Chapter I: Where it all started.
Chapter I: A Night of Unexpected Adventures
Amidst the serendipitous twists and turns of life, a client's invitation opened the door to a remarkable chapter in my travels. It all began when a client from Singapore named Leo, whom I had previously tattooed in Barcelona, mentioned the idea of me working in his hometown. Intrigued by the prospect, I delved into research, and the allure of Singapore grew stronger with each passing day.
However, the process of legally working in Singapore turned out to be more complicated than expected. Undeterred, I decided to go on this adventure anyway that turned into a backpacking across East Asia, because honestly I was tired of tattooing ヽ(；▽；)ノ. The idea was to spend a few days in Singapore, fully experiencing its lively atmosphere, before moving on to other destinations.
In Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised. Leo and his friend Jack kindly offered to show me around the city. Excited to explore something new, we went on an evening adventure, full of curiosity and excitement.
Jack on the left and Leo on the Right
Our initial destination was an intriguing sculpture park that had piqued their interest. However, as fate would have it, the park was closed for the evening, shrouded in darkness. 🏚️
Undeterred by this twist, an idea sprouted in my mind—a ghostly adventure that would lead us to a different kind of discovery.
With a mischievous grin (＾∇＾), I proposed exploring a nearby cemetery (because adventure rhymes with cemetery and haunted ＾-＾).
Singapore, with its reputation for safety and orderliness, seemed like the perfect backdrop for an unconventional escapade.
My companions, initially taken aback, swiftly embraced the audaciousness of the idea, whipping out their smartphones to search for nearby resting places of the departed.
By the way did you know that you can leave a review on google maps for a cemetery? Well now you know.
Bukit Brown Cemetery, Singapore
After a few attempts, we stumbled upon our desired destination—an abandoned cemetery. (Bukit Brown Cemetery, Singapore) The gate beckoned us forward, bearing a sign that read, "Abandoned Cemetery: Enter at Your Own Risk." 🚫 An intoxicating mix of excitement and trepidation filled the air as we crossed the threshold into the velvety darkness.
Guided solely by the faint glimmers of moonlight, we followed the meandering pathway deeper into the cemetery. The most crazy part there was actually music playing! It was as though someone had thoughtfully curated an auditory experience for the spirits that wandered these hallowed grounds.
To our surprise, the cemetery, though deserted, exuded an unexpected sense of caretaking. Dimly illuminated altars dotted the landscape, adorned with offerings and flickering candles. An ethereal ambiance. The sensation was haunting, but not fear-inducing—more akin to a delicate dance with the veiled realms of the unknown.
＼（＾○＾）人（＾○＾）／♪
Sweet black tea
After exploring the cemetery at night, we decided to end our adventure at an Indian-inn that we stumbled upon driving back to the city. Where we had some nan and sweet back tea.
And thus here we were three introverted people trying to socialize. (•‿•)
But to be fair, it was a wonderful evening, thank you guys! This set me up for a great mood for the upcoming months of backpacking! And this is also where my mind started tempering with the idea of creating a community for the tattooer’s tea club. Most importantly if it wasn’t for Leos invitation to come tattoo to Singapore, would this project even exist now? Hm…
By the way Jack now is a tattoo apprentice and you can follow him on instagram!
P.S. For the longest time, I had yearned for adventurous and spontaneous experiences, much like those depicted in movies. However, past disappointments had made me doubt their existence. Yet, as my trip progressed, life presented me with one delightful surprise after another. Although I sometimes struggled with fear and uncertainty, the many happy and unexpected experiences reminded me of the magic of life's pleasant surprises.
