Singapore River Hong Bao 2006

The Esplanade Park that I have often taken walks in has now turned to the site for the Singapore River Hong Bao 2006. What used to be a relatively quiet park has now turned to a place with lots of activities and quite a number of people. If you don't see many people in the photos that I had taken, it was probably because I was there very early in the day, at about 11.20 a.m. Most of the stalls that operated there weren't even opened as yet.



The goat. One of the Chinese zodiac signs.


My favourite part of the Singapore River Hong Bao 2006 is the pictorial exhibition of the Singapore River. It reminded me of some of the things that I have heard from the tour: By the Belly of the Carp - A Singapore River Walk. It was eye-opening for myself to get to see photos of how the Singapore River used to look like in the past.

Somehow, it was a nice feeling to see how the adults tried to make use of the exhibition panels to explain to their children (and grandchildren) how they had experienced life in the past. I guess we ourselves can be instrumental in passing down history and heritage to the future generations?



Exhibition panels. This set of panels describes the history of the Singapore River Hong Bao.


I had lunch there. On hindsight, the price was a little too steep for the kind of servings that I've got. I had wanted the lunch set, but it was not available. I had to settle for a less preferred option, the Hainanese Chicken Rice. It was alright, but was far from satisfying to me.

A tip for readers here. I suggest that if you were to visit the Singapore River Hong Bao 2006 (especially if the weather is hot), please bring along your own drinks. The drinks there are expensive. On the average, one can of drink cost $2 only. But of course, if you aren't like me (I like plain water to flavoured drinks), you might do good to the business there by spending your money on the flavoured drinks.



Flowers to brighten one's mood. These are real flowers. Observe carefully, could you see insects hovering above these flowers?



The God of Fortune



This is a wishing well. I heard that one has to use coins and make the coins hit one of the bells. If any coin were to hit the bell, that wish will come true.



Singapore River Hong Bao 2006. Close to the waters.


It was high-tide when I was there today. I like the feeling of being close to the waters. I like the sounds of the waters. Now, do you hear the waves hitting against the shores?

A Singapore River Walk

On 14 Jan 2006,I went for one of the Original Singapore Walks' tours: By the Belly of the Carp - A Singapore River Walk.

A picture paints a thousand words. Let the photos here do some talking, and if you would still want to read more, please check out this post: An enriching tour.


Boat Quay. I love the dark skies in the background, and the bumboat heading in the direction of Boat Quay.



I was told that these are bumboats owned by the Hokkiens. I was told that the colours on the bumboats will give us the clue whether the bumboats are owned by Hokkiens or Teochews.



View of the Elgin Bridge, from a bumboat



The night is beautiful

Bridges

Anderson Bridge


One can try to make one's trip along the Singapore River interesting simply by exploring the history behind the many bridges that one finds as one walked along the river.

I suppose for the same reason, that was why one of my friends had mentioned that it is interesting to walk along River Thames (London) and understand the background behind each and every bridge that lies along the river. I vaguely remember that some of the bridges along River Thames were considered obsolete and were removed for good.

Talking about replacing the obsolete, I understand that Anderson Bridge was built (completed in 1910) because the nearby Cavenagh Bridge was not able to cope with the increasing traffic.

The one thing that we should be grateful of is that Cavenagh Bridge was not demolished after Anderson Bridge was completed. Instead, it was converted to a pedestrain bridge, and has continued to serve this function till today. It is nice to catch glimpses of bumboats passing by while standing on Cavenagh Bridge.

References and worthy links:
- http://www.rivercruise.com.sg/bridge_pg1.htm
- http://asiatours.com.sg/hotel/singapore/fullerton.htm
- http://www1.moe.edu.sg/learn@/singaporerivertrail/sec/G041_Dunman_Sec/bridges.htm

Reflections at Bukit Chandu and Kent Ridge Park

On New Year's Day, I took advantage of the fact that it was the Open Day of the Reflections at Bukit Chandu, and visited it. There was a free shuttle bus and this made the museum so much more accessible. Three years ago, when I first visited this museum, I had to walk about 20 minutes (one-way) to get to the museum from the bus-stop located along Pasir Panjang Road.

For now, let the pictures do the talking. Read: Remembering the heroes for more accounts of my trip today.


This is the bungalow that houses the museum: Reflections at Bukit Chandu.



The same bungalow.



Close to nature. I was about two minutes walk away from the bungalow.



Canopy walk. This is a 280-metres long bridge that links Kent Ridge Park to the Reflections at Bukit Chandu



One of the views I had when I stood on the wooden planks of the canopy walk.