Travel / Singapore

Where in the World is This Globe?

By Veron Ang | Tags #trivia

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Somewhere in Singapore, I chanced upon this globe sculpture recently. Even though this installation has been here since 1989, it was only my first time seeing/noticing it!

What first grabbed my attention was the fact that it looked all shiny from afar. As I drew closer, I realised there was more to this globe than meets the eye! It even has a meaningful story behind it!

All the land areas on the globe have been entirely crafted from coins! Not just any ordinary ol’ coin, but all 38,000 coins found on this globe are of different currencies, contributed by foreign visitors to Singapore over a period of two years.

Globe crafted from coins

The story behind this globe is one of charity and goodwill. Besides being crafted from coin donations, the sculpture was later bought by the trans-island bus services for $100,000. The sum of money has since been used to help the disabled, elderly, children, youths and family.

guess where I found this globe sculpture! this should be an easy one. Do refrain from reading the comments before you post your answer! (I’m confident someone would have gotten it right by the first 3 comments.)

Man, I still can’t believe that out of my numerous visits to this place over the years, I’m only seeing this globe sculpture for the first time!

Also in this series

August 5, 2007: Where in the World is This Wall?
September 13, 2007: Where in the World is This Signage?
September 26, 2007: Where in the World is This Miniature Model?
January 21, 2008: Where in the World is This “Fried Bee Hoon”?
April 20, 2008: Where in the World is This Colorful Glass Panel?

For more on Sparklette:

About the Author

Veron Ang is the founder and chief editor of Sparklette. She lives in Singapore and has dined and traveled across the world. She also runs Sparklette Studio, a web design and WordPress development firm. If you'd like to connect with her, head on over to the contact page or follow her personal updates on Twitter: @VeronSG.

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19 responses

Leave your comment

Cris
July 22, 2007

Let me gues: Changi Airport?
Reply
Rin
July 22, 2007

my guess is Changi Airport!
Reply
pkchukiss
July 22, 2007

Is this place in a well-known touristy place, or locked up in some government office?
Reply
deslucent
July 22, 2007

Changi Airport!
Reply
nicole
July 22, 2007

that definitely has to be in Changi Airport. Either terminal 1 or 2… can’t remember… :P because I too has a photograph of it in my photo album ;P hahaha
Reply
pn
July 22, 2007

Changi Airport T1 Viewing Gallery!
Reply
py
July 22, 2007

I saw this at Changi Airport before. If my memory doesn’t fail me. :)
Reply
Ridz
July 22, 2007

It’s at Changi Airport…somewhere along the way to swensens if i’m not wrong…
Reply
Alvin
July 22, 2007

Yup, confirm it’s Changi Airport.
Reply
Bianca
July 22, 2007

Yup, it’s Changi Airport T1 Viewing gallery…. actually inside the transit area if I’m not wrong, but visible from viewing gallery.
The Swensen’s on that side is already closed down I think.
Reply
Veron
July 23, 2007

Wow everyone got it right! It’s at the Changi Airport Terminal One Viewing Gallery, available to the public (Bianca, it’s not in the transit area).

There used to be a Swensen’s restaurant there which has since closed down!

Yay! You peeps are so smart!
Reply
Jayson
July 23, 2007

is it in Don Muang Airport, Bangkok?
not too sure …

looks appetizing, is it edible?
yum yum …
Reply
moby
July 23, 2007

The sculpture’s kind of neglected I think, with all the coins rusting. Maybe CIAS should give it a good scrub or something.
Reply
Veron
July 23, 2007

I concur. Some coins are missing too! The land areas around the world appeared to be a lot less than I last remembered. It’s time to paste on new coins!
Reply
sylv
July 23, 2007

wah. The sculpture is as old as me! heehee
Reply
Isaak Kwok
July 23, 2007

It’s at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 Viewing Gallery. It’s located near to what used to be the Swensen’s restaurant and it’s in the public area.
Reply
Veron
July 24, 2007

You got it 100 percent right!
Reply
pkchukiss
July 24, 2007

Ah! Now that everyone said that, the globe struck me as familiar!

Yay for Globalisation!
Reply
manjul
July 25, 2007

wonderfull.
Reply