We feel lonely, sometimes to the point of tears, but we don’t let those tears come because we are not supposed to cry. Or how we feel a surge of love for a partner but we don’t say anything because we’re frozen with the fear of what those words might do to the relationship.
-Mitch Albom
my good friday was spent going to the Istana in the afternoon! We planned to go much much earlier but I was too tired! so here are we in our very own 'white house'! It is opened to visitors every few times in a year on public holidays such as CNY, Labour day and Nat day! Since I'll b away this Nat day, P and I decided that we die die have to go on Labour day!
istana map. Its free entry for Singaporeans and PRs while foreigners have to pay $1 per visit. All proceeds goes to charity! I noted that they were not very strict in checking our nationality or perhaps its cos of the heat that got into them. p's bro gt in even tho he didnt bring his child ezlink card. there was a backcheck and bodyscan similar to that of the airport at the entrance though.
During the open house days, The Istana is opened for most of the day and there will be various activities planned throughout the day for visitors like me! =)
It is my first time in the Istana and boy, its HUGE!!! From the regular Penang Road Entrance that we are so familiar to next to PS we had to walk like 15-20mins to reach the Istana main bldg!!!! and in that sweltering heat! So I kinda pity this police standing in the middle of the field even though he is in the shade.
Along the walk to the main building, there was an exhibit by the Singapore Zoo! I guess visitors can take pictures with the snake, i'm sure at a cost. There was no one taking photos with the snake when i passed by!
The Singapore Zoo was promoting animal conservation and one of the ways is to not buy illegal animal parts such as that of the Tiger. This is in fact a real tiger hide, except the eyes, tongue and tooth was real. Feels really smooth=)
SCGS and another school's choir was there to sing in the main; large tent.
After buckets of sweat, we finally made it to the main bldg! Its really pretty grand!
me n main bldg =))It is where our president have tea with foreign diplomats etc. When the red flag is up, it signifies that our President is in residence.
To go into the main bldg itself, we have to purchase tix at $2 each! and thank god there's aircon inside! But photography was strictly not allowed. Displayed within are table settings of how our president host his guests as well as numerous gifts from heads of various nations. The gifts were spectacular!
i googled and found this rare photo of inside of the istana main bldg.
The istana is so big such that they can tee off inside! I wonder who gets to tee off in the istana!
An ancient canon on the grounds of the istana=)
This super chio fountain outside the istana main bldg. I wish my hse have a fountain in the yard too =))