Singapore at 60: 60 Moments To Remember
- Lena Sharp
- Sep 5
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 12
By Lena Sharp
East-West Tapestry: Cultural Connections Across ContinentsAs a child growing up in newly-independent Singapore, my earliest memories of the island-state seem but a fleeting dream – albeit one that continues to reside in the fading photos that have survived the ravages of time. Whilst change and progress are inevitable in a rapidly evolving world, these tokens of memory serve as poignant reminders of the past.
To commemorate Singapore’s 60th birthday, I have compiled an eclectic tapestry of collective memories old and new, woven together by various friends and AWA members to create a ‘Singapore at 60’ that will remain indelibly etched in our hearts and minds for years to come.
These include a number of my own childhood memories, along with more recent, quirky encounters from others – and a number of fun facts. Whilst these entries might not go down in history books, they are no less precious, and uniquely Singaporean.
I remember:
When the row of black-and-white houses along Tanglin Road was a place where people actually lived (including me!) - and not a shopping gallery called Tudor Court.
When our local ‘convenience store’ was a 4-storey walk-up shop known as C. K. Tang – now home to the magnificent 30-storey Marriott Tang Plaza.
Gazing in wonder as a six-year old as the Mandarin Hotel rose to the sky from a vacant plot on Orchard Road, to become ‘Singapore’s tallest building’.
When our neighbours included monkeys from the Botanic Gardens.
When the notoriously unhealthy ‘ice-ball’ – the precursor to ‘ice kachang’ - was a thing you could buy for 10 cents from the ‘mamak shop’. A beloved children’s treat in decades past, this snowball of shaven ice, moulded by hand and drizzled with colourful syrups, had to be consumed before the tropical heat turned it into a syrupy slush dripping down one’s arm!
Waking up to the sound of pigs oinking from a sty behind our newly-built semi-detached house off Upper Thomson Road – before the tractors arrived to demolish the last of the farming villages, making way for the high-rise HDB estate now known as Bishan New Town.
When Tanah Merah was a beach where we went swimming, and not an MRT Station, or the title of a book by Noel Barber.
When Beach Road was close to the waterfront opposite the Raffles Hotel and Queen Elizabeth Walk - from which we’d stroll to the iconic Satay Club, a favourite haunt for hawker food along the vibrant Esplanade.
Watching spectators waving tearful goodbyes to friends and family leaving Singapore for the first time, from the ‘waving gallery’ of the old Paya Lebar Airport in the early days of civil aviation when air travel was a novelty.
Being ‘dragged’ as unwilling kids to Singapore’s iconic National Theatre along River Valley Road to learn to appreciate the local arts.
Revelling in the melodramatic tropical thunderstorms and heavy monsoon downpours that provided ‘entertainment’ on rainy days.
The large-leafed evergreens, the fragrant scents of frangipanis and jasmines – reminders that despite being heavily built up, modern Singapore remains a ‘Garden City’ which is home to over 2,000 native plant species.
The occasional song of a Merbok (zebra dove) - yet another reminder of the resilience of nature amidst rapid urbanisation.
Hawker stalls serving up steaming plates of Hokkien noodles, rows of grilling satay, and curries eaten off banana leaves in an ever-evolving food paradise.
Finding a scale model of my own London condominium on display in a hotel we were staying in in Singapore.
Realising in its 60th year, that Singapore has over 60 offshore islands, mostly uninhabited.
The gleaming array of shopping and dining establishments along Orchard Road, Marina Bay and the financial district that have turned the Little Red Dot into an ultra-modern metropolis.
The breakneck pace of industrialisation that has transformed independent Singapore into one of the world’s wealthiest nations in a matter of decades.
Collective recollections from AWA members and friends:
Spotting a pangolin at MacRitchie Reservoir.
Catching a rare glimpse of a group of otters vigorously feasting on fish at the Botanic Gardens.
Otters, otters, everywhere! Discovering a small family of baby otters born under Alexandra Bridge. These free-roaming creatures have gained the status of ‘urban celebrities’ all over the island.
Escaping to the enormous conservatories of Gardens By the Bay which provide shelter from the heat by day, and a dazzling display of glowing Supertrees by night.
Spotting a plaque dedicated to John Maynard Keynes of all places, on a wall in Singapore!
Discovering unusual crime signboards in public places - such as ‘Voyeurism Is A Crime.’ Do other countries do this?!
Being ‘hit’ by the strong, heady scent of incense drifting from the slated roofs of various places of worship (not for the faint-hearted!) at midday.
Hearing the cries of fruit-sellers in old market places from behind piles of rambutans, mangosteens, durians and starfruits.
Using packs of tissue to ‘chope’ (reserve) seats in hawker centres and other public places – a foolproof tactic, only in Singapore!
Discovering chicken rice – Singapore’s unofficial national dish.
Trying to figure out Singlish – Singapore’s unofficial ‘national language’ replete with ‘lahs’ and ‘ahs’ and the ‘dropping of s-es’. Considered ‘cool’, Singlish is a dialect formed of an amalgamation of the grammar and vocabulary of English and local languages. Although not spoken in formal settings, it serves as an important marker of the Singaporean national identity.
Waking up to the potent aroma of “kopi” made from robusta coffee beans wafting out of “kopi tiams” or local coffee shops.
Realising that a local “kopi” is not complete without a slice of traditional “kaya toast” (toast spread with a sweet, fragrant coconut jam).
After-dinner visits to the Night Safari – Singapore’s unique wildlife park where one can observe nocturnal creatures in their natural habitats after dark.
Another unique moonlight experience: the Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1 – the first ever F1 night race on earth!
Meeting the Noodle Man in Chinatown who masterfully pulls lumps of floury dough with his bare hands into long strands of noodles, which he then transforms into a variety of mouthwatering specialty noodle dishes ‘to die for’.
Discovering the Pek Sin Choon wholesale tea shop in Chinatown, a long-standing family business, and taking in their time-honoured stories over tea – one cup at a time.
Cooking up a storm of local dishes at the Food Playground’s cookery school whilst discovering the fascinating side of Singapore’s food heritage in a friendly, informal setting.
The rows of Peranakan shophouses in Emerald Hill, incorporating Chinese, Malay and European architectural features. These iconic buildings, painted in pastel shades of pink, green and blue, capture the very essence of the ‘Baba’ culture - ‘Babas’ being the male descendants of the first wave of Southern Chinese settlers to the Straits Settlements.
Trying on a beautiful Nyonya kebaya with a modern twist – a garment that preserves the Peranakan heritage of ‘Nyonyas’ – female descendants of the Southern Chinese settlers. These traditional garments have evolved over time to cater to fashionable contemporary tastes.
Swimming to the edge of the world’s longest infinity pool atop Marina Bay Sands Hotel to take in stunning 360 views of Singapore’s impressive skyline.
Luxuriating in the lush Sky Garden of Capita Springs, which offers more panoramic views of the city from the 51st floor, as well as 4 storeys of verdant cascading gardens in the Green Oasis below.
Going on a 10km Southern Ridges hiking trail flanked by greenery and connecting bridges that take you from Kent Ridge Park, Forest Walk, Hort Park, Canopy Walk and Henderson Waves to Harbour Front.
Taking a boat ride to Pulau Ubin, one of Singapore’s offshore islands where time has stood wonderfully still! One of the last rural areas to be found in Singapore, Pulau Ubin boasts an abundance of natural flora and fauna and is a popular escape for hikers, bikers and those who simply want to get away.
Experiencing the elegant old-world charm of the iconic Raffles Hotel - a beacon of classical architecture adorned with palm trees and steeped in history. The Raffles experience is not complete without the sip of a Singapore Sling in its birthplace - the Long Bar.
Random fun facts:
Changi Airport is the only airport in the world that offers an outdoor nature trail, swimming pool, movie theatre, an endless array of restaurants and hawker stalls and an indoor waterfall!
The Rain Vortex – the world’s tallest indoor waterfall -which stands at 40m high in the Jewel Changi Airport, has turned the airport into a destination in itself.
With its surprisingly rich biodiversity, Singapore’s Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is home to more tree species than the whole of North America.
Chewing gum isn’t entirely banned in Singapore. Small amounts can be brought into the country as long as it’s for personal use.
To avoid getting charged $1.50 simply for wiping one's mouth after a meal at a local restaurant, many Singaporeans take the wet tissue packets served at the table back to the payment counter.
The entire lyrics of Singapore’s National Anthem is printed in microtext on the back of every thousand-dollar note.
Singapore is one of only three surviving city-states in the world - the other two being Vatican City and Monaco, both of which are much smaller by comparison.
Singapore has one of the highest home-ownership rates in the world of over 90% - due largely to the government’s affordable HDB housing scheme.
Singapore’s land area has expanded by 25% since independence and continues to grow through land reclamation.
Hornbill birds which were once locally extinct are now commonly spotted in local parks.
The world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal can be found at a ‘chicken rice and noodle’ hawker stall in Singapore.
Singapore’s hawker centres are UNESCO-listed for cultural significance.
Singapore was a trading port known as Temasek centuries before Stamford Raffles arrived.
A portrait of Singapore's first president, Yusof Ishak, is featured on every Singapore banknote in circulation.
It is rumoured that there are more students studying in Starbucks coffeeshops all across Singapore than all of the junior colleges, polytechnics and universities combined. (Joke).
Singapore was voted out of the Federation of Malaysia in 1965 - 60 years ago… The rest is history.
Happy Birthday, Singapore! Long may you thrive!
 | Lena Sharp is a freelance writer who was born in Singapore and resides in the UK. She enjoys exploring cross-cultural connections that bridge the two worlds she inhabits - whilst taking others on a journey of discovery through her contributions. |
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