SIGIR 08 - Singapore traveller

Do you know that Singapura (Malay for Singapore) has a mystical beginning? Legend has it that a prince of Sumatra named Sang Nila Utama and his men set sail from Palembang and reached the Riau Islands. The story goes on when the prince went on a hunting trip to a nearby island.

While hunting, he spotted a deer and started chasing it. He came to a very large rock and decided to climb it. When he reached the top, he looked across the sea and saw another island with a sandy beach which had the appearance of a white sheet of cloth.

While hunting, he spotted a deer and started chasing it. He came to a very large rock and decided to climb it. When he reached the top, he looked across the sea and saw another island with a sandy beach which had the appearance of a white sheet of cloth.

Asking one of his ministers what land it was, he was told that it was the island of Temasek. He then decided to visit Temasek. However, when his ship was out into the sea, a great storm blew up and the ship was tossed about in the huge waves. The ship began to take in water.

To prevent it from sinking, his men threw all the heavy things on board into the sea to lighten the ship. But still water kept entering the ship and Sang Nila Utama, on the advice of a ship’s officer, threw his heavy crown overboard. At once, the storm died down and he reached Temasek safely.

He landed at the mouth of the present-day Singapore River and went inland to hunt wild animals. Suddenly, he saw a strange animal in the water with a red body, black head and the tail of a fish. It was a fine-looking animal and moved with great speed as it disappeared under the waves. He had never seen this creature before so he named it the Merlion and that has become the main icon of Singapore.

Thus, he decided to build his new city in Temasek. He and his men stayed on the island and founded a city.

He named this city “Singapura”. “Singa” means lion and “pura” means city. The name thus means the Lion City. Sang Nila Utama ruled Singapura for 48 years and was buried on Bukit Larangan (present-day Fort Canning Hill).

Now, since many of you will be coming to Singapura for the first time, I definitely recommend you to experience the same wonder. That is, spotting the mystical Merlion =) There are a few places in Singapore where this creature can be spotted.

The first place is to spot Merlion is actually near to the conference venue. Located near the Fullerton Hotel, you can spot two Merlions in the Merlion Park. The first Merlion is measuring 8.6 metres and weighing 70 tons. The second is smaller, measuring two metres high and weighing three tones. The body was made of cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and eyes from small red teacups. I suggest you come to this place during night time and don’t forget to bring your camera and tripod with you.

Or, you can go to Sentosa Island to spot the biggest Merlion ever stood. The nice thing about this Merlion is that you can enter its body and stand inside its mouth just to be rewarded with 360° view of Sentosa and Singapore’s southern shores. When you’re done gazing at the splendid views, don’t forget to grab an iconic souvenir of Singapore, Merlion from The Merlion Shop. Let the myths and legends of the deep and the joy and fortunes of the Mercubs continue to be with you.

That’s all. Don’t leave Singapore without first spotting this creature, okay !!!

How to get to Merlion Park: Take the MRT to Raffles Place, exit H, then follow the signs to One Fullerton.

How to get to Sentosa Island: Take the MRT to Harbourfront terminal and use the The Sentosa Express at Vivo City.

reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sang_Nila_Utama

Posted on May 4th, 2008 by hendrase
Filed under: what to do