Funky Finds @ Bugis

Funky Finds @ Bugis

 

SINGAPORE - National Library.

 

That’s the first thing that surely pops up to my mind every time I hear the word Bugis. A true testament of geekiness and undying love and hate relationship I had built with books indeed, amidst the plethora of words that could be associated with it.

 

But not anymore! National Library has now been moved a long way down on my list of places to visit when I am bound to go to Bugis or just find myself wandering in it.

 

So, what on earth could have possibly replaced National Library in my heart?

 

 

 

Arab Street or Kampong Glam is as unpretentious as it could get. With colourful and vibrant two-storey shophouses, each of which offers a different experience from its neighboring shops, parading on your left and right as you negotiate your way towards the seemingly un-Singapore lane, you will surely find yourself getting drawn to its atmosphere and charm in every step that you would take.

 

Obviously a Muslim district, visitors could not help but flood the place and indulge themselves, too, together with the locals on the richness of the latter’s culture. With the presence of conservatively-dressed Muslims going to the Sultan Mosque at a particular period of the day, newly washed sheeshas hanging deliberately in front of every restaurant that we passed by and menus that will surely encourage you to uncontrollably salivate, which includes Mutton Murtabak, Shawarma, Kebab and Hummus just to name a few, you could not help but grasp minutely but immediately the Arabian way of life.

 

The place is a gold mine of fabrics, for those one of a kind evening gowns that you like to have; Oriental carpets, for that lovely home of yours; non-alcoholic perfumes with the Muslim customers in mind; rattan products and knick knacks for yourself and for your home and many other great finds that will surely make you think that you’re in an endless treasure hunt.

 

The treasure hunt does not stop once you finished the whole of Arab Street. There are still streets adjacent to it that are truly worthy of your time such as Haji Lane, Bali Lane, Bussorah Street and Baghdad Street. Since we were so pressed for time, we were only able to ransack Haji Lane.

 

Haji Lane is a quaint, little alley situated just beside the more tourist-thronged Arab street. A hub for the fashion forward people and indie label whores who love to look around for unusual fashion finds in independent local fashion boutiques and who craves for a breath of fresh air from the shiny and oh-so-generic vibe of the stores along Orchard Road.

 

 

 

Modparade houses an extensive range of clothing choices; from cute daily wear, mostly on basic and neutral colors, that will still surely make you stand out amidst the crowd and flirty little black dresses passable enough as both day and evening wear.

 

 

I simply adore this Sweet Pair for its innumerable number of cute and eye candy shoes on display. Eye popping dresses and blouses on the racks due to its dainty and girly styles and vibrant colors make you want to grab and try all of them!

 

 

There is also A Thousand Tales for your home needs…

 

 

 

and Friends for their wide range of ultra chic and rocker chic dresses.

 

 

 

 

For those hidden gems, playful trinkets and eye-catchy tees, Queendora is the way to go!

 

 

Salad Shop is a clothing and home accessories shop. The white facade and interior were made to contrast the abundance of black colored items against the white ones. It also offers a wide variety of home products which are pleasing to the eyes and at the same time functional.

 

 

Took an ice cream break from all the walking and gawking we had done during this exquisite journey in The Ice Cream Man. Yumminess! Interesting flavors they got there. To demonstrate how out of this world their flavors are, vodka, white wine and red wine flavored ice cream were present in their menu! Anyway, I stuck with the caramel-apple flavoured one. Sweet!

 

 

This nice ice cream shop is manned by these two lovely people, Melvin and Claudia at that time. So generous of them to concoct for me a flavor that I want to try the next time I visit the store. Have to phone them first though so that they could make it for me. Care to help me on the flavor of ice cream that I should ask them to prepare? I want it to be as wacky as possible!

 

 

 

So many stores to visit, but so little time! There is still a good number of stores that we have not been able to visit when we were there; add to it the independent shops positioned on the other lanes.

 

 

I also promise myself to go back here for the food maybe. A lot of restaurants that caters mouth-watering dishes and promises a seemingly good time while being blasted with soothing indie music awaits my eventual return.

 

 

For now, I am more than contented and happy with what i saw. Till the next Bugis experience you guys! Hope I will be able to go back here before I fly back to the Philippines.

 

 

Arab Street is just a 10-minute walk away from Bugis MRT Station.