the grande dame...

...is how some describe Lau Pa Sat or Telok Ayer Market.

'the market’s distinctive octagonal shape and ornamental columns were first conceived by British architect George Coleman. He also designed many of colonial Singapore’s prominent buildings that are still standing today, such as Old Parliament House.

When the market had to be moved from its original waterfront location and rebuilt in 1894, Municipal Engineer of Singapore and Scotsman James MacRitchie retained its essential shape, but added a graceful clock tower and a new cast-iron supporting structure. The frames were cast in Glasgow before being shipped to and assembled in Singapore.' (extras)



Now home to a wonderful food market we arrived before the rush started and by the time we left the queues at favourite stalls were long and tables were filling.
There is a wonderful tradition in hawkers markets that you can reserve your seat at a table by placing a small item on the seat...we had packs of travel tissues!... and when you return with groaning tray your seat is there!
AND on one of the outside edges of the octagonal is satay street (extra) which is ablaze at night housed in tiny huts adorned with designs from the Peranakan ceramic tiles that glow with colour and pattern on temples and shophouses in Singapaore.



The casting of metal structures a world away, and often it seems in Glasgow, was  not unusual in the mid1800s as I learned from my trip on the Irrawaddy  a few years ago.