Being a city of tourism, Singapore doesn’t have much attractions that are still hidden away from the travelers. Is that true? 

Before getting to the Lion Island, I asked for my friend’s recommendations, since she has been to Singapore twice already. Eventually, most of what I heard was familiar, since they are well-known everywhere on the Internet.

Except for one. And today, MOINK20 is going to take you there.

Traveling to the northern part

18/07/18, I started my journey from Bugis to Ang Mo Kio.

The route to Ang Mo Kio

In Singapore, people separate the residence area with the tourist one: On the North and West of the city are accommodations for Singaporean and foreign employees. The South (downtown) and East are for airports and tourist. The place I was heading to is in Ang Mo Kio residence area.

I traveled there by bus, since it’s reasonable, fast, and you can watch the city scene
It did not take a lot of time to get to Ang Mo Kio area
I stopped at this park. Just go through it and you’ll have reached the destination…
…which is at the end of this walking path

The Cuckcoos’ cages

For Chinese, to raise and keep birds or fishes is a cultural feature. Nowadays, in Singapore, this tradition is still kept by many locals.

And yes, what I’m about to show you, is Kebun Baru bird singing club – that cultural feature of Chinese-Singaporean.

What struck me instantly, is this giant field with hundreds of poles to hang the birds’ cages. The field, despite its big size, is fully surrounded my residential buildings around
The whole area is “flooded” with sweet tweeting melodies

On each cage there is the owner’s name. Every pole also has its number, so no one needs to worry about their birds
A member of Kebun Baru club. According to him, this club has existed for a long time, founded by Chinese who love birds, and currently has more than 1000 birds
The way to hang cages is simple, like hanging a flag. there are more than 400 poles in this area 
Beside cuckcoos, at Kebun Baru there are lots of rare birds
The activity board of the club. On every Sunday morning, to be able to come here, drink some coffee and enjoy the natural music, is one of the most memorable things you can get in Singapore

To me, I have a grandpa who also has this hobbit of raising birds. Back in the old times, whenever I go to my hometown, what I could always expect to hear were beautiful songs from various “special artists”, whether it was hot summer afternoons or chilling winter dawns…

Many years have passed. My grandpa has grown too old to raise any birds. Today, happening to hear those lovely sounds again makes me feel so relaxed and cheerful. Though this club is not somewhat extraordinary that tourist can be satisfied, but I can guarantee of its cultural value – a thing that you should know at least once in a lifetime.

(To be continued)

Khanh Tr.