Chijmes was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), established in 1854. The convent was founded by Rev Jean Marie Beurel of St. Brieu (Brittany),who was in the Mission here from 1839 to 1869. When first started,the school had only 14 fee-paying children. Now,it has been transformed into a beautiful landmark that houses some fine restaurants, clubs, and the magnificent chapel has been retained to host many reknown events and heartwarming weddings.
Archaeological excavations prove the vitality of Fort Canning hill's history as far back as the 14th century when it was the seat ofthe Malay kingdom,Temasek.
Once the forbidden hill of ancient Malay royalty and later the Far East Command Centre of the British, today's Fort Canning Park beckons visitors to a tranquil, green oasis.
Shaped like a boomerang,Pulau Ubin (Granite Island) is situated just off the northeastern corner of mainland Singapore. A trip to Pulau Ubin is a throwback to Singapore in the 1960s. The island is home to Singapore's last villages, or "kampongs" - there are still about 100 villagers living here. In contrast to the modern & efficient public utilities on the mainland,Ubin residents rely on wells for water and noisy diesel generators for electricity. Some villagers depend on traditional farming and fishing for subsistence,while others tend to their provision stores and eateries. At the main village near the jetty,some houses have been converted to bicycle rental shops to support a quiet tourist trade.
Built in 1887,this grand Old Lady of the East is one of the world's last great 19th century hotels. The hotel is a favourite retreat of writers and movie stars and home of the Singapore Sling,a celebrated cocktail. Somerset Maugham,Rudyard Kipling,Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplin were among its most illustrious guests.
Once a fishing village and later a British millitary fortress untill the year 1967,the Government decided to develop it into a holiday resort for the locals and tourists. The name was changed from Pulau Blakang Mati to "Sentosa", which means peace & tranquility in Malay.
A canopy of secondary rainforest covers 70% of the 500-hectre island and is home to monitor lizards,monkeys,peacocks,parrots and other native fauna and flora.
Probably the only road name you would have heard of out of Singapore. It is popular for its countless shopping complexes,hotels and restaurants. A stretch of road with everything you name it, it has been the heart of the shopaholics both local & regional, and has been hosting most of the annual extravaganzas like the Chingay and Swing Singapore.
It has also been convenient by the spoilt choices of transportation,one of the main reasons why it has manage to attract millions of people to shop there each year. From public buses,private charters arranged by malls & hotels,MRT (subway),to taxis. You will have a hard time how you want to get there and back. :P
The Merlion commemorates the ancient name and legend taken from the "Malay Annals" explaining how Singapore received its present name.
The Merlion was first built in 1972 and was located at the mouth of Singapore River to "welcome all visitors to Singapore". In 2002,it was moved and settled in its new home at the Merlion Park, located next to One Fullerton, overlooking the scenic Marina Bay.
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