It was a sail back in time to explore Singapore's lesser-known islands and lighthouses to better understand the country's trading past. I went for an exclusive sea tour and visit to Raffles Lighthouse last weekend organised by the National Heritage Board in collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) as part of this year's HeritageFest programme. Since young, i have a fondness for lighthouses. Surely I wouldn't give up this opportunity to visit the Raffles Lighthouse. One day perhaps, I would want to make an educational trip to Pedra Branca to visit the Horsburgh Lighthouse built on fabled 'pristine white rocks' out at sea. Lighthouses hold a special place in every country. Before the jet age, these coastal beacons were the most important landmarks for anyone who traveled by ship. Often sited in spectacular locations, they perform a vital role in the safety of mariners in all weathers. Sailing is no longer a necessity for international travel, but lighthouses still have a role to play in modern times. Today's lighthouses are automated, so lighthouse keepers - the air traffic controllers of their day - are slowly disappearing. 我走在惊涛拍打的长长海堤上, 在夏日斜斜的阳光中穿行, 低矮的太阳 突然拨开有些厚重的云层, 那天晴空万里,阳光明媚,是看灯塔的好时机。 2014年7月19日 中午十二点, 在这个坐标 在这个时刻, 我看到了至今为止,新家坡剩少最古美的灯塔。 波光粼粼的海水伴着雪白色的灯塔, 散发着地中海式的怡然风情。 名为“莱佛士”的灯塔是沙都姆岛上唯一建筑, 与靠近西海岸的苏丹浅滩灯塔相邻。 莱佛士灯塔建于1855年。 新加坡是个风景秀丽, 绿草如茵的花园城市国家, 我从未想到,居然藏着那么长的一条海堤,和那么美的一座灯塔。 灯塔外一样是一大片让人舒服到忍不住想往下躺的草地。 随意的在这大片的草地上, 伴着蓝天,享受着冬天南部独有的阳光。 In Malay, the name 'Pulau Satumu' actually means 'One Tree Island' that lies about an hour of boat ride from Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal. Built on this small island is the historical landmark structure made of granite, the Raffles Lighthouse, which was named after the founder of modern Singapore Sir Stamford Raffles. Operating since 1855 and still operating today, the lighthouse serves to warn ships as they sail close to shore or shallow waters. Due to the presence of a lighthouse, access to the island is restricted. A permit from the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) is required to land or dive at the island. Plenty of ships anchored out at sea. On the way to Raffles Lighthouse, travellers got the chance to sail by the picturesque Sultan Shoal Lighthouse. Enroute to the lighthouse, travellers will also get the chance to see various port, terminal and offshore operations, and catch a sight of the Southern Islands along the way. The Sultan Shoal Lighthouse was built in 1895, and is located on the island of Selat Jurong, in the Western Anchorage of Singapore. The tower is painted white and the roof of the keeper's house is painted red. It has a mix of Oriental and Victorian design, oddly resembling a two-storey bungalow growing out of the sea. The Sultan Shoal Lighthouse was one of the key beacons that guided ships approaching Singapore from the West at a time when pirate attacks were rife. There were two loaded rifles with fixed bayonets as well as three swords in the keeper's office for resisting pirate attacks in its early days. The tower was rebuilt in 1931 to accommodate the installation of more modern lighting equipment. Finally arrived at Raffles Lighthouse. 由于沙都姆岛是禁区, 要不是今年国家文物局与新加坡传统文化学会合作, 举办了新加坡文化遗产节的 “岛屿家乡”, 或许,我就错过这里了。 这座约8层楼高的圆筒形灯塔, 在一片幽静背后肩负着重大的责任, 提醒途经新加坡海峡的船只放慢速度转换方向。 新加坡海港是世界上最繁忙的海港, 每年有超过 13 万艘船航经, 指引着它们的莱佛士灯塔每20秒闪三次, 灯光强度好比 14万根蜡烛同时点亮, 可照耀 20 海里外的地方。 The Raffles Lighthouse was named after, and dedicated to the memory of, Sir Stamford Raffles, who founded Singapore in 1819. It is located on Pulau Satumu, formerly known as Coney Island, and is the southernmost islet of Singapore. The Raffles Lighthouse has been guiding ships safely to shore for more than 150 years, but it has been out of bounds for the public during most of its long history. This year, however, many will get the rare chance to visit it - it is one of the stops on the Singapore HeritageFest's first lighthouse tour. When I finally set foot on the island, the turquoise water, coupled with idyllic coconut trees dotting the coastline, made it seem as if I was on some resort getaway island! I learnt that there are two lighthouse keepers on duty at any given time, with each keeping an alternating 12-hour shift for 10 days. They then return to the mainland for 10 off days, and the whole cycle repeats again. The lighthouse keeper who was on duty that day and has been working for more than 20 years in his lighthouse keeper job; told me of his lifestyle on the quiet island. About his 10 day shifts, what he would do in his free time and even unexpected events (Eg. bad storms, snakes etc). Further explained the intricate details of the lighthouse, which i found was immaculately kept clean and tidy. It's very little wonder, as the lighthouse keepers do treat the place as their beloved second home. I had to climb a long flight of stairs, all 107 steps in order to reach the top of the lighthouse. The astounding view more than made up for the breathlessness! Lighthouse beacon. Who could have thought that one could find such a paradise in Singapore? I honestly don't mind spending a night in a lighthouse to discover genuine peace of mind. The incredible panoramic view that surrounded the tiny island. Lighthouses fascinate because of the historic (and sometimes fictional) stories that surround them and their gorgeous yet lonely settings. A lighthouse is indeed a landmark, a place of innovation and science, to display an electric light anywhere at sea.
Today you can still enjoy views of the channel to the coast by climbing all the way to the top. See what it was like to work here and what a lighthouse keeper did while on duty. Wave to ships in the channel and watch the Victorian clockwork mechanism that made the lighthouse flash. Look across the horizon as these brilliant beacons light our way and imagination. 人人都向往灯塔。 对很多人来说,灯塔只能远看,遥望,可望而不可及。 我一直在想,我为什么会如此沉迷于灯塔。 它们大多拥有优雅简洁的造型。 它们大多伫立在风景绝美的海与地的交界。 它们发着色彩长短间隔不同的信号,是安全跟希望的象征。 还有便是每座灯塔的历史,每个灯塔守望者的故事。 自它建立的近两百年里,灯塔守望者每日记录的灯塔日记,不知会是多厚的一本。 如今那些风雨飘摇中的历史,只能在近看灯塔时,才看得出了。
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