2:30pm Malay Heritage Centre at Istana Kampong Gelam. (www.malayheritage.org.sg)
Istana Kampong Gelam is the historic seat of the Malay royalty of Singapore. It was commissioned by Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah, son of Sultan Hussein Shah (of the Johore-Riau Sultanate) in the 1840s. The 2-storey Palladian architechture-styled building was believed to be designed by George Coleman. The Istana sits on the historical grounds of Kampong Gelam, which became the first Malay settlement designated by Sir Stamford Raffles in the 1820s.
The Malay Heritage Museum showcases the history of Malays in the region, Singapore's own Malay heritage, social and economic development, as well as their contirbution and aspiration towards nation-building. The intricate artefacts, dioramas, murals and multimedia in all the 8 galleries promises an insightful experience of the stories of Singapore Malays from the past into post-independence era.
2:33pm The Gelam Tree
Fire, Mid-Feb 1847:
Zubir Said, composer of our National Anthem - Majulah Singapura
Zubir Muhamad Said was born on 22 Jul 1907 in Central Sumatra. He was a prolific composer during his long and illustrious career. He composed film music as well as festive and patriotic songs. Zubir Said was 51 years old when he composed the National Anthem. In an interview with the Oral History Department in 1984, he cited a Malay proverb which summed up his philosophy when he was composing the anthem: “Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung” (“You should hold up the sky of the land where you live”). In other words, be loyal and proud of the place which you have called your home. Zubir Said died on 16 Nov 1987. He was 80.
The National Anthem was originally commissioned for use by the then City Council as its official song. Zubir Said, a composer of film music was approached to compose this song. The song was to be titled Majulah Singapura which was based on the same words displayed in the Victoria Theatre after it underwent renovations in 1958. Composed in the national language, the song was first performed by the Singapore Chamber Ensemble during the official opening of the renovated Victoria Theatre on 6 Sep 58.
When Singapore attained self-government in 1959, a national anthem was needed to unite the different races in Singapore. The government decided that the already popular City Council song Majulah Singapura was the song that would appeal to all races. After some revisions were made to the song, Majulah Singapura was adopted as the National Anthem in Nov 1959, replacing the colonial anthem, God Save the Queen.
3:13pm, time to leave..., can see our office building, Parkview Square, clearly from the entrance of the Istana Kampong Gelam.
3:35pm St. Andrew’s Cathedral, was consecrated in 1838, before being rebuilt in 1852 after being struck by lightning. (www.livingstreams.org.sg)
I always fancy "stained-glass" deco, see my DIY sunflower sun-catcher:
(for free glass deco patterns: www.amoskorea.co.kr)
Nice & "cosy" carpet, the cat is part of the carpet ;)
4:15pm Chinatown Heritage Centre, back to the time of coolies, samsui women and rickshaw pullers... (www.chinatownheritage.com.sg)
5:30pm We were brought to this place instead of the Peranakan Galleries which is dedicated to the Straits Chinese whose culture is an eclectic mixture of influence from the Malays, Indians and Europeans, yet retaining some customs and rites dating from the Ming period.
6:15pm Little India, where we experienced a cacophony of colours, sound and scents, age-old Indian customs dressed in cultural finery accompanied by frenzied dance soundtracks.
7:15pm Cable car ride from Harbourfront Tower 2 to The Jewel Box at Mount Faber, Singapore's 2nd highest mountain.
8pm The Jewel Christmas Snow Fall
Our dinner at viewing deck, nice ambience but lousy food :(
9pm Started to drizzle, moved into the indoor, not sure if this is the so-call Glass Bar
9:30pm The 2nd round, Jewel Christmas Snow Fall
10:17pm The world award-winning toilet:
23DEC06 SAT 1-3:30pm - X'mas gathering with ST & LL at CCK Lot 1 K-Box
This round ST made the reservation as I was and am still very busy lately.
1:09pm While on my way, ST sms'ed me, asked me to pressure them when I reach, though she has requested them to change a bigger room, as we were alloted a very small room (Room 32).
1:12pm ST sms'ed me again, changed to Room 3 (moral of day: if u dun voice up, u won't get what u want!)
1:14pm ST called, needed to order our set lunch and drink fast,...
1:18pm I arrived at Room 3, my set lunch - Fish Fillet already on the table.
I must really salute the boss of K-Box for his aggressiveness (www.kbox.com.sg):
- normal day, 11am-2pm, K-Lunch S$9+++
- festive season, 10am-1pm or 1-3:30pm, K-Lunch S$9+++
HeiHei, why were they sitting so far apart?
Initially, LL was sitting between ST & myself, right in front of the TV screen. Now so close to me!
This is really a SMALL room, though it is slightly bigger than Room 32 hahaha. See the positions of the speakers, both the speakers are pointing at the middle, that is right at the seat in front of the TV, where LL initially sat. So what? You'll get real LOUD & SHARP noise pollution when you on the mic and seat in front of the TV screen, even when you switch off the echo ok. Wow I not bad hor, ST & LL were so impressed by my analysis hahaha...
BTW I am wondering what will be the effect if the speakers are pointed at the ceiling???
Well this small room has got its good point, I can put my N7270 on the TV set, set it to self-timer to capture the 3 of us hehehe...
testing... not bad,I shouldn't have moved so fast and LL should lower her head,...
next try:
24DEC06 SUN - Our one & only special "X'mas Tree":
