Bollywood, ho!

Whenever I tell Singaporeans how much I like Singapore, their reaction is always incredulity. “Really?” they say, eyes wide, cocktails bursting from their mouths, “why?” Fitting that Singaporeans should react with shock when my chief reason for loving this city arises from the same emotion: Singapore delights because it constantly surprises. Perhaps it’s merely a case of low expectations being surpassed. Before landing here, I admit I saw Singapore the same way the rest of the world sees Canada: clean, safe, and inescapably boring. If you stick to the air-con blasting malls along Orchard Road, Singapore more than lives up to its reputation as the blandest place in Southeast Asia. If you venture a little further, however, you may – ahem – surprise yourself.

Take, for example, Bollywood Veggies. Tucked away in the Kranji countryside, Bollywood Veggies is an organic farm/sanctuary/tropical wonderland. They grow vegetables, flowers, “uncommon medicinal trees and herbs,” and claim to be the “largest producer of organic bananas and papayas in Singapore.” The complex is like Organic Farm Disneyland. You can grab a bite of tasty organic fare at the questionably named Poison Ivy Bistro – we had red snapper curry, garlicky sweet potato greens, and an otah omelet – and work off the calories from the banana and tapioca cakes with a stroll in the garden. I oohed and ahhed at the gnarly fruit trees (who knew there were so many different types of bananas? who knew milk fruit/butter fruit even existed?) and got up close and personal with a ginger flower.

 

I particularly enjoyed the lotus pond, waiting to jump out at me from behind the Mr. Pee Wee and Jack-a-loo Eco Toilet. Forget Monet’s waterlillies; lotuses are where it’s at.

Sometimes I even surprise myself. After three months of not posting – I’d rather ram my head against that teapot-supporting wall than take and upload photos – Bollywood Veggies forced me to break my fast. And, really, how could I not share a glimpse into Wild S’pore? (Another reason I love this place; whenever I see its pet name I immediately, incongruously, think of smores).

Singaporeans, take pride! You are much more than great water polo players (again, who knew?). But, please, don’t follow our example. If I start to see red and white crescent moons pasted onto backpacks, I might have to schedule a tête-à-tête with my old friend the concrete wall.

-Andrea