A Fashionable Orchard Christmas

All decked out for Xmas - Orchard Road

Some interesting facts about the name 'Orchard Road'. It was named after the orchard of one of the earliest planation owners who lived in Singapore in the 19th century - William Scott.

Scott's Road is also named after Scott. His luxurious residence, which was called 'Hurricane House, was subsequently bought by His Majesty Somdetch Phra Paramindr Maha Chulalongkorn, the supreme King of Siam who visited Singapore often in the late 1890's.

It is now the Thai Embassy on Orchard Road and the royal connection and reverance for the monarchy is why the Thais will never sell it to the Singapore government nor any other party.

Bull Horns and Baubles

This morning's bus was dressed up as a cow. A large pair of white horns rose above the roof of the driver's compartment and a tail with a jaunty sweep decorated the rear.

Bus decoration is part of life in Singapore with the desire to get the advertising message out taking many forms, in this case bovine.

On the subject of decorations it is very surprising to see that the Christmas decorations are already going up in Orchard Road and Tanglin Mall is featuring its nativity tableau.

This a full two months before Christmas actually happens; the festive spirit seems to be coming earlier each year.

Reportedly with the big APEC gathering in Singapore next month the decorations have gone up early to make a good impressions for the delegates.

All of their Christmases will have come at once - literally.