Little Guilin

We like to go to places where there are big bodies of water. The sea, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are all places we like to go to when we can. There's a certain calming feeling we get when we stare out over the surface of the water.

A few weeks ago, we spent a Sunday afternoon in the western area of Singapore. We took a nice long train ride from Ang Mo Kio all the way to Bukit Batok. This region used to be a place for mining granite. The name 'batok' comes from the noise made by the blasting in the granite quarry that now form the natural surroundings of Little Guilin.


We had heard of the place before, but this was our first time there. It's a nice little man-made lake in the disused quarry. Makes for nice photographs, but is actually quite unimpressive. There used to be a trail that led up the quarry so you can overlook the lake, but it is now closed because people have died from jumping or falling from there.

It's a nice place to spend a weekend morning or afternoon. Pack some sandwiches and drinks for a picnic. Makes for a nice change from all the shopping malls.

How to get there:
It's a short walk from Bukit Gombak MRT station. Head to Bukit Batok East Avenue 5, walk past the stadium and you're there. Be sure to bring a camera for those artistic and scenic photos.

Cost:
Other than your transport, it's free. Best deal for a budget couple like us. :D

Joe's Kitchen Thai Cuisine

Yo! My name is Joe,

and I work in a button factory.

The Joe in question here is the one found in Joe's Kitchen. On the recommended by Geraldine who likes the idea of this blog, we decided to pay a visit to one of her lunch-hour haunts.

This Thai food outlet is located along Alexandra Road, directly opposite Queensway Shopping Centre. The signboard, in bright orange, draws your attention, and only later am I reminded of the orange colour of its tom yam soup. The bright colour contrasts nicely with the brown wooden tables and chairs inside.


Its main attraction on the menu for the budget couple that we are is the $1.50 pineapple rice. The portion is large enough not to let you go hungry later. But it's not meant to be eaten alone.

Other items on the menu that are worth trying are the Thai prawn cake (with real prawn!) for $2.30 each (a bit expensive, but worth a try), crispy seafood tofu which are $5 for six pieces, and the home-made brewed barley (not the cordial type) for $1.20. We were kind of hungry, so we started eating before remembering to take a photo of what we ordered:


We came here on a Sunday evening, just after the evening shift (5-10pm) began, looking for an early dinner. By the time we left a short while later, it was already half full. My guess is that it's quite popular for the working crowd in the area, so the lunch shift (11am -3pm) should find the place pretty crowded.

We recommend making a trip here if you're visiting IKEA to walk around or are going to the Henderson Waves for the bridge walk. It's air-conditioned, so feel free to sit as long as you like.

The address of Joe's Kichen is:
Blk 125 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-182, S150125

It is on the side of the block closer to AIA building, along the main road. Not difficult to find.

It is open every day at the abovementioned times.

Did we mention that this eatery is recommended by King Of Thrift as well?


Give it a try if you're in the area. Thanks for the tip, Geraldine!