Thian Hock Keng comes alive virtually!

 

Virtual tours became a thing during the pandemic. I was a late adopter of this new and innovative form of delivering tours to a global audience. Nonetheless, after entering the world of virtual tours I enjoyed the experience.

I have conversations with travelers from all over the world – time zones notwithstanding. I experiment live streaming from places which a physical audience may hesitate to visit for various reasons, e.g. weather (it's hot in Singapore), inability to travel, etc.

I have started to upload recordings of my live, virtual tours on my YouTube channel.

The tours are generally 40- 60 minutes long. Though, since it's YouTube, you can break each video into bite size 'episodes' or even skip the bits you don't enjoy (not recommende!!) ... Even mute the sound if you don't want to hear me drone on about the marvels of Thian Hock Keng temple!

Below is the link to my walkabout around Singapore's beautiful Thian Hock Keng temple ... please watch.

If you like what you see, please subscribe to get notified as I upload more recordings of other tours delivered live from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Turkey.

Season's greetings from tropical Singapore!

Hi there! Imran here and no this is not just another marketing pitch but rather a brief 'hello' from sunny (and often rainy!) Singapore! 

Greetings from Singapore! Remember me - your friendly host from the Little Red Dot (aka Singapore)! My apologies for crashing unannounced into your inbox. You are on this list as you have either taken a tour with me (earlier this century) or we are connected via LinkedIn. If this intrusion is not to your liking, fair enough, then it is easy to unsubscribe. Simply use the unsubscribe button in the footer of this email. 2021 has been an unusual year to say the least. Despite the arrival of vaccines and a better understanding of the virus, the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated. However, we are slowly but surely moving towards a 'modus vivendi' with the virus; or as is said here in Singapore, becoming a COVID Resilient nation. For tour guides, resiliency is more than just a word. As the travel industry collapsed, guides were forced to rethink tried and tested business models. In Singapore, many opted out of the guiding industry and became Safe Distancing Ambassadors enforcing safe distancing in public places or other roles associated with managing the pandemic, e.g. working at quarantine centers, monitoring entry / exits at malls, etc. Guides remaining in the industry adapted in remarkably creative ways. Many of us (including yours truly!) started offering live virtual tours to a global audience.  In hindsight, it's a wonder we didn't start live virtual tours earlier. Clients sitting at home (anywhere in the world!) using much improved Internet connectivity  – virtual tours were an 'accident' waiting to happen. Sights and sounds of Singapore's Little India: from Hindu temples to UNESCO recognized street food In my case, a virtual tour effectively means I walk around in Singapore's blazing heat and humidity (or rain!) entertaining guests with the city's sights and sounds while guests are ensconced in the comfort of their living room! Not a bad deal I'd say.  Hopefully, 2022 will be a more normal year – whatever that means. For some, I guess greater normalcy means more recreational travel under less strained circumstances. In other words, travel for fun and without the fear of catching COVID-19 in distant exotic locations! Despite Singapore's inherent cautious conservatism (inherent cautious conservatism – how's that for a phrase?) we too are reopening to the world. We hope to welcome you back to our shores in person in 2022! Yes, it has taken a pandemic to force me to get my act together and reach out to my friends. However, I promise to be in regular – but not so regular that I become an irritant – contact from now on. Until then please stay safe ... Merry Christmas and season's greetings from Singapore! Best wishes, Imran December 2021 Singapore: the story of a church, a mosque, a temple & Michelin starred street food in old Chinatown   Though ethnic Chinese comprise almost three quarters of Singapore's population, the city-state is religiously and ethnically diverse, and this live tour along the Street of Harmony, Telok Ayer Street, is a great way to see Singapore's multiculturalism.  Along the route we'll also see a street food hawker center and colorful shophouse architecture. Book now» Singapore's Marina Bay after dark: mythical sea creatures, helixes and casinos   Singapore's Marina Bay reservoir is surrounded by the city's iconic architecture. At night, the area presents a fascinating melange of water surrounded by light, color and lines. This Experience starts at the "Merlion Park" where Singapore's mythical sea creature the Merlion proudly stands and ends in the colonial Civic District. Book now» Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Copyright © 2021 Singapore Locally La, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Singapore Locally La 363 B Sembawang Crescent #03-727 Sun Natura Singapore 752363 Singapore Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Singapore’s Mount Faber: a walking trail for riding to Sentosa

Mount Faber, or Telok Blangah Hill, ranks up there with Singapore's tallest peaks. Well, that is if one uses the word 'peak' liberally. After all, there are no mountains in Singapore – only hills; and at 105 meters in height, Mount Faber breaks the 'three digit barrier' and makes into the country's top ten list!

In 1823, the foot of Telok Blangah Hill was the site of the local Malay Chief (Temenggong) Abdul Rahman's settlement. It was not until 1845 that the hill was renamed after Captain Charles Faber.  Using mainly Indian convict labor, Faber built the narrow, winding road to the summit of Mount Faber. In those days, the colonial authorities had a flagstaff and signal station at the top of the hill. Both remained active until the 1970s.

The entrance to the Marang Trail which takes one to the top of Mount Faber

Today, Mount Faber is a popular sightseeing and relaxation spot for locals and foreigners alike. The more adventurous take the Marang Trail from 'ground level' up 70 meters, or the equivalent of 24 floors to Mount Faber Peak. The trail covers a distance of almost one kilometer.

At the top of Mount Faber, one can enjoy a nice panoramic view of the city, including Singapore's ubiquitous Housing Development Board (HDB) apartment buildings. Looking south, one finds the resort island of Sentosa and industrial facilities at Pulau Brani (Isle of the Brave).

A view from Mount Faber's peak. Note the yellow and white HDB public housing apartment buildings in the foreground

A visit to Mount Faber takes in more than just scenery. One can chill out with a beer or over a meal at one of several food outlets located at the Peak. Additionally, the Peak is also the starting point for the Singapore Cable Car journey to Sentosa Island. A round-trip cable car 'joyride' lasts about 30 minutes and takes in aerial views of Universal Studios, Sentosa and Harbourfront.

Mount Faber is most associated with its contemporary modern face, i.e. the cable car to Sentosa. However, dig a little below the surface and the rich history of Telok Blangah Hill starts to appear. Like many places in this Little Red Dot, Singapore's modernity blends seamlessly with a diverse history ... and one hasn't even mentioned Radin Mas' name!

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Imran is a licensed Singapore Tour Guide. If you wish to arrange customized tours in Singapore, including walking tours of sites such as Mount Faber or the Singapore River trail, please contact Imran at imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com.

Progress, harmony and eco-tourism in Singapore

Singapore is well known as a modern metropolis – Southeast Asia's global city. Yet, few are aware Singapore also contains a genuine patch of rainforest within an otherwise highly developed concrete jungle. The 6.2 hectares of rainforest is located in the center of the city and is part of the original site of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG), founded in 1859, is Singapore's candidate for the country's first UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.

View of the Marina Bay area at night from Gardens by the Bay (East)

However, Singapore's underappreciated penchant for blending the old with the new is fully displayed at the newer Gardens by the Bay (GBTB). Opened in 2012, the GBTB are 101 hectares of intense pleasure, especially for nature lovers. The gardens contain two specialized greenhouses: the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. (For those who simply wish to get out of the blazing Singapore sun or incessant rain, both domes are nice and cool – verging on cold!)

The Flower Dome, which contains nine different gardens such as the Succulent Garden and South American Garden, replicates cool and dry climate of the Mediterranean. Flowers from five different continents, i.e. Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania are on display inside the Flower Dome. The 1,000 year old Olive Tree is a standout! The Flower Dome even gets a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records 2015 as the largest columnless glass greenhouse in the world.  

The second greenhouse, the Cloud Forest, contains orchids, pitcher plants and ferns from the cool-moist mountains and other higher elevation tropical highlands (up to 2,000-metres above sea level). At a height of 35 meters, the Cloud Forest also contains the world's tallest indoor waterfall. The 'planted walls' on the 'mountain' inside the greenhouse provide a unique touch to the greenhouse.

A view of the Supertree Grove at night

The new, modern Singapore is clearly visible in the garden's Supertree Grove. Supertrees? These are 'trees' with a height of 25-50 meters (up to sixteen storeys) and create the forest 'canopy' structure for the gardens. At night, the Supertrees are tastefully lit up as part of a light and sound show.

GBTB are not just about flowers and plants. For many, the sight of a gigantic naked baby located in the park's Meadow is the highlight of any visit. Titled 'Planet,' the work was created by internationally acclaimed sculptor Marc Quinn and depicts Quinn's infant son. The statue – if one can call it that – appears to float above the grass. 'Planet' is one of over 40 works of art nestled within the Gardens by the Bay.

Marc Quinn's sculpture of a naked baby 'Planet' canbe found in the Meadow, Gardens by the Bay

For many, Singapore represents nothing but sleek, modern glass skyscrapers within a bustling urban environment. But the Little Red Dot is much more than a modern metropolis. For those who care to look, Singapore offers diverse experiences, including the city's 'contemporary' botanic gardens called Gardens by the Bay.

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Imran is a licensed Singapore Tour Guide. If you wish to arrange customized tours in Singapore, including tours of the Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay, please contact Imran at imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com.