Itchy Toes - a Travel blog

Little India is the heart of Singapore’s Indian community. The smells and glitter beckoned me to step into their world, starting from the corner of Sungei and Serangoon Roads. From my hotel, I took Bus #147, which cost me 90 cents. I dropped in S$1, but the driver didn’t give me change.

Tip #1: Come prepared with coins.

Tekka Mall was the starting point of my Indian experience on foot. Serangoon Road is filled with jewelry and crafts, textile, flowers, fruits and vegetables, and spices. For the adventurous, there are also astrologers and henna tattoo shops. And, of course, authentic Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants.

Tip #2: Comb every street. They’re all safe anyway and you’ll be surprised what you’d find in the smaller alleys and stores.

In the middle of the long Serangoon Road is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, where Indians pray and tourists take a respite by taking pictures. It was filled with people, lights and glitter, and incense.

Tip #3: If you plan to get into the temple for a closer look, don’t forget to take off your footwear.

After the temple, I turned around and went back to my starting point, only on the other side of the road. More shops invited me to step in, take a look, and hopefully make my purchase. Prices are reasonable and you can always haggle. But be careful when haggling, the storekeepers might actually refuse to sell you their wares if you insult them by bidding too low.

These are what I got from my Little India shopping:

• Children’s t-shirts: 3 for S$10
• A bag of dried red chili peppers: S$1
• Butterfly silver ring with a garnet stone in the middle: S$25
• Keychains and mobile phone straps: any 5 items for S$10
• Kristha Cookie (Indian snack): S$1 each
• Bag of chocolates: S$8

Not bad, where 1 USD = 1.52 SGD.

I could have gone on to the end of the stretch, at Mustafa Centre, where they offer 24-hour shopping. But my legs can’t carry me anymore and I had a movie to catch.

Next: Bugis Street Market