Singapore, City of Contrasts

This time round in Singapore we visited a couple of places which were completely different.

Early in the morning we went to Telok Blangah Park. This is a small hill which I later found out is a part of what is called the South Ridges. It actually links up to Mt Faber Park. The park had an abundant variety of trees and plants which was very pleasant to the eye and deluded us into thinking that it was a cool morning when in fact it was quite humid. A short steep walk uphill saw us perspiring and it brought us to a bridge of unusual design

called Henderson Waves.

As the name suggests, the structure resembled waves

in motion and from the bridge we had different view

of Singapore.

Along the bridge, on one side the wave actually housed platforms
where one can sit & relax. Unfortunately parts of the lovely bridge

were defiled by the litter left behind by ingrates who knew how

to relax with food & drinks but were too selfish and lazy to put

their polysterene boxes and empty bottles into the dustbins

that were provided for that purpose.

It was actually disgusting to see this in such beautiful natural surroundings.

At one end of the bridge were a few monkeys sitting on the railing, probably wondering at the few joggers and shutterbug visitors. There was a notice requesting visitors not to feed them as they get sufficient food from the forests in these parks on the South Ridges.


We continued on to Mt Faber by car as the distance was too far for us to make it on foot especially under such humid conditions. It is a one way road as it is too narrow for two cars to pass each other. The road took us to Mt Faber cable car station with its alfresco dining areas overlooking the sea and cable cars plying between Mt Faber, Harbour City and Sentosa Island.

Indeed it was a sight for sore eyes and in the distance I could

see the cranes testifying to the busy construction of a casino

on Sentosa island. Small vessels were sailing under the hot morning sun.

We then left for Suntec City to catch the Duck Tour which would

take us along the Kallang River and then back on land for a short

round trip in the nearby city area.

This was a totally different experience.

From the amphibous vehicle we saw the changing Singapore skyline.

The integrated resorts with the three hotels have almost reached

the highest level. Two months ago when we were here, it was

only half as high. The long arms of the innumberable cranes

riss-crossed the scene unfolding before our eyes as the Darlene,

our vehicle, chugged past.

The iconic Esplanade with its double "durians" ( its structure

resembles a fruit with many thorns) gave way to the symbol of
Singapore,

the Merlion, in all its majestic splendour, spewing out

volumes of water from its mouth.

Further inland stood a jungle of skyscrapers, each vying to be

higher than its neighbour. Voila, the Singapore skyline, with its

sophisticated high-rise buildings in the commercial center and

further away the clusters of condominiums and apartment

buildings so reminiscent of Hong Kong.

All in all the hour-long tour was worth the experience especially at the promotional price of

RM33.00 instead of the normal S33.00. Indeed our southern neighbour's friendliness is winning over many Malaysian visitors encouraging us to visit the attractions in the city state.

It turned out to be a very enjoyable Father's Day especially after a delicious lunch at a Peranakan restaurant polished off with desserts that didn't do great damage to my son's wallet. Thank you son, for a lovely Father's Day, one that your dad will remember for a long time to come.