Saturday, March 23, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Singapore

Where in the World Are We?

Singapore is located in Southeast Asia.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE
DID YOU KNOW THE SURPRISING SUPERSTITIONS OF THE LION CITY?

Superstitions are like culinary specialties: every part of the world has its own, and discovering those new countries
is always an experience, if not tasty, then at least fun. Singapore is no exception to the rule in Southeast Asia that
gives pride of place to the supernatural and offers some surprising sparks of superstition that you can observe with a
smile or take home with you, should they bring you luck… You never know.

Let’s start with a belief that will please the cheapskates: you don’t give watches or shoes in Singapore. Watches
symbolize the end, and ‘giving a clock’ in Mandarin sounds similar to ‘attending a funeral.’ To avoid bringing death,
no watches or clocks are given. For shoes, the same battle: the shoe is pronounced the same way as evil in Mandarin. So
it’s in awful taste to give shoes. Two beliefs that can save a lot of money…

Cutting your nails after dark is also forbidden. In Singapore, this practice is believed to attract angry spirits who
could bring misfortune to the house and its inhabitants. Never point at the moon, either, especially a full moon. The risk?
Finding yourself with the tips of your ears cut off in your sleep. Also to be avoided is whistling at night. This practice,
which is harmless everywhere else, seems to please ghosts in this part of the world. Whistle at night, and you could
end up with a string of not-always-benevolent ghosts hanging around your neck. Fortunately, the best way to deal with
this is to wash your feet and face when you get home to ward off the wandering spirits.

Another rule of the Lion City, also found in Vietnam, is that you don’t take photos of three people. Two, yes.
Four, yes, but three, no. It’s bad luck for the person in the middle to be the first to die.

Finally, let’s finish with a rather amusing and intriguing superstition involving new owners, a new flat or house, and
a pineapple. For good fortune to fall upon a new house and its owners or occupants, when they first enter their new
home, they must knock on the door three times and shout ‘huat ah’ (good luck) as they roll a pineapple around.
Derived from Feng Shui, this practice is said to purify the premises. The story doesn’t say, however, whether a tin of
pineapples will do the trick…

SIGHTS

• Singapore Zoo
• Universal Studios Singapore
• SkyPark Observation Deck
• S.E.A. Aquarium
• Clarke Quay
• Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

CLOUD FOREST
This magnificent greenhouse-like glass dome can be seen from miles away and is just as stunning inside as it is from out. Home to one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls and a lush mountain clad with plants from around the world, Cloud Forest rewards the curious and adventurous. Go on a fascinating journey of discovery and get up close with some of the world’s most exotic plant species as you stroll along its unique aerial walkways.

Today’s Excursion – Singapore Local Experience

Singapore is well-known for its bustling activity along its streets and waterfront. We explored the sights and sounds up close as we ran around on the city’s different forms of transportation: river boats, MRT (Subway), and trishaws. We departed the pier on foot with your guide. Our guide led us through the city with a Singapore survival kit of essential items like a map, coins for the subway, mineral water, tiger balm ointment, and a sandalwood fan.

City Highlights
We explored Chinatown, where the streets are lined with century-old shophouses that sell food and trinkets. We strolled along Pagoda Street and saw the Chinese-influenced trinkets, accessories, apparel, and more.
We viewed the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and the Sri Mariamman Temple, which dates back to 1827 and is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.

Check out today’s Chronicle.