National Museum of Singapore

This is a heritage site that allows you to learn all about Singapore's history. When I entered the museum, the counter was conveniently located right in front. My amazing journey to the National Museum of Singapore now begins.



(The Food Room)

As I walked up the stairs, there were many different rooms, ranging from Food to Culture. In the "Food" room, there are many different kinds of herbs and spices and also videos that guides you as on how the people in the past invented the various cuisines. If you are really curious about the herbs and spices, not only do they have the specimen for you to view, you can also smell it too! Your sense of smell would definitely be awakened!

Next, will be the "Fashion" room. It shows you what the people in the past wear, and what is the on-going fashion in the past. There is also a room showcasing Wayang, which is Indonesian puppet theatre which showcases the props and stages. My eyes were glued to the shimmering costumes that the puppets wore. I was indeed bewildered by the diverse and rich culture that our homeland has. Walking further in the museum, you will be given a device in which they call "Companion".


(My Companion)

This Companion will then allow you to learn about the history of Singapore. You will first start off learning about Singapore's past- even before Sang Nila Utama step foot on Singapore. I was intrigued by the many stories that the Companion illustrated. I have never known that such a small island Singapore, had many different aspects of history.

Let's take a look at one of the many stories shared by our forefathers. A chinese traveller in the past named Wang Da Yuan described Singapore as a small settlement with Malay and Chinese settlements. He then refer Singapore as Temasek. In the 1390s,Srivijayan prince called Parameswara, fled to Singapore after being deposed by his empire. he ruled Temasek for several years before he was forced to Malacca. In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, arrived in Singapore and recognised Singapore as a potential port and started trading. It was thanks to Sir Stamford Raffles that Singapore is a developed country now. There are also exhibits of broken vases and bowls in which our forefathers use. As you proceed through this trip, you will be able to uncover the amazing and rich history of Singapore and learn how we have became what we are today.


The National Museum is located at 93 Stamford Road Singapore 178897. Admission fees are S$8 per person.

OPENING HOURS
Singapore History Gallery
10am - 6pm, daily
(last admission, 5.30pm

Singapore Living Galleries
10am - 8pm, daily
(last admission, 7.30pm)
Free admission from 6pm - 8pm, daily

Chinatown in Singapore

Chinatown, is one of our main attractions in Singapore. It does not only cater to tourism but also cater to education as well. Why? It is because it is the place where Sir Stamford Raffles allocated for the Chinese community in his 1828 town plan.


Bullock Carts (Niu Che 牛车) which is used for water transportation during the old times is the reason for the Chinatown's Mandarin name "Niu Che Shui" (Bullock Cart Water). The name have long been replaced, but Singaporeans still hold the name "Niu Che Shui" close to their hearts. Even though many street names have been changed, many older Chinese still refer to these streets by their nicknames derived from the street traders, famous landmarks and personalities.




In the research about Chinatown's history and culture, we came about this place called Chinatown Heritage Centre. In chinese, the name is called "Niu Che Shui Yuan Mao Guan", which means the original state of Chinatown.

In their brochure, they wrote :"Every face has a story to tell and every story seeks to be heard. Take a step into the past, look beyond these pictures and experience the everyday struggles that the early settlers faced to make ends meet. I was amazed by how my forefathers used to live and how i might have taken things for granted.

Discover the secrets and chronicles of the migrants who made the perilous journey from their homeland to Singapore. If these shophouses and their rooms could speak, what tales would they have told? Come on in, to a time where migrants braved the unknown and who dared to explore the opportunities and secrets of Chinatown."

In the Heritage Centre, they display the cultural tradition life where you can see the contrast between the past and now. You can also find out about the bustling activities and trades that were prevalent in Chinatown and experience life through the eyes of its early residents.

If you are a drifter like me, you have come to the right place. During the journey in heritage centre, you can actually experience the dismal the early migrants led. You can take a peek through the eyes of shophouse dwellers through dismal and cramped living quarters that have been painstakingly recreated, lending a rare insight into the life that they had once lived in. I have learnt alot by just admiring these ancient relics. Pictures of how my ancestors lived started racing through my imagination.


So, what are you waiting for?
Visit Chinatown Heritage Centre now at a affordable price!

Location: 48 Pagoda Street
Singapore 059207
http://www.chinatownheritagecentre.sg/

Centre Admission Rate:
Adult $10/ Children(3-12years) $6

Opening Hours: 9am-8pm daily (last entry before 7pm)

See you there!

Singapore Botanical Gardens

The Singapore Botanical Gardens

The Singapore Botanical Gardens is one of the must-see destinations when a tourist visits Singapore. For plant and nature lovers, these Gardens will definitely appeal to you. With an area of 52 hectares (128 acres), you will be thrilled to see a huge variety of plants from Orchids all the way till 100 year old trees. In total, the Gardens features more than 20,000 varieties of plants. These also include water plants and even some exotic flowers that can be found from South and Central America.

Walking through the Gardens, i felt at peace and was pleased by the fresh air that brushed through my cheeks. The many beautiful flowers were pleasing to the eye and i immediately felt like i was in a nature paradise. Despite Singapore being a large metropolitan city, i have finally found a place which not only provides me with the peace and serenity i've always wanted, but also a place which allows me to learn something new everyday.

In addition, not only just rare flowers, you might even come across certain species of insects and animals. I was amazed by the wings of the many butterflies flying pass.Furthermore, the Botanical Gardens have 2 lakes in which black and white swans are usually found . The pond-living creatures like fishes and frogs can be also seen if you're observant enough.

Researches in Singapore Botanic Garden
The Singapore Herbarium contains about 650,000 herbarium specimens backed by the spirit collection. The Herbarium mainly focus on the Malesian region which consist of Peninsular Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea with the most extensive collections from Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia dating from the 1880s. Out of these, about 6,800 are type specimens.

It also consist of the International Registration Authority for Cultivated Curcumas.

For more information please visit : http://curcuma.sbg.org.sg/

Hybridisation Programme

The orchid-hybridisation programme in the Singapore Botanic Gardens was initiated more than 70 years ago by Professor R. E. Holttum.

For tourists that are interested in hybridisation programme,

you can visit http://www.sbg.org.sg/research/hybridizationprogram.asp for more details.

This is one example of Polyploid Hybrids.

Lets see some facts of Singapore Botanic Garden!

1.The plants at the Botanic Gardens are the basis for Southeast Asia's rubber industry, an industry that generated fortunes.

2.Our Singapore's national flower is first found at our Singapore Botanic Garden, found by an Armenian lady, Agnes Joaquim. Thus, it is named Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Moreover, in contrast to Singapore’s hectic city lifestyle, the Botanical Gardens provide a more peaceful and quiet environment for travelers and even us, Singaporeans. Recreational activities such as cycling and jogging can also be done there.

I am definitely sure i learnt a lot about the nature after my visit to such a wonderful place! I am sure you will learn a lot too! (:

If you are on a tight budget, fret not! Admissions into The Singapore Botanical Gardens are absolutely FREE OF CHARGE! If you want to visit National Orchid Garden, it is also pretty affordable as well!

For more information, please visit : http://www.sbg.org.sg/

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Opening hours: 5 am to 12 midnight daily

Admission Fee: Free

National Orchid Garden

Opening hours: 8.30 am to 7 pm daily (last ticket sale at 6pm).
Admission Fee:

Adults -$5.00

Students -$1.00

Senior Citizens(60 years and Above) -$1.00

Children (below 12 years) -Free

Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

Opening hours: 8.00am - 7.00pm (last admission at 6.30pm)

The Children's Garden is closed on Mondays

(except when it falls on a designated public holiday)

Admission Fee: Free
The Children's Garden is open to children up to 12 years old.

All children have to be accompanied by an adult.

Library of Botany and HorticultureOpening hours:Mondays to Fridays
9.00am - 5.00pm

Saturdays & Sundays'9.00am - 1.00pm
Closed on Public Holidays

Here is a video for you to enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoE_DdCN5Lk
*I would advice you to turn on some smoothing music for more pleasure. (: