Mar 14, Guided Bugis Street Walking Tour - This is the real Singapore!

On this Bugis Street Walking Tour, get up close with the locals. Yes, feel the heartbeat of the real Singapore...

At first glance, the Bugis/Waterloo Street area is just a busy place - full of buying and selling. But look carefully and you'll realise this: it's a great place to understand ordinary Singaporeans.

It's true - the shopping here is good. But you see that some things are sold more than others. Why? You see a frail old woman donating generously at the temple's donation box. Why? You see folks run their hands all over The Laughing Buddha. Again, why?

On this guided Bugis Street Walking Tour, the guides from Summer Footprints take you to a place that is often called the 'Real Chinatown'. They tell juicy stories from the area's past; and they de-mystify everything you see in the present.

The Dark Past of Bugis Street. Transvestites used to ply their trade on Bugis Street. As did Japanese prostitutes before World War 2. Theirs were not just money-for-sex transactions. On this Bugis Street Walking Tour, allow your guide to re-live their stories of loyalty, betrayal and heart-aches.

The Largest Street Bazaar in Singapore. Do not hit the stalls and shop like mad straight-away. First, let your guide point you to a few oddities in this maze of 600+ stalls. Then armed with the necessary knowledge, return at the end of the tour to snag the bargains.

Sure, you'll find the odd handphone cover here and there. But many shoppers have got their hands on one-of-a-kind, home-made creations - stuff which you can't find elsewhere...

One of the '1000 Places to See Before You Die'. Patricia Schultz listed this as one of 1000 places you must see before you die. Yet Singaporeans are so lucky that they can go there everyday! Find out what this place is on this Bugis Street Walking Tour.

The Street of Faiths. Within 250m on this little street, you'll find:

Singapore's Most Powerful Chinese Temple? The Japanese WW2 pilots didn't dare to bomb this temple, even as they ravaged everything else around it. Childless couples come to pray for breakthrough here. Terminally ill people come to plead for healing. Why is there such a buzz in this place? Find out for yourself. Not-Just-Any Hindu Temple. But a Hindu temple that houses a Buddhist deity and accepts joss-sticks offerings from Chinese devotees. Religious harmony or what? You need to see it. The Malay Church. Self-explanatory. A Jewish Synagogue. Yes, Singapore is more diverse than you think.

Temple Rituals De-mystified. Why is the lotus flower a best-seller outside the temples? Why do some devotees offer only red lotus flowers? What does it mean when a believer runs her hands over the belly, or the lips, or the ears of The Laughing Buddha? After a devotee has finished praying, how does she get answers from the gods? Get explanations from your guide.

Visit this authentic part of Singapore. See the real Singapore on this Bugis Street Walking Tour.

Your Guide for Bugis Street Walking Tour:
Chiep Ping or Sharon, from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd.

Day/Time:
Tours run on Wednesday, departing at 9.30am and ending about 12.30pm.
(A booking is essential for the tour to run. Use the form below.)

Meeting Point: Bugis MRT Station (Exit C)

Online Price: S$30 per adult.

For the tour to run, a booking is essential (minimum of 2 adult participants).Please book at the latest 3pm on the day before the tour date.Children below 12 years of age join for free with paying adults.

Inclusions:
1) The guidance and commentary of a STB-certified tour guide.
2) Complimentary local coffee and local snacks to sample.

Exclusions:
All personal purchases along the route of the walking tour.

To register your interest in this Bugis Street Walking Tour, fill in the form below:

Guided Little India Walking Tour

Guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour

Bugis Street Walking Tour as Part of Travel Package

View the original article here

Dec 4, Guided Little India Walking Tour - Explore Singapore!

Join a guided Little India Walking Tour. Get to see the real Singapore...
The sights and sounds in Little India are many. But their true meanings may be lost on you if you are visiting for the first time. To fully enjoy this part of Singapore, try joining a guided Little India walking tour - and let a local guide show you all the finer points of Indian culture.
I went on the Little India Walking Tour by Summer Footprints and enjoyed it tremendously. Now, allow me to recommend it to you.
Your friendly local guides - Sharon or Chiep Ping - will take you on a fascinating journey through this fascinating part of Singapore...
The "Midwife" Who Delivered 1.2 Million Singaporeans. This is glitzy Singapore. So it's hard to believe so many Singaporeans were born in a humble location in Little India. Find out where this little spot is, and what the mid-wives did when they ran out of space to hold the babies. It's quite astounding.
The Strangest Looking Vegetables and Fruits. If you think cauliflower and broccoli look strange, wait till you see the vegetables in Little India.
Garlands Galore. You will be struck by the colourful garlands. But who would buy them and what are they used for? Get answers on this tour. And watch how the garland makers magically weave flowers into garlands in no time.
Hinduism 101. Visit 2 Hindu temples. Marvel at the chillingly realistic sculptures of Hindu gods. Get a lowdown on the architecture of Hindu temples. Watch the priests, the devotees and their rituals. And allow your guide to explain everything that is unfolding before you eyes. Hinduism is de-mystified on this guided Little India Walking Tour.
Immerse Yourself in Indian Culture. Try out an exquisite saree. And if you'd always wanted a tatoo but feared you couldn't wash it away, why not have your hand henna-painted instead? On this Little India walking tour, you get to try this form of Indian body-art. It's great fun.
Meet Mani the 'Psychic' Parakeet. Germany had Paul the Octopus, of World Cup fame. Well, Singapore has Mani the Parakeet, who also predicted everything correctly - until the final game ;-). A prominent star on Mainstreet Little India, Mani brings in brisk business for his owner.

Organisers:
The Guides from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd.
Day/Time:
Tours run on Tuesday & Friday, departing at 9.30am and ending about 12.30pm.
Meeting Point: Little India MRT Station (Exit C)
Online Price: S$30 per adult.
A minimum of 2 adult participants is required for the tour to run.A booking is required at the latest 3pm on the day before the tour date.Children below 12 years of age join for free with paying adults.
Inclusions:
1) The guidance and commentary of a STB-certified tour guide.
2) Local snacks for participants to sample.
3) Complimentary henna-painting for 1 (one) person on the day's tour. Fee of $5-20 applies for second and subsequent persons who want to have their hand henna-painted.
Exclusions:
All personal purchases along the route of the walking tour.
To register your interest in this guided Little India Walking Tour, fill in the form below:
Guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour
Guided Bugis Street Walking Tour
Little India Walking Tour as Part of Travel Package
View the original article here

Mar 5, Guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour - See the real Singapore!

On this guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour, discover things that surprise even the locals...

Singapore Chinatown is a great place to explore - delightful secret places, awe-inspiring religious treasures, quirky Chinese goods, and more.

The guides from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd invited me to go on their guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour. And I was humbled to re-discover a place I thought I knew quite well.

Yes, go beneath the surface. Peel off the layers. And you won't see Singapore the same way again...

The Dark History of Early Chinese Immigrants. In the 19th Century, Chinese men challenged destiny and braved the 'southern seas' for a better life. They arrived in Singapore - only to take on back-breaking jobs, live in dirty quarters, and eventually become addicted to opium.

On this Singapore Chinatown walking tour, go on-site, re-visit this slice of Singapore history, and hear the complete story.

Nanyang Coffee Stall and Museum. Why do some Singaporeans insist on the regional version of the cuppa (Nanyang coffee)? Enjoy a cup of Nanyang coffee on your guide, and see how it is different from your premium latte or cappucino.

Buddhism De-mystified. Buddhist devotees from the region donated their gold ear-rings, bangles, bullions and family heirloom - amounting to 320kg of the real McCoy! Just why did they do such a thing?

The gold was smelted and turned into a masterpiece by Buddhist craftsmen. What does a 320kg golden shrine look like? See it for yourself on this Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour.

Then once you've been awe-struck, proceed to the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum: to discover how Buddhism began, and to see more jaw-dropping relics.

Singapore's Oldest Hindu Temple, in Chinatown? The first Hindu temple in Singapore was built mainly for the Indian population. But why was it situated in the heart of Chinatown? Get an explanation from your guide. Then stand under the ceilings of the temple and marvel at the astoundingly beautiful murals.

We Chinese Are Quite Quirky! Geckos, fungi, and other unmentionable parts of exotic animals. Personally, I squirm just looking at them; yet the Chinese in Singapore still eat them. Check these out at the medical halls in Chinatown. And learn about their (alleged?) medicinal properties.

The Colonial Singapore Shophouse. French louvred windows, Chinese roofs, and Malay frames. Join them together, throw in one or two more exotic designs, and you get the colonial-era Singapore shophouse. Quirky or quaint? Decide for yourself on this Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour.

Your Guide for this Walking Tour:
Chiep Ping or Sharon, from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd.

Day/Time:
Tours run on Monday & Thursday, departing at 9.30am and ending about 12.30pm. (Tours run only when a booking is made. Please use the form below.)

Meeting Point: Chinatown MRT Station (Exit A)

Online Price: S$30 per adult.

For the tour to run, a booking is essential (minimum of 2 adult participants).Please book at the latest 3pm on the day before the tour date.Children below 12 years of age join for free with paying adults.

Inclusions:
1) The guidance and commentary of a STB-certified tour guide.
2) A complimentary cup of Nanyang coffee for each participant.

Exclusions:
All personal purchases along the route of the walking tour.

To join or enquire about this guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour, fill in the form below:

Guided Little India Walking Tour

Guided Bugis Street Walking Tour

Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour (Street of Faiths)

View the original article here

Dec 4, Guided Little India Walking Tour - Explore Singapore!

Join a guided Little India Walking Tour. Get to see the real Singapore...

The sights and sounds in Little India are many. But their true meanings may be lost on you if you are visiting for the first time. To fully enjoy this part of Singapore, try joining a guided Little India walking tour - and let a local guide show you all the finer points of Indian culture.

I went on the Little India Walking Tour by Summer Footprints and enjoyed it tremendously. Now, allow me to recommend it to you.

Your friendly local guides - Sharon or Chiep Ping - will take you on a fascinating journey through this fascinating part of Singapore...

The "Midwife" Who Delivered 1.2 Million Singaporeans. This is glitzy Singapore. So it's hard to believe so many Singaporeans were born in a humble location in Little India. Find out where this little spot is, and what the mid-wives did when they ran out of space to hold the babies. It's quite astounding.

The Strangest Looking Vegetables and Fruits. If you think cauliflower and broccoli look strange, wait till you see the vegetables in Little India.

Garlands Galore. You will be struck by the colourful garlands. But who would buy them and what are they used for? Get answers on this tour. And watch how the garland makers magically weave flowers into garlands in no time.

Hinduism 101. Visit 2 Hindu temples. Marvel at the chillingly realistic sculptures of Hindu gods. Get a lowdown on the architecture of Hindu temples. Watch the priests, the devotees and their rituals. And allow your guide to explain everything that is unfolding before you eyes. Hinduism is de-mystified on this guided Little India Walking Tour.

Immerse Yourself in Indian Culture. Try out an exquisite saree. And if you'd always wanted a tatoo but feared you couldn't wash it away, why not have your hand henna-painted instead? On this Little India walking tour, you get to try this form of Indian body-art. It's great fun.

Meet Mani the 'Psychic' Parakeet. Germany had Paul the Octopus, of World Cup fame. Well, Singapore has Mani the Parakeet, who also predicted everything correctly - until the final game ;-). A prominent star on Mainstreet Little India, Mani brings in brisk business for his owner.

Organisers:
The Guides from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd.

Day/Time:
Tours run on Tuesday & Friday, departing at 9.30am and ending about 12.30pm.

Meeting Point: Little India MRT Station (Exit C)

Online Price: S$30 per adult.

A minimum of 2 adult participants is required for the tour to run.A booking is required at the latest 3pm on the day before the tour date.Children below 12 years of age join for free with paying adults.

Inclusions:
1) The guidance and commentary of a STB-certified tour guide.
2) Local snacks for participants to sample.
3) Complimentary henna-painting for 1 (one) person on the day's tour. Fee of $5-20 applies for second and subsequent persons who want to have their hand henna-painted.

Exclusions:
All personal purchases along the route of the walking tour.

To register your interest in this guided Little India Walking Tour, fill in the form below:

Guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour

Guided Bugis Street Walking Tour

Little India Walking Tour as Part of Travel Package

View the original article here

Mar 5, Guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour - See the real Singapore!

On this guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour, discover things that surprise even the locals...
Singapore Chinatown is a great place to explore - delightful secret places, awe-inspiring religious treasures, quirky Chinese goods, and more.
The guides from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd invited me to go on their guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour. And I was humbled to re-discover a place I thought I knew quite well.
Yes, go beneath the surface. Peel off the layers. And you won't see Singapore the same way again...
The Dark History of Early Chinese Immigrants. In the 19th Century, Chinese men challenged destiny and braved the 'southern seas' for a better life. They arrived in Singapore - only to take on back-breaking jobs, live in dirty quarters, and eventually become addicted to opium.
On this Singapore Chinatown walking tour, go on-site, re-visit this slice of Singapore history, and hear the complete story.
Nanyang Coffee Stall and Museum. Why do some Singaporeans insist on the regional version of the cuppa (Nanyang coffee)? Enjoy a cup of Nanyang coffee on your guide, and see how it is different from your premium latte or cappucino.
Buddhism De-mystified. Buddhist devotees from the region donated their gold ear-rings, bangles, bullions and family heirloom - amounting to 320kg of the real McCoy! Just why did they do such a thing?
The gold was smelted and turned into a masterpiece by Buddhist craftsmen. What does a 320kg golden shrine look like? See it for yourself on this Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour.
Then once you've been awe-struck, proceed to the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum: to discover how Buddhism began, and to see more jaw-dropping relics.
Singapore's Oldest Hindu Temple, in Chinatown? The first Hindu temple in Singapore was built mainly for the Indian population. But why was it situated in the heart of Chinatown? Get an explanation from your guide. Then stand under the ceilings of the temple and marvel at the astoundingly beautiful murals.
We Chinese Are Quite Quirky! Geckos, fungi, and other unmentionable parts of exotic animals. Personally, I squirm just looking at them; yet the Chinese in Singapore still eat them. Check these out at the medical halls in Chinatown. And learn about their (alleged?) medicinal properties.
The Colonial Singapore Shophouse. French louvred windows, Chinese roofs, and Malay frames. Join them together, throw in one or two more exotic designs, and you get the colonial-era Singapore shophouse. Quirky or quaint? Decide for yourself on this Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour.

Your Guide for this Walking Tour:
Chiep Ping or Sharon, from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd.
Day/Time:
Tours run on Monday & Thursday, departing at 9.30am and ending about 12.30pm. (Tours run only when a booking is made. Please use the form below.)
Meeting Point: Chinatown MRT Station (Exit A)
Online Price: S$30 per adult.
For the tour to run, a booking is essential (minimum of 2 adult participants).Please book at the latest 3pm on the day before the tour date.Children below 12 years of age join for free with paying adults.
Inclusions:
1) The guidance and commentary of a STB-certified tour guide.
2) A complimentary cup of Nanyang coffee for each participant.

Exclusions:
All personal purchases along the route of the walking tour.
To join or enquire about this guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour, fill in the form below:
IF YOU ARE ENQUIRING ABOUT THIS TOUR IN OCTOBER 2011
This tour is run by the tour guides from Summer Footprints Pte Ltd. They normally respond to your queries within 24-48 hours. However, the guides will be on the road from 4 Oct 2011 to 26 Oct 2011 and will have limited Internet access during this time.
Therefore, they may not be able to reply to your queries on these days. However, all queries/bookings are still welcome - and the guides will get back to you from 27 Oct 2011 onwards.
 Guided Little India Walking Tour
 Guided Bugis Street Walking Tour
 Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour (Street of Faiths)

View the original article here