This Wonderful World: Singapore Revisited

In an earlier blog I talked about our visit to Ho Chi Minh City in November of 2011 (Saigon in My Mind). Before continuing on to the last leg of the journey back home; we spent a week in Singapore.

buildings in the financial district

city scape

I find Singapore to be clean and extremely organized. The traffic is consistently smooth- flowing. Despite the lack of space, there is still room for greenery and everything is allocated its own place. Stepping into its soil always feels like a homecoming to me, the reason being its close proximity to the city of my birth. I feel safe anywhere in its corner. It is a relatively safe place to be especially for tourists as the government enforces laws that are strictly observed.

despite the lack of space
there is an allocated place
for everything including
much needed greenery
and parks

beach, Sentosa Island

The above mentioned stop over was our fifth visit to the tiny state of which the last one was a couple of years previously. Within that short span of time there were already new structures sprouting; not surprising really as in each visit we always see some sort of construction going on.

The Marina Bay Sands and the Helix Bridge are the most significant additions to its skyline and urban landscape. In spite of my fear of heights;I have to say the view from the observation deck of the Sky Park at Marina Bay Sands is awesome especially at night.

The Helix bridge is a pedestrian walkway that is obviously shaped like a double Helix.

There is also the uniquely designed ArtScience Museum. It is shaped like a lotus flower and is referred to as "The Welcoming Hand of Singapore".

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands
from a different perspective

Above and below: the lotus shaped building

of the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands.

Each petal is likened to an outstretched finger.

SkyPark Observation Deck
at Marina Bay Sands

view from the SkyPark Observation Deck

at Marina Bay Sands

The Helix Bridge, a pedestrian walkway
designed like a double helix.

an iconic image, the Merlion is a symbol
of Singapore

Singapore is not just about urban structures and skyscrapers. Worth exploring in the outskirts are nature and wildlife parks such as Jurong Bird Park for its colourful and exotic birds,Singapore Botanic Gardens for its varied collection of tropical orchids and flora, Singapore Zoo for its residents of wild animals and fauna from all over the world and Sentosa Island with its beaches. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre ; these places are oasis of calm and relaxation.