Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Imperial Cheng Ho cruise
Wow, look, guess where am I? Am I still in Singapore?In my quest to find unique and isolated, serene, pretty, quiet, (out-of-the-way-of-noisy-usual-public-hangouts), roof-top gardens to rest in Singapore, I found this place!
I am one of those tired of the constant noise, hustle and bustle of Town, Suntec and now Vivo, I am on a constant look-out for special (lesser-known) roof-top gardens in Singapore.
Okay, some of those that I've found before have now become public knowledge and are no longer viable to go to for some peace and quiet.
1) Wisma Atria "secret" rooftop hangout - Discovered 2004 - (Now too many people know about that place) and I've only brought 1 special person up there.
2) Fashion street building (opposite Bugis junction) - Discovered 2006 - Great place! "still quite unknown", cheap drinks for sale @ $2 / bottle, with bean bags and tables. Perfect for star-gazing.
3) *still classified*
4) THIS PLACE.
Nice green patch of grass to rest/relax and enjoy the sun. (note the lack of crowds)
It's got 4 wooden-benches, and a cafe that's not really open all the time.
Actually this "modern" looking structure Marina South Pier, (betcha didn't know that). It's actually hidden by all the Marina-IR construction further in, and is not visible from Suntec City, (except for the Singapore Flyer).
It's nothing actually, some-what a mix of the new Woodlands causeway and a mix of unique structural engineering, but it's a new "rooftop garden" that I've discovered.
Now since it's VERY out-of-the-way of normal public transportation, I highly doubt this place will be bustling with people anytime soon. Only 1 public bus goes to this location, and it's still mainly a transportation pier for workers working offshore.
But it's got 1 nice factor - Little public movement, less people, more quiet. =)
Since I was already there, I got the chance to get onboard the "Imperial Cheng Ho cruise".
It's a short 2 1/2 hr cruise at the South of Singapore actually, with a buffet dinner provided, and the company offers 4 different cruises at different times of the day for different sights. (e.g Kusu Island).
A nice-indoor "restaurant".
You can roam about, but it's a very small vessel, not much larger than a ferry to Batam.
Magnificent views at the sea. This is a view of the Marina area, the Singapore flyer, the CBD and you can see the DHL balloon afloat on the right. Overall, the boat chugs along very serenely, and rather slowly so that you can enjoy the sea breeze and the sights.
The night cruise leaves the pier and heads towards Sentosa, where you will have dinner, then will see a short firework display for "Songs of the Sea" @ Siloso beach, then after that it just heads back to the pier. If you are friendly enough, you can peek into the boathouse and speak to the captain (or pilot) and chat with them, asking them to linger around and area for a while or to detour a little off, they're quite friendly with such requests.
Nothing much though, but an interesting day nonetheless, this could be in one of the "Things to do in Singapore", our little boring island...
Hope you enjoyed this entry!
Brought to you by - The MK Alternative.
For more information, you may visit http://www.watertours.com.sg/ for details.
