We're back to the walking tours. And I have to say, I have yet to find a book/guide as great as the one we had in London. But you do with what you have. So to share this all with you (and myself later on) I've put some sights here to enjoy.
Fort Canning Park- is a lovely area (now) in the central part of downtown Singapore, which has transformed over time. Orginally the Forbidden Hill, Malay royal grounds, it housed the Sultan and was deemed best since it was the largest hill overlooking the sea. This goes along with idea that high ground has high advantage - - see invading peoples, keep an eye on things, look awesome in your big house on a big hill. Status is everything in SIN. Different people have used the hill over the centuries. Raffles built his bungalow here in 1823,and a military fort was built in 1857 honoring Viscount Canning, the first Viceroy of India. (India was the big Empire colony at this time and much of Britain's planning and architecture stem from what was going on in India at the time). 1907 saw the demolishing of the fort and a reservoir built for the city.
There is some groovy stuff in the park if you're willing to take the time to hunt it out. There is one gate left from the original fort, as well as a Christian cemetery with really nice old headstones and monuments. Sultan Iskandar Shah is said to be buried here. There is a shrine on the hill to him, and it's seen as a holy place. Singapore's original Botanical Gardens were here as a spice garden. Spices were a hot commodity in the 19th century, and Raffles played around with the idea of cultivating them on the island.
Fort Canning Centre still remains, now as an arts center. It was built in the 1920 as a barracks for the military.
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| water feature art |
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| an idea of how the land lays |
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| Old Fort Gate |
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| Really cool. sci-fi box |
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| need I say more? |
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| Door at Ft Canning Centre |
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| original glass from window at Ft Canning |
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| Sculpture garden art |
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| gate to the old Cemetery |
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| Fort Cannign Center from the bottom of the hill |
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| head stones mounted along the path. Very serene |
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Time to leave the park grounds and down the street. First off, the National Museum of Singapore. We're hungry now and luckily they have a nice cafe....
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| seasoned fries - curry, cumin, lemon |
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| Even at the equator, I can't get away from New England!! I love it |
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Still wandering along toward the Peranakan Museum. Peranakan culture has been in SE Asia for centuries. It means "born here" in Malay. Chinese traders married local girls (either Malay or Indian) and their children were then Peranakan. They created a sophisticated and influential culture that assimilated into the British Society. Known for opulent lifestyle and shrewd business sense, they also brought a unique culinary style to the area using Chinese and Malay spices.
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| friends I found along the way | . |
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| Peranakan Museum, built as a school 1910 |
Wandering down Armenian Street you pass the Philatelic Museum (passed on), Masonic Lodge, Central Fire Station (1909) and then come upon the Armenian Church. Built in 1835, it was funded by the small Armenian population here. It is dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator. A gorgeous space to see.
Agnes Joaquim, discover of Singapore's national flower, is buried here.
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| interior. Still no aircon |
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| lovely gardens tucked into Singapore |
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Heading toward the end of our tour and Chjimes our last pit stop, we pass the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Stamford House (which was under reno work, as a lot of Singapore is) and Capital Building (also under reno wrap). It's a great example of 1930 deco style and I look forward to it being completed so I can take some snaps and add them here.
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| Outside the Chinese Chamber Building. Nice tile work!! |
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| Stamford House being facelifted |
Our book stopped at this point, But I knew we were about three blocks from Chjimes, a renovated Convent school from 1854. It now houses eateries and is a good place for night life. Not that I would really know. It was late afternoon, so I left I could handle it. Besides, we were thirsty again.
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| One of our favorite vendors, |
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| The Chapel on site |
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| Nice tile flooring along the chapel way |
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| Waiting for the martini (and my sangria) |
