Last we checked, Singapore is only this big.

.

Yes, that period is approximately the size of Singapore (+/- 10%).

Imagine our surprise when this cafe, which doesn’t exactly look like a cafe nor does it look like it’s in Singapore, is in fact in Singapore.

Wait, this too.

Also, this countryside-looking place.

They are all located at The Oval.

Wait, where the heck is The Oval?

Part of the Seletar Aerospace Park, The Oval is a cluster of refurbished colonial bungalows recently brought to life as a lifestyle destination.

The distinctive black-and-white colonial bungalows, now occupied by cafes and restaurants, used to house British servicemen and their families who worked in the British Royal Air Force airbase, or what we now know as Seletar Airport.

Wide, open spaces that feel foreign

Like Punggol Settlement and Changi Village, the cluster of quaint cafes at Seletar Aerospace Park sits on wide, green spaces.

Instead of clearing out the lush greenery of Seletar when the area was earmarked for development, JTC conserved as many trees as possible, and even replanted them, to maintain the ambience of the park.

Perhaps Singaporeans are attracted to such wide spaces because of the lack of it in their everyday lives. Even if they have to perspire a whole lot just to get there.

There’s also the added charm of being right by the Seletar Airport runway to see planes land and take-off, in close proximity.

The lack of tall buildings add to the feeling of being in the “countryside” -- something many Singaporeans dream of and travel for.

At The Oval, the spaces are also used for movie nights and beer festivals -- resulting in a balmy atmosphere reminiscent of all the summertime frolicking we’re used to seeing in Western movies.

So perhaps this is why cafes in the middle of nowhere work in Singapore. We all love a unique space, an escape from the crowd, to relax in.

And in all honesty, simply because places are pretty lah. Romantic and all. Singapore yet not Singapore -- and the travelling there makes it feel even more so.

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If you need an excuse to pull someone along to explore this ulu hideout, there will be an Oktoberfest event at The Oval on 19 October, from 5pm to 9pm.

There will be live music, games, food and most importantly, beer. Under a nice, uncluttered expanse of night sky. Nice.

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13 more black-and-white bungalows will be refurbished at The Oval @ Seletar Aerospace Park to further increase the vibrancy of the area.

JTC is also working with the National Heritage Board, Seletar Hills Estate Residents’ Association and National Parks Board to develop a heritage trail highlighting Seletar’s rich history. Parts of the round island cycling route will also cut through Seletar Aerospace Park for cyclists to enjoy the unique view.

Find out more about Seletar Aerospace Park here.

This sponsored post by JTC made us curious about other ulu places in Singapore.