I miss going on solo trips, however I am not sure if I can still do it with separation anxiety lurching in my heart. My solo trips gave me the chance to re think my priorities, appreciate what I have back home and do things at my pace. But now with a child and a husband on tow, spending time with them is all I can ask for. 

Since solo trips are somewhat out of the picture, I compensate it by having “Me Time”. Me time does not need to be long, expensive and complicated. It can be just a weekend stroll at your favorite town area. Last Saturday i met up with a former colleague to have coffee in Tiong Bahru and as always, I fell inlove with the place. 

From Tiong Bahru Mrt station, the Yong Siak street is quite a distance but if you are a book, art and coffee enthusiast its all worth it. 

As you walk towards Yong Siak, you will first see the horse-shoe shaped block of flats. It may appear like any other, but it actually houses the only existing civilian pre-war air-raid shelter in Singapore. 

On the next street is Yong Siak where several interesting stores are located: 

A. Books Actually– this is a quirky bookstore which specializes in fiction and literature. Time to read some works of homegrown writers!

B. Forty Hands– one of the best specialty coffee shop in Singapore! Their 40 hands Cubanos is a must try! Its a bit cramp though and its a good thing I did not bring my daughter along.

C. The Woods in the Books– this is an independent bookshop specializing in picture books for all ages. Their collection is extensive and the interior is just WOW! I look forward to the day that my daughter and I will have a date here.

D. Plain Vanilla– How can i forget their cupcakes, pastries and the swing outside its lovely store? 

After going around the Yong Siak st. we continued walking to Chay Yan St. And came across White Space Art Asia Gallery. 

And since we are in Tiong bahru already, we explored the murals around the estate. The following are works of Yip Yew Chong: 

Here is a map to locate those (I have not seen the Home though): 

It was tiring but a fun day I should say. Once in a while its good that I catch up with other people and spend an afternoon just taking care of me.