when on a staycay. Here are some recommendations:

1. Selegie Arts Center

I’ve passed by this building countless times as my previous office was nearby, but never stopped to appreciate it.

The building is cute as a wedge-shaped building, with colourful windows. I checked the IG tags, and this spot is not popular compared to Old Hill Police Street (as a comparison of buildings with colourful windows), which means you have it all to yourselves. If you walk around that area, there are actually many instagrammable places, especially with it being near rustic areas and tertiary art schools.

Fun fact, Selegie Arts Center has gone through some exciting times, from when rickshaw pullers and coolies were abundant, to when it has a popular kopitiam in the 80s. It then survived the demolition plan and the building was preserved. Now, it houses a bar on the first floor, and is home to the Photographic Society of Singapore and the Loke Wan Tho Gallery.

Danzpeople studio was also located right opposite, where POMO, was located. I had some good memories going for classes there, and making my life as colourful as the rainbow windows on the Center. POMO has ceased to exist, but the Selegie Arts Centre still lives on!

If you wanna take a break, there is also a Play Nation hidden in the middle of the shophouses adjacent to the Center. It wasn’t crowded when I last went, so quite peaceful.

Address: 30 Selegie Road

There are also quite a bit of food around the area. Here are some of my recommendations:

• Mackenzie Rex @ Prinsep Street, Rex is a very popular and well-known place amongst my parent’s generation, for their chicken rice. Their main branch was located near their hangout place which was Rex Cinema, and because it was cheap and good, many went on dates there before their movie started.
• The Big Cheese @ Sunshine Plaza, the space is about the size of an ice cream parlor, but the food is great! Had good memories eating this with my uni friend-colleague-peer Insy, as she introduced me to this mac&cheese place. You can choose your own ingredients, at an affordable rate and fills you up too.
• El Cubanos @ Short Street along Selegie Road, service is friendly and the food is as good or even better than Toastface Grillah in Aussie. It’s located at a normal looking building that looks like offices or flats. The empty space in front of the shop is usually filled with decorations and cutouts of cows, which makes a good photo opp too.
• My favourite dessert: Kooks Creamery @ The Cathay, urgh lava cookies with ice cream are the bomb. What more can I say.
• You can also pop by an old school MacDonalds accross the road @ Parklane Shopping Mall, complete with the circular twisty chairs and in original yellow red colours, and those retro brown tiles! This was one of the places that were good for large groups of students who just finished their dance production and craved food and camaraderie.

2. DECK

Not like your usual majestic exhibition space, what you will find is a shipping-container structure, decked with curated works by locals. (When I last visited, they were exhibits by local graduates).

DECK was established in 2014 with the mission of supporting and nurturing the community of photographers and artists in Singapore and Southeast Asia. This modular site acts as a connector between community and photography, and offers a platform for people to celebrate photography in the heart of Singapore. Driven by the belief that photography is for all, it welcomes professionals and amateurs to come together, mingle and be inspired.

Deck.sg

Think the overall vibe of the place works for an artistic space. As for the exhibits that I saw, there were quite a few I couldn’t comprehend, especially on the second level. And I have to admit most of it needed a bit more thinking and interpretation as there were a few pieces that were linked to one another.

I also noticed a #SaveDECK campaign, as it is raising funds to make DECK a permanent space. We want..to save DECK (and the cat that lives there).

Address: 120A Prinsep St, Singapore 187937

3. Kampong Glam District, Arab Street

You will be surprised at the amount of murals and graffiti found along these rows and rows of shophouses, considering Singapore is touted as a clean and green city. Most of them can be taken safely as cars would not be able to drive through, such as:

Haji Lane

Singapore’s original “hipster” street, Haji Lane, has the goods, to fill your tummy, hands, and minds. This lane has the most number of people taking photos throughout the day so far. But I usually spend my time exploring the local shops, and cafés.

Gelam Gallery

Gelam Gallery has two lanes along Bussorah Street, near the Sultan Mosque. These lanes used to be back alleys of the shops where business owners load their goods from the suppliers and throw their waste. There are still dustbins and some smelly segments, but circumstances are the same overseas too. I guess it is the nature of murals and graffiti.

My personal opinion – Overall, many interesting pieces, so many photos! But I do prefer Perth’s graffiti a little bit, maybe because I could relate to it better? Or maybe cause it’s foreign land and NOT AS HOT AS SG.

Ophir Road

Shaded due to the tall trees, and feeling all cool with the graffiti on the wall. The space has slowly grown to be more accepting of people, as the pathway has slowly opened up.

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Jalan Klapa

This one will pop out at you.  You will be able to see an actual supermarket cart attached to it. Surprisingly, this has stuck around for quite a few years already, but it never gets old.

Sultan Arts Village

While it is not a literal village, it is a space near the open carpark, which are filled with graffiti. It honestly looked like an abandoned plot of land during the COVID-19 period, but understand that it is home to The Black Book, a shop run by a local graffiti crew. Given that the walls have no common theme or style whatsoever, think that it is used as a practice wall, with one artwork getting sprayed on with a new one often.

Some of them are also along the car park lots along the lanes, especially along Aliwal Arts Centre if you wanna be more adventurous. This article has all the info.

Not to forget, this area’s food and vibes are as much a culture as clarke quay, but halal version. Being a haven for halal food, this is like my go to place, no matter how far it takes. Here are some of my favourites:

• The Royal Steakhouse. The best steak, and mushrooms.
• The Dim Sum Place. No one is ever used to me telling them I want to eat at The Dim Sum Place. They will always say where? And I will say it again. At The Dim Sum Place. My Chinese bosses have verified the legit taste of the food there, and the owner is always so friendly. He gave me a free desert after hearing it was my birthday on that day. It is always crowded, so make reservations!
• Wakuwaku Yakiniku. The beef platter is so so tasty and tender. Have gone here a few times, with friends, colleagues, and family.
• Afterwit. I honestly didn’t expect much from this stall initially, but the taste was good. The only thing is the long service time and price.
• Koh Nangkam Restaurant & Catering Service. Oh m gee. The Thai food here is super good, cooked by an authentic Thai.
• Konditori Artisan Bakes. Urgh, always long queue, always sold out early. But worth it.

Address: 26 Bussorah St, Singapore 199444

4. Experience Point

The place looks very unassuming, but I had an absolute blast with my friends at this board games hangout place.

It is located 5 min walk away from Lavender MRT station, and you could also take a bus from Bugis straight. They also close quite late, so it’s a great place to continue hanging out with your friends after dinner. Do note that during COVID times, you gotta whatsapp them to let them know you are coming!

Heard that all of the available games have been personally played and tested out by its staff, to guarantee that it is worth your experience. Also, there is a huge snorlax in the room – for hugging and photo purposes.

Address: 803 King George’s Ave, #02-190, Singapore 200803

In essence, this is a means of showing that there is some merit to staycays. You get to enjoy some good sights, good food at places you rarely visit on a daily basis. Also, the mental break from your normal life is important too.

I might give a staycay another chance, but not as someone who foot the bills, please!