6 minute read
Tours
MAR/APR
Go cultural and historical with ANZA’s eclectic selection of tours happening around Singapore over the next few months.
ANZA TOURS
DATE: Tuesday 8 March TIME: 9.30am – 12.30pm MEET: 9.20am Sian Teck Tiang Convent gates, 57 Cuppage Road COST: Members $30, nonmembers $35
The Peranakans of Emerald Hill
In the heart of Orchard Road lies a secret neighbourhood filled with history and culture. Step into the past and learn about the Peranakan people who are an important part of Singapore’s racial fabric with a culture that is steeped in age-old rituals. Take a stroll through pretty, tree-lined Emerald Hill, where the streets are filled with 19th and 20th Century shophouses, and discover Peranakan food, language, and clothes of embroidered linen. The tour ends with a soft drink, or perhaps a glass of wine in a shop nearby.
Little India in the Spirit of Holi
Explore the backstreets of Little India, one of Singapore’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Hear the story of the Tan Teng Niah house on Kerbau Road built in 1900 alongside cattle and brick factories. See street murals and meet the fruit and vegetable vendors. Stop to marvel at the garland-makers and delight in the beauty of traditional saris. Learn about Little India’s architecture and see an art deco building designed by Swan and Maclaren in 1894. The tour ends near the Mustafa Centre on Syed Alwi Road where lunch can be enjoyed at a local restaurant (at your own cost).
DATE: Wednesday 16 March TIME: 9.30am – 12.30pm MEET: 9.20am, Little India MRT Exit E COST: Members $40, non-members $45
Art and Afternoon Tea
Join us for a stroll through Marina Bay Sands Art Path viewing eclectic art from internationally renowned artists. From collaborative murals to grand traditional pots, witness new sights that you may never have noticed before in Singapore. Post walk, enjoy an afternoon tea of sweet and savoury delicacies and refreshments at Hortus restaurant. Afterwards, we’ll celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Gardens by the Bay with a free wander around the Flower Dome.
DATE: Thursday 7 April TIME: 2.15pm MEET: 2pm Marina Bay Sands Hotel Check in Tower 1, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956. Nearest MRT is Bayfront Exit B COST: Member $65, non-member $75
Craft and Birdsong in the Heartlands
Witness the last remaining craft businesses in Singapore that still create their wares by hand. See paper offerings, hear how the giant incense sticks at Chinese temples are made (and make some yourself), and meet the man who makes lion heads (for the traditional lion dance) from his HDB home. Heard of the hobby of Bird Singing? See it for yourself and be serenaded by these wonderful song birds, chat with the uncles who keep and look after them, and visit the bird cage maker who doubles up as a ‘bird-sitter’.
DATE: Saturday 23 April TIME: 9am – 1pm MEET: 8.50am at the entrance to Newton Food Centre carpark COST: Members $90, nonmembers $100
Anzac Day Dawn Ceremony
Kranji War Memorial Cemetery is atmospheric at any time of day but nothing compares to arriving as a group to remember the fallen at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Please meet us at the entrance to the road leading up to the war cemetery, at the bus stop to your right. Be aware that we will need to walk approximately 1km up a gentle hill to reach the service. Afterwards, we’ll walk back to the MRT station together.
DATE: Monday 25 April TIME: 6.30am – 9.30am MEET: 6.15am at the bus stop to the right of the entrance road leading to Kranji War Cemetery COST: Member $10, nonmember $15
On Tour With Anne
ANZA member ANNE DHONTE has been living in Singapore on and off since 2009 and is a proud ANZA Tours superfan! Here she explains why she’s been on over forty curated tours with us.
What brought you to Singapore?
It’s a long love story! My husband and I first came to Singapore in 1993. We were living in India and I had to renew my visa. We fell in love with the city and said that one day, we’d like to return with our kids. In 2009 we moved from France to Singapore with our five children and have lived between the two countries ever since.
Left: Members of the Tour Group Committee on the Sari Tour Below: Anne on one of her many ANZA Tours Right: Tour members learning about the art on the walls in Chinatown
enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere. In 2018, our youngest son Louis wanted to play soccer as well and we went straight to ANZA. I decided to join ANZA Tours then, too. I used to be a volunteer guide at the Peranakan Museum and I was keen to continue learning.
When did you get involved with the ANZA community?
Our son Benoît joined ANZA Soccer twelve years ago. He loved playing as much as we loved hanging out with the parents on the sidelines. It was such an
Above: All that touring requires regular food stops! What was your first tour with us?
A foodie tour starting at Race Course Road, guided by the lovely Charlotte Chu. It was lots of fun with many interesting dishes to discover and places to see.
How many tours have you been on with us?
Too many to say, but over forty! Little India
Food Culture & Arts, Jewish
Heritage Tour, Sinners and
Salvation Tour in Geylang, Black and White Tour, National Art Gallery- Architecture Tour and Chinese New Year Walking Tour to name but a few. I always take notes as I go and then when family and friends visit, I show them around. This summer we’re moving back to France and my tour notes will help me remember Singapore and all of the great memories made.
What do you most like about ANZA Tours?
Each one offers something new and Charlotte and Sarah, the guides, are so captivating. Everyone is friendly and it’s nice to be part of a group. Learning about culture and customs on The Jewish Tour was fascinating, as was the tour to Singapore’s Red Light District …
About ANZA Tours
The ANZA Tour Committee is a volunteer group currently made up of five volunteer members. Our aim is to connect ANZA members to the Singapore community by offering tours that encompass the arts, festivals, nature, architecture, food and history. Our niche tours are built around a concept and we hire local guides; all tours have an educational component.
This year, new and exciting concept tours have been developed with our specialist guides, Charlotte Chu and Sarah Lev, and include Uncovering the Secrets of a Shophouse, Afternoon Tea at Hortus and Learning about Traditional Medicine.
We’re always looking for new members to join our committee. Your role will be to back us up as a registrar, contribute to the committee meetings every two months, generate new ideas and advertise the tours to everyone you know! Contact suegelliott@gmail.com
