I've been though Chinatown a few times lately on a week day. This busy tourist spot was deserted. Which isn't surprising, since Singapore hasn't seen tourists in well over a year.

I was chatting with the Auntie working as I browsed one of the open market clothing stall. I've bought items off her many times over the last 2 years. She told me how I was the first customer of the day, even though it was almost noon. She said she's been working there on pedestrian only Pagoda Street for 11 years, but next month the stall is closing. There's been no business due to covid. Sadly, this latest lock-down ended the business.

I bought a lot more than I intended to, and promised to bring my daughters back to shop this month. She remembered me, when MsC and I arrived back later in the week. MsC bought a kimono she liked, with her birthday money.

The corner of Pagoda Street which runs straight through Chinatown to the MRT station has a large Hindu Temple. We could hear the Indian music as we walked past, startling the pigeons.  

I've never gone in this temple, as I've only wandered past it during Covid. As capacity is limited, and it always looks busy with worshipers, I don't want to take up any of their capacity just to have a look inside. Walking around the outside you can see the statues. Their striking blue gates for their side entrance are my favorite gates in Singapore.

Just across from Chinatown I checked out some antiques in the Chinese Art Centre. I also found some new murals just across the street from there on Mohamed Ali Lane. Can you see Mickey Mouse?

This other set of murals was a few blocks away on Temple Street. It depicts the historic Chinese Opera Theater which used to be located near there.

The streets near chinatown are the typical mix of old and new buildings you find in many areas of Singapore. I chuckled to see the crane in the background. Something new is always being built.