Singapore (GMT +8)

BONUS Blog

After hitting the gym on the 6th floor for 45mins of aerobics, skype'ing with Rosie and Meg and, having some breakfast at the Alligator Pear... headed out right around 0930 for Fort Canning and the marshaling point for Sentosa Island: Harbour Front and Vivo City at the end of the North East MRT line. Today is a recon mission in order to provide some level of intell to Rosie before she flys out over Christmas/New Years.

Headed down and over to the City Hall MRT. Took the North South line up to Dhoby Ghaut and emerged out near both Fort Canning and the Dell Offices in the Haw Par Centre building off of Clemenceau Avenue.  Decided to walk over to the office to take a couple of photos before continuing around the block and up the Fort Canning Walk to where I believed the historic site to be. Signage really not that good.

Emerging from Dhoby Ghaut station looking towards Penang Rd

6 story Haw Par Centre, Dell Offices

One path up to Fort Canning park

It's all up a gradually sloping hill. Turns out the Singapore National Museum is right across from the entrance to Fort Canning but, for this time, I chose not visit the Museum. It's quite the lush, green naturally high point of the island. There's also quite a few pieces of art scattered about Fort Canning Park. Interesting vegetation and trees.  I eventually made my way up to the Fort Canning Center but, unfortunately, there wasn't much open or staffed on this Sunday. The signs speak to the 'Battle Box' - the primary underground military bunker staffed during WWII - being open to the public starting at 10am daily... well, it wasn't, and the 1 guy manning the ticket booth (entrance into the underground bunker cost $5SG) for access sheepishly said the place would open at 1200 - it was 1130!  I guess even the Singaporeans chill on Sundays. :-) I didn't wait.

Entrance to Fort Canning park

The Park

National Museum of Singapore across from Fort Canning

Have I mentioned the fact that Singapore is just north of the Equator?  Man, is it hot and sticky today.  On of the more blue, shiny days I've experienced since arriving and, I'm leaking sweat all over... guess that's good to help regulate my body temperature.

Not many folks in the park, except for 2 very attractive, well attired Asian women each being followed by at least 5 of what I assume to be professional photographers taking rapid fire shots of the 2 models posing around the venue. I basically circumnavigated the park taking photos of any sign that had any writing on it while taking a picture or 2 of the flora and fauna. The center of the park consists of a very large fresh water service reservoir and it's got a serious fence all around it that appears to be electrified and barbed with posted signs that clearly indicate someone will get shot if trying to access the reservoir.

Map of Fort Canning Park

Path to Fort Canning Centre

Entrance to Singapore's Battle Box Underground Bunker

There's also a beautiful looking, hi-end, hotel called Legends within the park which I walked by on my way around the park. Noticed a sign for the Clarke Quay MRT and headed that way. Thankfully, the trail was predominantly downhill and I got there in fairly short order. Was a nice and familiar feeling to see the MRT from the opposite side of the Singapore River from the other day.

Photographers working

Large, bushy tree with lots of parasitic growths

Cool shrubery

Walked over Coleman Bridge and bought some water from a vendor just outside the entrance to Clarke Quay MRT.  Descended on the escalator to catch the North East train to it's last/first stop, Harbour Front, right by Sentosa Island.

Back of Hotel Fort Canning

Cool plants

Sign on Fort Canning service reservoir fence

It's a quick ride... when you get off the subway and start heading up, there are all sorts of choices on which way to go based on what you're there to do, such as:
- boarding a cruise ship;
- boarding a sightseeing boat;
- buying tickets to take the high speed monorail over to Sentosa;
- taking a cab or bus over;
- walk over alongside the road and under the monorail ~650m/20min walk;
- walk over to the huge building next to the Harbour Front Centre and go up and take the sky tram over to Sentosa, or;
- just spend the day negotiating both the Harbour Front Centre mall or going next door to hang out in the much larger Vivo City which houses tons of eateries and shops of all types for your shopping pleasure.

View to Clarke Quay

Christmas decor at Harbour Front Centre

Cruise ships and sky train high above to Sentosa Island

You get pretty spectacular, albeit limited, views of Sentosa Island from the many floors of the Vivo City. The really disconcerting part is that the methods built up to take visitors across to Sentosa actually divides the area into 2 very different areas: the area to the East of the road/monorail is a gigantic container ship port facility, while the area to the West is all about tourism and cruising.

Sky tram coming out of huge building next to Harbour Front Centre

The other end of the sky tram building

Monorail coming from Sentosa Island

Monorail framed against the shipping container port

Spent quite a bit of time just walking along the boardwalk and then up to the highest levels of Vivo City to take photos and 1 long JVC video of the panorama.

Sentosa Island

Access point to Sentosa Island with Shipping Port in background

Monorail, road and walkway to Sentosa Island

It was right in the heat of the day and most folks hanging out in the Vivo City and Harbour Front Centre were taking shelter underneath any kind of shade outside or were all inside enjoying the air conditioned levels of the mall.  Many people were partaking of their midday meal in all kinds of eateries serving all kinds of cuisine. I went basic... had a tall double shot latte at Starbucks with a turkey and cranberry sandwich - very tasty. Topped that off with a couple of small, guilty pleasure, scoops of Haagen-Dazs ice cream (mango sherbet, chocolate and strawberry ice cream).

Container ship being unloaded

Looking East past cranes to Singapore skyline

Close-up of monorail coming from Sentosa Island

By this time it was ~1430 and I decided to head back to the Fairmont via the subway. Only took ~30mins to get back, even with the transfer at Dhoby Ghaut. I do believe Rosie will enjoy visiting this part of Singapore whether we go to Sentosa Island or not - I only scratched the surface.

Good, hot, humid day. Off to Malaysia tomorrow.  Up at 4am.

Later!