Yesterday we walked around Marina Bay, plus an extension, Gardens by the Bay. All on reclaimed land. The bay in the centre is all that is left of the open ocean, where once ships unloaded their cargo into the small boats which then made their way to the warehouses on the banks of the Singapore River.
It was a very impressive development, and we were amazed at the ideas and creativity that went into the planning of the area plus the massive engineering programme that was needed to put the planning into action.
We set off towards Collyer Quay, and Clifford Pier, where passenger ships once berthed.
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel, with the Skypark on top.
We passed many old landmarks.
The old Parliament House.
The Cricket Club, on the edge of the Padang.
Walter posing on the old bridge on Fullerton Road.
The view towards the Esplanade Theatre and Mall, shaped like durians. The new bridge and road over the entrance to the Singapore River.
Clifford Pier is now part of the Fullerton Hotel.
Opposite Clifford Pier was the revamped Change Alley, where the money changers used to offer their services. They were not official, but sometimes you could get a better rate of exchange for your money. But often they were dishonest, so it was best to avoid using them. It was always crowded with people.
Now the alley is lined with chain restaurants and cafes.
Once into Raffles Square, the first building we used to see was Robinsons on the opposite side of the square. It was burnt down in 1972, purposely or not was left to one's own perception. But quite a few people got trapped in the lifts and died a horrible death. The event is still etched in my memory.
The shopping centre where Robinson's once stood.
Raffles Place is now the business part of Singapore, as all the main banks are here. Tall buildings everywhere.
But the money changers are still in the square, but I guess they are now official.
The sculpture at the edge of Raffles Place.
We crossed Collyer Quay and walk along an avenue of trees. Lovely and shady. So many interesting sculptures
A solar operated fan.
Solar windmills.
The view back towards Collyer Quay and the business district. Clifford Pier is the very small red roofed building at the bottom. Our hotel is to the right, but is not in the photograph.
Handcrochet sculptures which light up at night.
Marina Bay Sands shopping centre. A masterpiece of curved glass, shiny surfaces and exclusive shops. The flashest shopping centre I have ever visited.
We walked through Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where we thought a visit to the restrooms was a must, and they were certainly luxurious. Even the paper towels were folded into a point.
Then it was down to the MRT station, where we walked through the underpass until we reached the Gardens by the Bay.
The Supertrees, connected together with a 22 metre walkway. We walked along there on our last visit. Eventually the ferns and plants will over the structures. I think they are also used as exhausts for the Domes.
I could have taken many photos of the garden. There are gardens representing the different ethnic groups in Singapore, plus gardens that focus on plant relationships and ecosystems. There are also children's play areas.
A stream travelling down a walkway.
The Chinese garden.
The Bunyan tree, in the Indian garden.
We did not visit the Domes this year. Instead we went on a motorised tour of the gardens, so learnt a bit more about the history and the making of the gardens.
The sculpture by Marc Quinn, of The Giant Sleeping Baby. Although it is on a very strong pole, it appears to be suspended in the air.
We walked back to the bridge entrance, where there is a high walkway over the motorway, through the hotel and then over the next motorway and into the shopping centre. Amazing views if you like heights.
A view of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, from the gardens.
A view over the gardens with the Supertrees taking a prominent position.
This is not a hotel I would like to stay in. The slope and narrowness of the walls, plus the height. Not for me. Not that I could afford to stay here anyway.
The next motorway.
And then back into the shopping centre.
We walked back over The Helix bridge in the rain, then along the footpath in front of the grandstand, through the Esplanade Theatre, down through an underpass, past the Padang, and past Raffles Shopping Centre until we came to our hotel.
We were exhausted but very happy with our day.
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