Sentosa

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Bus to Sentosa

SENTOSA - revised on July 20, 2002 5:40 PM

Often criticized for being expensive, yet with little to see or do, Sentosa will be slashing its admission fees from S$6 to S$2 by January 2003. In any case, if you know how to plan your day there, a trip to Sentosa can be affordable and enjoyable.

To get to Sentosa, take Sentosa Bus E from Orchard Road (outside Dhoby Ghaut MRT / YMCA). At present, the ticket costs S$7 per adult, inclusive of transport to and from Orchard Road, admission fee to Sentosa and all transport within Sentosa. By January 2003, ticket prices should drop. The first bus leaves Orchard Road at 10.00 a.m. and the last bus leaves Sentosa at 10.45 p.m.

ORCHID GARDEN

Start your morning amidst colourful, tropical orchids at Sentosa's Orchid Gardens. Located next to the Food Centre and the Fountain Gardens, the Orchid Gardens are just a short walk away from the bus-stop.

Rock yourself on the swing in the Gardens and enjoy the fresh air.

There's a koi pond within the Gardens. Toss some bread into the pond (or koi food which you can purchase at the souvenir store) and watch the feeding frenzy.

Admission to the Orchid Gardens is free and it is open from 11.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays (till 10.00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and eves of public holidays).

FERRY TERMINAL

After visiting the Orchid Gardens, walk to the Ferry Terminal. Where the music blasts, you'll see several parrots with their bright feathers perched on some branches. The parrots are free to roam, but oddly enough, they choose to stay perched on the branches. Perhaps they like the music…

There's a free bird show at 12.30p.m., 2.00p.m. (the 2.00p.m. show is only for weekends and public holidays) and 3.00p.m. The show which features colourful parrots performing incredible tricks lasts 20 minutes.

UNDERWATER WORLD

From the second floor of the Ferry Terminal, catch the monorail to the Underwater World. You can ride the monorail for free throughout the day. The Underwater World is just 1 stop away from the Ferry Terminal. You can also get there by Bus A / Bus No. 2, which is also free.

The Underwater World is a world-class aquarium. Through its submerged glass tunnel, you get a fish-eye view of more than 2,500 marine creatures from 250 species.

There's also a touch pool for visitors to pet different marine creatures like starfish and sea cucumbers.

The Underwater World is open from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. daily. The S$17 ticket to the Underwater World also includes admission to the Dolphin Lagoon. We understand the ticket is expensive and we're trying to obtain discounts for users of our website. We'll keep you posted.

SILOSO BEACH

From the Underwater World, take a stroll to Siloso Beach with your picnic basket.

Along a 3.2 km stretch, there are 3 beaches in Sentosa - Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach.

Pick your spot on Siloso Beach and munch on your lunch.

After lunch, change out of your clothes at the really nice changing room opposite the Mahalo Hawaiian Beach Pub on Siloso Beach, slather yourself with sun-tan lotion and vegetate in the sun with a good book. It's an excellent way to spend a lazy afternoon.

The sand on Sentosa's beaches are white and clean. The sand is after all imported, and coupled with Singapore strict laws against littering, the sand is a dream. However, swimming is not recommended. With Singapore being the busiest port in the word, the seawater is far from crystal clear!

If you're feeling energetic, there're several beach volleyball courts just outside Mahalo Hawaiian Beach Pub. Join in the game!

PALAWAN BEACH & THE SOUTHERN-MOST POINT OF CONTINENTAL ASIA

Hop on the free beach train which travels the length of the 3 beaches, and head for Palawan Beach.

Catch the free 30-minute free monkey show at 11.00 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. (the 3.30p.m. show is only for weekends and public holidays). Watch pig-tailed Macaques demonstrate their agility at coconut plucking and acrobatics. The peacocks and chickens will also make special appearances at the show. Off duty, the peacocks and chickens like to hang out at the beach too.

From Palawan Beach, you can cross a suspension bridge to the opposite islet, the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia!

The Bora Bora Beach Bar on Palawan Beach is new and the owner will be introducing Full Moon Parties (without the vice!) to Singapore.

DOLPHIN LAGOON

Make sure that you arrive at the Dolphin Lagoon in time for the Meet-the-Dolphin sessions. The lagoon is just next to Palawan Beach.

Home of the pink Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins, the lagoon is open from 10.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. daily, and there are Meet-the-Dolphin Sessions at 11.00 a.m., 1.30 p.m. (on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays), 3.30p.m. and 5.30p.m. The admission ticket to the Underwater World includes admission to the lagoon.

TANJONG BEACH

Of the 3 beaches, Tanjong Beach is the quietest, but I must say the beaches aren't crowded in the first place!

IMAGES OF SINGAPORE

With all that activities in the sun, you'll probably want some air-conditioned comfort to cool down now.

Get back onto the monorail and ride to Station No. 4. Images of Singapore, an air-conditioned wax museum which gives an account of the history of Singapore and our festivals in a life-like way.

As a local, I avoided this museum because of its expensive admission fee of S$8. Foreigners must feel the same about the admission fee because the museum is certainly not buzzing with loads of tourists. Whilst researching for this walk, I stopped by the museum and was pleasantly surprised at how interesting the exhibits were. Without a whole gaggle of noisy visitors, there's no need to jostle or queue to see the exhibits and I could enjoy the exhibits at a leisurely pace.

The museum is open from 9.00a.m. to 9.00p.m. daily.

This museum is definitely more interesting than the Singapore History Museum in the city and it's worth a visit if you're in Sentosa. We understand the ticket is expensive and we're trying to obtain discounts for users of our website. We'll keep you posted.

THE MERLION & MERLION WALK

Steps outside Images of Singapore will lead you down to the Merlion and Merlion Walk.

The water features in and around the Merlion and Merlion Walk are a joy to look at. The walk is just behind the Merlion and it's fun watching the sprouts of jumping water. At night, this place is lit with thousands of tiny bulbs and it's almost always deserted. I would pick this and the walkway in front of the Merlion as one of the most romantic spots in Singapore.

The Merlion is, sad to say, not worth the S$3 for the view from the Merlion's mouth. Save the dough to keep you in beer!

If you're yearning for an ice lolly, you can get one for S$0.80 at the souvenir shop underneath the Merlion. On a hot day, it's a must!

FREE MUSICAL FOUNTAIN SHOW

At sundown, head for the free musical fountain show, a dramatic display of water sprays, laser images and music.

The 15-minute day show (without laser display) is at 5.00 p.m. and 5.30p.m. daily. The 30-minute evening show (with the Spirits of Sentosa show) is at 7.30 p.m., 8.30 p.m. and 9.30p.m. daily. The 30-minute show is recommended.

The musical fountains are between the Ferry Terminal and the Merlion. You can easily walk there from the Merlion.

GEYLANG FOOD SAFARI

After the show, return to the mainland for dinner. If you're not too beat, this is one occasion for you to go on the Geylang Food Safari.

~ Happy Touring! ~