Images of Singapore Museum ~ transporting you straight to the soul of Singapore.

Imbiah Lookout 
Sentosa Island

Singapore

Balong and I in front of Images of Singapore Museum.

We have a great time exploring the whole island of Sentosa, we admit we were a bit exhausted because of the entire day of walking, but all in all it was one awesome day not to forget.

The 37-meter tall Merlion can be found at the base of this escalator.

When the three of us (Balong, BFF Lemwuel and myself) arrived in Imbiah Lookout from Beach Station, we spent a few minutes wandering around first. The stunning statue of a 37-meter  replica of a  Merlion is the first attraction that greeted us then. Please don’t get confused with the original statue located in Marina Bay as this is a different figure. It doesn’t sprout water in his mouth but one of the 5 recognized Merlion statues by Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The replica here is 4 times bigger than the original which is surrounded with greeneries and art pieces that you will truly enjoy.

One of the art pieces scattered in the hill on our way up.

There is a Merlion Walk at the base that replicates the marine life in the ocean. It’s a beauty of its own as thousands of tiles were used to form this almost 200 meters of passage ways with cute figures. Roaming around the vicinity is free but if you have plan to enter the crown then you need to spend SGD 10 per adult (around PHP 330 or USD 7.5) and SGD 8 for kids. Once you’re on top, it gives you the bird’s eye view of Singapore’s signature skyline and the nearby islands of Indonesia and Malaysia.

oooppppssssss.. i don't have any plan to bring it at home just wanna know how heavy it is. (ahahaha!)

After roaming around the enduring icon of Singapore, we headed straight to Imbiah Lookout where most of the attractions awaits. There is no problem going up because there are escalators with covered canopies that will direct you straight to the top of the hill. We did a few stops on our way because there are so many attractions which is too cute to ignore. We’ve seen a giant ‘tea kettle’ made of mesh wire and we paused for a while to have some pics taken (ahahaha!).

The beauty outside of the Museum.

When we reach at the top, the two-storey building of Images of Singapore Museum is the first structure we’ve seen. Its designed replicates like the one built during the British colonial period with its wall painted with plain white and its roof with maroon. Its windows are huge which is too common in any tropical countries to welcome more air as the scorching weather is ruthless sometimes.

What i like about the museum is the presence of balcony that surrounds the whole structure.

What I love about the design is the balcony that surrounds the whole structure. I don’t know if guest are allowed to use it but having such features makes an Asian house distinct and unique. There is an information that during the early years around 1893 to 1950, this building is actually used as a Military Hospital and lots of restorations where made and was then transformed into a Museum.

BFF Lemwuel, be careful please...

Just at the façade, there are so many exhibits that really grabs our attention. There is a vintage car used during the colonization of the British and we asked one of the staff if it’s ok to have a picture then. After he said that it’s fine, we hop-on the truck and took several shots (ahahaha!). It’s better to inquire than to go ahead without permission you know, it’s a shame to walk in directly just to find out that it’s not allowed to do so (ahahaha!). I have this notion that once you’re in a museum as long as there is a signage that says you are allowed to touch it, then touch it; however, if there is no sign that says so better keep your distance (ahahaha!).

Balong infront of the display outside the museum. It's the remnants during the British colonialization.

Even we were granted permission, we were still too cautious not to leave any mark in the truck. It’s a treasure from the past and the least we can do is to take some precautionary measures.

Four of the famous founder of Singapore greeted us on our way in : a Malay, an Indian, a Chinese and a Peranakans

After taking shots, we said our thanks and went to the entrance which is decorated with potted bonsai plants. There is a an interesting sand sculpture that interest us too with a lying dragon embellished with bushes and spring flowers. I am amazed because it is situated under the sun yet the sculpture is still intact. Usually if you leave the sand sculpture in the midst of open air it collapse after few minutes.

One of the wax sculpture inside. The elaborate and intricate detailing of the sculpture feels like you're really facing a real stage actress.

After checking the whole vicinity, we queued ourselves to the ticketing outlet and paid SGD 8 around PHP 260 or USD 6 per person. If you’re a history buff or wanted to know the humble beginning of Singapore then a visit to this museum is a must. There are so many museum that surrounds Singapore that focus on different themes, but this one will transport you straight to the soul of this small yet amazing country.

Replica of a dragon boat racing.

Images of Singapore Museum explains the chronological history of Singapore through several presentation of imagery, exhibits, theater staging, life size picturesque display, and lots of striking visual dramatic scene. If you have been to Madam Tussaud’s famous wax museum of known actors/politicians then you can experience it in here too. The difference is most of the figures are not known actors but represents ordinary people like you and me.

You can even touch, hear and smell the displays as there are no barriers that exist between the tourist and the artifacts. The exhibit starts at the earliest days that gives thorough and exciting replicas for you to learn what is the life in the past. It also depicts the valuable historic and values that engulfs Singapore. The images are so real life and feels like am watching the whole of Asia’s  origins firsthand. We don’t know maybe my bloodlines were in here too, you know? (hehehe ~ just a thought!)  

Shadow puppet theater is called Wayang kulit in Indonesia and it is particularly popular in Java and Bali.

It also narrates how Singapore is formed and what the country had been too.  It showcase the country’s dark past like the occupation of the Japanese and the internment, the plight of the poor inhabitants, the Stories of the Sea, Pioneers of Singapore, the landmark signings at the Surrender Chambers, flight for self determination to build the country, and showcasing celebrations of the festivals that evolves in Singapore.

The salesman in front of his old shop selling wide varieties of spices and oils.

The whole exhibition is a great depiction of the history and social development of Singapore and Malaysia. I love the lifelike displays and comprehensive information accompanied to it as they explain each figure in a manner that even kids could understand clearly. They have replicas of old houses, street games, stores, theaters, and lots more that represent the old ways of living in here.

At the end of World War II, when half a million of Japanese troops surrender at Singapore.

The most interesting part personally is the striking display in the wall of the four men and their fictitious story as they were considered as ‘the four founders of the nation: a Chinese, a Peranakans, a Malay and an Indian’. I didn’t learn their history but has come to appreciate the origin of Singapore which replicates the origin of Filipino too.

When we left at the museum, the rain just stop and we headed directly to Tiger Sky Tower.

So when you are in Sentosa Island, spend an hour of your time exploring the museum to learn about Singapore’s culture and heritage. I assure you it’s worth visiting, a walk through experience is an adventure in itself as it brought you back to past and made you think what it is to be an Asian. 

Balong just in front of the museum . The background is the Hotel Michael in Resorts World Sentosa.

That's it for now folks. Have a great day/ night everyone.

Enan signing off.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrriioosssssssss!!!!

SMILE :)

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