Singapore: Rich pickings for culture vultures
Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Singapore
The buildings along the main streets of Singapore were adorned with promotional banners and eye-catching decorations during a recent visit. Shopping centers along Orchard, Scotts and Tanglin roads were spruced up for the festive season in the hope of brisk business.
But, as Singaporeans will be quick to tell you these days, there is more to do in the island state than just max out your credit cards on a shopping spree.
During a recent trip sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board, the cultural and nature sights to be viewed on the island were put at center stage. The message was that while Singapore is rightfully famous for its technologically savvy, ultramodern face, tradition still lies at its heart.
For instance, people can trace Malay history of the area at Malay Village on Geylang Serai road. The small village has a cultural museum and holds cultural demonstrations, showcasing traditional games and handicrafts, some of which are similar to ones in neighboring countries, such as Indonesia.
One of its sections, called "kampung days", has been transformed into a small community. Visitors can take a trip back in time and witness the lifestyle of a traditional kampong community in the 1950s and 1960s, before development changed much of the city.
The village also houses restaurants, selling traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai and western cuisines.
Spreading from both sides of Serangoon Road is Little India. Shops sell silk, accessories and other ethnic goods, as well as restaurants, serving northern and southern Indian dishes.
Another ethnic quarter is the Chinatown, stretching from Eu Tong Sen street to the Telok Ayer area. Visitors can find food stalls serving traditional delicacies and souvenir shops selling varius goods, from silks to Chinese medicines and beauty products, including renowned tiger balm and pearl cream.
Another interesting stop is the riverside village at Clarke Quay with more than 50 shops and over 30 restaurants, pubs and cafes in the area. At night, Clarke Quay is transformed into a huge night bazaar.
Don't miss out on a trip on a "bumboat" to experience an interesting ride along the Singapore River.
The 30-minute ride offers a stunning view along the river during the day, or you can see highrise modern buildings and historical ones glittering side by side at night.
Important sights include the former fort, the onetime general post office (now the five-star hotel Fullerton building), the Queen Elizabeth Walk, Lim Bo Seng Memorial, the half-fish, half- lion Merlion statue at Merlion Park, which is believed to be the spot where Prince Sang Nila Utama first spotted a lion. Later the body of a fish was added to represent the country's history as Temasek, meaning a sea town.
There is also the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles and his landing site, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, the old Parliament House, which is the oldest government building in Singapore. A bronze elephant, a gift from King Chulalongkorn of Siam from his 1871 visit, stands guard in front of the building.
A destination not to be missed is Sentosa Island, which can also be reached by cable car and ferry trip. The island is packed with interesting sites, like the Merlion, Fort Siloso and the Images of Singapore, another trip down memory lane with lifelike displays showing life in the old days. There is also the dolphin lagoon, the underwater world, the butterfly park and insect kingdom museum.
Animal lovers can also visit the 20.2-hectare Jurong birdpark, home to about 8,000 birds from 600 species, and enjoy the birdshow at the pool amphitheater. One of the attractions is a cockatoo singing the Rrrrassa Sayang Eee.... song.
Those who want to have close encounters with nocturnal animals can visit the 40-hectare Night Safari, where around 1,200 animals from 110 species live. Visitors can explore the area on foot or by taking a tram ride.
There is even something for those of you seeking a thoroughly different experience, like playing in the snow in a tropical country. Snow City on Jurong Town Hall Road has a 60-meter-long and three-story-high slope where people can ski and snowboard (lessons are available). Children too can play and have fun in the snow. And to complete the snow experience, an educational program on low temperature science is also available.
Not far from it on Upper Jurong Road is the Singapore Discovery Center, a place to learn more about the country's history and its achievements in technology. It has a visual dynamics 3D and 2D theater, a technology gallery and various virtual reality games.
Other attractions include the thrilling journey at the Motion Simulator Rides, exciting games using a real M-16 at the Shooting Gallery or a chance to learn more about jungle survival. You can also have a chat with a friendly robot, Little George.