A few months back, on March 23 2014, Breadman and I visited Haw Par Villa during the reliving Haw Par Villa event, which was part of the Tourism50 campaign organized by Singapore Tourism Board. We had a fabulous time and in a span of a few hours, we went for free guided tours, watched cultural performances and even ate food such as popiah at the nostalgia-themed food bazaar. Haw Par Villa was an iconic attraction during my childhood days and I can still remember visiting it with my sisters when it was repackaged as Dragonworld theme park after Tiger Balm Gardens failed. Thinking back, I cant remember why we can afford to go for it as the tickets were really pricey back then and my family werent well-to-do. Anyway, I was kind of upset to learn that Haw Par Villa still couldnt make it big despite the Aw brothers pumping in lots of money for its publicity. I guess other tourist attractions like the zoo outdo it easily. Thus, I am really happy to learn that STB is trying to bring back some life into Haw Par Villa again! I would think it is important to preserve this place as lots of Singaporeans, even the 80s or 90s babies grew up with Haw Par Villa being part of their childhood and they are able to reasonate with this place really well. So please do not tear this place down!! I will be terribly upset if this place were to be torn down to make way for new developments.
Anyway, I shall show you the photos we took along the way. Since young, I am scared of this place because it is associated with the 18 gates of hell. Scary loh. Even now when I am an adult, I will still remind myself to act appropriately otherwise I will end up with my tongues being cut and bodies being sliced when I die. What a huge impact this place had on me! Haha.
Welcome area where we received a goody bag with a free umbrella inside.
I hope this place can be revived. It's free admission peeps! Bring your kids here for an educational tour! Drop the ipads and tablets please. It's time to instill some values and inculcate morals.
A pic of us early in the morning, touristy photo.
Somebody acting stern in here. Hehe.
Free postcards for all visitors. I took part in the contest where I wrote a message to Breadman and dropped the card in the tourism50 box and I managed to win a sentosa family card! Heehee. It pays to take part in contests.
These are beautifully drawn. That's dragonworld! I was there....
Told Breadman that we'll be here for a staycation someday.
Sitting in for a background talk about this place. The presenter did a good job!
Selfie! I love my straw hat. I got it from cotton on for $5.
We joined free tour groups organized by Journeys Pte Ltd. They stopped by certain figurines/murals and shared with us those interesting stories related to them.
Our tour guide.
Goddess of Mercy. I am worshipping her currently.
If I remembered well, this one is about the two women, whom are prostitutes, trying to lure the man into committing sexual acts.
Fu Lu Shou.
Vintage Baazaar.
Because I am not born in the 60s or 70s, thus I am so in love with all things related to that time period.
Vintage stuff certainly do not come cheap.
Played this while in primary school. During recess time, to kill time. Those were the good old days!
Have you played those stacking erasers game? I did! 5 stones too.
Tiger Balm marketing
As usual, we made a dash for the wishing well. Haha.. correction. I made the dash for it. You dunno how superstitious I am meh.
Make a wish, make a wish! Make me the most handsome man in the world.
Me with my wishing coin. I was still wearing my knee guard as I fell down just a while back then.
I wanna drive this car if I have licence.
Somebody buy 4d please. First prize, guarantee!
Statue of Liberty. This thing is really out of place but impressionable.
Food bazaar selling various food items.
Popiah good enough for presidents. Haha. This tagline made me laugh
Waiting for the cultural performance.
Got one of these but it isnt good enough leh. Not good for me so I dun think it's good for presidents. Haha. The one I got from Chong Pang market is nicer and cheaper.
Here's the performance we were waiting for. Acrobatic display! This is no easy feat and I take my hats off them. They have seriously flexible bodies and I cant imagine the training they go through just to reach this stage..
Breadman brought me my birthday present on that day! I expected it to be canon selphy cuz he told me so. Haha.
What I didnt expect was the other package containing the photo paper. Haha..
The storyteller. He was pretty good!
Pigsy from journey to the west.
Sandy
Tang San Zang
Jiang Zi Ya
Overall, I enjoyed myself on this trip down the memory lane again. Sometimes, checking out cultural places might bring about new experiences to you and it's vastly different as compared to just spending your dates on movies and shopping. It's a wholesome experience, an insightful trip. I enjoyed myself very much and I hope more people can visit this place.
