Running around the NEW Orchard Road.
Ok, getting back to what i was writing about, before that alarming email i received.
Which by the way, got me thinking about all the horror stories ive heard that happened to other people. About their stalkers, impersonators, plagiarizers, hackers, etc - it’s enough to freak you out this Halloween.
In the days to come, i will be writing a little bit about Singapore and my experience there 
having been there twice in the past month, two weekends in a row!
You’d think I’d be bored of the place by now 
but not quite yet. Instead, i find that seemingly small island down south more and more fascinating with every visit i pay.
If you’ve been to Singapore, you’ve definitely been to its top shopping, dining and entertainment hub, Orchard Road.
But if the last time you’ve been there was as recent as one year ago, chances are, you’ll notice a huge difference during your next visit. Singapore Tourism Board had recently spent a pretty penny (as pretty as S$40 million) on the revamp of Orchard Road; with the rejuvenation of their existing malls, and the opening of some brand new malls.
Orchard Central opened its doors early July
And upon visiting the new and improved Orchard Road, i have come up with 2 conclusions:
1. The place is very fashionable!
Well duh, shopping = fashion, but not only that. On Orchard Road, you are constantly surrounded by people and shopaholics who dress extremely well, both the men and women.
A real eye candy for fashionistas alike 
kind of made me wish i didn’t pack so lightly, sigh
2. The place is really artsy.
Not only in the bold architecture and interior designs, but also in every other smaller aspects. There’s always something interesting to see, if you look closely enough.
Orchard Central is Singapore’s tallest vertical shopping mall, standing at a whopping 12 storeys above ground, 
and 2 basement levels.
And adding to its uniqueness, it includes various international art pieces integrated throughout the mall, where shoppers can admire along the way while they shop til they drop!
Moving fluorescent lights on the walls aka “A Vertical Lightfield” by German artist Hans Peter Kuhn
“Tall Girl” by Inges Idee
Cute tiny boy
Some of the walls were adorned with recycled materials, pretty much like trash turned into artwork masterpieces.
Pipelines, old VCRs and stereos
Fire hose
This one’s for you, babes
And this one’s for me!
For the longest time, I’ve been thinking of finally getting meself a pair of DM’s, going back and forth on whether i was ready to splurge on expensive giant boots
Ohh, the difficult life decisions
I tried on at least 6 different pairs of assorted colours, sizes and materials that day, going back and forth on every one of them! I pity Karen and Aileen who were shopping with me at the time, sorries!
And while most people’s first pair would be something nice and safe - black leather perhaps - then only maybe work their way into a second pair of something bolder, like cherry red leather,
I’ve somehow always eyed the red patent leather ones so I HAD TO GO WITH MY GUT, RIGHT!
The brighter, the shinier, the RonaldMcDonald-ier, the better! ;)
Super-escalator taking you across 4 floors
Here i couldn’t help but imagine what if it breaks down and you’d have to walk up 4 flights of stairs! 
On the topmost floor on Level 12 lies a public Rooftop Garden that is open 24 hours.
“The Stair, The Clouds, and The Sky” by Singaporean sculptor Vincent Tan
“Paradise of Glorious Tulips” by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama
Whuddup, tall girl
Wern Jun, Yanna, Zaiti
Ellie, Poh Ern, Chooi Sean
Karen, Aileen, Cynthia
Lunch @ Carousel, Royal Plaza on Scotts
We were also invited to the grand opening of ION Orchard on 16th October, featuring live performances by Carrie Underwood :) which i briefly mentioned here
ION Orchard
I’m quite a fan of her music, but watching her perform live was really something else. Dayumm, that girl’s got some mad vocals!
And though she was always much bigger in the States than in Asia, i now see why she won all sorts of Grammy’s and the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year. She really puts on a great show, fun and energetic, working the stage in her stiletto boots that seemed at least 5 inches high. Respect.
We were all seated in the media/VIP area, and from our view i could see the audience’s faces, it made me giggle seeing some of the kids singing along to her music, eyes closed, creased foreheads, lyrics known by heart, muka karaoke emo and damn into it heee.
And then i stopped laughing because i realized i was doing it too. Dammit.
Shopping at ION Orchard was really interesting, especially at those huge department stores and international brands that aren’t available in Malaysia yet!
I did my research earlier, and thought i just had to visit Sephora and Herve Leger :)
The iconic Herve Leger that pioneered the famous “body-con” (body conscious) bandaged dresses, worn by celebrities on the red carpet and now you see knock-offs practically everywhere? Yeah. The one and only.
There’s also a whole lot of newer malls scheduled to open in the very near future, like 313@
Somerset,
and the not-for-profit organisation *Scape’s social-retail shopping mall that features a 30% commercial side, while the rest of the space is dedicated to being a social youth centre.
There will be a dance studio, jamming and recording studios, performing arts theatre, youth street market, to name a few!
So that’s definitely something interesting to look out for.
Plus, some of the profits from the commercial side will go to various social movements.
So ends my, dare i say DIFFERENT sort of tour around Orchard Road :)
Don’t forget to visit these new places the next time you hit the town!
Taking a look at how far it’s come, it’s no wonder Orchard Road not only appeals to tourists, but to the local population as well.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:43 am
I went to Orchard Central but why never notice all this quirky stuff? I went there just to get a pair of heels, must be distracted that’s why. haha
November 5th, 2009 at 11:23 am
pinky: aih how can? they’re everywhere! :x
November 10th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
[...] glammed up in shoes and accessories The week after i ran around the new Orchard Road, i returned to Singapore again for the Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog [...]
November 18th, 2009 at 3:13 am
[...] Related posts: (Part 1) Nuffnang Blog Awards @ Singapore Running around the NEW Orchard Road Uniquely Singapore itinerary 2008: ZoukOut 2008: Random Singapore [...]
March 7th, 2010 at 11:52 am
may i know how much you bought for the pair of Dr marten’s boot? wish to get a pair too…nice!
March 8th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Shevon: it was $169 SGD i think. whenever my mind tried to convert into RM i quickly stop myself wuwuwu
May 27th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
[...] Last year, i was there for the launch of ION Orchard [...]