Sentosa Boardwalk links island with mainland

So I made a quick visit to Singapore on Monday, taking a 6-hour bus from Kuantan before returning the next day. From 4-8pm I rode the MRT, visited the nex shopping mall in the North-east of Singapore, and strolled the Sentosa Boardwalk, the newest in a long line of attractions.

It all started at the Kranji MRT

I sat quietly on the train, looking at the people sitting opposite me, everyone civilised, no shouting or disturbing other passengers. An older woman nodded off, dropped her water bottle on the floor and immediately woke up with a shock! Two young men entered the train and immediately whipped out their hand-held computer devices. One was sitting next to me, intensely tapping buttons on a fighting game. A young girl checked herself in a small mirror, putting her hair into place and applying a little make-up here and there. A few policemen boarded the train and alighted a few stops later. 

Eventually we reached Bishan Interchange

This is part of the new Circle Line which has been partially completed, so I had to try it out.

A waterfall scene outside the Serangoon MRT

The nex shopping mall in Serangoon area:

The nex mall is too big to take in in one day, let alone the hour or so I spent there. I did stop for a KFC and was delighted to order these fantastic 'cheese fries'

And if you couldn't be occupied with the several floors of shops, there is a terrific sky roof garden on the roof. Check it out:

This water playground is popular with the children!

There is even a place to take your pet dog for a run around in a secluded spot

Here's an image from the water playground:

nex mall is beautifully decorated

Soon I continued my journey on the Circle line where I got off at Dhoby Ghaut Interchange, hopped on the North-east line and travelled down to Harbour Front.

I was lucky enough to catch the sunset at Harbour Front:

Here I am outside Vivo City mall:

I made a journey through Vivo City where I came out the other side straight onto the Boardwalk

The Sentosa Boardwalk is made up of beautifully lined wooden planks, where it gets its name from. Here is a view of the Boardwalk from outside Vivo City mall:

You'll have to be careful where you walk in some places which contain water...

Warm lighting fills the Sentosa Boardwalk

Grabbed another picture of the sky at sunset from the Boardwalk:

A view of one of the restaurants on the Sentosa Boardwalk:

I enjoyed observing these wire structures of people playing some kind of sports:

Any ideas what sports they're playing, or what they're doing???

Here, two visitors check their pictures of this lighted stairway on Sentosa Boardwalk:

A view of Sentosa Boardwalk as it stretches into the distance towards Resorts World Sentosa:

At this section, some wooden panels on the Boardwalk come alight at night:

These obelisk-like towers emitted the colours of the rainbow to light up the far end of Sentosa Boardwalk:

With a quick swipe of my ezlink card which deducted one dollar, I was permitted to continue my journey on the Boardwalk a little further into an area surrounding Resorts World Sentosa.

An artificial cave was the next thing to greet me:

Saw this little light box on the floor, and took this picture of it. It looks magical!

Here are those wire structures, as seen at night:

Again, who can tell me what they're doing?

I love the night scenes in Singapore

I managed to capture the purple glow of the lightning strike in this picture of the Sentosa Boardwalk:

A final image of Sentosa Boardwalk looking back towards the mainland with all the illuminated buildings along the banks of Harbour Front, reflecting beautifully in the water.

Sentosa Boardwalk, Singapore

As Singapore recently unveiled the brand new Sentosa Boardwalk, a foot bridge linking the mainland with Sentosa island, Malaysia remains pretty much the same.

Once Singapore and Malaysia were one, known as Malaya, but since Singapore broke away and became independent, they are now like two different stories, worlds apart despite their close geographic proximity. I travel to Singapore regularly in 3-5 month intervals and the stark differences between the two countries can be felt when crossing the causeway. Fair enough, Malaysia now have their new CIQ (customs, immigration and quarantine) complex, but that is still inconvenient with a lot more walking and a lot more driving round and round in what seems like never-ending circles.

Crossing the causeway, it's remarkable to see Malaysia on one side disappearing into the distance, and Singapore so close on the opposite side, materialising into view. One can't help but wonder how these two countries became so far apart in economy, civility and development. Indeed, there is a different smell in the air when I enter Singapore's territory. Everything is clean and immaculately tidy. Rules and laws are clearly displayed on buses and trains, and people stick to them. The public transport is a joy to use, highly convenient, and I don't get locals staring at me the way I do in Malaysia. There is an upper-class taste about the entire island. Police regularly patrol the streets and MRT stations, ensuring order is being upheld by its citizens.

And every time I go to Singapore, there's always something new! The last time I went there I was amazed to see the stunning Marina Bay Sands complex standing tall over Marina Bay. What a sight it is! I spent hours walking around the grounds, taking pictures, viewing the shopping mall, the hotel, the funky bridge that looks like twisted metal etc. It wasn't there the last time I went to Singapore before that! I'm amazed at how fast they develop the island. Resorts World Sentosa is another project that has been finished fairly quickly, opening up Sentosa to a whole new host of visitors.

And now the most recent addition is the Sentosa Boardwalk, a foot-bridge linking the mainland with Sentosa island. It comes complete with retail shops, F&B outlets and travellators for the weary traveller. While the boardwalk leads tourists to the main attraction, being Sentosa, it in itself has become a whole new attraction, another tourist pull, another development that will leave a lasting longing in the hearts of all visitors to come back again. And, of course, there is the lovely question in the back of your head - What new development will have sprouted up the next time I come?

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Teo Chee Hean, gave a speech at the Sentosa Boardwalk opening celebrations on 29th January, 2011 at Sentosa. For the text of his words, please follow the link:

http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/asia/singapore-opens-sentosa-boardwalk-45579.html

Shortly after writing this post I came across an interesting blog about Asia and I'd like you to visit this link for an one person's alternative view about the fabulous city-island of Singapore:

http://www.blogofasia.com/the-real-threat-to-singapores-future.html