Fort Canning Tree Tunnel

After I exited the National Gallery, I realized I was close to the Fort Canning Tree Tunnel which has been popping up all over Instagram lately. I decided to check it out.

To get there, I walked about 15 minutes, entering Fort Canning from behind the National Museum, skirting around the base of the hill, and then entering the tunnel from the top. Truth be told, I was underwhelmed. It was yet another case of Instagram versus Reality. On social media, there are dozens of shots of a circular staircase with what looks like a forest in the opening above it. In reality, it was a short spiral staircase with lots of loud people at the base waiting their turn to take the iconic photo. I was deperately sweaty and thirsty by then, and the air quality was in the unhealthy range, so I beat a quick retreat to Dhoby Ghaut Station and made my way back to my mother's condo, with a stop for a refreshing ice kachang (shaved ice) treat en route.

While I was at Fort Canning, I saw a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, who established the British presence in Singapore in 1819 and my school in 1823. When I got back to my mother’s condo, I googled where Raffles was buried, and, to my surprise, I learned that he is buried at St Mary’s Church in Hendon, North London, which is one subway stop from my friend Trixie’s (the same one I’ve visited in Adelaide several times) mother’s former home. I must have ridden past that church several times! I shared this information with Trixie and she, too, was surprised. Next time I go to London, I will make sure to track down his final resting place. I also learned from my research that the vicar of that church refused to allow Raffles to be buried there because of his anti-slavery views, so his remains were kept in a crypt and forgotten until 1914 when he was finally interred in the church.Read more