Singapore in the 1920s, every nook and cranny of the streets and the history, how much do we know about it? Not to mention Generation Z, our kids.
Most of the time, we learnt of Rags-To-Riches stories but how about a commoner like Tan Ah Huat (a fictional character) played by founder of Let's Go Tour Singapore, Robin Loh, who came to Singapore by boat, his life as an entrepreneur by selling his very own ointment to meeting the love of his life, Lim May Hua.
I was invited and attended the media launch of "Trails of Tan Ah Huat". Though it was a fiction story but it got me curious to find out more about Ah Huat's life and the outcome between him and Ah Huay.
Similar concept to those overseas bicycle tours, get yourself started on this trail riding on the two-wheelers or upgrade to an e-scooter and travel back to the 1920s. I decided to bring Don and Vera with me on the trail, I was sure that Xav would love to join us on this unique story-telling experience. I find this a very interesting way to expose the kids to learn about Singapore history apart from the books, everything and characters just come alive!
Try and immerse yourself in the story and at the same time, learn more in-depth about certain historic sites in Singapore, interestingly weaved in by Let's Go Tour Singapore.
Infact, this was the very first time I explored and went around the concrete jungle on a bicycle. The feeling was very different as compared to cycling in the parks. I chose a City Bicycle while Don and Vera shared an e-scooter, imagine how excited Vera was!
The tour duration was a total of 4 hours, led by an experienced, licensed tour guide cum story-teller.
The journey had a few pitstops for water breaks and at the same time, story-telling and sharings of the past continued from our guide, we watched short video clips which allowed us to see the transfomation of these places over time.
And I had to give praise to Vera for standing on her feet for the whole journey without much whines! I could tell that she was enjoying the moments with her daddy, whizzing around the city!
We rode on to Boat Quay and Clarke Quay before we hit our final stop at Chinatown. This area used to be an area I used to frequent as a child and my secondary school was at York Hill, so I would always passed by the area when I took a bus home.
Never did I know of the existance of Pek Sin Choon, one of the oldest tea merchant in Singapore! It was established in 1925 and is now the market leader of supplying quality tea leaves to 90% of our renowned local delicacy - Bak Kut Teh as well as to some hotels and restuarants.
Pek Sin Choon does offer tea tasting too, do drop by the shop if you are in the hood.
We took a seat at Nanyang Old Coffee for some refreshment and enjoyed the traditional kaya butter toast coupled with a cup of Teh-O.
I had always pass by this coffee shop but little did I know that further into this shop, there was an exhibition area!
Our tour guide shared with us how the culture of a typical coffee shop was like back in the past.
When patrons did not have money to pay for their Kopi,
they would would simply turn their empty cups upside down before they leave the shop and their names would be jotted down on a board as they took their leave.
I did used to pour hot milo onto the saucer when I was young to cool the beverage whenever I was at the kopitiam so that it would be faster to cool, drink up fast and go!
The story continued at Smith street, these shophouses were refurbished and now, in used by the retail and food and beverage industry. The stories of the past of these shophouses and streets, how much do you know? The bustling street of Chinatown now, especially during Chinese New Year, had a history totally contrast to the modern era.
Opium dens, prosituition and even rows of death houses for the terminally ill, to check themselves in and await for their fate - death. For logistic reason, upon check-in, the sick would be housed on the third floor and would changed to the second floor after their condition deteriorated and finally, the ground floor where the funeral palour would normally be, after they passed on.
As for the ending of Ah Huat and Ah Huay, I shall leave it to you to find out.
Esplanade was our last stop before we made our way back to the starting point. Along the way back, the sighting was pretty scenic and tranquil. I, totally enjoyed the scenary and the wind blowing into my face as I rode.
I was invited and attended the media launch of "Trails of Tan Ah Huat". Though it was a fiction story but it got me curious to find out more about Ah Huat's life and the outcome between him and Ah Huay.
 |
| Left: Robin Loh (Tan Ah Huat) , Right: Vera (Potential Ah Huay Junior) ? |
Similar concept to those overseas bicycle tours, get yourself started on this trail riding on the two-wheelers or upgrade to an e-scooter and travel back to the 1920s. I decided to bring Don and Vera with me on the trail, I was sure that Xav would love to join us on this unique story-telling experience. I find this a very interesting way to expose the kids to learn about Singapore history apart from the books, everything and characters just come alive!
Try and immerse yourself in the story and at the same time, learn more in-depth about certain historic sites in Singapore, interestingly weaved in by Let's Go Tour Singapore.
The tour duration was a total of 4 hours, led by an experienced, licensed tour guide cum story-teller.
 |
| Photo credit: Let's go Tour Singapore |
The journey had a few pitstops for water breaks and at the same time, story-telling and sharings of the past continued from our guide, we watched short video clips which allowed us to see the transfomation of these places over time.
 |
| Kampong Glam |
 |
| The story continued at Raffles Hotel |
 |
| When Vera meets Mr.Singh (soft toy), the iconic employee of Raffles Hotel |
And I had to give praise to Vera for standing on her feet for the whole journey without much whines! I could tell that she was enjoying the moments with her daddy, whizzing around the city!
We rode on to Boat Quay and Clarke Quay before we hit our final stop at Chinatown. This area used to be an area I used to frequent as a child and my secondary school was at York Hill, so I would always passed by the area when I took a bus home.
Never did I know of the existance of Pek Sin Choon, one of the oldest tea merchant in Singapore! It was established in 1925 and is now the market leader of supplying quality tea leaves to 90% of our renowned local delicacy - Bak Kut Teh as well as to some hotels and restuarants.
Pek Sin Choon does offer tea tasting too, do drop by the shop if you are in the hood.
We took a seat at Nanyang Old Coffee for some refreshment and enjoyed the traditional kaya butter toast coupled with a cup of Teh-O.
I had always pass by this coffee shop but little did I know that further into this shop, there was an exhibition area!
Our tour guide shared with us how the culture of a typical coffee shop was like back in the past.
When patrons did not have money to pay for their Kopi,
they would would simply turn their empty cups upside down before they leave the shop and their names would be jotted down on a board as they took their leave.
 |
| The debt board for patrons who owed kopi money |
I did used to pour hot milo onto the saucer when I was young to cool the beverage whenever I was at the kopitiam so that it would be faster to cool, drink up fast and go!
 |
| Drinking Teh-O the old school way |
The story continued at Smith street, these shophouses were refurbished and now, in used by the retail and food and beverage industry. The stories of the past of these shophouses and streets, how much do you know? The bustling street of Chinatown now, especially during Chinese New Year, had a history totally contrast to the modern era.
Opium dens, prosituition and even rows of death houses for the terminally ill, to check themselves in and await for their fate - death. For logistic reason, upon check-in, the sick would be housed on the third floor and would changed to the second floor after their condition deteriorated and finally, the ground floor where the funeral palour would normally be, after they passed on.
As for the ending of Ah Huat and Ah Huay, I shall leave it to you to find out.
Esplanade was our last stop before we made our way back to the starting point. Along the way back, the sighting was pretty scenic and tranquil. I, totally enjoyed the scenary and the wind blowing into my face as I rode.
 |
| Photo credit: Let's go Tour Singapore |
Be it you are a Singaporean, permanent resident, expatriate or traveller, if you are seeking for an unique and in-depth local experiences. Go take little a trip around Singapore town on, go for immersive tours like ‘Trails of Tan Ah Huat’ that weaves powerful storytelling with Singapore’s history and sights and in an engaging manner, trust me that there was never a boring moment!
The total duration of the tour is 4 hours (8.30am - 12.30pm) and is priced at:
- $99 per pax (adult)
- 10% discount for kids aged 9 and above.
Some may asked who can attend this trail? Anyone, as long as you know how to ride a bicycle, otherwise, go for the e-scooter (additional charges apply). Should you need a child seat, do inform in advance and do indicate while you do your booking.
On averge, group size is about five to six people but it can go up to 20.
The tour price includes the following:
- The use of bicycle,
- Helmet
- Bottled Water
- Licensed tour guide and storyteller
- Poncho
- Local drinks and snacks at certain stops
- A straw hat
- 'Good Morning' towel.
The total duration of the tour is 4 hours (8.30am - 12.30pm) and is priced at:
- $99 per pax (adult)
- 10% discount for kids aged 9 and above.
Some may asked who can attend this trail? Anyone, as long as you know how to ride a bicycle, otherwise, go for the e-scooter (additional charges apply). Should you need a child seat, do inform in advance and do indicate while you do your booking.
On averge, group size is about five to six people but it can go up to 20.
The tour price includes the following:
- The use of bicycle,
- Helmet
- Bottled Water
- Licensed tour guide and storyteller
- Poncho
- Local drinks and snacks at certain stops
- A straw hat
- 'Good Morning' towel.
Apart from "Trails of Tan Ah Huat", Food Lovers can opt for a Bike and Bites Food Tour or Peranankan Food and Culture Experience.
You would not want to miss this out, this has been on the Top Ten Tours consecutively for 5 years on Trip Advisors1 Do not wait further, set a morning for this and grab your tickets at:
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Disclaimer: This was a media invite from AT Marketing Consultancy, all opinions are of my own.
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