My beginning as a Singaporean occured in 1962 at the then K.K. Hospital. Of course, I may not be able to remember the earlier few years of my life, but I will try to pen down what I could recall before my memory fails.
I remember someone ever said these are some of the factors to tell one is aging;
- Start to reminisce about the past but can’t remember the present.
wow! awesome blog! i was also born in kk, some eight years after you – but your blog sure brought back memories
thank you! keep blogging.
Thanks for dropping by Karen.
Yep… I agree. Great blog. I was born only 2 years after you so your posting really brings back memories… I was just lamenting the demise of:
1. National Theatre
2. National Museum
3. MPH
4. CHIJ (not CHIJMES)
5. Yeo Brothers (Frankel Avenue)
6. Odeon
7. Siglap Market
etc…. etc…
Hi Danesh,
Welcome here. I really miss that MPH (that one near to National Museum) and Odeon.
If you call yourself Laokokok, lots of us are also ah soh ah cheh ah mah ah kong liao.
Guess what I missed … the National Theatre and Van Kleef Aquarium.
Hey, that’s a very nice blog you have there!
Thank you Priscilla and welcome here.
Hi, I’m a Singaporean too, and I’m 5 years younger than you.
I simply love your blog, it’s the most wonderful blog I have come across till now. I hope you don’t mind I add this link to my blog.
I like the old photos of Singapore, may I know where you found them?
Hi TC,
Welcome here and glad to hear that. By all means, link it. As for the photos, majority I’ve put the credit link and they are from there. You may also find them here;
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/picas/public/internetSearch/
hey!
my age is no where near yours.. i’m only in secondary school
but i still think that this is a great blog!
[and it helped my alot for my history project too (: ]
haha do continue posting!
Thanks Josephine and hope this blog is of some help to your school project.
Hi,
Thanks for your blog. I recall the Kallang Gasworks, the hardware (?)businesses operating from the shophouses just before the gasworks on Kallang Road , the chicken shops at Lavender & the activity in that area.
Wonder if you have any information about Sam Tat Building 66 Kampong Bugis? How old is it?
Hi lc,
How old is that Sam Tat Building I’m not too sure. But if you look at the 2nd photo in that Kallang Gasworks post, you will note that the Sam Tat Building was not there yet in 1961. So it should probably be after 1961. You may check those old photos in PICAS to see roughly when that building was built.
great site….brought back lots of old memories…i was born in 1974….loved the 80’s…..is great to look back and reflect on how life was simple and cheap then….grew up in queenstown now cant recognize the place at all….haaaa…..wish i was a kid again:-)
Well got to grow up i guess….thanks again for sharing your thoughts and shots
Vj
Ps: some photos are missing
Thanks Vj. Oh some photos are missing? Will look into it.
Hi,
read about new world. will it be possible to speak to you about it. Do you have old photos i can look at. would you have one on the state cinema.
pl replay to my email.
tx u
best
gopal
Hi Gopal,
Already replied to your email. Pls check. Thank you for dropping by.
Hi,
Got your website while looking for AETI – saw your photo with Sgt Soo (I think).
I was there in 1980 as a regular.
I am also born in 1962 but at home – Blk 75 Ganges Avenue. Sad that the building was torn down before I could take a picture of it.
Good site.
Cheers,
CJ
HI Chee Jian,
Welcome here and a Happy New Year. Yes, I think it’s Sgt Soo too haha. Forgotten his name until you mentioned it. I wonder if the AETI still inside the Changi Air Base now. The outside seems to have totally changed and now the security seems so tight. In the past, the public still can drive or walk inside the road, now it’s all under the Air Base, which is out of bound.
Bring me back to the 80’s when I was in Rangoon Road Secondary School – 1983. Missed those days when I was schooling there. Keep up the good work, great blog.
Thanks DC and welcome here. Happy New Year to you.
I really miss all those days in Beatty Primary school. I will keep in touch with you soon. I am now staying in Bangkok and will be back to Singapore this April !!! Good site keep it up!
Guess I should be one of the youngest readers… born in 1983 but I already start reminiscing about my childhood and Singapore’s past. Always love retro things… things that tell stories and they really intrigue me.
Thank you for the blog!
HI Smurfiedchowchow,
Welcome here and it doesn’t matter whether you are the youngest, just enjoy your read here.
Hi loved your blog.I am from India and have not seen Singapore but music does make the world a family does’nt it?
goodness…i was born in 1979 and also studied in Beatty Primary School from 1986 onwards. those were the good old days. i used to live in hamilton road right next to the holy trinity church. could still remember taking the trishaw to sch every morning with my bro, eating paus from swee choon and those good old cny celebrations in that area… im hoping to get in touch with some classmates whom i’ve lost touch with after i left beatty and moved to the new town. to any classmates who studied in beatty pri sch from 1986 onwards, pls contact me at bern_swee@yahoo.com.sg.
thks for the great blog!
Hi Jess, welcome here and thank you. I happy that you like that music.
Hi Bernice Swee, I remember Hamilton Road where my classmate was staying there too. Once my friend and I had to run all the way to his house to wake him up for the PSLE Mother Tongue oral exam!
Came by your website by chance. Thank you for sharing out through you blog the ‘old’ Singapore i use to know when i was a young boy in the 70/80s. It’s is really good to take a trip down memory lane and look at the old pictures again.
I wonder if i should start taking more pictures before the more old places or landmarks are torn down.
Cheers!
Hi Tim,
Welcome here and thank you. Yes you should start taking photos of Singapore now before they are gone.
Hi and thanks. I’ve taken the liberty of forwarding your website to 2 of my friends where were born in the 60s. Perhaps they might have something to share. I hope you won’t mind.
Haha. your statement above is intringuing. I’m not 40s yet but i’ve started to reminisce about the past already! Gee.
Have a nice week.
Hi
Currently my students at VS are embarking a project on ‘The Making and Meaning of Katong’.
Your posts on Katong and the changes to Sea View Hotel were excellent resources indeed.
Thank you for this lovely blog – wonder if you’d have the time to make a trip to our school and share some memories about Katong to the younger generation? Let me know what you think.
Regards
Ron
HI Ron Tan,
I’m not too sure how you want it to be done. Best you can email me the details so that I can check my schedule. My email is laokokok@yahoo.com.sg
Thanks for surfing by.
Hi Laokokok,
Wow, thank you for this wonderful site. I am only 3 years younger than you so about the same age. Born and raised in Singapore, finished my NS, came to the U.S. for college, met and married my American wife and have been living here in San Francisco Bay Area for the past 20+ years now. Found Giant Robot on Hulu.com, did a Google search and found your site and was suddenly brought back to old Singapore! From pictures of Katong to old Primary School Report Books to POSB account books to TDK Cassette Tapes! Sure made me feel nostalgic. Trust me, sitting here in a corporate America office and looking at old pictures of New World brings back the strangest but fond memories!
Thanks again!
Jason Yeo Seow Eng
P.S. Sad thing is my Primary School – Rayman Primary School in Whampoa is gone. My old Whitley Secondary School is gone (moved to Bishan I know).
Hi Jason Yeo,
Thanks for surfing by and glad that my blog brings back fond memories for you.
Hi LaoKoKok,
this is indeed a great site! I salute you for all your investigations into the history and heritage of Singapore, as well as the many changes to her landscapes. Great great work!
Thanks Delvin. I’m glad you like this blog of mine..
Hi,
I was also in Beatty primary and later Beatty secondary. I am 2 years younger than you. I still remember the push cart Yong Tau Foo outside the school every evening. Use to save my pocket money so I can have 3 pieces for 10cent with unlimited soup! The Wan Ton noodle at the coffee shop outside is just as good too!
I am now living in HK for the past 20 yrs. When I am back to S’pore I might just take a trip down memory lane!
William
Hi William,
Welcome to my blog. Both Beatty Pri and Sec School buildings are still there but no longer operating as what they used to be. The area near the schools have changed tremendously too.
Hi Laokokok, i’m lao Hero here, i’m also born at KK Hospital, but is early you three years, so, younger friends call me : uncle jack, i’m grandfather already, and i’m same to you, recall my younger time memories, on the time just new year have soft drink, chicken, duck…. now the children’s so happiness, any time can enjoy great foods.
I just quit my job two months ago, still relax to find new job, on the same time start to crazy about vinyl records, going to sungei road to find it, see that old old things can recall my younger stay at kampong life time, recall my late father, late wife.
Oh, forget to tell you, i know your blog is from yahoo search engine, now i looking vinyl records is from website, are you still keep that records ? i very interested.
最后,希望我们:(身体健康、钱财免忧、越老越快乐、发啊)
(福建话)
Hi there,
Im born 14 yrs later than u … Have already hit my 30s. And im always thinking that those good old days in this world have gone by and will never be the same anymore.. I stumbled upon ur blog by chance. It kept me reading on and on for the past 2 hours.. poring over each word each map and most impressively the paper bags.
Hi Jack Sim,
Welcome here. I’m surprised that though you are 3 years my senior, you are already a grandfather! Peter, Chun See and Victor – are you guys grandfather already??? Haha!
Hi Gary,
I’m glad that you enjoy those oldies like many of us here.
Hi Laokokok;
Surfing for old Singapore/ old classmates; surprise to have found one old classmate Yeo Seow Eng having visited your site. We were classmates for 5 years; he was in a different class in year 6.
For his info; Rayman Primary school though defunct; building is still there; the triangular shaped school field and even the school canteen ! It has shrunk somewhat in total land area though. Demolished are the toilets and equipment shack !
Thanks.
Eric Teoh
Hi Eric Teoh,
I’m surprised to hear that! Indeed it happened – you managed to find your old classmate via this blog. Thanks for the info on Rayman Pri Sch too.
Hey Eric Teoh,
Wow, nice to hear from you! I remember you indeed. Please drop me an email at and we can catch up with old times! It’ll be a trip, haven’t seen or heard from you since Primary 6!
Jason AKA Seow Eng
Oops, my email got dropped off, it’s:
jason at mac dot com
Hi Laokokok!
I came across your site by chance and what a tearful walk down memory lane your blog has been for me.I grew up in Katong in the 70s.We lived nearby St.Pat’s school.I was surprised to learn the demise of Yeo’s Bros,Odean,Siglap market and CHIJ altho I went to Katong Convent.How things have changed.When the Gov reclaimed the land behind our house a certain innocence was lost.Of course we understood the urgent need for the Flats but Katong never really got over it and lost that certain sleepy seaside charm it had.I’ll never foget eating ice kachang by the beach.And being afraid of Pontianak hiding behind banana trees at night too LOL!
I miss my Katong and those happy and carefree days.We also liked going to Changi beach for a change.My parents loved the long ride thru Bedok to get there.Old Bedok that is.Sigh!Such wonderful times.Thanks Laokokok.
Have a nice day everybody in S’pore.
Jean.
Hey, i love reading ya blog. It is really addictive! I enjoyed all the articles & photos u’ve shared with everyone here. U must be a history lover. hee..
Interesting!
Hi Joelle,
Thanks and welcome to my blog. I’m a history lover now but when I was a student, I did badly for my History subject.
I am also from Rayman school. The one storey building bring fond memories. I was searching whether they have demolished it because today newsapaper said the Boys Bridgae school at ganges is the only one remaining in Spore. That one at ganges is the same as Rayman school.
Great blog, Mr Y**.
I was one of your mahjong kaki at Jeff’s place at Toa Payoh.
Fat Dragon Heng would like to meet up with you.
Keep blogging.
Hi Joker,
Seems to have found some of my old kakis through this blog. If you are not Fat Dragon Heng, drop me a line at my email laokokok@yahoo.com.sg
Thank you and keep in touch.
And thanks for not revealing my name and who am I…haha.
Dear laukokok,
This is an incredible blog that you have created. Congratulations!
I’m also one of your mahjong kakis at Toa Payoh. See if you can guess who I am. I recognise your alpine white colour Yahama hi-fi set, it was my dream hi-fi… and I think later you had a Nakamichi tape deck, …. and your Lobo LP. haha.
Wah, what’s happening today? All started to Google about their kakis today? If you are one of my majong kakis in TP and been to my house before, then I should know who. Especially one who is interested in Hi Fi – you must be L.Y.L. – the one who go to the studio and jam too.
Thanks for not revealing my name.
Dear Laokokok,
Your blog is really great. My husband is about your age and used to live at Lor L and Langsat Road. He was from Haigs Boys and Presbyterian Boys School. Your blog is so interesting and colourful that it brought back all the sweet memory of his childhood. He loves telling our 7 years old daughter of his childhood days at Katong area and your blogs adds more visual to her. Keep it up and we look forward to read more of your blogs. Have a happy day always! Cheers.
Hi Rin & Kamal,
Welcome here and I’m glad both of you like my blog. I’ll keep blogging and hope you will be back for more.
This is amazing! I was just googling for nostalgia sake and stumbled on your blog — and what memories you have evoked.
I was also from Beatty Primary School — same year as you. What class were you in?
One of my fondest memory was buying prawn crackers from an old man through a hole in the fence near the tuckshop. He’ll always come around recess time and stand at that spot along the fence. Keropok has not tasted so good since!
Those were the days…
Hi Ed,
Wecome here and thank you. Glad to know another one from Beatty Pri too especially one of the same year as me. Well I’m from 3D in 1971 and 4A in 1972. Are we in the same class?
Anyone has pictures of the old Yaohans at Plaza Singapura, Thomson Plaza or Katong?
i enjoyed reading most of your post though i was born in late 70s but quite fortunate to visit of the place you mention
Thank you Wan and glad you enjoyed reading it.
Hi Laokokok,
I stumbled upon your blog while looking up about Singapore nostalgic past. I’m just curious about the grey building near Marine Parade Library. It looks like an old colonial building maybe hotel but has been divided by a road (Still Road if I’m not wrong. Do you have any info?
Hi Yan,
That should be the Grand Hotel in the past.
wow, dear old rayman primary school, i was there during the 60’s. still remember the bakery shop and the hair salon that my mum used to visit during the lunar new year and the post office – all were torn down many years back … glad someone still have memories for them …
Hi Yan, LKK is right. Its probably the Grand Hotel and the road that divides it into 2 is Karikal Road.I lived nearby and you should have seen the area before that big dividing road was installed.It was a lovely area so peaceful and calm. As kids we used to sneak into the Hotel grounds to ‘cut short’ to the beach and eat ice balls at a little snack bar nearby.I’ve forgotten its name.I’m so melancholic thinking about it. I have no idea if the Hotel is still running. I knew a girl who grew up and later worked there called Regina Ng.
Hi Laokokok, thanks for doing this blog, it brings back great memories. I was born in 1961 myself, and have fond memories of the old Cold Storage supermarket (remember the Salad Bowl, the Toy Shop, Hilda’s?)and eating at the carpark opposite (my family called it Philip’s Square because of the signboard above the carpark, but so far all pictures I have seen of the carpark show a Setron billboard…
Keep up the good work mate!
hi laokokok
great blog, i was born in kk in 74, miss the 80’s which i relish so much…….though i dont really remember the 70’s i still like the lifestyle! thanks for keeping the memories alive
Vj
Thank you Vj, I’m glad you like my blog and those old lifestyle.
Born in 1975
Both my primary and sec school still there but are no longer what they used to be
Beatty Pri, now an Indian centre(school) and Whampoa Sec, now become Bendemeer Sec school.
Like to collect those little red love seeds along the road inside Beatty Pri and missed those 5-20 cents canteen foods
. ALways enjoyed the stories told by the teachers about the Bodhi Tree infront of the gate of Whampoa sec…..man, those were the days
Really enjoy the days in 80s and early 90s, it truely unique Singapore back then………
You are right Vince, as those old landmarks are slowly phasing out; what’s left are our memories of those good old times.
I really enjoyed your website, I was born in 1966 in Malaysia, but my father is from Singapore. I had a wonderful time looking at the pictures and your write up about The Tiger Balm Garden. It was really fantastic back in the day. It was really a place where your imagination can go really wild when we were kids! I was really scared out my mind with the scale of the statues and sculptures, but then again, when we were kids, everything seems larger than life.
Thank you for posting the picture of the beautiful original mansion too!
Cheers!
Thanks Peter and glad you enjoy reading my blog.
Your blog sure brought back some small memories in me of the Singapore I visited pre-1970s. I’m from Hong Kong myself and visited Singapore fairly regularly until the mid-1970s because my maternal aunt “married over” there. But today’s Singapore is a different kettle of fish, isn’t it? I’m no way saying it’s better or worse – it’s just different now.
Aha!
Bro, we were of the same year in VS (75 to 78), we’ve definitely crossed paths in school and for sure, we’ve shared the Court for Soccer!!!
Anyway, i came across your blog from Abang Victor’s link and am glad that i did!!!
I don’t really blog nowadays but am more into facebook as got to update the soccer players…
do find me at
victorian1978@yahoo.com.sg
thanks Bro!
Thanks Roshaizan Sapan. Another Victorian!
Hi Robert,
Yes Singapore now definitely is totally different, but be it good or bad,…it all depends on what issue.
God I loved the Singapore of the 1960s and ’70s.
hi… thanks for the valuable insights/history of VS to a fellow junior Victorian…
your blog deserves to be part of our national archive for the benefit and joy of many generations to come…
nil sine labore
Thank you Joops and glad to find another Victorian here. Cheers!
Fantastic site, just what I was looking for! Had the most wonderful time of my childhood when I lived in Singapore 1966/1968 with so many cherished memories. My father was posted to Seletar and we lived in Marine Mansions, Sea View Avenue, Katong. For the first time since then it looks like I may have a chance for a short stopover in Singapore later this year and would love to visit as near as I can to what used to be home! The address no longer exists on any map of today, but if you or anyone else out there can help, I would be so grateful. The flats used to look out over the sea, and at the top of the road was, I think, a small Roman Catholic church – it had a beautiful magnolia tree in the grounds. Many thanks!
LKK. Me born in the same year as you.
Mum says she paid $5/- hospital charge.
Nice Blog … Bring back beautiful memories of yesteryears.
I went to St Anthony’s Boy School, then to SJI, => SP => NUS
Welcome another tiger here, Johnson.
i was born in the same year as you in jb, your postings really bring back memories…walaa
I am 2 years younger than you.
Do you know the place at upper bukit timah road inside the forests where there were lot of kampong villages/houses used by chinese family in the year 1970?
Hi Meow,
Sorry I’m not familiar with that place.
hey, happened to browse around and chance upon your blog.
so nostalgic. almost churning my stomach around. keep it up! totally enjoy your photos and reminisces.
Hi there, found your blog by chance, and I really enjoy it. Bring
back so many memories, especially now that I’m so far away from home. It’s my pleasure to add your blog to my blogroll!
Hi Sharifah, thank you and glad you like my blog. Cheers.
Stumbled into your site, while reading about Cecilia Chung’s second pregnancy, which lead to a search for Tse Yin on google….saw his younger days photo..and into your blog.
Unfortunately I lost my treasur chest of memories, while moving house many years back, it contains most of what you put on line or more.
Anyone remembers the FANFARE magazine of the past?, Paik Choo, Siva Choy, Kitchi boy and so forth?. Anyone have a copy to show? I collected them from 1st issue to last…hence the treasure box lost..
Thanks for the memories…if any reading this, anyone remembers OUTRAM PRIMARY SCHOOL?, I can’t seem to find info of this school, which I attended from 1962 to 1963, Primary 1 to Primary 2…when I was staying at Tiong Bahru.
Thank you for the reminders…the amusement parks…etc
Hi lokcheekumore,
Thanks for your comments and yes I do remember Fanfare magazines. I like to keep those posters in the magazines too but all these are gone as well…
good website1
Thank you Lim
Hi your blog is really detailed! Appreciate the efforts you have put in when writing about the places in Singapore. I was amazed by the maps you have found and the stamps, post cards.. (Botanic Gardens) Help me a lot in my history assignment! Thanks!
Thanks Yq,
Hope you do well in your History assignment.