Pages

Monday, August 3, 2009

Bollywood Veggies

Somewhere in the rural outback of Singapore (ok it's the Kranji countryside) are the farms but none as flamboyant as Bollywood Veggies, set up by a husband and wife team, who also live on the farm, although their house is not so obvious being concealed by fenced leafy foliage and guarded by fearsome dogs. They chose to live out their retirement by becoming farmers, which is quite an unconventional path for Singaporeans. They live by the slogan, "Back to the Nature is the Future".
Bollywood Veggies is an organic farm that claims it's the largest producer of organic bananas and papayas in Singapore. Besides fruit, all kinds of herbs and medicinal plants, and vegetables such as long beans, ladies finger, cucumbers and bitter gourds can be found on the farm. You can take a walk in the farm for a fee of $2. Try and pick a cool day to make your day trip.

There's a restaurant called Poison Ivy Bistro and the dishes include the cooking of organic vegetables farmed here. Both Western and Asian cuisine (eg chicken curry) are served. The fare is home cooked goodness and the drinks include aloe vera and fig tea which are so refreshing.
The lady in the cowboy hat is the proprietress Ms Ivy Singh, a very colourful, friendly and outspoken lady who was the former national netball captain. This is the alfresco part of the restaurant. The place is open Wed to Sun, 9am to 6pm. It is well patronised especially on weekends and group bookings can be made in advance if you want to go on a guided tour of the farm.

You can check out the website including details on how to get there. There is a shuttle bus running from Kranji MRT station.

That's my World

For more Outdoor Wednesday posts, go here.

21 comments:

  1. this looks like a very fun place to visit. organic veggies and fruits are high on my list of must-haves though i have a limited selection in my part of the world.
    enjoyed your post.
    have a wonderful week.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I have a banana plant in my post too. You have to pay $2 to visit the farm? I have not try any of the farm visit, might like to try it out one day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Does indeed look like a fun place to visit! Love the Poison Ivy Bistro! Great post!

    Have a lovely week!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, we have retreated to an organic farm as well. The prof now enjoys being in the fresh air all the time.
    Vry interesting and 'nice' post in the best sense of the word.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Glad to know of this organic farm. This is green living and gives people an alternative to buy organic too.

    I have just started a small patch in my garden growing bitter gourd, cucumber, sweet potato, okra and brinjal. Nothing much is happening yet :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for sharing! I am missing Singapore NOW!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am missing Singapore NOW!!!Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, I love to go organic just a bit more expensive. Great world you have there Irene. Have a nice day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've yet to visit this place, will do so one of these days.....

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can tell just by looking that the owner is quite a character! How great to live out such an interesting retirement and 2nd act!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Interesting piece of culture you've shared with us this week!

    My Outdoor Wednesday is a broken heart...come by to visit, won't you?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looks very lovely.

    Becky K.
    Hospitality Lane

    ReplyDelete
  13. I haven't seen that side. Thanks for the tour Irene.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an interesting part of your culture you have shared with us. Wishing you the best from Texas, USA.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great pics!

    xoxoxox
    Donna Marie

    ReplyDelete
  16. It looks like everything grows huge there! Thanks for sharing this part of the world!

    Happy Outdoor Wednesday!
    Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts

    ReplyDelete
  17. I spotted the bananas and their trees right off. We have some planted in our yard. This is the 3rd year for one and I have been told it will bear bananas. I'm not sure that is true. So far, no sign of them. This looks like an interesting place to visit.
    Mama Bear

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a meaningful way to retire. A route less pursued by others.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I remember this place and of course Ivy Lim. I used to live in NTU, and the CCK area was my fav haunt. being a farmer was also my fav acitivity.

    ReplyDelete

Great to see you ~Irene