The Expat Aussie Bogan: DanDan

I. still. hate. twisties!

And now we can add skipping to that list!

I’ve been coming to Inspire Fitness now since September 2019, multiple days per week, to get my Muay Thai fix (and ensure I maintain my rage). Check out my introductory Inspire Fitness review on Yelp.

The classes have undergone a subtle change in the wake of Covid-19 with the Inspire team offering online classes (via Zoom) which can be done at home and are actually quite challenging and fun.

The in-gym classes have also evolved into shorter bursts of activity with more classes available, and different challenges and skills required – the first morning session being a body sculpt type which is cardio and strength, whilst the second session is more like traditional muay thai focusing on technique, footwork and sparring.

Class sizes range from 5-10 pax (5 during this Covid-19 period; 10-ish during normal times) and the circuits provide the opportunity to experience a range of different physical activities:

• Strength and co-ordination via weight and resistance training (including ab exercises, controlled weight lifting, movement like exercises such as the infamous burpee).
• Bag work with a new punch/kick/fake/switch combo on each bag every lesson which allows improvement via repetition of technique.
• Pad work with a 1-on-1 session with the trainer calling out combinations (see image above). These are both challenging and fun, and help improve co-ordination, technique, reflexes and dexterity.

Below the gym floor is a breakout area to prepare, grab a refreshment or use the amenities, or just simply talk cok!

Located on Joo Chiat Road between East Coast Road and Fowlie Road this hidden gym can be tricky to find. When walking down Joo Chiat Road from East Coast Road if you reach Club 36 you’ve gone too far.

So, to make sure you don’t miss the gym, when you reach Hock Sin Hin Bicycle Shop you should see a black vending machine to your right, just past the shop. This belongs to Inspire. To your left is a staircase. Take that to the top and you’ve reached your destination and remember when you feel like giving up, remember why you started!

Located on the corner of Mountbatten Road and Tanjong Katong Road this large nursery is an absolute gem, hiding in plain sight!

I love coming to this nursery to check out their huge selection of plants. I recently visited during Chinese New Year (農曆新年) and the nursery was blooming, literally, with all manner of greenery – Pussy Willows and Money Trees were abounding as were the lucky Calamondin Orange Trees adorned with Red Ang Bao Envelopes (紅包) – signifying a fruitful and abundant year ahead. (apparently the word “orange” sounds like the word for “luck” in mandarin… who knew?). The orange hue of the fruit is also said to symbolise “gold”, which makes it a very auspicious fruit.

I have also visited the nursery to get some advice on a white bug that had appeared on my Papaya trees (I grew them from the seeds of the fruit myself, and now have only 1 of the initial 6 left – and it is heavily infested with white bug). My application of white oil was incorrect, and the nursery staff corrected me by explaining the best time of day to do it, which parts of the tree/soil need it, and also how my watering may be affecting the performance of the pesticide. Hopefully I can save my final Papaya plant – and a new one that seems to have grown all by itself.

My most recent visit to the nursery was to purchase inter-connectable plastic flooring squares, to provide a foundation for my artificial grass, as well as allowing drainage for the consistent Singapore downpours – as my balcony is large and I do not want to propagate the dreaded Dengue!

The nursery itself is a large space occupying the corner block, surrounded by a sandstone wall. They use shading on plants that can’t handle direct sunlight, and leave the rest out in the elements to soak up the Singapore sun in all its glory.

I haven’t bought a poor plant from here yet, every one has been fine – the Crotons are spectacular. I generally come here for fertilisers as I am growing my own plants & fruit trees (Ginger, Galangal, Papaya, Pineapple). However, I’ve also purchased soils, pesticides, pots and interlocking plastic flooring.

The staff are always friendly and helpful with advice, and will package items for transport. If you have heavier items they’ll load the car/grab/taxi for you, and consult with the driver to ensure it’s all good.

Overall – I just love coming here. I find it uplifting and serene. Haven’t had a reason to try another nursery yet. This one is for me 🙂

Sin Hoi Sai Eating House on East Coast Road (not to be confused with it’s cousin Sin Hoi Sai Seafood Restaurant which is located in Tiong Bahru), is a typical Tze Char 煮炒 style restaurant and is not exactly a “hidden gem”.

However, one of their secret menu items absolutely is a hidden gem. The red wine pork ribs! These are so delectably tender you can cut them with a spoon! They also do not appear on the standard menu’s at Sin Hoi Sai – though they do appear on their banner hanging on the back wall.

These mouth-watering fall-off-the-bone ribs are easily the tastiest and most luxurious thing on the menu (and probably the most expensive) – and they come in 3 sizes – small, medium & large (the video and image both show the large portion of the ribs).

Being a Katong local, living in close proximity to Joo Chiat Road I tend to visit Sin Hoi Sai several times a year – usually when visitors are in town or as a treat because it can be spendy-per-pax when compared to other local fare in the area – especially if you choose the better dishes and larger portion sizes.

Aside from the above stunning ribs dish I’d recommend sticking to what Sin Hoi Sai is known for if you want some additional food to try. The Grilled Baby Kailan, Sambal Stingray & Marmite Chicken are all must tries – and are better washed down with an ice cold long neck of Heineken or Tiger.

You may be tempted to smash up the Guinness Pork Ribs but once you’ve had the red wine variety, these aren’t nearly as spectacular so I’d suggested skipping these.

WLE! Is damn good laksa lah!

Multiple local people have recommended this Nyonya Peranakan laksa to me, as the best in the East, and after visiting here I can see why. They’ve also told me that the other chain-variety in this area is “over-rated”, “not as good as it was” and the never good to have “oily” – despite the one-and-only Gordon Ramsay spruiking it!

This soup-spoon laksa is souper satisfying all the way to the final slurp! They kindly add the chili down the side, so you can control the spice to your hearts content (I pushed the whole lot in and mixed it up). The 2 times I’ve had this lately were both post training, so I was already dripping before I started eating, so you can imagine what I looked like with the sambal sweats!

There isn’t much else to say except it’s absolutely delicious with thick juicy prawns, slurpy noodles & that amazing creamy coconut broth that defeats chopsticks!

This is an easy 5-out-of-5 stars – 100% recommended, I now do training just so I can come here to eat guilt-free.

P.S. You can get cockles, but I believe you have to ask for them – I usually include them as they add a sweet burst of flavour to your broth, and cut through the richness.