We started our New Year's Eve festivities with a trip to hell. After our delicious ramen noodle lunch, Pallavi and I decided to take the MRT to a park that was included on almost all of the "Things to do in Singapore" lists I looked up before the trip. Called Haw Par Villa, this cultural attraction is best known for its vividly detailed depiction of the 10 Courts of Hell, which warns visitors of the punishments that await them in the afterlife based on the sins they commit in the realm of the living. |
The afternoon was hot and humid, and rainclouds threatened to unleash a downpour at any minute. The ominous sky only added to the sense of foreboding that settled in my stomach as we approached the entrance to the 10 Courts of Hell. Our apprehensive entrance was soon expedited, however, as the first droplets of rain started to fall, spurring us to take shelter in the covered exhibit. The sights inside are still a bit difficult to comprehend, much less explain, yet I will try my best.
The first thing I noticed upon entering the 10 Courts of Hell was the uneasy feeling of being watched by hundreds of eyes, all belonging to the poor, suffering souls of sinners being tortured in various ways in the attraction's extensive dioramas. Think "It's a Small World," but take away the boat ride and the singing and add expressions of pure horror painted on the dolls' faces as they are thrown into pits of volcanic lava.
From being speared on a tree of knives to having one's tongue cut out, the extensive tableau of unsettling fates left little to the imagination, and served — quite successfully, I might add — as a pretty convincing argument as to why one should try to live a pure, sinless life.
Outside the rain had stopped, so we ventured further into the gardens, which were crammed with brightly colored statues and scenes taken from Chinese myth and folklore. The feeling of being watched by the fantastical animal-headed characters throughout the garden was still unsettling; however, the park's dedication to aspects of Chinese cultural tradition is commendable. I'm not sure if I would willingly go back (walking next to larger-than-life-sized dancing mice and staring at bloody battle scenes is a little emotionally draining); nevertheless, Haw Par Villa is definitely something I will not forget anytime soon.
We got caught in our first torrential downpour on our way back to the hotel, so we took an hour or so to dry off and get ready to head out to Clarke Quay to ring in 2016. Stepping off of the MRT and climbing the steep escalator to ground level, we were thrust into a bustling hub of celebratory excitement. The waterfront shops were illuminated with spotlights and passersby donned blinking hats shaped like Mickey Mouse ears and crowns.
Searching for a place to eat and also a quiet refuge from the surging crowds of people, Pallavi and I decided to try out Renn Thai, a restaurant located next to the Singapore River. We ordered Phad Woon Sen — clear glass noodles mixed with chicken and egg. To drink, I tried a lychee mint frozen concoction, which was refreshing and cleansed the palate with every sip. Pallavi had a lime tea cooler, which also looked quite good.
Searching for a place to eat and also a quiet refuge from the surging crowds of people, Pallavi and I decided to try out Renn Thai, a restaurant located next to the Singapore River. We ordered Phad Woon Sen — clear glass noodles mixed with chicken and egg. To drink, I tried a lychee mint frozen concoction, which was refreshing and cleansed the palate with every sip. Pallavi had a lime tea cooler, which also looked quite good.
After we finished our dinner, we returned to the main street that runs through the shopping district of Clarke Quay. We joined a growing group of revelers surrounding a stage that had been set up for the evening's countdown and enjoyed a performance by Singaporean band 53A. I had never heard of this group before and it only performed cover songs; however, the Top 40 hits were crowd pleasers and kept everyone entertained until midnight.
As we walked back to the MRT station, we were able to catch a glimpse of the Marina Bay fireworks, framed by some of the taller skyscrapers of Singapore's skyline. The crowd was teeming with energy and everyone seemed to be having a spectacular start to the new year.
Hopefully by the time this post is published, it will be midnight (and officially 2016) back home in the U.S. To those of you reading, thanks again for staying with us on this journey and Happy New Year!
-Amanda
-Amanda