At the kind invitation of Alvinology from Omy.sg, I was invited for a Trishaw Night Tour as part of the Night Out at Bras Basah, Bugis Precinct activity organised by the National Museum of Singapore. Part of the overall effort to inject more buzz and excitement into the Civic District, the activity showed us how much more vibrant and fascinating Singapore’s cultural hotspots can be after dark.
Helmed by the DJs Jianwen and Kemin from the Radio Station 100.3 FM, the three-wheeled tour was an interesting blend of whimsical fun and wonder through the brightly lit nightscape of Singapore’s cultural hub. Commencing at the Bugis Trishaw Park (between Albert Centre Hawker Centre and Fu Lu Shou Building on Queen Street), it ended at the Settler’s Cafe at SMU where food, drink and friendly conversation capped off the night on a high.
Here’s a photographic account of our journey. No prizes for guessing who the real stars of the night were. 🙂
Our nocturnal adventures began at the Trishaw Park area in between Fu Lu Shou Complex and Albert Court. Here’s DJs Jianwen and Kemin urging everybody to cheer out loud.
“Ready? Lights, cameras, and everybody say cheeeesee…”
And away we go…”Gentlemen, start your ‘human’ engines!”
Along the way, we spotted these famous ‘pasar malam’ or night market stalls at Singapore’s famous (once infamous) Bugis Village.
Here’s our domestic tourists making a dash in their trishaws through Queen Street, with spanking new shopping centre Illuma on the left. Notice the whipping out of cameras to capture the action.
Friendly banter and chats betwee trishaw riders and passengers alike help to make the time pass by breezily. It was interesting to note how amusingly animated our three-wheeled “captains” were, despite the sweltering while peddling away in the tropical heat and humidity.
Careening down Middle Road with decades old architecture on the right and another dazzling new contemporary edifice called Wilkie Edge.
Along the way, real tourists – the non Singaporean kind – had a small chat with my wife Tina on what we are doing out in the middle of the road on three-wheeled human powered vehicles. I think she did a convincing job telling them how fun it was!
Our curious carriages trundled on to the colourful and charismatic “Little India” area along Serangoon Road and Campbell Lane, where we saw these interesting shops offering garlands of yellow flowers for sale.
It isn’t just 7-Eleven which is “always close but never closed”. These little green grocers were open at night and bursting with fresh vegetables like brinjals, long beans and carrots.
We also passed by a serene group of monks and nuns who were walking through the night – a picture of calm in a cacophonous sea of nocturnal bustle.
I wondered if they were having dinner in one of the many fine vegetarian restaurants in the region, like this one here.
We also passed by what’s probably the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple located along in the middle of Serangoon Road. Talk about a spiritual experience!
Turning off from Serangoon Road to Rowell Road, we saw a few interesting sights. They include representatives of our foreign workforce, some “ladies” of the night, as well as a karaoke pub located alongside the POST Museum – an oasis of artistic incubation.
On the way to Bras Basah Road, we swung by the Sungei Road area (on the left) which is one of Singapore’s oldest “outdoor” market where vendors proffer cheap second hand goods for sale during the day.
A shot of one of the stall keepers hidden behind his wares. He is either keeping his merchandise or preparing them for the next day.
Back along North Bridge Road, with the regal old Raffles Hotel on the left and towering skyscrapers including Raffles City in the foreground.
Our trusty trishaw riders – who were the real stars of the ride – dropped us off at Waterloo Street outside the entrance to the new Bras Basah circle line. There, our DJs took over the show yet again and helped organise the crowd.
As we crossed busy Bras Basah Road, I couldn’t help taking this shot of Singapore Art Museum at night.
We next descended into the “underground city” at the Singapore Management University and had some supper and games at Settler’s Cafe.
A wide assortment of more than 200 board games in all shapes and sizes were available for rent or sales here.
Even the menu looked like it came from one of the most famous board games in the world – Monopoly!
Some of the event’s guests accepting interviews from the roving reporters from Omy.sg as well as the radio station 100.3 FM.
At our table, my wife Tina showed that she was quite adept at the game called Ugly Doll, where you had to turn over cards and grab them once three of the same patterned “dolls” emerged.
Our wonderful night out ended with DJ Jianwen going through a lucky draw where winners could win tickets to the splendid Egyptian mummies show Quest for Immortality at the National Museum of Singapore as well as free vouchers to Settler’s Cafe.
