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  Channel NewsAsia 27 Jan 05
Discover Istana's hidden treasures during Lunar New Year open house

SINGAPORE : Did you know that the Istana is home to some special apple tress from Central America? These fruits and other unique trees can be viewed when the Istana open its doors for the Lunar New Year holiday on Tuesday.

The Swan Pond is an obvious draw at the Istana. About the size of a football field, its water is used for the plants and golf course. The Swan Pond is also a popular picnic ground for the visitors of the Istana. This is also home to a pair of swans from Europe, which caregivers here say are the pets of the Istana. The birds, gifts from the Jurong Bird Park, are among 67 species found on the grounds.

The Istana also boasts several different fruits, including star apples, ornamental bananas, belinjau seeds, and ginger. There are also some 10,000 trees, including durian trees, special pandan coconut trees and the tall 150-year old Tembusu tree.

Said Istana curator Koh Soon Kiong of NParks, "We harvest the pandan flavoured coconuts so that sometimes when there are functions, we give them to the chef to serve to the guests. These coconuts have very nice pandan flavour, and it is very sweet."

Also standing tall alongside the plants is a statue of Queen Victoria, a token from the Chinese community to the colonial government in 1888. Another historic icon is this Japanese cannon captured in Burma in 1945 and presented to Singapore by Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten.

It takes some 35 workers to maintain the 41 hectare site. The Istana is open to the public up to five times a year, usually during public holidays; more than 10,000 people visit each time. Many hope to catch a glimpse of the President and his wife, as well as enjoy the rare opportunity to soak in the scenery. - CNA /ct
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