![The landmark Masjid Sultan mosque The landmark Masjid Sultan mosque](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/4093535622_f2814e0d89_o.jpg)
During the last Hari Raya festive period, Rachel and I headed to the Kampong Glam and Arab Street area to check out the food bazaar as well as to sight-see. Often time, we find it more convenience to head to the ubiquitous air-con malls rather than check out some of the heritage or heartland areas in Singapore.
Although it was a weekday noon, the place was relatively crowded, with mostly tourists milling around. There were also some secondary school kids in uniform running around, probably out on a school excursion.
We bought beef kebab, mutton lontong and barbecued chicken thigh to share among us for lunch. The first two items tasted great. The chicken thigh was horrible though. We should have known better when we saw the hawker using an electric heated grill instead of the usual charcoal.
![Busy street Busy street](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/4092772333_b50365e233_o.jpg)
![Hari Raya baazar Hari Raya baazar](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/4092769523_befb3eab17_o.jpg)
![Otah and barbecued chicken Otah and barbecued chicken](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4093536938_37e00f71dd_o.jpg)
![Lontong Lontong](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/4092771919_e9acc44d67_o.jpg)
![Mutton lontong - quite nice Mutton lontong - quite nice](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/4093536156_c68d0a617a_o.jpg)
![Kebab kiosk Kebab kiosk](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/4093536400_50de5bec88_o.jpg)
![We bought a beef wrap from the kebab kiosk We bought a beef wrap from the kebab kiosk](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/4093535540_d29dee7138_o.jpg)
After filling our stomach, we loitered around the area for a while. We were delighted to find a little spice garden where many tropical spices and herbs were planted. An unexpected find was the mysterious Tongkat Ali, a famed local herb for improving male potency.
![Function hall Function hall](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/4092769775_73bef71555_o.jpg)
![Ketaupat contest Ketaupat contest](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4093536048_e04a0455cb_o.jpg)
![Spice garden Spice garden](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/4092770501_44f054217a_o.jpg)
![Spice variety Spice variety](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/4093536498_856bb3f064_o.jpg)
![They even have Tongkat Ali - a famous local herb to treat male potency They even have Tongkat Ali - a famous local herb to treat male potency](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/4092771355_5113932b0e_o.jpg)
![Here's what the Tongkat Ali plant looks like Here's what the Tongkat Ali plant looks like](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/4092771019_c88924b71e_o.jpg)
We then made our way to Haji Lane where the hip and cool hang out. We had fun checking out some of the quirky fashion boutiques there. It was interesting to see graffiti art and other youth fixtures in the area, contrasted against the old colonial architecture.
![This is a restaurant, not a gardening store This is a restaurant, not a gardening store](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2687/4093535256_9d4c299298_o.jpg)
![Teddy bear specialty shop Teddy bear specialty shop](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/4092770111_c4a1a5fea5_o.jpg)
![A plant we came across A plant we came across](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/4093537436_165a509132_o.jpg)
![Crossing over to Haji lane - where the cool and stylish hang out Crossing over to Haji lane - where the cool and stylish hang out](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4093534730_a4098036ee_o.jpg)
![Outside one of the boutique Outside one of the boutique](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2565/4093535336_e8754a4d47_o.jpg)
![People like plants around here People like plants around here](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4093536724_f552ceb8fa_o.jpg)
![New meets old New meets old](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/4093535748_5f636b3889_o.jpg)
![Inside one of the boutique in Haji Lane Inside one of the boutique in Haji Lane](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/4092771597_f979de3b4e_o.jpg)
![Tour agency with original retro office Tour agency with original retro office](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4093534658_4662d5cee8_o.jpg)
![Textile shop Textile shop](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2513/4093537310_5ce18fe1bf_o.jpg)
![Announcement for upcoming flea market Announcement for upcoming flea market](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4092770349_630c5e77fe_o.jpg)
![Grafitti art besides old Chinese pillars Grafitti art besides old Chinese pillars](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/4093534892_26b9194204_o.jpg)
![Street Art Street Art](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4092769841_a68a729f0c_o.jpg)
We headed home after that, satisfied with ourselves for finding an alternate way to spend a day in Singapore instead of the usual shopping or movie. 🙂
Technorati Tags: hanging out at arab street, arab street, singapore arab street, singapore haji lane, haji lane, kampong glam, kampong glam and arab street, masjid sultan, masjid sultan mosque, singapore hari raya, beef kebab, mutton lontong
the graffiti walls are covered up already? argh!
OTAHHHHH 🙁
hey that’s not an upcoming flea market. i check out the wedsite, its a singtel new promotion. very smart way of free advertising.