Mookata

Bugis Junction is no ordinary Singapore shopping mall. This modern development features a wonderful imitation lane of colonial style shop houses selling locally design dresses, T-shirts and accessories, as well as a few cute cafes where you can sip an iced coffee and pretend you’ve been taken back in time. Glance over to the huge glass-roofed section, which is really Bugis Junction’s centrepiece, and you’ll remember exactly where you are. Under the giant glass structure, you’ll find a range of high street shops and a good range of dining option, including fine dining restaurants, fast food outlets and some hawker-style vendors. Bugis Junction is directly accessible from Bugis MRT Station.

Bugis Street is interesting as it’s a place that has narrow alleys where there are shops selling a variety of goods such as bags, masks, hand phone covers, cosmetics, clothes … It also sells food … snacks that you can munch as you shop and drinks such as bubble tea and juices. I have bought a lanyard hand phone cover for my mom, masks for the family and snacks and bubble tea for myself. It’s certainly bustling with people with many shops to check out.

It has been my yearly pilgrimage to Chinatown before Chinese New Year since I was a young boy. I visited yesterday - 21/1/22 - however this year it was very very different, no more crowd, no more Taiwanese Jellies, no more Waxed-meat shops, no more jostling, no more specialty shops, no more tasting - free peanuts, melon seeds, no more discount bantering, no more good cheers n push around….. Rather the atmosphere was very subtle n subdued. The night market or pasar malam is merely an extension of the existing shop. So there is nothing mystic or interesting from the normal day to day shopping. Nonetheless it’s the season of CNY n let’s enjoy the good ties n vibes. Shop, eat, enjoy n stay safe….. Remember to MASK up!!