Road Trip: Cultural Johor Study Tour

Dates: Friday, 14 February – Monday, 17 February, 2020

Total Cost: S$400.00

Another Road Trip!! Since it is “Visit Johor 2020”, let’s discover the cultural gems of Johor.

Johor was known in its early days as ‘Ujong Tanah’ meaning Land’s End.  Its Arabic word ‘Jauhar’ means precious stone or jewel, and it was founded in the early 1500s by Sultan Ahmad Shah, the heir of Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last Sultan of Malacca, before it fell into Portuguese hands. The Sultanate of Johor was controlled by the Bugis of Celebes and the Minangkabaus of Sumatra in the 18th century.

With British intervention, the state fell into the control of one Daing Ibrahim, who took the title of Sultan.

His son, Sultan Abu Bakar, ensured that Johor prospered, developing its own constitution and efficiently administering the state.  Johor was the only state in Malaysia not completely controlled by the British right up till Independence Day. Today Johor has a diverse cultural heritage with economic sectors in manufacturing and industry.

One of places to visit is the Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street - JB heritage quarter, a network of lifestyle cafes and restaurants where the Instagram crowd flocks to for fresh hipster pastures. Landmarked by two street arches and the heritage building known as the Red House, here we will see several pre-World War II shophouses that have been restored.

Next we will enjoy the Chinese Heritage Museum where we will learn about the history of the Chinese community in Johor Bahru, and focus on Johor Bahru’s history. The cultures brought here by the Chinese are far more ancient.

Be mesmerised with Harmony Street, of JB filled with the Old Chinese temple, a mosque, and a Sikh temple Gurdwara Sahib, where people of different cultures live in harmony with their customs, habits, and mutual differences. Here lies the oldest Indian temple in the heart of the city, over 100 years old – it was built in December 1911.

At the Malay Cultural Village, get ready to discover the beauty of Malaysian diversity and heritage. It’s like visiting a living museum situated in Johore Bahru, with cultural programmes designed to bring out the uniqueness of Malaysian culture and traditions, and filled with explorative tours, museum gallery visits, live performances and hands-on activities.

Never miss Arulmigu Sri Raja Kaliamman Glass Temple.  JB has a unique Hindu temple with much of its inside and outside surfaces inlaid with over 300,000 pieces of multicolour glass mosaic. JB's glass Hindu Temple is listed in the Lonely Planet's Secret Marvels of the World. The temple is listed in the Malaysian Book of Records as the only glass temple in Malaysia.

Look out for the Crystal Crown Arch Coronation Arch at the entrance of Istana Bukit Serene, a gift by the Sultan of Johor, to the people of Johor. A crown replica was built to commemorate the coronation of HRH Tuanku Sultan Ibrahim as the Sultan of Johor on 23rd March 2015. fashioned after the crown worn by Sultan Abu Bakar (1833-1895) during his coronation on 29th July 1886.

Pinnacle of this trip is to enjoy the Chingay Festival in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Watch the majestic lion dances during the Chingay Night Parade. This is a local Chinese annual tradition to celebrate the Chinese New Year wishing for peace and prosperity. The deities are carried around the main streets of Johor Bahru joined by a procession including floats, lion and dragons dancers.

In addition, you’ll get an up-close look at the buildings which boast of old European architecture.

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque – On top of a hill in downtown Johor Bahru, overlooking the Straits of Johor and neighbouring Singapore, stands the magnificent Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, one of the most beautiful old mosques in Malaysia. The construction of the mosque marked the start of Johor's modernisation process in 1892, which was commissioned by the "Father of Modern Johor", the late Sultan Abu Bakar. It is a mix of architectural styles, but principally Victorian.

Grand Palace JB  - This architectural wonder built in 1866 and commissioned by the late Sultan Abu Bakar is also known as the Grand Palace. Initially in a Renaissance style, the building was constructed by local artisans under the supervision of a European architect. The original furniture of the palace was made in England and ordered by the late Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866.

Overlooking the city centre of JB, Sultan Ibrahim Building is one of the most majestic buildings in JB that blend well with Malay and colonial architecture. The construction started in 1936 and was completed in 1940, costing 2 million ringgit overall. It was the tallest building in JB and during World War II while Johor was under Japanese rule, the Japanese Army used the building as a fortress, spying on the actions of the British Army around that area.

Never miss the Figure Museum, the formal official residence of Jaafar Muhammad, the first Chief Minister of Johor. Constructed in a 100-hectare of land on Senyum Hill (Smiling Hill), it resembles the British Royal family building Hardwick Hall in the United Kingdom. The museum showcases the history of Johor and Johor Sultanate.

KTMB Museum Johor Bahru Old Railway Station was once an intercity railway station that boasts western architecture in a very unique way. The building was launched in 1932 but it was closed in 2010.

You will find JB a quaint city with an abundance of breathtaking sights and rich heritage, a blend of customs, traditions, food and lifestyle. Johoreans live with a mix of old and new with historical buildings standing side by side with ultra modern shopping centres.

As for Food - We will also enjoy food - regional specialties of Chinese, Indian and Malay flavors.

Deposit: $200 SGD per person 3N 4D (Hotel double occupancy)

Final payment: $200 - payment due by December 2 (transfers, insurance, guide and tips are included together with a contribution to the FOM general fund).

First Meeting: November 15, 2019

Tour Leader: Susan Chong t_rani@yahoo.com 96643574

This tour is now full; however, you may register to add your name to the waitlist.

NEW TOUR LAUNCHED AUGUST 1, 2019!

Tour Leader: Abha Kaul

E-mail: abhadkaul@gmail.com

This classic study tour takes us on a historic journey down the eastern seaboard into India’s deep south – along the fabled Coromandel Coast, with its renowned UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here, celebrated centres of awe-inspiring architecture and sculpture, traditional arts and crafts, continue to amaze visitors, while temple towns, fragrant with the scent of jasmine and rose, reverberating with sounds of bells and chanting, are as revered today as a thousand years ago. Vestiges of foreign, colonial settlements point to past times when European nations jostled in these parts for power on vital trade routes and in internal politics.

For tour details, please click here!

To register for the tour, please ensure your FOM membership is updated and then follow instructions to register.

By registering online, you will have:

1. read, agreed to and signed an online FOM Release Form and Responsibility Statement;
2. agreed to send a photocopy of the first page of your passport (containing relevant details) directly to the Tour Leader; and
3. agreed to make an initial deposit payment of SGD$1,500 to FOM by PayPal or cheque made payable to “FOM”.

If you wish to pay the deposit by cheque, kindly mail it to:

FOM Study Tours: Coromandel Coast, India 2020

Friends of the Museums

61 Stamford Road

#02-06 Stamford Court

Singapore 178892

PLEASE NOTE:

Cancellations incur penalties and can promise merely partial refunds, so please register only if you are sure you can travel in February.

Information on further payments will be sent out later with a detailed itinerary to registered participants.

Overseas FOM members will be added to the list of participants after an initial registration period of one week, giving local Singapore-based members priority.

First pre-trip meeting: was held on Thursday, September 12, 2019; dates for next meetings are fixed.

If you have questions, please contact Abha Kaul at 9825 1769 or abhadkaul@gmail.com

UNIQUE CHINA TOUR - PLEASE REGISTER BY DECEMBER 15, 2019!

Come discover the distinctive folk customs and cultures of different ethnic groups in the hidden valleys of southwest China, Guizhou. We join in the Sisters’ Meal Festival of the Miao people in 2 different villages over 2 days. This matchmaking celebration is for boys and girls to meet, get to know each other and possibly get married in the future. All dancers don their best embroidery clothes decorated with the finest silver ornaments and an elaborate headwear. Since the Miao people do not have a written language, embroideries replace the written word to tell their stories on their clothes. This is truly a rare opportunity to witness the Miao's mysterious ethnic traditions, rich and unique embroideries set in the breath-taking natural scenery of their valleys. April is the month that farmers plough the paddy fields with their buffalos and the water-filled terraced rice paddies will look like mirrors. We will visit the Black Dragon Cave Temple Complex in the ancient water town of Zhenyuan surrounded by gorgeous mountains and rivers. We will experience the culture of the Gejia people, known for their batik with indigo and honey wax, and we will hike (2-3hr) the ethnic Dong’s villages of Tang’an at 1000m.

The approximate cost of this study tour is SGD$3,700 per person, which includes airfare, double-sharing accommodation in local 3-5 star hotels (single room supplements are extra), all meals, bottled water, entrance fees, guides, tips, local transport, and also travel insurance and a contribution to the FOM general fund. It does not include visa fees and personal expenses such as for alcoholic drinks, laundry or phone calls.       

To register for the tour, please ensure your FOM membership is updated and then follow instructions to register online.

By registering online, you will have:

1. read, agreed to and signed an online FOM Release Form and Responsibility Statement;
2. agreed to send a photocopy of the first page of your passport (containing relevant details) directly to the Tour Leader; and
3. agreed to make an initial deposit payment of SGD$1,500 to FOM by PayPal or cheque made payable to “FOM”.

If you wish to pay the deposit by cheque, kindly mail it to:

FOM Study Tours: Guizhou, China 2020

Friends of the Museums

61 Stamford Road

#02-06 Stamford Court

Singapore 178892

PLEASE NOTE:

Cancellations incur penalties and can promise merely partial refunds, so please register only if you are sure you can travel in April.

Information on further payments will be sent out later with a detailed itinerary to registered participants.

Overseas FOM members will be added to the list of participants after an initial registration period of one week, giving local Singapore-based members priority.

First pre-trip meeting: Date to be decided, end-November, 2019.

If you have questions, please contact Rosalie Kwok at 9733 3422 or rosalie_kwok@yahoo.com

A 6-day/5-night tour will introduce you to the most important places and events of Chinese history from ca. 1050 BCE to the early 10th century CE, led by FOM’s own China expert who has led more than a dozen study tours to China over the past 14 years.

Sites visited (in chronological, but not necessarily travel order) begin with the largest ancient tomb explored in China to date, the No. 1 Qingong Tomb of the Qin Duke Jinggong with its 180 coffins containing 186 human remains, chariots and horses dating from the W. Zhou Dynasty (1050-771 BCE). We’ll compare this pit tomb with that of the founder of the Qin Dynasty (221 BCE), the Emperor Qin Shih Huangdi when we visit his tomb with its famous terracotta warriors and horses.

                  Our historical adventure continues with one of the most famous Han Dynasty sites—the Tomb of Huo Qubing, a distinguished military general of the W. Han (206 BCE-25 E), whose site contains amongst the oldest known Chinese stone sculptures. The second Han tomb site we visit is entirely different--the ultra-modern museum that showcases the Hanyangling Mausoleum, built to entomb the Emperor Jing and Empress Wang with its exceptional mingqi tomb figurines.

                  At the Tang Dynasty Qianling Mausoleum of the Tang Dynasty’s infamous empress Wu Zetian (China’s only reigning female emperor) we’ll see the statues of foreign emissaries and the stele left blank for history to fill in. Nearby are the beautiful murals of the tomb of the granddaughter she murdered, the Tomb of Princess Yongtai. The sites, the tombs themselves, and the artefacts buried with them will all enrich your knowledge of Tang Dynasty China. Our visits to three of the most important museums in central northern China (the Shaanxi History Museum, the Xi’an Museum, and the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Art) will help fill in any remaining gaps.

                  Traditionally, Buddhism is said to have entered China in the first century CE with the first Buddhist temple, the White Horse Temple, founded in Luoyang. We’ll follow Buddhism’s development in China by visiting the White Horse Temple site, plus several additional important Buddhist sites—the magnificent Longmen Grottoes of the N. Wei (386-557) and Tang (618-907) dynasties, and the famous Tang temple Famensi (which revealed long-believed-lost Tang treasures when renovated after its collapse; its treasures were featured in a special 2014 ACM exhibition). We’ll also visit the Big and Small Wild Goose Pagodas, built to house the Buddhist manuscripts the famous monk Xuanzang brought back from India.

                  And a special treat is a visit to the former Confucian temple, now known as the Forest of Steles, which houses the original Nestorian Stele (the rubbing of which is in an ACM gallery) together with a superb learning gallery of historic Buddhist steles, many of which are world-famous. And did we mention a popular night market and a visit to one of China’s oldest mosques?

                  How will we see all this in just six days? By an itinerary that encompasses local experts and travel by high-speed bullet train, and has been fine-tuned by your FOM tour guide and the local guide she has worked with over the last 10 years. Depart Singapore at 5:00 pm on Monday, 21 October to arrive in Xi’an at 11:35 pm (on Scoot) and return on China Southern Airlines on Sunday 27 October 11:00 am, to arrive in Singapore 11:35 pm that evening.

Trip cost is S$4,000, which includes all travel (airlines and hi-speed train), hotels (double-sharing basis), entrance fees, meals, F&B, tips to guides, travel insurance, and a contribution to the FOM general fund, but excludes personal expenses such as visa fees, telecommunications, laundry and meal extras.

Single room supplement is S$900.

All participants MUST travel with the group to and from China on the specified dates and flights; no exceptions will be made. First information meeting will be held on Monday, March 25 at 12 noon immediately following the MML. For more information contact Patricia Welch at pbjwelch@gmail.com. Limited to 15 participants. Four research preparation sessions will be held pre-departure Sept-Oct 2019.

To register: please follow instructions to register online, and then bring or send the following to the FOM Office:

1. a photocopy of the first page of your passport (containing relevant details), and
2. a deposit cheque of SGD$1,500 payable to “FOM” (deposit payments may also be made via PayPal)

FOM Office Mailing Address:

FOM Study Tours: China History Tour, 2019

Friends of the Museums

61 Stamford Road

#02-06 Stamford Court

Singapore 178892

PLEASE NOTE:

All travellers must have updated membership status with FOM.

This tour is now fully subscribed.

From King David to a Startup Nation:  A Journey through Time to Israel & Jordan

November 28 – December 11, 2019  (including 2 nights Jordan Extension)

Sarah Lev will be leading another tour to Israel and this time to Jordan as well.

We will start our trip in Tel Aviv: visit the Tel Aviv museum and enjoy a food tour in the Carmel market. Stroll through the narrow alleys of Jaffa and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the Hall of Independence and the Rothchild Boulevard with its magnificent Bauhaus architecture.

Drive along the coast, to the Roman city of Caesarea, continue to the Crusader city of Akko (Acre) and visit Haifa located on the top of Mount Carmel where we can see the Baha'i Gardens and Shrine.

Drive to the Galilee, visit Safed the centre of Kabbalah, take a jeep tour of the Golan Heights and enjoy special hospitality in a Druze Village.

Visit the holy Christian sites along the Sea of Galilee: Capernaum, Mt. of the Beatitudes and Tabgha and enjoy a private boat ride on the lake.

Drive along the shores of Jordan River to visit the ruins of the Roman city of Beit Shean before arriving in Jerusalem.

Enjoy a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem from the top of Mt. of Olives.

Visit the Old City of Jerusalem: Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Temple Mount area, including the newly excavated tunnels under the Western Wall.

Visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Have a guided tour at Yad Vashem (Holocaust memorial) and enjoy local food and spices in Mahne Yehuda market.

Drive to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, and take the cable car to the top of the fortress of Masada in the Judean Desert. Visit the ruins of Qumran where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Our tour will also include a visit to Bethlehem where we will see the Church of Nativity, birth place of Jesus.

For those taking the Jordan extension - cross the border to Jordan where we will have a unique opportunity to visit  the City of the Red Rock - Petra and the Al-Khazneh (known as the “Treasury” ) featured in the Indiana Jones movie, as well as the magnificent sand dunes of Wadi Rum desert.

Tour cost includes:

Round-trip airfare in coach class – no upgrades or deviation from the group (except for overseas members)

Round trip transfers: airport - hotel

Trip insurance (not applicable for overseas members)

Deluxe hotel accommodation – double occupancy (single supplement available)

All entrance fees

Sightseeing with a licensed government tour guide who has an MA degree in Archaeology

Deluxe coach throughout the tour

Bottled water and wifi on coach

All gratuities (tips for bellboys driver & guide)

All meals, including wine tasting

Special lectures by: museum professional staff and a Temple Mount archaeologist

Contribution to the FOM general fund

Price is based on a minimum of 15 participants – maximum 24

Approximate Israel Tour cost: $7700SGD per person – double occupancy

Deposit: $2000SGD per person

First payment: $4500SGD per person - to be paid by June 1

Final payment: amount to be determined - payment due by September 2

Jordan Extension: visa fees, transfers, sightseeing entrance fees, insurance and tips are included

2 nights hotel accommodation – double occupancy

All meals

Price based on a minimum of 10 participants

Cost and itinerary for the Jordan extension was provided during our first meeting on April 25

Tour Leader: Sarah Lev

sarahtustra@gmail.com

9127-4006

This tour is now fully subscribed.

Kites & Kutch 2020

After a successful and a very enjoyable Kites & Kutch Tour in January this year, Rashmi Panchal will be leading another Kites & Kutch Tour in January 2020. This tour will take you to Ahmedabad, to witness and participate in the International Kite Festival, which is celebrated every year in Gujarat to coincide with “Makar Sankranti” or “Uttarayan” on 14^th January. It’s a public holiday in Gujarat and people celebrate it with immense enthusiasm. You will also visit Gandhi Ashram, Adalaj Step-well, Calico Textile Museum, UNESCO World Heritage site in Champaner, Double Ikat weavers in Patan, UNESCO World Heritage site of Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Step well) in Patan, Modhera Sun Temple, the White Rann (desert) and the beautiful Vijay Vilas palace in Mandvi. Members will also enjoy visiting various tribal communities in and around Bhuj, along with artisans who excel at their crafts, like the baandhni (tie & dye) makers, Ajrakh printers, lacquer workers etc. You will also have the opportunity to purchase these crafts directly from the makers when we visit their homes. In 10 days we will get to see a very beautiful and culturally rich region of Gujarat, the western state of India.

Dates: 13^th - 23^rd January 2020

Cost per person (approx.): S$4,500 (member)

Initial Deposit: 1,500$

Balance 3,000$ to be paid by Sept.16, 2019

Please see general instructions on this page for guidance on how to register

You may sign up by clicking on the red Registration Tab that appears below the box describing the Study Tour you wish to register for.

Please use your FOM membership email and password to sign up, and also read and virtually sign the Release and Responsibility Statement which will now appear online. No printing and sending of the Release is required any more.

After 24 hours following the first meeting of the registrants with the Tour Leader, you will receive an email from the FOM office with a PayPal link to make your deposit payment. You are requested to pay this deposit amount within 3 days to confirm your spot on the tour. Please note that you do not need to have a PayPal account to make the payment via PayPal.

If you wish to make the deposit payment by cheque, please send it in to the FOM office within 3 days of registering online so that it can be banked 24 hours after the first meeting with the Tour Leader.  

Kindly make your cheque payable to FOM, write the Study Tour name on the back, and mail it to the FOM Office at: 

61 Stamford Road, #02-06 Stamford Court, Singapore 178892

In addition, please send the Tour Leader directly a copy of the first page of your passport (B&W or colour) upon registering online. You may scan and email this to the Tour Leader.

(New, improved procedure - passport copies do not need to be sent to the FOM Office, but straight to the Tour Leader). 

Note: On all tours, participants are confirmed on a first-come basis, based on the order in which the registrations are done online and the deposit payments and passport copies are received. FOM members living in Singapore have priority over overseas FOM members during the first 1 week of the enrollment period.

*If not too certain how to use the new activity sign up system, click here for full information.