Singapore Odyssea - better exhibits to see
Since I’m back home for abit, I decided to explore home like a tourist. On a quiet, weekday afternoon, I brought myself to National Museum to see the new exhibitions there, mainly drawn to
🙌🏻 Singapore Odyssea 🙌🏻
I had a virtual crab as my companion during the journey down 700 years of SG’s maritime history from trading port to today’s Marina Bay Area.
My crab companion (via my RFID tag) unlocked animations and texts along the way which I felt was pretty much the only ‘interactive’ feature of the exhibition. I didn’t think the experience would have been much different if all the animations just played on their own. 🧐
Near the end of the exhibit was a virtual waterfall where children can ‘step’ on elements on the floor. And before leaving, we ‘release’ our animal companion in the last part of the exhibit that expounds Singapore’s myths such as the story on Sang Nila Utama spotting a lion.
Honestly, families with kids would love the interactivity as you learn history in a different way, but I’d think the Once Upon a Tide exhibition was a better way to spend my afternoon 😅
If you're planning a visit to Singapore Odyssea, here are some tips that made my experience more enjoyable. The RFID-tagged virtual companion adds an interactive layer by unlocking animations and facts about Singapore’s rich maritime past, tracing its transformation from a trading port to the modern Marina Bay area. While the interactive features are wonderful for kids, especially with the virtual waterfall play area where children can engage physically, adults might find some sections less compelling — the animations often felt like they could have played without interaction and still conveyed the same information. A highlight towards the end is the storytelling segment featuring Singapore's myths such as Sang Nila Utama’s lion sighting, an engaging cultural touchpoint. I recommend families with young children or anyone interested in a more playful way to learn history to check out Singapore Odyssea. However, for visitors interested in an alternative or more comprehensive maritime history experience, the Once Upon a Tide exhibition may be worth considering as well. In addition, exploring the museum on a quiet weekday afternoon helps avoid crowds and allows you to appreciate the details of each exhibit fully. Don't forget to explore other ongoing exhibitions in the National Museum for a broader context of Singapore’s heritage and culture.
