Toys N Toys, Ng’s Collections, G&B Comics

Digital artist Gary Choo recommends his favourite toy shops in Singapore

GARY Choo, a digital artist who works in one of the world's biggest studios, has always loved his toys and figurines. He counts his Iron Man figurine and all the superheroes in the Marvel and DC Comic cosmos as favourites.

Growing up, Gary was enraptured both by the wonders and magic of those toys and the morning cartoons he saw every Saturday morning. So he pursued his lifelong dream: to be that artist who draws and sketches those superheroes and characters to life. His portfolio back at Nanyang Polytechnic was just the beginning of things to come.

Now back home in Singapore after stint in the United States, this 20-something jovial chap (and geek boy) humbly recommends his favourite toy stores. May the force be with Gary! Text and interview by Ronald Wan

Tell us where you can find special collectible toys, gadgets, comics and anything a geek – such as you – desires!
Toys N Toys and Ng’s Collections at China Square Central. G & B Comics at Bras Brasah Complex.

What’s so special about these shops?
Toys N Toys and Ng’s Collections bring in awesome toy imports from Japan and Hong Kong. You can find almost any speciality toy from Die Cast Chogokins to 12-inch figures all here. You name it and they probably should have it. They also have a catalogue for you to pre-order your toys. G&B Comics at Bras Brasah is the one-stop comic shop that will satisfy your Marvel’s cravings and DC fix. They also import comic speciality statues and the latest action figures!

Do you go there often and what do you get there?
I go there bi-weekly. There’ are more than enough stuff to find something new almost every week, which keeps me coming back for more! I usually hunt for figures. My most recent purchase is a Kotobukiya 12-inch movie Ironman statue from Toys N Toys! Janga janga janga!

Toys N Toys
18 Cross Street #01-25/26 China Square Central,
Tel no: 6438 6806

Ng’s Collections
18 Cross Street #02-09 China Square Central,
Tel. no: 6536 5320

G&B Comics
Blk 231 Bras Brasah Complex #03-47,
Tel. no: 6837 2280

View original article of toy shops in Singapore.

Books Actually, Earshot Café, Page One, 25 ºCelsius

Assistant book editor Adeline Loh recommends her favourite speciality bookstores in Singapore

ONCE upon a time, in a land far far away, all Adeline Loh had were her books and all she did was to just read. We know that is fictional but at least that is what Adeline dreams of. Since young, Adeline loved her books from romance novels to Disney fairytales. Fast forward to present day, the bookworm has since graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in – you guessed it – English literature. The bibliophile, who is an assistant editor at Page One, a publishing house specialising in art and design books, shares with us on her favourite bookstores and newsstands in Singapore. Interview by Ronald Wan.

Books Actually (No. 5 Ann Siang Road; Telephone no: 6221 1170). “This is one of my favourite bookstores. You should come here for the literary gems not found in big bookstores and the discerning selection of books on poetry, critical theory, film and art. I appreciate how the owners bring in the edition of a book with the most beautiful covers because I’m quite picky on the book covers myself!”

Earshot Café (1 Old Parliament Lane; Telephone no: 6883 1019 ). Located in The Arts House, this new shop is dedicated to the local arts scene selling Singapore’s music, film and books with about 780 book titles and 130 music titles to choose from. “I like the cosy environment and the comprehensive selection of Singapore’s literature, poetry and plays,” says Adeline.

Page OneBookshop (Vivocity 1 Harbourfront Walk #02-41/42 Tel: 6272 0822). It started out as a small bookshop but has since evolved to become a brand known to be specialising in design and art books.
“Of course I have to promote this bookshop! Besides the design and art books that the bookstore is well known for, Page One actually has a very good range of Chinese books and literature as well. See it for yourself!”

25 Degree Celsius (25 Keong Saik Road #01-01 Tel: 6327 8389) For those who love to whip up a storm in the kitchen, this is the best place to get favourite recipes and advice. The assortment of cookbooks is classified by region such as Chinese, Japanese, French and Thai. You can also hang out in the café for a drink or two with your favourite read. Adeline enthuses, “I love to come here just to browse and pick up a cookbook if I’m in the mood to learn a new dish!”

View original article of Books Actually, Earshot Café, Page One, 25 ºCelsius.

Fairmont Singapore's Room 2639

“At $13,800 per night, the most expensive place to watch the F1 night race is Fairmont Singapore's presidential suite.”
— James P. Ong, 88DB.com editor

FAIRMONT Singapore's (formerly Raffles Plaza Hotel) Room 2639 is a very popular address among the very, very important people of this world. King Juan Carlos of Spain and Muhammad Ali, to name a few, have stayed there.

And with 200-odd days left before the Formula One Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, this two-bedroom presidential suite, located on the penthouse floor, is still available to the highest spender.

As of this writing, it is Singapore’s most expensive accommodation during the historic F1 week: $13,800 per night, for a minimum stay of five nights. That’s easily $69,000 in total — enough to buy you a decent Japanese-made car.

“As one of September’s races’ 11 trackside hotels, the Fairmont Singapore has been receiving numerous queries from various companies and individuals — here and abroad since the latter part of 2007,” says Mr. Ian Wilson, general manager of Fairmont Singapore and Regional Vice President, Asia of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

“During this time, guestrooms and suites which boast not only a panoramic vantage point of the magnificent races but also a dramatic backdrop of Singapore’s picturesque skyline are highly coveted,” he adds.

Fairmont Singapore's presidential suite comes with these other amenities: your own sauna, Miller Harris toiletries from London, a sun room, and an eagle’s view of at least three F1 tracks.

In addition, you can throw your own party and invite a gazillion of your friends — the windows are wide enough for everyone to see something. If you're still looking for accommodations during the F1 week, this is it.

Don’t forget to invite us over for cocktails.

You can reach Fairmont Singapore (80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore, 189560) through tel. no. (65) 6837 3883 or email them at reservations.singapore@fairmont.com.

View original article for Fairmont Singapore here.