Sentosa Island priding itself on tranquility, serenity, sun, sand, sea "and a whole lot more", was rather disappointing. It resembled a construction site rather than the idylic paradise island that it was trying to convey. Some exhibits were closed and others partially closed due to the island's 10-year S$7 billion 'rejuvenation programme'. Anyone visiting here between now and 2006 is likely to encounter this problem.

However, the glass-bottomed cable car ride to the island was fabulous by day, though I couldn't see much more by night when I returned. Also I did manage to stand on the Southernmost point of Continental Asia, enjoy Palawan beach, walk on the Nature Walk/Dragon Trail, ride the Sky Tower and see Fort Siloso. The Nature Walk/Dragon Trail is an interesting walk through secondary rainforest with little boards to describe what fauna you might encounter (including snakes and monkeys - though I saw neither) and the 'relics' of dragons including dragon bones, skulls and other similar artefacts that you'd normally expect in a rainforest! ;-) The Sky Tower is the newest attraction, only recently opened. For S$10 you can sit in a rotating cabin that climbs to the top of an extremely high iconic landmark or eyesore pole for a 360' view of Sentosa and Singapore. Sentosa's saving grace though has really got to be the "Magical Sentosa' show at the Musical Fountain every evening. It promises a half-hour, multi-sensory extravaganza of lasers, water jets and flames - and it delivers!! Absolutely awesome and its free!! I'd recommend this to anyone.

Pulau Ubin is a small island 2km offshore from Singapore, which is mainly covered by secondary rainforest and represents what Singapore was like about 50 years ago. There are some sealed roads though there is a lot of unsealed roads and tracks criss-crossing the island. It's a good place to hire a bike and spend the day.

Intro | Islands | Nature | Misc