Charity Heritage Walk Singapore

Charity Heritage Walk Singapore

Thinking of combining charity and heritage with some walking exercises? Now you can have it all by participating in a charity heritage walk along the Singapore River.

Charity heritage walk map. 

YHS (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Club Rainbow (Singapore) are organising this Pink Dolphin Charity Heritage Walk on 6 September 2009.

Besides getting a cardiovascular workout, you can train your mind to learn about the fascinating historical stories behind Read Bridge, MICA Building, Victoria Theatre, Fullerton Hotel and Elgin Bridge from the guides stationed at the different charity heritage walk pit stops in Singapore.

How many of you pay attention to these fine historical sites that the charity heritage walk will bring to you? Do you remember details of our rich heritage that our forefathers left behind along the banks of the Singapore River?

Take this opportunity on 6 September 2009 to grab your family and friends along for this fun & memorable Sunday charity heritage walk. Use this opportunity to bond with your loved ones and at the same time bring a rainbow of hope to the beneficiaries of Club Rainbow.

Other on-site events at this charity heritage walk:
* Talks by trained guides
* “Colours for Life” Drawing Competition
* “Pink Dolphin Save the Earth” Bottle Art Competition

Charity Heritage Walk Singapore Details:
Date: 6 September 2009
Time: 8.00 am - 12.00 noon
Start Point: The Central (River Promenade, above Clark Quay MRT station)
Fees:
$15 /person
$50 for a family of 4
$10 /person with 6 Pink Dolphin labels presented
(Proceeds donated to Club Rainbow.)
Visit site: Pink Dolphin Charity Heritage Walk Singapore

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Seen This Scene That

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Famous Old Places of Singapore

Famous Old Places of Singapore (That Still Exist Today)

I saw an old 1930s movie about Singapore, entitled "Singapore: Crossroads of the East" at yesterday.sg.

Described by a 22 September 1956 issue of Boxoffice (a trade magazine dedicated to the film industry at that time) as "an economic look at Singapore, its harbour, rivers, natives and other peoples", I found some famous old places of Singapore featured in the 1938 film rather familiar.

YouTube (below): This film is available for download. You can also embed it in your blog by clicking on the right lower corner of the YouTube movie below.




For old places and buildings to remain standing after 71 years and more, despite the constant makeover of our little island, they richly deserve publicity and fame.

What impressed me about this film were the many famous old places of Singapore shown in the film that are still standing today. As a comparison, how many of you live in properties that are older than 71 years?

To travel back in time to see those old places in the 1930s was an out-of-this-world experience. Better than photographs, the film breathed a surreal sense of life into those famous old places.

The surrounding neighbourhoods around those buildings and famous old places in Singapore may have changed beyond recognition, but the buildings and famous old places have kept their shapes mostly unchanged.

Do you recognize those famous old places in Singapore that were shown in the film? I could discern Chinatown's Thian Hock Keng Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple and Sultan Mosque. The Singapore River scene with Cavenagh Bridge and Elgin Bridge, plus the famous rows of godowns would be familiar to most of you. How about the Cenotaph, Victoria Memorial Hall, City Hall, St Andrew's cathedral near Queen Elizabeth Walk (now Esplanade Park)?

Besides the buildings and places, I found the mode of transportation in those days to be fascinating too. In one scene (3:45), did you notice the poor guy using 'car' (leg) power to pull his rickshaw that was loaded with four occupants? How about the bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages and bumboats? No traffic lights in 1938? No problem, call the mobile traffic light warden with the huge sign across his back and white gloves to direct traffic flow.

Guys who have done or are doing National Service duties may be interested to know how a regular in 1938 wore his uniform, helmet, rifle and SBO. Those in the Airforce, would likely blink twice to see the state-of-the-art flying machines performing airforce duties.

You do not need to be a heritage enthusiast to watch this old film of famous places in Singapore. My kids were really thrilled to watch a slice of Singapore life that they never knew existed. You may even find some of those scenes a little comical.

While some of those famous places may be still be around today, do you think they will last forever?

For future generations to learn about our history and understand our roots, I hope they do.

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Labrador Park And Nature Reserve

Labrador Park And Nature Reserve

Since 1 January 2002, Labrador Park’s 10-ha coastal secondary vegetation and the rocky shore have been gazetted as a Nature Reserve. The non-descript turn off from Labrador Ville Road into Singapore’s Labrador Park and Nature Reserve hides an adventurous place for families with kids to visit.

Kids Run
At the roundabout near the top of Labrador Park and Nature Reserve, we started our visit to this protected piece of land after parking at car park A. The impressive looking RainTree Resort and Spa posed a temporary distraction before we realized that most of Labrador Park’s attractions were in the opposite direction. With lots of space, our kids loved to chase each other and run at will.

Labrador Park and Nature Reserve: Heritage Site

The hill on Labrador Park and Nature Reserve houses remnants of the Labrador Battery that was assigned to this area to defend Singapore during World War II, as well as the Labrador Tunnels. There is an excellent heritage site on Labrador Park and Nature Reserve because of the artillery pieces and many graphic illustrations with written explanation to describe the details of this military involvement along the Labrador Nature Reserve trail.

Labrador Park and Nature Reserve: Guns

Old Guns
Among the exhibits, the huge 6-inch guns of Labrador Park and Nature Reserve impressed my kids tremendously. With statues of soldiers posing with cannon shells, it did not take them long to decipher the significance of this art installation. I felt that it would have greatly increased our appreciation of the target areas out at sea if views were not obstructed by overgrowth of vegetation.

Walking past the Olive Restorante, the Labrador Tunnels beckoned but we were there too late as the last paid guided tour of the tunnels at Labrador Park and Nature Reserve was at 6pm. If you wish to learn more, read more on the Labrador Tunnels here.

Labrador Park and Nature Reserve: Sunset at jetty

Setting Sun
At the top of Labrador Park and Nature Reserve, a panoramic view of the Labrador jetty reaching out to the sea and sky awaits visitors. If you come here at sunset like we did, you can take in the breathtaking scene. This sea-cliff at Labrador Park and Nature Reserve is the only rocky sea-cliff in mainland Singapore.

Beach and Jetty Fun
After being intoxicated by the beauty of sunset, try to climb down the long flight of steps that extend about 30-metres down the side of Labrador Park and Nature Reserve’s steep cliff without tripping over. Watch out for the overhanging branches in the secondary forest as you make your way down the stairs. At the end of this descent, let the sea breeze have fun with your hair while you stand on the jetty (the entrance gate to the jetty closes at 5pm). If you come at low tide, have more fun as you roam the seabed in order to appreciate the diverse marine inhabitants of the beach at Labrador Park and Nature Reserve.

Recommended reading:
1. Dragon's Tooth Gate at Labrador Park
2. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
3. Bukit Batok Nature Reserve

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Lim Bo Seng Memorial At Esplanade Park

Picture above: Lim Bo Seng Memorial

Lim Bo Seng Memorial At Esplanade Park

Many of you would have passed by the Esplanade Park containing the Lim Bo Seng Memorial without battling an eyelid for the structures sitting on prime real estate. Distractions like the durian-shaped Esplanade Mall and the stately masonry of the Old Parliament House and Supreme Court would have courted your attention. Amongst the greenery at Espanade Park lies the Lim Bo Seng Memorial that is well worth a closer visit.

This pagoda-shaped Lim Bo Seng Memorial monument, with carved motifs along its sides and guarded by four bronze lion statues, is dedicated to Lim Bo Seng for his heroism and patriotism during the second World War. If you read the history of Lim Bo Seng's valiant refusal to betray his comrades despite torture till death after he was caught for espionage against the invaders, no one can be unmoved by such a tragic sacrifice. Indeed Lim Bo Seng's memory is one of many lessons that visitors can learn if they walk the Civic District Trail recommended by the National Heritage Board.

I am not sure of the reasons nor the significance for the choice of the pagoda's architectural design nor the lion statues surrounding it. Whatever the reasons, no one can mistaken the Lim Bo Seng Memorial at the Esplanade because there is a prominent National Heritage Board plaque pinned onto the memorial.

Sunday mornings are good times to explore the Esplanade Park. Although tourists may spill over the area by the busloads at certain times, the mood remains quiet and somber. At times shouts and cheers may echo from the open ground of the Padang nearby before the Old Parliament House. The reason is due to the presence of sportsmen and sportswomen indulging in their favourite games. Cricket and softball appears to be popular at this time of the day.

There are other monuments of note as well: the Cenotaph, the Tan Kim Seng Fountain and the Indian National Army Monument.

If you’ve booked into hotels nearby like the Fullerton Hotel, the Esplanade Park is just a hop away. Come September 2008, the peaceful atmosphere will be driven away when the inaugural F1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix 2008 swings into town.

Take care, be happy.

Lim Bo Seng Memorial References:
1944 - Lim Bo Seng: Hero Of Force 136
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/about_us/history/world_war2/v09n06_history.html

Civic District Trail by NHB
http://www.nhb.gov.sg/PE/sites_trails/civic_district_trail.html

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Esplanade Park: Tan Kim Seng Fountain

Tan Kim Seng Fountain

My recent visit to the Peranakan Museum triggered my memory of a place I visited earlier in the year. Visitors who were enthralled by the Perakan Museum exhibits will not forget a large image of one of the generous Peranakan pioneers, Tan Kim Seng.

The Tan Kim Seng Fountain is located at the Esplanade Park. Visitors like myself who go on the National Heritage Board's Civic District Trail ( here ) will encounter this Victorian-styled fountain that was erected in 1882 in recognition of wealthy Peranakan merchant Tan Kim Seng. He donated a large sum of money to the Municipal Council for the purpose of bringing free piped water to the citizens of the Town.

Here is a look at the Fountain in the 1900s.

Source: Picture Archives of Singapore

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The Indian National Army Monument At Esplanade Park, Singapore

The Indian National Army Monument At Esplanade Park, Singapore

The Indian National Army Monument plaque stands tall at the Esplanade Park in Singapore. Erected in 1995 to mark the site of the original Memorial, it is dedicated to the “Unknown Soldier” of the Indian National Army during World War II.

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Yunnan Park: Playground, Fitness Corner And Old Nanyang University Arch

Yunnan Park: Playground, Fitness Corner and Old Nanyang University Arch

I was in the vicinity of the Jurong West Sports Complex when I saw an unusual sight on the other side of Jurong West Street 93. Fronting the small Yunnan Park was a grand-looking structure with the words “Nanyang University” prominently displayed in mandarin characters. The number “1955” can be clearly noted under the oriental styled roofing.

This interesting novel find at Yunnan Park is a puzzle to me. It looks like a gateway of some sort, although the neighbouring area consists of private landed properties. The present Nanyang Technological University campus is far away, on the other side of the Pan Island Expressway. My guess is that it was an entrance with a road leading to the university campus a long time ago, but property redevelopments could have cut off that road leading to the campus. Incidentally, there is another replica arch at NTU campus.

Elsewhere on this small property, there is a playground for children and a few stations for fitness buffs. To the south of Yunnan Park, construction of the MRT East West Line Extension can be seen. This line will lead to the future Joo Koon MRT station (EW29) just before Joo Koon Circle.

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Dalhousie Obelisk: When Cleopatra Landed In Singapore

Dalhousie Obelisk: When Cleopatra Landed In Singapore

The Dalhousie Obelisk, built 37 years before the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles was erected, is an obscure national monument that few Singaporeans notice and even fewer can appreciate its significance. Not many will recognize that the inspiration for its design was derived from Cleopatra’s Needle, a term coined to describe an upright needle-like stone pillar that ancient Egyptians used to build in their hey days.

For the uninformed, the Dalhousie Obelisk can be found at Empress Place near the stature of Sir Stamford Raffles in front of Victoria Theatre. Designed by John Turnbull Thomson, then Government Architect and Surveyor (who also designed the Lighthouse on Horsburg Island), this tall four-sided tapering narrow column that stands with a pyramid at its vertex was modeled after Cleopatra's Needle, an ancient Egyptian rock pillar built by Pharaoh Thutmose III. While this pillar was not built by Queen Cleopatra based on her sewing needle or such similar devices, the catchy name struck a chord throughout history and remained unaltered.

Above Source = Picture Archives of Singapore PICA

The original Egyptian obelisk was made from a single block of stone, whereas Singapore's version was layered with bricks and then plastered over with cement. Construction of the Dalhousie Obelisk was completed in 1850 at its initial site on the river end of High Street, Dalhousie Pier (now no longer present) before it was moved to the Cenotaph site off Connaught Drive and later shifted again in 1911 to its present location.

Historical Significance
Local merchants built the Dalhousie Obelisk, which cost $1305. The purpose, as recorded in the archives, was to commemorate the visit of Lord James Andrew, the Marquise of Dalhousie, then Governor-General of India (1848-1856). In that period of history, the Governor of the Straits Settlement (of which Singapore was a part of) was directly answerable to Lord James Andrew.

Marquise Dalhousie and his wife arrived in Singapore on 17 February 1850 and left on 20 February 1850 after a three-day stay. After his return to India, the Marquise took over control of the Straits Settlements as Governor-General, from the Bengal Presidency. This was because since 1840, the Straits Settlements were dissatisfied with the rule of the East India Company in Calcutta.

The Dalhousie Obelisk thus served to remind merchants of the importance and benefits of free trade in Singapore at that time, and now as a lifetime reminder to Singaporeans that the East India Company through the Governor General in India once administered Singapore.

Inscription on the Obelisk plaque
“Inhabited by the European, Chinese and native inhabitants of Singapore to commemorate the visit in the month of February 1850 of the most noble The Marquis of Dalhousie, Governor General of British India, on which occasion he emphatically recognized the wisdom of liberating commerce from all restraints. Under which enlightened policy this settlement has proudly attained its present rank among British possessions and with which future prospects must ever be identified. “

Personal Impressions
The Dalhousie Obelisk Monument was an eye-opening architectural design statement of that period in Singapore’s history. Personally the resemblance to a tombstone with wreaths laid around its base was much too uncanny for my liking. The multiple steps leading up to the obelisk also reminded me of the Cenotaph Memorial and the Lim Bo Seng Memorial at the Esplanade park, haunting reminders of a by-gone era. For Singaporeans out to impress visitors from overseas, a word-of-mouth interest on the Dalhousie Obelisk that you could use would be the amusing fact that Queen Cleopatra landed in Singapore at this location, at least architecture-wise with regards to its genesis.

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Take care, be happy.

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