I’ve been through our museums quite often in recent months but almost always on my own. I enjoy taking my time looking just at the stuff that caught my eye.

I just never thought of hooking up with a tour group though most museums here offer these as a free service at scheduled times. But that changed recently when I tagged along for a tour of the Peranakan Museum and what a difference it made …

The guide was Nicky, a very knowledgeable expat who has been living in Singapore for some five years and just wanted to give something back to society.

I must confess that during the first couple of minutes I felt a little uncomfortable or maybe even a little guilty. Here was someone from the other end of the world teaching a bunch of locals about a culture so indigenous to Singapore and yet we really knew so little about it.

For the uninitiated, the Peranakan Museum is big on weddings and funerals (and no, there is no apparent connection between the two).

Anyway our motley group was soon swept away by Nicky’s infectious enthusiasm. I remember her talking about the wedding bed and the very quaint rituals that went on behind closed doors.

On the wedding night, someone would place a bunch of bananas under the bed (for fertility). They would get a male child to roll on the bed three times (it’s to ensure the first born is male). And finally, someone would release a cockerel and hen under the bed (if the cockerel comes out first – it’s supposed to be a good omen or so the legend goes). I guess they weren’t big on hygiene back then letting barn animals roam around the bedroom!

Still, having a guide with you can make the world of difference. I found myself engrossed in things that I otherwise wouldn’t have given a second glance and suddenly the visit became so much richer.

Thanks Nicky – I thoroughly enjoyed the ride!