It was definitely a privilege (for me!) to be invited by omy.sg to attend a Special after-dark Hippo Tour along with the crew from Radio 91.3 and Radio 100.3! Being part of the Night out @ Bras Basah Project, this was definitely an event not to be missed. And I look forward to this tour as an opportunity to learn more about my almost non-existent knowledge of Singapore's history. Oops.
For this event, I brought along my Survivor fanatic buddy, Jarrel and honestly, it was our first time riding the Hippo Bus! You can just imagine our excitement! Of course we're not gonna be in the Hippo Bus most of the time (I wish). However, we get to explore certain places around the Bras Basah - Bugis precinct along the way!
We assembled at the National Museum but since we were quite early, we snapped a few photos here and there since that's a place I don't usually frequent very often. My next sentence is gonna sound super bimbo BUT I never knew it was such a huuuuuuuuuge building! I definitely want to come back here one day. Hehe.
And the Hippo Bus finally arrives! Throughout our entire journey, we were entertained by Jeremy Ratnam and Maddy, the hosts from Radio 91.3. They definitely made the trip much more fun and well..entertaining that's for sure. Both of them make such a good pair together and they jokingly told us that the tour would end at 2 am. They make me wanna listen to Radio 91.3 more often although I only listen to the Hot 30 Countdown only most of the time.
Oh and not to forget, Jeremy named the two hippo buses. According to him, the Radio 91.3 bus was called Bingo and the 100.3 bus was called Kermy.
As ridiculous as it may sound, all of us felt like tourists from our own country. I think I looked like one. For me, I was waving to random strangers along the way just hoping, they would wave back. And some did wave back!
I don't know how Jeremy Ratnam does it but he's like a walking History Textbook. While driving around the Bras Basah - Bugis Area, Jeremy Ratnam was telling us about the history of certain places - Schools that were in that area almost two decades ago and did you know that The Verve used to be called Tekka Mall? I doubt I'm the only one who didn't know that! I'm actually quite embarrassed for not knowing my history that well.. after all, I am a Singaporean too, right?
Putting history aside, I really love riding in the Hippo Bus! It really felt like an excursion trip - except that it's at night! I'd choose this over the boring lessons I had in secondary school any day! And we were given a Radio 91.3 goodie bag filled with Magazines, pens, coke and whatnot.
I like how Jarrel described the Hippo Bus tour. A slooooooow rollercoaster ride!
And finally, we reached our first destination, CHIJMES! Before this, I'd just think that CHIJMES is just another hangout place at night since they have the bars and that it's just a tourist attraction.
But now I know and I'm surprised that CHIJMES is actually affiliated with the CHIJ schools in Singapore! CHIJ-mes, get it? Haha.
Believe whatever you want, this historic Singapore building has existed for more than 100 years! And there I was telling Jarrel, "I thought Singapore was just an island filled with kampongs and just trees back in the 1800s." I bet he must have thought I was some kind of a retard. Haha!
The story that kinda hit me emotionally was about The Gate of Hope. Notice the small gate along CHIJMES when you're walking towards SMU or Bras Basah? Yes, thats called The Gate of Hope. A long long time ago when parents cannot support their baby, they would just abandon their baby outside the gate. Sad story but it's true. The kind nuns took the babies in and raised them up by themselves.
Aside from that, the architecture work is amazing considered that this was done waaaay back in the 1800s - 1900s. Wow! I wasn't even breathing yet when this building was raised from the ground! Not even my parents!
Another Trivia: The huge gate you see outside of CHIJMES is apparently a replica though. The original gate is transported and is now sitting at CHIJ Toa Payoh. I never knew that!
In the past, this place was used as a chapel and a church. A hundred and a few years later, this is now a popular place for couples to take their wedding photography shots. How sweet. Oh and it's also a popular place for filmmakers to shoot their scenes for TV dramas and even movies! No wonder it looks so familiar whenever I watch those Chinese TV dramas and movies!
One of our hosts, Maddy, being a CHIJ girl back in her secondary school days, told us a little bit more about CHIJMES being a haunted building. This place existed for hundreds of years - definitely there's ghosts! I just wished she told us slightly more though about the story but it was quite late at night and I'd have probably died from freaking out.
To sum it all up, I really enjoyed this trip! Although I did wish it did not end so fast. I really like the Hippo Bus. I just wanted to stay in it slightly longer and also visit more places! It was really really interesting and intriguing the story they told us about CHIJMES. Haha! They should have more of this often! I'd love to join in!
Anyway, this was only one event from the Nightout @ Bras Basah - Bugis Precinct project. You can read more about past events here!
Hope you guys learnt at least something new... from my post! Haha! Thank you omy.sg once again for this opportunity!
P.s I'm not a bimbo okay. Haha!
For this event, I brought along my Survivor fanatic buddy, Jarrel and honestly, it was our first time riding the Hippo Bus! You can just imagine our excitement! Of course we're not gonna be in the Hippo Bus most of the time (I wish). However, we get to explore certain places around the Bras Basah - Bugis precinct along the way!
We assembled at the National Museum but since we were quite early, we snapped a few photos here and there since that's a place I don't usually frequent very often. My next sentence is gonna sound super bimbo BUT I never knew it was such a huuuuuuuuuge building! I definitely want to come back here one day. Hehe.
Looove Jarrel's expression here. At National Museum!
The National Museum. It's really HUUUUUGEEEE!
Tourists from..erm..Singapore? haha!
Waiting for the Hippo Bus! Where are you? Hurry come!
And the Hippo Bus finally arrives! Throughout our entire journey, we were entertained by Jeremy Ratnam and Maddy, the hosts from Radio 91.3. They definitely made the trip much more fun and well..entertaining that's for sure. Both of them make such a good pair together and they jokingly told us that the tour would end at 2 am. They make me wanna listen to Radio 91.3 more often although I only listen to the Hot 30 Countdown only most of the time.
Oh and not to forget, Jeremy named the two hippo buses. According to him, the Radio 91.3 bus was called Bingo and the 100.3 bus was called Kermy.
Finally our Hippo Bus is here! Our Hippo Bus - BINGO!
The crowd that turned up. This was only half of them, mind you.
As ridiculous as it may sound, all of us felt like tourists from our own country. I think I looked like one. For me, I was waving to random strangers along the way just hoping, they would wave back. And some did wave back!
I don't know how Jeremy Ratnam does it but he's like a walking History Textbook. While driving around the Bras Basah - Bugis Area, Jeremy Ratnam was telling us about the history of certain places - Schools that were in that area almost two decades ago and did you know that The Verve used to be called Tekka Mall? I doubt I'm the only one who didn't know that! I'm actually quite embarrassed for not knowing my history that well.. after all, I am a Singaporean too, right?
Putting history aside, I really love riding in the Hippo Bus! It really felt like an excursion trip - except that it's at night! I'd choose this over the boring lessons I had in secondary school any day! And we were given a Radio 91.3 goodie bag filled with Magazines, pens, coke and whatnot.
I like how Jarrel described the Hippo Bus tour. A slooooooow rollercoaster ride!
Camwhore, Camwhore, Camwhore in the bus!
Our walking History Textbook a.k.a our host - Jeremy Ratnam!
This was our view. The bus was topless! Great view, yes?
Random snapshots while on the Hippo Bus. Spot any place you find familiar? Hehe!
And finally, we reached our first destination, CHIJMES! Before this, I'd just think that CHIJMES is just another hangout place at night since they have the bars and that it's just a tourist attraction.
But now I know and I'm surprised that CHIJMES is actually affiliated with the CHIJ schools in Singapore! CHIJ-mes, get it? Haha.
Believe whatever you want, this historic Singapore building has existed for more than 100 years! And there I was telling Jarrel, "I thought Singapore was just an island filled with kampongs and just trees back in the 1800s." I bet he must have thought I was some kind of a retard. Haha!
The story that kinda hit me emotionally was about The Gate of Hope. Notice the small gate along CHIJMES when you're walking towards SMU or Bras Basah? Yes, thats called The Gate of Hope. A long long time ago when parents cannot support their baby, they would just abandon their baby outside the gate. Sad story but it's true. The kind nuns took the babies in and raised them up by themselves.
Aside from that, the architecture work is amazing considered that this was done waaaay back in the 1800s - 1900s. Wow! I wasn't even breathing yet when this building was raised from the ground! Not even my parents!
Another Trivia: The huge gate you see outside of CHIJMES is apparently a replica though. The original gate is transported and is now sitting at CHIJ Toa Payoh. I never knew that!
In the past, this place was used as a chapel and a church. A hundred and a few years later, this is now a popular place for couples to take their wedding photography shots. How sweet. Oh and it's also a popular place for filmmakers to shoot their scenes for TV dramas and even movies! No wonder it looks so familiar whenever I watch those Chinese TV dramas and movies!
CHIJMES! One of the most popular nightspot in Singapore!
This place is well.. alive and kicking even at 9pm!
There's plenty of restaurants, bars and even shopping for you to do!
Our hosts, Maddy (left) and Jeremy Ratnam (right) telling us more about the history of CHIJMES.
Very very fascinating. I was intrigued.
One of our hosts, Maddy, being a CHIJ girl back in her secondary school days, told us a little bit more about CHIJMES being a haunted building. This place existed for hundreds of years - definitely there's ghosts! I just wished she told us slightly more though about the story but it was quite late at night and I'd have probably died from freaking out.
Not sure about this. The chapel?
Okay.. from this angle.. it does look slightly scary-ish.
At the end of the day!
To sum it all up, I really enjoyed this trip! Although I did wish it did not end so fast. I really like the Hippo Bus. I just wanted to stay in it slightly longer and also visit more places! It was really really interesting and intriguing the story they told us about CHIJMES. Haha! They should have more of this often! I'd love to join in!
Anyway, this was only one event from the Nightout @ Bras Basah - Bugis Precinct project. You can read more about past events here!
Hope you guys learnt at least something new... from my post! Haha! Thank you omy.sg once again for this opportunity!
P.s I'm not a bimbo okay. Haha!
Labels: omy.sg, Travelogue
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