It was a warm and sunny April afternoon when Mr Lucien and myself decided to accept Mr Krishnan’s invitation to view his grape vine which he had nurtured for 9 years. After these years of patient gardening and nurturing, Mr Krishnan’s efforts had finally borne fruit, to all our surprise in sunny, warm, hot, humid and tropical Singapore, and for the second time in his living memory, too. This is the time when it is more common to see the durian kings & queens enjoying the king of tropical fruits. The little, humble grape stuck it through.

 As it was about lunch time, Mr Lucien & myself thought that we should pop by for some free grape sampling appetizer as promised, from Mr Krishnan. Though, the grapes were small they tasted sour-sweet to our surprise. Now, that’s an indication of a good variety with crude upbringing. From a distance it was thought they were a seedless variety from Sheng Siong supermarket.

Grapevines growing at Mr Krishnan’s balcony.

Nevertheless, it was an achievement for Mr Krishnan as his untested gardening skills was indeed witnessed by us in his beautiful and roomy 5-room HDB flat balcony with inclination to invite ‘birds of any feather’.

 Mr Krishnan is an avid nature lover and his high rise balcony garden includes his aquaria with water plants and freshwater fishes and if I am not mistaken, caged birds and free roaming rock pigeons ! He told us that he gets frequent visits from such free roaming birds that are brave and friendly enough to pass by for a free meal.

Mr Krishnan and his grapes. 

 We had an enjoyable 45 minutes session at Mr Krishnan’s residence discussing the joys, trials and tribulations of maintaining our own gardens. He shared with us his career in Singapore and his wish that he can spend more time in his retirement days working in the parks and gardens of Singapore which as a nature lover, is something close to his heart.

Brendon Phuah