The Final Stop - Reflections.

Olivia

I have not looked back the very minute I started embarking on my journey for the heritage trail as it has given me many fruitful insights as well as exposure to our nation's history at large. Having a small-scale trek around just the Singapore River itself has made me realize that history can be in various forms and that the presence of historical events and activities, be it positive or negative, is what causes growth and improvement. For instance, the once bustling port at the Singapore River where our ancestors had once toiled their guts out has now been transformed into a recreational platform for locals and tourists to immerse themselves in the Singapore culture.

Although it had been rather energy-draining to trek under the hot sun, keep a lookout for certain monuments or plaques and search for relevant information all at the same time, it was certainly a rewarding experience as the heritage trail had ignited my interest to further 'unravel' the history of other locations in Singapore.

Jaslyn

Exploring the history of Singapore River to catch a glimpse of Singapore’s past and present was indeed a great experience. It gave me a good opportunity to better understand the changes around Singapore, such as how a river contributed to the success of Singapore and why it should be remembered. Knowing the past would then lead me to appreciate it, value it and thus, strengthen the link between the present and the past.

Singapore River is full of surprises as it is an area of historical bridges, museums, national monuments, shop houses, parks and places for entertainment. Should anyone be running out of time, perhaps the best way to enjoy the trip is to sit on a bumboat on the river. Trust me, it is indeed a fun and enjoyable experience!

Michelle

Through this heritage trail, I was able to observe that the Singapore River went through different phases throughout the development of Singapore. From being a piece of swamp land, it developed to become the main port areas of Singapore in the mid 19^th century. And today, walking down Singapore River, we see a very different scene from the past. Shophouses have been converted into restaurants, bars and pubs, and there are no longer any port activities on the shore of Singapore River.

It was very fascinating for me to be able to still see the old fixtures of buildings which were once lived in by our forefathers and to also be able to see what has become of these buildings. At the same time, I also find it sad that the many youngsters nowadays who visit these places to club do not fully understand the historical value of such places like Boat Quay.

Huilin

The heritage trail was exhausting but interesting. In actual fact, I was feeling dreadful about the trail initially but later found it to be extremely engaging and meaningful. The heritage trail at the Singapore River ended with the satisfaction of new discoveries. Every street and corner reveals a little of the past and provides a glimpse of the future. I would love to bring my students there in the future as everyone deserves a chance to enjoy this trip.

Louis

The heritage trail required my group and I to explore the entire stretch along the Singapore River, made me realize that it had been the heart of the economy during the days of our fore-fathers, and this in turn, has brought me much insight into the struggles and hardship that they faced when they first arrived in Singapore. In a way or two, this has led me to be more appreciative of what we have now, such as the many things that we have not toiled as much for. Exploring and critically evaluating the many bridges, statues and monuments has also allowed me to better understand the significance of their existence and relation to present-day Singapore.

Stop Seventeen - The ORD Bridge.

The ORD Bridge

Under the hot rays at the ORD Bridge

This bridge was named after Sir Harry Ord, who was the first British Governor of the Straits Settlements in 1886.

The name ORD is actually an abbreviation of the name Ordnance Bridge. This name was given due to the presence of ordinance stores around the bridge at that time. Another name for the bridge is Toddy Bridge, and this is due to the many liquor shops present at that time.

Stop Sixteen - Read Bridge.

Read Bridge

At the Read Bridge

The Read Bridge was named after William Henry McLeod Read,who was a businessman and legislator in Singapore in 1889. The area around Read Bridge was famous for firewood as there was a firewood boat jetty (Cha Chun Tau) just beside the bridge and the presence of many firewood traders.

The locals also called the Read Bridge, 'Malacca Bridge', due to its proximity to Kampong Malacca. This brings us to the Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, named after Syed Omar bin Ali Aljunied, and which is the first mosque built in Singapore.

Stop Fifteen - Clarke Quay.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is named after Sir Andrew Clarke, a governor of the Straits Settlements from 1873 to 1875. This area had plenty of warehouses which were use to house goods such as coffee, sugar, rice and dried goods.

At The Cannery

At the lounge area of the River House

The River House used to serve as residence for gambier, biscuits and other commodities. Although being restored in 1993, the River House remains as the traditional Chinese-style dwelling in Singapore.

A plaque bearing the history of Whampoa's Ice House

The Whampoa’s Ice House was established by Ho Ah Kay in 1854. This building was use to store ice which Ho Ah Kay got from America. However, this was a short-term venture as the revenue was unable to cover the cost. Nonetheless, the Whampoa’s Ice House is significant to Clarke Quay as its riverside green was inspired by Ho Ah Kay’s tropical garden that surrounded this building.