Singapore River maybe beautiful and nice, but there is one thing i dislike about this district is the safety issue. At some areas along the River, the side of the river is not being covered up.
The stairs there is very steep and the water level is quite deep. At night there is many people sitting on the stairs chit-chatting. I think it is very dangerous as if they lost their footing they might fall into the River and the consequence could be serious. The area there have a lot of pubs too, after drinking and become tipsy, this people will lose their sense of direction and be more prone to falling into the river as there is no railing. I think the area should be cover and ensure the safety of the public going there.
I think that this district is very interesting because it gives you a different feeling at different time of the day.
Afternoon
Night
In the afternoon, Singapore will have a dull and quiet feeling, as many people are still working or it is too hot for a lot of tourists to come. But when the night falls, the light at all the shop-houses will be lit up. It is stunning isn't it??? Crowds will also be filling the pubs and be along the riverbank. The area will be buzzing with another feeling. So it will be nice if you can visit there at different time of the day to experience different atmosphere of the area.
As it is a popular tourist attraction, walking along the Singapore River, i see many tourists taking pictures and riding on the boat ride.
After their long and tiring walk, many will take a break at nearby pubs and restaurant to satisfy their hunger and thirst before continuing on their journey.
Hear
As there are many pubs there, many will be playing music to attract customers and allow them to have a enjoyable and relaxing drinking experience. I was there on the weekend, there was a lot of people at the pubs, they are very noisy and was shouting and screaming. I wonder what they are doing?? When I went there, they are all watching the live telecast of English Premier League. The shouting and screaming are the joy when the team score and misses.
Smell
Before i went there, i read up history of how bearable the foul-smell the river was in the past. Even though it has been clean up throughout the years. But still i am anticipating certain level of smell. But when i was there, i smell nothing!!! The air there not only smell clean but also fresh as there are a lot of plants and trees there.
Do
I went to The Arts House, which is near Singapore River. Previously it was the Old Parliament House where major decisions of the country is being made. In there, it displays history of Singapore. It was a really educational experience to know that what we have today is thought blood and sweat of our founding fathers. At there it also displays information of some former and current ministers of Singapore.
Singapore Independence Document
Singapore First Prime Minster Mr Lee Kuan Yew
One of the founding father of Singapre
Singapore current Primer Minster Mr Lee Hsien Long
Singapore Second Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong
Taste
After a long walk around, i got tired and hungry, after much consideration of what to eat. I went to Jumbo restaurant to have the popular and must eat local delicacy- the Chili Crab. Even though the name may make it seems very spicy but actually is just mild spicy. The thick sauce goes well with the Deep-fried mantou. Jumbo Restaurant is a renowned restaurant that even competed with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay 2 years ago. So it is a must try food or you will surely regret if you give it a miss.
There are many attractions along Singapore River, but i would like to introduce a few.
Firstly, it is the Asian Civilisations Museum.
It is the first museum in the region to present a broad yet integrated perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilizations. It allows the visitors to learn about the material history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia, from which the diverse ethnic groups of Singapore trace their ancestry. Every here and then there will be new exhibition to keep the place interesting.
Secondly, it is the G-MAX Reverse Bungy. Get to experience a thrilling and heart-breaking action by souring 60 metres into the skyline at a exhilarating speed of 200km/h. It also has a 100% safety record, free from accident.
Thirdly, it is the Singapore River Cruise. It is a boat ride that brings the passengers around Singapore River and and experience some of Singapore greatest sights and attractions. It goes to location like Singapore Flyer, Raffles Landing sight and etc.
References Retrieved from http://www.acm.org.sg/ACMPortal/AboutUs/StoryofOurMuseums?_afrLoop=1043773868459652&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null G-MAX Reverse Bungy - YourSingapore.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/see-and-do/sports-and-recreation/extreme-sg/gmax-reverse-bungee.html
Singapore River Cruises - YourSingapore.com. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/see-and-do/culture-and-heritage/a-touch-of-history/heritage-trails/river-cruise.html
Shocking isn't it?? Can you see how dirty it was back then?? As compare to now it is really Heaven and Earth.
Do you know that who was the one credited for the transformation?? It is our "Father" Mr Lee Kuan Yew. He was the one that led us from nobody on the map to somebody. It has been 50 years since our independence but unfortunately the person that make this "little red dot" shines can't celebrate its jubilee with us. He has left us about 2 months ago. He may have left but his legacy will continue for generations. So i will like to delicate the following post to him to show one of his numerous achievement. #RIPLKY
The Singapore River was infamously known for its putrid
stench of rotting rubbish, human and industrial waste. However, it came to the
end in 1977 when Mr Lee called for a clean up. Mr Lee said “It should be a way of life to keep the water
clean. To keep every stream, culvert and rivulet, free from pollution." So
the painstaking project began and it took 10 years and cost the government $170
million to get the river clean up.
The clean-up involved a massive relocation of about 4,000
squatters, along with hawkers and vegetable sellers, whose daily waste flowed
into the river. Public housing was found for the squatters, while street
hawkers were persuaded to move to hawker centres. Foul-smelling mud also had to
be dredged from the banks and the bottom of the river, and debris and other
rubbish cleared.
Other than cleaning up the river, the Marina Barrage, a new
addition to the Singapore River, was completed in 2008 costing over $226
million. It is a dam that is used to control flood and create the reservoir.
This is a visionary idea by Mr Lee that allows Singapore to be self dependent
in water resources and that will not be threaten by others on water.
Felicia Choo. (2014, July 5). Singapore Seen | 5 interesting
facts about the Singapore River clean-up that you did not know. Retrieved from
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/this-urban-jungle/5-interesting-facts-about-the-singapore-river-clean-up-that-you-did-not-know
Jessica Cheam. (2015, March 25). Lee Kuan Yew: The man who
guided Singapore from slum to eco-city | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific.
Retrieved from
http://www.eco-business.com/news/lee-kuan-yew-the-man-who-guided-singapore-from-slum-to-eco-city/
This smart looking guy here is Sir Stamford Raffles. He is the founder of Singapore. The statue is along Singapore River, It is believed the position of the statue was the place where he first set foot on the island in 1819. The statue is actually a copy of the original bronze statue that was place here is 1969. The bronze statue has since been moved to in front of the Victoria Memorial Hall at Empress Place, it is just a short stroll away from the current spot. The statue has been a good photographing spot for tourists as it is the symbol of modern Singapore.
Due to its geographical position and calm water. The British quickly identified it as a ideal trading port for business. In 1823, the first quay(current boat quay) was built and major companies, offices and warehouses was set up.
Due to the growing economic activity and opportunity centred around, it attracted thousands of immigrants. Which were our ancestors to come to Singapore to try and make a living. Many work along the river. You can see them loading and unloading goods for import or re-export in bum boats
As years go by, due to the river's inadequate and unsuitable berthing facilities, plus the dramatic increase of shipping. Trading starts to shift toKeppel Harbour and no longer at Singapore River.
References
Vernon Cornelius-Takahama. (n.d.). Singapore River :
historical overview | Infopedia. Retrieved from
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_148_2005-02-02.html?v=1&utm_expid=85360850-6.qNOOYF40RhKK6gXsQEaAJA.1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.sg%2F
And the answer is.... SINGAPORE RIVER!!!! Did you get it right???
Singapore River is located within the Central Region. The 3.2 km long river has been the lifeline of Singapore for more than 150 years. Since it is in the Central Business District(CBD), you will be able to see a lot of skyscrapers such as Maybank Tower.
