Jul 31 2008
a singapore simian
Meet Dhoby Ghaut!
Dhoby Ghaut is named for the MRT (mass rapid transit) station on Orchard Road. This is an interchange where two subway lines cross, and practically every bus line comes by, too. Right next door is Plaza Singapura, a mall with a grocery store and movie theater, so it’s a busy place.
We often take the 190 bus from home to Dhoby Ghaut in order to get elsewhere in the city. Buses are always a wild ride (worse than New York City, I swear!), so he grabbed onto the strap and held on for dear life. A small Chinese boy looked up and cried out, in English, “Monkey!”
Dhoby had a very Singaporean day today. For lunch we ate at the food court in the basement of Takashimaya, then we window shopped a bit—truly the Singaporean pasttime. Always intrigued by the foreign foods available, Dhoby took a look at some Japanese snacky snacks, including Pucca, which seemed to be like pocky only they were goldfish shaped (and cocoa flavored). You could find pretty much any kind of cracker or pocky stick or sweet you might want in these places.
Then he picked up a sixpack of beer and headed home for some relaxation. Tiger Beer is Singapore’s beer; I personally don’t like it, as I don’t like light beers. It claims it’s a “lager,” but it’s no Yuengling—it is, to my palate, the same as a Heineken. Too much hops for me.
Once home, he took care of the local koi, who are greedy, greedy bastards and very nearly ate Dhoby’s foot. I feared for his life, because I used unpopped popcorn kernels instead of craft beads or dried beans to stabilize Dhoby, and I figured these koi, who are larger than Dhoby (heck, they’re practically bigger than me) would tear him limb from limb. Luckily I got him away in time, and then he could relax.
The pool was calling his name after this full day. It was really hot out—he soaked in the rays while I frolicked in the water.
Dhoby Ghaut (rav page)
Pattern: Crocheted Monkey by ChimuChimu
Yarn: Harvest Pure Wool, dark brown; Cleckheaton 8-ply Crepe, beige
Skeins: 1.25 of dark brown; less than half of beige
Hook: US size D
Started: Saturday, July 26
Finished: Thursday, July 31
Notes: I was definitely influenced by Pam’s Ramona Bananapants, which made me want to re-learn how to crochet. Amigurumi is, of course, just composed of single crochets, so it was really no big deal. As my first time following a crochet pattern, I learned some things—like how I have to place a marker at the beginning of each round or I will never, ever find the beginning again. I am also not super skilled at “reading” the crochet, but with such a well-written pattern it wasn’t a big deal. As I said, I used popcorn kernels in his hands and feet and body as a stabilizer. The neck is a bit shorter than the pattern called for—it looked too tall to me. But now I don’t know how tall he is. The cock to his head was just a happy accident. I love! Will make loads more.
He is just the cutest little thing in the world! I love his adventures - but he had better watch out for those koi!
Dhoby is an adorable monkey! I love how you documented his day. Very fun!
Oh my oh my who is that bathing beauty we see behind our intrepid pal??
He is so adorable! I love all the photos of his adventures. Maybe I will make a monkey of my own as my first crocheted project (I am irrationally scared of crochet, because I don’t know how to read it at all, so I’m glad to hear the pattern is well written).
So cute! I love him. He is such an adventurer!
dhoby rocks
Oh, I love him. You did such a fantastic job. And the shots are priceless.
oh dude. soooo cute. i love his “my day in pictures” post. ;)
Dhoby sure knows how to have fun on vacation!
I love him!
He is a gorgeous fella - I’m tempted to make his brother.
Dhoby is so busy with the fun and relaxation. Hmm, maybe I will try to follow a crochet pattern also. I made one crochet zipper pouch and that is it.
SO adorable! I love the photo story of his day. Great job!
He’s darling!! And what a great tour guide he is…we love visiting grocery stores whenever we travel abroad. Because of visiting Japan, I now have an unholy love for Pocky (and Fran!!!)
He is really, really adorable! Glad you managed to rescue him from the greedy koi! ;)
So adorable! I love your little monkey friend.
For a split second, I saw that name, and was hoping we’d be introduced to a house elf. Magical just the same, but Dhoby is certainly no house elf!
Very cute! Makes me want to learn more about crochet. I like that he had adventures.
Oh he is gorgeous. I have a pink and brown one but yours is definately cute. I will need to learn how to make those as now my daughter wants one like yours.
hahaha, i love his singaporean day! sounds like fun! when we were in japan we ate in many department store basements. such good food!
p.s. love his crooked smile the best.
That’s an awesome simian!
OK- Now I’m definitely learning to crochet. He’s so cute! And I love that a random little boy called after him. Adorable!
This trip sounds so great- he’s too cute!
The real Dhoby Ghaut was named for the dhobies (Indian washer-men) who used to wash all the clothes they took in in a little river that ran by in the area.
I don’t like Tiger beer either. It’s weak. Especially now that I’ve just gotten back from Belgium, my beer snob rating has skyrocketed.
oh my, he is darling! looks like he was having a lot of happy accidents - too much fun!
Oh what fun! I’m glad he’s getting out and about :)
Erin, these are great shots!! What kind of camera/lenses do you use??
The monkey is so great, I love him.
I love this! Dhoby is Singapore’s “traveling gnome”! :-)