Singapore 2015 : SG50 Former Combined Operations Room Exihibition

I stumbled upon this article about the Former Combined Operations Room Exhibition a few weeks ago.

This former British-built bomb-proof building house the central communication center to coordinate police operations statewide.  

Located on Pearl's Hills Terrace, the exhibition is open to public for the very first time after they reconstructed the combined operations room. The exhibition is held in conjunction with SG50 celebration and is due to be held for only 3 months. 

At the waiting area, you'll be shown the radio patrol car used in the past. The Beetles was used sometime in the 1970s all the way to 1982. The timeline also shows how the patrol car has transformed over the decades. 

Visitors need to contact the exhibition center to book a tour as walk-ins are not permitted. Tours run every half hourly and takes about 10 people each time.

At present, as not many people know about the function of this secret bunker of the past, the former police women who used to serve at Pearl's Hill are called back to duty as a guide. Here is Kak Nur explaining the function of the of the operations headquarters to the visitors.

There are also pictures from riots and mob attacks in the past. 

Visitors are also shown the respirator and riot gears which the police force uses back then.

The first room which we visit was the Radio Control Room. The blue button on the left actually plays the sound of the room in operations in the past. It was extremely noisy as everyone congregate around the round table to answer emergency calls from around the state at the same time.

Here's Kak Nur explaining to us that every single conversation needs to be jotted down verbatim. If the caller speaks in dialects or other mother tongue, the call will be passed to the officers who can converse in the specific mother tongue. 

This was how the entire operations work in the past as Kak Nur recounted her experience to us.

The microphone of the past is also part of the exhibit available.

Thereafter, there will be a room for the verbatim report to be typed out.

We were then brought to the command center. This room was manned by the Chief Police Staff Officer overlooking the operations on the ground and the incident board in front. 

Representatives from the Air Force, Army, Navy, CID and Government will also be seated together in this operations room as actions are coordinated nationwide.

Here's a photo of the switchboard manned by the operators. This switchboard was used from 1965 - 1988 before a more advanced radio operation system is adopted. You'll also be treated to a video presentation of how technology advancement has allowed the radio operations to be more systematic and increased the capability in real-time management. The latest Police Operations Command Centre will also be featured in the video.

We were also informed about a recording room where all the calls were taped and stored in the room for the purpose of replay, in the case of dispute or complaints.

If you've interest in the history of the Police Command Centre and just have a short trip back to the past, do head over to Pearl's Hill Terrace for the exhibition.

The tour operation runs on :

Tuesday - Sunday : 10am to 5pm

Please book your interest by calling 9893 5140 or email fcor@mha.gov.sg.

We were told that the response was overwhelming and at the point of my visit, there were more than 350 emails indicating interest that have not been attended to as there is not enough time slot to fit everyone in.

Singapore 2014 : Gardens by the Bay - Christmas Wonderland

I didn't do Singapore justice if I don't write about the beautiful Gardens by the Bay. The idea of this garden smacked in the center of Singapore was conceived as early as 2006 and was finally open to public in 2011. This is my third visit to the beautiful gardens and it has once again left me dumbfounded with awe.

Christmas Wonderland was the theme for last year's "winter" edition of the gardens. The flower exhibits change every quarter if I'm not wrong. I've visited during Halloween and Spring and to be back for Winter brings yet another wonderful experience. 

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... Teddy bears ready to rock this Christmas! 

What's a garden without the beautiful flowers? 

These are at the Flower Dome, one of the two gardens which require an entrance fee. 

 Beautiful exhibits from the Flower Field! Do you want to build a snowman?

Flower Dome houses plants from the Mediterranean, sub- and semi-tropical regions. You'll be greeted by Australian, South African, South American, Californian, Mediterranean plants, olives and baobabs in this beautiful dome.

Meters-high cactus will also be there to greet you.  

If you've purchased a two-domes entrance ticket, you can also visit the Cloud Forest and behold the great Falls. This 35-meter man-made waterfall will leave you in awe for sure! 

Then take a leisure walk around the forest and get to know some really beautiful plants from the Tropical Montane regions. 

There's also a side for Crystal Mountains to educate people about the various stones. In addition, there is an Earth Check lab for adults and young to learn more from the staggering figures and facts pertaining to the condition of our beloved planet today and the repercussion of climate change and habitat loss to our ecosystem. Continuing on the line of education, visitors will also get to visit the +5c lab to have a visual experience on the impact of rising temperature on planet Earth. I particularly enjoy this virtual experience which will leave imprint in our hearts to do our part for our planet. 

 

What's visiting a touristy place without a souvenir shop? Get some locally crafted gifts for family and friends if you're here for a visit. 

Apart from the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome, visitors could also visit the Heritage Gardens. This part of the gardens is free to visitors. It is divided into Indian, Chinese, Malay and Colonial gardens. 

Last but not least, the Supertree groves! In total, there are about 18 of them and some can be as tall as 16-storey high. Up to 11 of these trees are embedded with environmentally sustainable features, which you can learn more before you exit the +5c lab. At night, you will also be entertained with lights performance accompanied by music, similar to the ones you see in Hong Kong Harbour.

And what's Christmas if there's no snowman? Photo props were put up around the garden for all visitors to fully utilise.  

Finally, a photo from the lookout area to capture a part of this wonderful creation in Singapore. My photo does not do it justice so if you're in town, do go for a visit.

And just a tip, you could get a better deal if you purchase your entrance tickets via online shopping apps such as Qoo10. There are travel agents who sell their tickets on such platforms and the price differences can be up to 20%!

Singapore 2013 : National Museum of Singapore

Have you been to the National Museum of Singapore?

I was there during one of the weekends for the first time. I love museums, especially one that is interactive. When I was in Australia, I visited the National Museum many times and was always fascinated by the change in exhibits.

At the entrance, you'll enter into this magnificent white-grey building with a dome that is really beautiful from the inside.

Wandered around, embracing the architecture of the past. 

The first stop was actually to the exhibition about the food and spices of Singapore. The above picture actually show the beverages that was once sold in Singapore. I remember one uncle who was also visiting was proudly telling his daughter that Sinalco was once a popular drink which costs 20 cents. It must have been an amazing feeling for him to walk down his memory lane seeing all these glass bottles.

Along with those, you'll also be able to read about some of the key delicacies much enjoyed by the locals such as kueh tutu, char kway teow, laksa, chicken rice, nasi lemak and satay.

Of course, you'll also see how in the old days, you don't get to dapao (take away) in plastic bags but people will bring their tiffin carrier along. It reminds me of a friend who has a sister who loves these tiffin carriers.

The National Museum of Singapore also showcase some of the commonly used spices in Singapore. Visitors can pull the ring to sniff the smell.

Of course, if you're interested, there will also be some kitchen curiosities games around where people will be introduced to the olden days kitchen utensils.

This is perhaps one of the oldest kitchen utensils which is put on exhibition.

My grandma used to own one of these mortar bowls when she make her own chilli paste.

And the various kuih moulds, some of which I saw when I was a kid - the ang ku kuih mould, kuih kapit mould and mooncake moulds.

Coffee is an integral part of the life of Singaporean. If you noticed, there are many local coffee shops known as kopitiams springing out like mushrooms all over the city. Typically, they serve their coffee and tea in cups like the above. 

After that, we went to the art and culture gallery where I see for myself what Bujang Lapok poster is like I read about it when I was a kid, and stories like Pak Pandir and Hang Tuah were some familiar hits.

There were also the Chinese art culture and the above are some of the props used by a hua dan (performer of the show)

The costumes used in Chinese opera shows are also very pretty. They're all meticulous handiwork with beads and sewing and embroidery sewn onto it. 

This is a stage of the Chinese puppetry show. The bottom of the stage is actually the summary of each episode.

Cover of all Malay magazines were also exhibited.

After that, we visited the fashion gallery where I was welcomed by this "Souper Dress". I thought it was a very interesting concept - using Campbell soup as the motif!

The cosmetics used in the older days by the Chinese communities are also put on exhibition. The "Girl Powder" (bottom of the picture above) is something my mum used to have.

There were also many types of fabrics and prints put on display. 

As well as sewing machines from the different times - reminds me of my mum's wedding gift, which is a sewing machine.

As we move on with the map, we reached the main gallery which showcase the story of Singapore. Every visitor will be given this electronic guide for free to help you understand every exhibit in the gallery.

The early settlements found this stone which should mark the story when Singapore was founded but it was not understood up to today. There were also exhibits of some jewellery and currency from centuries ago.

Literatures and hikayats (stories) from the past were also put on display. One of which was a letter from Munshi Abdullah, a character I once learned in my History textbook.

Map of the early days of Singapore as well as the woven basket and hats which represent the early economy activity in Singapore.

There were also bricks made by the prisoners which were jailed in Singapore.

And as Singapore transforms, there are also some other cultural and artistic development in pottery.

At one point during the colonisation period, opium addiction is a chronic problem. Some of the instruments used in opium smoking were also put on display. Stories of those who got hooked on opium were also retold in the museum.

Have you seen newspaper stands like this? I used to see this in my school library.

The desk and chair that I used to have in kindergarten. It was quite a nostalgic moment for me.

Japanese invaded South East Asia in the 1940s and they came in bicycles.

Stories of the lives of the Japanese soldiers who came to fight for their country were also shared.

During the time of Japanese occupation, residents are also asked to learn the Japanese language.

The names of the streets in the past, some of which were retained and used even today.

As Singapore developes, public transport was made available. The early bus tickets, bus routes and schedules as well as ticket counter were shared with the visitors.

Popular biscuit makers, Khong Guan, have also started their business back then.

But food scarcity was common in the past and every family were given a food rationing card.

Duplicate documents of the birth certificate were also shared. 

Letters of the early migrants to Singapore were also put on display.

As Singapore seeks its freedom, more technologies were introduced in the form of intercom, walkie talkies and so on.

One of the few early momentos of Singapore Self-Governance.

Subsequent merger with Malaya which brings about a new momento for Merdeka (independence).

In the olden days, there are no running taps in homes. This is what a water supply looks like.

Since I learned the history of the other side of the Causeway, it was very intriguing experience for me to learn about the merger from another perspective. There were loads of effort put in by both leaderships to ensure that the merger becomes a success. Nevertheless, the ideologies were too different and thus, the merger did not end in a sweet marriage.

However, Singapore progressed rapidly with many organised ministries set up to take care of the welfare of its fellow countrymen.

Notes from the olden days can be as large as $10000 in denomination. 

Kitchen and electrical appliances from the past were also put on exhibition.

The score of Singapore's national anthem was also put on display.

And finally, the Singapore flag and pledge.

This is part of the interior of the building. I love how the building is maintained so well and some modern interior design was put in without jeopardising the original design for the building/

As a citizen or a PR, you'll be given a sticker to enter the museum for free.

When I was there, there was an exhibition on the Biennale Festival. Outside the hall, a sculpture of the churning of the sea of milk which I first learnt in Cambodia was put on display.

Together with the progress of the country, the art scene in Singapore has also progressed over time.

These are some of the artworks put on display. The picture at the bottom left was very familiar since I just recently visited Myanmar.

Remember to grab a visitor book to find out what's happening at the museum!

After a few hours, it's time to fill our growling stomach so we head to Food For Thought for a simple brunch. It's a perfect, relaxing weekend for me. Hope you had a similar one too!