National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore, located at 93 Stamford Road, is Singapore's biggest and oldest museum, with history dating back to 1887.

With its official opening in Dec 2006 after major redevelopment, it aims to redefine conventional museum experience. One innovation is the use of a multimedia handheld device, the Companion, at the Singapore History Gallery.
You may also like to find out more about its architecture via its official web: http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/ , select About the Museum/Architecture and Design. One decoration that caught my attention during last visit is the swinging lamps near the Canyon. (I felt like I had walked into Harry Potter's movie plot :-) )

The Museum is accessible via Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut or City Hall
or via Bus: to alight before YMCA or along Stamford Road.
Bus No.17, 14E, 16, 36, 111, 124, 162, 174, 174E, 502, 77, 106, 167, 171, 190, 700, 700A

Admission fees: $10
Opening hours:
Singapore History Gallery 10am-6pm,
Singapore Living Galleries 10am-8pm.Tel: 6332 5642
Web: http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/

Seu Teck Sean Tong Yiang Sin Sia 修德善堂

Located at 335 Bedok North Avenue 3, which is just opposite Red Swastika school, the temple mainly worships Reverend Song Ta-Fung who left behind a noble chapter of his legendary works and teachings in Teochew history.

The main structure of the monastery is the two halls (left hall, which is the main Prayer Hall, and right hall, which is commonly known as the Ancestral Hall) linked to 'Zuo Zhuah' Tower (a four storey tower).
In between the two halls is the al frésca garden with a grand arc spelt "Shan Ren" - Benevolence and Endurance at its entrance. Within the garden, look out for Chinese Bonsai of rare breeds and the trimmed Bonsai of Chinese characters of "Seu Teck Sean Tong Yiang Sin Sia".

The Main Prayer Hall

For more information on the temple, one may visit its well created web: http://www.seuteck.org/index_eng.html

On its architecture: http://www.seuteck.org/grand_temple_frameset.html

On the story of Reverend Song Ta-Fung: http://www.seuteck.org/tafung_frameset.html

General Opening Hours:

Monday - Sunday : 7.00 am - 6.00 pm.

Oh, a movie on Reverend! 
https://youtu.be/Xon4h-Ff0no

Dharma Drum Singapore 法鼓山新加坡护法会

Dharma Drum Singapore is a centre of cultivation to promote Master Sheng Yen’s vision to "uplift the character of humanity and build a pure land on earth". 秉持着推广圣严师父的理念「提升人的品质，建设人间净土」.

It organises weekly chanting and meditation sessions.
More info can be found at http://www.ddsingapore.org/introduction_eng.htm
It also has a small library that has a good collection of books by Master Sheng Yen.

(I will miss its old premise at Duxton, DDS has moved to 38 Carpmael Road S429781, near Paya Lebar MRT)

Fo Guang Shan (Singapore) 新加坡佛光山

Another visit to Fo Guang Shan, more pictures...

Buddha at Main Shrine ("Diamond Sutra " Lapis Lazuli Wall behind the Buddha)

Compassionate look from the Buddha touches one...
You may find out more about FGS (S) from their web: http://www.blia.sg/BLIAtest/ENG/default.aspIt's 5-10mins walk from Punggol MRT.

Kong Hiap Memorial Museum 广洽纪念馆

The art museum, located near Aljunied MRT is opened only on Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays, and every 1st & 8th of the Lunar Month (10am to 5pm). Free Admission. It houses the prized collection of the respectable late Venerable Kong Hiap.


The collection includes Chinese paintings and calligraphy works of Venerable Ying Guang (印光大师), Venerable Hong Yi (弘一大师), Feng Zi Kai (丰子恺), Qi Baishi (齐白石), Yu Dafu (郁达夫) and many others of internationally accomplished arts and literary figures of his generation.
Within the building, there is also a simple yet elegant shrine. Dharma talk & chanting sessions are also conducted by a Venerable from Amitabha Buddhist Society in Mandarin as per timetable indicated below. Time-table as per informed by the volunteers :
1st day of Lunar Month: 10am-11.30am Chanting session 大悲忏
8th day of Lunar Month: 2pm-3pm Dharma Talk, 3pm-4pm Chanting session 佛说阿弥陀经
All are Welcome to join in above sessions. :-)

The museum is located at 8 Geylang East Ave 1, S'pore 389780 (Tel: 6846 7491).
It is near main road before HDB block of the famous Kwan Inn Vegn Food, and opposite main entrance of Central Grove Condo.
Nearest MRT: Aljunied station
By bus: SBS - 2, 13, 21, 26, 40, 51, SMRT - 67, 853C (You may alight at Aljunied MRT or walk back if alight 1 stop after)

Foo Hai Ch'an Monastery 福海禅寺

Located at 87 Geylang East Ave 2, look out for the monastery on your left if you are on a train ride from Aljunied to Paya Lebar MRT.

The temple hosts the Buddha's relics at the top level of the Buddha Relics Pagoda.

A Serene area behind the Pagoda Main Shrine

Looking at the Bodhisattva, one may be able to feel Lights of Compassion radiates from the Bodhisattva...

You can find out more about the history and activities of the temple from their web: http://www.foohai.org/
Oh, just found out from the web the Abbot also has a blog...
Located at 87 Geylang East Ave 2, Singapore 389753. (Tel: 6748 6676).
It is between Aljunied & Paya Lebar MRT and diagonally opposite the Sims Ville Condo. But with construction around Paya Lebar area, it may be more convenient to alight at Aljunied MRT, and take any bus down 1 bus stop, then turn left to Blk 129 Geylang East Ave 1, where you will passby Rice House 粥大王 .

Fo Guang Shan (Singapore) 新加坡佛光山

Fo Guang Shan (Singapore) had moved to its new building at 1 Punggol Place, a 5-10 minutes walk from Punggol MRT. Recently, I made a quick visit to it before its official opening ceremony on 8th Jun 2008.
You can find these mini garden design & small stone sculptures of monks in different postures around the building. At level 4, wall paintings of Venerable Hsing Yun and calligraphy. Hmm, I wonder what are some of the artistic characters & meaning about...

At level 3, you can find its tea house cum bookshop, Fo Guang Yuan.
At level 2, there is its Sutra Calligraphy Hall & Library.

At level 1, its main shrine and you can view the lighting of "Diamond Sutra " Lapis Lazuli Wall on 8th Jun...
You may find out more about FGS (S) from their web: http://www.blia.sg/

Forest Walk

The Henderson Waves is just a 10minutes walk hence we move on towards the Alexandra Arch that links from Forest Walk of Telok Blangah Hill Park to Alexandra road. This is a much longer walk so please make sure you do not go on an empty stomach.:-)

Guess who we met on the way......

We are rather lucky to experience a good weather that day, if it rains, it could be quite slippery on the metal bridge walk and there is no shelter except at 1 point (real shelter there:-)) near the residential area.

It is a nice walk though to be near the canopy of secondary forest and along the way we also saw some fruit trees: durian trees !!! and at least 4 monkeys !!!

But please do not feed the monkeys when you next meet them in case they attack future trailers for food.
For more information on the Southern Ridges, you may visit http://www.nparks.gov.sg/southernridges.html#cc