Chapter V: Spare Time, Sands Pleasure...

Publié le 1 décembre 2011 par The Singapoverblog.

Singapore belongs to these “New Cities” like Dubaï or Shangaï who have known an impressive economic growth each year. The citizens of these cities are just beginning to discover leisure and many new ways to spend their spare time.

In this context, Universal Studios decided to launch their 4^th Theme park in Singapore.

It opened on March 17^th, 2010. This new park, which took 2 years to build, (and an extension is still on project) shows with its immediate success that the industry of leisure, knows a decisive growth here. Moreover, the government, who realized this was a source of economic development together with a way to satisfy people’s desire to enjoy new activities , now encourages the development of this industry and of sports events in Singapore, through official advertising and financial help programs . Actually, Singapore as a whole is a Must to be seen.

So today what can we do in Singapore? Here are my top 10:

10) Bird Park and Botanic Gardens:

2 different parks, 2 different beautiful parks. The Bird Park contains more than 8000 birds from 600 different species. This is one (may be the largest ) Bird park in the world. I advise you not to miss it. This is really a must …

Then, the Botanic Gardens, open from 5am to midnight every day. It was created in 1822 by the English governor, Sir Stamford Raffles , who was also a naturalist and is considered as the founder of modern Singapore.

Like the Bird Park, it contains a collection of more than 1000 Orchids and 2ooo other hybrids. If you need to relax and escape from the city this is the most beautiful place for it. Besides, it is free !

9) Fort Canning Park:

The heart of Singapore. A lush tropical and well-kept Park situated on a hill in the center of Singapore where you’ll find “The Fort Canning”, the former Colonial “Hometown”. In Fort Canning Park, you can also spend time to visit the “Battle Box”, the former English command post during the 2^nd World War where with light and sound effects, is acted again the dark day when Singapore fell in the hand of the Japanese 5^th, 1942). By the way, Fort Canning Park is as well a popular place for outdoor concerts and plays. Many of them are held here, because of the acoustics and the environment.

8) Sentosa Island:

Universal-Studios-Park-Of-Sentosa-Island-In-Singapore-2

The artificial island. Sentosa is the material representation of this explosion of the leisure and sports industry in Singapore. An artifical Island where you will find the freshly-built Universal Studios , one of the largest Asian Aqariums, a huge casino complex inspired by Las Vegas, 4 or 5 stars luxurious hotels, some of the most famous beach clubs of Singapore and of course some beautiful and long sand beach seaside .

Sentosa 17

You can easily spend 2 days there if you want to do and see everything in Sentosa.

7) Orchard Road:

The temple of shopping. Like France with the Champs-Elysées, here in Singapore they have Orchard Road. 5 kilometer long, you’ll find along this 4-lane road countless huge shopping malls.
From the ION Orchard which seems to be the reference with only luxurious shops, to Plazza Singapura where you can find everything, from expensive clothes to cheap furniture and from fitness centers to a Carrefour.
If Sentosa is the physical example of leisure in Singapore, Orchard is the demonstration of the unlimited consumption of Singaporeans.

6) Little India:

Welcome to India! Little India with its anarchic organization, its shophouses overflowing with everything (fruit, vegetables, electronics…), its loudspeakers playing Indian music very loud, and its smells of curry , is the Indian district of Singapore. Actually, you feel as if you were not in Singapore.
In Little India , the very old colonial houses are mixed with concrete buildings and with overdecorated Indian Temples. What you need to see in Little India is more the hectic rhythm of a very particular district of Singapore, similar to an Indian city.

5) Chinatown:

Like Little India, welcome to a traditional and old district of Singapore. Here, in the narrow streets full of small shophouses, you’ll find some old temples where Chinese people come to pray and burn charms and incense for their gods. If you’re looking for Chinese medecine, or Chinese dishes this is where you should go. But today, between all the old Chinese design houses and the shophouses, you could now find some new fashion restaurants which have opened over the last few years and new Hotels as well….

Like Little India, Chinatown was part of the town planning by Sir Stamford Raffles.

4) Singapore Zoo and its Night Safari:

The Zoo of Singapore is one of the most famous in Asia with its perpetual renovations and improvements. Why is it so famous? Because many of the animals living inside are… free ( almost…). When you arrive, some tiny monkeys jump above your head and you can meet some Orang-Outans jumping from tree to tree freely, and this is unique in the world.
But the Singapore Zoo is also known for its Night Safari which takes you to the nearest wild forest during the night to see leopards, maylaisian tigers in their natural environment. Such a great experience!

3) The Colonial District and the quays:

If Little India and Chinatown are the soul of Singapore, the Colonial District is the heart. In this district, you’ll find the most emblematic buildings of Singapore. From the Raffle’s Hotel to Theater on the Bay without forgetting the amazing Fullerton Hotel to quote only this one. There are too many different important sites in this area to quote all of them.
On the quays, (Boat and Clark Quay) the fans of restaurants and night-life will be pleased.
In the Colonial District, don’t miss the National Museum of Asian Civilizations !

2) The National Museum of Asian Civilizations.

In a beautiful Victorian Building ( 1865):
With its 6 different galleries on 3 levels, you’ll discover everything you need to know on the different traditional cultures of Asia. Count at least 1 full day if you want to see everything.

1) Marina Bay and Marina Bay Sands SkyPark:

The Marina Bay project was first introduced in the 1970’s. But it really started with the construction of the Marina dam in 2008 to have a better control on the floods, and create the “Marina Reservoir” for the supply of water.

infinity-pool (5)[2]

The second part of the project was to create a new life style attraction where people could “Explore new living and lifestyle options, exchange new ideas and information for business and be entertained by rich leisure and cultural experiences.”

The top of the project is the Bayfront Promenade and of course the Marina Bay Sands, which is the local Eiffel Tower …An amazing , daring architecture, inspired by the Feng Shui philosophy.

Have you ever deamt to climb on the “top of the world”? Now with the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark you can.

Go and enjoy the most beautiful view of Singapore, by day… or night, 220 meters above the ground !