Mid-Autumn Celebrations kick off
On 31 Aug 08, songs, dances, and noises of the fireworks brought Chinatown back to its old days when every night was a bustling nite. In those days, it was of necessity that one stays out late to make some money, have late supper or stay cool, away from the congested rooms in the old pre-war houses. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Today, 3:14am
Return of the Sun Birds
Last year I blogged about how a pair of sun birds built a nest in our balcony and raised two chicks (here, here and here). Well they are back again; or rather, I should say, they were back again. Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Today, 3:14am
An account of the background to the Opium factory at Pepys Road (Bukit Chandu)
From: Singapore: A Country Study Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
An account of the The Alexandra Massacre
"The Alexandra Massacre." By Jeff Partridge. Nesa feature, 08 Mar 2001. Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
Penrod V. Dean on the Malay Regiment
Trey tm at Mind's Eye has a photoblog and on 13 Feb 2006 he remembered the "Malay Regiment - The Last Stand" Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
RSI interview with NYP animators of the Battle of Bukit Chandu
The Battle of Bukit Chandu Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
The Battle of Pasir Panjang Revisited by Lim Choo Hoon
During my efforts to secure a copy of Dol Ramli's History of the Malay Regiment 1933-1942, I found this resource: Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
Pasir Panjang Heritage Trail Special Edition!
As the 60th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War approached, the heritage trail guides bounded into action to present the Heritage Trail special 60th Anniversary Edition! As you may know, the Heritage Trail is normally conducted every year on the 12th Feb, which is the anniversary of the start of the Battle of Pasir Panjang, also famous for being one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in Singapore during World War II. The other time we conduct this trail is in July, which is part of the Heritage Fest activities. Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
Training Dates for 2006
Refresher Course 2006 (before Commemorative Walk) Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
The world remembers ... but when will Japan?
"The world remembers ... but when will Japan?" By Dr Takamitsu Muraoka. TODAYonline, Monday, 24 Oct 2005. The writer is retired. This is an abridged version of a speech delivered at the Trinity Theological College. Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
"I never knew that the ridge was formerly known as 'Pasir Panjang Ridge'."
"Footnotes in Life" reflects on our 2006 Commemorative Walk for the Battle of Pasir Panjang (not the fall of Singapore). Seems incomplete but the fact he learnt abut the Ridge's original name is reassuring for us guides! Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
The MIA Night Tour reviewed
On the 26th of May 2006, the Raffles Museum's Pasir Panjang (PP) guides, in collaboration with the National Heritage Board's National Archives of Singapore, conducted the MIA Night Tour. What is MIA? It represents both Museums In Action and Missing In Action! This activity involves a trip to three members of the Musum Roundtable: The Public Gallery of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR), Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC) and the recently opened Memories at Old Ford Factory. "In Action" aptly describes the turnout by staff and volunteers of NAS and RMBR that night for event. As for other dual meaning, Missing In Action is the theme of this event, that was revealed along the way. Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
WWII shell unearthed at West Coast Road
"WWII shell unearthed." The Straits Times, 04 Jan 2006. Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
Penrod Vance Dean, R. I. P.
Penrod Vance Dean, R. I. P. Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
Pasir Panjang - "splendid scenic views"
"Pasir Panjang means "the sandy stretch, long beach". It became a popular resort like Tanjong Katong towards the end of the last century, which accounts for the many seaside residences,notably Haw-Par Villa and Labrador Villa. What DIsneyland is to the Occidentals, Haw-Par Villa is to the Orientals. It is a special tourist attraction, like its Hong Kong counterpart." Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
MIA 2007- Plunge into Darkness....
The MIA Trail 2007 was made up of 2 sessions, one at 5.30pm and another at 6.30pm. The revision of timing was made as the last year's event ended rather late (12-1am!) and both the participants and the guides were worn out. Manpower, however, was more of a problem this year. With many of the guides unavailable for various reasons, Ooi Yee, Airani, Wendy and I set out bravely to bring a total of 80 participants on a trail that they (hopefully) would not forget! Read more...
Pasir Panjang Stories, Jul 2, 3:13am
Mid-Autumn arrives in Chinatown
Or is it? The flowers remind me of Spring. (^^) Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jul 2, 3:13am
EX. RED BERET: the old version of the Amazing Race (by Peter Chan)
1984 was the last time I saw Pasir Ris when land was cleared for a future HDB town. Today Pasir Ris Estate looks so much different from what it used to be. Back then, Pasir Ris referred to the Elias Road area only. Instead of the name “Pasir Ris Estate” it should have been “Tampines-Loyang Estate” – the old geographical definition from the east of the Sungei Api-Api to the west of Loyang Avenue, and north of the TPE to the sea. Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Jul 2, 3:13am
A journey of the Southern Sounds
On Sunday, 28 June 2009, the Ee Hoe Hean Club with Siong Leng Musical Association (which is just up the hill along the same road) co-sponsored a talk on the journey of the southern sounds - Nan Yin 南音. It is about a music that is more than a thousand years old, and how it travelled from the times of Tang Dynasty to the modern era, about how it manages to remain on course through time and rapid changes, and how it travelled out of China to all corners of the world. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jul 1, 3:14pm
Foreign Domestic Workers: What lies Ahead When They Come to Singapore to Work? (by Peter Chan)
We have more than 160,000 Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) in Singapore who come from all walks of life; from the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. It is not uncommon to hear of horrible stories about employers badly treating their maids; verbal abuses, punishing work-hours, working in non-stipulated place of work, insufficient food, and withholding salaries. Also equally nerve-racking are stories about incorrigible maids who gallivant, demanding week-end offs after a contract has been drawn-up, poor work attitude, and engaged in mobile phone gossips. These constitute the minority but the truth is the ugly minority gets all the public attention. Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Jul 1, 3:14pm
Singapore Scenes from the Hollywood Movies (by Peter Chan)
Victor Koo and Malcolm Young of Adelaide, Australia, were happily swapping DVDs and among Malcolm’s collection was a movie, “G.I. Executioner”. This movie was filmed in Singapore in 1971. I got involved when some questions were raised about the Singapore scenes in the movie and Victor asked me to watch the movie. Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Jul 1, 3:14pm
The second book on Chinese Temples launched
Shin Min Daily has launched the second book on Chinese Temples on 1 Feb 2007. In this second book, about 40 Chinese Temples were featured. The book, priced at S$5 each, is available at newstands and in major bookstores. Read more...
Sin Tua 神坛 in Singapore, Jul 1, 3:14am
Second Book on Chinese Temples launched
The second book on Chinese Temples has been launched by Shin Ming Daily on 1 Feb 2007. Costing S$5 a copy, this book covering some 40 Temples are available in newstands and major bookstores. Read more...
Chinese Temples, Jul 1, 3:14am
Where (exactly) is Hill 100?
Regarding my previous post about Hill 100, Peter has emailed me to dispute my theory that it was located at present Baxter plant. He thinks it should be a bit further south at where the Turf Club is located. Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Jul 1, 3:14am
A trip to the barber
Going to the barber has always been a chore. But it is still a necessary chore, that is to get the haircut. Although, these days, the strict no-long-hair rules (for men and boys) are no longer in place. In fact, I have seen quite a number of guys in their fifties spotting pony tails with their hair in natural streaks - white, grey and less than black hair. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 30, 3:14pm
有缘千里能相会
There is a Chinese idiom, 有缘千里能相会, 无缘对面不相识. Roughly translated, it says; “Fate brings together people who are far (1,000 miles) apart”. On the other hand, if not fated, you would not even know the person who lives across the street. Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Jun 30, 3:14pm
Nanyin Concert in Thian Hock Keng
Each year, for the past decade or more, Siong Leng Musical Association has performed a Nanyin and sometimes Li Yuan Opera performance in the Thian Hock Keng in commemoration of the three celebration days of Guan Yin, 2M19, 6M19 and 9M19. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 30, 3:14am
Mas Selamat's Escape - Let's see whose theory was the closest
Good Morning Yesterday, Jun 28, 3:14pm
Of Mice and Men
No. I am not blogging about John Steinbeck’s classic Of Mice and Men. Too many years have passed since I read that book, and all I remember is that it had something to do with two men; one very big size and the other very small. Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Jun 28, 3:14pm
Chinese New Year goodies arriving
A quick inspection of Chinatown this evening revealed the preparations for the big sale. The typical Chinese goodies like the sausages and waxed ducks were already hung. It must have been shortage of advantageous places or was it a kind of double attraction, when I saw sausages and waxed ducks being sold outside the sex shop! Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 28, 3:13am
Chinatown in 1938
Wow, this is before my time, but I thought some of you might be interested. And it reminded me of my childhood days when Grandpa would bring me to visit his Tua-Kow (lighter) moored in the Singapore River. Jumping from Tua-Kow to Tua-kow was no joke, when I was probably about 6 years old. On one side was the dirty water of the river (this video showed much cleaner water) and the other was like three storeys into the depth of the empty Tua-Kow. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 28, 3:13am
Sei Yan Kai 死人街 (Sago Lane) - the lane of the dead
Asked the older people about Sei Yan Kai (in Cantonese), chances are they will know, and may cringe from memories of this place. It was a place of gloom, because there were funeral wakes practically every day (since the funeral parlours were here) and there were also people just waiting, waiting for their day. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 28, 3:13am
Last Village
Last night, Australia Network ran a short video about Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Yours truly was one of the interviewees. You can watch it here. (Click on Last Village.) Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Jun 28, 3:13am
Happy 牛 Year
The year of the Ox is arriving soon. And the Chinatown in Singapore prepares to usher in the Ox. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 27, 3:13pm
Nine Emperor Gods: Long Nan Dian sendoff
Long Nan Dian sent off Nine Emperor Gods in a rousing ceremony at the East Coast Parkway on 7 Oct 08 (9th day if the 9th moon). Read more...
Chinese Temples, Jun 26, 3:14pm
Nine Emperor Gods
Long Nan Dian sent off Nine Emperor Gods at the East Coast Parkway on 7 Oct 08 (9M09). Read more...
Sin Tua 神坛 in Singapore, Jun 26, 3:14am
My favouriteTeochew Fish Porridge (Broth)
This must have been in the mid 1970s. That was when I had started working for a few years. I was working late and getting involved in work related activities. It meant late dinner. I could not remember how I came across these food stalls on the street, but I did find them. Since then, it was like my open air dining place. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 26, 3:14am
Lai Chun Yuen 梨春园 - guzheng performance
Not wanting to miss the guzheng performance, we rushed to Lai Chun Yuen, arriving a little past 7pm. We were still able to watch the performance. It was impressive. All the ladies with one man performed on the guzheng with two guys on the percussions. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 26, 3:14am
30. Chwee Hean Keng 水显宫 (Shui Xian Gong)
This is one of the few temples dedicated to Sam Tiong Ong 三忠王 (San Zhong Wang), deities from the late Song Dynasty, Wen Tian-Xiang 文天祥, Lu Xiu-Fu 陆秀夫 and Zhang Shi-Jie 张世杰. This temple, located at Zion Road, is standing on a piece of land that has been en-bloc for redevelopment. This temple has been here for at least more than 70 years, witnessing the changing tributary of the Singapore River - when the descendants of the great tongkang builders from China continued their tradition for the... Read more...
Chinese Temples, Jun 26, 3:14am
25. Jiu Xian Gong 九玄宫 (Xuan Nv Ma Gong 玄女妈宫)
The Jiu Xian Gong 九玄宫, also known as Xuan Nv Ma Gong 玄女妈宫, started in 1928 by the Bai Clan at 7 milestone, Tampines Rd. In 1970, owing to rapid urbanisation, the temple started looking for a more permanent place for the temple. In 1982, a piece of land at Tampines Road was found and in 1985, the temple was built. Many of the devotees and supporters of the temple are still from the Bai 白 Clan. Today, the temple stood tall at one end of the row of temples along the Old Tampines Road. Recently, further renovation to the temple was made. Read more...
Chinese Temples, Jun 26, 3:14am
Michael Jackson’s role in “We Are The World”
It’s such a coincidence. Last night, I was watching some video clips of We Are The World on YouTube, and this morning the first thing I saw on tv was news of the death of Michael Jackson. Read more...
Good Morning Yesterday, Jun 26, 3:14am
Book: Through the Bamboo Window
You might wonder what the Chinese temples in Singapore were like in 1950s. Thanks to the Singapore Heritage Society and additional hardwork put in by the original author of this book "Chinese Temples in Singapore", Dr. Leon Comber, this book combined with Dr. Comber's other books were put together and reprinted as "Through the Bamboo Window". And now, you have a chance to look through the bamboo window to what Chinese temples were like in Singapore in the 1950s. Read more...
Chinese Temples, Jun 25, 3:14pm
Photos of Old Singapore
Taking an after-dinner stroll through the streets of the Cantonese-speaking Chinatown (in the old days, that is), we chanced upon the re-opening of the Lai Chun Yuen 梨春园 (Li Chun Yuan), the famed old opera-house of yesteryears. The outside facade of the row of what seems like shophouses belie the existence of an opera-house inside. If only we could bring back its old glory with the newly restored and renovated interior. It could well be.The new management is coming up with something in a matter of days. For the... Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 25, 3:14am
Chinese Lunar Year is coming soon! Lights Up on 3 Jan 09
Yes, on 26 Jan 2009, to be exact. That will be the 1st day of the 1st Chinese Lunar month for the Ji Chou Year - 己丑年. Read more...
bullockcartwater 牛车水, Jun 25, 3:14am