On my most recent visit to Sentosa, I decided to try a different type Singapore Adventure at the Images of Singapore.

My visit started off with the 4 Winds show (a new addition from my last visit about 10 years ago). It weaves a story around 4 businessmen of different races, and provides an introduction to the rest of the exhibition.

Then, I embarked on the rest of my Singapore Adventure, beginning from long before my time, when Singapore was still a fishing village:

Re-creation of early Singapore

Signing of the treaty that made Singapore a British trading port, marking the birth of Modern Singapore

I also got to hobnob with (wax figures of) prominent settlers in the early days of Modern Singapore…

(Left) Whampoa & Tan Tock Seng, early Chinese philanthropists.

For the Botanist in you, there is also (the perhaps less known) Ms. Agnes Joaquim (left), the namesake of our national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Perhaps a glimpse of the “It can’t happen here” pre-WWII attitudes (which proved fatal for us)…

Or a look at our young MM (then PM) Lee Kuan Yew, and his hopes for Singapore after the merger with Malaya…

Then peek at the activities of a bygone era..

Letter writing services for the illiterate…

Or the Indian goat milk seller that does home delivery (and at far less than what goat milk costs today, I’ll bet), sometimes with goat in tow.

And the popular kampong sport of capteh (which I never quite mastered, probably due to a total lack of motor skills).

All in all, a look at the Singapore some of us have never seen!

Images of Singapore, literally

March on, then, to Singapore Celebrates! which takes a look at our festivals and customs.

A baba wedding for you, perhaps?

Or some Chinese opera? (I never see these around anymore.. too bad I didn’t understand a word :S)

Finally, end off the trip with a big grin for the cameras, posing with the “bride” and/or “groom”:

(You can actually purchase your pictures at the souvenir shop if you like them.)

The Images of Singapore provides an interesting look at some Uniquely Singaporean sights. It is located on Sentosa Island, so you can head there before a beach frolick (or as a wet weather alternative, should Mother Nature disappoint you). It is open from Mon-Sun, 9am to 7pm. Admission is $10/Adult, $7/Child.

Tags: singapore heritage, singapore nostalgia, singapore history, images of singapore, singapore heritage, singapore museums, museum roundtable, sentosa, singapore