I was having my photography field trip around THE RIVER WALK  and happen to see the a group of tourists touring Singapore on the Trishaw. Trishaw  was a common means of transport back in the olden days but now it only serve as sightseeing transportation for tourists.

The Lion had return………! Singapore iconic status is back since it damage by lightning. I was at the Merlion park to take some pictures of the Merlion after the repair. I can see many people at the pier of th Merlion park taking picture with the Merlion Status. The lion is part of singapore history and we all love the Merlion Status and it bring back wonderful memories of Singapore.

To many people around the world, the Singapore Merlion is the tourism symbol of Singapore………….It located at the Merlion Park And has you see the Merlion.

The Merlion was first built as an eight-meter tall sculpture in 1972 and located at the mouth of the Singapore River to “welcome all visitors to Singapore“. Since then, this original Merlion has enjoyed constant stream of visitor all eager to take a picture

There in fact at least 4 Merlion status ; The original one in front of the Fullerton hotel, a baby one that was installed near by for better picture taking, a medium size one at Tourism Court and least but not less the giant on at Sentosa.

Do you know that the original Merlion from 1972 was moved a few meter away, from inside the bridge called Esplanade Drive to outside the bridge.

The Merlion status looks ever beautiful during the night. The photos that people bring home are also more beautiful.The Merlion is it real or it is a myth? The truth is that no one knows but many people like to associate Singapore with the Merion. Today, Merlion is a symbol of Singapore and you can easily find Merlion’s souvenirs merchants at any souvenir shop in Singapore.

The Merlion is half lion and half fish creature; the majestic lion head actually symbolize the re-discovery of Singapore during the early day by Prince Nila Utama and the fish body riding the waves is to symbolize Singapore was once known as Temasek when Singapore is a small fishing village.

The original Merlion was built in 1972 by a local Craftsman, Mr. Lim Nang Seng and it was located at the mouth of Singapore River. The status standing at eight meter tall looking facing out to the sea is to welcome all visitors to Singapore.

In 2002, The Original Merlion has moved to Merlion Park located next to One Fullerton to make way for Esplanade Drive. Now the Merlion look ever more beautiful as it stand at the mouth of the river overlooking Marina Bay.

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From the outlook you probably knew that this piece of history, Raffles Hotel is a colonial style hotel, known for its luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants. Within the hotel it has a tropical garden courtyard, museum, and Victorian-style theatre call jubilee. And many famous peoples had stay in the hotel before like Micheal jackson, Huge Jackman, Charlie Chaplin Queen Elizabeth II and more………

To many Singaporeans and travelers, Raffles Hotel was remembered of the 1970s. Taking a trishaw ride to the main door and walk through its spacious ballroom and enjoy a “must have” pink gin sling. Singapore Sling was invented by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon around 1910 from Raffles hotel.

In the eyes of the tourists Raffles Hotel was a charming, Tropical, Unique colonial building.

But in1980s the hotel was closed for major renovation and the hotel really need a new facelift at that time. Little did we know, Raffles hotel went through many major decision before the renovation. The hotel was re open on September, 1991 after a facelift of S$160 millions. Today the Raffles Hotel has a private in house guest area and a public area where group of tourist can have lunch or tea and to buy a Raffles T-shirt. You can see tourists come here to take a picture at the main entrance.

Source : Singapore, Tourism & Me and Wikipedia

Here are some of  pictures i took when i drive pass to mount Faber to have a drink. At Singapore mount Faber, you look around you will have notice a lots of activity beside you, students jogging, lover hugging and lot of tourisms. It is a good place to sit down and rest.

Presently, the Airport consists of 2 main terminals and a recently built budget terminal for economic travelers. Budget Terminal is open to cater for budget travel here in the region. You can find airlines like Tiger airways, Jetstar Asia and AirAsia had begun to services in and out of Singapore. It says to be having the lowest international Passenger Charge and lastly Terminal 3 is said to be ready in 2008.
Skytrain services are available at the Skytrain stations located at the departure halls of both Terminal 1 and Terminal, which operating between 6:00am and 1:30am daily Beside the Skytrain you can find shuttle buses run between Terminal 2 and the Budget Terminal and the fares are free and it operates 24 hours per day. And when you are on transit and needed a short rest. Transit Hotels are located at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at level 3. You do not have to go through Immigration clearing to get to the hotels.

• Terminal 1 – Tel : (65) 6542 5538

• Terminal 2 – Tel : (65) 6542 8122

You can’t smoke anywhere in the Airport only designated smoking area can smoke.

Terminal 1

• Cactus Garden at Transit Mall West, Level 3

• Near Stars and Legends Bar at Transit Mall West, Level 2

• Near Nexus Lounge at Transit Mall East, Level 2

Terminal 2

• Next to Harry’s Bar at Transit Mall North, Level 2

• Behind Sunglass Hut at Transit Mall South, Level 2

• Sunflower Garden at Transit Mall South, Level 3

Singapore Changi Airport has change a lot since the first time when I visit the place during 80′s. It has transform from regular airport to a major aviation hub, with integrate shopping Mall. It offer Great facilities whilst provide you with more than enjoyable experience.

You’ll find items like liquor, tobacco, perfumes and cosmetics are 40% – 60% cheaper than downtown shops, some of the food and beverage outlets operate 24 hours. Another thing I really liked about Changi Airport internet access is free.

There are 3 kind ground Transportations available:

Firstly you can choose to take the MRT from the Changi Airport Station.

If you prefer to take Taxi you can always find taxi stands located at the arrival halls of terminal 1 and terminal 2. Fare is charge by meter but an S$5.00 or S$3.00 will be charge according for trips leaving from the Airport

Last but not least buses are the most common transportation if you are cost conscious traveler. The bus terminal is located in the basement at both terminals.

By Air Travel
First we look at getting to Singapore by Air travel.

Changi Airport Singapore is the hub of major Airlines.

Singapore being a major stopover point for the Europe to Australia, New Zealand, and neighbouring islands in the South Pacific route,flights in and out of Singapore are plentiful and you can get cheap air fares to Singapore.
Read more about Singapore Changi Airport

By Sea Travel
If you are coming down from the south of Singapore, ferries link between Singapore with batam and bintan are available.

By land Travel
Singapore is connected to Malaysia by causeways (1st link and 2nd Link) And you can choose to travel from Malaysia to Singapore by Taxi, bus or Train .

If you are driving in to Singapore,you need to take note all vehicles will need to pay small toll prior to enter Singapore with a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) at checkpoints.

Or if you decided not to Drive in to Singapore, the next option is to take a coach to Singapore from Malaysia or Thailand. There are many choices.

Last but notleast you can travel to Singapore by Train and if you have never travel by train. Maybe you would like to try this and it might be fun for your whole family.

KTM Berhad’s Intercity service provides two Day Express trains namely Ekspres Sinaran and Ekspres Rakyat and four Night Express trains namely Senandung Malam, Senandung Langkawi, Ekspres Wau and Ekspres Timuran. These trains ply routes from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar, Singapore and also the East Coast up to Tumpat.

Have you ever thinking of travel in style. why not consider The Eastern & Oriental Express The majesty and splendour of the E&O, with its comfortable and elegant compartments, delicious cuisine and superb service, combined with the adventure of a journey through the heart of Asia, is a truly unique way to experience the full wonder of this remarkable region.If you need more information click here

if you want to know more about Singapore, you must go deep into the core of Singapore culture, Singapore foods, Singapore pastime then you can say to people you been to Singapore.

The more simple ways to get to know Singapore is to look @ images of our daily life of a Singaporean.

How do we celebrate our National day and so on ……….

Vanda Miss Joaquim is a natural hybrid between Vanda teres and Vanda hookeriana. The orchid was the work of birds and bees. Miss Agnes Joaquim discovers the flower as she was walking through her garden and she got so excited about it, she immediately took the flower to the Director of Singapore botanic Garden that confirmed it was a new orchid.

When Singapore was a young nation and searching for its own identity during the early day, Singapore knew that it needs a national flower. So the Quest for the search of the national flower begins. After a lengthy and exhausted search, the white scorpion orchid, Arachnis Hookerana was present.

A Cabinet paper was prepared; approval of for Arachnis Hookerana was in motion. And then, a second thought and the decision came to a halt. A new proposal was put forward to the cabinet to name Vanda Miss Joaquim as Singapore’s National Flower.

On the 15 April 1981, Minister of Culture, S. Dhanabalan announced that the Vanda Miss Joaquim would become Singapore’s National flower. The flower was chosen from so many other flowers as Singapore’s national flower because the orchid was considered as it got the ability to bloom throughout the year.

Today after so many years, using of the Orchid as the main selling theme for souvenirs is everywhere and it also has catch the hearts of every Singaporean. The National flower of Singapore.

Source : Singapore, Tourism & Me and Wikipedia

The Merlion is half lion and half fish creature; the majestic lion head actually symbolize the re-discovery of Singapore during the early day by Prince Nila Utama and the fish body riding the waves is to symbolize Singapore was once known as Temasek when Singapore is a small fishing village.

The original Merlion was built in 1972 by a local Craftsman, Mr. Lim Nang Seng and it was located at the mouth of Singapore River. The status standing at eight meter tall looking facing out to the sea is to welcome all visitors to Singapore.

In 2002, The Original Merlion has moved to Merlion Park located next to One Fullerton to make way for Esplanade Drive. Now the Merlion look ever more beautiful as it stand at the mouth of the river overlooking Marina Bay.

To Many Singaporeans and travelers, Raffles Hotel was remembered of the 1970s. Taking a trishaw ride to the main door and walk through its spacious ballroom and enjoy a “must have” pink gin sling. Singapore Sling was invented by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon around 1910 from Raffles hotel.

In the eyes of the tourists Raffles Hotel was a charming, Tropical, Unique colonial building.

But in1980s the hotel was closed for major renovation and the hotel really need a new facelift at that time. Little did we know, Raffles hotel went through many major decision before the renovation. The hotel was re open on September, 1991 after a facelift of S$160 millions. Today the Raffles Hotel has a private in house guest area and a public area where group of tourist can have lunch or tea and to buy a Raffles T-shirt. You can see tourists come here to take a picture at the main entrance.Source : Singapore, Tourism & Me and Wikipedia

Let me give you a reason for visiting Singapore beside coming here for shopping and foods.

Long ago, Singapore was a tiny port nobody know but now it had transform into a major city with many attractions like the icon  of Singapore “Merlion”, ethnic zone like Chinatown , little India and many more…!

The gentleman behide all these is Raffles and with the help of our forefathers who made Singapore today and many more year to come.

Today, Singapore has a new Merlion , an enhanced Raffles Hotel, the National Flower, Changi Chapel Museum, Boat Quay , a conserved Chinatown and many other attractions offering new experiences for visitors  like you and an enriched life for Singaporeans.

Before you visit Singapore,I believe you would like to know something about Singapore. Like how Singapore got it name? Here we briefing describe about Singapore history……Early history about Singapore

The beautiful island has many name before it was call Singapore. During the 3rd century Written reference from the Chinese account, the island was refers as Puluozhong which translate from Malay words Pulau Ujong (island at the end of the peninsula).

The island also refer as Temasek (Water Town) during the early time was rule by Srivijaya empire. Some evidences have show that the city status as a regional trade during that time.
The born of singapore modern name
And after many century later, the island was re discover by Sang Nila Utama, a member of a royal family ruler of Palembang. However it’s said that, one day while he was seeking shelter from storm after ship whack and found himself landed on sandy shores of this island, he saw a unknown creature run across mistaking the creature for a lion and at that moment, he believe to be a good omen. So he decided to name the island Singapura. “singa” refer to lion and pura refer to “city”. The Sanskrit words for Lion City.

Following the decline of Srivijaya power Singapore was caught in the power struggles between Siamese and the Majapahit Empire for control over the Malay Peninsula.

During the 16th and early 17th century, Singapore was under the rule of sultan of johor.
Arrival of Raffles
Raffles visited Singapore only three times, the first time was during January 1819. In June 1819 for for weeks and for eight months in 1822-1823.

After he step foots on the island upon investigation, he knew that the island possessed great potential.

A formal treaty was signed between British East India Company and the sultan of Johor granting the use of Singapore as a trading post in return providing him with a yearly payment.

During he stay, he decided that the harbour of Singapore would become a great commercial emporium in the East for Britain. He also decided that Chinese, Malays and Indians would settle on different sides of the Singapore River and that Padang would become the seat of the Government.

(Source : Singapore, Tourism & Me by Pamelia Lee and Wikipedia)

The Straits Settlements

At 1826, Singapore, Penang and Malacca, the three British settlements in the Malay Peninsula, had become the Straits

Settlements and all came under the direct control of British India.The Straits Settlements became a Crown Colony during 1867 and were directly overseen by Colonial Office in London.

Japanese Occupation

It was tough for everybody during the Japanese Occupation. Singapore fell to the Japanese on 15 February 1942, Singapore remained under Japanese occupation for almos three and a half years and the Japanese renamed the island to Syonan (Light of the South).

Toward Independent and Self Government

After the war, the British took over and Singapore was under the rule of British Military Administration till 1946.The British Military Administration came to an end after a year. Soon after that, Singapore becomes the Crown Colony once again.During the pro war period, due to lack of food and high unemployment rate causing an increase in crimes. And it takes several years for the economy to recover. Singapore was granted full internal self government base on the Rendel proposal. Some of the area such as internal security and foreign affairs will still overseen by the British.

During 1963, Federation of Malaysia was form. It consists of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. The merger was short, The Parliament of Malaysia decided to expulsion Singapore. On 09August 1965, Lee Kuan Yew announced that Singapore was a sovereign, independent nation.

Hope that, after my brief describes about Singapore you will understand more about Singapore and how Singapore got it name. Perhaps, if you think that you wanted to know more. Simply click to link to know more about Singapore History.