Little India in Chinatown

DSCF5311FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/8, 1/500 sec, ISO200)

Some shots from Chinatown in Singapore. Strangely its biggest attraction is an Indian temple. Maybe I expected too much.

Singapore. More city than country and lacking all natural resources Singapore depends on its neighbor Malaysia but still managed to become the richest country in Asia. And one of the most modern countries of the world. Great for its citizens and visitors who come here for shopping not so good if you look for exotic things and street life. So I decided to visit Chinatown to experience some traditional lifestyle.

When I walked to Chinatown I expected something like Chinatown in Bangkok. Something loud, dirty and overcrowded or just simply fantastic from a street shooter’s perspective. Well, Singapore’s Chinatown is different, very different.

DSCF5316FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/8, 1/480 sec, ISO200)
DSCF5308FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/8, 1/400 sec, ISO200)
DSCF5318FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/8, 1/550 sec, ISO200)

What struck me first was the emptiness. Almost like in the South West of the USA. There is hardly anybody on the streets but I think I know why. 1. It is soaring hot and 2. the people in Singapore are busy to afford their living. They are either in their offices, their cars or in some shopping center. They live like most of us in Europe. Brave new world!

But there is hope. There are two Indian temples located in Chinatown. I wonder what they have in Little India. I need to go there or to Arab Street on my next visit.

DSCF5320FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/8, 1/800 sec, ISO200)
DSCF5326FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/8, 1/300 sec, ISO200)
DSCF5343FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/4, 1/2700 sec, ISO200)

But the Indian temple was rather small and unimpressive compared to the one I visited in Malacca or the one I saw in Chennai. At the end my favorite images are the ones I took of the small pale green mosque right beside the Indian temple. I loved the mosque because it is so humble and small. It is dwarfed by the blue house beside it. The mosques I have seen so far were gigantic buildings for thousands of prayers. This one l was different, very different. Just like Singapore. Just like Singapore is very different compared to its neighbors in South East Asia.

If you come to Singapore and if you want to see something impressive just spend a sunset at the Marina Bay Sands hotel or under the super trees in the Gardens by the Bay. Those are breathtaking locations. Something you will find nowhere else in the world. Forget its Chinatown. There are better ones elsewhere.

All images are taken with the 14mm lens because it was the only lens I took with me for the trip. The 14mm and the Ricoh GR. That’s what I call minimalistic gear.

DSCF5349FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/4, 1/120 sec, ISO200)