Author: Sydney Fong
24) Where is this place ?
Labrador Park Pt 1
A trail to Labrador Park is not my plan. I was there by a tail wind and with some historical stories behind.
To get away from the weekend crowd, Labrador Park is one good choice to reclaim a historic and ship theme scenery. It’s a two-in-one goal! You may like to backpack sunshine and fresh air along while trailing.
Shades and forests are the bodies of this park. There is one side road leading to Labrador Battery at the entrance located at the south tip of Singapore. Labrador Battery is seated within the lush Labrador Nature Reserve.
◄It was one of the coastal artillery armed by the British Army in the 19th century. They defended the western sea and stored ammunitions.►
At the entrance of this leafy road were the wall remains of the old Ford, built around 1886. It was a “stone-faced” sea wall over 6-foot high, passable only by ◄
infantry.
And now, you can only hear cicadas calling and the little plants sticking their necks out to welcome you.
Whenever you feel confuse and tire, just remember there is a place for you to de-stress and rejuvenate, and that is Labrador Park !
6) Life – The Last Kampong
Recently visited Singapore’s last Kampong – The Surau Kampong. The Kampong is located in Buangkok, nearby the old Woodbridge Hospital which is now known as Institute of Mental Health.
“Kampong” in Malay literally means village. In olden days, Kampong is the main building form before the reinforcement of concrete technology is established.
The common scene in Kampongs during rainy seasons is fun and memorable. Villagers chasing after ducks and chickens, hastening to bring in clothes from their clothes lines to keep away from flood and rain, whilst barefooted kids and dogs hastily fleeing to find their own shelters. Sadly, this amusing scene is a memory of the past in Singapore with the exception for this little last Kampong.
Kampong houses are usually constructed with zinc roofs and timber walls with windows and doors. Floors are usually laid with cement screed and it feels chilling whenever you step on the floor day or night. Leaving each other’s door open is a common sight in a Kampong. That was the trust and camaraderie the villagers had for each other.
Wind charms, tree houses, birds, chicken, ducks, dogs, cats, fruit trees, flowers, make-shift fencing, stand alone post box, shabby toilets, raw and unpolished nature 
landscapes are the elements of Kampongs.
Smells of chicken poo floating in the air; gecko’s calling; mosquitoes whizzing in your ears; lizards clicking on the wall; cricket’s chirping with their dance; dogs bucking in the night; frogs singing with their 
orchestra are just part of the calling soul of a Kampong.
The Surau Kampong currently houses 28 families – 10 Malays and 18 Chinese. In time to come, it may not be able to protect its own boundary. As life is impermanent, more than ever in this fast changing Lion City. Before Singapore gobbles up its last village, let’s step in more often to this carefree and slower pace of life as compared to the urban contemporaries.
Friend (18) – Nature
An elderly couple emerged from the early morning mist. Age in their 80s, sported in their usual casual wear, look washed out with the waves on their face. Unlike their silvery white sideburns, their energy never slide. The old man held a clutch in one hand, sustained by the old lady’s feeble arm on the other. Both look so happy like the desirable cobalt blue sky.
This is my other Friend “Nature”. He bestowed comfortable, warm and simple affection. Though they are just a pair of strangers in my life journey, but their presence and silhouettes never ceased to be strangers in my mind.
Few years down the road, the sight is still in my mind so sharp and clear. No exaggerated manners needed for set off, no gorgeous embellishment required to look good.
The elderly couple emitted fragrance so natural and rustic. No pretentious smile, just healthy, serene and noble sentiments circulated with elegant simplicity!
With the presence overtaken by events, perhaps both are together in heaven, or perhaps they are still strolling in the early mornings. But the message my “Friend” had left behind, makes me realized the wisdom of another life, sparkling with crystal clear insight.
Friend (17) – Dream
The afternoon sun brim over the church hall, through the space between the iron railed window grilles. Looking out from the window covered with climbing morning glories, on the old brick wall parked a small mantis.
This mantis is so small and frail, he leaped while the wind blows, picking himself up over and over again against the wind. This garden with a pond is surrounded with fragrant flowers enriched with fertile soil, conclusively with this little mantis who was injured through his fall but never succumb to his collapse.
Friends, your name is “DREAM”
With you, saplings thrive and sprout year after year.
With you, failure is no longer an easy compromise.
With you, the wings of a dream turn stronger.
With you, countenance of the youth loses its silhouette of frustration. The forlorn feels warm in blizzard nights.
5) Life – Kachang Puteh Man
I met a Kachang Puteh man outside Peace Centre along the main street. “Kachang” in Malay means Bean and “Puteh” denotes color White, on the whole it means White Beans.
Kachang Puteh man was an immigrant who came from India during the 50s and 60s. They are popular among the kids, cinema or amusement park patrons.
Life is a start from scratch. They are self-reliance and sell beans for a living. Besides selling beans and nuts, tidbits like prawn crackers, sweet candies are what they can offer too.
The beans varieties were mostly roasted, though some were steamed (like the chicks beans). All beans in containers are neatly laid on the Kachang Puteh cart. The kachang are wrapped with thin paper folded in a cone-up shape. In those days, it cost $0.05cents per cone but now I have to pay $1.00 for a cone!
Personally, I have a penchant for the roasted variety which comes coated with a layer of sugar, though too much of it may cost the Tooth Fairy some works!
Kachang Puteh man usually lodged their carts outside cinemas or amusement parks. In those days, cinemas and amusement parks are standalone buildings and it is easy to push the cart around and start a business. Unlike now, cinemas are mostly “built-Ins” and run by building’s management. Renting a ‘peanut’ corner in a building will be costly and affects the Kachang Puteh Man’s income. Moreover, no outside foods are allowed in the cinemas other than those bought from the cinema’s vendors.
However, Kachang Puteh man are vanishing soon, we don’t see them around more than often, even in our country’s Little India these days. If you happened to see one, do stop by and patronize, as they may fad off soon. Now you see it, now you don’t…. In times to come, it does not only leave behind a taste of nostalgia but also the shadow behind our Mr Kachang Puteh man.
7) Chrysanthemum Song / 菊花之歌
Is just another day
People rolling on the street
Wheels chasing each other
This is the moment we meet
You are in a cart along the city
When I look into your eyes
Let me have a chance to call out your name
Miss Chrysanthemum
You are a whispering angel
Calling my name in the dust
You are a true angel
And I am a true follower
By your side
I rather be a charming face
Is just another day
People walking on the grass
Wind chasing each other
This is the time we greet
You are the guardian of the graveyard
When I look into your eyes
Let me have a chance to call out your name
Miss Chrysanthemum
You are a humming angel
Calling my name in the garden
You are a true singer
I am a true prayer
By your side
But I rather be a faithful hand
Friend（16）- Autumn Rain
This few months, the haze from Indonesia has smog Lion City all over again. Our smoky heart yearns to see the bright sun and flashing star yet and again.
On that day, through my window west direction, my friend finally arrived.
He came from distant lands, dragging along in his left hand layers of thick dark clouds coming from the mountain. Trudging in his right hand a large rainy blow. Standing behind the window, awaken from my sweet drowse, surrounded with the sniff of the immense rain.
With this timely arrival of breeze, I know the rainy season is not far away as it adds ease and bliss to my heart and a little gay.
Friend, your name is “Autumn Rain”.
AddGrainOnEarth 