Heritage Trail - Clifford Pier to Boay Quay

On a very lazy Sunday afternoon, just after an scrumptious Local Afternoon Tea at Clifford Pier,
RaRa set off on a walk around the Fullerton Heritage area and eventually where those little feet can afford to meander to. It was a beautiful day, very clear blue skies with almost no clouds, there was a draft of sea breeze accompanying each step of the walk. Perfect setting. Almost. Too perfect.

The walk began from Clifford Pier. Here's a short description of Clifford Pier, as described by URA SG..

"Built in 1933 by the Public Works Department, the Art Deco-style Clifford Pier was known as ‘Red Lamp Pier’ because a red lamp used to be hung there to direct sea vessels. It was named after Sir Hugh Clifford, Governor of the Straits Settlements between 1927 and 1929. The interior features distinctive concrete arch trusses spanning a large open hall. In 2006, boat services ceased to operate from Clifford Pier, and the site was sold together with the former Customs Harbour Branch building, for the development of a new waterfront development incorporating hotel, commercial and recreational uses. Clifford Pier, the former Customs Harbour Branch building and the Change Alley Aerial Plaza were gazetted for conservation on 14 March 2007. The new “Fullerton Heritage” development comprising restored and new infill buildings, was awarded the 2011 URA Architectural Heritage Award."

(Source : URA SG - Historic Waterfront, Marina Bay)

Walk down the board walk from Clifford Pier and RaRa came to One Fullerton area which falls within the Merlion Park vicinity (with a full row of waterfront restaurants, absolute vantage viewing point for National Day fireworks display).

A brief background description of our iconic Merlion from (source) EResources of our National Library Board :

"In Singapore, there are seven Merlion statues that have been built with approval from the STB. The two most well-known statues are located at the Merlion Park next to One Fullerton. Designed to project seawater from its mouth, the larger statue weighs 70 t and stands at 8 m, reinforced by a 0.6-metre concrete beam beneath it. The smaller statue is 2 m tall, weighs 3 t and is commonly referred to as the “Merlion cub”. It is inlaid with Chinese porcelain plates and bowls as part of its design.The two statues were originally constructed from November 1971 to August 1972 by local sculptor Lim Nang Seng, based on a blueprint by artist Kwan Sai Kheong, then vice-chancellor of the University of Singapore. After completion, the two statues were unveiled on 15 September 1972 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew as part of the waterfront Merlion Park located at the mouth of the Singapore River. 

With the completion of Esplanade Bridge in 1997, the Merlion statues could no longer be viewed clearly from the waterfront. In 2002, the STB decided to relocate the statues to a new pier specially built on the other side of Esplanade Bridge, overlooking Marina Bay. This relocation, and the subsequent extension of the Merlion Park by up to four times its previous area, cost a total of S$7.5 million. The works were completed on 23 April 2002, with a ceremony held on 15 September 2002 both to commemorate the occasion and to celebrate the Merlion’s 30th birthday.Lee Kuan Yew, who was then senior minister, was once again invited to grace the occasion. 

The Merlion statue faces east, which is believed to be a direction that brings prosperity as dictated by the guidelines of feng shui (Chinese geomancy). This auspicious orientation was preserved even after its relocation in 2002. "

RaRa turned left at the end of the Merlion Park, and the walk took RaRa right under the Esplanade Bridge. This place seems to quite a popular haunt for photographers. Caught a glimpse of 2 while walking pass.

At the end of the underpass, there is a short flight of stairs coming up from the Waterboat House and the former site of the Merlion (now located at the Merlion Park). Walked up the stairs, and another icon of historical Singapore beckons, the Anderson Bridge. Built in 1910 and was named after the Governor of Straits Settlement, it now part of the Marina Bay F1 racing circuit (which runs in the month of September every year).

During the Japanese occupation period (1942-1945), severed heads of criminals were hung from the bridge.

Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, built in Palladian architectural style, is located along Empress Place. The area in front (part of the Civic District are that covers spaces around the Padang, such as Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, National Gallery and Esplanade Park) is currently under going construction works to create a "green, park environment". Most of the works will be completed in phases in 2015 to tie-in with our SG50 celebration this year.

Singapore Cricket Club. Located at the heart of the city's civic centre along Connaught Drive and overlooking the Padang. Established in 1852 as an elite colonial sports club. It is now a multi-racial club catering to the sporting needs of the Singaporean community. 

Iron wrought gates of the Victoria Theatre

Bust of Sir Andrew Clarke, the second Governor of the Straits Settlement. Sir Andrew Clarke was known for signing the famous Pangkor Treaty in 1874, which established British indirect rule over the Malayan States. In that same year, he successfully enforced a check on the abuse of coolies with the support of the Chinese and European merchants. Clarke Quay is named after him. In 1887, Mr. Edward Onslow Ford sculpted the bust of Sir Andrew Clarke in aluminium bronze, which was displayed at Centennial International Exhibition at Melbourne (1880-1889). It was placed in the Singapore Club and the Chamber of Commerce in 1928 but later was moved to the Victoria Memorial Hall after World War II.

Bust of Sir Clementi Smith. the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlements from 1887 to 1893. A forceful and efficient administrator, he paralysed the power of secret societies which were a menace in Singapore then. In 1889, he established the Queen's Scholarships in Singapore to assist and fund bright local students to further their studies in British universities. When he left Singapore in 1893, he was much loved by the local people who petitioned for the extension of his leadership in office. There were two men known as Sir Cecil Clementi, both having been colonial governors in Singapore. Sir Cecil Clementi, who served between 1929 to 1934, was Sir Cecil Clementi Smith's nephew.

Right across the river from the Asian Civilisation Museum, lies the one of the oldest and most historical are of the Central Region, Boat Quay. This was once the site of the first Chinese Kampong of the Raffles 1819 Town Plan (which was planned to be an area for trade and business), it's north bank was designated for government usage while the south was to be for commercial usage. Today, Boat Quay is an area of conserved old shophouses and warehouses, where bars and restaurants are a dime a dozen.

If you cross Cavenagh Bridge from the side of Asian Civilisation Museum, at the end of the bridge (facing the Fullerton Hotel), look to the right, and you will find the Kuchinta (also known as Singapura Cat) cats sculptures. In early 1990, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) adopted the Kuchinta cats as a tourism mascot. The name Kuchinta is a combination 2 Malay words; Ku = Kuching (Cat) and Cinta (Love). The name was a winning entry for Name The Singapore River Cats competition from Madam Ang Lian Tin.

The walk culminated with a picturesque sunset, made perfect with scene of a bumboat ferrying tourists to the banks of Boat Quay. In the olden days, with it being the busiest port in Singapore, this scene would been replayed times over with dozens of bumboats plying this route ferrying goods and people alike.


Sources :
https://www.marina-bay.sg/downloads/Historic_Waterfront.pdf
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/index.aspx