Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (10)

The kampong houses have running water, electricity and telephone lines. It is one of the rare area in Singapore where overhead cables are still being used.

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (9)

Another typical sight in the kampong.

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (8)

The letterbox of house 17-c...

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (7)

The door of one of the houses.

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (6)

A line of chairs seem to be waiting for the spectators of a singing and dancing show organised by the kids of the village...

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (5)

Pet dogs and cats, as well as the occasional hen roam freely between the houses. Here a game of cat and (mouse) lizard was captured by chance!

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (4)

While the houses of the kampong are connected by a mud paths, plenty of care and love are applied by the residents to the decoration, with lush gardens, vases and antic lamps, all kept neat and clean.

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (3)

Shades and colours in the kampong.

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (2)

The kampong is located on a private land with a 999 year lease. While the value of the land can be estimated to over SGD 50 mio, the owners charges residents a rent in the range of SGD 10 to SGD 30 per month per house plot.

Residents however hesitate to invest in renovations or improvements as Kampong Buangkok and its surroundings have been marked for redevelopment by the URA. Consequently and in line with this development project, the owner might be requested to sell the land to the government, which would then spell the passing of the kampong.

Kampong Lorong Buangkok - Singapore (1)

On a land soon to be redevelopped hides the last real kampong on the main island of Singapore. Comprised of 28 tin roof houses, it provides a sight of day past, when such villages were common across the country.

While kampongs are still prevails in most of South East Asia, the rapid development and the optimization of the land use in Singapore have erased most signs of this once familiar rustic lifestyle.

Flammable Liquid - Singapore Kampong Life

D700 70-300mm @ 250 ISO200 f/11 1/125

This is a detail of the van used to supply the bunker fuel to the boats kept off the jetties at the kampong. I liked the soft color combination.

Where Boats Grow On Trees - Singapore Kampong Life

D700 70-300mm @ 70 ISO200 f/4.5 1/250

A fancy natural boat hanger!

The Weighing Scale - Singapore Kampong Life

D700 70-300mm @ 220 ISO200 f/5.3 1/500

The kampong is mostly populated by fishermen and boat keepers. This scale might still be used to weigh the catch. A play on color and depth of field here.

Awaiting Higher Tides - Singapore Kampong Life

D700 70-300mm @ 82 ISO200 f/8 1/500

A walk in one of the latest kampong located on Singapore island (beside the Seletar dam) yielded some pictures that will be posted over the next few days. This first trip was made at relatively low tide. I should return at high tide for another photo session.

Pulau Ubin Mini Series – The Coconut

D700 70-300mm @ 92 ISO400 f/5.6 1/15

Caught in a sudden downpour, we sought cover in a side road hut, where two ladies were selling beverages and fresh coconuts. While waiting for the rain to go by, I noticed the shiny pot, used to keep drinking water in the absence of water on tap, and thought that it would be a perfect subject for a picture… The rain stopped as quickly as it had started and we pursued our cycling tour of the island…

Pulau Ubin Mini Series - Ubin Town

D700 70-300mm @ 75 ISO400 f/11 1/500

To start this mini series on Pulau Ubin, here is a typical postcard shot of the first two houses of Ubin Town, the last kampong (village in Malay) of Singapore. The 17:30 light gives a nice warmth and reduces the harsh contrasts of earlier hours.