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A tale of Orang Laut and Singapore River
According to legend based on the history of pre-Rafflesian time of Singapore, Orang Laut or Sea Gypsies was the communities who lived ‘in the numerous bays, inlets ad creeks surrounding Singapore.’
Half of them lived on water, in little canoes that could scarcely stretch themselves. The water lodgings were equipped with 1 or 2 cooking pots, earthy jars and mats made of pandanus leaves that allowed shading from sun and rain.
They spent most of their time on boat, where birth, marriage and death took place therein. As they were accustomed to life on the boat, they are easily recognized with their wadding gait on land.
The other half of these people lived in huts on the banks near Kallang River and at the wider portion of Singapore River.
During the times of British settlement, Major-General William Farquhar (1774-1839), the First Resident and Commandant of Singapore was appalled by the Orang Laut wearing no clothes, so he distributed money, clothes and rice to them. Their children were terrified by the newcomers, merchants, laborers from all over the world.
One even jumped into the sea and got drowned when people approached near their boats.
And now, if you attempted to jump into the water, hoping to stay closer to the legendary tale, I think that is the only best reason I could agree upon.
What’s the story beneath this island?
What character does it carry?
In Sanskrit, it signifies Singa for a lion and Pura for a city. “Lion City” is the complete word.
In 1160, Sri Tri Buana, Sang Nila Utama, the ruler of an ancient kingdom saw the white shore of this little island, described by the annalist.
He asked, “what is that stretch of sand, we see yonder?”
“Your highness, that is the land called Temasek”. One of the companions replied.
When they reached the shore, he saw a strange animal “very swift and beautiful”, with a bright red body, its head jet black and its breast pure white. The beautiful animal has the size of a he-goat.
The companion said, “Your Highness, I have heard that in ancient times, it was a lion which has that appearance”.
Sang Nila Utama then established a city at Temasek and name it Singapura.
This is a short story about how the name of my country came by.
9) Pair Song
Pee lee Pair la Song
We all live in a Pair of Songs
You are the musical note
I am the lyrics line
You are fat and round
I am obese like the geese
We are like a pair of pomelo dancing
You on the left
Me on the right
You have hair so silvery
I have denture so yellowy
Let’s dance along with the Pee lee Pair La Song
You on the left
Me on the right
Let’s keep our secret tight
Till our hearts are open wide
I am a shy guy
You are the sunshine
Wait till I arrive
Make you be my lovely wife
I look on the left
You look on the right
As you are always right
And I am always with my pride
Not to worry if you got no one to share
He must be queuing somewhere
Looking for someone to guide
Guiding you to the right
3) What kind of shooter you are ?
A LION suddenly bounced on husband.
WIFE: Shoot him! Shoot him!
Husband: Yes, Yes. I’m changing the battery of my camera..
2) Throwing knives on wife’s picture
Husband was throwing knives on wife’s picture.
All were missing the target!
Suddenly he received call from her “Hi, what r u doing?”
His honest reply, “MISSING U”
Wife was very happy!
26) Where is this place ?
Labrador Park Pt 3
Out of many, this is one of the “Black and White” houses on our little red dot. The name “Black and White” depicted the black painted timber windows & doors and the white color painted walls. Currently, there are about 600 colonial houses scattered around our main island. In the past, it was meant for public servants’ lodgings but these days, these houses are on lease for residential, commercial or F&B usage.
The picture revealed House No 30, Bukit Chermin, which is one of the grandest and largest of the four existing bungalows along Bukit Chermin. Just like the rest, the house is preserved by the URA, Conservation Unit.
However, the old Keppel Shipyard is gone at this time, it was relocated to another part of the island. Now the mangrove is left behind listening up to the tide gushing up and telling the old story of reminiscence.
Strolling along the Coastal Walk in noon time, is hard to find a single soul.
A lonely bird ignoring a lonely stranger or a lonely stranger staring back at a ignoring bird.
I prefer a leafy sky.
25) Where is this place ?
Labrador Park Pt 2
Walking towards the left of the Park, the scene of an inviting island over the other side of the sea greets you with open arm. This is the western side of Sentosa Island, Ford Siloso is lush by the den and greenish forest.
There is an machine gun post built during the British colonial era and is meant to protect the coastal shore. Thus, any attempt to assail the main island will acquire a heavy cost.
There is also a restoration of Dragon’s Teeth Gate. According to the provided introduction, Dragon’s Teeth Gate was famously known as “Batu Berlayer” or “Sailing Rocks” among the local Malays.
In 1349, A Chinese Historian Wang Da Yuan described in his article, “the straits between the two hills, Temasek (old name of Singapore) looks like Dragon’s Teeth, this is how the name was derived.
In 1405, the great Navigator, Zhen Hē sail passed Temasek using his navigation chart with Dragon’s Teeth Gate as one of the landmark.
In 1819, the first resident of Singapore, William Farquhar found a deep harbour at the site and named it Keppel Harbour. Subsequently, the British blew up Dragon’s Teeth Gate to widen Keppel Harbour. Fortunately, this historical scene was saved by an artist name J T Thomas with his brush of paint.
As you saunter along the curve boundary of the Park, you catch a good glimpse of The Reflections Apartments and the delighted Star Cruise Virgo waving and welcoming you on board.
Friend (20) – FOC Tea / 朋友 -清茶
Brew a pot of tea with three Friends – Fragrance, Optimistic and Clarity. Looking at each other speechless beats a thousand words.
My friend is FRAGRANCE, she came up with a surge of faint fragrance and gently caressed my nose, clearing my nose, and finally hook up with my mouth leaving my lips upturn and marks at the curve.
Your OPTIMISTIC persona makes me more certain that happiness is inevitable being your friend. Your gentle body has the ability to bring one to another realm. There is no doubt I am affected by your pure and optimistic nature.
Staring at each other, distinguish the precision between us. Both our CLARITY reflections mirrored on our pupils. The longer we stare, the more apparent the lucidity. Till the tea sediment descended thus laid the meaning of Friends.
On the path to tea appreciation, I met my three Friends, they are on the FOC and yet they lead me to the course to good health, what can be more superior?
沏一壶茶，跟三位朋友；清香, 清乐, 清澈无言对望，胜过千言万语。
朋友清香,弄出一股幽幽茶香轻柔地抚摸我的鼻子,然后再清洗我的鼻腔,最后在我的嘴角边一勾,让他微微上扬,最终在我的嘴角上留下痕迹。
你乐观的样子，让我更肯定和你做朋友的人必然开心。你那轻轻的身体还能把人带去另一种境界，肯定是被你那清纯乐观的性格所影响。
我们互相对望，同时看到对方清澈的一面，对方的眼瞳里都出现对方的倒影。看得越久，看得更透，直到茶叶沉淀也奠定了朋友的意义。
一条品茶的路上竟然遇上三位朋友，不止免费,还赠送养生之道,何乐不为呢？
Friend (19) – The Four Gentlemen
Plum Flower
My Friend, there is a nation who feels proud of you. Your unyielding nature makes you look even emaciated. But lanky is not your name. You are not afraid of the cold winter, but you are the first to bloom in spring. The first gentlemen standing on the land dancing fearlessly with spring and a smiling gentleman, I called.
Chrysanthemum
My Friend, you do not mind lying next to the grave, and you do not mind associating with strangers soaking up in holy bath. But you mind only if fall brings you the beauty of grief or sorrows. With your haughty attitude in autumn, I do not ask for much. As maple leaves died out all over the floor just for your tender face.
Bamboo
My Friend, your elegant, free and easy attitude whirling in the wind, bring a pause to my reminiscent for others. But you are so modest, you do not forbid birds and landscape rivals with you on a manuscript and you give way to a painter’s inspiration.
Orchid
My Friend, you are infamous. You uphold the title of a National Flower and people sing so well of your elegant glory. What else do you lack of? Your distinctiveness, wholesome and noble sentiments put you high up to the zenith. Infact, with your independent personality, praises are to you only a title, but a pursuit in the eyes of others.
Friend (18) – Nature
AddGrainOnEarth 