To Marina

Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las Vegas Sands, it is billed as the world's most expensive standalone casino property at S$8 billion, including cost of the prime land.

With the casino complete, the resort features a 2,560-room hotel, a 120,000 sq.m. convention-exhibition center, The Shoppes mall, an Art & Science museum, two Sands Theaters, six "celebrity chef" restaurants, two floating pavilions, a casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines. The complex is topped by a 340m-long SkyPark with a capacity of 3,900 people and a 150m infinity swimming pool, set on top of the world's largest public cantilevered platform, which overhangs the north tower by 67m. The resort was officially opened with a two-day celebration on 23 June 2010 at 3:18 pm, after a partial opening earlier in April.

Marina Bay Sands is a magnificent destination for entertainment, business and shopping, delivering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This landmark building is situated in the heart of Singapore’s central business district. With a luxury hotel, state-of-the art convention and exhibition facilities, theaters, and some of the best shopping and dining in the region, this is the place to go for world-class entertainment.

At the heart of it all will be three 55-storey hotel towers offering over 2,500 luxurious rooms. This structural masterpiece will stand tall and proud in the center of city, redefining Singapore’s skyline.

Once inside the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, you’ll enter a world of luxury and exclusivity. Be greeted by personalized and intuitive service that seeks to make your stay a truly unforgettable experience. For entertainment and leisure, there are restaurants, bars and lounges for you to choose from or simply retreat to one of the many spa facilities for some heavenly pampering.

The three hotel towers are crowned by the Sands Sky Park on the 57th story, which offers a 360-degree view of Singapore's skyline. This one-hectare sky oasis will feature lush greenery, beautifully sculptured gardens, restaurants and even an infinity pool. There is no greater feeling like standing at the top of the world.

Luxury fashion fans will have more to cheer about. With a wide array of high-end boutiques alongside niche designer labels.

Besides offering the best in retail shopping, there will also be an eclectic mix of gourmet restaurants and cool cafes.

Arts lovers will have plenty of options too. The resort's two state-of-the-art theaters. Live music fans can also get their fix with a smorgasbord of concerts, while film buffs can expect exclusive gala premiers. At the Marina Bay Sands Art Path, you’ll be amazed by the unprecedented collection of art installations.

Finally, don't miss the museum where blockbuster artworks from the world over will be displayed. The museum's lotus-inspired design lends a powerful presence to the waterfront area and will be a sight to behold.

The Marina Bay Sands integrated resort is going to be a city within a city, offering a vibrant collage of entertainment and lifestyle choices. This impressive wonder will truly inspire the cosmopolitan landscape of Singapore.

Source: Wikepedia

Discovering Singapore, A Day At A Time

At Tanjong Pagar, I started shooting photos of Singapore (well, the old Singapore according to my sister guide).

We happily walked along Tanjong pagar Road, Craig Road and Duxton Hill (hopefully I got that one right). She also keeps on sharing about the HDB housing.

Tanjong Pagar is a historic district located within the Central Business District in Singapore, straddling the Outram Planning Area and the Downtown Core under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's urban planning zones.

Tanjong Pagar Plaza, the site of a complex of which replaced pre-war shophouses along Tanjong Pagar Road, was formerly Cheng Cheok Street after Khoo Cheng Cheok. It was once an important crossroads for traffic between the warehouses along the Singapore River and the wharves. Bullock carts and hand carts streamed through the area carrying goods from one point to the other.

Tanjong Pagar Plaza refers to the shop houses which is built to accommodate businesses by HDB (Housing and Development Board). The food center is notable for its local dishes such as nasi lemak and fish soup, and there are as many as four stalls selling nasi lemak, and five stalls selling fish soup.

Part of HDB's plan in early urban planning was to integrate housing near businesses within the CBD area. However, the offices and shop houses there are separate from HDB housing.

The Maxwell Food Center dates back to pre-war days as a fresh food market and food center. In 1986, it was converted into a food center, housing hawkers from the vicinity. The present existing hawker center was renovated in 2001. Stallholders are mainly those from the essentially Cantonese neighborhood, with many from the famed food street, China Street. A wide variety of authentic local favorites are available at Maxwell Food Center, with a Cantonese bent. Popular dishes include hum chim peng (a crusty fried pancake), ngor hiang or Hokkien meat roll, and herbal broths made from home-brewed recipes.

Source: Wikipedia

Arriving at the Singapore Airport

Upon arrival at the Changi Airport, we tried to figure out if we were to proceed with our plans our revised it.

There was internet access at the airport, information counters and a number of airport staff ready to address your concerns, or at least answer your queries.

We were fortunate to have availed of a promotional ticket sale, at about 25 to 30 % discount. However, our flight schedule was changed. It was okay since it was a better schedule, earlier than the original one.

It was a couple of days before the great event. It was the racing season in Singapore. People would be coming in for the Formula One Car Race. To add to that, Mariah Carey was having a concert of her own as well.

At the airport, we booked a hotel for one night, pretty cool, for we were assisted by the staff there. "No problemo", it was another promo offer, so it was affordable.

Since we made a 360-degree change in our plans, we decided to go to Sentosa. Again, we started asking a young airport staff regarding directions, transportation and possible activities. We got partial information. It was from the lady at the "customer service" counter where we got very good tips.

So off we went to "Resorts World" via taxi.

Too bad, I missed the swimming pool at Terminal 1, the indoor garden and rooftop garden at Terminal 2, the five-meter high "Green Wall" with hanging creepers plus a waterfall and the butterfly garden at Terminal 3 of the Changi airport.

About the Airport:

Singapore Changi Airport, Changi International Airport, or simply Changi Airport, is the main airport in Singapore. It is located at Paya Lebar.

Changi Airport also continued to improve the security systems such as access controls and surveillance systems to make the airport safer for travelers.

The 78 m (256 ft) high control tower is built on reclaimed land, with its design becoming an icon for the airport.Changi Airport currently has five terminals, T1, T2, T3, JetQuay CIP Terminal and Budget Terminal, with a total handling capacity of 73 million. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are directly connected with a common transit area, with air side passengers being able to freely move between the terminals without going through immigration. Transport within and between these three terminals is provided by people movers and the sky train system, although it is also possible to walk between the terminals on foot for land side visitors. Situated beside Terminal 2 is JetQuay, which has its own check-in facilities for premium passengers and where transportation to aircraft in any of the other terminals is by personal buggy. The Budget Terminal, purpose-built for low-cost carriers, is physically separated from the main terminals towards the south, where connections are possible via a zero-fare shuttle bus service to Terminal 2.

Source: Wikipedia

New Singapore, Here We Come

When I went to Malaysia, I was all alone appreciating the beautiful views of the place. Now, visiting Singapore, I have a super guide (just a little out dated, I guess), my younger sister. She used to work there like ages ago. We were off to see the "new" Singapore. Yoohoo!

Discovering Another Beautiful Asian Nation

"Selamat Hari Raya."

The term "Hari Raya" literally means "Day of Celebration" — it is also occasionally used to refer to Eid ul-Adha in the form of "Hari Raya Aidiladha".

"Selamat Hari Raya" which means "Happy Eid" in Malay is the main greeting used by Muslims in Malaysia and Singapore.

Soon, I will be writing more about Singapore as I steadily make plans for my trip there this year, and that will be soon.

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world's most prosperous countries and sports the world's busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences and a tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant nightlife scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region.

Singapore is a small country on a small island, but with just over five million people it is a fairly crowded city and in fact second only to Monaco as the world's most densely populated country. The center of the city — consisting roughly of Orchard Road, the Riverside and a chunk of Chinatown — is known in acronym-loving Singapore as the CBD (Central Business District).

o Riverside (Civic District) — Singapore's colonial core, with museums, statues and theaters, not to mention restaurants, bars and clubs.
o Orchard Road — Miles and miles of shopping malls.
o Marina Bay — The newest bit of Singapore, dominated by the enormous Marina Bay Sands casino complex.
o Bugis and Kampong Glam — Bugis and Kampong Glam are Singapore's old Malay district, now largely taken over by shopping
o Chinatown — The area originally designated for Chinese settlement by Raffles, now a Chinese heritage area popular with tourists.
o Little India — A piece of India to the north of the city core.
o Balestier, Newton, Novena and Toa Payoh — Budget accommodations and Burmese temples within striking distance of the center.
o North and West — The northern and western parts of the island, also known as Woodlands and Jurong respectively, form Singapore's residential and industrial hinterlands.
o East Coast — The largely residential eastern part of the island contains Changi Airport, miles and miles of beach and many famous eateries. Also covers Geylang Serai, the true home of Singapore's Malays.
o Sentosa — A separate island once a military fort developed into a resort, Sentosa is the closest that Singapore gets to Disneyland, now with a dash of gambling and Universal Studios thrown in.

Source: Wikitravel