Tiong Bahru | 2910-041118 – Camilla's highlights

Our First Shared Home. When we first met, in June 2016, I was living around the corner from this place, and Sanoop, who at the time was travelling between various Airbnbs all around the globe with his duffel bag and yoga mat over the shoulder, would eventually start crashing with me whenever he was around. 4 months, a bunch of trips to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Europe and America and a lot of sweet dates around Singapore later, we moved into this gem: first viewed it on a Monday, signed the contract on Tuesday and hit IKEA on Wednesday – before Sanoop headed off to Australia on Thursday and I to Bali on Saturday. We have loved every minute of living here, in our first home together, and though we’ve kept our stuff-acquisition to a minimum and the layout rather minimalist, we have since personalised it slightly, with a few unique, non-IKEA items, a bunch of sweet cards, periodicals and photographs from friends and happy places, a whole lot of greenery and an even greater amount of fun, lovely, blissful moments. That October Monday 2 years ago, we immediately fell for the bright energy of the place, its airy spaciousness, its heritage charm. In less than 2 weeks, we’re moving out, and I’m going to miss everything about it, even the geckos in the kitchen. We have been so happy here – and now we will be happy in a new place; we’re ready to move on, but thinking about leaving it does make me feel all teary…

Home is where my heart is – in the (nostalgic) sense that it’s where my fondest memories and loved ones are, but also quite literally in the (here and now) sense that it’s where I stand. For the next four weeks I’ll be standing (and meandering around a lot!) in Singapore and soaking in the things I love the most about this place before we remove our tent stakes, as we say in Danish, to find a new place to call home.

THIS WEEK’s HIGHLIGHTS: Work from home most of the week. On Monday, I cycle over to the Google office for lunch, contemplating the fact that soon I’ll be an insider. Cycle back home with pockets stuffed full of vegan treats. Tuesday, dinner and a long, deep conversation in Hong Kong Street, after a Barre2Barre class with a friend; her first class, which she loves it and finds super hard, a reaction I of course love, haha. Wednesday, Morning Run with Sanoop in Tiong Bahru Park, cheered on by the Chinese gymnastics and tai chi tunes, under the lushest of lush canopies. Brekkie with friend at Plain Vanilla. Packing. Evening swim in my friend Lou’s Tiong Bahru condo pool, waiting for her to come home from work, and grabbing a local dinner with her once she arrives. Friday – date night with Sanoop: drinks at Southbridge, watching a drone show over the Asian Civilisation Museum, followed by sushi at one of the Japanese joints in the basement of Liang Court. Saturday – One of the best kinds of days – waking up and just seeing what we feel like doing; a holiday in Singapore, with Sanoop; with no plans or obligations. Breakfast at Beriwell, East Coast Road, followed by coffee, with a bunch of happy dogs at our feet, at Home Ground Coffee further up the road. Cycling miles and miles along the lush East Coast Park, with a pit stop to relax and do yoga on the smooth beach and dip our toes in the warm ocean water, before continuing through Marina Bay East park, across the Marina Barrage bridge and through Gardens by the Bay to find ourselves on the river path, going past the Asian Civilisation Museum and Fort Canning Park before ending up in Robertson Quay with a late lunch and a stack of newspapers at 1880. Lots of lovely sensory impressions. Lots of moments, sights and vibes to confirm the breezy beauty of this tropical island state. Walk home and watch Atypical on Netflix. Sunday: barre; lunch with barre instructor; life admin; foot massage and weekend newspapers.