It was one of those afternoons where I had a bit of in-between time and so decided that it was as good as anything to take an exploratory walk through what is likely one of the oldest, and most significant places in Singapore.
Queen Elizabeth Walk isn't new.
It's been around for a very long time.
What it used to be during the early colonial days I don't know- nothing much is said- but there would have to be something, given its close proximity to the Victoria Concert Hall, the Anderson Bridge and the Padang.
Coming here it is possible to imagine how it might have been in the decades past. It is possible to stand stock still amidst the trees and wonder to yourself how it might have looked like when Raffles came to this area and (supposedly) decided to sign the first treaty at the Padang right behind.
There aren't that many publicly shared artworks of how this area looked like when Raffles was around, so we don't have much reference.
But thank God for photography and photographs.
At least we know how this place looked like during the 50s when photography was all the rage amongst some of the younger ones, and so as there were many (male) photographers, there were as many (female) friends who happily donned the fashion of the day and posed for the camera.
Queen Elizabeth Walk (or whatever it was called) was a popular place for photo shoot excursions.
I know, because I've seen a collection of black and white photographs, courtesy of Miss Brown, where she is seen gracefully posed against the backdrop of Fullerton Hotel, and the horizon of what looks like an endless sea.
There was no MBS or Marina Bay Area then.
Neither was there the Merlion statue that tourists visit by the droves these days.
Beyond the section that is now right next to the Waterhouse- or the old Customs House- was all sea, sea, sea.
It's an entirely different landscape now.
Still, one must admit that there is a sense of timelessness along this stretch, and when you're there on a sunny midweek late afternoon with nothing else but leaves and birds around you, you can just stop and admire the evolvement that this country has seen, whilst basking in the quiet song of passing time.