A journey by train on the 6th of May 2011 saw us arriving in Singapore for a short visit arranged by Badan Warisan Malaysia. We have been interested in its activities but being far from the Kuala Lumpur, never got close to knowing about it except from newspaper reports or its web page. Mid last year we registered as member and therefore the privilege to join its activities and the first being the trip to Singapore.
As reported earlier it was to see the Tg Pagar Railway Station on the first day soon after arrival. On the second and third day we had other programs specific to observe historical and heritage buildings, understanding and recognizing their influence to the country and directions taken to conserve for posterity and future generations besides being a pull factor in the tourism industry.
It was a learning experience while being perhaps the most intensive tour of Singapore as previous visits had been casual and fleeting.
'Bumbu' at Kg Gelam in Singapore
However this is not a report of what we saw during the scheduled programs but more of two places that we halted for lunch. Can't guess which is the better of the two , either the food served or the richness, authenticity and ambiance of the place.
Firstly we stopped at the 'Bumbu'.
Firstly we stopped at the 'Bumbu'.
It was a two storey building, one of many in the area, and no different from the others except for its main door and the name above it. It was still nothing to shout about. However once inside you are made welcome and notice that the tables are occupied or reserved for their customers. Two tables were designated for our group. It has its customers for lunch time and meaning you would have to make reservation otherwise it is waiting time.
A pumpkin dish served with sago . Yum yum
A restaurant or a heritage home? The owner is a collector and we dine amidst such richness and one would tempt to know where he gets them.
Naturally you could not sit with such treasures in a museum, not with great dishes being served too. Here they are at your closeness and touch.
Imagine the beautiful 'almari' as a divider to the servery behind
Old lamp shades and mirrors with designed frames
This caught my eye. I have seen such assemble before. Then it dawn upon me we had such a glass design in our old home but with its missing parts one could not imagine that this was the way it had to be put in place. Imagine my surprise to find a similar piece in an antique shop later with an offer price of S$4000.00
Members of the group, made up of many nationalities but Malaysian generally as they have settled in the country and all desiring to know more of history and heritage.
The equally tempting spread served for lunch
Sorry no 'Ais Kacang' served here but you are brought back to times when such a machine would prepare you the hot favorite at a cost of 20 cents.
We are sure there are many restaurants of such a nature in Malaysia as well as across the Causeway but here the ambiance as well as the menu was pleasing and naturally it compliments our reason for being in Singapore. It is no wonder that antiques are sought after and period furniture particularly.
The view from the club house. As once remarked ' mad English men in the hot sun batting .... away '
here club members are at it on Sunday and with a vista especially like you see above who wouldn't like to be on the field. Soccer, rugby, hockey, tennis are also played here.
The next day 8th May we visited the Singapore Cricket Club, standing its its prestigious place right in the center of the city fronting the 'Padang' literally true in its sense as such open space where you would have played football or kite in your youthful days are gone. It is magnificent to see such vista preserved and functioning . First established in 1832 it has a story of its own.
caught a picture of two ladies bowling by the side of the tennis court and we were reminded that the Club allowed women as members only in 1938.
The Singapore 'Noah's Ark' is visible from the Club House. Below the 'Padang' as seen from the veranda of the club house. As a point of interest the wrought iron and the verandah are dated as far back as 1907.
On the upper deck where one would have a panoramic view of the city
Lunch in the Club Restaurant.
0n the upper deck of the Club with part of the Club House in the background
Would this be watering hole ? Wooden panelling and flooring added lustre to this part of the Club. Timber as used in other parts of the Club added to its richness and of course dated back to days during the Colony/ Straits Settlement period.
The old trees and the Court House become part of the Club scenery continuing its age old position in modern Singapore. It has also served as a hospital in 1942, a restaurant and bar for the Japanese officers during the Occupancy Years.
For the privilege to have a guided tour of the Cricket Club, a member of BWM presented a souvenir to the representative of the Club
Two smiling ladies grateful that they had a peek at two wonderful sites both managing to keep the endearment of old time which quite easily would be erased and forgotten. We would remember that even in the early years after Merdeka, there were many Club and Rest Houses in Malaysia. Even in smaller towns like Baling, Kulim, Mentakab and Alor Setar there were club houses with facilities for their members but sadly all died a natural death taking away some traditional buildings.
Hoping this trends towards conservation as seen here and particularly in Penang and Malacca would help in the long run to keep what are dear to our hearts intact and surviving and a sure way educate person to care for their heritage.
No comments:
Post a Comment