THE meet up with Dan Teo Khai Mun at the Marina Bay Sands' RISE Restaurant turns out to be an eye-opening experience. Complemented by a sumptuous buffet spread, captivating stories about recent finds from this avid antique collector start fuelling interest.
Rare items such as Straits Settlements period documents and Japanese Occupation era memorabilia take turns to appear on the table in between servings of free-flow seafood, time-honoured classics like Singapore chilli crab and Australian wagyu beef cheek rendang as well as fresh sashimi and sushi selections.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
Wildly passionate about Singapore's colourful past, Dan scours local and foreign flea markets and depends on social media for suitable materials. What sets Dan apart from most other collectors, however, is his willingness to share acquired knowledge.
Obviously saving the best for last, he produces a never seen before program after we adjourn to the all-new RISE Outdoor.
The natural light and tranquil setting amidst lush greenery allow optimal appreciation of the valuable keepsake signed by the Thunderbirds group members when they performed at Melaka's Dewan Hang Tuah on January 12, 1968.
Beaming proudly, Dan declares that this latest acquisition will see inclusion in his D'Walking Museum workshops conducted for locals as well as schools under the Ministry of Education's International Students and Permanent Residents (ISPR) programme.
Inspired by Dan's undertaking to help children learn and understand the past while nurturing a sense of nationhood among the various races that make up Singapore's cohesive social fabric, I head out in search of other inspiring places suitable for children.
FIRST MUSEUM
Located at the nearby Civic District, the recently opened Children's Museum Singapore is a hive of activity with kids actively participating is a range of specially curated activities, exhibitions and immersive galleries.
Formerly the Singapore Philatelic Museum, this turn of the 20th century colonial bungalow has been given a new lease on life by becoming a place of inspiration for children from the age of 12 years and below.
This two-storey landmark consists of a permanent exhibition on the first floor while the upper level is reserved for three annually evolving galleries featuring exciting exhibits. Creativity and learning through play take centre stage here as young patrons and their families curiously explore various installations.
Central to Singapore's first-ever museum for children is A Voyage Back Through Time, a permanent exhibition where mascot Wonderbot takes visitors through history back to the present.
Together with an immersive theatre screening, its four distinct segments showcase Singapore's phenomenal transformation from an obscure fishing settlement to a bustling global metropolis.
TOYS FOR EVERYONE
MINT Museum of Toys is another interesting place for children to let their imagination run wild. Located just a short distance away at the Museum & Art District, it was reopened just two years ago after undergoing extensive redevelopment.
Its four new thematic levels - Outerspace, Characters, Childhood Favourites and Collectables - house over 50,000 vintage toys that were passionately accumulated from over 40 countries by collector and enthusiast Chang Yang Fa. With numerous century-old toys among the mix, the former electrical engineer has successfully placed his labour of love on the world map, alongside renowned institutions like Madam Tussauds and New York's Museum of Modern Art.
Displayed with their original boxes, these priceless items are more than just nostalgic playthings as they set visitors adrift on memory bliss. Apart from admiring key displays like the only known complete Batman robot toy in this magnificent collection said to be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, children and their families can check out the museum shop and bring home affordably priced souvenirs.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
Things come full circle after circumnavigating Marina Bay. With its unique 'welcoming hand' architectural design, the ArtScience Museum greets visitors especially families with children warmly. Several promotional posters near the ticketing counter provide ample proof of the museum's untiring effort to push scientific and technological boundaries through a retinue of world-class exhibitions.
Seeking to enthral kids and inspire adults by seamlessly fusing art and science through fascinating stories within 21 galleries spread over three storeys, this premier venue houses a changing line-up of major international touring exhibitions, brought in through collaborations with global organisations such as the Smithsonian Institute and American Museum of Natural History.
Offering a different kind of family day out, the ArtScience Museum successfully dispels myth that museums are not for everyone by giving children and adults ample opportunities to learn, bond, and connect with each other when attending specially curated exhibitions and programmes.
Exhibitions aside, the ArtScience Cinema features a diverse range of programming that includes featured films, cinematic retrospectives, film festival selections and documentaries. This purpose-built screening room features spacious, comfortable seating and high-quality surround-sound wireless headphones that offer unparalleled cinematic experience.
After a delightful Rasapura Masters dinner at the adjacent Sands Expo & Convention Centre, the day comes to a fitting close when witnessing Spectra, a free 15-minute light and water extravaganza displayed over water nightly at the Event Plaza.
While reflecting upon events of the day as crowds disperse, there remains little doubt that downtown Singapore has much to offer visitors. Central to this is the world renowned Marina Bay Sands with its iconic rooftop infinity pool and the much talked about newly restored and impeccably designed Sands Collection rooms and suites which offer stunning views of either the scenic city or lush Gardens by the Bay area.
Enjoy the upcoming school holiday with extra rebates by applying Klook discount code.