Finally…it arrived! The Singapore Biennale, that is. I've been waiting for 2 years for this. The previous one was kind of fun. So, with this Biennale in full swing now, what are some of the things to see?
Merlion Hotel. Situated somewhere along the narrow Singapore River (which is, of no comparison with the far more superior canal found at Venice), there is this place where one could actually stay inside the hotel. Price starts at $150 per night. And you get to stay there with a merlion head inside. It would be quite scary, to have a "Mystical creature" looking at you while you sleep. Merlion hotel is definitely a must-see, but not a must-stay.
Singapore Art Museum and 8Q SAM. Located neither here nor there. Kind of near to Plaza Sing, but not. It is one place where one could find some of the more artistic work of some artist. And usually, some of their works are too artistic, and difficult to understand. Well, if one could understand 50% of the exhibits at Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, visiting SAM would be very much a breeze.
National Museum of Singapore, a few steps away from SAM. A cozy place, and by far, some of the best in Singapore. Inside, it is a museum, which lived up to its name. A history of Singapore. Where there is this exhibit which charted out the history of Singapore way before Sang Nila Ultima. Quite detailed, and interactive, with the exhibits ranging from pre Stamford Raffles till the 90s. Actual speaking, they ought to add in a new segment, Singapore in the 2000s. But if you think properly, what on Earth can NHB have as part of 2000s in Singapore??? ERPs? Anything which help shaped nation building? Nothing, I reckon.
Finally…the Old Kallang Airport. Touted as one of Singapore's oldest airport, this Kallang Airport is one of the central venue for the Biennale. Without the Biennale, this place would be completely forgotten, I think. There is no aviation museum there, neither is there any famous food inside this old dame. Just hope the fate of this grand old dame will change after this biennale. Perhaps an aviation museum. It would be quite nice to see the old planes, like those of the then Singapore-Malayan Air planes on display there. And old boarding passes. Mock-up interior of an aircraft cabins. Think of the revenue it would have generated, with sponsors from Singapore Air to maybe Qantas, this would be one place to showcase the history of Singapore's aviation history, from RSAF era to Singapore Air being the first to fly the A380s. Perhaps one section could be use for one of the long forgotten important piece of aviation history in Singapore, Singapore Airlines flight 117. It certainly is not taught in Singapore History textbook. We learnt about the Racial Riots (the need for Racial Harmony), Bus riots (Hock Lee?), SARS/Bird flu (in the 70s or 60s, there is some hype on Bird Flu in Singapore), rise of tuberculosis in the 60s, 70s and much more. But SQ 117??? I bet no one knew of this if you ask any secondary school students. But SQ006? They all knew it. The Silk-air crash? Yes.
Continuing…on this Biennale, before I came out with the funny ideas for this aviation museum. There are shuttle bus operating. So, if you think getting from SAM to Kallang Airport is a chore, then, they have this shuttle bus.
So, day 1 I could have something like SAM and 8QSAM, then head to Merlion Hotel. Thereafter, I make my way home. Second day would be NMS then Kallang Airport. Take the shuttle bus back to finish the "bits and pieces" which you left out. Or head to Kallang Airport first, then to National Museum of Singapore.
I shall be going soon…perhaps tomorrow :D
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