Birthing Hell’s Museum

After more than four years in the making, it is my pleasure to announce that Hell’s Museum has finally opened to the public - today.

The museum in Haw Par Villa explores perspectives of death and the afterlife across civilisations, religions, and cultures, and rituals and practices that emerged from these perspectives.

There’s plenty to see, learn, and ponder - a recreation of a burial crypt, a traditional Chinese void deck funeral, a traditional Chinese grave, altars from different parts of the world, and more.

And of course, the 10 Courts of Hell, now air-conditioned and its thousand-year evolution revealed, its multiple layers of history uncovered.

As the museum’s chief curator, it has been a long journey filled with immense challenges and obstacles - and innumerable late nights - but seeing the finished product fills me with satisfaction and pride.

There’s still plenty to work on and improve - but at least the baby’s out. Come visit and I hope you have a good time!

The Entrance Mural of Hell's Museum.

I gave a special highlights tour to guests during the Official Launch of Hell’s Museum on Thursday, 28 October.

Dinner and drinks after the Official Launch!

A taste of the Orang Laut

For my birthday, we decided to indulge in the culinary heritage of the Orang Laut, by ordering from oranglaut.sg.

There was sambal udang (prawns in sambal), sotong hitam (black squid), asam pedas ikan (spicy asam fish), and more.

The two of us ordered for four and had the set for lunch and dinner, but there was still plenty left over - the serving sizes were huge. More importantly, the home-cooked food was excellent. I’d totally have the sambal udang - especially the sambal - any day of the week.

As a heritage lover, I also enjoyed reading the accompanying notes on the food - it was a window into another culture.

Thank you oranglaut.sg!

Saint Xavier’s Lane, past and present

Found this 1964 photo of Saint Xavier’s Lane, a small road off Upper Serangoon Road.

Credit: Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

At the time, the area was rural, and the road was just a dirt track. The men were members of the Urban and Rural Services Consultative Committee, on a visit to Ponggol (Punggol) constituency.

The same area today, 57 years later.

Credit: Google Maps.

This part of Ponggol constituency is now Hougang town (Ponggol constituency used to stretch from present-day Hougang town to Sengkang and Punggol towns.) Dense bush and grass have been replaced by proper pavements and curbs. The single-storey houses in the background have been replaced by luxurious private homes. But Saint Xavier’s Lane has survived.