Bright red sliding gates, metal biscuit tins and a fat screen TV set assembled at the entrance. Upon entering, I was swamped with songs and after songs of Chinese oldies music from a bygone times, for instance the unforgettable Teresa Teng's folk songs. Old music discs and vintage posters on the walls together with flimsy tables and uncomfortable wooden stools are the typical setup 60s-style of coffeeshop.
This #oldschool concept cafe is opened by the owners of Awfully Chocolate.
It is very hard to find such a #oldschool cafes in such a modernized city. This is definitely a big draw to boys, girls, olds and youngs. You might be sitting beside a family of three-generations or elderly couples reminiscing about their "想当年" or a group of friends talking about their childhoods.
Awfully chocolate owners really captured the hearts of all ages. #GoodBusinessIdea
Of course, they offer local signature dishes such as nasi lemak, john roti, ngoh hiang and many others. Customers just have to click their choices on the menu paper and pass to the waiter. While waiting, I rambled around the shop and surprised to find that they are so detailed enough that all their equipment are so #oldschool as well! Like their coffee maker jars, cups and ice crusher.
Fake bird nest drink - my favorite pasar malam drink lol
Lo Gai Yik (marinated chicken rice) and chicken curry rice - $8.90 each.
Black carrot cake (actually quite nice)
Ais Bor (ice ball) -$3.90
Given the name, their main attraction is their desserts which I totally agree even though I only tried their ais bor. You think it is only a ice ball drenched with coconut milk and coloured syrup but you will be surprised to see ice kacang ingredients (like red beans, attap seeds and lychee jelly balls) inside the ice ball.
This is a place where can go for ambience but maybe not for their food. I don't mind going back for desserts though.
Having local desserts in a classic settings and listening oldies folk songs is a new unfounded pleasure!
I came across this vintage diner place when I was googling interesting theme cafe in Singapore. Immediately, I bookmarked the address and checked the diner out on the very next day.
Very hard to miss the diner due to its prominent location - just opposite Serangoon stadium and first shop to see when you turn in to the small alley.
Now then I know, Kombi is the name for this hippie van (above), the second model manufactured by Volkswagen. The owner must be a Kombi lover so much that to name the diner "Kombi Rocks". There are only 18 Kombi in Singapore and the owner already have 3-4 in hand already or maybe more.
Imagine riding this hippie van for a road trip, the road trip is already off with a great start! But, a little expensive to rent for just a road trip...
Kombi Rocks Diner is the revamped look for Koon Kee Restaurant which started in 1971 The main cuisine are Thai & Chinese dishes which have passed down three generations.
I feel like I was instantly flashback to the 80s when I stepped into the diner. The setting is retro 80s where it has retro coffee tables, old vintage posters, barber chairs, old fans and even vintage refrigerator! I wonder if they are using the vintage refrigerator or just for show.
It was not crowded on a Sunday afternoon but I bet the diner will be packed in the night as it has the relaxing atmosphere for chilling.
These vintage toys, guitars and props are available for rental or sale as well. Personal favourite - Vespa.
Seafood Hor Fun ($6) - Mee Goreng ($6)
Black Sesame Icecream ($5) - Honey Green Tea ($3)
The seafood hor fun was only so-so but the mee goreng was as good as recommended by other websites. It was not oily at all and the taste was very local. Black sesame ice cream was not bad as well. Heard from the waitress that the ice cream was suitable for diabetic people too.
Their Kombi and other vintage cars available for rental as well. Mostly are for wedding event or photoshoot. The prices are on their website.
Dont be alarm to see many people taking selfies there. It is a perfect place for vintage themed photoshoot. I guess the waitresses and waiters are immune to it.
This definitely worth a second visit. I hope more themed cafés set up in Singapore.
Finally, our last destination in Korea gonna ends with the most dangerous yet safest place in Korea. lol irony right? "The most dangerous place is the safest place" --- famous quote.
Anyway, we booked with this DMZ tour 1 online at 46,000 won each. Surprisingly, they replied very promptly! Also, please take note of those days that are not open for visiting for your planning. I was so excited to go that morning and decided to play a prank on my friends by sending them message "Help me tell my mother that I love her if I could not make it back". Then I got scolded when I got back in SG ~.~ cannot take jokes one meh..
Oh yes, remember to bring passport otherwise you are not allowed to enter the area.
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
We were picked up at our hotel at 8am with other tourists in the tour bus, mostly were westerners. Our tour guide's english was so damn good and I like how he articulated all his words so clearly. Probably because he faces so many westerners daily. On a long bus trip to the most northern end of South Korea, he shared with us all the stories/history about Korea. He also told us to be punctual otherwise the bus will drive off after 5 minutes passed the meeting time.. need so fierce one meh..
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established after Korean War (June 25 1950 – July 27 1953) after both parties has signed Korean Armistice Agreement. An agreement for both warring parties to cease fire but it does not necessarily means the end of the war.
DMZ is a 250km long and 4km wide buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea. Though the name, this zone is the most heavily militarized border in the world. This has cut Korea into two, resulting the only divided country in the world.
(source from wikipedia)
With the tense situation between the parties, several unfortunate incidents happened within Joint Security Area (JSA) where the only connection between the two parties. One of them was the Axe-Murder incident in August 1976 involved the attempted trimming of a poplar tree which resulted in two deaths. Apparently, one party wanted to chop away one tree that block their view causing another party not happy.. then started the firing incident... I guess its not the tree problem, its their problem..
Despite the fact that DMZ is very heavily armed border, it is still a safe and popular tourist destinations in Korea.
Our itinerary:
Hotel → Imjingak Park → The Bridge of Freedom → The 3rd infiltration Tunnel → DMZ Theater / Exhibition Hall → Dora observatory → Dorasan Station → Unification Village (Pass by) → Amethyst / Ginseng Center → Arrive at City Hall / Itaewon
Wire fences at the side of the highway all the way to DMZ
A closer look
Actually it was quite scary to see there are wire fences along the highway and they get higher and more intense when we are nearing the zone. We also saw guard houses along the way too.
Finally we reached the first stop of the tour.
Provision shops for tourists
While waiting for our tour guide to buy tickets and get our passports verified.
We were free to walk around Imjingak Park.
The Peace Bell
"As we bid farewell to 20th century in which we witnessed the division of the Korean Peninsula, we welcome the 21st century as a time of reunification and peace for all mankind. It is here, at a point that marks the division of North and South that the hopes and prayers of 9 millions Kyonggi citizens come together in the erection of the Peace Bell Monument. The Peace Bell which is 2.23m in diameter, 3.8m high and weighs 21 tons is made of bronze and tin in the traditional Korean style.
The bell pavilion which is made of wood with a four-sided arched roof, sits on an area of 70.5sqm and 12.18m high."
By Lim, Chang-Yuel
Governor of Kyonggi Province
The distance between Seoul and Gaeseong (a city of southern North Korea). So near yet so far.
Peace-Wishing Ribbon Hanging
Prayers from the families to hope for their families' safety.
The Bridge of Freedom
Hope for the return of their families
Many world leaders and celebrities have visited DMZ and prayed for peace. It has became a symbolic place for peaceful unification.
Now started the real tour..
A simple artpiece shows how much they want to patch up frayed relations between parties.
We were told not to photograph anything after we enter this museum where it shows a short 3D video of the history and the creation of DMZ, and a tour in Exhibition Hall that displays photographs and other materials.
After that we went to tour the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel by walking the trails in the tunnel. It was designed at the angle of 11 degree (if I remember correctly, if not 12 degree) where it is not uncomfortable for human being to climb. In the tunnel, we came to an end point where we can see the other side through a very small window. There even has a small CCTV to monitor if anyone try to take any photos in there... so be careful..
Dora Observatory
At the platform, tourists are allowed to use binoculars to oversee North Korea- Gaeseong’s suburban areas at 50 won each time. Too bad, that day the weather was so foggy that we were unable to see anything clearly =(
This was our tour guide! He has been working as a DMZ tour guide for many years and has a very good relationship with the soldiers. He said sometimes if soldiers are in a good mood, they are willing to take picture with tourists and of course if you are a pretty lady lol!!
Dorasan Station
In 2000, representatives from both parties agreed to connect at the Gyeongui Railroad Line. However, the plan did not go the way it should be. It is now becomes another tourist attraction. At 50 won, tourists are able to purchase a train ticket for future usage.
"Not the last station from the South,
But the first station towards the North"
Former U.S. President George W. Bush visited here in 2002.
Unification Village
DMZ has became a UNESCO transboundary biosphere reserve.
This has ended my first trip to Korea. I must say this is a very fruitful and eyes opening trip for me. I used to not like Korea because I feel their drama plot always so draggy and keep crying BUT my love towards Korea is growing lol.
I hope the next time I will be back is during their winter for skiing! OK now I have to learn roller blade first. lol
