What a day it was for the class of Nanyang Fellows 2013/2014. Singapore Day was indeed a memorable and unforgettable day for most, if not all, of us. It was a break from tradition to organise an event lasting the whole day. The day started with a visit to the Images of Singapore which showed Singapore’s transformation from a sleepy fishing village into the cosmopolitan and bustling city that it is today. Even Singaporeans got in on the act, reminiscing about the days when their grandparents used to cook with charcoal stoves.
After getting a better understanding of Singapore’s development and progress over the years, the programme fast- forwarded our Fellows into the 21st Century with a visit to Universal Studios Singapore at the Resorts World Sentosa. The thrilling rides such as “The Mummy” and “Transformers” kept adults and children fully entertained. Some Fellows even got in on the act by providing their own scares for the Mummy ride, and interacting with Optimus Prime for Transformers. Our Fellows also had the opportunity to get up close but not personal with stars such as Frankenstein, and Kungfu Panda.
After a thoroughly enjoyable time in Sentosa, it was time to fill our tummies with food, food and more food. Peranakan cuisine, Satay, Laksa, Mooncakes and not forgetting tropical fruits such as XO and D13 durians and mangosteens were all part of the spread. While some steered clear of the durians, others gamely gave it a go!
Our South Korean classmate, Kang, even asked to bring back some more durians so that him and his wife could enjoy it back in their house! We then had Jason to explain the origins of the Mid-Autumn festival (also known as mooncake festival and lantern festival) to everyone present. His knowledge was even more extensive than our China classmate, who tried to confuse Jason with the wrong information. To protect him, the details of his spoof shall not be revealed here.
And, it was not all just activities for the adults. The kids got in on the fun as well, and they gamely posed for this superb picture. All in all, it was a truly exemplary example of all that Singapore is about: Singapore’s evolution and history, the modern Singapore, Singapore food, Singapore culture and lastly, Singaporean hospitality! Everyone really enjoyed themselves tremendously!
