Singapore - SENTOSA
Still, there is a significant difference between a traveler and a tourist. The second is simply obliged to hurry everywhere - the vacation is not rubber, but you want to see, at least briefly, all the most iconic. And here I am, a year later, I again ended up in Singapore for a month! And last time thoroughly examined everything. With the exception of Sentosa (an island for the entertainment of Singaporeans and tourists). So on this visit, I leisurely took up this famous place.
There are 3 main thematic zones for tourists on the island (beach, forest and urban).
Urban - RESORT WORLD SENTOSA, I started with it.
The first day.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ATTRACTION PARK
I went to Disneyland Paris 15 years ago. Naturally, all comparisons with him, darling.
This park was obviously designed according to the model and likeness of authentic Disneylands, only on the theme of the production of the film company UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. It turned out, IMHO, an expanded and improved version of the familiar Lunapark to all of us.
Universal Park is inferior to Disneyland by an order of magnitude in almost all parameters - atmospheric, characterization in attractions, the number of attractions and zones, the size of the territory, street shows, the very quality of everything. Not inferior in terms of peripheral infrastructure (cafes, toilets) and price (74sd)))).
Huge queues on weekends. We were from 10 to 18 - it turned out 3 hours in queues, 2-3 hours in a cafe. We were also lucky - there was no rain during the day (at this time all outdoor attractions are closed).
Judging by the map, there are as many as 20 rides in the park. Of these, 2 are preschool carousels, about 5 are various shows and 4D movies.
Transformers stand out - really cool! ! ! And also Revenge of the Mummy and …Hosted by Steven Spielberg - great, and usually there is no queue.
Apparently, after 16 turns almost disappear. It makes sense to go at this time in order to avoid exhausting waiting. Or at 10 be the first at the turnstile and run to the most popular ones - Transformers, Canopy Flyer, Jurassic Park (there is a queue of 30-70 minutes).
Of course, such a critical look - from the point of view of a rather adult uncle, children will surely like it, and even very much.
Second day.
Shortly after the opening (10h) I went into the aquarium - S. E. A. AQUARIUM, that is, the new one, in the RESORT WORLD SENTOSA area (rebuilt recently, in 2010-2012). There is also an "old" one - UNDERWATER WORLD SINGAPORE in a remote area of Sentosa SILOSO POINT, near the fortress. I was in the "old" 9 years ago, just like in the fortress. This time both these objects were ignored. The "old" aquarium was once a breakthrough in the industry, but it seems to be too small for our days.
S. E. A. AQUARIUM (38sd) - what can I say, I think all such (large) aquariums are built by the same company, so the developments are similar. A huge aquarium with beautiful views and all the splendor of marine life. Lots of very small interesting installations with funny fish. There is, of course, a huge wall with the likeness of a theater for long-term observations. In general, I went full circle and had a lot of fun.
I wanted more - to go through everything a second time, paying special attention to the vending aquariums. But before that, you need to refresh yourself. In search of a suitable cafe, I suddenly found myself already on the street ...Well, it doesn’t matter - the ticket is saved, on it there is a clear inscription - “day pass”.
Along with the search for the right cafe, he walked around the entire RESORT WORLD SENTOSA area. Everything is high-tech, new, sparkling with glass and metal. Near the Casino and two theaters there is a central alley on two levels. Open spaces are mostly covered with huge sheds - protection from two local misfortunes (the scorching sun and showers). Very friendly and quite crowded.
After lunch, I leisurely walked along the center line of the island equipped for walking (along the monorail) from the central fountain LAKE OF DREAMS to BEACH STATION. Passing by, MERLION did not pass by, but looked inside and at the top (12sd). I looked at the island from above. The height turned out to be small, the views because of this - so-so.
In the lion's mouth, he rang the bell and made a wish. I threw the optional ice cream in the trash (very bad). He kept the commemorative medal received from the mouth of a small lion. The very next day there was a financial success, on an especially large scale. I keep this medal with me now)))!
Then I planned to slowly walk along the beaches, but ...I immediately came across a bike rental (12sd per hour) - GOGREEN CYCLE & ISLAND EXPLORER. The idea of cycling under the afternoon tropical sun seemed a bit dubious, but...the only alternative was walking under the same sun! The renter sold me some dubious device - a ladies' frame, a bit small for me, and even under the saddle - some kind of big black box? ! When I tried to resist, he assured me that he was very good, and I would still be grateful to him. I am a trusting person, agreed, and did not regret it!
The “big black box” turned out to be a battery, and the big one turned out to be semi-electric. I didn’t drive myself, I still had to pedal, but half-heartedly, and on the rises and a quarter (according to impressions). Account item. Of course, in this way I immediately accelerated to go around the entire island around the perimeter. Almost got it. I drove into a residential area (in the western part), drove along the villas of local rich people (I have not been to Koncha-Zaspa, there is nothing to compare with). Solid, but cramped house to house, features of Singapore ...The circle could not be closed - I ran into a gate near the beach, I needed a resident card to open it. I had to go back a bit. Well, as a little - five kilometers)))). The whole bike ride took an hour and a half, a lot of impressions. The renter was a little surprised how I put the battery in this way)))).
Yes, what about our beaches ...The coast is well-groomed, equipped, all kinds of sports and playgrounds, bars, cafes, sun loungers, the sand is clean and sifted - super.
With water worse - reduced transparency, color - so-so, as in the Black Sea near Odessa in general. View into the distance ...in the foreground anchorage with hundreds of ships, in the background an island-factory with smoking chimneys ...Myopia is welcome! ! ! To help vacationers with still good eyesight, cunning natives built a chain of islands with palm trees at a short distance from the coast. Cute and practical.
After the bike ride, I went to the second round in S. E. A. AQUARIUM on the saved day ticket. I was stunned by the number of people - like in an anthill. It turned out that from 16 you can go on a cheaper ticket, and on the clock - 16:15. After half an hour, the people dispersed. Once again, I walked around with pleasure and surveyed all the splendor of the sea. This is where my strength ended that day.
IMBIAH LOOKOUT (aka forest zone).
Here, unlike the urban and beach areas, there are few people. The central entrance to the district is near MERLION.
To begin with, we examined the island from a height (130m) TIGER SKY TOWER (15sd). Liked. The height is large enough, you sit in an armchair, panoramic windows, air conditioning, a capsule with all the tourists rises, falls and rotates.
Then SKYLINE LUGE - descent on roller sleds. Pretty funny. The sled is interesting for its safety - as soon as you release the speed lever, the vehicle immediately slows down. The track, of course, is not long, but still fun, especially if you compete with someone. Up - on the armchair. We took a complex of 3 descents - ascents for 23d. In general, adrenaline is present.
BUTTERFLY PARK & INSEKT KINGDOM (16сd) is both a corner of green nature and a display of beetles and butterflies, mostly in an inanimate form - pinned on pins. Nice place. The collection is very rich, the exhibits are beautiful, no worse than living ones))).
We go further along the NATURE WALK cable car to the forest.
We have a well-equipped space for those who like to walk with their feet through the hilly tropical forest - paths with signs at the forks, mushrooms with benches for picnics every 100-200 meters. And no one! A beautiful corner of almost wild nature in the middle of a city of a million people! True, there is a suspicion that birdsong comes from disguised speakers)))).
After walking a bit, the idea is to follow the signs to MEGAZIP ADVENTURE PARK. On the spot we understand what it is. So, a place for lovers of active pastime and adrenaline, located on the edge of the forest and on the edge of a steep slope to the beach at the same time. Various sets of activities are offered. We take TIGER (70sd), if I'm not mistaken. It does NOT include only 20 minutes of climbing the climbing wall. And here's what's included:
1.2 levels-circles along ...I don’t remember the name, but the essence is to overcome the closed perimeter, so to speak, of the path suspended in the air on ropes, with insurance.
The levels differ from each other in height (4-8-12 meters, according to impressions). It was creditable, adrenaline, with fiction, only at the end the fingers and hands got tired.
2. Jump vertically down, without a parachute)))), but with insurance, from ...12-15 meters. A gravity brake attached to the safety end slows you down in front of the ground. Great. It is very difficult to take that very first step into the abyss. Nobody helps you with a kick in the ass. Himself, only himself...
3. "Giant jump" from the hill down to the beach with sliding along the cable (fixing - through the same safety line). It’s also great, you don’t need to take the first step, you fly for quite a long time (400m? ) over the forest and the beach, at first at a speed of up to 90km/h, you manage to see a lot and sort out your feelings a little.
After landing on the beach, our physical and emotional strength was only enough to get to the very first beach pizzeria.
Beer and lunch superbly charged me - just enough strength to get home)))).
Day (or rather evening) last - evening shows.
There are three evening shows. One for the money (15cd) - on the seashore, well (if anyone likes events such as the opening of the Olympics, he will be delighted). Two free shows - dancing cranes - is also impressive, the fountain is ...just nominal.
