HIKING TRIP -# day 2

26/2/2017
Sunday

This is glass noddles with fish balls soup... I can't seem to find stalls selling this nowadays in Kuala Lumpur.  Brought back good memories of an uncle selling this from a bicycle during my childhood and he would made the sound "dong dong" with the bowl and we would know he is coming by. This is best eaten with lots of chillies! 

Noddles with fried wanton and gravy.

The Maxwell Street Food court near to Chinatown. 

This morning we had another "tour guide".  Sarah meetup with her friend and she kindly took us to breakfast at the Maxwell Street Food Court which is near to Chinatown. 

Building with No. 1924 (Singapore)

So different from the 1924 building where we used to live in Kuala Lumpur....just wish that more heritage buildings in Kuala Lumpur will be save from destruction. 

We grab a car and took a short trip down to Orchard Road.... and as it was a Sunday there was already a big crowd hovering near Tangs....it was the maids' off day and they normally gather together around the shopping complex in Orchard Road area. 

Magnolia ice-cream sandwich... 

After checking out of the hotel, we took another walk around Chinatown.

Quirky merchandise.... braised duck parts; neck, butt, head, tongue too etc...

Taiwanese Minced meat pie... only $2.00 each 

Coffee time...relaxing at the Loft Cafe ... 

Affogato with Lemon Meringue Tart..

the gopuram or entrance tower

"The entrance contains a pair of very large double-leaf timber doors. The scale of these doors is intended to induce humility in the visitor and emphasise the diminutive human scale in relation to the divine. The doors are studded with small gold bells arranged in a grid pattern, which devotees are supposed to ring as they move through. Footwear is also stored around the entrance area, as it is not allowed within Hindu temples as a sign of respect"...Wiki

 

The Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore's oldest Hindu Temple founded in 1827 and is a major tourist attraction. 

As I was walking along the street, notice some interesting stone carving of the buildings.. must be a sort of tradesmark for the shops in olden times. 

Just a stone throw from the Indian Temple is the Masjid Jamae (Chulia)  aka the Green Mosque.

the foyer and further down is the prayer hall. 

a peek into the compounds... 

This again is Singapore earliest mosque established in 1928. 

the entrance with its twin minarets 

Building No. 1928 

saw this flea market along the back alley ...

rows of  heritage shops 

passed by a cat cafe...

Time to say goodbye, dear Sharon...hope to see you soon. 

She so kindly packed for us light snacks... the teochew peng kueh and chai kueh....which we enjoyed very much. Thanks! 

A LITTLE ABOUT CHINESE OPERA

26/2/2017
Sunday

The lobby of Santa Grand Lai Chun Yuen Hotel.  It is one of the most historic hotels in Singapore Chinatown.

The high ceiling -3 levels altogether. 

This premises was a popular Chinese opera theatre built in 1887 and was a favourite spot for local music and opera culture. The reception was once the  stage and the backdrop for the changing scenes.

It was originally constructed in the style of a traditional Chinese teahouse and can accommodate an audience of 800 persons. It has been extensively restored and the solid pillars, red walls  and chinese red lanterns along the corridors leading to 80 air-conditioned rooms housed in 3 levels of the building.  The rooms are classified as Warrior, Scholar and Majesty.  

There are a lot of these posters adorning the walls around the hotel adding a classic charm to the space.
We did not have the time to visit the Chinese Opera museum ... maybe next trip.  

Mei Lanfang, one of the most famous Peking opera artists well known for his "dan" (lady) roles.  

some of the old musical instruments 

Just like a Chinese Opera, we walked down the red carpet,  along the dimly lit corridors to our room, a turn here and a twist around the corner, in order to reach our room. 

Our room for 3 of us, not actually large but comfortable space to move around.  The toilet is behind the wall and rather small with basic amenities. However there is no coffee or tea making facilities in the room, but you can get coffee and tea outside on the 2nd level sitting area. 

As the hotel is located in Chinatown, the noises outside can be a bit nuisance especially at night. Otherwise, we enjoyed our stay here.