At a weekend breather not too long ago at Robertson Quay I found myself making a rather interesting observation.
You know how it's often said that Singapore as a small country of land size tends to cobble her people together regardless of where we come from, who we are, and what we do?
Sure, we've worked (hard) to keep the two separate- in one way or another- but from time to time one finds two distinct strata of society muddled up together.
You don't feel it so much in the suburbs, but on occasion you'll come upon places like Ghim Moh and (old) Queenstown, and you'll wonder why a single road, or a single stone-paved path can be such an allegoric wall.
At Robertson Quay it wasn't a path, but, if I may say, a river, and a road, maybe.
It's a little puzzling, because on one side of the river you have landscaped trees, beautiful red walking paths and all these condominiums, restaurants, wine places and cafes, yet on the other side atop a very high hill (I must add) you have blocks of flats whose shops are on the other side, and whose kitchens look down over the flow of the river, the space of the condominiums and scattered flowers blown off the branches of the flowering trees.
I'm not sure if there're pretty flowering trees up here on the hill.
Maybe they're not in season.
But there're little trees, little shrubs, and lots of potted plants.
It was my intention to come this side of the river this time.
Not so much for the convenience of it, but because it seemed a bit of a pity to not explore further there.
Climbing up this hill wasn't fun, I assure you, and quietly I had to admire those who made it a daily thing.
They must have strong calves, strong thighs, and fit exercise.
I'm far lacking in that, I'm afraid.
The view from the top of Jalan Kukoh housing estate is an interesting one.
It's one of those views that stump you because in one glance you're seeing the country's development of her society, her people and her economic worth, whilst at the same time you look around you and wonder what it is in between that makes the difference.
From the corridors one looks over the parapet to the neighbors opposite, the roofed shelter, the open space activity area, the sheltered walkways and the playground.
From the same corridors too one looks across to the trees of Pearl's Hill opposite, as well as the towering structures of Wallich Tower, International Plaza and all those in the CBD, plus Shenton Way.
It's a contrasting sight.
Because what was the view like way back in the 70s when this estate of Jalan Kukoh (and York Hill) were built?
What was it that they saw then?
And what is it that they see now that (somehow) have made them one of the most unusual housing estates in this country?
This is a view that- if you care to- will make you think.
I'm not sure how those who dwell here perceive themselves in relation to this view.
There may be those with a sense of contentment and gratefulness.
Or there may be those who cannot contain their free-spiritedness.
It's all very individualistic, and it depends very much on how you perceive yourself, your surroundings, who you want to be, and how you'll get there.
I had intended to find my way to the Jalan Kukoh hawker center this particular afternoon.
But then there came a need for a Thai brand (medicated oil) and so forwent the plan.
Maybe I'll hunt for the hawker center from the Chin Swee Road side next time.
I've heard there's pretty good food there.