Despite the rain, more than 11,300 throng Istana Open House

SINGAPORE — Sunday’s (June 25) mid-morning downpour did not dampen the spirits of more than 11,300 visitors to the Istana after it opened its doors to the public from 8.30am.

There was something for everyone: Balloon sculpting, performances by school bands, guided tours round the Istana’s main building as well as a display of birds.

A popular choice was the guided tours, with many visitors queueing for the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana, a collaboration between the President’s Office and the National Parks Board.

First-time visitor James Hee, 32, who came with his wife and three-year-old son, was in the queue for a ticket to enter the Istana’s main building and said: “You don’t always get a chance to enter the Istana, so I think this is a good opportunity to take a look.”

Mr Hee said his son also enjoyed looking at the display of birds by Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

The morning rain did have some worried about their plans to visit the Istana grounds.

Retiree Jasmine Fernando, 69, said she was “initially worried” that it would force her to scuttle her visit. “Thankfully it cleared up ... so that my family and I could come here,” added Mdm Fernando, who arrived with her husband and sister at around 3.30pm.

Others, like Ms Farizah Osman, 38, took time off in between her Hari Raya Aidilfitri visiting to make it to the Istana Open House.

At 4pm, President Tony Tan Keng Yam appeared, wearing a batik shirt and accompanied by Mrs Mary Tan. Making their way through the grounds by buggy, they watched the dance and band performances and visited the birds on display.

Mrs Tan also stopped for a spot of henna painting, while many a curious visitor craned their necks, eager to get a picture of the couple.

Human resources executive Daniel Loo, 30, managed to get one of the President. “It’s quite a surreal experience, to be this close to the President,” he told TODAY.

The next Istana Open House will be on July 30, before National Day.