The Scavenger Hunt That Shows You What To Do In Holland Village | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts:

• Hidden Singapore: Holland Village (scavenger hunt game)
• Holland Village history and culture
• Chip Bee Gardens (residential estate)
• ACS International (international school)
• Rock climbing as a teaching tool
• Dining at The Fireplace (restaurant)
• Lims Legacy (arts and crafts store)
• Upcycled kimonos
• Chip Bee Gardens garage sales
• Community spirit
• Nightlife in Holland Village

Hidden Singapore: Holland Village

• Jacinta, a PE teacher, teams up with her students to play Hidden Singapore: Holland Village, a scavenger hunt game.
• The game involves receiving clues via text (riddles or images) on a mobile phone and solving them to find locations.
• Example: Clue one involves finding a "wall of faceless white figures," which turns out to be a mural in the MRT station.
• Another clue requires counting the number of people in a mural wall (15 people).
• The game has been played by over 60,000 people, including tourists and locals.
• The game is designed to reveal hidden aspects of Holland Village, even to long-time residents.
• Example: Jacinta learns that Holland Village was named after British architect Hugh Holland.
• Mini rewards, such as free coffee, are given along the way.
• Final clue example: At Keong Saik Bakery, the final clue asks for the bakery's signature item, which is the "Sor Hei" (Cantonese for "bun up the hair").
• The game fosters community engagement by involving local businesses in helping players solve clues.

Holland Village and Chip Bee Gardens

• Holland Village is described as a vibrant neighborhood known for its trendy cafes and chill vibe.
• Jacinta lives in Chip Bee Gardens, a unique residential estate with black and white houses built in the 1960s for British military personnel.
• She moved there because she loves the old, charming houses and the peaceful, green environment.

ACS International and Rock Climbing

• Jacinta teaches at ACS International, one of only three international schools in Singapore that can enroll both Singaporean and international students.
• Singaporean students learn about other nations, while international students learn about Singapore's global outlook.
• Rock climbing is used as a teaching tool.
• Example: A rock-climbing class involves finding puzzle pieces of famous athletes in shoe bags at the top of the rock wall.
• The activity aims to develop students' physical and mental strength.

Dining at The Fireplace

• Jacinta meets a friend, Ilone, for lunch at The Fireplace, a restaurant where everything is cooked over open flames using apple wood.
• They order watermelon feta salad, bone marrow toast, and "The Dirty Duck," which Ilone finds exceptionally good.
• They also try oysters on fire.

Lims Legacy and Upcycled Kimonos

• Jacinta visits Lims Legacy, an arts and crafts store in Holland Village that was originally opened by Alicia's grandfather in the 1970s as Lim's Arts and Craft store.
• The store features furniture, ceramics, and homeware.
• Upstairs, they have vintage kimonos that are shipped from Japan and upcycled into one-of-a-kind pieces in Singapore.

Chip Bee Gardens Garage Sales

• Jacinta attends a garage sale in Chip Bee Gardens, organized through a Facebook group called the Chip Bee Gardens Group.
• The community is tight-knit, making the yard sale feel warm and personal.
• Nancy, the host, revamps her wardrobe every six months and sells or gives away unwanted items.
• Two girls attend the sale after their father saw the post on Facebook and they bought bracelets.

Nightlife in Holland Village

• Holland Village transforms at night with a laid-back vibe.
• Jacinta frequents The Pit, a bar where she feels like family.
• She often goes there with her colleagues to catch up.

Conclusion:

Holland Village is a vibrant and surprising neighborhood with a strong sense of community. From scavenger hunts that reveal hidden history to unique shops and lively nightlife, it offers a diverse range of experiences. Jacinta's personal connection to the area, as both a resident and a teacher, highlights the neighborhood's appeal and its ability to blend tradition with modern living.