For many baby boomers, “Punggol” was never about history or heritage – it was about seafood. That long country road leading to the famous seafood restaurants was all that mattered. Families piled into cars or buses for weekend feasts, and few gave a thought to the stories hidden along the way.

But Punggol was once more than seafood. It was a kampung. Wooden attap huts and sar lee chu (zinc-roof houses) lined the roads. Small farms bustled with pigs, poultry, and rows of vegetables. Life was hard, but it was close-knit, filled with the everyday rhythms of kampung living.

Some may still remember the “Matilda House” – that lonely colonial bungalow standing in quiet defiance – or the cluster of forgotten colonial houses nearby, left to the mercy of time. For most, though, these places barely registered. They were simply there, waiting to be remembered.

Today, Punggol is almost unrecognisable. The kampung roads are gone, replaced by gleaming blocks, digital hubs, and riverfront parks. Yet, if you walk slowly, you can still catch glimpses of the Punggol of yesterday – the winding paths, the stretches of open sky, the feeling of being at the edge of town.

On this trail, we will try to find that long-lost country road again. We’ll stroll, reminisce, and share memories of a Punggol that once was – and marvel at how it has changed. For those who lived through it, this will be a walk down memory lane. For the younger ones, it will be a chance to step into the stories of their parents and grandparents.

Meeting Point
We will meet at Punggol Coast MRT Station, Exit 2, at 9am. Please gather at Toast Box on the ground floor. Look out for me with my Tourist Guide badge.

If time permits, we may even include a visit to Coney Island, a rustic outpost that has since evolved to become a nature park.

A Note for Past Participants
If you joined me last year, come again. Punggol changes so quickly that even in one year the landscape feels different. Part of the old Heritage Road, long closed to the public, is now open – and worth exploring together.

Join us as we rediscover the spirit of old Punggol – a place of seafood feasts, kampung life, and memories that still linger beneath the modern skyline.

For reservations, contact:
UNCLE CHRIS WALKING TOURS
Chris WK Ng
T: 65 91814298
E: [email protected]
W: www.unclechrisdrivingholidays.com

Note:
• We do the worldwide practice of tipping at the end of the tour.
• We also reserve the right to accept or reject habitual late cancellations and No Shows.
• Do not sign up for this tour if you are not sure of your schedule. Sign up only when you are sure of your schedule.