On The Roxy Bridge

I like to take random pictures once in a while.

It's a very charming activity to do. 

I used to do that a lot. 

Unintended, unplanned photography. 

I've yet to get the mojo completely back.

But I will, soon. 

Maybe because I know just how fast our cityscape can turn. 

We live in a country where one day this building might be here and suddenly another day the entire building's torn down. 

All because you didn't have the time nor purpose to go there every day. 

It's not even the buildings. 

Sometimes it's the tenants. 

Fortunately the tenants of East Coast Road haven't changed very much. 

At least I don't think so. 

Roxy Square has stood here since the 70s when the cinema was torn down to make way for this shopping center. 

Katong Shopping Center hasn't changed very much either. 

Of course you don't find them strata malls having the same tenants as those in, say Parkway Parade, PLQ or Bedok Mall. 

Roxy has a blend of beauty salons, hair dressing salons, a few pubs, and other stuff. 

Katong, on the other hand, has a mix of print shops, fashion retail, and a host of FDW agencies which dominate the tenant mix. But there's a popular food court in the basement known for its chicken rice. 

But whatever the tenant mix, they're still there. 

There didn't use to be an Indigo nor a Holiday Inn Express, of course. 

But they're here now- between East Coast Road and Marine Parade Road- with one side overlooking the sea, one side overlooking Joo Chiat and Paya Lebar, and the other looking towards Bedok and Changi. 

There's a supermarket along this road- Fairprice Finest- and a provision shop or two. 

What makes this place stand out, however, are the restaurants. 

They come and go, like others, but some make you feel a bit more regretful.

Like Heavenly Wang which used to be at the notable red building which, a long time ago used to (really) house a bakery.

Nevertheless, this is a stretch where you can get mookata, Korean BBQ, Western fare, tonkatsu, Nyonya kueh, brunch, laksa, Pad Thai, Thai Green Curry, Northern Indian and char kuay teow all at the same time. 

Not to mention- artisanal ice cream with amazing waffle cones whose fragrance waft through the air as you're waiting- in the queue outside.