Singapore History

New Year in Singapore: Double Luck for 2026

New Year in Singapore: why double luck?; flashback to September 2025 in Singapore; New Year’s Eve at One Farrer Hotel featuring Queen Forever, Direct from Down Under (like us!); high tea at the Tanglin Club; Din Tai Fung with the Campbells; Swiss Club with Geri; Sunday Brunch at Ritz-Carlton (of course); catch-up in Katong with the Usual Suspects; Year of the Fire Horse in Chinatown; A Short History of Roy Being Unimpressed; Brasserie Astoria, Empress Place, with Lynn

Why double luck? Because I got to celebrate the new year twice … both times in Singapore. Not only the traditional 1 January festivities with Roy, but also a solo trip where I auspiciously caught the tail-end of Chinese New Year. More specifically, the 2026 Chinese Fire Horse Year.

One of the most charming things about Singapore is the enthusiasm with which everyone celebrates everyone else’s festivals, from Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali and Vesak Day to Christmas, Good Friday and the Easter Bunny.

Steve, Verne, Roy and Ellie – NYE at One Farrer Hotel, Singapore

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Tiong Bahru Revisited, February 2024

Tiong Bahru history; Gong Xi Fa Cai!; Tiong Bahru, historic Art Deco Singapore neighbourhood; Geraldene Lowe, national treasure; black-and-white houses, Emerald Hill, Little India and Katong; Tiong Bahru architecture and heritage trail; Lynn & Kim’s gorgeous flat; history of 78 Moh Guan Terrace; eclectic shopping; Tiong Bahru Market; foodies or greedies?; the price of eggs; the price of molestation!

Happy Year of the Dragon!

It’s always good to be back in Singapore. First of all, Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy Chinese New Year at the start of this auspicious Year of the Wood Dragon. Here’s a photo I took in Upper Cross Street, Chinatown.

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