Travelbeat Editorial Review Cultural Colours of Singapore Story and Photos by Kerry Hennigan When Stamford Raffles established the British East India Company trading colony of Singapore, he set aside enclaves for the different cultural groups settling on the island. Today's modern multi-cultural nation of Singapore has well and truly outgrown these enclaves, but they remain as colourful windows on Singapore's past which attract visitors in droves. The colonial heritage area is recognisable for its handsome white shuttered buildings, with the Sakis Brothers' world-famous Raffles Hotel (first opened in 1887) as its showcase. The multi-million dollar restoration of Raffles (declared a National Monument in 1987) has placed the hotel at the forefront of luxury accommodation in Singapore, and makes it an essential sight-seeing stop - even for those of us who can't afford to spend a night there. A drink in the famous Long Bar, home of the Singapore Sling, is a must-do. If you arrive at Tapping Time (i.e. Happy Hour) expect the place to be crowded, with the accents of locals, ex-pats and visitors from all over the world drowning out the crunch of peanut shells underfoot. Even a Diet Coke here will set you back S$10.50, but it's worth it to soak up the ambience for a while. Across the Singapore River is busy Chinatown, which turns day into night when its streets light up to illuminate access to its many restaurants and bars. Singaporeans of mixed Chinese and Malay descent have their own Peranakan cultural heritage, and there are places in the heart of the city where their old shophouses have been beautifully preserved. One of these is Emerald Hill Road off Orchard Road (pictured at left) located right in the middle of the shopping and dining hub of the city. Even more colourful, and somewhat more ramshackle, is Little India, with its predominantly Tamil cultural influences, Hindu temples (below left) and Islamic Mosques. There are also Buddhist temples within walking distance of Serangoon Road, the main avenue of Little India. The attractions here apart from the temples are the many shops and cafes and some very affordable accommodation in the midst or on the outskirts of the local colour. Having a more spruced up appearance, with upmarket restaurants and cafes, boutiques and antique shophouses, is Kampong Glam. While Arab Street is the best known part of this originally Malay/Muslim enclave, the focal point is definitely the handsome Sultan's Mosque (top left) sited at the end of pedestrianised Bassurah Road. The only drawback with Kampong Glam is the lack of a direct MRT link with Orchard Road or the Marina accommodation areas where many visitors stay in Singapore. However, given the relatively inexpensive fares charged by the metered taxis of Singapore, catching a cab is an affordable way to access this area. Also in Kampong Glam is the former Sultan's palace, now restored with its surrounding garden as the Malay Cultural Museum of Singapore. Even if you don't want to visit the museum, a stroll in the gardens to inspect the display huts and architectural features of the palace is recommended. There is another side of Singapore of course, one that is obvious as soon as you approach the city. This is a modern metropolis that is the financial powerbroker of Southeast Asia. The gleaming steel and glass towers of the financial district accordingly reflect the island nation's status on the world stage. Still, even with a skyline that resembles Manhattan when viewed from a boat on the Singapore River, the colourful rows of historic shophouses lining the river bank in the foreground (top right) are a very reassuring sight. Singapore looks toward the future, but continues to honour and celebrate its past. For further information: www.visitsingapore.com Back to Front Page