Reflections - Imran.

It has almost been one and half months ago but it seems as though it was History relived like yesterday when I embarked on my history heritage trail with my group mates, gary, modissa, hafizah and mori. What a great bunch of people to have when going on such a trip. The sight and sounds of Kampong Glam will be etched in my memory for many years to come but it was superbly complemented by the fun and laughter provided by my group mates especially Gary and Hafizah. Like many Singaporeans nowadays perceive Kampong Glam to be another tourist and eating attraction, there is in fact more than just a bunch of buildings made of bricks and mortar over there. Indeed, Kampong Glam possessed a rich and colourful history in early Singapore that unfortunately, over the course of time, has lost its colour and flamboyance in the early 19th century.
How pitiful history has become when we entered one of the most outstanding buildings in Kampong Glam, The Old Istana now known as the Malay Heritage Centre that there was practically no living soul walking through its serene and peaceful halls and basking in the glow of a once famous place that a certain Sultan Hussein used to live, royalty of the highest regard that Singapore once had. Its signatory furniture and design on the place is very much intact and I for one was blown away by the amazing ambience that the Old Istana provided. Forget about the new Istana that our current president lives in and forget about other historical relics that exist today in Singapore. This old Istana was where it all started. Since this is only a reflection and I do sound terribly passionate about the old Istana and the significance it should take on more in Singapore, I will dwell into giving a history lesson because it is all there for everyone to see. I just want to say that the old Istana is conserved in a pristine condition with practically no defects in the monument itself. In fact, it is made into a tourist attraction and gains quite a bit of revenue from the modest $4 it charges per entrance for adults. What a terrible coincidence that after we ventured into the intrigue of what the old Istana held, more people started streaming in. The power that history students possessed is second to none. HAHAHAHAAHA!!! Well, my reckoning is that they wanted to see what the fuss was all about in the Old Istana after they saw 5 people doing jump shots for photography, impersonating chimpanzees and monkeys in the local zoo in the process, within the premises!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

On a much more serious note, Kampong Glam is more than just the old Istana that stands there today. There are other famous monuments that my group mates have also experienced the richness that its historical value possesses. Indeed, apart from the eating areas and the shopping that it has along its streets, Kampong Glam is more than what meets the eye.