24 Hours in Singapore (metal spheres in front of Asian Civilisations Museum)

This piece of sculpture installation, 24 Hours in Singapore  by Baet Yeok Kuan, in front of the Asian Civilisations Museum consists of five large, polished steel spheres that reflect the surrounding landscape every minute and act as an audio time capsule retaining the memories of our present day. Unfortunately, the audio recordings were not working when we were there. 

I was being told that this place is also popular for wedding photos. This I can't verify but I could tell this is a rather popular place for welfies. I spotted several people taking photos with the metal spheres. Below is one beautiful spot to take photo. Don't you agree?

Just some of the spheres. 

Linking with~

QingMing in Bukit Brown (26 March 2016)

Last month I joined a tour conducted by the Brownies to Bukit Brown again. It had been quite some time I last visited Bukit Brown. This was the first time ever since the old cemetery access was not available. From the Bukit Brown website, I noted there were actually 2 entrances to the cemetery. That day the meeting point was at a platform after passing through Lorong Halwa.

(credit: Bukit Brown)

As Qingming (in fact, the actual day was yesterday according to Chinese calendar) was around the corner and the cemetery is bustling with activity again.  I joined the tour because I wanted to have a close-up look of families visiting the graves of their ancestors with offerings, and tombkeepers busy themselves with sprucing up graves ahead of the descendants' visits. I have never been to a cemetery during Qing Ming period.

Upon arrival from the bus, immediately I smelt smoke, which reminds me of the haze we had last year. This smell is pretty common especially when joss papers and offerings are burnt. Upon navigating around, I saw smoke spiraling from one spot near the bridge over Lornie Road. Someone had already paid a visit to their ancestor.
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Besides visiting a new grave cluster, the family of Lim Chong Pang, I learnt something new on this trip.

Cars and vehicles were slowly getting into the cemetery. This road is pretty narrow. There was a jam right ahead.

Quite a number of families were seen in the cemetery that day.

2 Earth Deities?

Offerings to the ancestors, includes food, joss sticks and candles. Before these were done, the descendants have to pray to the Earth deity. This is located on either side of the tomb. (see the pair of candles on the side) Joss papers are burnt last.

I learnt, there are male and female  Earth deities (indicated by the arrow). Almost every tomb has a Earth Deity. (either the male or the female)

The male Earth Deity

The female Earth Deity

Mass Grave?

During the Japanese Occupation, it was told that there was mass grave for civilian bodies near this stream.  I don't think these bodies could survived under such a condition, unlike the those on the hills.

Busy Tomb keepers 

This period of time is the busiest time for the tomb keepers. The services they offer are quite a handful. However, during this period, they would be offering cleaning or grass cutting services before the descendants come to pay their ancestors a visit. There are families who engage their services to maintain the tombs throughout the year for a fee.

Tomb keepers in action

One of the permanent makeshift tent for the tomb keepers.

Nature

This morning, it was the first time I spotted lots of living things besides the horses. Below are just some. One of the group member pointed out there are curry leaves too!

Red dragonfly

Black butterfly

The appearance of horses made some children squealed in delight

Other offerings

Flowers such as chrysanthemum is being offered

A more elaborated offering.

Orchid and drinks as offering. 5 colour paper on the graves are not meant to be burnt.
过 路钱,a small stack of beige rectangular shaped paper with three holes punched onto them.are being thrown around too. It is believed to be the ‘money’ used by the deceased when they travel from places to places in the underworld. Sometimes, these were scattered on the trees. These are meant for the wandering spirits. I forgot to ask why these aren't burnt.

Linking with~

Treasure SG Photowalk - Aug '15

Treasure Hunters, heads up! Heard of Treasure SG? Well, I have. In fact, I have been following since May and tried to hunt for the treasure which is actually special coins hidden in various location. Read below rules for information. So far, I have not been able to guess the locations of the coins. Possibly because the clues are pretty hard! Then I stumbled upon Peatix that Treasure SG is conducting  photowalk around one of the iconic locations in Singapore! We get to explore the vicinity, discover the history behind, capture some nice photos, and get to know more people or fellow treasure hunters in the meantime! Ha~~! Venue is a secret but we would be notified towards nearer to the date of photowalk! Great opportunity~ I won't miss it! And guess the secret venue?

Treasures
Credit : Treasure SG

"Treasure SG is a nationwide treasure hunt that will take place throughout year 2015 in celebration of SG50. Every month, treasures will be drop around Singapore at different locations, with clues being release on Treasure SG Facebook Page & Instagram. Following these clues, participants can go around Singapore to hunt for treasures and stand a chance to win attractive prizes. There will also be monthly online contests for participants to win prizes as well!"

Rules of Treasure Hunts

1. Treasures in the form of coins will be hidden around various locations in Singapore. There will be 3 - 10 silver coins and 1 gold coin hidden monthly.
2. Clues to these locations will be drop on Treasure SG Facebook Page and Instagram. Participants are encouraged to be a fan of both social media in order to be aware of the clues when they are release.
3. Participants will have to solve the clues and go down to the locations in order to look for the hidden coins.
4. Finders of the silver coins will get to win a consolation prize (vary every month), provided that they fulfil all the necessary conditions.
5. Finder of the gold coin will get to win the monthly grand prize (top prize worth a minimum of $300, vary every month too), provided that he/she fulfils all the necessary conditions.
6. Finders of the coins can get to keep the coins located as memento for participating in Treasure SG, once the whole event has ended.
7. Finders of the coins are required to fulfill these necessary conditions:

i)     Take a Selfie with the coin at the location where the coin is found

ii)    Post the photo on Treasure SG Facebook Page or Instagram with #treasuresg or send the photo via email to treasuresg@outlook.com

iii)   The above must be done within 1hr when the coin is located

iv)   Submit an online form indicating their particulars, as well as fulfill any other necessary mechanics if applicable

The Secret Venue

Take a look at the below photo for clue.

Fishing at the River.
Errmmm.... Excuse me, Ah Boy ah, your fishing rod is broken!

After an ice breaking introduction of ourselves and how we got to know about this event, we were asked to form into groups of 9 and we were given a piece of paper to "hunt down" a list of pictures and upload onto instagram, hash-tagging Treasure SG as well as our group name. A group of winners would be selected based on the number of correct photos submitted. Creativity will be considered should there be no clear winners. Winners would walk away with a bag of old school goodies!

Sir Stamford Raffles who founded Singapore

I was the only local around in my team, which surprised me because a couple of them looked more local than I do... haha~ I brought my team around searching for sculptures and statues. Yes, majority on the list is about the sculptures which I had blogged about sometime ago but I must admit there are parts of the Singapore River which I am not familiar with. The rest listed are Rainbow Building, Singapore Playgrounds, Oldest Bridge in Singapore ,the location of First Bridge over Singapore River and Love Locks. It was pretty easy to find the answers if you were to google. My group is a fun loving group and the photos were fantastic. I was glad to know them and we enjoyed ourselves very much.

Singapore River

Although this was not a guided tour, but we got to learn some facts about the Singapore River. Initially, we were confused about the oldest bridge and the first bridge because literally, aren't they the same bridge? Yes, they should be the same bridge but according to Google, we found the Oldest Bridge to be Cavenagh Bridge (1868) but the First Bridge is Elgin Bridge (1929)  Elgin Bridge has the year of construction listed below the bridge's name. Hey, that's strange ! And wait a minute! Notice the years they were built? Shouldn't the first bridge Cavenagh Bridge since it was built in 1868? Further reading mentioned that the current location where Elgin Bridge is located is where the first bridge was being built. Prior to the construction of the current bridge. It was a footbridge which was replaced by a wooden drawbridge (also known as Monkey Bridge) in 1822. Then, the bridge was demolished and a wooden footbridge replaced it. Finally, this was also demolished and replaced by the current existing bridge. Glad to be here and learnt something new.

If you wanna see the instagram photowalk we had yesterday, check this out!

My thoughts
It is also because of this photowalk, I noted a lot of people from other countries are pretty interested in our heritage. I have met Malaysians during the walking trail in Singapore Heritage Festival as well. Some of them I spoke to told me that their own countries had not been preserving their heritage well. I, myself , think that although Singapore had been preserving quite a number of important heritage. I think she could do better in preserving places such as Bukit Brown, Pulau Ubin and even the last kampong in mainland Singapore such as Lorong Buangkok. I do find it a pity if these were lost.

More than just a cemetery - Bukit Brown

There is so much about Bukit Brown, from nature to tombs of war heroes and pioneers to even villages. My first visit to Bukit Brown was last year November. I have visited the place 3 times since. People ask what draws me to the cemetery again and again. Cemetery is not really a place I like to visit but I love the lush surroundings. How often do you find greenery that is untouched in Singapore? I also love to learn about stories about these notable pioneers who were buried here. Did you know that the Battle of Singapore also occurs here? It is really a pity the cemetery is making way for a highway and probably a new public housing town in about 40 years time. Although it is common graves to be transfer from other cemeteries to Bukit Brown due to plans for development. This time round, the graves will be exhumed as there is no other Chinese burial ground that offers permanent resting place. Hence, if Bukit Brown is gone, it is a total lost of a place with such rich heritage.

Wrought iron gate with ornaments in Art Nouveau style at Lorong Halwa

Notice of Exhumation

Hoarding around Bukit Brown

My first tour

Fascinating tree! I think it is good enough for a tree house!

Freshwater stream

Bukit Brown Cemetery was a public Chinese cemetery that had been established in the early 20th Century. It is located between Lornie Road and Mount Pleasant Road, and off Sime Road and Kheam Hock Road. The cemetery was named after its first owner, Mr George Henry Brown. Mr Brown named it Mount Pleasant. The land was then later bought by Mr Ong Kew Ho, Mr Ong Ewe Hai and Mr Ong Chong Chew in 1872 as a burial and farming ground for the Ong Clan. 

Biggest tomb on Bukit Brown belongs to that of Mr Ong Sam Leong and his wife. It tomb is clearly in view from the air. (See below) It has one of the best Feng Shui on the land. 

Aerial view of Bukit Brown. This was taken at the library when there was a Bukit Brown exhibition.

The then Municipal Commissioner Tan Kheam Hock established Bukit Brown as a municipal cemetery (1922) for the Chinese community for both the rich and the poor . Kheam Hock Road was which leads to Bukit Brown is named after him. The Kheam Hock Road Village, located  in the northern part of Kheam Hock Road is one of the villages that existed in the cemetery. Today, you can make out remnants of the village if you look hard enough.

Remnants of the village
Clockwise from Bottom left: The old village toilet, The same toilet and  a well of the village, A fresh water stream, Further down the stream with a stump beside it marking house number

A view from one of the paths (Taken during Tour 1)

Same site as above.
Some of the tombs have private gates around them as boundaries. Some tombstone are simple. Some are more elaborated,
(Taken during Tour 2- Preparation for Qing Ming- grass were cut)

After Qing Ming (Tomb Sweeping), coloured papers were spotted. (Tour 3)

Some of the tombs have a very obvious boundary. - by pillars as in far left.  The more elaborated the tombstone the more influential or wealthy the deceased was.

A typical tombstone would include inscriptions such as:

1. The name of the deceased at the centre
2. Place of birth
3. The date of birth & death. (though normally only the date of death is engraved)
4. The names of the spouse &/descendants of the deceased

All the graves have a Earth deity located near them. Earth deity is commonly believed to be the guardian of graves, protecting the deceased in the netherworld and the providing with the descendants with a good life. It is usually perpendicular to the grave and it is the size of a few bricks in most tombs.

Love these Peranakan tiles used for decoration. The Earth deity is located in front of this tomb, perpendicular to it.

Here is a tomb of a rectangular grave mound, not of the usual rounded shape which are spotted in majority of  Bukit Brown .
Grave of Mdm Yeo Boey Neo 

The graves found here are predominantly Hokkien style. The grave mound of the deceased is usually encircled by a boundary, often lined with bricks. (Hence we do not step onto the grave mound  This is seen as an act of disrespect to the deceased) The reason being the Hokkien is a larger community in Singapore and probably because Bukit Brown started as an Ong (who are Hokkien) Clan cemetery. The other reason being, most of the tomb makers serving Bukit Brown are Hokkien and hence, that could also be the reason that the graves of non- Hokkien, tend to follow the Hokkien style.

Difference between a Hokkien Style Grave and a Teochew Style Grave

A Hokkien style grave  with 3 names engraved. Notice there are 2 photos instead of 3. This could be because Bukit Brown is closed for burial since 1973.  Hence, the third person is not buried here.
Look at the Terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Phrases of poems were engraved on all the 4 pillars

Prominent pioneers as well as the not so prominent pioneers found their resting place here.

Dr Lim Su Min, a descendant,  playing Ukelele at the Tomb of  Mr Tan Kim Ching, son of Mr Tan Tock Seng.
Mr Tan Kim Ching was a philanthropist and leading Chinese merchants in Singapore, he was also Consul of Japan, Thailand and Russia, as well as a member of the Royal Court of Siam. Kim Ching Street was named after him. His tomb was originally buried in  a private burial ground in Changi before relocation to Bukit Brown

Tomb of Mr Cheang Hong Lim , a philanthropist and Chinese community leader.,
(located just in front of Tan Kim Ching's tomb)
Places named after him include Hong Lim Park,  Hong Lim Market, Cheang Wan Seng Place, Cheang Hong Lim Street

He was originally buried in  his family grave located off Alexandra Rd -Mei Ling St.

Tomb of Mr and Mrs Cheang Jim Hean , eldest son of Mr. Cheang Hong Lim
Mr Cheang Jim Hean was originally buried in his family burial ground at Alexandra.

Unique tomb of Mr Tan Boon Cheng. A tomb within a wooden shack with quite a number of dogs guarding it

Tomb of Mr Lee Hoon Leong, our late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's grandfather

Sculptures such as these were seen in Bukit Brown

as well as beautiful Peranakan tiles

Not forgetting the Battle for Singapore...

If you are interested in Bukit Brown, do sign up for their regular guided tours which is conducted every first weekend of each month. Do check out their website for different tours as well.

You may want to conduct your own DIY tour using this map but not to wander too far in the terrain for safety reasons.