tourist spot in singapore
51) Throw up your New Year resolutions
Who dare to “Bungy” your New Year resolution in this way?
Get ready! And wish you all the best!
Smoke gets in your eyes!
One more time for stage effect!
And let’s go and let it go!
Up, up to the sky! (1st bounce)
Up, up swing, can’t hear your scream! (2nd bounce)
Down.. down again, hear you now! (3rd bounce)
Did you regret it or you like the thrills and spills? (4th bounce)
Come for Reverse Bungy in Singapore.
At the bank of Singapore River in Clark Quay, forget about the muddy water and the gloomy sky.
It is near the colorful MICA building, you can also follow the sound of people screaming to find it.
Make your reservations at this cart and make your resolution in the air!
50) Do you need a tailor for this New Year?
Pagoda Street got its name from the temple next door – Sri Mariamman Temple. It was one of the earliest streets of Singapore and was well known for its opium-smoking dens in the early 19th century. The street turned into a coolie-trading center in later part of the century and extended its role to coolie-station and in the mid-20th century turn itself as a textile/tailoring place.
“洋服” in Chinese literally means western style clothing, you can see in the picture they were many shop fronts written in this words. According to records, it has 18 tailor shops in the 50s along this street.
At one time, two brothers whose names Chan Cheak Tin and Chan Kai Kah own 5 tailor shops in the street, and all end with the name “Cheong”. In 1972, Queen Elizabeth II visited Pagoda Street.
And now, you may be able to have a glimpse of the historic background behind these Indian’s tailor shop.
A corner in the Chinese Heritage Museum reflects the typical front portion of the tailor shop.
Does the tailoring accessories remind you of the yesteryear of black and white?
How about the pendulum weight, ruler and measuring tape?
Middle portion of the shop reveals home-based lifestyles of the tailor. Sewing machine, baby hammock, the off-colored plastic carrier, does that hark back to some old memories?
How about the metal baby tram and the bicycle? Does that recall stories to our folks or childhood?
There is no sight of any water dispenser or fridge at this corner of the pantry. Perhaps, the feather duster looks quite similar.
Picture of stars! The paper cut-outs in the middle is the original famous Kung-Fu movie, acting out by Jack Lee now.
Kitchen reflects simple and prudent lifestyle of that era.
What about the condition of the lavatories? It’ll be an experience to use it then!
Today, the sunny area here welcomes all from, all walks of life.
And now, you can easily get a chilly authentic ice cream from the roadside cart. This is how I define “blessing”.
49) Last day of the year in the Gardens
This Gazebo sitting next to the Swan Lake, designed in Victorian style with cast iron material. It was originally built in 18th century at Grange Road. It was later on been re-erected in 1969 and relocated to the entrance of Botanic Gardens. Finally, in 2010 it was shifted next to the Swan Lake.
I wish this would be his final home, as to get a favorite ground like this is not as easy as you could choose. Memories, surroundings and atmosphere are considerations.
What is it like sitting on this timber bench, well washed by weather? Well, while enjoying watching the lonely swan surfing from one end to the other; waving at the surfing boat passing by; or even meeting a new friend could be a valuable insight for some.
The Gazebo with a dark gray body, exudes the calm and tranquility of the landscape even more.
Only one single swan is onboard today, I see that the others are all out for their party preparations or are they somewhere reciting their incantations for a better new year ahead…?
Come close to Frederick Chopin and his lover seated near the Symphony Lake, a few hundreds meters away from the Swan Lake. While Chopin is engaged in his keys and notes, his lover looks on. Symphony Lake is filled with emptiness now, but with the looming notes of Chopin, a brand new year awaits her. Shall we ask Frederick for some inspiration?
And I am sitting next to the lotus, good enough for my companion to comfort me, on the last day of 2012! Cheers!
48) Would you like to have a new curtain for 2013?
This is not a curtain, is a root!
This is the root of Cissus sicyoides, it is also commonly known as Curtain Ivy or Princess Vine. This beautiful lady carries long reddish roots that forming a dense lacy curtain.
It looks like a Mammoth from far, but I am sure she is much more gentler.
This amazing plant is not the true Ivy but is a close relative of grape family.
Traditionally, it can be used to treat rheumatism, ulcer and diabetes. To me, this is the most elegant doctor I ever met.
So would you like to have this kind of curtain for 2013?
45) I lost my Christmas Tree this Christmas
I asked a mangrove tree, he presented me with a creative idea in return.
I asked a poster, which told me the story of the forest.
Asked a tortoise, which told me it is not in the water.
Asked an autumn leaf, which told me it is not far away.
Asked the fern trees, they reply “aren’t we gorgeous enough?!”
Asked the restaurant staff, they showed me the Christmas set meal.
Asked a delicate flower, she said, “I am not a tree”.
Asked a mini-waterfall, he said, “I couldn’t hear you”.
Asked a cannon ball tree, he said, you could take me as the ornaments.
Asked an antique clock, he told me time is running out.
So, so, where is my Christmas tree? Is it hidden with you somewhere?
I lost my Christmas tree….lost it in the Singapore Botanic Gardens
44) I can’t find my way back home!
This is not an ordinary street buzzing with pushcarts selling souvenirs in the core of Chinatown. It has a certain background we should recall or try not to recall…the Sago Street.
Sago Street alias “sei yang gai” in Cantonese refers to “street of the dead”. Back to the last century, funeral parlours stretching from one end to another are not an uncommon sight.
In the funeral living room, you see bodies covered merely with cloth lying on pallets in open cubicle, each with a table placed with offering items. As the shops are usually small and dimly lighted, the atmosphere then was chilly and creepy. It is definitely not for the feeble hearted.
When I was young, I remember having to pass by a few lying bodies just to reach the toilet situated right behind the backyard of the shop. To me, attending funeral wake is always a hair-raising event. It’s a frightening experience and one that left a deep impression behind.
The picture was captured in the Chinatown Heritage Centre at Pagoda Street (a few lanes away from Sago Street) depicting the bitterness of life during that century.
Those offerings are the basic needs for the deceased, it’s offered to serve them with a better life at the other side of the world.
Today, if your soul traveled back home from the other side of the world, you maybe surprised by the overwhelming tourist crowd, waking you up next to the side of your soul bed. Or maybe you would consider starting a new life again, this time with a more graceful surrounding.
43) Please drop me a card this Christmas!
You may be able to spot this pillar post box at the Fullerton Heritage Gallery at The Fullerton Hotel. But these are the last two left since 1873, which were specially shipped from Great Britain. These special pillar post boxes feature the EIIR (Elizabeth II Regina) British Royal Cipher on its door as symbol of the ruling monarchy at that time when the pillar post boxes were produced.
In 2001, the Fullerton Hotel has transformed himself from a General Post Office to a super star Hotel. It was during that time that the post box was preserved as his iconic memories!
The other pillar post box is still serving the public outside Singapore Philatelic Museum. It stands in front of the museum welcoming people from all over the world.
And this handsome guy in the Fullerton Hotel, is gladly asking if you would like to drop him a card this Christmas!
This FLOOR COMPASS shows you the direction to your destination.
Whether you are going Hong Kong or Saigon, it takes you over thousands of kilometers from this direction
Or you want the distant Cairo or the nearby Penang?
My home Sydney or neighbor Auckland?
42) We are non-ordinary buildings (Part 2)
Is a numerical figure prominent in this particular row of buildings?
A closer look can make one guess what the number is? Though, the view might be block by some building beneath.
Yes, it is number 13. This is on the exterior of Conrad Centennial Singapore. The number 13 in Cantonese coincidently sounds like “实生”, and it means “sure to survive” or some interpret it as “sure to prosper”. However, this could be tittle-tattle, the number 13 could have belonged to a Friday!
40) The two arms of The Fullerton Hotel
In my opinion, The Fullerton Hotel, from the direction of Victoria Theatre is a giant man standing in between two spreading arms with a warm cheering face!
Cavenagh Bridge, the right arm was built in 1870. It is the oldest bridge existing in its original form on Singapore River. It named after the last India-appointed Governor of the Straits Settlement, Major General William Orfeur Cavenagh.
The bridge was designed by John Turnbull Thomson, under supervision of Captain Charles Edward Faber, the Madras Engineer who have Mount Faber named after him.
Before the bridge was born, there was one shaky bridge connected the both sides. Travelers just need to pay 1 cent for passing the bridge.
And now, Cavenagh Bridge is one of the Singapore bridges fav by lovers, after it overtook by Anderson Bridge due to overloading problem.
Steel rivets stand still throughout the era.
Anderson Bridge, the left arm was built in 1910. Given a name after the Governor of the Straits Settlement and High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States, Sir John Anderson.
This beautiful steel arc shape structure was built intended to lighten the load of Cavenagh Bridge. It is so far the last bridge built in steel along the Singapore River.
In the past, there is a belief that men and women tossing apples and oranges respectively into the River will be blessed with a happy marriage.
And for singles hurling oranges into the River will be blessed with a partner soon.
Not so sure if this belief is still concurrence, but the reverse effect may end you getting a fine for littering the River.
The Fullerton Hotel, glimpsed through steel arches and ribs.
14) Where is your Tunnel of Memories?
If you asked around the locals about this pedestrian tunnel, they will concur with a smile of contentment. This is a well-known pedestrian tunnel connecting Queen Elizabeth Walk (Esplanade Park) to Empress Place. Apart from crossing over on the Fullerton Road that leads to Anderson Bridge, this is a leisure way to enjoy the beauty of the Singapore River. In the past, it’s a park where families spent their weekend on. Couples holding hands, dress up like super stars in their bell-bottom pants meet up in the park. Gone were those days, where happy couples, groups of youngsters, families with kids gathered around on weekend in this memorable park of pride. It leaves good memories in most children in the 60s/70s.
On top of the tunnel is Anderson Bridge, a famous local landmark visited by countless.
The concrete parapet wall remains the same standing under the rain and sun unlike the landscape of Esplanade Park that has changed tremendously.
It is quite amazing to see those trees still standing green and lavish while those who once saw them were long gone…
This is my tunnel of memories, where is yours?
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