Articulating my thoughts and experiences after visiting my parents' home countries was a daunting idea. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot. Expressing the inexplicable feelings I have toward belonging and identity without sounding like a cliche second generation immigrant is something I don't think will ever be possible, but I digress.
Malang, Jawa Timur
This small quasi city 100km south of Surabaya in East Java is one of many known in the archipelago for its' tasty cuisine.
Calathea Garden, a cafe in Kampoeng Heritage Kajoetangan, Malang
Idjen Boulevard is known for the colonial-era Dutch architecture and palm trees which line the road.
Outside the urban centre of Malang, most tourist attractions in the city are located in the mountainous locality of Batu, such as apple picking orchards, transportation/vehicle museums and flower gardens (pictured).
Yogyakarta, Jawa Tengah
Pantai Parangtritis, Special Region of Yogyakarta
A rooftop sunset captured in Jogja.
Jakarta, Jawa Barat
Selamat Datang Monument, Menteng, Central Jakarta
Jakarta's trendy commercial district is characterised by viral eateries and a youthful atmosphere. Blok M, Kebayoran Baru, Jaksel.
Petak Enam is a market full of food vendors and businesses run by the ethnic Chinese community in Jakarta, located in Glodok.
Inside a bric-o-brac store in Petak Enam, full of traditional vases, crockery, paintings, and ornaments.
Singapore / 新加坡 / Singapura / சிங்கப்பூர்
Cloud Pagoda at Chinese Gardens, Jurong East.
Chinese Gardens
Amidst the rapid urbanisation, pockets of a slower life are still tucked away. Given that I was lucky enough to stay with family, I was able to once again
A group of uncles banter next to a traditional newspaper stand. People's Park Complex, Chinatown.
Coins jangled as they were quickly exchanged for Chinese newspapers in front of the Chinatown MRT.
Three-storey tea mural by Yip Yew Chong in Chinatown.
Heritage shophouses stand in contrast to modern infrastructure in Singapore's Chinatown.
A chain soybean drinks and desserts stall in a hawker centre, selling favourites such as dou nai (soy milk) and dou hua (beancurd pudding) from $1.80.
A typical HDB ground floor, complete with a kopitiam (hawker centre), pasar (fresh food market), small businesses, and common comumunity spaces.
Kuehs sold at the HDB pasar, including kue mangkok, klepon, kue lapis, and ang ku kueh.