Mike - Post - Stepping into the Past

Stepping Into the Past

I spent the other day visiting Sentosa Resort with Don, his wife Jen, and their son Aden.  We spent most f the afternoon riding the luge, and then started to check out some of the areas I hadn’t yet been too.

This is the national symbol.  In the U.S, we have the Bald Eagle – for Singapore, it is the “Mer-Lion”.  That’s because Singapura (the original name of the island) translates to Lion City.  And since Singapore has a rich tradition tied to the sea, if there are mermaids, and mermen, then of course there has to be Merlions.

There’s plenty to see, and plenty to do –we were just walking along the pathway and we come across a man with a wicker basket full of snakes.  For five dollars, he will let you take a picture with one.  Of course, Don wanted to take the pose – me, I was hungry and in Singapore, you can find just about everything on the menu, so the snake was looking pretty good!

Singapore has one of the best MRT (Mass Rail Transit).  High up, here no one can “accidently” get stuck on the track, no cross bars delaying cars, and of course… no graffiti on the cars (ok…knowing you will get ten strokes from a cane pole might have a bit of influence).  But how many expats remember that at one time, the island had been invaded by the Japanese?

This is an old trail Don and I found.  Since we were already waiting for our turn to gear up for the Mega-Zip (that experience is a story in itself), we decided to see where it would take us.

At the top of the ridge, we found this little area carved into the hillside.  This was an old military “Pill Box”.  Part of the island defences no doubt.  For me, this was an incredible experience – where we were standing was part of history.  Maybe history never gave a name, but I can almost see the British trying to repel the Japanese.

Don is a history fan as well.  Where I like to read – he likes to re-enact.  So, today he became a machine gunner.  The photos is alright, but a video would have been funnier.  Don has his imaginary gun and he is shouting “Tap-Tap-Tap-Tap”.  Finally, it was time to head back and get back in line – the invasion was stopped.