SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Temasik Walkabout

 

From Tanjong Pagar, we continue our journey to the Esplanade via the MRT.

 

 Tanjong Pagar MRT Station.

 

Singapore skyscrappers.

 

From our observations, Singaporeans are really into saving the earth concept; justified by the government effort to keep the city green and clean, and reducing the air pollution by adopting cycling as their favorite transport.

 

From Tanjong Pagar, we took the MRT to Raffles Place Station. We were handed a small (yes, I really mean small ) piece of direction by the station officers when asked for the Esplanade.

 

Exiting the MRT station, we spot a familiar brand name.

 

Surrounded by sea, Singapore whether is hot and humid; the thought of jumping into the river like these ‘kids’ is very tempting indeed. Alas, the color of the water hampered our sort-of-naive intention.

 

Bypassed the Fullerton Hotel, we stumbled into a memorial stone dedicated for the early founders of Singapore (i.e. anonymous immigrants), laid by Singapore first president. Based on old folks tales that my mom used to read me when I was small, Singapore was founded by a runaway king from Sumatra. In hiding, he saw a majestic animal (lion was a rare sight at that time) and that was how the island got its name, Singapura (Singa means lion, pura means city in Sanskrit). It was his son, Parameswara that established Melaka (do you realize that he named it also as how his father did? Do you call that ‘coincidence’ or ’genetic inheritance’ ? :))

 

We continue walking by the river towards Fullertone Points to get a better view of the Esplanade. I just love the symmetrical shadows the barrier made under the scorching sun.

 

An ice cream peddler is an immediate spot on when we reached the waterfront. It is such a hot day; a treat to a mouth-watering ice cream is inevitable.

 

The ‘old school’ cut ice cream (malay: ice cream potong) for SGD1 only. You can choose either to savour it with the crispy wafer or bread. We choose wafer.

 

We enjoy the ice cream under the shade while admiring Singapore architecture marvels in front of us.

 

The durian shape Singapore Opera House.

 

The futuristic Art Science Museum and the unique double helix bridge that sits next to it (left hand corner of the image). It would be great if I could photograph up close the symmetrical bridge, however time is our enemy.

 

The iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel and the famed Merlion. The Marina Bay somehow reminds me of the Noah’s Ark of Lampulo during my previous visit to Aceh. Blame not Mother Nature, for this one is purposely.

 

It’s ten minutes pass five when suddenly the streets are flooded with Singapore urbanites. No wonder, as it is already after office hour and people are rushing for home. We better get ourselves going as we have to reach home tonight. Tomorrow will be work day for us. Sigh…

 

Off we go when suddenly DH pointed to me the symmetrical perspective of under the bridge pillars. As a person who is obsess with shapes, patterns and symmetry, no way this will go without a snap or two. The water is a bit choppy today, but it makes great reflection on the wall.

 

We get back to the MRT station and purchase one-way North South Line tickets to Woodlands. Disembarking at Woodlands terminal, we descend the stairs to the bus terminal (underneath the station) and hop into SMRT bus no. 950 heading to JB (the fare is SGD1.40 per pax and the bus operates from 5.30am till 11.30pm). Leaving Esplanade at five, it is already dark when we reach JB as we were caught off at the immigration along with  a flock of JBrians working in Singapore.

 

The SMRT bus ticket. Like entering Singapore via the Causeway bus, keep the ticket when you are alighting for the immigration clearance and hop back into any other SMRT bus going to JB. Just show the ticket to the driver.

 

In a nutshell, from our observation Singaporeans are very discipline people – they queue for MRT and buses and they don’t litter around. Possibly, Singapore hard stand on crime and punishment is the reason behind it. The country is green and clean, and the streets are quiet; thanks to the convenient and cheap public transportations (cheap,  if you compare the value instead of the currency). A point for improvement though - the public toilets - if you know what I mean. Other than that it is a beautiful city, friendly people (we got a lot of help) and thus it would not be our last visit.

 

>>The End.