After blogging about what the Singapore Flyer could do to shore up its marketing efforts about 15 months ago, I finally had the chance to embark on a maiden voyage on the world's largest ferris wheel. This was possible thanks to the good folks at the Civil Service College who organised this special thank you function for contributors and supporters of their various programmes. Joining me were Rambling Librarian Ivan Chew as well as David Lee of PRSpeak.
Here's a pictorial account of my voyage tonight, fresh from the lenses of my digital camera.
A view of the complex with the Singapore Flyer which had various F&B outlets, a teddy bear workshop, and various other specialty retailers.
Here's a view of the Singapore Flyer shot in the evening at about 6.30 pm.
Part of the experience includes a waterfall garden called the Yakult Rainforest Discovery, which provided a nice green oasis in the middle of the complex.
No prizes for guessing who the sponsor of that landscaped space is!
Before our maiden flight, we had dinner and drinks at O'Leary's Sports Bar and Grill, which was a very Boston-inspired F&B outlet which served typical American fare like Buffalo wings, chips, steaks and the like.
A close-up view of the capsule at base-level, with eager beaver riders hopping on for the experience.
This funky electric blue light bathed all of us in a surrealistic glow which helped add to the experience. I guess it was good that I happen to know some of the fellow "flyers" who were ex-colleagues from more than a decade ago, and could engage in an animated discussion.
Here's a nice shot of the upcoming Marina Bay Integrated Resort construction site, framed by the pillars and struts of the Flyer.
A clearer view of what could possibly be Singapore's most happening leisure destination - in a year or two that is.
Another shot taken from the air, this time of Ritz Carlton, Centennial Tower and the Suntec area.
After our flight, we were ushered through the obligatory souvenir photograph cum shop area. While the superimposed photographs of the riders against the landscape looked pretty, none of us succumbed to the temptation of bringing a photo home.
Merchandising is naturally the life blood of any attraction, and the same applied to the Singapore Flyer with these fancy engraved drinking glasses available for sale.
Overall, I would say that the experience was quite OK. It isn't exactly seat of your pants thrilling, but neither does it bore the tears out of you. Perhaps going on a ride at night makes it special as our city really looks beautiful with the twinkling lights emanating from the various skyscrapers.Labels: lifestyle marketing, personal musings, Singapore Flyer