I took a different kind of tour of Singapore, more like a history lesson. But, a history lesson I enjoyed. My girlfriend and I are cat lovers and this informational tour was geared for us. After we unpacked at our room in one of Singapore Luxury Hotels, we got busy with the learning.

Singapore originally was known as Temasek or the Sea Town, but it was renamed Singapura (Lion City) after a visiting Sumatran Prince, which my girlfriend and I envisioned as very handsome and charming, glimpsed what he thought was a lion, but most likely a tiger, in 1299. Then in the 1800′s, Singapore underwent a period of intense economic growth and was declared a freeport. Today, it’s one of the busiest ports in the entire world and attracts many tourists, such as my girlfriend and me.

As cat enthusiast, we found Singapore is more associated with the Singapura cat rather than the lion or tiger. Although,we thought it probably would be easier to find a lion on Singapore than to find a Singapura. Like that handsome Sumatran Prince when he glimpsed a cat that it must not have been a Singapura nor a lion. But, the island does have a rich history fo feline mascots. There’s Singa, a rather funny happy little lion. Singa is the mascot for the annual Courtesy Campaign; an event that brings Singaporeans together in an ongoing drive to improve their everyday courtesies which will help Singapore be the most welcoming place on earth. The Singa wears a hard-hat and appears on roadwork signs apologizing for any inconvenience while a car drives past the construction site.

Merlion is the oldest mascot in Singapore. Merlion is a lion-headed fish! It guards the river mouth at Merlion Park. The Singapore Tourist Promotional Board also uses the emblem as a seal fo approval on reputable stores. But, my girlfriends favorite was the ‘Kucinta, the Love Cat of Singapore’. Kucinta is better known as the Singapura or as the islanders say: the River Cart or the less attractive name ‘The Drain Cat’. I will let my girlfriend enjoy her Kucinta. But, for me I adore all of them.

Cats of Singapore is a post from: T For Travel

Related posts:

1. Chinatown in Singapore
2. Stylistic Diversity Along the Singapore River
3. The Indian Markets of Singapore