I’m probably going to sound like a provincial hick writing this; nonetheless, I had no idea that Christmas is such a big deal in Singapore. As I mentioned in an earlier journal, it seemed quite jarring to me to be walking down the street, in a tropical climate with tropical foliage everywhere, listening to, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”.

The street decorations are really extravagant in the main shopping areas… even the Galleria in Houston cannot compete. The stores and malls also put up elaborate displays. Something else that Singaporeans have in common with Americans… Christmas is pretty commercial; the large Christmas tree at left has advertising around and on it. You may be able to see amusement rides behind the tree... part of the Orchard Road decorations. All of the street pole decorations in the next picture have ‘Hitachi’ imprinted on them. Even the buses get into the Christmas spirit!

Click on any picture to see a larger image.

Tanglin Mall, which is just a short distance from Orchard Road also has a pretty fancy Christmas display (below). Each night they make snow (which is actually soap bubbles). Watching the kids play in the snow is a real hoot… kids are exactly the same everywhere.

The next shots are pictures of Orchard Road at night, and the Christmas tree in Lucky Plaza. Sunday is the maid’s day off in Singapore, and thousands of Filipino maids flock to Lucky Plaza to meet friends, shop, and eat. As you can see, the tree is four stories high and all the maids posed with Santa Claus to get their pictures taken.

Christmas is in full swing now. Clerks of all nationalities wear Santa caps as they work. There are bands and carolers on Orchard Road singing Christmas carols. I ate dinner at a place called Far East Plaza the other night, and there was a group of young teenagers singing carols. They were great, and yet I had to wonder as they were singing, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, how many of them had actually seen snow. Not many from what people tell me.

That’s all for now. Peace and blessings.

Click Here to Email Me

Return to Singapore Main Page

Return to Herb’s Home Page