Little India...

2007-10-26T04:17:00.000-07:00

As you step into Little India, be prepared for an assault on the senses! You will be greeted by the strong, heady scent of spices and jasmine garlands, followed by the treasure trove of silverware, brassware, wood carvings and colourful silk saris, dazzling to behold. Pick up a walking guide and start your exploration of this colourful ethnic quarter.The first Indian settlers in Singapore arrived with Sir Stamford Raffles as assistants and soldiers back in 1819. In the late 19th century, many more Indian immigrants arrived to find work, be it as labourers to build roads or to take up key positions in the civil service

Today, Little India is the focal point of Singapore's Indian community. Its spice-scented streets beckon you to a cornucopia of ethnic jewellery, jasmine garlands and silk saris. From the large Tekka Centre and Little India Arcade to the small provision shops, Little India is packed with interesting things to discover. During Deepavali (usually between Oct/Nov), the Indian Festival of Lights, Little India is transformed into a fairyland of gaily decorated, brightly lit streets bustling with shoppers. Witness also the faith of devotees during the colourful and ritualistic Thaipusam in Jan/Feb each year.
Colourful temples co-exist side by side with churches and mosques, parrot fortune tellers stationed by the five-foot way and tantalizing scents of spices drifting out from restaurants. Don’t leave Little India without a temporary Henna tattoo or try “Teh Tarik”, a hand pulled cup of tea

LITTLE INDIA ARCADE
Where Campbell Lane meets Serangoon Road, turn left and enter Little India Arcade. This Arcade is a labyrinth of shops selling all things Indian, ranging from Indian sweets and snacks like gulam jamun (cream cheese balls in syrup), saris, Indian medicine, Indian arts and crafts.
There's also an Indian Cultural Corner within the Arcade. Admission to the Cultural Corner is free. It is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays, but closed on Sundays and public holidays. Visit the Cultural Corner for an introduction to Little India.
After you emerge from the Arcade, cross Serangoon Road to get to Tekka Market. Tekka Market is buzzing with activity. Outside, you will find fortune tellers with their psychic parakeets and trishaw riders waiting for their clients.

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Bukit Timah Hill

2007-10-26T03:46:00.000-07:00

Bukit Timah Hill
The main purpose of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was to preserve Singapore's primary rainforest, and this has lasted all to way from 1883 until the present. This means that a large proportion of the forest within the reserve is still intact, free from the intervention of man, and thus this is one of the few places in Singapore where one can have a look into the past, back to a time when man had not interfered with the laws of nature.

Despite the high value of land in Singapore, 164 hectares of space has been set aside to house the indigenous flora and fauna of Singapore, many of which can be found only within the borders of the reserve. One of the main attractions in the nature reserve is Bukit Timah hill, standing at 164m, is the tallest hill in Singapore. Composed mainly of granite, Bukit Timah Hill was once an active quarrying site in the mid-1900s and the abandoned quarry has been developed as a park.
Currently, the nature reserve houses more than 840 species of flowering plants and more than 500 species of animals. This undisturbed habitat attracts many people, ranging from students who want to learn more about the rich bio diversity to families who wish to have nice morning stroll. To facilitate the learning experience, different trails have been setup to allow visitor to maximise their experience during the visit to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Volunteers will also carry out free guided tours, which members of the public can participate in, and these follow the trails that have been setup. They will even go as far as to help organise walks if groups come to the nature reserve. With the expert knowledge of these volunteers, the whole journey through the nature reserve will definitely be a fruitful experience.

As this is one of the few remaining nature reserves left in Singapore, efforts have been put in to encourage members of the public to visit this natural gem. Schools have organised trips there to allow students to be more in tune with nature, and this is something which many of them might never have a chance to do due to the competitive nature of the society in Singapore.

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Attarctions in Singapore

Little India...

Bukit Timah Hill