The 7 Storey Hotel – A memorial

“The preferred Budget Hotel – right in the heart of the city”. (paraphrased from the website) Having existed in Singapore since 1953, and having stood in its Bugis location for 47 years, this quaint budget hotel has seared itself into our collective memory. Jutting out from the landscape in Bugis, it is a familiar sight and acts as a landmark of sorts. But in a few days time, it will have to cease business, and it is slated to be demolished, all in the name of Singapore’s unrelenting advancement.

“The hotel is reacquired by the Government and will cease operation with effect 1st November 2008. No booking after 31 oct 2008 will be accepted, thank you for your understanding.” - quoted from its reservation page. How sad and poignant these words are.

I was not born yet when it was established. In its heydays in the 70s, when its pub was the most happening place around, i just came into this world. I have never stayed in it before. But i have sat in the outdoors and eaten the steamboat at the popular restaurant. I have walked past it countless times over the years. It is a part of the landscape in Bugis. As such, i am sad to see it go.

During the deepavali long weekend, I stayed one night in it just so that i can have my own memories of the hotel.

Goodbye, Nssh.

(click on the photos for the descriptions.but not all of them has descriptions…)

Nine Emperor Gods Festival 2008

A few weeks ago, I chanced upon a website recently, which listed festivals/events happening in Chinese Temples all around Singapore. And i saw that there were some events specially organised for the annual Nine Emperor Gods (九皇爷) Festivals. I remember watching a documentary years ago on this festival, and i was very intrigued and fascinated by the colour, the intensity and the passion of the people involved in the festival. The most interesting aspect for me was the sending off the Gods at a secluded beach, where burning chariots were pushed out into the sea at night.

Thus i was quite excited about having a chance to witness first hand this festival, and after checking with the webmaster of the site i mentioned earlier, he advised me that it would be better if i went to the festivities held at the open space at Eunos MRT, instead of going to one of the temples. So on the night of 7 Oct 2008, i rushed down to the open space after work, and what followed was quite an eye-opener. The sounds, the smell of the incense, the heat generated from the crowds there, and most of all, the sights of the festival all brought a rush to my blood, even though i was there just as an observer and not a participant.

The highlight of the event on that night, and which all the believers there were waiting patiently for, was the Manifestation of the Gods in the Chariots. There were 9 chariots, one for each of the nine emperor gods, and all of them looked heavy, yet all the chariots were swaying vigorously to and fro, carried by about 4 bearers each time.

As an observer, i could feel the fervent faith of the believers strongly resonating through the space. The tent was packed, yet there was no jostling and pushing. 2 emcees worked the crowds, creating a lively atmosphere, but also exhorted the crowds to look after their belongings, to watch out for the elderly and the children, and to keep a safe distance from the swayings. I could not help but joined in the shouts of “Huat Ah”!

I left the place a few hours later, reeking strongly of incense, with my rewards being the hundreds of photographs i took, and feeling more alive in that past few hours than in the entire week at work…

Let my pictures tell the story…

(for more info about the festival itself, please refer here.)

Entrance to tent

The Chariots

Beaming after preparations completed

Prayers

Waiting and waiting…and feeling sleepy…

Opera performers getting ready backstage

Evening repose

8 Immortals walking, not crossing the sea…

Dragon Dance

Cute boy amongst the din

Faith

The 1st Chariot

Wishing…

The Bell-ringing auntie

Singapore Biennale 2008 @ South Beach

Love the buildings located here so much. Even though i am too young to have ever been part of its past. The place invokes in me a melancholic sense of space.Shreds of remembrances of a glorious past, now faded and forgotten.What ghosts of its forgotten past still roams the corridors?.Sad to see it slated for “development” in the future. One cant divorce the Singapore Biennale artworks from the sense of this place; they are interlocked. Without this place, the artworks here will have a different feel. All pics taken on the evening of 111008, and are downsized.