Last update: 13 January 2022
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HERE THE RIVER LIES
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MEMORY PORTALS

In Memory Portals, two glowing doorways stand on ACM Green representing alternate realities and fantastical views of the Singapore River. The portals visually reinterpret the textual dataset collected by the artist for her 2010 work, Here the River Lies, which included an interactive map installation of the Singapore River that required the participation of the audience to complete. The audience was invited to contribute their memories, real or imaginary, to a large hand-drawn map of the river. Over 1700 stories were collected. These stories have been re-interpreted as layers of memory, fantasy, and storytelling through Memory Portals.

All the following are written entries contributed anonymously by the public between 2010-2014 and have been published here as they were submitted. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

THE ARCHIVES

#0031
True first kiss ♡
He was all that I want , His lips were red, I wonder how it feels like. I coulnd't resist it anymore. I go ahead with the first move. It was surreal. Amazing ♡
#0042
Pirates
Aye Aye CAPTAIN! We gonna steal some gold
#0052
Turtle
I freed my pet turtle in the Singapore River when I was 7 years old
#0058
WHY DO I HAVE TO USE TEN WORDS FOR THIS?
I DON'T REMEMBER THIS RIVER. I DON'T THINK IT EXISTS. CAN YOU SHOW ME? LET'S DIVE IN.
#0050
I liek Singpore
HI fown gold in the rivr and a ston.♡
#0059
A strange shadow
When I was five, I was in school when I saw a trees shadow that look like a trisrtops, I think it is a scary stuff.
#0066
FANTASTIC GAME
I SAW PEOPLE CONNECTING EACH OTHERS WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY ONLY WITH SOME BOTTLES AND RUBBER ROPES IN THIS HIGH TECH & ISOLATED CITY, IT WAS AN AMAZING DISCOVERY. THE GAME THEY PLAYED WAS AWESOME TOO.
#0070
Untitled
I was told by my father that his father worked very hard, very hard day and night. He would fix pipes, repair pipes, clean pipes and make pipes. He worked for plnp I thought about it and fell asleep. You know probably your parents worked the same thing as my grandad.
#0071
A day in the future
I am sitting in the backyard of my house, together with my parents and my friends and my children and everyone I love. They are going to be happy and the world is peaceful and we will all live happily ever after. It may sound ridiculous.
#0072
The Singapore boat
The boat itself have a scary face at the front of it and people say it that back in the day, the fisherman believed that it will scared away scary monsters and will ensure that they will have a safe trip during their out fishing journey.
#0073
Starlight
Once there were kids drawing by the riverside painting the beauty of Singapore River, then an alien called Omar invaded the arca with screams of terror, where nights were as long as day where shots were all day… Bonjour
#0074
DANGEROUS PLAY
I walked up & down the steps. A slip would have ended me up in the river. Always amazed how the coolie balance on the plank carrying huge sack of rice on their backs.
#0075
River
I saw a lot of sea animals in the sea. I saw lots of seashells in the shore. I wished I could saw sharks but I didn't. I also saw turtles in the sea.
#0079
Peace of Mind
A friend once told me, "A body of water calms me down." So we went to esplanade and just sit at the place where we can enjoy the view, especially the body of water. It is very calming and it feels like I have no worries. It's like I'm at my own world, when I stare into the body of water.
#0080
Shooting a unicorn
I was on a hunting expedition near the river when I encountered a huge pink unicorn at the alleys behind Robertson Quay. I took aim and before it could charge at me, I put three shots through its heart. Was my first unicorn kill.
#0084
Reptiles
My father told me that he and grandpa used to stop at anderson bridge to watch crocodiles swim by in the 1970s.
#0087
A pen cover
I dropped my dad's pen cover in the river. Oops.
#0085
GOLD MEDAL FOR RIVER
50 YEARS AGO I REMEMBER DEAD PIGS + BABIES FLOATING IN THE RIVER. LATER, SOME CIVIL SERVANTS WERE GIVEN GOLD MEDALS BY THEN PM LKY, FOR THEIR GOOD JOB IN CLEANING UP THIS RIVER
#0089
THE WISE EYED BOATS
MY 1ST VISIT TO S'PORE WAS 1974. I HAD READ MY CHILDREN THE STORY OF PING THE CHINESE DUCK. THE ILLUSTRATIONS WERE DELIGHTFUL. TO MY INTENSE SURPRISE I WENT OVER A BRIDGE ON THE RIVER & SAW MANY WISE EYED BOATS. BUT NEVER SINCE THEN.
#0090
To love or not to love
I was eating gelato with someone who was completely in love with me. Her ice cream was melting too fast. Had I loved her, I would've given her mine. (illegible) I passed her some tissue.
#0091
Is there are "Mermaids" in the river?
I was walking with my sister and saw a huge fish tail. Just wonder what is that kind of fish or it's not a fish?
#0094
LUNCH WITH RACHEL
After thousands of miles and hours of travel, I sit across from my tanned, beautiful daughter sipping fresh orange juice. I am thankful for all the modern technology that has brought me to her. Imaginary Battle 'Why have you come?' asks the River God. 'For my daughter' says the mother. 'She is bound by my chains' the god snarls. and so the mother dives deep into the river and snaps his chains with her bare hands. 'Your evil has no power where there is love' laughs the daughter, as she runs down the riverbank, clasping her mother's hand.
#0095
Wedding Vision
thank you Singapore River for having imagined to get married on the boat with a persian man. Long red dress and golden shoes was the dress I was wearing.
#0096
Goat Head Skull
I was with my school on a tour and I saw a goat head skull in the river.
#0099
Slipped Sway
I was drunk and sitting on the liang court bridge when my phone slipped through my pocket and fell into the river.
#00100
Heard from a friend of a friend of a friend's father.
In 1930 a monster emerged from the waters called Hastu Hitam. It devastated the land and then mysteriously disappeared after 78 days. No one has seen it ever since but sometimes you can see the bubbles from its breathing.
#0101
Otters
Someone saw otters here recently. Recently. There used to be boats here. Used to be. The boats left (most of them) and the otters came back (some of them).
#0102
The discovery
Before anything was built here, we sailed up the river mouth, trees looming, blossom on the air, promising something elusive and wonderful. At the time, I was too afraid to enjoy it, imagining giant crocodiles, hanging tree snakes. Now I long for it to be that way again.
#0104
Coin in the river
I threw an Euro cent coin in the river to come to Singapore for work soon. I wished to work again in CDB as a consultant in Finance, and Be happy here. You know there is a tradition to throw the coin in a river/sea to come back. Hope it will come true.
#0106
BEEG DRAGLIN!!
…AND THEN I SAW A MAGEECK DRAGUN LEAP OUT O' THE WATER
#0107
Drunk dares
No one has ever managed to swim across the Singapore River, or so I heard.
#0109
You, me, and cats
with you, watching the river flows, people passes by, and the 'ar' story unfolds. Oh, and cats, lots of cats.
#0110
STILL HERE
She told me she should have jumped. A frong rushed on the side. A can of beer in one hand. She didn't look at me. Only said she should have. 'I shou.ld have jumped' 'I should have jumped'. You shouldn't.
#0111
Best trip
Saw someone trip and fall off side of the boat Oddly enough, he then sprouted wings (bright pink) and flew away, dragging the boat behind. At that point a yellow river frog stuck out his tongue and ate it.
#0112
A moment of Oh!
Only this morning, we were lost, trying to get here I had a map, but the road names seemed impossible + shifting -- which was was I moving on the road? Then suddenly we met the river and there was a relief - rivers are ancient, their direction one way, recognisable. it was a slow exhalation.
#0115
TREASURE HUNT
I am a self-made millionaire who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Instead of passing on my wealth to my spoiled children, I am leaving it to the people of the Singapore Art Museum. May it bring you more happiness than me. It is berried on this location. Good hunting! #singaporetreasure
#0117
Give and take
An old man is sitting on the bridge and singing the old songs with playing his guitar. He kept smiling to everyone even there are no response.
#0121
Walking on Water
Once upon a time there were so many boats crammed into the Singapore River that you could walk shore to shore across the tops of the boats.
#0122
What I wish I saw in the Singapore River
I wish I saw a blue and white fish with magic powers. I dream I see a magical flower (lotus) I see a pretty fun land in the sun. In here, waters run. I look and see, a rainbow fish, staring at me! Kylie
#0123
DRAGONS!
I walked along the Singapore River & could not believe my eyes… A paper dragon floated by…
#0124
The belly of the beast
Sang Ndah wutanna once fought the legendary beast, the merlion for 30 days and 30 night. He was able to slay the beast at the very last day. It inspired tolkien to write "The Hobbit"
#0130
The merlion
Here was where I was staring into the deep murky river on a dear evening, and there was a giant ripple and the merlion popped up hi-sed me and submerged into our historical river
#0134
Dinosaurs
Last night I got to see real dinosaurs Bonens By the river, they were millions of years old
#0135
WHERE HAS IT GONE?
I see his filthy mouth. But I remember his once sweet mouth. I see him suffer from human's absurdity. But I remember his body of purity. I see the mundane flow, so where did the passion go?
#0136
Our first Child, Kiwi
After our stroll by Merlion Park, we heard chirping noises by the bushes, then we picked up this poor little birds and brought him home. We fed him and named him Kiwi. He looked liked the fruit kiwi. He was cured and we released him into the wild. We will miss kiwi ♡ love you kiwi
#0137
Merlion in the River
One day as we were walking along the SG River we saw a flash of green streak below the water. We ran alongside the streak before needing to catch air breath, but lost sight of the streak. However it came back and with a joyful whollop the fish with a lion head jumped out of the water and smiled!
#0138
The Tree
A fish bit my toe
#0139
Meatballs
at Tricia's 16th birthday, we threw meatballs off the balcony of MBS on to the highway.
#0140
A Night to Remember…
Singapore River was the place where I spend my childhood trips. What? A dead cat floating. Who? With my boyfriend, Matthias Joseph. Where? Near the bridge. When? 10pm@ Night. How???? It holds much memory to me and my family to as my grandpa had a few coffee shops there.
#0142
Another world.
Story has it that anyone who falls into the river, submerged under the water, falls straight through & reappears at the surface in another world. This is a world of an old or a future self. People looking for a new life, jump into the river voluntarily.
#0143
WATER BOTTLE LOST!!
There should be a hawker centre that used to be here. I believe I lost my water bottle here (I was a kid). WATER BOTTLE IN THE SHAPE OF AN OLD, OLD HANDPHONE. Drink here
#0147
Unicorns
There is no such thing as unicorn in this world. But I met one down the river the other day. My unicorn.
#0148
my dad was swimming
when our parents were young they jumped into the river without paying heed to sewage filth, dead fishes, trivial matter
#0149
Sugee cookie
My father bought me a sugee cookie while we waited for the passport to be processed. We took the bus home and passed by the (illegible) over Spore River. I can still remember the smell and my day out with my father
#0150
Crocodile!
Saw a crocodile swimming here in May 2014
#0152
Giant frog ghost
I remember seeing a shostly outline of something strage-looking as I emerged from the MRT on my way back to my condo from the bar. Curious, I came closer to realise it was a frog shaped outline the size of a man. At once, it disappeared.
#0153
FORGETMENOT!
I was here onefine day for fun and as I was approaching my destination I heard a "HEY". I turned around and to my surprise, IT WAS MY LONG LOST FATHER. I thought he died when I was born. He didn't forget me.
#0159
Waiting here for you.
He sits by the river, watching the water flowing. He sits waiting, from dusk to dawn, from day to night. He sits waiting, for the child he brought up single-handedly from young, the child who said to him, "Wait here, I'll be back."
#0161
All Roads End At Fuji
I had spent the last hour avoiding the inevitable question with my girlfriend. We walked from city hall to the River then back to Funan. Then we stopped in front of a Fujifilm shop @ the Adelphi. "So do you want this relationship or not?". I said "No." She walked away. The Fuji Billboard read "PHOTOGRAPHS THAT LAST LONGER THAN YOUR MEMORIES".
#0167
A 4-YEAR-OLD'S IMPRESSION
"What's your memory of the Singapore River, Clyde?" "The Panda bear" "Oh (ho!) that's the River Safari of Singapore!"
#0176
Singapore stone
Once, there was this huge, magnificent stone that intrigued the locals of Singapore. It was there one day, just a mystery to those who knew nothing of its geology. The carvings all over the stone illuminated, turning blood red when struck by lightning, and it broke, blood-like lava pooling into the River.
#0178
My home in singapore river
I have a home in singapore river. It has beatiful palaces, big swimming pools. And it also has tasty icecreams to eat. It also serves breakfeast for you too! I only live with my mother there. Kevin
#0179
Free Life
We were going to the Merlion when I saw a turtle swimming freely in the water across the railing. After a while 4 more turtles came and went in a cave in the rocks.
#0180
orange man
Once a man dressed in orange stood here, upon the waters for sixteen seconds and sang for a bit.
#0181
Water was deadly!
My dad used to live next to the old firestation, and said that his neighbour drank the river water and died. We keep forgetting the water now was the result of constant sanitisation.
#0182
Swimming cats
In the SG river there were many cats that appeared like ducks. They went onto the land and became the inhabitants of SG and they eventually took over the world.
#0183
Where has the island gone?
EARLY Days Have witnessed the Saigon Island, no more, Vanished, why? ?
#0185
ROCKS
I remembered a tale about a big rock in a river. And that is all
#0192
Loch Ness
Drinking along the river & in my drunken I swore I saw a giant serpentine head rear out of the water.
#0200
Funny Frogs in Fullerton
I sneaked into the hotel rooftop. A frog jumped on me. I screamed. Maybe it's karma.
#0202
Growing
We live in California but come to Singapore often. When we first came, my son was a baby. Each year we come Singapore changes and my son changes. He's now taller than me. But when we revisit favorite places in Singapore, I remember him as a baby.
#0205
The most beautiful human in the world.
Sitting by a city, concreted canal, I was approached by a person with the most shockingly clear eyes and pleasantly symmetrical face under scrufy, dirty rain. I gave this person some change and never saw them again.
#0206
Valencia told me that salad shop will be open
Today, I was very hungry and I really needed to eat but Valencia lied to me and told me that Salad shop will be open. It was closed. I was very sad.
#0213
Swimming whith Dinos
Last night I got to swim. In the rivver, with dinours. One tried to Bite my toe. It hurt.
#0214
River-length meditation
In a particularly chaotic day, I escaped from everything and wlaked the river length we used to walk, took the boat ride down at dawn and witnessed daytime workers turning into nighttime creatures. It was when I decided to shake off and let go.
#0216
Singapore Just Singapore
Brown Rice. Water Princess. Green Noodle. Whtie Eagle. These are the memories we made to cherish forever. That is all.
#0226
KNOWLEDGE
WALKING ALONG THE BAY, I WAS TAUGHT ABOUT THE USE OF A BENCHMARK FOR SURVEYING BY MY UNCLE! ALWAYS LEARNING.
#0227
About the Dead Body
I heard that dead bodies are often found at the bottom of the Singapore River when they clean it up every 6 months.
#0246
Swimming upstream
It was difficult to swim upstream so I decided to swim downstream
#0250
I went into that place which anyone hardly goes
You might be thingking which place would it have been. Guess what. Getting the chance of visiting the cockpit. It was the best time of my life. As I went inside cockpit and met the captain.
#0257
Funky
Always thought drunk people fell into the river after having one too many drinks. That's why it smells kinda salty and funky
#0319
Untitled
I wish we could fish for freshwater animals in the river, and treat it like a source of livelihood instead of just one of recreation.
#0338
Talking to you
I sat there by the river talking to y ou asking about her and your experiences in life with her. I thought I played a part in your life. Little did I know, few weeks later that we would become nothing but strangers again. Like nothing ever happened.
#0342
IDIOT
MY ARCH NEMESIS WORKS HERE
#0363
This my future!!!
I remember me sitting here, one day since my arrival in Sg, waiting for a (illegible) to interview me and asking myself if I had taken the right decision to have my (illegible) and start from scratch a new life here
#0372
Thanks for trusting me
I hadn't booked yet accommodation before I arrived here. So I didn't have any place to take rest beside, I don't have any cash, and my credit card doesn't work. But I can sleep because of your kindness. Thank you for your kindness.
#0436
BE YOU, SINGAPORE
PLEASE BE YOURSELF. NOT A WEST XIOAAN ORIENTAL WHERE EAST MEETS WEST
#0467
War of the worlds
Aliens! They come! Aarghhh! Their green horns and multi eyes following me. Help! Get away! AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
#0514
Untitled
When I was little, I always felt sorry for the statue of the doggie because it couldn't move.
#0519
Conquering nature and city
Fern. Nature. City. Buildings. Spices. Skyscraper. Universal. Old people. Strict. No drinking in the train. Loving.
#0565
Art Gallery Scene
"A thousand wide-smiles? Is that the name?" "Yes, yes it is"… "Do you like it?" "I do. Do you know what it means?" "No, I really don't"
#0638
A Good Man Laments
A former NSF in an unspecified lump circa 2012, spent $600 on a ride on the Singapore River. Just him & his girl. Sadly, she never returned his love… My heart goes out to this good man.
#0648
Coolies
My grandmother & her family stayed by Boat Quay on the third floor, and today the house is converted to a seafood restaurant. She saw coolies every morning while staying there.
#0662
"But first… Let me take a selfie!"
My dear lover and I wanted to chill by the Singapore River and capture the beautiful moment. We realised that the front view camera was pixelated. So we resorted to using the back camera + voice commands like - CHEESE! SNAP! That was hilarious!
#0674
???
MY MOM TOLD ME THAT SG RIVER WAS USED BY THE PEOPLE LIVING THER TO WASH THEIR CLOTHES OR FISHING OVER THERE
#0687
Picnic in the cold.
It was raining & the five of us stupidly went to have a picnic. It wasn't warm though.
#0691
My secret hiding place
I swam far across the continent. I wanted to migrate to a warmer country. I hated the cold. I evaded the nets of the fishermen., I evaded the attacks of the sharks. I am a human but I am also a fish, nowhere is safe for me. Not until I found the Singapore River.
#0697
Faith and the Scales
The day she waved to me from the depths of the river was the day I believed these mermaids do exist.
#0700
Singapore River floating FROG.
I saw a dead black frog floating in the Singapore river with a wallet beside it :(
#0703
THAT NIGHT
"HE DRANK TOO MUCH, HE CAN'T EVEN OPEN HIS EYES AND HE LAY HIS HEAD ON MY LAP. I STUDIED HIS FACE AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD BEEN TOGETHER"
#0705
My heart's eyelids fluttered once
I met a fellow actor before a rehearsal, that I would be directing him in. We sat on a bench facing the water and Boat Quay. After the sitting, we rose to go to the Arts House and I hummed a tune. He said "from the Sound of Music?" I leant that he loved "Something Good" too.
#0706
Random Blend 2014 Calib8
we were abducted to this place and freed to organize an exhibition -- we wished this was what happened, in actual fact it was for a school module.
#0710
Handphone in a River
My friend's HP 8250 during early 1999 dropped into a S'pore river, near elizabeth walk. I went down to swim to get over to the other side but manage to get the hp which was already damage :/
#0711
The night promenade
By walking along the river at night, I discovered all these statues, most were black and frightening. Singapore River at 3AM is so different.
#0718
End of the River
I've been here!!! I tried to find out where the Singapore River ended :)
#0724
My love, my one love
Walking through the darkest and deepest corners of my memory lay this perfect piece of innocence, when the instant connection of fingers encapsulate the first memory I have of my true love.
#0725
Alcoholic anecdote
A friend of mine owned a bar here. We sat by the river till 4am arguing about theatre and art.
#0726
When I was still yours
sat here watching the light performance at MBS with boyfriend who had just come back from India. We had a great time in India & that evening was beautiful too. But they're only memories now…
#0733
Water flowing fast
How the wind makes the river build up the waves by the river.
#734
NIGHT TO REMEMBER
WE DRANK, WE DANCED, WE CELEBRATED. THE END OF ONE, THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER. A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED.
#0739
Untitled
kissed by a boy who I liked for a while.
#0741
THE FIRST TIME I MET AIFAA!
SHE WAS TOO SHY TO TALK. ALWAYS COVERING HER MOUTH WITH HER HANDS. SHE WAS ATTRACTED TO ADU.
#0742
Good-bye.
Here is where I said good-bye to him, moments after I convinced him I cared, and hours before I left him forever.
#0746
Night View
I went with my friends. Kinda depressed because of awkwardness. Things suddenly got fine after I saw the view it was beautiful and the whole thing gets nice
#0747
Ancient Truth
The River is real. Has seen all since was nothing and has everything. When it was busy the boats, sailors had put life into it. It was young. Today how kids leave old parents, life has moved out of the river. River is retiring now.
#0748
MAYDAY, MAYDAY
10 years in this imaginary relationship has given me more strength than you could have ever imagined. Thank you for making me, me. YR.
#0749
The Foreigners
I remember foreigners would take the boat that ran along the river. My friends & I would often wonder why we never took the boat. I often wondered that. I have to do that some day.
#762
The Love of the Lion
A lion fell -in love -in the water with a mermaid. No, with a fish!
#0763
Very 1st dinner in Singapore 4 June 2012
I still remember the walk we had after dinner, it's the very first day after I moved to Singapore. It's just so calm and peaceful to walk around the river, and the anticipation of a very different kind of lifestyle that I will have here vs Hong Kong
#0764
Double Date ♡
First time meeting my cousin's first girl crush while we double date in the Harry Potter's exhibition w me and my boy. It was the first time me and my cousin went out w dates alone and my boy meeting my cousin. That memory was really memorable.
#0766
NOTHING
I WISH NEVER TO SEE THE CITY SO I CAN ALWAYS IMAGINE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TRICKY ABOUT THE RIVER AT NIGHT.
#0772
Life overseas
One of the ways that I destressed myself is through jogging around the city (which sometimes passing by the Singapore River). I love the beautiful river as it allows me to stop and think of my life
#0780
TAKING BLOOD
MIDGES DESCENDED ON MY SKIN: SO MY BLOOD REMAINS IN SINGAPORE. I HOPE THEY ENJOY
#0787
Distance
In this memory, I saw how Singapore city line looked like in a 360 degree view, using my iphone. I snapped a 360 degree view of it. The seats were comfortable.
#0781
Nostalgic River
Yours truly joined a clean the river organised by URA way back in the '80s. The river is always & forever my favourite part of Singapore.
#0792
Time stopped ticking
Sitting at Boat Quay with my friends, viewing the Singapore River's scenery. It was as though time stopped and we had no cares in the world. It was a place for us to escape the present.
#0794
Boat on Water
Once upon a time, there were lots of boat which filled the river. It was noisy and crowded. Lots of family also made a living. Now it became a business district with lesser people but become more flourish… Myth -- there are people who died in the river.
#0795
Jumping boys@ S'pore river.
I've seen the sculpture featuring a group of young boys jumping down into the river. At times I wondered if it was a real pasttime the Singaporeans had in the past -- thd this made me realise -- how open and intimate these boys, maybe even S'pore society, was with Nature back then. i want such appreciation back again.
#0796
An amazon into city
wind, water flow, is something you could find in the big city which mostly people would always get up, have a breakfast, go to work, go home, then sleep again. Go to Singapore river, feel it & take a break, take a deep fresh breath.
#0803
A DIFFERENT LONGNECK
As i sipped on a beer at the banks of Clarke Quay, a giraffe jumped out of the water and ate MY drink. I miss him.
#0804
Untitled
Believed in a myth: If you try and jump into the River, you will freeze and be eternally turned into the still of you when you are about to make the jump.
#0808
A Load of Crabs
When I were a lad, my dad took me down to the Singapore River, which had boats and mud banks. The mud banks were crawling with fiddler crabs. I went down and caught a few and kept them in a dragon urn with some mud from a tidal river. They ate fish food.
#0809
Singapore Flyer and the merlion
when I took 2 of my friends to go. And see them, it was one of my most happiest moments. They had never been to Singapore and I hope they enjoyed the trip.
#0815
Fort Canning Park
The place I lost my 1st kiss
#0818
FRIENDSHIP
An old friend and I reunited for the first time since he moved to Singapore 2 years ago. It was great to catch up and see a familiar face during my travels -- as I'm sure it was for him. No pictures were necessary -- this will be a great memory for me -- cheers to friendship.
#0820
Merlion's Puke
The water that Merlion emits was a puke according to ancient history
#0831
Singapore River in 1960s
It was the lifeline of S'pore trade and you can see coolies wor king, loading and unloading goods to sampans and tongkangs. It was smelly but a very busy waterway. Many people depended on her to survive
#0834
Md. Sultan Road 1968
The smell of rubber from the warehouses as my school bus picked up a schoolmate who lived in that area.
#0835
28 MAR 14
Actually I don't have a real story but I have a real feeling everyone told me before I visit Singapore that it is a city of happiness. And that's tru from the first day I feel happiness which I don't knowwhere it from so I think it's the magic of Singapore RIver Happiness
#0837
How the crazy society teach me how to choose
Yesterday I was walking around the city, thinking about make a plan for the evening. Suddenly an old man stop me in the street and said me: "If you want to know what you have to do… just ask to the people. When they give to you the answer, you only have to do exactly the contrary".
#5bd84e0c1874f3193e698908
AT BOAT QUAY SUNDAYS WITH DAD
My Dad was a coolie working @ Boat Quay. My 2 brothers & I used to follow our Dad on Sundays to meet his friend for lunch. Here we see him squatting on a stool to have his lunch & we get to see his workplace & his friends. (True)
#0840
When there was no Esplanade and Marina Bay Sands.
Gone were the days when I remember taking a photo from Marina Square shopping wall where all I see is the sea and the boats
#0841
IN SEARCH OF BEANSTRO
TRAVELLED HERE FROM MARINA SQUARE TO EAT @ BEANSTRO WITH THE GIRLFRIEND :D
#0842
MY WINDOW
From my window, every day during stay in Singapore I see Singapore river. At the day, at night it's beautiful. One day I saw a dragon swimming by.
#0847
FIRST PORT OF CALL
WE STAYED AT ROB QUAY FOR A MONTH - AND I WOULD TAKE WALKS BY THE RIVER TO GET TO KNOW SINGAPORE WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED!
#0851
Time travels
Sleepover at my cousin's home in Hock Lim Street. Used to look at the clock to know what time it was. The clock at the Vic was visible over the rooftops.
#0853
Sneaking in Museum
Have been wanting to go into cool building that looks like a Lotus Flower. Fake a "media" pass & walk in. Sneak into 3rd floor under construction. Guard catches me and escorts me out.
#0858
When I left him
I left someone I loved very much here today. It was in a telephone conversation I told him I didn't love himanymore. I think that he was abusive. Yes, I loved him very very very very very very very very very much
#0866
Parting ways
We parted ways here. 'What made you stop talking to me?' 'Y'know, I just couldn’t handle the awkwardness.'
#0867
Puke
We were 16 going on 17 and I told my parents it was a class sleepover but instead we stayed out all night @ Clarke Quay and fell asleep by the river after telling about sadness and people we loved and 2 of my soon to be best friends puked in the bushes. The next day we were so damn hungover but they still donned their blazers and went for the model UN conference they were part of. We saw a straitlaced nerd on the bus going for it too & just laughed.
#0869
NAKED PEOPLE
I saw 4 naked boys jumping into the river. They turned out to be bronze statues.
#0872
Ducks
I once saw a bunch of friendly ducks having fun it was magical!
#0873
Something heard
I was stopping by the Merlion and observing people and I heard an old Chinese lady saying "during the colony I was a striptease in this club for the chic administrators and had good times." I was shocked--
#0882
none of this was not supposed to occur
We couldn't find a restaurant that we wanted to eat at. But we settled on one at the end. I had fun.
#0883
SA-WAT-DEE
FIRST TIME IN SINGAPORE. JAWPRAYA IS A BIG RIVER IN THAILAND. SAME SINGAPORE RIVER. CLEAN & SAVE & GOOD.
#0886
The Bathing Place
My mum used to say the river was used in the olden days to bathe. In the olden days there wasn't much water that could be used for everyone.
#0887
Broken Blisters
Just yesterday, I walked 1km in my new heels & my feet were bleeding. I took an agonising long time to walk past the Singapore river. It was so breathtaking at night. A little rowdy, but good. It was a beautiful painful experience.
#0888
The peaceful singapore
I can't locate myself in singapore, as the venue rather too simplistic and too directed. All direction too crowded. The moment you take a turn back from norm, then again I will land myself in a place called singapore. Where is the peace?
#0890
Never Been
I went to Singapore River. In my dreams. I never saw it but I really want to.
#0907
Clarke Quay, are we in Singapore?
After going out of CBD (Business centre) area, we had a break in a bar and had a drink, I was thinking it reminds me of Europe, my boyfriend "it reminds me of London and Thames" by looking at the river and thinking about colonial past…
#0916
Treasure hunt
I discovered a pot of gold right here
#0917
DISCOVERY OF A NEW KINGDOM
This is where I landed after a long voyage from Planet Saturn and set up a new settlement
#0920
UNDER AGE CONSUMPTION
So well I decided it would be a great idea to buy a bottle of Vodka w/' my FAKE ID and sit and drink my problems away which I did. I then proceeded to call my crush and tell him about my underwear drawer.
#927
Memory
The dark river sleeps. A cold drink and a warm Kiss Tears my heart in two
#0931
The merlion → Singapore :)
on a warm sunny day in 2011, it was during the June holidays, my mum brought my sister and I to the merlion. We packed our sketch books and pencils. Once arriving there we started drawing! It was very fun!
#0935
jeg elsker dig
1st time I told him "I love you"
#0938
First vomitting after drinking
First drinking experience at Black Penny bar! Just aturned 18 back then and wans't really a good drinker. Went back home and was scolded by my mother. Before going home, I vomitted into Singapore River!
#0940
Untitled
I like sitting at the bank of the river for hours with my diary. I used to go there before work.
#0942
First kiss
It was Valentine Day and after a satisfying dinner (steak) and movie (Lego), we went for a walk as either of us wanted to go back yet. We were walking along the Singapore River at the area near Esplanade. At the end of it, I stood against the railing, gave her a tight hug and then a peck. it was the start of everything wonderful
#0946
First time job
It is my first time end an expectable Friday after my job. Also, it is my first time got into the job world. I miss school life and will carry that pure, insistent heart no longer, till forever.
#0947
Clean River System
I imagine Singapore Rivers to be clear and "bathable". I bet everyone will have picnics and have BBQ's next to it. Kids doesn't have to go to community clubs to swim!
#0950
First I fall for you ♡
We climb on the roof. It was my birthday and the surprise was to climb over the roof. It is dangerous but we still do it. We lay down look at the skies and the stars. That's where I know I met the one.
#0951
My 1st 41.195km Marathon 31st May 2014
6km to go and I'm dying here… my knees are giving way, my hands are bloated and all my friend can think about is I want to eat a double cheese burger.
#0953
Fishing for prawns
I recall the year after the Singapore river cleanup. People celebrated by jumping in to swim and catch prawns. A signal of where Singapore was headed. A proud moment for the baby boomers.
#0955
The day I decided to recover from Mia and Bea
Exhausted, dehydrated and starving, I looked at the river and decided I couldn't do this anymore. I will take my life back, or die trying.
#0961
The steps of my childhood
I remember the stairs of the river bank. Where I met my old friend of Tao Nan. The stairs where we played. The stairs where coolies used to climb. The stairs of memory, by the bank of this river.
#0967
happiness unlocked :)
here, I was unsure & a bit uncertain about a boy. He brought me here and eventually I was charmed by his simplicity & touched by his endearing cuteness. Just like the sg river which was the main artery of trade & commerce for us back in those days. I've foudn a love that will sustain me forever as well :D
#0970
ICECREAM VENDOR
I sat by the Asian Civilizations Museum & watched a group of primary schoolers queue up to buy incecream from a vendor. Their eager faces on that hot day were matched by the vendors smile.
#0974
Personal time
Sitting down by the river, thinking what could be our culture underneath the artificial beauty. Maybe that could be our culture, concrete beauty.
#0985
ANCESTRAL MEMORY
By the waters, the waters of Babylon. We lay down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion.
#0993
I have never been this patriotic.
When I was 9 (primary 3) my school took me to see the National Day Parade. I saw many soldiers fainting because they were putting in so much attention just to keep still. I have never seen so much commitment. A passion people had for their country. something are just unspoken.
#1001
The Plan
This is where I would ask you to be mine. Not today or tomorrow. But someday. I'm tired seeing this only in my head.
#1003
Garbage
I watched a video at the 1st floor and I saw garbage floating on the river in the vdo. It made me feel bad.
#1004
Scooter
we made scooters and played fairy tale card games here. They have flown to Brunei since where the paths and trees and waterfalls are natural
#1007
/ it was never clean /
when my father was a child, he and his siblings / cousins / entire hdb kampong would jump into the river, just like the statue by the river serving as a tribute to the memory. Bathing and swimming in it was a weekly ritual, a cleansing of a soul. sometimes i wonder whether the magnitude of the cleanliness, or lack thereof has been transcribed with the beings of his future every night to all dreams of the water.
#1011
Superman
I saw the flying man at a distance. It was soaring high across the city scape; along the sky-line I could see MBS, the giant lotus & the merlion. You would have been near, but we never met.
#1012
the toad
I was sitting along clark quay with my friends when we spotted a huge toad right in front of us. We were all mesmerised by that, ugly yet motionless toad. I was that toad.
#1014
Final Year Project
Our final year project for university was on the Singapore River. For months we had to visit the river almost every single day for our project. We got an A- in the end. Good times.
#1022
ZAID'S IPHONE ♡ AFFAIR
IT WAS HERE ON A BREEZY SUNNY EVENING, WHERE ZAID DROPPED HIS IPHONE. AND IT BOUNCED RATHER UNCERTAINLY INTO THE SINGAPORE RIVER ♡♡♡♡♡ GOODBYE.
#1023
UFO sighting
The first time I saw the new Supreme Court, I thought it was a spaceship
#1024
Marriage
My parents were married in 1986. Some time between the solemnisation ceremony and their wedding dinner, they took a wedding photo at Boat Quay. The shophouses were grey, the river water was brown and the sky clouded over. It was queer looking at the photo and connecting it with the colourful shophouses and nightlife there today. I was looking through another's eyes.
#1052
Don't go too near to the river
Mom always said, "Don’t' go too near to the river. You'll fall in." I never fell in, not yet, at least.
#1064
New dream
I come to Singapore because I thought I can find a new dream life in this place. ACM shows the first step toward that.
#1067
Journey to school
I crossed this bridge on a bus everyday to school in Bras Basah Rd (SJI). I would hold my breath whil on the bridge as the stench was unbearable!
#1070
A look into the future
I wished that when we look through the river, it could show the future of Singapore
#1076
Untitled
On a picqaresque afternoon, atop a lovely yacht, Lydia & I ride, sipping sadato. The sea smells sweet, the water sparkles, reflected in her eyes, and the calm serenity consumes us. We kiss passionately and revel in the sunshine.
#1333
TAXI DRIVER & THE AIRPLANE PILOT
My date, an airplane pilot, got into an arguement with a taxi driver. The argument was over something mundane, irrelevant and unmemorable, but both men refused to give in or to "end" their disagreement. Things escalated. A shouting match ensued, with many expletives! I walked away, abandoning the two crazy men, and took a taxi home.
#1352
My mother's office
I remember when I was there. My mother's friends would play with me and let me drink ribena from the fridge.
#1368
WISH IT WAS REAL.
The perfect breeze. The warmth of a company you treasure. Sheepish smiles, words of love & laughter. Butterflies & sweaty palms. Sweet memories of a past that turned sour. But I'm glad you appeared in my life.
#1380
HOLOGRAPHIC MOMENT
THE BEST EXHIBIT WAS WHEN WE LOOKED INTO A DARK ROOM WITH FILM AND THOUGHT SECURITY GUARD SITTING ON A BENCH READING HIS PHONE VERY STILL WAS PART OF THE EXHIBIT
#1390
The River Monster
The river monster was defeated by Singaporean
#1424
Lesbian Drama
A fixture Outside Mad Monk's Club -- Romantic (and unromantic) brawls and dedications of throwing ourself into the River!
#0962
title
subtitle
#1421
Art exhibition
I want to visit the Empress, and when I grow up I want to be like him. I am going to be a artist when I grow up.
#1426
Earth Hour
I was alone when darkness fell. Alone in a sea of people when I should have been holding your hand. I was searching but I could not find you in the darkness when the lights went out. I never felt so alone. I'm getting used to it, but I miss you every single day.
#1429
Untitled
Singapore River … How are you? I've never met you but I think we are fated. Love, Mermaid longkang river.
#1444
Same Love
Here I celebrated my first New Year with my boyfriend. It was very memorable, like a firework display exploding to create the universe. I was so in Love.
#1448
An adventure of freedom
In just 24 hours, a girl finished the decision of travelling alone, choosing the destination, booking of hotel and airtickets, ending up standing in the busy streets of Singapore, feeling herself, enjoying the freedom of travelling alone. It's an amazing adventure!
#1482
Playing with some sculptures
Have you seen the sculptures on the singapore River? My sister and I mimic a sculpture and wonder what would it be like if we were them in their time?
#1487
How I met your mother
There was a lady who always went there to drown her kid cause she had too many. She blamed it all on this guy named 'Brian', whom she met at a Tamon Lover's Club
#1495
A fall
On a Saturday along Clarke Quay, when I was around 8 years old, I tripped and banged my elbow against the tarmac. I scraped the skin quite badly. As I looked at the River in the afternoon, I licked the wound. I liked the taste of the blood.
#1508
Untitled
I've had this memory more than once: sinking, with just a flashlight, into the Singapore River at night. At a certain point the sinking would stop and I would be suspended in the darkness, flashlight shining at nothing at all. I remember that there were sometimes other people there too but I didn't know them.
#1513
I WISH … I REALLY WISH…
I don't mind the several iconic buildings built in Singapore but sometimes too much of it might makes us feel lost. I'm starting to feel lost. I'm not sure myself, which to appreciate. The concrete jungle that mesmerised everyone? I just hope nature will be considered in future planning. the trees, the river and all the natural forms should remain undisturbed.
#1527
Ice Cream Over Merlions
We were walking from St. Andrews and we saw the Marina Bay Sands and decided against taking a bus over. It was high noon and we were walking and sweating buckets. Eventually we got to the Merlion. As impt. as it was to take a picture w/ it the ice cream stand nearby was far more attractive and definitely more delicious.
#1543
Lurking in Dark Waters
It was said that if you took the boat ride at night and you stare down at the water leaning out, something will grab you coming from the dark waters. This is why the waters is always murky. No one knows what lives in there. Beware :)
#1548
WORK
I WORK HERE. I DO NOT ENJOY WHAT I DO, BUT I AM TRAPPED. I NEED TO WORK TO LIVE… I AM SAD
#1550
Gold fish
I was walking along the banks of the land towards Marina Bay from River Valley Road. It was dirty but all of a sudden a single golden carp surfaced. It disappeared when I stopped to look at it.
#1559
DRUNK BY THE RIVER
We had just received your A level results and we figured two bottles of whisky was a rad idea. I was so smashed by 1AM and slid into the Singapore River while you pulled me out. We were young weren't we? Time eh.
#1578
iPhone 4
I DROPPED MY iPhone 4 INTO SINGAPORE RIVER. I JUMPED INTO THE RIVER TO GET IT BACK.
#1588
THIS IS TRUE LAH!
the Singapore river used to be a corpse dumping site. Today, the ghosts of the past haunts the river.
#1603
Lochy
The lochness monster lives in the Singapore river!
#1612
SURREAL BUT REALISED
Was it the intoxication from wines at Pollen or the pure decandence of the experience! Avatar imagined but now tactile.
#1615
Home, Truly
I knew I was very homesick when I got teary-eyed watching the NDP music video on YouTube, especially scenes of the Singpaore River. I may no longer be living here but Singapore will always be a very big part of me. ♡
#1621
Today
As a tourist, for my first day in Singapore, I try to jump in the River. People around told me it's a fine city so not a good idea. Maybe Tomorrow.
#1631
When my father was a Boy.
My father shared with me that when he was a boy, he would take the trishaw ride with my grandma to purchase rice by the river. Whenever he speaks of those days, he will always light up. I wish you were here with me. I miss you & I ♡ you.
#1632
Like a bird
Sitting in my room at the 44th floor of the hotel. Watching over the city like a bird, no need to fly. Back in Switzerland I must a climb a mountain to have the same. We don't have so tall buildings.
#1640
MOON RIVER
It was a thursday. The Singapor river had had enough. It did not like the boat rides, the pollution, the people. It got angrier and angrier. It turned ghost white. It turned into milk. All life in it died, but humans were happy.
#1654
We were still young then
I was 14 and you were 12. Noone could've denied that at least during that time, we were honestly and fully young. But old souls reside in us, and so we walked from City Hall to the floating platforms alternating between stories of our embarrassing moments and topics 12- and 14-year olds should not be talking about. Do you remember?
#1660
LAST DATE
Walked the whole stretch of the Singapore River the night before he flew off with him. Talked about how surprisingly short the river was. And apparently it is TOO short for him 'cause he flew off to USA the next day and we never talked again.
#1708
Release
Chats by the river. You & I. breeze. Blows. We smiled & laughed. Young & free. Only you hear me
#1723
Where Am I ?
actually, I don't know where to put it … but I'll know where one day, any place around Singapore and in Singapore. One thing about this Country that I like is the discipline …
#1734
WHITE CHRISTMAS AT MARINA BAY AREA
YOU CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! A PLACE IN SINGAPORE THAT GOES BELOW ZERO DEGREES CELSIUS. I REMEMBER WE WERE BOTH FREEZING IN THIS SPECIAL PLACE TO EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS TOGETHER !! BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS (SINCE WE CAN'T GO SWEDEN FOR NOW!!)
#1717
Reflection
How much of what we reflect is true? Is it really what we see that is truthful & how we think we see that image? I thought about that as I saw the city lights reflected in the water. How much of what we construct is real?
#1750
Violet flame acorn for SG River
May 2nd on a footbridge over the River, I drop a single acorn from my pocket into the water + invoke the violet flame for this Blessed One.
#1751
Dear Mum & Dad
Hi, I am your daughter. I am very happy in SG. I Hope you can Be happy everyday. Make lots of money. Brother: I hope you can study hard and be a good boy! Love all of you! ♡
#1756
I miss japan
When I think of Singapore & the Singapore River, I am reminded of my hometown, Brisbane, in Australia. Where did the Singaporean culture go?

THE PORTALS