What's around here

I was determined to go out on my bike tonight, on the supposed reason that I had to deposit a cheque (ie run an errand) but in my heart, I wanted to do so to justify the purchase. After dropping the cheque off at what's left of the row of shophouses opposite Siglap centre, I went to where our new home would be to explore the area.

There is a private housing estate around and behind. I immediately had to switch to higher gears in order to get up the hills that made up the estate. This would definitely make for good hill work in our runs. Not really a match for Kiara but there are flats and hence providing a more balanced workout.

I rounded the corner into the Bedok South area..to discover..its been re-branded as Lucky Valley! Whatever the name is now, its no different from your new-ish type housing estate - sanitised! No rowdy coffee shops, no more cars parked hap-hazardly, just your row of nice coffee shops, with brightly lit stalls and plastic chairs all round. It even had a mounted flat screen TV showing soccer programs. And the clientele? No different from coffee shops all over Singapore this time of the night - old chaps drinking beer from bottles. It was discouraging to not find any stalls serving halal food but Nisa cooks so the family will never go hungry.

Apart from coffee shops, the other convenience stalls were shut, and no wonder given the time of the day. There was a 7-eleven though, which we will try to avoid because prices will no doubt be higher given it has to open 24/7. There was a laundry-mat cum alternation service which looked expensive but worth a 2nd look in the day. There was a Vet as well. What I really wanted to find was an old fashion convenience/provision shop, pre the days of the mini-marts. These are the shops where you can buy all sorts of knick-knacks to attend to the little things that need fixing at home - buy kitchen towels, a mop, pails, simple tools etc etc. None to be found in Lucky Valley.

I did discover the entrance to Temasek Primary School though. Its very close to our new home and God-willing, Jamie will be accepted there.

The next time I go exploring will be in the Chai Chee area. It seems more old world, with wet markets and all. I can't wait.