Ivy and Ho Seng’s beloved friend Michael dies. The tragedy spurs the couple to stay on in Singapore to look after friends. What better place to retire but in your own country…

There's farmland in Singapore?!? The couple tenders for 10 acres of land in Kranji with Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

The duo successfully wins the tender, and inherits a weedy plot of swamp with a small road through it. When inquiring about the condition of the site, the civil servant replies “Too bad lor.” No matter, they press on.

Land officially becomes theirs… so now what? Get out the bulldozer.

After tidying up the site, the duo decides country living is the way to go. “The AVA thought we were crazy,” Ivy says. “But hey, who needs golfing and life in a boring house only— green acres baby!” They plan for a house, ponds for fishing and rowing, sheds, workers quarters, café… Singapore's first ‘integrated resort'.

AVA approves their plans… finally. Building begins!

The house is finished, just in time for Ho Seng’s 58th birthday.

The couple moves in with their two dogs.

Land gets further developed with plants, ponds, infrastructure, and additional buildings. So now it’s time for a restaurant! What will the AVA say about that?

AVA says yes!

Poison Ivy Bistro opens its doors. Smell that fresh air… and yummy banana bread!

Ivy and a group of Kranji farmers give a regional development presentation to Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. He likes the ideas (a man of good taste!) and shortly thereafter, the URA guidelines are changed to include agricultural entertainment (“agri-tainment”).

Kranji Countryside Association (KCA) is established to represent interest of the farming community, and to work with government on planning a bright future for Singapore’s agricultural region.

Ivy steps down from being President of Netball Singapore to focus on guiding the KCA’s next steps, and making Bollywood blossom. Pass the whisky darling!

Bollywood boleh! The farm flourishes and the KCA comes into its own. With Ivy’s 60th birthday looming, she ponders what’s next. How about a museum and a cooking school? Hey, why not?

The Food Museum and Bollywood Bhanchha culinary school open just in time for Ivy’s birthday as planned. Around this time, the couple is introduced to several people with disabilities, including May—a spirited woman with Cerebral Palsy who had climbed a mountain and written a book-- and Yong Kang—a young blind man with a panache for handicrafts. Ivy and Ho Seng realised Bollywood could fill another need in the community: giving challenged people opportunities in the countryside. The duo hire both May and Yong Kang for jobs on the farm, and become advocates for people with disabilities.

Bollywood has become an icon of the countryside and a favoured destination for people from all walks of life. The Kranji Countryside was named a Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) region and has evolved into an area where people can come to recharge and reconnect with a natural way of life.

A new farmer’s market with workers’ hostel, and more opportunities for those facing challenges with “conventional” Singapore life. Ivy and Ho Seng are keen to see the countryside kept as a safe harbour for people of all ages, and to provide people with disabilities and troubled youth and alternative career options. Watch this space, and in the mean time come try our curry!