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Published: June 28th 2010
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Sri Mariamman Temple
Row upon row of figures top the 'gopuram' or main gate. One of the great things about visiting the UK we have realised we can enjoy taking in the sights when in transit for a minimal cost and stay over for a few nights in another part of the world. So unknowingly with just 3 hours to spare, we decided to visit Singapore on our way back from visiting England on the day the volcano erupted in Iceland and closed all the airports bringing the northern hemisphere to come to a virtual standstill. For once we got something right for a change!
So oblivious of the chaos that was about to unfold we arrived in Singapore after an 11 hour flight and caught the airport link bus to our lovely hotel in the centre of the city. Hotel Studio M was a brand new hotel that had just opened and offered great service and facilities at a reduced introductory price, even better! So with a great sleep and adjusting to the time difference we managed to just catch breakfast and plan an itinerary using our DK 10 Top Places to see in Singapore.
At a first glance the city appears to be filled with high rise sky scrapers some
Gaudy Statues
Brightly coloured painted statues adorn the walls and roof tops of the temple. bizarre and wonderful designs and then a closer look reveals narrow streets through China Town and the Colonial District along with Little India and Kampong Glam. The Singapore River carves its way between them lined with cafes and restaurants with a hint of years gone bye before the modern 21st Century changed its appearance. We decided to step on board one of the Bumboats that offer cruises along the waterfront at The Merlion, a half lion and half fish statue guards the mouth of the river and starts the beginning of our trip. We travelled past the Raffles’ Landing Site where a statue of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles landed and discovered Singapore as we know it today. Old Parliament House flanks one side of the river and faces Boat Quay filled with old ‘Gowdown’ (warehouses) buildings built by Chinese merchants and now thriving restaurants and bars. The new marine development flanks the other side of the bay and is under going a big development project, erecting a hotel and casino that looked like a boat on sticks and a Lotus flower opening from a bud, all very alternative! Then there was the huge Singapore Flyer which loomed above Marina Bay
Jamae Chulia Mosque
The Chulias were Muslims who engaged in trade and money and came from India's southern coast. offering amazing views across the city and out to sea.
The views from the top of the Singapore Flyer, the tallest observation wheel, were amazing and its 28 capsule offers 360’ views of the city. The flight took about 40 minutes and we could see across the skyline spotting hundreds of ships sailing in and out of the port, along with the Theatre Esplanade and the incredible skyline that went as far as the eye could see.
A stroll through Chinatown took us past small shops and stalls selling food and bric a brac and the inevitable cheap garment and an opportunity to haggle for a gaudy snow globe! Oh how Cieran is going to love his fire breathing dragon t-shirt.?! The narrow lanes lead us to the Sri Mariamman Temple or “Mother Goddess” as she is known to Hindus, it is Singapore’s oldest Hindu place of worship and a popular place for all tourists to visit! We wondered around the temple and watched quietly as people came to worship and lay offerings around the temple. On the main temple roof are carved figures that tell stories from Hindu lore including how Ganesh got his elephant’s head. The
Thian Hock Keng Temple
A temple amidst modern buildings. painted figures adorn the main central temple high above the outer wall which make it a striking building and is much photographed.
We then walked to the Jamae Chulia Mosque which is situated on South Bridge Road and has an impressive façade with two tall minarets flanking the main entrance with latticework detail and carved patterns. The Sultan Mosque situated in the heart of the Muslim community was much larger in size and had an impressive onion shape gold domed roof topped with a star and crescent a traditional symbol of Islam. One interesting feature of the dome was that it has a wide black band made of bottles stacked on their sides, five and six bottles high, their bottoms appear to glisten like jewels in the sun. Unfortunately Kevin was unable to enter the mosque to have a closer look as it was closed to the general public. We did however enjoy a pleasant walk along the palm fringed Bussah Mall and visited some of the clothing stores and fabric sellers selling beautiful silk pashminas.
Wak Hai Cheng Bio Temple is a centre for the Teochew community which is a much smaller temple and a little walk
Inside theThian Hock Keng Temple
Craftsmen from China built the temple in traditional manner using no nails. The materials were imported from China and artists from China returned to restore the carvings on the ceilings in 2000, using traditional techniques. out from the main centre of the city, when you enter this place of worship you are aware of the strong smelling joss ticks that burn, filling the air with aromatic smoke and the flaking paint and worn rugs that adorn the building. Many of the smaller temples and mosques were in much need of some renovation and structural attention.
Thian Hock Keng is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore and is entered by climbing over a large front step which once protected it from the tide that once came up to its door. There were elaborate door paintings of mythical creatures and you have to stoop to climb through the door to avoid evil spirits crossing the threshold. The beautiful green grey tiled roof and ceramic creatures guard the ancestral tablets that are placed in the temple to remember the dead and food is regularly left on a table in front of the tablets as an offering.
What was really striking as we walked around the city was the sheer diversity of religions and cultural differences that all merge together within the city and create a meeting of many beliefs and customs. This was particularly
Sakya Muni Gaya Temple
Also known as The Temple of a Thousand Lights. Around the base of the alter are paintings depicting episodes in the life of the Buddha. noticeable when visiting the food halls and the vast choice of food that was available.
We just about had time to walk around the Colonial District and visit Raffles Hotel all be it to walk around the building and gardens and take in the elegant life style some visitors can afford. It was once a humble bungalow in 1887 and since its renovations has grown to become an iconic landmark in the city. Maybe one day when we return to Singapore we will have a meal there?
Our two day whistle stop tour was soon over but a welcome break to recharge our batteries before flying onto Brisbane after a very hectic ten days in the UK. We look forward to planning another stop over somewhere else next time, what a great way to see more of the world?!
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