Made By Me .
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My opening letter 07 Lee Yoon Tong the back alley barber Sing Hon Loong “Ghee Leong” Traditional Bakery
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Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory
Good bye Rochor Centre !
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Journey to the legendary Dragon Playground 58
Let’s Get Lost ! 71
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Letter by Me “Tempoe Doeloe” originated from Indonesian old spelling words of “Tempo Dulu” which means the past. Indonesian still loves to used its old spelling as names,titles,and hashtags;because nowadays the old spelling became an eye-catching thing. But more than that,we want to keep reintroduce it to the younger generation as we are a nation that is known for its long heritage and multi-culture. Singapore is a nation that quickly adapt with the modernization with its never ending redevelopment. It is a moving country where the old things can suddenly change into a modern marvel in a blink of an eye. 3 years living in this country, I was inspired by its fast paced growth. But at the same time, seeing its modernity makes me wonder how it looks in the past. I wonder how was the “Singapura Tempoe Doeloe”
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This book aimed to explore Singapore’s heritage, especially showing the ones that might gone forever over the time. This visual exploration publication hopefully can attract the younger generation to visit some of those places that might be just around the corner of their home. For the current generation and the older one, this book will be like a walk down their memory lanes Being far from home, sometimes of course I miss the things I usually see at my hometown. And through this book, I want to show Singapore’s hertage that reminds me of my hometown. Places that you passed by everyday, things that greet you every now and then, and people that will remind you of your own family. Andreas Krisanto
n This Professio y Requires Man niques Skll and Tech
The Back Alley Barber If you passed by the back alley of 1 Boon Tar Street,you’ll notice that it is the last few remaining barber alley in Singapore. This alley appears really contrast with its surroundings which is a hustling business area full of high rise modern buildings. Lee Yoon Tong is the man behind this old fashion Jaanese barber shop. For almost 50 years,this 76 years old man run this business. Initially this barber shop is located on the shophouse nearby,but it’s been moved to this back alley because the redevelopment of the shophouse caused the rent fee shot off the roof.
Mr. Lee’s barber shop has became one of the most remarkable silhouettes in this alley and it looks like one day it will only be remained in a picture.
Lee Yoon Tong (+65) 97712146
With
old canopy for the roof,
one old fashion salon chair,
a small wall mirror, a drawer to keep his barber equipment, and a few plastic containers fill with water that he
fills at the nearby coffe shop. This is how Mr.Lee operates his alley barber
more than a decades.
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Observing and documenting Mr. Lee’s routines at his barber shop,as I watched him sitting down to wipe his sweats and rest for a while, it really strikes me how hardworking he is as a father and a leader of a family. In his age right now,he still works diligently to make money for living every single day without complaining; no matter what problems occur in his working space.
For people who live around Whampoa Drive,
a delicious smell of fresh warm bread
that greet us every single morning has became one of the best parts of living in this neighborhood.
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One of the eights remainings traditional bakeries in Singapore.
The old interior of the shop has not changed troughout the years
Sing Hoon Loong Bakeries (Ghee Long) is one of the remaining eight traditional bakeries in Singapore according to a research conduct by Straits Times Singapore. It is a sad fact because in the 70s,there were around 200 traditional bakeries run in Singapore. Sing Hon Loong itself is one of the oldest. With 60 years history of baking bread and distributing them around numbers of coffeeshops and provision shops daily; Mr. Lai Che Peng now run this family business as the second generation.
On 1983,after his father die,he take over this shop from his uncle. Ironically, no one in his family is interested on continuing this bakery if one day Mr. Lai is unable to do it anymore.
Sing Hon Loong Bakeries
Sin Hon Long Bakeries
Since 1959, the sounds of an old coffee
grinding machine and a strong aroma of coffee beans have been two inseparable parts of Balestier Road;and they are come from
Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory.
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The old front door of the factory has been there since they build this factory,says Mr. Tan Boon Heong,the owner of this factory. A glass cupboard full of antique cups,an old wooden cabinet with various kind of coffee powder and beans,and a big old coffee grinding machine that decorate the place showed how old the factory is.
When Singapore’s young generations are currently competing on opening a modern coffee shop and also choose to spend there time from one cafe to another; Mr. Tan as the second generation of this business chose to keep selling the old style coffee powder.His coffee powder has a classic Nanyang coffee flavor. This Lam Yeo special recipe has been passed down through the generations. Mr. Tan’s son is currently helping him run this factory,and already had bring more variations of the products. As the third generation,one day his son will be the owner of this factory.
Rochor Centre
RED, GREEN, BLUE AND YELLOW When Singapore’s residents read or hear about a colorful HDB,the first thing that comes to mind must be the Rochor Centre.
Built in 1977 Rochor Centre which is centrally located in the heart of business area,has become one of the most iconic public housing in Singapore with its colorful blocks. After almost 40 years standing in this area,in 2016 there is a plan to tear down this building to make way for theconstruction of the North South Expressway. For the residents who live in Rochor Centre, the government already assured them that they’ll get a new living place in Kallang flats. But the shop tenants there need to find a new place to run their business.
It is a big question now about what is their plan after the building is demolished since they already run their business there for years. And for many people in their late 60-70s that live there,the change won’t be easy.
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Few Months Left Before Its Demolition
Journey To The Head Of The Dragon
Designed in 1979 by Khor Ean Ghee. With design element of some Singapore iconic animal to convet the Singapore Identity
Located at Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, This Dragon Playground picked by New York culture blog,
, Flavorwire.com, as one of 15 amazing playgrounds from all over the world.
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Escape from demolition
Became the last 3 remainings Dragon Playground in Singapore.
Dragon head became the most iconic part of the playground designed with pixel graphic and constructed by glass mosaic to bring out the colours.
The Last Sand Based d n u o r g y a l P Old
Lee Yoon Tong Alley Barber
Get your hair cut and shave for 6$ at the back alley of 1 Boon Tat street
Sing Hon Loong “Ghee Leong” 24/7 traditional bakery at 4 Whampoa drive
Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory
Just near by at 328 Balestier Rd try their classic recipe of Nanyang Coffee to complete the classic kopitiam style dish in your home.
Let’s Get Lost ! Say Hello and Good Bye to Rochor Centre T_T
Try to go inside and fInd your way
out from the old legendary dragon p layground at Lorong 6 Toa PAyoh
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