Walking through a dream isle

Lionel WIJESIRI

SINGAPORE: Sentosa is Singapore's island gateway, a former WW2 military base turned into fantastic excursion target. Most visitors who stay there for a day or two call it a "dream Isle."

Any reputed amusement park in the world has its signature feature - so too does Sentosa. It is the Merlion (the "sea lion"), the very symbol of Singapore itself: a tower that allows access to an observation deck on the top of the head, and a smaller deck inside the jaws.

Inside the isle, there are two attractions that cover Singapore's history - Images of Singapore and Fort Siloso.

Images of Singapore is a combination wax museum and photo and art gallery that takes you through the 17th-20th centuries, especially covering the turn of the century and World War II (particularly focused on the Battle of Singapore that saw the Japanese overrun western Malaysia and Singapore, leading to British surrender; the occupation years, and the reclamation by the British three years later).

Fort Siloso was a major stronghold by the British, guarding the western access to the Singapore harbour. It has been converted into a museum, allowing visitors to get a flavour for life in the British army at the time, and the fort's role as one of the last strongholds during the Battle of Singapore.

There are plenty of other things of a more 'amusement' nature to see, of course.

Amongst them, I was quite impressed with the Underwater World which is Asia's first and largest tropical fish oceanarium.

From the sandy beaches and shallow rock pools, you begin your descent into the deep, passing brightly hued corals and vibrant plant life before reaching a spectacular 83-metre long acrylic tunnel, home to great shoals of fish, prowling predators and other exotic ocean dwellers.

This is where you can come face-to-face with more than 5,000 tropical marine creatures as you walk across the bed of a vast tropical ocean.

Further on is the Sentosa Orchid Gardens, with its exotic display of orchids from around the world including a flower clock, a carp pond, a 'Bell of Happiness' and a Japanese tea house.

From there, stroll to the Flower Terrace with its profusion of bougainvillaeas, cannas, lantana and maiden's jealousy, where you can rest in a gazebo and refresh before walking around the European-style Fountain Gardens with more than 2,500 plants from 105 different species.

The Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom Museum is one of the largest collections of butterflies in the region with some 2,500 butterflies, and insects from more than 50 species including rhino beetles and scorpions.

In an environment replicating nature as closely as possible, it is a monument built in remembrance of the hundreds and thousands of these tiny creatures lost due to increasing urbanization and deforestation worldwide.

For a taste of adventure, explore three Asian villages (East Asia, South Asia and South East Asia) by monorail, discover a lost civilization and ruined city along the waterfront promenade, treat yourself to the ultimate water ride over river rapids and enjoy the multimedia entertainment in Volcano Land where a subterranean journey traces the beginning of the world and the evolution of life.

In the afternoon, catch panoramic views across Singapore and the Southern Islands from Asia's tallest free standing observation tower.

Day or night, views from the tower promise to be both scenic and breathtaking as it gently revolves to a height of 131 metres above sea level. Spot Indonesia and Malaysia in the horizon, as you scan the skies for birds and planes streaking across the brilliant blue sky. Sentosa also has a lot of beach.

Running from Fort Siloso at the west end all the way across the southern part of the island, the isle provides plenty of room for the thousands that congregate there on a summer day.

There are lots of beach activities such as pedal cars, aqua-bikes, fun bugs, canoes, windsurfing and swimming to keep you busy.

Getting to Sentosa Island can be done by a number of ways. Probably the most impressive way to get there is via cable car from Mount Faber. The advantage of the cable car is the vantage point and as the cable car continues, you get a great view of the city.

With several five-star hotels, a night market and romantic dining under the stars Sentosa has everything a visitor could desire in a dream holiday experience.

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