Peranakan Museum

ABBEY: We've passed by and entered Peranakan Museum many times but every time we went there, we're not able to spend time to see the exhibit as there were so many visitors during those times. So on the first day of Chinese New Year 2015, we planned to check it and see to it that we meet our goal.

On the first storey of the building were portraits of Peranakans; all in smile showing that they are proud of their origins.
A storey up and you will be amazed on the articles used in a wedding. Intricate designs were shown in dresses, accessories and furnitures. Wedding customs really differs on each race or ethnicity.

The third storey showcases the chinaware, different parts of the house like the kitchen and dining rooms. Another part of the exhibit is for the funeral. It is scary but its a good learning curve to know and respect others customs.

WILL: We all went to the museums around the Bugis-Bras Basah Precinct including Peranakan Museum. 

This is a 3 storey-building of former Tao Nan Chinese School is the home for the different Peranakan descendants. Here explains well the different people who married Southeast Asian people. And to my surprise “Tsinoys” are considered Peranakan too. 

The beliefs, glamorous lifestyles and food was well showcased here in this museum. An educational tour for the whole family. You can explore the whole museum for not more than 3 hours. 

Fifty Shades Of Grey

ABBEY: Disclaimer: The blog entry is for the movie Fifty Shades of Grey only and not about the whole trilogy.

We reserved a pair of seats on Cathay Platinum Movie Suites for 60SGD four days after its opening.

An eligible bachelor was being interviewed by a graduating student and instead of him being interviewed she was the one on the hot seat. By the end of the conversation, Anastasia just want to get out of his presence, literally out of the building, to breathe as she was hyperventilating due to intimidation.

Then the stalking began. Christian Grey knew almost all means on how to get to Anastasia. As a rich businessman he can gift lavish gifts to any woman just like what he did to Anastasia. I cannot say that he's manipulative as the girl also show signs that he liked the guy. He just wants to be always in control.

But under that successful, handsome, and young appearance lies the dark side of him (not Batman huh). He practices sadomasochistic activities as the submissive and now he wants to be the one making the plot.

Maybe not my thing and I felt discomfort when he hits the girl on the end. (Spoiler).

Let's wait and see what the second installment has to offer.

WILL: We procrastinate to check first the review of this movie before we started to queue for this movie. Of course some will tell that the portrayal seems ok and how good the actress and actor was and some will tell the opposite. 

And I can say is, that is why I do not want to go to the moviehouse if I had read the book. Well, it is not what I expect. Some scenes were missing and for days I cannot shake it off why they deleted it. Jamie Dornan is not enough to be Christian Grey.

But there is a feeling that I need to see the second and third sequel. :) 

Chinatown Walking Trail 2015

ABBEY: We joined the Chinatown Walk Tour before the Lunar New Year festival. While waiting for other group members, Peter, our guide, approached us and gave us tips on how to roam around Singapore and which places to visit.

A two-hour trip complete with explanation of history will give you a good grasp on how rich the culture is. We passed by temples like Buddha Tooth Relic, Sri Mariamman, and Masjid Jamae Chulia.
There are regulations in going inside the temples, so be aware of those before heading your way.
A former opium den which was now a shop house can be seen in Pagoda Street while death houses were in Sago Lane during earlier years.

Peter told us that there are two methods for maintaining the historical buildings in Singapore; conservation and preservation. Conservation is maintaining the outside appearance of the structure but can redesign the interior while the latter is that no changes can be done either outside or inside.

We also saw the restaurants which serve sumptuous food. Be aware where your group is going to as you might be enticed of the smell and get lost.
A long queue caught our attention as people lined up for bakwa (cured pork meat). Another must have for the festive season.

It was a fun and learning experience. We would like to commend Peter for his warm accomodation. If you'll be in his group and needs to go, just approach him and he'll let you go as he's responsible for the group.

We wrapped up the tour on the wish tree near Chinatown MRT and put our well wishes for the coming Chinese New Year.

WILL: The best way to join in celebrating the Lunar New Year is to go to Chinatown. The epicentre of all the happenings and events for the festivity of CNY. Before the holiday, we hit the one of the busiest place in Singapore every Sunday, the Chinatown. We were lucky to reserve a slot for tour of the said district.

We discovered the rich history behind the walls of the past. We saw the iconic temples like Buddha Tooth Relic, Sri Mariamman Temple and the Masjid Jama’e Mosque. We learned the hardships of the first Chinese settlers here in Singapore. We saw the former street that offers opium and other vices.

The sweat is all worth it. We must uncover the past to learn to nurture the good traits and learn from their mistakes.

We commend Mr. Peter, our tour guide. He is such a charm, the tour is never boring with him

You can send email to chinatownfestivalsg@gmail.com for more information.

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Kreta Ayer Community Club

FREE Chinatown Walking Trail 

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