MORE THAN A VISIT. A DEEPER CONNECTION.
An American collector discovers a different side of Singapore through its heartlands, local food and a shared passion for the keris.
5 November 2026, Thursday | Sengkang, Singapore
What do you show someone who has visited Singapore many times before, seen our famous attractions, and is now looking for something completely different?
Well, perhaps it’s time to introduce them to the Singapore that we Singaporeans actually live in.
Today, I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. C. G. Oltrogge, an 82-year-old gentleman from Palo Alto, California, USA, for a personalised private heritage experience under my programme, Singapore Beyond The Postcard.
Dr. Oltrogge is no stranger to Singapore. He has visited our little island on numerous occasions over the years and is already familiar with many of our popular attractions.
But this time, he wanted something different.
Not another conventional sightseeing tour. Not another itinerary filled with the usual tourist landmarks.
He wanted to experience Singapore from a local’s perspective, particularly our heartlands, everyday culture and the people who make this country what it is.
And as a fellow collector of keris, Asian antiquities, curios and historical relics, he was naturally interested in meeting someone who shared his passion for Southeast Asian material culture.
That’s where our interests aligned.
FROM BUGIS TO THE HEARTLANDS OF SENGKANG
Instead of taking him around the familiar tourist attractions, I welcomed him from his hotel in the Bugis area to my residential neighbourhood in Sengkang.
The idea was simple.
Experience Singapore beyond its impressive skyline. Discover our HDB neighbourhoods, local food, everyday surroundings and the little things that many of us take for granted.
Things that might seem ordinary to Singaporeans, but can be quite fascinating to someone visiting from overseas.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for us today!
The unexpectedly heavy showers meant that our planned nature trail visit had to be abandoned.
But here’s something I’ve always believed about personalised private guiding.
The itinerary should serve the guest. The guest should never have to serve the itinerary.
Especially when you’re hosting an 82-year-old gentleman whose comfort and enjoyment should take priority over completing a checklist of attractions.
So, we adapted.
Instead of spending our afternoon outdoors in the rain, we settled into the comfort of my private home gallery, enjoying local food while exchanging stories about our shared passion for the keris and Southeast Asian material culture.
And what an enjoyable exchange it turned out to be!
Imagine sitting down with someone who has spent decades collecting and appreciating historical objects from our region.
Different generations. Different backgrounds. Different life experiences.
Yet, we found common ground through our curiosity about history, heritage and the stories behind the objects we collect.
We discussed collecting experiences, historical artefacts and the fascinating ways in which objects travel between cultures and generations.
For me, these conversations are just as valuable as visiting any historical monument.
Sometimes, even more so.
THIS IS WHAT SINGAPORE BEYOND THE POSTCARD IS ABOUT.
As a Singapore Licensed Tourist Guide, I believe there’s tremendous potential in offering visitors experiences that go beyond conventional sightseeing.
Let’s face it.
Not everyone visiting Singapore is here for the first time.
Some have visited us repeatedly. They’ve seen Marina Bay Sands, taken photographs at the Merlion, explored Gardens by the Bay and visited our major attractions.
So what else can Singapore offer them?
I think the answer lies in understanding what interests each visitor.
Perhaps it’s our history. Our food culture. Our residential neighbourhoods. Our multicultural society. Or even something as specialised as the collecting traditions of Southeast Asia.
Rather than offering everyone the same itinerary, I prefer to understand the person I’m hosting, their interests, what they hope to discover, and how I can create an experience that feels personal to them.
After all, no two visitors are exactly alike.
And sometimes, the most memorable part of travelling isn’t the attraction you visited. It’s the people you met, the conversations you had, and the connections you made along the way.
Today’s experience with Dr. Oltrogge is another meaningful step in developing Singapore Beyond The Postcard as a personalised private heritage tourism experience.
One that connects Singapore’s heartlands, everyday life, local food, historical narratives and specialist interests that conventional tourist itineraries might otherwise overlook.
I believe this offers an interesting opportunity, particularly for returning visitors who want to discover something new about Singapore, as well as international enthusiasts looking to connect with people who share their passions.
Because Singapore is more than its impressive skyline.
There are stories waiting to be discovered in our neighbourhoods, our homes, our personal collections and, most importantly, among the people who live here.
To Dr. Oltrogge, thank you for allowing me to host you during your visit to Singapore.
It was a pleasure welcoming you into my home and spending the afternoon sharing local food, collecting experiences and our mutual appreciation for the keris.
I hope our time together has given you a different perspective of Singapore, and perhaps another reason to return.
AFTER ALL, THERE’S ALWAYS MORE TO SINGAPORE THAN WHAT APPEARS ON A POSTCARD.
INTERESTED IN EXPERIENCING A DIFFERENT SINGAPORE?
Singapore Beyond The Postcard offers personalised private experiences curated around your interests.
Whether you’re curious about our heartlands, local food, living heritage, Singapore’s history or the fascinating world of Southeast Asian material culture, let’s explore what Singapore has to offer beyond the usual tourist attractions.
For private enquiries and tailored experiences, visit:
🌐 https://thekeriscollector.com/experiences
THE KERIS COLLECTOR
Preserve Through Discovery.
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