|
 Off
the beaten track near the eastern tip of Singapore, Changi Village is a
comparatively sleepy district as opposed to the bustling city center.
Weekends see many fishermen and bathers flocking to the shores of the
local beach for some down time and relaxation, be it swimming in the
beachs calm waters or taking in an afternoon of fishing.
 Shopping
in the village itself is another joy that visitors to Changi look
forward to. Shops where plenty of bargains to be found - t-shirts,
electronic equipment, carpets, Indian cotton clothing, shoes, batik
dresses, kimonos and all types of table linen, all at bargain prices
line the streets of the village and town center.
When hunger strikes, head for the food center or try one of the
restaurants along the main street. Relax in the shade of an umbrella,
order some fresh seafood and watch the world go by. Visitors can also
enjoy a leisurely drink at one of the outdoor bars or dine at the hawker
center, coffee shops or restaurants. Alfresco dining is also available
for those who want it.
What to See:
 Changi
Prison is not just a penitentiary, but it is also noteworthy for its
association note World War II. A prisoner-of-war (POW) camp was based in
Changi where many allied troops were incarcerated. Although it was
designed to hold a maximum of 600 prisoners at one point during the war,
it held as many as 3,000 POWs.
 Changi
Museum has over the years, amassed a good collection of paintings,
photographs and personal effects donated by former POWs, which are on
display. A series of sketches by a POW named Haxworth made during his
imprisonment provide valuable insights into the daily life and work of
the prisoners in the camp during the Japanese Occupation.
Within the museum is a simple chapel with outdoor pews and a thatched
roof over a raised platform. A wreathed altar with a cross is decorated
with candles. It is a replica of a small chapel that the allied
prisoners originally built and stands as tribute to the men who died in
captivity.
Tours Around Changi
Created by the Changi Museum, the two tours - Battlefield Tour and
Changi WWII - are dedicated to the memory of all who fought and suffered
during the dark years of World War II. Feel the passion of battle, the
height of victory and the numbing grief of defeat.
Battlefield Tour
They say that time erases everything but the scars of war can never be
forgotten. And in Changi, these scars can never be more felt than
anywhere else in Singapore. Catch a glimpse into the strategies of
battle, the debacles of war and the atrocities of the Japanese
Occupation in this poignant tour.
Places covered in the tour include:
Mt Faber (site of Faber Fire Command)
Labrador Park (site of old WWII six-inch gun battery)
Alexandra Hospital (ex-military hospital)
Kranji War Cemetery (a Commonwealth War Cemetery)
The tour departs every Wednesday. The meeting place is Little India MRT
station, Exit E.
Changi WWII
Once the site of many prisoner-of-war camps during the Japanese
Occupation, Changi has since gone down in history as a place of
significance and suffering. Whether it is on the Death Railway or the
countless labor camps, this tour commemorates the fight of brave men and
women during battle and internment.
Places covered in the tour include:
Changi Chapel & Museum
Changi Beach (Site of Sook Ching Massacre)
Changi Village
Johore Battery (replica of WWII 15-inch gun battery)
Outside Selarang Barracks (a Japanese PoW camp during WWII)
The tour departs every Saturday. The meeting place is Pasir Ris MRT
station, Exit B.
Pre-booking is required for the Changi Museum War Trails. Please call
(65) 6325 1631 or (65) 6214 2451 by 1600 hrs the day before to reserve
your seat. Availability is on first-come-first-served basis.
For meeting points at MRT stations, the guides will be waiting for tour
participants above ground.
Visit Asia Today! Your adventure awaits... |
