Goodbye Part 2

Soursop jelly and ice. I hadn't eaten this in decades!

It was my last day to spend time with my parents.

I declined a proposed trip to the Malaysian border, and we settled on a compromise instead: Bukit Panjang. A part of Singapore that still feels decidedly local, with no Western or expat gloss. Old HDB buildings I remembered from childhood. A non-air-conditioned hawker centre. Men drinking kopi o and playing Chinese chess, unhurried and deeply unconcerned with the rest of the world.

We wandered through the loud and busy markets where my parents bought things for their grandchildren. Chines New Year paraphernalia were out in force. My father ate more durian. And, naturally, we ate again.

Somewhere in between meals, I managed a short nap. The past week had been utterly exhausting in the way only constant eating can be. Then it was time to shower, pack, and head to the airport.

My parents, who were ever so sweet, took public transport with me so we could spend a little more time together. And also, of course, eat again. It’s never too early to celebrate Chinese New Year.

My dad ordered yusheng, a raw fish salad traditionally eaten during Lunar New Year, where everyone gathers around the table and tosses the ingredients high into the air while calling out wishes for prosperity, health, and good fortune. The higher the toss, the better the luck. It’s chaotic, symbolic, and oddly joyful. A fitting note to end on.

My flight wasn’t until just after midnight, so we said our goodbyes at the airport. I lingered for a while longer, drifting through duty-free, then into the lounge, where I did what I’d been doing all trip.

I ate again.

An entirely appropriate way to end this chapter of the Festival of Fifty.

Exploring Singapore on public transport like pros. This is my parents hobby when in Singapore

Local market at Bukit Panjang. Prices are still good here

And...its time to eat...again

When in Rome...

Everyone has their marketing red packets ready!

More local fruit. Jambu. I still don't know what the best English translation is

This sight is becoming less common with all the public spaces and hawker centres "modernising"

Otak otak (Singapore style not Indonesian just to be clear! They are very different...) another childhood favourite

Eating yusheng. Each ingredient has its own saying with associated meaning when poured on. 

The extra long chopsticks for tossing

Lets go!!!