Fort Canning
Somebody in this garden
Who is the somebody?
Oh! It is the Madras Thorn ( Pithecellobium duice). A 26 meter tall man sitting in the garden of Armenian Church Of St. Gregory The Illuminator, Singapore.
This unique National Heritage tree, girth 7.4m, crown is bushy and widely spread, dull green in color.
A native of tropical America, it was introduced to the region in the olden day by the Portugese and the Spanish.
Leaves are very special with a pair of leaflet on both sides of the leaf stalk. That’s why a Chinese name “金龟子” was given, literally means a “flying Goliathus”.
Pulp is edible, fruits are coiled pods which ripen a tinge of rose-red in color.
Madras Thorn, was once a common trees planted along roadsides of Singapore. During the 70s, the species was attacked by caterpillars throughout the Singapore. Result in phased out from housing estate and roadsides subsequently.
Next time, if you happen to pass by Hill St, not to forget pay a visit to this lovely tree or even have a glimpse at the bus stop.
Road to Percival.
Percival road was named after Lieutenant-General Arthur Ernest Percival.
During the Second World War, Percival was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Malaya; he marched down from this road by surrender himself, as representing British Empire to the Imperial Japanese Amy.
Hence, Singapore occupied by Japanese soldiers for 3 years and 8 months.
Not many people knew there was a sad story hidden behind this road.
There is no road sign bring you to Percival road. You can Google it, it bring you where to go but just an ordinary road behind National Museum of Singapore, Fort Canning Park.
Where cicada is calling, where shadow of the forest lying on your shoulder silently.
Rest and relax in these lovely monuments
There are 2 dome roof monuments located outside Fort Canning Centre. These 2 lovely shelters painted in white were designed by architect George Drumgoole Coleman, during the 18th century. Mr GD Coleman was one of the remarkable pioneers architects in Singapore history.
He is also the designer of Coleman Bridge, which was named after him.
There isn’t any record showing the date of construction as well as the purpose. Most probably, it’s meant for a quiet time in the sweetest part of the hill.
A seclude path to heaven
I was so enthralled by this sloppy path next to the tomb wall of Fort Canning Hill. The fascination came from the tomb walls which were the collection of tombstones salvaged from the old Christian Cemetery. They were the pioneers from the western country in the 18th Century, one of them is George Coleman.
It is situated on both sides of the Fort Canning Centre. This is the back of the tombstones where it caught my eyes with the lovely afternoon beam.
Standing above the stairway and making guesses. Trying to inject the image of a holy land into my rocky mind! This could be the path where the most honorable contributors of the past saunter in and out daily, presenting us with the warmest and innocent smile.
36) How many windows are there in this building?
MICA Building is located at the junction of Hill Street and River Valley Road. This prominent colonial building was built in 1934. It was the largest government building and modern skyscraper at that time.
The historical building was built as a police station. To ease the entrance of the building, the steep slopes of Fort Canning Hill had to be cut back to provide access.
The colonial landmark, now home to the Ministry of Information, Communications and Arts (MICA) is also known as the Old Hill Street Police Station as it was used to house the Police Station and Barracks.
Total numbers of 927 rainbow-painted timber frame casement windows never fail to draw the attention of passerby. It makes the streetscape more lively and vibrant.
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