Good Morning. Good evening.
Here we are again on yet another one of the travelling episodes in the Far East as well as a small business trip to Europe. First, I will begin with a trip that took place within Singapore some few weeks ago. This trip was to Sentosa Island. Sentosa island? Yes, you read right. This small resort island off the southern coast of Singapore has plenty of interesting venues ranging from Fort Siloso to the Famous Merlion to the largest Seaquarium in Southeast Asia.
There are many ways to get to Sentosa - by land, by water, and by cable car. Either way, there is a S$6 entrance fee - plus whatever the fee for the transport. By bus is the cheapest, taxi is most convenient, ferry is the slowest, and by cable car is most spectacular. I opted to go by cable car as the view can be quite astonishing, especially on a clear day. The cable car has 3 stations - the Expo Center, Sentosa, and a third station further inland on mainland Singapore. The ride on the cable car is less than 10 minutes. Upon arrival to Sentosa, I proceeded to go to the seaquarium - and yes, another entrance fee as well - although this one also buys you into the Dolphin Lagoon to the pink dolphins perform.
Once inside the seaquarium, the attractions are quite interesting. There are species from all over the worlds, specially concentration in tropical species ranging from the most venomous amphibians to the most eloquent sea horses (although they look like floating twigs, but they are part of the sea horse family). Don't believe me? Check the pictures yourself. They also had an anaconda in display - quite impressive. Apart from this, there is a pool with a moving walkway underneath so that you can cruise under the pool and watch the sea animals (ranging from sting rays to a variety of sharks) as well as watch them being fed.
Our next adventure continues with Fort Siloso. Fort Siloso is located on the western tip of Sentosa Island. It was built in 1880 by the British to guard the western entrance to the harbor. The fort was consequently strengthened and armed in the 1890's and more so in the 1930's. By 1942, Fort Siloso was involved in the battle for Singapore. Shortly after, the Japanese gained control of the island and transformed the fort into a prisoners of war camp. Just over 3 years later, once the war ended, the island returned to British control. In 1967, the British turned over the island to Singapore authorities. Few years later, the island was being considered for recreational purposes and Fort Siloso became a historical site.
After Fort Siloso followed a visit to Images of Singapore. This is a museum about the history of Singapore as well as its varied heritage. Singapore was nothing more than a swampy and jungle island with a small population primarily made up of fishermen and sea gypsies. Back then, it was called Temasek, or Sea Town (in Malay). Years later, Sir Stamford Raffles arrived at this poorly developed island and set up a trading settlement for the British. Being at the southern most part of the Malayan peninsula, Singapore began to flourish. Initially, it became a town for immigrants - who eventually where the ones who built Singapore. Today, Singapore has grown to a metropolitan city-state of more than 3 million people with a wide range of cultures and traditions from all over the world. To give you an idea, the island is the about 640 square kilometers - about 12 times smaller than the island of Puerto Rico. Within this museum one can see first hand memoirs of Singapore's fall to the Japanese during the Second World War as well as the Japanese surrender to the Allied Nations. Towards the end of the passage through the museum, one can experience the cultural heritage of Singapore. Several pavilions of festivals and traditions are exposed - ranging from Chinese, Indians, Malay to Peranakans. You can evidence ethnic wedding ceremonies and places of worship among others.
Our last stop in Sentosa island is none the less the Merlion. The Merlion is a statue portraying as a symbol to Singapore. Half lion, half fish, it stands over 12 stories high overlooking the central region of Sentosa. At night, it is well illuminated with special effects taking place every once in a while - smoke coming out o his mouth, laser rays emanating from his eyes, et al. With this last stop, we conclude our travels through Singapore.
Next in our tour of the world is England. Yes, England. I made it to London just for one day on my way to Madrid for a week due to work - related to my next project. I was able to coordinate to meet up with a friend who is in London to spend most of the day and have a chance to do a crash course in London or actually a crash tour of London. In less than 8 hours we went from Paddington station, to Buckingham Palace, Oxford street, Picadilly Circle, Big Ben, London Bridge, Waterloo station...and manage to have lunch and breakfast in between. Quite exhausting I must say but very picturesque. Shortly after, I embarked to continue to Madrid.....aaaahhhh... Spain....flamenco, Spanish tortilla, paella...yummm!!! Even though I spent most of the time working, I must say I had an amazing time with my girlfriend. Yes...you heard...she came to Spain. How could I let her spend Valentine's day by herself...and how convenient that Spain is kind of midway. Well, I did not do much touring of Spain as I had been there myself in April of 2000. But I did manage to go to the Plaza Mayor where you can see plenty of artists, painters and performers at first hand. It was quite amazing to see from classical musicians to cartoonists to flamenco dancers on the plaza. Please see the pictures on my web site - www.oocities.org/tempena
Now I am back in Singapore for what I can say will be my last 3 weeks in South East Asia - then again, who knows....maybe SingTel may be calling upon me next year after my next project. Next in the travel itinerary is yet to be determined. Options exist, however the time is limited and I have to make the most of it.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this journal of my travels as much as I have participating in them.
Until next time,
bao zhong.
zai jian.
-Nicolas