This is the last surviving kampong in Singapore. Built in 1956, this kampong is located at Kampong Lorong Buangkok in Hougang. Kless and I decided to make a trip to find out more, or maybe we can bring the girls back to understand a bit more for themselves.
How to get there?
1. Driving – along Yio Chu Kang Road, look out for Gerald Drive, turn in and the kampong is on the right when you see the Park Connector
2. Public Transport – take the MRT to Yishun, change to bus 854 which will travel along Lentor Avenue, then it will turn left into Yio Chu Kang Road, from here it’s about 10mins bus ride, look out for a Shell Station on your left (opp it is Church of St Vincente de Paul), alight at the bus stop immediately after, you will cross this white bridge (not difficult to miss)
Turning right into Lorong Buangkok, you will instantly sense a nostalgic feeling
No idea what is this place offering, but if you are interested, call the number you see..
Seriously, I was quite tempted to steal buy this kampong chicken for my kids. Hearsay, the meat is very different form the ones we get from NTUC.
Fruits are just part of the common sight in kampongs.
Most of the houses we saw are still occupied, meaning this is still a functioning toilet. Do they have hot water for bath?
After about 8mins walk (the distance can be covered in 2mins, but we were too fascinated by everything), we finally see the road sign that points to our destination.
A long narrow road that promises you a different world.
I believe bicycle is one of the main transportation mode in Kampong Buangkok. We can almost see it in every house we passed by.
What is a kampong without the greeneries or flowers?
Zinc roofs & wooden walls. These are the trademark of kampong living. Will our children ever understand the feeling of staying in such an environment?
Interior Design is thrown out of the window here. Creativity in this place is, if you can think of it, you can have it. That is also one of the beauty of kampong lifestyle. Just do it!
We net a nice lady as we wandered deeper into the kampong. Thanks to her warnings, Kless was not chased by a ‘crazy’ dog. Auntie has stayed in this kampong for 56 years. Her children are still staying with her in this very kampong. Amazing!
Found a small road just besides her house that leads us to a wooden bridge.
It was like moving into some important man’s land. There was only a few houses and the houses are generally bigger than the ones we have seen.
Found a working shed and it has a huge piece of sand area just outside it, ideal for children’s play area.
It was indeed an eye-opener trip. We have seen many interesting things in Kampong Buangkok. We have many questions of the living standards and quality of this place. But none of that matters, because we can see that the residents are very contented with what they have and enjoying the simplicity of life.
There have been talks that this kampong will be demolished for other projects. But wouldn’t that be a shame? Or course we may never understand the problems the residents faces here, but one thing for sure, they are doing their best and living life to the fullest daily. That alone is not what many of us can proudly say.
You deserve a STAR!
Lousy photo. Poor composition and from photo taken can tell not much of photography knowledge, creativity and experience at all, seriously in my most humble and honest point of view. From David Lim.
ReplyDeleteSee yr photo. You look like Mark Lee from Mediacrop.
ReplyDeleteHi David, thanks for the comments.. also thanks for your viewership despite the quality of my photos.. =)
ReplyDeleteBtw, to the one who commented I looked like Mark Lee, thanks too.. I had worst comparison before =p