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Stepping out from the shopping malls, Randima Attygalle discovers Singapore’s...
Diverse delights
The Great Singapore Sale is on and while there is shopping aplenty and bargains galore, it is a myth that Singapore is merely a shopping destination. For the visitor looking for other experiences in addition to shopping, there is Singapore’s rich cultural diversity set in a cosmopolitan milieu to be explored.
From the colonial grandeur of Raffles, the old Parliament House, Museum by the Banyan Tree to the Malay Heritage Centre, Singapore offers any visitor an array of insights to its cultural heritage.

One of the few remaining nineteenth century hotels in the world, Raffles epitomizes regal splendour and contemporary luxury. Named after Singapore’s founder Sir Stamford Raffles, Raffles Hotel was opened on December 1, 1887, as a ten-room hotel on Beach Road by the Sarkies Brothers, proprietors of the Eastern and Oriental in Penang. Author Joseph Conrad is believed to be one of Raffles’ earliest guests followed by Rudyard Kipling who wrote Feed at Raffles. Since then many celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin and Ava Gardner have found abode in this exquisite work of architecture.

The magnificent neo-Renaissance architecture and its ample space reflect Raffles’ luxury and style. A considerable amount of furniture and silver and china ware, some dating back to the era of the hotel’s founders, are restored and adorn many corners of Raffles Hotel.

Raffles Hotel Arcade, an integral facet of the Raffles Hotel offers a range of facilities including speciality shops offering leading brand names and restaurants and bars including Raffles Hotel Empire Café, Long Bar where the famous Singapore Sling was created, Seah Street Deli and Doc Cheng’s featuring ‘Trans-Ethnic’ restorative food.

Located on the second level of the Raffles Hotel Arcade and named after Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles, founder of modern Singapore in 1819, THOS S.B. Raffles serves as an incubator shop as well as a source of fine food and wines. This unique shop also features its own mouth-watering chocolate room where ‘handmade’ chocolates are created by its chocolatier.

On the banks of the Singapore River, in the vicinity of the Empress Place- the site where Sir Stamford Raffles first arrived in Singapore in 1819, stands the Old Parliament House, the oldest surviving government building of Singapore. Once known as the Old Court House, this impressive two-storey neo-Palladian building- a legacy left behind by the British, was originally designed by G.D. Coleman, as a residence for John Argyll Maxwell, a merchant and one of the three magistrates whom Stamford Raffles appointed.

As soon as it was completed in 1827, it was leased to the government by Maxwell and was then used as a courthouse and later as the seat of legislature. With the setting up of the new Parliament House, The Old Parliament House is currently being converted into a multi-disciplinary arts and heritage centre.

With its ten thematic galleries, Asian Civilisations Museum, housed in the Old Parliament House is the first museum of its kind in the region to present an expansive perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilizations. Expanding to three levels, the Asian Civilisations Museum showcases the rich cultural ideologies of South Asia, Southeast Asia, West Asia and China with over 1300 artefacts. Exhibits are complemented by computer interactives and multimedia programmes which document the living traditions of Singapore and other places of Asia. Visitors can witness several special exhibitions held throughout the year at the Asian Civilisations Museum. One such exhibition is the ‘Journey of Faith- Art and History from the Vatican Collections’, which is now on till October 9 this year. A collaborative venture of the Vatican museums and the Asian Civilisations Museum, this exhibition will showcase some fascinating artefacts from the Vatican, some dating back to the 15th century and some art masterpieces.

Located at the four National Museums in Singapore- Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress Place and Armenian Street, Singapore Art Museum and Singapore History Museum, the Museum Shop By Banyan Tree showcases a different collection of products unique to the thematic focus of each museum. Their products displayed in a distinctly ‘homely’ backdrop, enables the customer to visualize how they would fit into and complement the interior of the home.

The essence of Banyan Tree -“Bringing home a piece of history’, is encapsulated in all their products-- indigenous arts and crafts, ethnic apparel and accessories, handmade toys, household objects, books and stationery.
In cosmopolitan Singapore society, Malays have always upheld their rich cultural legacy despite modernization and technological advancement. Situated in the premises of a former palace- Istana Kampung Gelam, The Malay Heritage Centre is the Singapore government’s effort to instill awareness and appreciation of Malay heritage and culture in young Malay Singaporeans. Located on two acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, The Malay Heritage Centre promotes cultural activities and educational programmes to promote a better understanding of the Malay heritage.

Singapore’s answer to the Sydney Opera House, the Esplanade-Theatre on the Bay- is a destination which attracts thousands of tourists each year. An interesting piece of architecture, Esplanade’s spiked domes have earned its nickname ‘the durian’, a much loved fruit by Singaporeans. Located on a waterfront-land by the Marina Bay, Esplanade comprises a Concert Hall with 1600 sitting capacity, a theatre, rehearsal studios and outdoor performing spaces. A variety of performances from musical to dance to theatre are arranged every month.

The great Singapore Sale might be the biggest attraction drawing visitors to Singapore this July but sampling the island state’s diverse delights make one’s stay more memorable. Randima Attygalle was a guest of Singapore Air Lines and the Singapore Toursim Board on this media tour

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