Sometimes I Worry for the Birds

I recall that birds in Singapore used to be more nervous and alert to danger. When I was younger. they would fly away when I am not even 2 metres close. But nowadays, I notice cars speeding towards these birds and they would still be walking leisurely in their head-out-head-in bird motion in the middle of the road. Then, just before the car crushes them, they would calmly and suavely take a hop to the side and the car would just miss it by like 20cm. Is it my imagination that birds have evolved? Or was it that I was more dangerous than a car when I was younger.

Mint Museum of Toy

 

This is a long overdue post on the Mint Museum of Toy. I went there almost two years ago but didn't have the time to blog about it. YAY!! Finally have a bit of time now!

This museum is located in the heart of the city, near Raffles Hotel. There are five storeys in the building, each storey housing toys adhering to a particular theme.

While I prefer playing with toys to just looking at them, the museum does provide a "rich mix of nostalgia, education and inspiration" like they boast of on their website. For adults thinking of visiting, I suspect that a dash of imagination and certain familiarity with the subjects are required for adults to fully enjoy the museum.

Things to do

• Count the number of scary and racist toys!
• Play hopscotch!
• Sit and reminisce about your childhood...
• Buy a mint toy?
• Treat yourself to chicken wings and drinks at the mint cafe :)

Yup, so if you're interested, here are the details:

Opening Hours: 

(Museum and shop) 9:30a.m. to 6:30p.m.
(Cafe) 9:30a.m. to 10:30p.m.


Address: 
26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382
(Click on the address to link to streetdirectory.com)

Entrance fees: 

(Adult) $15
(Child 2-12 years old) $7.50
(Child below 2) Free
(Senior citizen, 60 years old and above) $7.50
(Family promotion for 2 adults 2 children) $36
(Family promotion for 3 adults 1 child) $42


*Group and seasonal rates are available. (I believe that when I was there, I had student discount)
*All prices are inclusive of GST

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Balestier (Part 1) - An Architecture History Book and More!

As I walked down Balestier Road some time back, I discovered that there were more to the area than lighting and wife's biscuit shops (or the occasional Hotel 88 - eek, hate it) ; The area is an interesting juxtaposition of architecture from different periods in Singapore: art deco shophouses, singapore electic style shophouses, HDB, transitional period houses, etc. etc.

Balestier actually 'documents' our heritage. It's one of the few areas that has a heritage trail written on it by our National Heritage Board. Go here to see the heritage trail details. You can learn about the origins of the various architecture on the website.

I had a nice walk that day. The shophouses were occupied by traditional businesses like traditional bakeries, a sheet metal bending shop and a bird shop. These sights and sounds are extinct in the HDB estates and city. Have a walk down Balestier if you have the time and indulge yourself in its slow rhythm of life. You may like to have a bowl of the famous Bak Ku Teh while you're there too. :)

See more photos below.

How to get there? 
Bus services available: 21, 124, 125, 130, 131, 145, 186
Nearest MRT: Novena, Toa Payoh (You may take bus service 131 from Novena MRT or bus service 139 or 145 from Toa Payoh MRT Station.)

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