Abort mission!

Our Saturday morning plan was simple. We would head to Joo Chiat and do a DIY walking and eating tour of the area, as posted on the Makansutra website. Joo Chiat is known as a historic area with lots of Peranakan architecture and a historical feel.

Things started out normally, if a bit late in the day. We took a cab to our starting place and walked to the first destination, where wanton mee and nonya dumplings were on offer at a coffeeshop (which functions as a mini hawker centre).

The wanton mee was tasty. With chilli served on the side, we could ratchet up but make it still palatable. There were wantons hidden underneath the noodles that provided great flavor and texture contrast to the dish.

The nonya dumpling was nice too. Initially wrapped in a banana leaf and looking like a three dimensional triangle, the hawker unwrapped it for us. With an outside of sticky rice and an inside of barbecued meat, it is similar to bao. A good but not earth shattering rendition. With that, I also picked up some pandan flavored buns. The subtle sweetness of these was a great breakfast snack.

From there, however, the wheels came off. First, it started getting hot. I mean real hot. Singapore during the day has generally been about 90 degrees with 80% humidity. This day was worse. It felt like 105 degrees with 99% humidity and the sun was bearing down. Sweat started to pour freely and what we were doing was more akin to swimming than to walking.

Also, our walking tour began to betray us. The hand-rolled popiah maker was on holiday, with no popiah on offer. We had to settle for fresh fruit juice. The old-timey barber shop was nowhere to be found. And the fresh bakery that you just follow your nose to had also ceased to exist. We recognized our luck had changed. I snapped a couple of quick pics and we jumped in a cab...

...and headed straight home, and from there straight to the pool. Ahhh, much better!!!