Saturday 31 December 2011

Bade Adieu To Our Old Railway Station



Another year has come to an end. Flipping through the newspaper this morning, articles were recounting some of the eventful & uneventful happenings in Singapore & around the world. One of the most memorable departure of the year was our Tanjong Pagar KTM Railway Station. The picture showing a crowd taking pictures of the train pulling out of the station on 30th June 2011, the last day of the station's operations, spoke volumes. It reminded me of the stories of Thomas, The Tank Engine I read to my boys when they were young. Where the trains took on their own characters and the passengers applauded them whenever an accident was averted. Then there was the train ride we took in New Zealand on one of the holidays and most of all were the train rides I took with my mother when I was young from this Tanjong Pagar Train Station. We usually take the train to Penang. Though the journey was long. I still remember the beautiful scenery along the town stops and countryside. There were padi fields, rubber & palm trees plantations, tin mines, not forgetting the mountains and valleys. The song 'Morningtown Ride' by 'The Seekers' go hand in hand with this lovely memory etched in my heart. The night ride to KL (Kuala Lumpur) where I slept in the upper bunk was fun. Waking up the next morning to peer out of the tiny train window to see the lush green padi fields against the backdrop of a hill on that bright sunny morning was priceless.


This station was built in 1932 when  Singapore and Malaysia formed the British colony known as Malaya. Prior to its official closing, hundreds of people came to the station for one last look at its unique Neo-Classical & Art-Deco architecture. The building's facade consist of four marble statues representing the four economic pillars  of Malaya - Agriculture, Commerce, Transport & Industry. Another significant feature of the station is its 72 ft high barrel vault roof over the central waiting hall and the large tiled wall murals depicting scenes from Malaya like rice planting, rubber tapping, shipping activities, bullock cart transport, palm trees farming and tin mining. 






People were allowed to go on the railway tracks to explore and take pictures. When the last train was driven out of Singapore, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor took the wheels for a sentimental cause. After all it was his great grandfather, the late Sultan Ibrahim, who opened the Causeway. Parts of the KTM railway will be retained. The Railway Station will be preserved as a national monument.




- o x 0 x o -





Monday 12 December 2011

All I Want For Christmas . . .



Katong just has its jaded shopping complex, Katong Mall overhauled. Now it is revamped into a chic boutique mall named 'I12 KATONG'. Back in 1983 when it was named as Katong People's Complex. After visiting twice, I never set foot in it again. Reason for its motley mix of tenants and the haphazard layout of the shop units.

On Sunday, we decided to pay a visit to this renovated mall. I was pleasantly surprised and took a liking to it. A breath of fresh air has been injected into this laid back Katong stretch of shops. This is definitely different from the heartland malls. Stepping on the carpeted passageway made me feel like I'm in a hotel shopping gallery. Though nothing can be done to the ceiling height of each level. It is pretty standard as compared to the newer malls. That height does give the shop space a cosier feel.

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Visiting new places is one of our nation pastimes. Seeking out new places to dine or shop offers a new experience. A sense of newness descends upon you and surrounds you and fills you with anticipation. Start exploring & experiencing, finding something that tickles your fancy is a great way to refresh your soul. Don't forget to spend wisely. At end of the day, live life without regrets. Have a Merry Christmas !   * Happy Shopping *

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Saturday 10 December 2011

Christmas Eve



'Tis The Season
 To Celebrate  
There Will Be
* Memories To Cherish *
Times Spent With Friends
& Family In Years
To Come
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Saturday 26 November 2011

A House Worth Saving


The Dubliner - An Irish Pub Along Penang Road

The above spanking white facade of this 20th-century Colonial building, all spruced up is already been injected with a new lease of life. Considering the size of our country, Singapore, keeping such small buildings around sometimes calls for appreciation and love for old world architecture that would never quite easily replicate in our modern times. All you see are skyscrapers coming up at a rapid rate with seamless, streamlined structures clad in metal, glass and steel. Don't think of constructing impressive columns or embellish the building with fancy arches. We don't have time to waste. Get it up fast. Time is money.

Just the other day, I saw an old building from the corner of my eyes when we were driving around the round-about in Marine Parade. A slice of it was left standing in front of an on-going construction of a apartment building. It looks really pathethic. I went back to the spot another day to take a snapshot of it. It really is the remnant of 23 Amber Road, the entrance porch of 'Butterfly House' - to be integrated into this new 18 storey condominium. It's loss of the core structure is irrevocable. What is gone becomes irretrievable.

This bungalow has a special place in the hearts of some Katongites and other conservation enthusiasts. It was the only residential building with curved extensions and was designed by Alfred John Bidwell, the same architect who designed the Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, Chesed-El Synagogue and Victoria Memorial Hall. It had seen its better days. Waves once lapped at the house backyard and its curved verandah was designed to catch the sea breezes. However this part of the house is hidden from the road. It's no wonder that I didn't come to know about its uniqueness of this piece of architecture until the campaign to save it in 2007.

I have to be contend with a slide show to take a tour through the house. Sad to say to have lost a treasure. Nothing is left for the future generation to take a step into the past by entering the doors of 93 year old residence in Katong.


See for yourself @
http://web.mac.com/khoo/Amber/Home-No-More.html
http://www.irenelow.com/

Tuesday 8 November 2011

Welcome To My Olde-Worlde

20th November 2011 is such a memorable date to tie the knot because with a date as such . . .  forgetting one's anniversary is unforgiveable. So I would like to officially start my blog on this day 20.11.2011 ; )  It is rainy Sunday afternoon. I went out to take some pictures of some old buildings here. Was at the Peranakan Museum yesterday and was treated to a fusion fashion show by the works of students from an arts school.
Since I am new, I am figuring what to do next on my blog. I'll be sharing with you my dreamy idyllic Peranakan home. Something I have dreamed up on paper.  So much for now. Work In Progress.