::::: Daune's Heritage Walk I :::::

Many would be asking Daune, "Hey dude! What will you be doing this December? Holidays? Working? or ?" and well, my answer will be quite baffled. This is what I'll do; seek treatment, teaching (in companies or tuition or Children Sunday School), planning for CGs and NTUCCF events, Band Chinese matters, 2008 directions, and some part time work of cos (need the s-eleven to finance my studies). Sounds eventful, I thought so too. Just started an administrative job in Cecil Street. Its been years since I last worked in CBD area, and reminiscence the days where I was, a novice being 'poked' by the back (backstab lah, what are you thinking?). However, the city skyscrape was indeed a good one, with its nostalgic sight of old shophouses that contrast the modernised high-rise building.

Took a special walk during my lunch break, hence called it a heritage walk. Since young, such heritages are a darling. Since no one accompanies me during lunch period, I had this opportunity to walk down the heritage walk. Starting from the Amoy Food Centre where I had my lunch. My path began from walking to the Ann Siang Hill Park, where I took a small little steps up to the top of the Ann Siang Hill top. Snap a shot at the park, it was actually a signage with pictures of Singaporeans during the 19th century. As the plaque was far beyond my height could reach, the best shot possible for me would be the one below;



Took up the spiral stairs that leads to Ann Siang Hill top. I was able to capture the image of old and new city. The huge contrast between old and new;


Above: Snapshots of 2 different skyscrapes; old vs the new



Above: The spiral Staircase that brings me to Ann Siang Hill Top

Got this picture after descending from the stairway along the park towards the exit. This park used to grow spices like cloves and nutmeg. Tried looking around for traces on these spices yet found nothing near the signages.



Leaving this quiet park, I walked the little back alley of Amoy Street Shophouses. Took a snapshot of this alley. As I walk along the pathway, I was wondering how my parents and forefathers were to walk in this alley. How was life like during those days? How I wish someone could invent a time machine which permits my entrance to the past, to witness the busyness the back alley use to be.


Above: the picture of the back alley

Took a right turn at one of the junctions and enter Amoy street (I dun have much time to travel too far). On my return route, took a picture of the old shophouses. As I walk down the old streets, my brain tried to piece what life is like in this street.



A picture of old shophouses

At least 2 clan associations were spotted during this 3 min walk, this reflected the dependency of own people during the early days. The "Ka Ki Nang" spirit (Teochew word, which denotes own people in literal translation) were prevalent during the days. This was due to the hills and valleys geographical location in their homeland Southern China. People were segregated, much less to the effort to speak different dialects. The sinkehs (Hokkien word, which means workers who came to Singapore mainly for work in the 19th century) came to this alien land, having clans and associations help them to settle down in this island quickly. Clans and associations serve as our Community Centres today.

Spotted one clan that sparkled my mind, It was this Eng Yong Tay clan. Read about the Tays in Eng Yong when I took up HC210 Classical Chinese Fiction. The Tays family were one of the big clan during Tang dynasty period. Allow me to blog this part in Chinese: 相信看过唐代诗人白居易之弟白行简的《李娃传》应该知道，主角郑生就是荥阳公子了。好巧哦，既然让我在这里看到了荥阳郑氏公会。



I began my pace faster as my lunch time to coming to close. Just as I was hurrying back, saw this motorbike full of daisies. Out of curiosity, I took a shot of it for the readers' pleasure.



I truly love today's heritage walk, as it relieves the stress and all the workload. I shall continue to explore different routes during my lunch times this month. Have an early night! ;)