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Singapore City Tour (Maxwell, URA, Chinatown)

December 28, 2009

 This is a continuation of my  Singapore travelogue last Oct. 23-25, 2009. For prior details on this trip, please click the links below:

Singapore Arrival

Food Tripping at Tiong Bahru

Little India

Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards

 

    Bonding with the Boys @ Clarke Quay

Visiting Royal Selangor at Singapore

Up, Up and Away @ Singapore Flyer

~~~oOo~~~

 

Our group was running late based on our itinerary. Since it was already noon when we finished our ride at Singapore Flyer, we headed to Maxwell Centre for lunch.

 

 

I noticed that a lot of people were lining up at this one stall that’s known for its delicious Haianese Chicken. Well, I was too famished to line up so I looked for another stall where I can get  food fast. I had rice, roasted chicken and veggies. I was already done eating when the others just got their order. I took a bite of Jane’s  Haianese Chicken and boy was I glad I didn’t join the bandwagon. Coz the chicken tasted so bland the long wait wasn’t worth it. Oh well… too bad for them, good for me. ^_^

Since I was done eating, I didn’t waste any time. I checked out URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority)  just across the street by myself. I was so amazed with the way they planned  Singapore’s redevelopment. Did you know that there was a time in the 60’s that the Philippines was faring a lot better than Singapore? And look at where we are now. We are still at the bottom of the pile while Singapore competes with other first world nations. Kudos to their URA. If only we can have the political will to change like they did. Tsk, tsk.

 

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is Singapore’s national land-use planning and conservation authority. It was formed in 1974, though it has its roots in the Urban Renewal Department set up by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in the 1960s. Its mission is “to make Singapore a great city to live, work and play in” and it is primarily responsible for planning and facilitating the physical development of Singapore to achieve this mission. It is currently located at The URA Centre along Maxwell Road.

 

Next stop for the group was the Chinatown Heritage Centre:

Located in three newly restored shophouses at the ethnic quarters of Chinatown, the Chinatown Heritage Centre houses a wealth of memories and untold stories of how Singapore’s early forefathers had settled in this area after their perilous journey from afar.

Each level of the Centre takes you to a different time in the history of Chinatown and allows you to trace the lives of its early occupants. Life in the old days was very simple and almost everyone lived in rented cubicles of shophouses. Poverty, diseases and harsh living conditions were common and widespread. The hard life of the migrants resulted in many of them seeking solace in the four evils: opium smoking, prostitution, gambling and secret societies. On a brighter note, Chinatown, in its heyday, was always bustling with life and activity. Traditional festivals of different races were celebrated here, thus making Chinatown culturally vibrant and unique.

 Learn about this rich history through exhibits that relate the real life stories of Chinatown’s former residents. Get a chance to see how each cubicle of a typical shophouse was like in the past, as each has been skillfully re-created based on the recollections of its former residents. This personal touch enables you to relate to the core human spirit and guarantees an enriching Gallery experience.

This photo above shows what a Geisha’s room looked like during the olden times.

Guided tours of the Gallery are conducted on the hour. While waiting for the tour to commence, do drop by at the Centre’s Kopi Tiam (a traditional term for coffeeshop) for an aromatic cup of coffee and local snack. Looking for a memento of Chinatown? Select from a range of unique traditional souvenirs such as hand-sewn Chinese quilted blankets, traditional miniature sewing machines and clogs at the retail shop.

 I love these two exhibits here (photo above and below).

 Photo below was taken by Ada. Mica (the one in the middle), Hannah (the one in pink) and I were just having fun. ^_^ It’s been quite an exhausting day but it’s not yet over…

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.

Located within three beautifully restored shophouses along Pagoda Street, the Chinatown Heritage Centre houses a wealth of memories and untold stories from the past. Discover the secrets and chronicles of migrants who made the perilous journey from their homeland to Singapore.  - Uniquely Singapore

Until my next visit!!!

 

 For more photos, please click here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=34977&id=1619903650&l=ce704b06be

To be continued…


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