When word gets round that an organised group is about to descend on Bukit Brown, you’ll almost be certain to find Master Lim Su Min and his mobile tea station.

Master Lim brews a mean tea

He made his first appearance on Boxing Day last year in an event organized by the Bukit Brown face book group to work off the Christmas  feasting with a brisk walk, jog or cycle in the grounds.

Su Min decided he will offer freshly brewed fine Chinese tea on the ground as an incentive after the “work out”. Today, when he is not on his travels to do community service around the region, he is a fixture under the same shady tree which he has claimed for his tea station. Even when overseas, Bukit Brown is always close to his heart as he looks out for interesting teas for the next serving.

Custom is brisk. The offering this day was lapsong suchong. One thimble full of tea is never quite enough and one regular customer has threatened to bring her own mug.

His, is the stuff of gung fu. Bottled water on standby, a portable stove on standby to heat the water to replenish his thermos, and the ritual of warming and rinsing of tea cups before the brew is offered to be sipped.

Master Lim is a man of many talents.

He can be prevailed upon to strum a few ditties on his trusty ukelele...

....brush in a quick water colour

And he can be moved to  pen a haiku or two.

“Tea leaves instilling:

Peace our souls are resting

Tranquility eternal

Ladies and Gentlemen, we present Lim Su Min, tea master extraordinaire and poet in virtual residence at Bukit Brown.

As Su Min operates only under artistic license, his tea is complimentary and yes, refills are allowed while stocks last. He has as yet not run out.