Singapore | Singapore Travel Photo Blog @ travelerfolio.com

Official Opening of Helix bridge

The world’s first double helix structural bridge is officially open to the public on 24 April 2010. Named the Helix Bridge, the pedestrian bridge took two years to complete and it connects to Singapore’s second casino resort, Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort. Being touted as an architectural marvel, the curved structure is built with special stainless steel tubes that are assembled in spiral fashion with great precision.

Sunburst effect on this gorgeous curvy babe!

Located at Marina Bay, the 280 metres long iconic pedestrian bridge and Youth Olympic Park (located at the entrance of the bridge) are now open to the public. We were at the Marina Bay floating platform during the opening ceremony yesterday to catch the pyrotechnic display and performances.

The futuristic architectural marvel changes colour to set the mood for different events and celebrations.

This hot curvy babe definitely spices up the night scene of Singapore waterfront.

Recent Update: This shot was taken from the Helix Bridge on 8 May 2010.

Developed by Las Vegas Sands, the first phase of Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort will open on 27 April this year.

Recent Update: Photo of Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino taken on 8 May 2010.

The Benjamin Sheares Bridge, the newly constructed Bayfront Bridge (middle) and Helix Bridge.

Photos taken from the seating gallery at Marina Bay floating platform which is chosen to hold the opening and closing ceremonies of the inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in August. The floating platform is the world’s largest floating stage.

A fire eater caught doodling!

Fire spinning.

Fire breathing. Do not try this at home!

How to go to the Helix Bridge?

Nearest MRT station: Promenade MRT Station (just opened on 17 April 2010)

Posted by eunice Posted in Festivals & Events, Singapore Comments (16)

Ritual and Spiritual

Hmm… I was a bystander and don’t know much about this spiritual ritual. It involves a man who appears to be possessed spiritually and behaves like a child, sucking a pacifier. Also, another person (a Taoist devotee?) performing the ritual will spank the ground several times with a long whip, giving out loud cracking sound.

A lady offered the “possessed” man a packet of sweets. Skittles?

Maybe the bridge-like structure was for the child-like man to cross. I didn’t stay long enough to witness the whole process. The devotees had to take off their shoes to stand within the area where the ceremonial ritual was performed.

The devotee donning red robe was blowing an instrument during the ritual.

The “possessed” man was constantly swaying and moving.

A small stage nearby was performing Chinese Puppet show. Apparently, the Puppet show was for ceremonial and religious purposes. Can you see the two actors behind the puppets? The ladies were manipulating the puppets while role-playing the characters.

The stage front of the small scale Chinese Puppet show.

Meet the puppet troupe behind the stage. Some of them were playing Chinese musical instruments like the Erhu.

Posted by eunice Posted in Festivals & Events, Singapore Comments (5)

Changi Point Coastal Walk – Take Two!

Revisited Changi Point boardwalk to hone my photography skills with Pentax K-x during the golden hour again. Nice place with lesser crowd.

Whatever mood you called it.

Your shadow does not always follow you; you can conquer yourself.

Little flowers against the blue sky.

Dock and boats.

Apparently, a group of school children were drawing the sea and boats.

Drawings in the sand. A happy family illustration.

Bridal shoot at sunset.

Changi Sailing Club is also within the area.

Fascinated by the way this hardcore photographer handled his “combat” camera with camouflage pattern. Can shoot enemy!

Silhouette view of some sort… after the sunset.

Apparently, the two photographers engaged a sexy model in red for photography.

Just two days before full Moon. Taken with Pentax 50-200mm telephoto zoom lens. Should be better if the camera was mounted on the tripod.

Some like this blue moody scene.

Posted by eunice Posted in Seaside, Singapore Comments (10)

Go fly kite!

First time to West Coast Park!

The “Play Centre in the West” is fun filled with activities like beach volleyball games and…

… kite flying! I was really surprised to see so many strikingly colourful kites of different forms and sizes flying high up against the blue sky.

Apparently, it’s not easy to control a parachute kite. Many times the “parachute” would just twist and turn, making it hard to fly the kite in the breeze.

Learn how to fly a kite like a pro! At least it’s a healthier pastime than playing computer games all day long!

In serious mood: the little boy was flying a big blue whale kite that nearly “dived” into the sea moments later!

A “bee” kite, I supposed!

Like an arrow (kite) graph with a negative slope moving upward positively.

Rainbow kite!

Rayfish kite!

On the field, kite flying becomes a serious business!

Another rainbow kite!

Spotted a red octopus kite!

Nature’s work of art: a glimpse of sunburst effect!

Silhouette of ships and structures during sunset.

How to go to West Coast Park by public transport?

From Jurong MRT station, take bus 176 (towards the east) at Jurong Regional Library bus stop.

From Clementi MRT station, take bus 175.

*Alight opposite MacDonald’s at West Coast Park.

Disclaimer: Got this info from somewhere. Pls confirm again if you have doubts.

Posted by eunice Posted in Seaside, Singapore Comments (6)

Changi Point Coastal Walk

Changi beach, Singapore.

Trying the automated HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature in Pentax K-X. Trying to merge HDR in Photoshop… Finally decided to photoshop the HDR image generated by the DSLR. It’s the photographer’s problem, I know!

Taken in TV mode at slow shutter speed with a newly bought Hoya HMC ND 8 filter to create the silky effect of the sea. (ND = Neutral Density)

In blue mood… wondering what the name of the mountain is from afar.

Sunset photos from Changi Point boardwalk during the golden hour, the last hour of sunlight in the day. It’s magical.

Sunbeam across the sea.

The golden sun.

The glowing sun disappearing behind the clouds.

Entrance/Exit of Changi Point Coastal Walk.

Location: Changi Point, Singapore.

You can access the boardwalk from Changi Village, Changi Sailing Club, Changi Beach, Changi Beach Park. It’s walking distance to the famous Changi Village hawker centre.

How to go Changi Point Coastal Walk?

By public bus – board feeder bus no. 29 and alight at the bus stop near Changi Sailing Club along Netheravon Road.

If you are driving, you can park your transport at the big open space car park near Changi Village hawker centre. Then take an easy walk to Changi Point Coastal Walk.

More photos at Changi Point Coastal Walk – Take Two!

Posted by eunice Posted in Seaside, Singapore Comments (14)

Universal Studios Singapore [1/2]

All thanks to Uncle Ken and we got the chance to enjoy a “Sneak Preview” at Universal Studios Singapore before the official opening on 18 March 2010 at 8:28am (auspicious timing indeed!).

Let’s start off with a video compilation of our photos taken from Universal Studios Singapore!

How to go to the Universal Studios at Resorts World Sentosa?

There are many ways to get there. Perhaps the two more popular choices are as follows:

By Sentosa Express from Vivocity (MRT station: HarbourFront)

You can take the Sentosa Express from Vivocity shopping mall (Level 3, near Food Republic main entrance). Alight at the first station – Waterfront Station and walk to Universal Studios. A ticket costs S$3 and this already includes the admission to Sentosa. You can buy the ticket at the sales counter or pay by Ezlink card. When leaving Sentosa by monorail, there will be no fee charged.

By Bus from Vivocity

Board/ Alight at the bus stop outside Vivocity. It costs S$2 and there will be no fee charged upon leaving Sentosa.

Entrance fees to Universal Studios

One-Day Pass Peak/Off-Peak (Adult S$72/$66, Child S$52/$48, Senior S$36/$32). There are also Two-Day and Annual Passes. If the park is crowded, get the Express Pass to join the express queues! (Additional S$30 for Off-Peak /$48 for Peak /$68 for Super Peak)

The opening hours of Universal Studios Singapore runs from 9am to 6pm. We were already at the theme park around 9am, eagerly exploring the rides and attractions!

Universal Studios Singapore consists of 7 themed areas: The Lost World, Far Far Away, Madagascar, Ancient Egypt, Sci-Fi City, Hollywood and New York.

Upon entering, we chose the right path to start the day at the theme park!

Sci-Fi City

I think the most exciting ride at the theme park is Battlestar Galactica CYLON (blue track) at Sci-Fi City. The red track is for Battlestar Galactica HUMAN; as the name suggests, it’s more for “human”, so it’s relatively a “milder” ride as compared to CYLON! Both are dueling coasters, which means the two roller coasters will narrowly avoid collisions as they twists and turns!

I guess the majority of us who love the excitement of coaster ride will madly dive into the queue for our first ride in the park. Be forewarned: Try not to take both roller coaster rides consecutively without a short break. We did that to the Dueling Dragons at Universal Studios Orlando and ended up feeling nausea and taking a longer break! In fact, my bro strained his neck after taking CYLON, his first ride and last ride of the day!

Nonetheless, open your eyes big big with hands up in the air and scream your lungs out throughout the wild ride!

Accelerator is about mad spinning, and I’m not into it!

Ancient Egypt

Step into the golden era of ancient Egypt, with huge Egyptian statues looming high over you.

The giant Egyptian guards!

The Egyptian obelisk.

We took the high-speed thrill ride at Revenge of the Mummy. Another exhilarating ride through sharp bends and sudden reverse in the darkness, only to be greeted by fiery fireballs, warrior mummies and other evil-ish stuff!

Another attraction at Ancient Egypt is Treasure Hunters which I didn’t come across. I think it’s a kiddy ride.

There are lockers near the rides for you to keep your belongings before taking the rides. NOTE: each locker is free to use for 30mins, after that the charges are S$2-S$3 per 20-30 mins block onwards, capped at $20 per day. You may want to change locker after each ride.

The Lost World

The Lost World features two themed areas: WaterWorld and Jurassic Park.

Catch the sensational ‘live’ water show with daring stunts and real explosions. It brings the silver screen to life! Check the schedules for the “WaterWorld” show.

The Hero and the Beauty.

Nice grip! And a jump with style!

Obviously, this baldy is the villain with a blind eye.

Lot of gun-firing scenes throughout the show, with stunt men riding on motor boats and splashing water to the first few rows of spectators. Nearing the end of the show, a small plane (prop) caught fire and fell onto the water, followed by a series of explosions. Awesome show!

Attractions at Jurassic Park – Rapids Adventure (where you will be tossed and get wet!), Canopy Flyer (gently glide high above and get a bird’s eye view of the surroundings), Amber Rock Climb and Dino Soaring (kiddy ride).