Sentosa's Facelift

The last time we were in Sentosa was a while back. Even then we just drove into the island and headed straight for the Underwater World. So we didn't explore the island at all.

This weekend, we were invited to Sentosa to watch their new show, the Songs of the Sea. Initially I thought it was the musical fountain show. But I was wrong.

We went in by the new Sentosa rail which replaced the old monorail system and linked the island to the mainland of Singapore. The monorail journey started out at Vivocity, the shopping mall. It was after dark when we went in so I didn't make out much. But after a while, I worked out that the monorail made a couple of stops before the last station, the Beach Station. Which turned out to be I think further down the old Siloso Beach.

When we got out of the train. I was really amazed at how much the place had changed. From just a beach with a park beside it, it had transformed into a welcome terminal. There was Coffee Bean (& Tea Leaf), 7-eleven, a gift shop. It reminded me of the old ferry terminal on Sentosa.

The show was now actually in the sea, instead of a pond in the old musical fountain. There was an old Malay fishing village built a little way out in the sea, which hid the pipes and other equipment for the light and sound display. The seating capacity is apparently 2,500 now and the stands were very nicely done.

The show lasted I think half an hour. And it was really quite spectacular. Laser and light moving images were projected onto a fine spray of water which acted like a screen. The show incorporated a story with music, laser light display, water and even fire. The finale even included some fireworks. It was very well done.

Bryan really enjoyed the show. Except at the end where there were the loud fireworks and he got a little spooked. But he calmed down after we decided to get some ice cream. His cousins who were there as well, really enjoyed themselves too. They weren't ready to go home after the show.

On the way back by the same monorail train, I noticed that the old ferry terminal and musical fountain had been razed to the ground. In it's place was a huge hole in the ground where trucks and machinery were working. It was a little sad to see the place all torn up. I had lots of good memories there. I guess that's where the new Sentosa Integrated Resort is going to be.

I think we will definately be headed back there sometime. Just to see the new attractions and other new developments going on there. Bryan will definately remember a different Sentosa to the one I knew.