I have always wanted to join a guided tour to Bukit Brown. This place has so much history and best appreciated with ground explanation. Although there are tons of information online, nothing beats a tour with the walking bible of BB, Raymond Goh!
24 March 830am
The entrance to BB is full of activities. LTA has setup stall for the registration of exhumation and there seems to be a few other tours happening this morning. I met up with the folks from NUS Museum group at the gates and Catherine started off the tour with a brief introduction to BB.
The tombs affected by the road
Raymond is starting a new route today, going through the sections affected by the road. We started off by exploring the single biggest tomb across the BB gates. It is labelled as no.77 Here, Raymond explained the tomb structure. It is interesting to know that the different dialect groups have variations in their tomb. For example, Teochew tombs are less elaborate. Tombs erected in the earlier period are also a lot more ,normally in the shape of a simple rectangle. Raymond also highlights the significant of the twin fish and the water flow structure (drainage) in front of the tomb.
Block 5 &2
Next we proceed to block 5 & 2 (located left site of the gate), where we visit graves belonging to Tay Koh Yat, Fang Shan, Mrs Tan Cheng Siong.
Fang Shan tomb is of great interest as he died in 1833 and it is believed to be the oldest grave in SG. Sir Stamford Raffles founded SG in 1819 so you can do the math!
Next, we moved to Block 2. See Teong Wah tomb comes with elaborate carving on it. I did recalled Raymond mentioned the eight immortals as the figurines in one of these elaborate slab.
We are all familiar with Koon Seng Road, next is the tomb of Cheong Koon Seng. Raymond pointed out on the horseshoe crab and octopus carving on the tomb, something that is very unique and perhaps due to the fact that he traveled widely.
Further down the road is the 1830s cluster. This is a unique section as only the headstones are displayed. According to Raymond, they are moved from another cemetery and are dated to the different reign years of different Chinese emperors.
At this point, I have already lost count of the number of tombs we have visited. It is definitely value for money time! One of the last that caught my attention is the Sikh guard & naked angel’s tomb. I call this the erotic tomb. Adding to the mysterious feel, the tomb is still pretty much engulfed by the vegetation one side. The intricate carving of the Angels are just unbelievable!
After more than 2 hours of tour around BB, we stopped at the big tree for a final group photo. The group disperse and I headed to Ong Sam Leong tomb, the biggest in BB! The tomb is accessible via a small dirt path. On the way up, you will see another two of Ong’s family tomb. Sam Leong tomb is really huge. In the early years, I would reckon it commands a fantastic view as it sits on top of the hill.
Today’s tour is indeed informative and an eye opener. A pity some of our history will be lost forever.
View more photo in the album.
More info, on FB Heritage SG BB page.
Another beautiful day at BB
Raymnd Goh the guru of BB
Standing on the biggest Single grave, no.77. Big courtyard
Intricate carvings
Raymind explaining the significance of the statues beside the tomb
The 1830's cluster
The tour covers numerous tombs and their history
Recent Offering
The biggest tomb in BB.
Who?
CycleKakis is one of many Singapore cycling group who does regular weekly rides round the island. They comprises mainly of roadies (cyclist using road bike).
Maiden ride
Last nite, I joined CK for their regular Wed ride at Mandai. By the time I reached the 2nd meeting point, there is already a good 20 cyclists. The main group starts at Jalan Kayu, heads to Yishun Dam and cycle down Mandai road where they loop back to the start point. A good 30+km.
View route.
With most cyclists on road bike, their average speed are in the 30km/h + with the front group likely to hit 40km/hr+. So if you are looking at some serious cycling, this is one of the rides to join.
This is also one discipline cycling group with a NO HELMET, NO LIGHTS no ride policy. I like!
Small wheels catching up.
The route comprises of flats with a few gradual slopes. A favorite place for local cyclists to train. The front packs are way too fast for me and I have to fall back to the 2nd pack, who are still traveling at 30km/hr+. It is very tedious for a small wheeler to maintain their pace, especially on flat. At one point, I actually ran out of gear…
So for those who like to boast foldie eat roadie…not possible lar!lol
Allen, a season rider from Cyclekakis also highlighted that the group do accommodate to slow or newbies riders. There is always a sweeper who ensures the safety of the slower riders. That’s definitely a big plus point!
Overall a short pleasant ride, only complain is its a bit too far from where I stay.
2nd Start point at Yishun Dam
Mid point at Mandai Road Shell Station
After the Ride. We stopped at Yishun Dam while the rest proceed back to Jalan Kayu for supper! Photo Credit:: Billy Loy
Tham & Uncle Teo! Photo Credit:: Billy Loy
Ying Chang Chen! Met a facebook friend in Person. Small world!
The second day of our Stay-cation, we visited Universal Studio Singapore. This is a stone throw from Hard Rock Hotel. It’s cloudy day, such weather is considered pretty good for Singapore.
Rides
Beside locals, most of the visitors here are mainly tourist from neighboring countries. With the school holiday just over, the place seems to be less crowded. Megan is now 1m tall and gets to enjoy most of the rides. The King Julien’s Beach Party-Go-Round is still her favorite. Although USS SG is much smaller in size as compared to her American counterpart, it is still not possible to take all the rides within a day. From Madagascar, we moved on to Far Far Away Land and eventually the Lost World. These 3 zones provide most of the child friendly rides.
Food
F&B however is quite a let down at USS. We had chicken rice at the Discovery Food Court, it was a far cry compared to what we used to have and considering the $we paid for the plate. Well its after all a tourist attraction!
Waterworld
We headed for the WaterWorld show at Lost World. It has a huge indoor set, almost a quarter of a football field. The pre-show entertainment by the cast was fun. Lots of pyrotechnic effects and you get soaked if you are sited in the splash zone. My only complain is the casts seem pretty bare for such a huge set!
It was almost four plus when we entered New York x2. The kids are tired and we prepared to call it a day. Then the Rockafellas caught our attention! B boys getting the visitors to dance with them.
The USS is indeed a good outing place for the family especially the kids. But again, but it the kind of attraction which you will only revisit every few years! Wait, did I see a annual pass!
More info on USS website.
3 + 1 this year going into USS
one gets to play the other gets to sleep
Merry Go Around, a big hit!
USS with the resort world hotel at the back
Water World Showtime
One of the main attractions :: Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON
Street Performances are a hit.