Last Sunday morning, I took my family to Sentosa and spent a couple of hours there.
We visited Sentosa's Merlion, which is a 10-storeyed attraction on the island and also spent some time walking around the island. Despite being very regular visitors to Sentosa (which is pretty close to my home near Mount Faber), I always found it refreshing to go there. The mix of sun, sand, sea and smiles (by service oriented staff) never fail to make my day.
The island attraction has certainly improved by leaps and bounds over the years, and everybody is waiting with bated breath for the Resorts World Integrated Resort to open there in 3 years time. In fact, this has led Sentosa to be one of the eminent stars at the recent Tourism Awards organised by the Singapore Tourism Board.
Here are some highlights of our trip.
Sentosa Express - a zippy new way to get around. This is connected to VivoCity in the main island so its a lot more convenient to reach the island. I do miss the old monorail though, which to me has more character.
Beautiful landscaping helps to enhance an islander's experience.
The old woman and the shoe. Apparently, kids can crawl and climb inside to play.
Another whimsical element on Sentosa - a palm tree with a face on its trunk.
The 10-storeyed Merlion guarding the island paradise with its piercing laser-light eyes. The musical fountain show has been discontinued, to be replaced by the Songs by the Sea which is a much more impressive performance.
A wishing coin thingy inside the Merlion. How it works is that they will give you a "magic" coin when you visit the Merlion, which you can insert into this "magic" seismographic looking device and get a "wish" from the Merlion's mouth. This is actually a free gift like a fan or keychain that you can redeem at the shop. Nice touch though a bit tacky.
Ethan and myself in the jaws of the Merlion. The view was quite nice here, and there is a guy who will help you take photographs. He also wielded a mean looking digital camera which is linked to the souvenir shop downstairs so that you can buy souvenir pictures or postcards of yourself later. Clever.
Another panaromic view from the Merlion, this time on its head. In the picture is Tina, Ethan and me.
As part of the experience, we visited the Merlion Shop. It is a compulsory stopping point after the visit.
Inside the Merlion Shop. I noticed that there were quite a few Russian tourists on the island that day from their accents. I guess they don't get much sun there.
Notice the many cute, cuddly baby merlions here all waiting to be adopted. Apparently they were the hottest moving items that day. Wowee.
Magnets - the merchandiser's dream! Cheap to produce and easy to bring home.
They even managed to squeeze in a Delifrance outlet in the Merlion. Yet another opportunity to generate revenue.
Yes guys I have been very slow in posting. Well, work has caught up with me and I had to crash and burn the whole of yesterday. Back in action now!Labels: attractions, leisure marketing, personal, sentosa