26 Jun 2019 

Date      6 Jun 2019

Time     9:30am – 12:30pm 

Venue   Singapore 

On June 6, 2019, our customers enjoyed the sumptuous, marvelous walking tour “Sultans of Spice” for the clients. The drizzle didn’t dampen the participants’ spirit as they toured one of the most historical and culturally vibrant areas in Singapore: Kampong Glam. The tour perfectly wrapped up historical information, culture experience, and a touch of adventure to make this day truly unforgettable.

Kampong Glam, with its racy history and bustling streets, was perhaps – a fitting setting for anything wildly named ‘Sultans of Spice’. It is a heritage precinct, which at a time was functioning as the palace grounds for the Malay royalty of Singapore. Today it is native to the multiple ethnic origins of the city, which fuses elements of Malay, Arab, and Bugis. The first stop on the tour was at the iconic Sultan Mosque, golden-colored in its domed roof, and majestic in its architectural form. As the team paused in awe at the mosque’s beauty, the guide spun the history and significance behind the mosque, bringing everyone back to the early days of Singapore.

It was the expertise of the guide that helped much in ensuring that this experience proved to be not only educational but also engaging. The narration was very descriptive, plunging into the origins and developments of Kampong Glam, indicating the part this place played in the formulation of Singapore as a trading post. The visitors were brought through the spice trade and its influence on the local economy and culture. The guide put across factual information by stories in sufficient numbers to have the tour both enriching and engaging.

Another highlight included a walk down Haji Lane—a colorful lane with street art and trendy boutiques that call this place home, like cozy cafes and bars. The lane is like a symbol of creativity and modernity, unlike the historical sites, which provides a snapshot of the dynamic spirits in Singapore. Patrons enjoyed browsing what was for sale in the respective shops, along with the vibrancy of the atmosphere. Even the rain came down in a fine drizzle only, for the colors around and the boisterous energy of Haji Lane did not allow the spirits to be dampened down as such.

One of the interactive experiences we were given on the tour was to wear a sarong, the traditional dress worn by the Malay people. This served to provide all in the group with an opportunity to personally and deeply engage with aspects of local culture. Wearing the sarong, they experienced a piece of Malay heritage firsthand, adding an element of fun and cultural immersion to the tour. This interactive segment was particularly popular, with many participants capturing the moment in photographs to remember their day.

It was not just an ordinary sightseeing about Sultans of Spice; rather, it was historical and brought everybody down to the past. Relating to it, the stories given by the guide and the ambiance around the district made them feel some impressive realization of how it was like in the early days in Kampong Glam. The historical insights put meaning to the pulsating cultural landscape, making the participants appreciate and understand more what Singapore’s heritage is.

Participants gave feedback that was quite positive. That which most appreciated: well-scheduled tour, very informative guide giving information to every question or detail, and special, unique experience of culture received here. A blend of history, culture, and fun not to be missed by Singapore residents and visitors. Organising such events goes to show the efforts done by Asian Tigers Singapore to give informative and value-adding programs to the clients.

It was a nice walking tour conducted by Sultans of Spice on June 6, 2019. Participants had an enjoyable guided exploration of Kampong Glam, rain or shine, because of the well-curated itinerary and the guide’s interactive form of storytelling. Indeed, it was an excellent balance of the knowledge related to history—from the past and the present—cultural experiences, and charm on this very eventful day. The Asian Tigers situated in Singapore made it a point to go that extra mile in organizing this tour, therefore ensuring that their clients would always have memories to remember.