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Exploring the quirky side of Singapore
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Sunrise in the morning at Singapore's Marina Bay. The country is home to many urban attractions for tourists. (Shutterstock)" height="427" border="0" width="640">Sunrise in the morning at Singapore's Marina Bay. The country is home to many urban attractions for tourists. (Shutterstock)The quiet yet quirky Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru provides an interesting outing for those traveling to Singapore.
Home to the country's first housing estate, which was built in the 1930s, the neighborhood features a mix of art moderne and shophouse architecture with rows of flats adorned with rounded balconies, flat rooftops and spiral staircases.
Among the many establishments on Yong Siak Street, Books Actually is arguably one of the most popular. The small yet homey independent bookstore is where book lovers can expect to find a vast number of indie titles, local authors and vintage trinkets such as typewriters, coke bottles, cameras, accordions as well as second-hand books.
The small yet homey Books Actually is packed with visitors as seen from outside the store. (thejakartapost.com/Ayomi Amindoni)
The store's offbeat vibe also encourages visitors to explore its wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with titles encompassing classics to contemporary and pop-up to photography books, as well as poetry and many other gems scattered in every corner.
Books Actually manager Renee Ting said the bookstore specialized in literature, but did not target a specific type of customer. "We provide literature for everyone, regardless of the hipster labels,â she recently told thejakartapost.com in Singapore.
Established in 2005 by Kenny Leck and Karen Wai, Book Actually publishes its own books under Math Paper Press for up-and-coming local authors and produces handmade notebooks under its Birds and Co imprint. They also regularly host literary events and readings, acoustic sessions and mini exhibitions; making it a popular hub in Singapore's growing literary scene. It previously organized the exhibition âAn Ode to Penguinâ, which showcased over 1,000 Penguin Books titles.
Books Actually is where book lovers can expect to find a vast number of indie titles, local authors and vintage trinkets such typewriters, coke bottles, cameras, accordions as well as second-hand books. (thejakartapost.com/Ayomi Amindoni)
After exploring the neighborhood, a pit stop at the Tiong Bahru Bakery for a croissant paired with a cup of coffee is a good idea. Nestled on Eng Hong Street, only a ten-minute stroll from Books Actually, the business is said to be one of the pioneers of the Tiong Bahru scene.
The bakery is always packed with both Singaporeans and expats, for good reasons. Jessica Munaf, an Indonesian who works in the country, said that people came from all over Singapore to simply enjoy their croissants, which are produced traditionally -- rolled, not machine-cut -- and baked twice every day. Compared to regular croissants out there, they are also bigger, heavier and have a slightly denser feel.
Sunrise in the morning at Singapore's Marina Bay. The country is home to many urban attractions for tourists. (Shutterstock)<)
Sunrise in the morning at Singapore's Marina Bay. The country is home to many urban attractions for tourists. (Shutterstock)
The quiet yet quirky Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru provides an interesting outing for those traveling to Singapore.
Home to the country's first housing estate, which was built in the 1930s, the neighborhood features a mix of art moderne and shophouse architecture with rows of flats adorned with rounded balconies, flat rooftops and spiral staircases.
Among the many establishments on Yong Siak Street, Books Actually is arguably one of the most popular. The small yet homey independent bookstore is where book lovers can expect to find a vast number of indie titles, local authors and vintage trinkets such as typewriters, coke bottles, cameras, accordions as well as second-hand books.
The small yet homey Books Actually is packed with visitors as seen from outside the store. (thejakartapost.com/Ayomi Amindoni)
The store's offbeat vibe also encourages visitors to explore its wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with titles encompassing classics to contemporary and pop-up to photography books, as well as poetry and many other gems scattered in every corner.
Books Actually manager Renee Ting said the bookstore specialized in literature, but did not target a specific type of customer. "We provide literature for everyone, regardless of the hipster labels,' she recently told thejakartapost.com in Singapore.
Established in 2005 by Kenny Leck and Karen Wai, Book Actually publishes its own books under Math Paper Press for up-and-coming local authors and produces handmade notebooks under its Birds and Co imprint. They also regularly host literary events and readings, acoustic sessions and mini exhibitions; making it a popular hub in Singapore's growing literary scene. It previously organized the exhibition 'An Ode to Penguin', which showcased over 1,000 Penguin Books titles.
Books Actually is where book lovers can expect to find a vast number of indie titles, local authors and vintage trinkets such typewriters, coke bottles, cameras, accordions as well as second-hand books. (thejakartapost.com/Ayomi Amindoni)
After exploring the neighborhood, a pit stop at the Tiong Bahru Bakery for a croissant paired with a cup of coffee is a good idea. Nestled on Eng Hong Street, only a ten-minute stroll from Books Actually, the business is said to be one of the pioneers of the Tiong Bahru scene.
The bakery is always packed with both Singaporeans and expats, for good reasons. Jessica Munaf, an Indonesian who works in the country, said that people came from all over Singapore to simply enjoy their croissants, which are produced traditionally -- rolled, not machine-cut -- and baked twice every day. Compared to regular croissants out there, they are also bigger, heavier and have a slightly denser feel.
The Tiong Bahru Bakery is always packed with people, both Singaporeans and expats, for good reasons. (thejakartapost.com/Ayomi Amindoni)
'The croissants here is different from other bakeries; they are more buttery, flaky and full of layers; and go really well with the coffee,' said Jessica.
In addition to croissants, the bakery also offers various pastries, bread, sandwiches, hotdogs and desserts with a starting price of SGD 3 (US$2.2). (kes)(+)
