From Railway Track To The Centrepoint (Part 1 of 2)

I just got my key when they first opened in 1983. I mean my 21 years old ‘key’ when Centrepoint first opened in 1983 at Orchard Road. Many of us have witnessed the changes of the landscape occuppied by Centrepoint over the years. Even Centrepoint itself have undergone major ‘facelift’ throughout all these years.

When I was young and still staying with my godparents, I seldom visit the Orchard Road area except for the occassional Sunday Tim Sum at Peking Restaurant. I started going to Orchard Road was when I owned my first car (a Ford Laser 1.3 then) but Centrepoint was the area I would avoid. I disliked the turning to the carpark and so I usually ended up at Plaza Singapura (my favourite).

To be frank, I don’t visit The Centrepoint that ofen even until now. Let us now take a look at the changing landscape at Centrepoint. Take a look at this map, from the book “Federated Malay States Railways, 1921″;

Credit : Federated Malay States Railway, Cornell University Library.

From the above map, we can only see that the railway passed through Orchard Road, and this was shown in many of the old postcards and photos as well.

The above postcard (not dated) shows the elevated railway track above Orchard Road near the Emerald Hill. Now take a look at the bottom postcard showing the same place without the railway track;

Credit : Above 2 postcards, Singapore Philatelic Museum

Now take a look at another postcard below with the train on the track;

It is said that when the train crosses above, the pedestrians will come to a standstill as the Chinese believed that it will bring bad luck if the train crossed above your head. Anyway from the above postcard, can you tell where is the current Centrepoint located (left or right side of the postcard)?

Below is another view of the same location in 1989 (of course Centrepoint was already built then);

Cold Storage acquired a few shophouses in Orchard Road in 1917 and this was probably known as Cold Storage Depot then.  So is the railway track still there when Cold Storage was at Orchard Road? Let’s take a look at another old map from the book “An official guide to eastern Asia v.5″;

Credit : Cornell University Library.

From the above map, we can see clearly where the Cold Storage Depot was and the railway track. This was probably in 1920s, and Cold Storage took over the buildings around 1917 – so it tally. Below is another photo in 1913 showing the railway track at Orchard Road;

Credit : National Archives of Singapore, PICAS

You can take a look at the below photo (probably from the 60s) and the Cold Storage was already there (on the left, building with flag poles on top);

Credit : Singas, Mr. Terry Goodyer

Note : You can also see this photo and the current year photo in Icemoon’s blog.

to be cont’d in Part 2

 

What my father wrote;

Old Advertisements – The Well Known Examination Drink

You may be wondering why I didn’t post for quite sometime. It’s the examination period now (October and November) for primary or secondary school students. Though my eldest son (Sec.3) has just completed his examination last week, my daughter will have her 4 main subjects exam next week starting 2 Nov. She is in Primary 4 now, and her exam stretched over a period of 2 months. The Primary School exam now split into many parts like Oral, Listening Comprehension, Picture Discussion, Composition and Paper 2, etc. No doubt they have less to prepare for each paper, but it’s rather stressing over a long period. They don’t seem to have any pressure or stress, but now for me… I have to help them during this period by revising together with them, pressurising them and giving them more assessment books to do. Now they even avoided going to Popular Bookstore with me…

My kids are lucky that they have the well known ‘Examination Drink’ that was passed down through generations – The Brand’s Essence Of Chicken. I don’t even have a sip of it during my time and it was usually given to women who have just given birth. Now my kids just gulped it down their throat as they have the children’s version (smaller bottle).

This Brand’s Essence Of Chicken has changed over the years in terms of packaging and advertisments. I have this print ad from the Chinese Newspaper (Nayang Siang Pau) 1981, about 28 years ago;

                                                                                                                           Credit : Nayang Siang Pau, 1981

How I wish to have a set of that playing cards! See those prizes – VHS tape recorder, CRT TV, portable radio and cassettes player, they are so nostalgia. I love print ads more than any other media ads because it’s something that I can hold it physically.

Below is another Brand’s print ad between 1950s to 1969;

Credit : PICAS, National Archives of Singapore

This one is even older, between 1948 to 1968. I like this one as it said “Brand’s Essence of Chicken has been instrumental in saving many lives in Malaya”. Also look at the packaging at that time, in a can?;

Credit : Cerebos Pacific Limited Singapore

By looking at the old ad, we can see that this Brand’s Essence of Chicken has its packaging changed over the years. This is how it looks like now;

Of course the packaging has been changed to glass bottle for a long time. Do you realise that the cap also have change? Take a look at the new cap now;

See the rubber gasket inside the cap seems to have disappeared. Now take a look at the older cap (just probably one ‘generation’ before this current one);

The above cap you still can see the rubber gasket but I remembered the older type has a dark maroon color type of gasket. Moreover it’s more difficult to open a bottle of Brand’s Essence of Chicken compared to the now new twist open cap;

Credit : Cerebos Pacific Limited Singapore

See this old ad (I don’t remember seeing it frankly, just ‘Google it out’) on how difficult it was to open the cap;

I like this Brand’s Essence of Chicken ad sometime back, it’s about a guy with ’super memory’;

and also another ad with the ‘flying dagger in the office’; this one is funny I think;

But the above ad seems to be marketing the product towards the adult and not much to the children or students. In other countries, I think I still can find the Brand’s ad targeted towards the students. Check out the below ads (probably in other countries);

This one below maybe have seen it before;

OK, so much for the ads. But I’m really surprised when I tried to find out more about this Brand’s Essence of Chicken – it really was a tonic soup even fit for a King! Here is a little facts on the tonic drink Brand’s Essence of Chicken which has about 189 years of history;

不说您不知 (Don’t say, you don’t know), the late King George IV of United Kingdom was known to be extravagant and obese. His heavy drinking and indulgent lifestyle had affected his helath by the late 1820s. Thus his royal chef Mr.H W Brand (this tonic drink was named after him) developed an essence of chicken beverage to boost His Majesty’s health.

The chef upon his retirement, made this tonic soup commercially.

Credit : Cerebos Pacific Limited Singapore

In 1920s, the Brand’s Essence of Chicken was already marketed in Asia, and Singapore was among the first country it sold to. Pretty long time ago right? Now the Brand’s Essence of Chicken comes in different flavour too like those with codyceps, etc. But I still preferred the original one!

So once the product is well established, competition came in and other type of essence also appeared in the market too. This one also appeared in the 80s ad;

Frankly I still preferred chicken essence flavour than other types.

Of course there are other direct competition too like this brand;

Do you still remember this ad;

So which do you prefer? As for me, definitely the original one and original taste…

What My Father Wrote ;

 

Feather And Leaf In My Book

I wonder how many of you ever try or believed that by feeding a feather with pencil shavings, it will grow and reproduce. I did! When I was in primary school, my classmates and I used to keep those beautiful colored feathers in books and fed them with pencil shavings.

When I tell this to my primary 4 daughter, she wanted to try it. After 2 months, there is still no sight of a new born feather…I remember it did reproduce when I was in primary school or my eyesight something wrong…hehe.

Another thing I used to keep in my books is ‘落地生根’ (pronunced as LuòDìShēnɡGēn) or Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf. I used to tear a leaf off from my godmother pot of 落地生根. After some time, roots will grow from the leaf! To a primary school boy, this seem to be a miracle!

So what other things you keep in your books besides bookmarks?

Big Brother Big 大哥大

How many of us still have such a ‘Big Brother Big 大哥大’ at home? Sigh…I don’t have one at all…. I’m referring to the first generation of those mobile phone – big bulky type. Later toy makers made water bottles mobile phones lookalike for children to mimmic.

Talking about such ‘Big Brother Big’ mobile phone users, probably because of the size of the phone, they were usually held on the hands and ‘displayed’ on the tables when the users were seated down.

Above Photo : Relatives ‘displayed’ their Big Brother Big mobile phones on the dining table during my wedding dinner on 19  Dec 1992.

Above Photo : A lady reporter from the Chinese media holding a ‘Big Brother Big’ mobile phone in 1992.

Take a look at how this man used the ‘Big Brother Big’ mobile;

Don’t you find the long antenna troublesome?

Such bulky mobile phones were popular during the 80s and 90s; and mainly from Motorola.

Do you still remember what brand and model is your first mobile phone? I don’t remember the brand and model, but I do recalled that the phone advertisement on TV showing it floats on a leaf. Do you know that brand for this ad?

That was my first mobile phone in 1991 or 1992 when I was working for a US MNC as a Product Manager. The phone was fully paid by the company then and of course the monthly bill too. Too bad the phone was returned back to the company when I left them. In 1991 or 1992, I do remembered that my boss was using the popular Motorola Micro Tac phone;

In fact, in the early 90s most Big Brother Big mobile phones were slowing fading off from the scene. The smaller version of mobile phones like the Micro Tac was surfacing then.

If I were to keep all my handphones since day 1, I really don’t know how many will there be? But it was easier to trade-in used handphones in the past, so I didn’t keep most of them. Below are only some of those that I have left;

From Amusement Park To Cement Park

Probably some youngster find the word “Gay World” amusing like someone posted in the STOMP site regarding the Gay World Hotel.

I’m surprised that there are still people not aware of the Gay World existence in Singapore. Of course Gay World is short for Gay World Amusement Park, one of the 3 main Amusement Parks in Singapore. You have probably read about my post on New World Amusement Park.

Gay World Amusement Park was originally known as Happy World Amusement Park in the 30s. Happy World was the last one to be built in 1936 after Great World (1932) and New World (1923).

How Happy World looked like in the 50s;

You can even see the British Flag then in the above photo.

Let’s take a look at Happy World Amusement Park over the years;

1936:

The Happy World Amusement Park, commonly known as 快乐世界 by the locals, was founded by George Lee Geok Eng (of George Lee Motors fame), brother of philanthropist Lee Kong Chian. He invested $350,000 to open this amusement park then in 1936.

It was a form of nightlife entertainment where East meet West, located at the junction of Geylang and Mountbatten roads. You will normally find cabaret performances, ronggeng, movies, gaming and arcades, wayang and cultural shows and even trade shows in this amusement park. It was one of those must visit places for courting couples in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Like New World, those unforgettable places of visits include dance hall where one could have a dance with taxi girls for probably twenty cents, and the popular ghost train ride;

Credit : National Archives of Singapore, PICAS

1939:

The Happy World Amusement Park was used for the Singapore’s first trade show – The Engineering and Trade Exhibition.

1941:

A 1941 Japanese Map showing the Happy World location between Geylang Road and Grove Road (now known as Mountbatten Road);

Credit : Lim Shao Bin 2004 Photos of Singapore

The Straits Chinese China Relief Fund Committee of Singapore organised a modernised bangsawan (a traditional Malay opera)  for 3,000 babas and nyonya in Happy World, to raise funds for China war effort leading to WWII.

1942 to 1945:

Even during the Japanese air-raids hit Singapore in January 1942, business at Happy World continued, and the cabaret had blackout dances (with no lights) to escape the Japanese bombings. Of course this has nothing to do with the recent Earth Hour haha!

The Japanese also turned the Happy World into gambling den. As these dens were precluded from raids, the bright lights at the Happy World continued.   The Japanese were not allowed in the gambling dens but they could patronise the cabarets and nightclubs in the Happy World.  The gambling dens were closed after Japanese surrendered in 1945. The Happy World was also used as a military workshop during the Japanese Occupation.

1950s to 1960s:

After the war, the amusement park continued to operate. But what I remember best about the Happy World was the frequent fire broke out in the park. In 1962, fire broke out twice in 2 months, destroying the theatre, part of the cabaret and 26 stalls. In fact, more blazes happened in 1972, 1976, 1977 and 1988.

Stalls were burnt in 1958 at Happy World;

Credit : National Archives of Singapore, PICAS

Mr.Sin Ma Chai, those elderly Cantonese will know who he is, performed at the Happy World in 1963;

Credit : National Archives of Singapore, PICAS

1966:

The Gay World;

The Happy World was renamed as Gay World Amusement Park (繁華世界) in 1966. The word “Gay” here means “joyful”, “carefree”, “bright and showy” and only until probably later, it means “homosexuality”. Some of the main tenants were Eng Wah Organisation, Datoh Rajah Theatre and Cabaret, Tai Thong Restaurant and New Happy Cinema. By the way, the park used to have 4 cinemas, including one open-air one – Happy Theatre, Silver City and the open-air Victory Theatre. Do you remember the other one? Sin Wah Emporium, later became part of Emporium Holdings, and Tai Thong Restaurant, were my only haunt there. I went to Tai Thong Restaurant for their mooncakes.

The New Happy Theatre;

The Gay World Amusement Park ticket;

Credit : The Straits Times.

Way before the National Indoor Stadium was built, the Gay World Stadium was once the greatest covered stadium in SEA. This octagonal shaped stadium built for boxing and other sports could seat 7,000. The Gay World Stadium was later renamed as Geylang Indoor Stadium. It was even the venue for Malaya’s first badminton Thomas Cup in 1952.

The Gay World Stadium;

In 1973, the Gay World Stadium was one of the venues for the SEAP games. Boxing and wrestling fights were the popular sports held there and most paid only20 cents to see wrestlers like Tiger Ahmad and King Kong in the ring. The Gay World Stadium also held circus shows occasionally.

1980s:

Even with free admission to the park, it did not attract enough visitors. The park was badly maintained and rats were seen running about. Only 1 of the 4 cinemas remained and probably only screening Tamil shows.

2000s:

By 2000, the Gay World was in an abandoned state. There was no power or water supplied, and only about 40 tenants carried on business using portable generators.

The last days of Gay World;

In 2001, the bulldozers came and the Gay World and the Geylang Indoor Stadium were demolished. The site was zoned for residential development,  however, this does not material even till now. In 2004, the Nicoll Highway collapse sent one of the 2 concrete making plants there working non-stop.

Today, the two concrete-making plants and the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System site office are located there.

I’ve always wondered with 3 amusement parks in the past, why can’t we accommodate the last amusement park at Geylang – The Gay World Amusement Park and the Gay World Stadium (or Geylang Indoor Stadium). Why must we keep demolishing all these nostalgia amusement park in Singapore just for residential and commercial development?

A 1956 City Map showing the Happy World Park;

Credit : Singapore Improvement Trust, Survey Department

A 1976 Chinese Edition Street Directory showing the Gay World Park;

A 1988 Edition Street Directory showing the Gay World Park and the Geylang Indoor Stadium;

A 1998 Edition Street Directory showing the Gay World Park and Gay World Hotel:

Credit : Chief Surveyor, Survey Department, Ministry of Law.

The aerial view of the Happy World Park and the octagon shaped Stadium in the 50s;

Credit : Editions Didier Millet, National Archives of Singapore

Now the Geylang Indoor Stadium no longer exists though the name still remains at the Google Map;

View Larger Map

The bus stop now stands in front of the old Gay World entrance;

The fence up area and those trees inside make the Gay World Park disappears from one memory.

The Cement Plant in the old Gay World Park as seen from the Geylang Road;

Another view of the Cement Plant as seen from Mountbatten Road;

The Cement Trucks queuing up along the Geylang Drive;

Credits : All photos above gothere.sg

Our Botanic Garden – Why 150 Years And Not 187 Years?

Recently there are many news articles about the Botanic Garden, like the one on Sunday Times. A man bought an old photo album in London and consists of a few very old photos of the Botanic Garden. He was even offered a 6 figures sum for the album and he refused to sell it!

But when you mention Botanic Garden to me, I will immediately think of a few things related to it : ‘the hawker center and small carpark opposite the main entrance, the bandstand, the pond’. Of course there are many changes now like the hawker center and small carpark may not be there anymore, and many facelift inside.

Whenever I read about the history of our Botanic Gardens, it was always mentioned that Sir Stamford Raffles established the first Botanic Gardens in Singapore in 1822 along the slopes of Fort Canning Hill. If this is the case, why are why celebrating 150 years now in 2009 and not 187 years?

So let us go thru the years and see why;

- 1819 :

Since 1819, Raffles had been toying with the idea of establishing a botanic garden in Singapore. He used his time to persuade Wallich to write a glowing report aimed at persuading the Colonial government into starting a botanic and experimental garden.

Indeed, in one letter to Raffles dated November 1822, Wallich had described Singapore as such, “It abounds in an endless variety of plants equally interesting to the botanist, the agriculturist and the gardener, with unrivalled facilities and opportunities of disseminating these treasures and exchanging them for others“.

Three years before, the construction of Raffles bungalow on Government Hill (which is today Fort Canning Hill) had already seen an experimental garden being laid out in the vicinity, with some 125 nutmeg trees, 1,000 seeds of nutmeg, and 450 clove plants planted.

- 1822 :

But do we know exactly where is the old Botanic and Experimental Garden? Let us take a look at the below maps before we proceed on.

Credit : Jackson Town Map, National Parks, Gardens of the Istana

Below shows the current location of the old Botanic and Experimental Garden;

1. The canal is very obvious but the roads name may have changed:

Credit : 1998 Singapore Street Directory, Ministry of Law

Credit : Google Map

Sir Stamford Raffles, a keen naturalist, built his own house on the Bukit Larangan, later known as Government Hill (now known as Fort Canning Hill). Raffles instructed Farquhar, the Resident, that a Botanic and Experimental Garden be set up on Government Hill; an area of 48 acres was allotted for this purpose.

An 1819 Map showing the Govt Hill;

Credit : Singapore University Press, The Singapore River

He aimed to introduce cultivation of economic crops such as cocoa and nutmeg, including those yielding fruits, vegetables, spices and other raw materials.

The Botanic and Experimental Garden was started on the north of the Hill and was extended to the North-East of the Hill and this covered the area now occupied by the Anglo-Chinese School, Coleman Street, the Armenian Church and the National Museum. The man Raffles appointed to supervise the Botanic and Experimental Garden was Dr Nathaniel Wallich, a Dane, born in Copenhagen.

The mature spice garden was the site of Singapore’s first botanical gardens, established primarily by Sir Stamford Raffles for experimental purposes.

See what the above said “To commemorate Singapore’s first botanical garden founded on Government Hill in 1822″. So why not 187 years from 1822 then?

- 1829 :

After 7 years, in 1829 the Botanic and Experimental Garden, was a failure. It was abandoned after Raffles death, due to lack of funds to maintain it. The main reason given was that it was not economical. It cost the settlement $60 per month (a large sum of money in early Singapore) to unkeep it.

So why the Botanic Gardens does not date back to 1822 then? Personally I think it’s because the first Gardens was officially named as “Botanical and Experimental Garden” instead of Botanic Garden.

Or is it because the location of the first garden and the current one is different? Frankly, I really don’t know the reason why, do you?

- 1859 :

30 years later, the present Botanic Garden began when the Ari Horticultural Society was granted 32 hectares of land in Tanglin (Napier Road) by the colonial government. The land was obtained from merchant Hoo Ah Kay or Whampoa, in exchange for the land at Boat Quay.

The Garden was only about 23 hectares in 1866 as shown in the following map;

Credit : Straits Times, SPH

The Garden was officially opened to the public in 1874 by the Governor Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Clarke who presented two horned rhinoceroses. Not many know that the garden also flourished as a zoo for 20 years when it was abandoned in 1905.

Not many photos of the Botanic Gardens were found in the net during the 19th century;

Credit : Gardens in the Istana, National Parks, GR Lambert & Co.

The Botanic Garden was planned as a leisure garden and ornamental park. The Society organised flower shows and horticultural fetes. Laurence Niven was hired as superintendent and landscape designer to turn what were essentially overgrown plantations and a tangle of virgin rainforest into a public park. The layout of the Botanic Gardens as it is today is largely based on Niven’s design.

The photo below shows some Javanese workers employed to maintain the garden in the 19th century;

Credit : Gardens in the Instana, National Parks, GR Lambert & Co.

- 1874 :

In 1874, the Society ran out of funds, handed over management and maintenance of the gardens to the Colonial government. The scientific mission of the Gardens evolved when the colonial government assumed management and deployed Kew-trained botanists and horticulturists to administer the Gardens.

- 1877 :

The first rubber seedlings came to the gardens from Kew in 1877. Henry Nicholas Ridley, or Mad Ridley as he was known, became director of the gardens in 1878 and spearheaded rubber cultivation.

The gardens in 1880;

Credit : Vis

Credit : Gardens in the Istana, National Parks.

Below postcard shows the Botanic Garden Entrance in 1900 at the Singapore Philatelic Museum;

Credit : Singapore Philatelic Museum

Note the postage stamp on the postcard was probably from 1912 to 1923 Straits Settlement period though. Many photos or postcard like to show the entrance of Botanic Garden, and it’s interesting to see the changes over time.

Another postcard showing the entrance to the Botanic Gardens in 1900;

Credit : Nation Best

Here is one postcard that I have 100 years ago in 1909;

One more postcard from 1909;

If you will to take note of all these postcards, the name of the garden was Singapore Botanical Garden instead of Singapore Botanic Garden. I remember this was the name I used to call in my younger days.

- 1925 :

Professor Eric Holttum, Director of the Gardens from 1925 -1949, set up laboratories and conducted the first experiments in orchid breeding and hybridisation. His techniques led to Singapore being one of the world’s top centres of commercial orchid growing.

- 1942 to 1945 :

During the Japanese Occupation, Hidezo Tanakadate, a professor of Geology from the Tohoku Imperial University took over control of the Singapore the Singapore Botanic Gardens. He ensured no looting occured during his tenure in the Gardens. The Gardens was also renamed as Shōnan Botanic Gardens (昭南植物園).

Holttum and Edred John Henry Corner were interned in the Gardens and instructed to continue their horticultural work. Dr Kwan Koriba, a retired professor of botany from the Imperial University of Tokyo, arrived as Director of the Gardens, a post he held until the end of the war.

After the war, the Gardens was handed back to the British. Eventually it played an important role during the “greening Singapore” campaign and Garden City campaign during the early independence years.

- Mid 1960s :

The Gradens was taking a leading role in the greening of Singapore. I had my first visit to the Botanic Gardens with my godsisters in 1968;

- 1973 :

In 1973, it merged with the Parks and Trees branch of the Public Works Department, which became the Parks and Recreation Department.

- 1990 :

In June 1990, the Singapore Botanic Garden came under the management of the newly formed National Parks Board.

New attractions, such as the Ginger Garden, Evolution Garden, Coolhouse and the Children’s Garden are being added to keep the Gardens relevant as a key tourist destination.

Stamps of the Singapore Botanic Gardens;

1978 :

In my memory the first stamp of the Singapore Botanic Garden was issued in 1978;

The above stamps did not really show the Botanic Garden well. It’s just some graphic representation of the garden. But at least the 75cents stamp showed part of the gardens’ Bandstand.

1979 :

In 1979, a set of 3 stamps were issued to celebrate the 120 years of Singapore Botanic Garden;

These are very nice set as the garden were properly shown on the stamps;

2003 :

In 2003, again the Bandstand was featured in one of the set of 4 stamps ‘Garden City’ ;

2009 :

For those that have missed the above stamps issues, never mind. In June 2009 there will be a set of 4 stamps commemorating the 150 years of Singapore Botanic Gardens;

Entrance to the Gardens :

The new look of the Entrance to the Gardens now;

The above is the main entrance gate known as the Tanglin Gate of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Do you notice the changes compared to those old postcards? Do you think the 4 pillars are the same as the 4 pillars of the past entrance?

The Bandstand :

This is another main icon of the Singapore Botanic Gardens besides the Tanglin Gate;

This octagonal shaped Bandstand was erected in 1930, almost 80 years old. The original bandstand was erected in the early 1860s as a focal point of the original landscape design of the Gardens. So far, most photos only showed the current Bandstand but not the original one. Wonder how the original one looks like? The Bandstand now no longer hosts any music performance, though it was used for military band performance in the past.

That Tembusu Tree :

Ok I’m not a botanist so even if I’m in front of this Tembusu Tree, I may not be able to identify it hehe. This Tembusu Tree got popular probably because it was featured in our $5 note. This tree was also featured in one of those TV8 Mediacorps Chinese dramas.

And comparing it with our $5 note;

This Tembusu Tree is now a heritage tree, meaning it cannot be ‘chop off’.

Credit : Above 3 photos from Alice.

The Old Taman Serasi Hawker Centre :

Before I end the post, do you still remember

My last visit with my family to the Botanical Garden or Botanic Gardens was a few years back but all my photos were wiped off from my harddisk corruption… Yes in my last visit, think we need to pay an entrance fee and no longer free like in the past.

So when was your last visit to the Botanic Gardens?

Guess Where Quiz No.2?

This is the second Guess Where Quiz in my blog. This time maybe not so easy as compared to the first. Any idea where is this place or location? You have to give me the name of this place. This photo was taken in 1968 together with my godsisters. I was only 6 years old then. Also take note of the fashion of the 60s.

Qing Ming Is About Knowing Our Family Tree

Before the Qing Ming festival ends, let me blog something about this one month festival. This Qing Ming festival or Tomb Sweeping festival is a time where we pay our respect to our elders or relatives who have left us.

I remember when I was young during my primary school days, I love this Qing Ming festival as it was a time when I could get together with my cousins. Usually my Seventh Uncle’s family would chartered for a mini bus to pick up both families for this important day.

Of course at that time, Qing Ming festival is really a Tomb Sweeping festival as our ancestors tombs were still at those graveyard at Peck San Theng. You may take a look at the old Peck San Theng here. We need to walk a distance to the tombs then, and those Indian grass cutters who can speak Cantonese much better than my kids, will lead the way. Needless to say, we had to pay them some money to clear those wild grasses at our ancestors’ tombs.

After the relocation of tombs to temples and Government-Managed Columbaria, my Seventh Uncle’s family and ours did not go together anymore during this festival. But now only my wife and my kids will accompany me to pay our respect to our ancestors.

My Paternal Grandmother tablet was located at the Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, while my Paternal Grandfather and Great Grandmother are at the Mandai Columbarium. I prefer the Mandai Columbarium as it is much cleaner and tidy though the distance is much further from my house.

Mandai Columbarium;

But why I said Qing Ming festival is about knowing our Family Tree? Well how many of us especially the younger generation like my kids know the relationships of who we are paying respect to? How do our kids address them in our own dialects or in Mandarin? Of course in English is much easier but I’m talking about our Chinese Roots and our own Family Tree. How much we know about our Family Tree then? Do you keep a record of your Family Tree too? I’m glad that my father bothers to keep a record of our own Family Tree when he was much healtier;

My father has 9 brothers/sisters and my father is the youngest (10th). So the one at Peck San Theng is my Paternal Grandmother or 祖母. I will address her as 奶奶. The other 2 at Mandai Columbarium are my Paternal Grandfather or 祖父 and Paternal Great Grandmother or 曾祖母. I will address my Grandfather as 爺爺 and my Paternal Great Grandmother as 老奶奶. Of course what my kids address them will be much more complex haha. Luckily my mother kept two copies of old newspaper cuttings regarding the Family Tree address or relationship. One is from The 1981 copy of The Straits Times;

I don’t quite like this set as it’s not so detail;

The other copy is the 1988 Straits Times;

I like this copy very much as it’s not only colorful but detail and clear; Credit : Above 4, The Straits Times, SPH

I’ve to admit that I’m no good at such Chinese addresses for our relatives and elders. My wife and I also have difficulties in teaching our kids to address our relatives in Mandarin when we visit them.

One example is my wife’s elder sister and younger sister – how should my kids address them? All the while my wife asked our kids to address them (both elder and younger sister) as 姨姨. But I think there should be a difference and should it be my wife’s elder sister as 姨媽 and younger sister as 姨姨? Do you think so?

You may check it out here too at this site;

“maternal elder aunt mother’s elder sister 姨母  yi4 mou5 yi2 mu3 姨媽 yi4 ma1 yi2 ma1

maternal elder aunt’s husband mother’s elder sister’s husband; 姨夫 yi4 fu1 yi2 fu1 姨丈 yi4 jeung6 yi2 zhang4

maternal younger aunt mother’s younger sister 姨 yi4 yi2 same

maternal younger aunt’s husband mother’s younger sister’s husband; 姨丈 yi4 jeung6 yi2 zhang4 same”

On the lighter side, Mediacorp will be showing its new Chinese drama series “

书包太重, My School Daze”. The first series on 29 Apr 2009 at 9pm Channel 8 will be interesting especially when a lady Chinese tutors teaching Mandarin to her students.

Listen carefully to what the teacher said ‘Your Mother’s Elder and Younger Sisters called 阿姨’;

Now the second part is really hilarious;

Credit : Mediacorps.

But why is it important to know the address and relationship for Qing Ming festival? Well at least when you burn the offerings to your ancestors, you can write down who you are offering to and their relationship to you. The Green Bag is for Female (红男绿女);

The Red Bag is for Male;

This is my Grandfather’s tablet;

This is my Great Grandmother’s tablet;

You may see that usually for female (my Great Grandmother) their names were omitted as they just take after their husband’s surname. Unfair for the fairer sex right? Also note how the years were written at that time – Min Guo 民囯.

Min Guo 民囯” refers to Zhonghua Minguo 中華民囯 (Republic of China or ROC) established in 1911, but eventually had to relocate to Taiwan in 1949 after the Chinese nationalist (Kuomintang) lost the civil war to the Chinese communist. Therefore, the stated Min Guo year will be based on the years starting from 1911.

So, for Min Guo 27th year, it’s 1938 (since 1911+27 years)

For Min Guo 24th year, it’s 1935 (since 1911+24 years)

Btw, I do not have any religion so I’m not so well verse with all these tradition but since I’m Chinese, I must still go along with our tradition, our roots, else next time my kids will not know what and how to do when my wife and I gone.

Shops That Gone With The Wind

One of my favourite past time is shopping…yeh not many men like doing that especially with their wives or families. Me too, I love shopping alone during the weekdays as it is less crowded.

Sad to say that many of my favourite shopping hunts were gone with the wind – no longer around…here are just a handful of them.

Oriental:

They had many outlets like the current NTUC, and I love the one near to my house at Haig Road. I could just popped in anytime I like and strolled and browsed around. Really missed that shop.

Safe Superstore;

Most guys in the past who had been in the army will know of this SAFE Superstore as it’s a store for them. A lot of civil servant or army guys like to shop there as they could pay by instalment for large value items. I preferred going to the one at Sims Drive as it was bigger.

BIG;

I think this BIG store was a replacement of SAFE Superstore, correct me if I’m wrong. I had only been to the BIG store at the World Trade Centre (now call Harbour Front) a few times before it was gone.

SOGO;

I believed this was many people favourites especially the ladies. I remembered how grand it was when it was first launched in Singapore.

In year 2000, the SOGO Japan faced financial crisis due to its property investment and Singapore SOGO was affected. The space once occuppied by SOGO at Raffles City now becomes Robinson.

I wonder how many of you still have these old shops’ price tags or warranty cards?

Sorry : Terribly sorry for MIA (missing in action) for almost a month I think…so what happen? Did some ‘minor’ renovation (I thought putting back a wall between 2 rooms was minor renovation) and didn’t expect that it took almost 2 weeks. After that took me another 1 week plus to unpack. As one of the rooms need to redo the flooring and put back the cement brick wall, we had to stay at Downtown East chalet for 3 days 2 nights followed by another 2 nights at another hotel. So the desktop computer had somehow missing among the many boxes and took my days to unpack…finally 95% of the things are settled now and I can start blogging.

Also I would like to thank for all your support and my blog “Times Of My Life” is one of the finalists in Best Individual Blog 2009 – Singapore Blogs Award 2009. You may vote for my blog at here. Thank you.

My Old TV Guide Magazine

Do you keep your old TV guide magazines? My mother kept hers, above (176)  is just one of the many and she still had the 1st copy. Funny thing is that I don’t remember her buying those TV guide magazines and she is also not keen in watching TV programmes…

What so special about the above TV guide? Well that issue was published on 2 Jun 1984 and about 25 years ago. Coindentally, on the cover you can find the 25 years of Nation Building logo (1959 to 1984) and it was going to be National Day celebration in a month plus. I will talk about this Nation Buidling topic nearer to National Day.

But now, what were popular then? OK, video tapes were probably still popular as can be seen on the back cover page advertisement by TDK;

Now even you can hardly find a video cassette player on sale at Courts, Harvey or Best, etc.

Of course, my used to be idol Maggie Teng was very popular then as can be seen on the cover page. Not forgetting her 2 sisters Judy and ….(forgotten oh).

Let’s take a peek at the old TV programmes in the 80s;

Channel 5 and 8;

Even on Sunday, the Channel 5 started broadcasting at 8.30am and ended at 11.40pm, while Channel 8 from 2.30pm to 11.30pm. It was still SBC then and you can see at 8.30am, they are showng you the SBC Text (Teletext) on Channel 5, probably still new and promoting it then. Channel 8 programmes seem very boring also starting with sample pages of SBC Text. Lucky there was the afternoon Mandarin matinee at 3.25pm. Evening time was the Chinese variety show ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ at 8.30pm. Channel 8 ended early at 11.30pm. I wonder if they were trying to boost population then…else why the TV shows end so early before midnight?

Back then, Channel 3 and 10 (Malaysia channels) were also included in our TV guide including newspaper;

Oh before I forget, there was this ever changing channel – it was called Channel 12 at that time;

Do you still remember what was that Channel 12 for?

Browsing thru the guide, I saw this very popular car model back then;

And I believed Chun See and his gang will know what car was that haha.

Now there are so many types of TV guides from the various Channels. Example the iWeeklly from Channel 8;

or U guide and the English TV guide, but most of us will discard them after a week…

Before I end, the price of the 1984 176 issue TV guide was 50cents then, and 25 years later, the iWeekly price is $2 (though with 2 sets of magazines).

Guess Where Quiz No.3?

Credit : Singapore Science Centre

The photo above showed a model of a proposed place to be built on a 3.24 hectare area. The idea was first conceived in 1969. The place was opened in 1975. Most of us (probably my age or older or a bit younger) may have been to there before. Sad to say, it’s no longer around due to ‘poor attendance’.

Guess where is this place and the name of this place? I will reveal the answer next week. Haha, this should be your weekend homework…

Is There A Sentosa Primary School?

Credit : Singapore Science Centre

Anyone recall whether there is a Sentosa Primary School? Or is there anyone here from that school before? I was surprised when I read about such a school in an old magazine.

The above article on Singapore Maritime Museum in the Science Centre Bulletin (1976 issue) stated that there was a Sentosa Primary School in Sentosa itself. The Sentosa Primary School was temporary used to house the gallery for the Singapore Maritime Museum.

Let me check my old street directory (1976 edition). Below showed that there was such a school called Sentosa Primary School;

but the actual location of the school, I’m not too sure;

Credit : Chief Surveyor, Survey Dept, Ministry of Law.

Sad to say both the school and the Singapore Maritime Museum were no longer around. This Maritime Museum was set up by the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA). The opening of the Maritime Museum by the PSA at Sentosa in 1975 gave visitors a glimpse of the port’s history.

I’ve been to this Maritime Museum at Sentosa before but somehow the exhibits did not interest me at that time so I don’t think I’ve any photos taken except those found on the net;

Maybe some will remember this iconic signal mast;

Credit : TNP

The signal mast was moved to Singapore Maritime Museum in Sentosa when the area around Albert Dock was developed into a container terminal in 1972. The mast stood there for 26 years until the Maritime Museum closed in 2001 due to poor attendance.  You may read more about the historic mast here.

Let’s hope the new maritime museum at Resorts World will be a success. Below is the model of the new maritime museum;

44th Years Of Independence Or 50 Years Of Nation Building?

Happy 44th Birthday Singapore! Happy 50th Nation Building Singapore! Today is 9 Aug 2009, and is Singapore’s National Day.

Well you may ask is there a difference between “Years of Independence”and “Years Of Nation Building”? Frankly initially I thought it’s the same, is there a difference? When approaching National Day, didn’t the media always use terms like xx Years of Independence, xx Years of Nation Building or xx National Days, etc…? Don’t they mean the same?

OK, let me show you another of my mother’s treasured collection;

Credit : Ministry Of Culture, The Straits Times

The above was the “1st Year Of Independence” magazine published by the Ministry Of Culture and The Straits Times. Inside you may see a message by MM Lee, our Prime Minister then;

Credit : Ministry Of Culture, The Straits Times

The above magazine was to commemorate our 1st Year Of Independence from 9 August 1965. It was the year we gained independence from Malaysia, yes the year Singapore exit from Malaysia on 9 August 1965. You may read more about it in my earlier post title “My Fist National Day On 3rd June“.

So I believed any reference to the year 1965 will be referred to as “xxth Years Of Independence” or “xxth National Day”. Now what about any reference from the year 1959, the year Singapore achieved full internal self-government (In 1957, Lim Yew Hock asked for control over Singapore’s internal affairs and the British government agreed to grant Singapore control over it’s internal affairs but not the external affairs like defence and relations with other countries. Following this, an election was held 3rd June 1959 to elect leaders to from the new government).

I believed that any reference to the year 1959, will be referred to as “Nation Building”. We do celebrate Nation Building too! Remember the old TV Guide I posted not too long ago? In 1984, we celebrated 25 Years Of Nation Building “Reach Out Singapore”;

Credits : Mediacorps

The “Reach Out Singapore” was held on 2nd June 1984 at the Padang and was telecast live then to celebrate 25 Years Of Nation Building. So does that mean every year we have 2 dates to celebrate?

Now take a look at this First Day Cover to commemorate 25 Years Of Independence;

Credit : Singapore Telecom

The above stamps were issued on 16 August 1990 to commemorate Singapore’s 25 Years of Independence. Also remember the slogan “One People, One Nation, One Singapore”?

Ok now let’s take a look at another set of First Day Cover or Miniature Sheet issued on the 23 Nov 1984;

Credit : Singapore Telecoms

The above was issued to commemorate Singapore’s 25 Years of Nation Building (1959 – 1984).

See the difference : One issued in 1990 while the other one in 1984!

Recently I’ve seen on the papers the phrase “50 Years Of Self-Governance” instead of “50 Years Of Nation Building”. Well “Self-Governance” is more straight forward and easily understood.We know that it refers to the year 1959.

Who knows in another 10 years (2019), we may celebrate 200th anniversary of Singapore’s founding by Stamford Raffles in 1819 on our 54th National Day.

Guess What Quiz No.2

I’ve not seen this for a very long time. Though it is still available now, but it was commonly used in the 60s or maybe still in the 70s. Do you know what is this for? What’s inside? I think Peter, Philip or Chun See may know the answer.

Answer;

Yes, it’s a Shaving Kit. You can see the contents inside:

Here is the Razor Blade;

In fact such shaving kit is very good for travelling. It even has a small mirror inside. Like what the guys have said, the blade is really super sharp!

Additional Photos;

Photo 1:

 

 

Photo 2 :

Photo 3 :

 

My First Dictionary Half A Century

Do you still keep your first dictionary? I still have mine! Let me show you a small part of my dictionary collection…

My first dictionary was actually given to me by my godsister when I was in primary school, probably upper primary in the early 70s. So coincidentally, this dictionary is also called the My First Dictionary;

You see the two stickers on the front cover, and that was what I did to it. I don’t really remember whether these were those type of ‘water tatoos’ stickers – you put them on a pail of water and then place the ‘tatoos’ on your arms or legs or any other surface to apply the stickers. Here you see another one on the page inside;

So this First Dictionary was reprinted in Sep 1958, exactly 51 years ago – half a century! I like this dictionary because of the exercises and questions at the end of the dictionary;

In the past most of us really ‘read’ and ’study’ the dictionary (use our dictionary throughoutly)  as you can see some of the words were underlined;

Now  my children’s dictionaries are as clean as those in the book stores.

I bought my first personal pocket dictionary when I was in Sec.4 in 1978. It was a Collins pocket dictionary and see – I’ve a Kentucky Fried Chicken sticker on the front cover. You don’t find this KFC sticky anymore now.

This dictionary has been with me for almost 35 yeasrs and now my daughter (Pri.4) is using it;

So between these 2 Oxford dictionaries, which do you think is ‘older’?

Do you think you get the answers right? OK, the white jacket one was reprinted in 1952;

While the dark blue cover one was reprinted in 1949 (60 years old);

I got it wrong too and I thought the one with the white cover was older… These 2 were handed down to me by my father. He probably used these when he was working in his twenties.

Come to think of it, I have more Oxfords at home! So do you still have your first dictionary with you?

Win Some Lose Some – Singapore Blog Awards

It’s an exciting and unforgettable evening attending the Singapore Blog Awards 2009 with my wife Ms Lao Po at the Supper Club (in Odeon Tower). As the location was in the ERP zone ($1.50 gantry) and with limited parking lots, we reached there about 4.50pm and managed to get a lot in Odeon Tower itself. Lucky me, didn’t expect to carry back so many boxes of prizes…

So why do I say “Win Some Lose Some” with so many prizes? I lose all my photos in my camera memory card! I don’t know what happen to it? When I tried to upload it to the pc, the pc couldn’t detect any photos or videos – there goes all the precious memories of the evening. Hope if anyone got photos of me getting my prize from the minister, can email to me. Thanks in advance.

For those who have seen me, pls help to erase me from your memory so I don’t have to discard my batman mask. Thank you for all your support. Many more interesting articles to come and I’ll continue to blog. …now thinking how to eat so many many packets and bowls of KOKA instant noodles?

Batman Mask Unveiled At S’pore Blog Awards 2009

(The Final Part Of Non-Nostalgia Article)

Frankly until now I still couldn’t believe that I could win the award in the Best Individual Blog category. I’m expecting Beru Betto (the woman who blog about art and craft) to win as I enjoyed reading her blog too. So I’ve been thinking why the judges choose me since that evening.

The wait for about 4 over months for the results is really ‘killing’ but when I received the invite to attend the Blog Awards ceremony at Supper Club, I hesitated. When I read about the ‘bedroom theme’ for the evening, it further add on to my hesitation to attend. Luckily casual smart was also allowed, otherwise… Told my wife Ms Lao Po about the invitation and she said without hesitation, why not? Then I think since both of us have not been out on a date (minus the kids) for 15 years, it’s also time to do so.

The night before the event, I couldn’t sleep well thinking what if I attend and they will know my identity (at least the organiser will know, even if I don’t win). Anyway the chances of me wining is not high, I thought to myself. I attended without my batman mask.

Once we stepped into the Supper Club, the organiser and the reporters seem to recognise or be able to spot me easily calling out if I’m Laokokok (calling my real name of course). I’m wondering am I the oldest there among the bloggers? But I thought I’m the second oldest blogger…or is it because of my white hair…

The reporters were interviewing me and had my photos taken even before the results were annouced. I felt rather embarassed and quite awkward as it is like everyone seems to be smiling at me. Am I a ’senior citizen’ among them?

Finally results time and when they first shown my blog using the overhead projector and announced that I was the winner for the Individual Blog category, the crowd cheered and applaused loudly. Then when it was my turn to receive the award from Minister George Yeo, again the crowd cheered and applaused loudly. I’m wondering why? Is it because of my identity unveiled and they finally found out my true identity without my batman mask?

Even the Straits Times reported; “When he went on stage to receive his trophy, he received the loudest applause from the crowd, including a standing ovation from people of his generation, such as SPH’s chief executive Alan Chan and Cultural Medallion winner artist Tan Swie Hian.”

So why the judges picked me as the winner, I thought to myself. First probably the judges wanted to unveil my batman mask hehe.
As Victor had said, “Win Some Lose Some too” – I lose my identity. Second, maybe what I’ve posted in my blog are what the older judges can relate to. So what do you think?

Now most said I can throw away my batman mask…Wei Chong (friends from yesterday.sg) even came to me during the event and said “now we know who you are”. So do you think I really have my identity unveiled after all these exposure in the media? I strongly believe that you will not remember my face after a while haha.

Here is the video of me receiving the trophy with my mask on hehe;

For those who have seen me, pls erase me off your memory. Thank you.

About the Award Here.

My Father’s Old House Near Nam Sang Hua Yuan

Try telling the taxi driver “Nam Sang Hua Yuan”, I think many of them will stare at you and said “Er…..where?”. I’m not surprise that many younger generation may not know this place “Nam Sang Hua Yuan” in Singapore.

What so big deal about this “Nam Sang Hua Yuan” or “Nam-Sang Hua Un” ? This is part of an estate owned by the late Mr. Hoo Ah Kay (胡亚基先生). You may probably came across his name in your old History book or Social Studies book.

I came to know about Mr.Hoo Ah Kay when I was in Primary 3. It was in this book “The Pioneering Years” (believed I’ve posted this book before);

Shown below was the Mr. Hoo Ah Kay’s house aka Whampoa House;

Above 3 pictures Credit :  EPB, Ministry of Education (1970)

Below is a photo of his house in 1910 (see the resemblance to the above picture);

Credit : PICAS, National Archives of Singapore.

In all articles about Mr.Hoo Ah Kay’s house and garden (simply known as “Nam Sang Hua Yuan” (南生花园), it was simply stated as a very big estate. Nothing was said why was it known as “Nam Sang Hua Yuan” or why he called it that name. Even my father was not aware of why is it called ”南生花园”. I did some research and finally found out that it probably has got something to do with Mr.Hoo Ah Kay’s name. 胡亚基先生 real name was “胡璇泽” and he was also known as “胡南生”. So the “Nam Sang Hua Yuan” or “南生花园” was named after his name “胡南生”.

Below shows part of his house garden;

Credit : Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd

In fact when my father was staying at 922 Serangoon Road (around 1940s to 60s) , the Whampoa’s House was already sold to Mr. Seah Liang Seah in 1880. Mr. Seah Liang  Seah was a respected  member of the Chinese community. The Liang Seah Street was named after him!

Mr.Seah renamed the house as “Bendemeer House”, “明丽园”. I believed the English name “Bendemeer” was translated from the Chinese name “明丽园” (probably from Teochew dialect). The Municipal Council named the road nearby Bendemeer Road because of his numerous contribution to the community. Sad to say even after the name changed, the estate was still popularly known as “Nam Sang Hua Yuan”, ”南生花园”.

The Seah Liang Seah estate “明丽园” was very huge, about 4.7 hectares of land. So how big is 4.7 hectares of land? And it’s also said to include the land opposite the Whampoa River too. That was where the 3 schools were built later – Bendemeer Sec. Sch, Bendemeer Sch and Beng Wan Sch. Take a look at the map below showing the estimated area owned by Mr.Seah Liang Seah;

Credit : Chief Surveyor, Survey Dept. Ministry of Law

The Bendemeer House was deteriorated over the years and was eventually demolished to make way for a new housing estate in 1963.

Below show the rundown Bendemeer House and estate acquired by the Government for redevelopment;

Above photos credit : PICAS, National Archives of Singapore

The estate is today’s Boon Keng Housing Estate. So where exactly is this Nam Sang Hua Yuan or Bendemeer House? It is said to be at Boon Keng MRT Station, Bendemeer Shopping Mall and Blk.27 and Blk.28 location. Let’s see the old map below;

now take another look at this 1956 map (by SIT);

See how undeveloped the area was at that time.

Below shows the area acquired by Government for redevelopment into Boon Keng estate;

Credit : PICAS, National Archives of Singapore.

Below shows the aerial view of Boon Keng estate now;

Credit : National Heritage Board

My father’s old house 922 Serangoon Road was rather near to the Bendemeer House. My father’s house was also owned my Mr.Seah Liang Seah and was rented from him for about S$18 a month. It was common at that time to sublet the property even though my father’s family was only the 1st tenant. It was a double storey house and the ground floor was rented out to 3 different families (each family for a few dollars a month). Imagine some families may have a few kids all squeezed into one room!

My uncles and my father used to go near to the Bendemeer House to play with the bats hanging on the fruit trees there. There was a cutout hole on the fence round the perimeter of the garden and they would ’smuggled’ in to play. The servants there would chased them out and swore to punish them if they ever got caught.

Credit : PICAS, National Archives of Singapore

My father told me that opposite the Whampoa River, there were  a number of sawmill as the logs were collected from the river;

Credit : PICAS, National Archives of Singapore

The Whampoa River now is more of a canal;

Photos Credit : Simboyfat

So when we said Nam Sang Hua Yuan, we are referring to Hoo Ah Kay and when we said Bendemeer Road, we are referring to Seah Liang Seah. The Bendemeer Road runs alongside the Whampoa’s estate. How rich they were!

Note : From today onwards, I’ll include in (a scan copy in my father’s handwriting) “What my father wrote” after each post. My father learned the English Language himself by reading through the dictionaries and books. He also love learning the English Idioms. My father is Chinese educated.

What My Father Wrote ;

 

Guess What Quiz No.3

The picture shows part of something. Guess what is that ’something’? You have to tell me what is this ’something’ call and what is it use for?

Answer;

The correct answer is Tong Sheng 通勝, Chinese Almanac. I don’t know since when it was called Tong Sheng instead of Tong Shu. I remember it was known as Tong Shu 通書 especially by the Cantonese but maybe the word “Shu” sounds like “losing” so this word was changed to “Sheng” which means “win”.

My first encounter with this very thick book was when my godmother used it to check some auspicious dates. I was only about 9 or 10 years old then, and I was attracted by the pictures and drawing in it;

Frankly until now, I still do not understand all the drawings in it.

This ‘book’ has been around for many many years and the meaning of Tong Shu means “a book that knows all”. Some people may check with this book on what one should or should not do on each day. But usually the Chinese will use it to check for auspicious dates for wedding, opening ceremony for their businesses, etc.

Take a look at the thread binding used for this thick book;

And this thread is enough to hold this thick book together! I’m impressed. The first page of the book usually is the boy and a cow working on a farm;

We may use it to check our age or year of birth and also our Chinese horoscope. Example my year of birth is 1962, I was 24 years old (1985) and born in the year of tiger;

Oh this book even has diagrams of foetus in the womb;

It shows the foetus from 1st month to 9th month and how is the position like when delivering. On the left is the talisman for pregnant woman who have offended the ‘Foetus God’, I think.

The most interesting part of this book is the portion where one can learn English;

It has a few pages where people can learn how the English alphabets and also some English words like those shown above. As the book is written in Cantonese, so it is more accurate to read it in Cantonese instead of Chinese. Take a look at the word “Saturday” and the pronunication in Cantonese. If we will to read the English word using the Cantonese pronunication, it sounds really weird. The whole book content seems to be printed in just Black and Red ink;

If you think that this Chinese Almanac is meant for those people who are superstitious, you are wrong. It does contain some Scientific content too. One can learn about Eclipse of the Sun or Moon from it;

The Chinese Almanac has more than 2000 years of history and it’s good to at least browse through it and take a look at its contents. If you wish to know more, you can take a look here.

 

What My Father Wrote ;