November 11, 2026
While I was in Singapore this time I was on a mission, downsize my belongs and pack my life into hopefully four or less 50 # suitcases! The only time I took a break, was for meals and thankfully we were in a new area of town, for me, so I got to see some of Joo Chiats charm as we walked to restaurants. The area is Signapore's first heritage town known for it's vibrant Peranakan culture, pastel hued shop fronts and diverse food scene. Built in the early 1900's by Chinese families, they blend Chinese, Malay and colonial influences that reflect that area's rich multicultural roots. The land was once owned by Chew Joo Chiat, the King of Katong.
I also took it as a sign that I was where, I was meant to be, when I saw a huge sign saying Odyssey ( a private school), next to St. Patrick's Way which turned onto East Coast Drive! I believe in signs!
Luckily for me Alex,
Ben & I had traveled together and were all at the
Indigo Hotel
by IHG (shown below). I was definitely not ready to be all alone ( nor do I want to be, ever)! We all had lots to do and organize, so meal times was a welcome break and we shared our daily struggles, latest emotions and helped each other through the total roller coaster.
The first day we tried a local spot attached to the Hotel for lunch called Buba Chews, They did a fixed price lunch sampler which included ice tea, soup, blue pea rice, a pickled and steamed veggie bowl; a chicken with black nuts and your choice of a fish curry, pork belly or another chicken. Flavors were different and nice; the soup, veggies and chicken were my favorites.
For dinner the first day I invited Cindy & Rick Stein( ship folks) to join us - when I randomly into them at the hotel next door. We walked to the local Hawker market and ended up at a Dumpling shop for a yummy meal.
The next day we went to hawker market again (food yummy and cheap). I had an amazing fresh fruit drink Mango and Soursop with a Vietnamese banh mi chicken and thyme sandwich. For dinner we dressed up and went for Indian since it was Ben's last night.
We finished the night off with some tears, laughs and home made gelato! The shop is so popular only 10 people allowed in at a time for crowd control. I also tackled my hardest purge of belongs that night. My mother's mirror mosaic trash can. It's been part of my life for 65 years! I have always loved seeing it, BUT I can't continue to cart it around the world. I can't believe I teared up over it and even now seing this picture, but I believe I can travel lighter now! The young girl at the hotel desk said she would find it a good home! I hope so!
