Travel Photos Series#10-Marina Bay Skyline, Singapore

Marina Bay Skyline

Took this picture from Marina Barrage last week at 30 Aug 2015, Sunday. It was amazing to see how much Singapore has transformed. Captured in this photo were the Singapore icons-Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Flyer. We always love to visit here as a family as there are many amenities around for us to enjoy. This is also a great place to enjoy the fabulous sunset at the Marina Bay Skyline.

Related Posts: Visit Singapore on a Cheap Budget (Part 1), Visit Singapore on a Cheap Budget (Part 2), The Singapore Flyer

Visit Singapore on a Cheap Budget (Part 1)

"World's Most Expensive City 2014"-Singapore has outranked placeholder Tokyo for this dubious honor. This new has created quite a stir and it is vigorously discussed in the internet. Many potential visitors to the tiny island have now second thoughts on their plans.

Being a true blue Singaporean living in here for 40 over years, I believe there are some misconceptions on this statement. Yes, Singapore is not a cheap country to stay. There are high end retail shops and restaurants that dig deep into your pockets. But you also have the options to visit normal street shops and cheap hawker centers for your needs.

Traveling here does not mean one has to visit expensive destinations. There are cheap and even free ones around to satisfy your travel lusts.  For this blog, I like to contribute my bits as a local and let you know the various destinations that you can visit on a cheap budget. Here it goes:

1. Merlion Park

Merlion and Marina Bay Sands

A must visit for your trip here. This is where Singapore most famous icon-The Merlion is situated. This is also where you can take fabulous skyline pictures of the "Spaceship hotel"-Marina Bay Sand, the "Durian"-Esplanade and Singapore Flyer. Four famous Singapore landmarks at a glance and it's for free. What more can you ask for ;-)?

Cost: Free
How to get there: Take MRT to Esplanade station. Follow directional signs and walk 10 mins to Merlion Park.
Further info: Here    

2. Singapore River Boat Ride

Bumboat at Fullerton Hotel

Make sure you take this river ride which takes you on the iconic bumboat down Singapore River from Clark Quay to Marina Bay Sand. The historic river will bring you pass many famous Singapore landmarks like the Asian Civilization Museum, Fullerton Building, Sir Stamford Raffles statue etc. Be fascinated by the colorful shop houses and pubs (converted from former cargoes' and coolies' houses) line along Clark Quay and Boat Quay.

There are two kinds of available ride. Take the one meant for locals (at SGD$3 per person only)which is called River Taxi than the one (Singapore River Cruise) for tourists (SGD$22). I found out the vast cost differences were due to the latter offering commentaries and a longer ride. But personally, I think the cheaper version is good enough. The only drawback is that you may have to wait longer for the ride compares to those taking the River Cruise package.

Cost: SGD $3 per person (Latest: You need to have EZ-link cards to enjoy this prices. They can be easily bought from MRT stations or 7-11 stores)
How to get there: Take MRT to Clark Quay. Walk 5 minutes to jetty. At the ticket booth, ask for the $3 River Taxi Ride.
Further info: Here

3. Haw Par Villa

Haw Par Villa

This place is always overlooked by tourists as many may not know it even exists! I advise you not to as it is the one and only left in the World. The ones at Hong Kong and China have been tore down for development very long ago. The place is filled with all kinds of statues that depict Chinese folklore, history and legends. You will need to climb a bit to explore this amazing place.

The highlight of this destination shall be the "Ten Courts of Hell". Be warned that this is not for the faint hearts as it describes the extreme punishment for the sins commit in one's lifetime.

Cost: Free
How to get there: Take MRT to Haw Par Villa station. Walk 2 minutes to Haw Par Villa.
Further info: Here


4.  Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands at night

Not to worry. I am not asking you to stay here. For sure, it will cost a bomb. But come here at night to experience Singapore's latest icon at it's best. Stand at the Helix bridge and admire the marvelous architecture at close distance. Enjoy the breeze and the Singapore skyline.

Catch the Laser and Water show (at 8pm, 9.30pm and 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and 8pm and 9.30pm on Sunday) which lasts 13 minutes long. Best place to catch the show is at the Event Plaza of Marina Bay Sands. If you have spare cash to spend, try your luck at the Casino.

Cost: Free
How to get there: Take MRT to Bayfront station.
Further info: Here

5. Gardens by the Bay

Supertrees

This attraction is just opposite Marina Bay Sands. The Supertrees are good reasons enough to visit the place. Standing at about 50 meters tall each,  you can easily spot them from a distance. The Gardens have different themes which allow visitors to witness plants that narrate the multicultural histories of  Singapore.

At night, the Supertrees are lit up in stunning light which never fail to amaze and impress visitors. There is a newly opened playground (both wet and dry) which will keep your young ones happy. You can easily spend half a day here. Take note all attractions are free there except the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.



Cost: Free     
How to get there: Take MRT to Bayfront station. Follow directional signs and walk 10 minutes to the Gardens.
Further info: Here

I will end this blog with these recommendations. More to come for Part 2. Hope they are helpful to you!

Related Posts: Visit Singapore on a Cheap Budget (Part 2)

For Your Pinning

Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay

Supertrees at night

Since my visit to the Gardens by the Bay back in June 2012, I have made numerous trips to the same destination. The latest being during the Mid-Autumn festival period where fascinating and captivating lanterns of various themes were displayed.

Lovely-Dovey Birds Lanterns

Cartoon Characters' Lanterns

This event used to be held at Clark Quay. The lanterns would be mounted on boats which floated on the edge of the iconic Singapore River. This year, it has shifted "in land" to the Gardens by the Bay. I must say I was impressed by the bigger scale displays, more creative themes, massive firework, deletable food available and mostly importantly the blending into the Gardens. The themes were adored by children as they were captivated by the lanterns display at the 'Dragonfly Lake', 'Jurassic Park', 'Birds and Insects Paradise' and 'World of Fairy Tales'. There was also a section where one could take picture with your star lantern and also your fortune foretold.

Nice Reflection in the Lake

Jurassic Park

 We went to the Gardens by the Bay in the evening. Many people were already there for the same event. Families with their little ones, romancing couples,bewildered tourists  were among those in the crowd, savouring the atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the garden. Photographers with their comprehensive gears, were capturing unique moments and scenes. I brought my camera too, not to miss out collecting photos of ourselves in this once in a year event.

Majestic India Lanterns

Little Monks Lanterns

The Three Little Pigs Lanterns

The moon was especially round on that night, as if the fabled Chang' e, the Moon Goddess of Immortality was doing her part to commemorate the celebration. On the humour side, it also reminded us on the many moon cakes we have consumed uncontrollably for the past few days ;-).

Full Moon at the Bay

Family Caption

My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed the event. A BIG thanks to the organizers, we will be back next year :-)

Related Posts: Gardens by The Bay

Charlotte with Oriental Face Mask Lantern

Myself with my Star Lantern-Pisces

The Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer

Unless you observe carefully, you are not to blame if you think the 28 capsules on the Singapore Flyer are not moving at all (They are moving, trust me :-)). The number of capsules were planned with a reason. In fact, each capsule was actually constructed to a size of 280 sq ft and can accommodate 28 passengers.

Although now a modern city, Singapore majority population is Chinese and many still believe in the art of Feng Shui. 28 in feng shui resembles prosperity and wealth. That explains the number's affiliation with the Singapore Flyer. And again for feng shui reason, the Singapore Flyer's revolving direction has been changed in August 2008 with advice from the feng shui masters that the original direction was "taking fortune away from the city".

The Singapore Flyer in the City Skyline

With the Marina Bay Sands and the newly opened Gardens by the Bay as it's neighbours, the Singapore Flyer has received increased attention. If you are a fan of Formula one, you would not missed it's presence in  television when the race was held in the night in Singapore. It was supposedly to be the star attraction before the Marina Bay Sands was completed and all the racing vehicles would have to drive pass it for 19 times!

For those who like to take photograph of the giant structure, the Marina Barrage and Gardens by the Bay have good photo-taking spots. It's a big day when Singapore equivalent to the London Eye in England was completed and opened to the public on 1 March 2008. Blamed it on my engineering background or superstitious instinct, I would always wait for at least 1 year before taking the plunge to take a ride on any new attractions that involves mechanical and especially moving structure.

Sad to say, I was proved right numerous time. Most, if not all of these attractions were completed with tight time line (and sometimes budget) and I was always not too surprise if they neglected some little details. These neglected small details could sometimes lead to big problems. I was bingo yet again with the Singapore Flyer. Within 1 year after it's grand opening, the giant wheel has broke down three times. The worst one was when 173 passengers were trapped in their capsules for almost 6 hours and a few of them have to be lowered down to safety in a sling-like device!

Night view from the Singapore Flyer#1

Sticking to my decision (and proved right), I finally took the ride after my self-declared "Safety Period". In fact, I have taken two rides in the Singapore Flyer after that. The tickets were not cheap especially when you were bringing your whole family.

But as a Singaporean, I would always like to show my gesture of support to my country's newest national icon. In fact, after taking the 30 minutes ride, I thought it was really not a bad idea at all. At the highest point of 165 meters above ground level, you could enjoy the panoramic views of the city skyline. Many Singapore's landmarks-The Marina Bay Sands, Fullerton Hotel, The Esplanade, The Merlion and now The Gardens by the Bay could be captured in a glance.

I recommend all of you to take the ride in the night. In my personal opinion, the captivating night view at the top would always be my highlight of the ride. I was also well assured that your young ones will be excited by the ride. My daughter enjoyed it and has always asked me when we can take the ride again.

Night view from the Singapore Flyer#2

If you are planning a visit to Singapore, remember to pay the Singapore Flyer a visit. This is the official site.

The Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay

For Your Pinning

Trip to Gardens by the Bay, Singapore



Flower Dome and Cloud Forest

29 June 2012 is a great day for Singapore. The long-awaited "Gardens by the Bay" was finally opened to the public. The garden in the city is set to be the new national icon among the likes of the Merlion statue and Marina Bay Sands. Eager to be among the first to witness the new chapter in Singapore history, I brought my family to the new attraction on 30 June.



The Supertrees

We chose to go down in the evening as I want to capture some night scenes on my DSLR camera and the weather was to be cooler. As predicted, the place was crowded with locals and foreigners. I guessed many people were not left disappointed. The Supertrees would have left a great impression on them. Standing at about 25 to 50 meters tall, they were like giant guardians overlooking and protecting the gardens below.

The gardens were divided into different themes to symbolize the different races, cultures and history of Singapore. To name a few were the Malay garden, Chinese garden, Colonial garden etc. Many who visited there would not have missed the two domes which were the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. They housed exotic plants from around the World in a controlled environment and need a fee to access. We did not enter the domes but make it a point to visit next time.

Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands

The night scene there was a different playground with all the Supertrees lit up in fascinating colours. Together with the captivating reflections on the many lakes and rivers in the gardens, they combined to form a mysterious beauty of the night. Photography enthusiasts would certainly have a good time snapping their cameras away and losing track of time in the gardens.



Gardens by the Bay and The Singapore Flyer

As a Singaporean, I am proud to see Singapore growth. From a "kampong" boy to the city dweller today, I have witnessed Singapore transformation. The Gardens by the Bay is a testimonial of our successes. Despite the many voices of dis-satisfactions on the government policies, due credits must also been given on the good work they have done. For those visiting the new attraction in town, have an enjoyable day! 

For more info on the Gardens by the Bay, please go to the official site.

Related Posts: Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay

Supertrees in the night