Sentosa Island in Singapore – what to see, photo, description, map
This small island state, known since the 3rd century, has a rich history, full of military, natural and reform upheavals, which sometimes huge countries never even dreamed of. But Singaporeans courageously endured all the cataclysms, and now Singapore is a prosperous region with a highly developed industry, a strong economy and a rich tourism industry. A vivid illustration of the authorities' attention to the development of tourism is Sentosa Island.
Story
This amazing piece of blessed land among the ocean waves has not always been a “peace of calm” (as it sounds in Malay “sentosa”). The island received this name only in 1972, and before that it was called Pulau Belakang Mati, which literally meant “land after death.” Such a gloomy name was given to the island, according to some, because for a long time sea pirates buried the people they killed on it; according to others, here in the 19th century half of its population became victims of a terrible epidemic. Now, looking at the spouting modern life of the island, filled with a sea of electric advertising lights, stunning skyscrapers and other fantastic structures, it's hard to believe it. The island today is a joyful, serene, uniquely beautiful stay of thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Modern tropical paradise
If we paraphrase the words of the famous song about the island of bad luck from Gaidai's brilliant comedy “The Diamond Arm”, then you can sing about Sentosa: “There is an island of entertainment in the ocean”, and this will be true. Its entire territory is a grandiose amusement park – an analogue of European Disneylands. Even the way to it is a kind of entertainment: from the center of Singapore you can get here by a high cable car, which offers a breathtaking panorama of the picturesque harbor, surrounded by skyscrapers of amazing architecture and other outlandish buildings. A variety of sea vessels adorn the water surface with a colorful kaleidoscope, through which runs the colorful ribbon of the bridge connecting the island with the capital. Just on it you can come by any type of land transport: by car, bus or walk,
Even the arch, through which you get to the “paradise” of Sentosa, is delightful: a sea of fresh flowers on both sides, garlands of lanterns, slender columns with beautiful turrets at the top – everything sets you up for positive emotions.
What to see
Those who want to get to know all the local sights in detail, it is better to walk along the paths and alleys among exotic palm trees, beautiful flower beds and lawns.
Merlion Tower
From afar, you can see the 37-meter Merlion tower – a statue of a mythical creature with a lion's head and a mermaid's tail. Such an unusual combination symbolizes the power, fearlessness of the king of beasts and the eternal connection of Singapore with the sea. For a nominal fee, everyone is allowed to climb up to the observation deck and take pictures.
For the Singaporeans, the Merlion is a shrine that they reverently worship: there is a legend that ancient Singapore was guarded by such a monster that burned the eyes of any enemies approaching the island with fire. The Garden of Fountains leads to the statue, embodying another legend about the Merlion, who saved the inhabitants from flooding. Aquariums with exotic fish of extraordinary beauty are installed inside the extraordinary tower.
Chests full of pirate treasures amaze the imagination with the scale of robberies.
Butterfly Park, Pitz Museum
The Butterfly Park is an amazing spectacle of thousands of living jewels – tropical butterflies of bright colors. There is no limit to children‘s delight when they are allowed to hold newly born babies. The Butterfly Museum is full of flickering beauty.
The Bird Museum attracts with a huge variety of feathered inhabitants, many of whose representatives can be seen here for the first time. Among the luxurious greenery of the garden, a “pink cloud” of long-legged flamingos suddenly appears; incredibly colored giant parrots and many other exotic birds flutter among the foliage.
Wax museum and orchid garden
The Wax Museum, opened here in 2014, occupies 8 themed halls. Perfectly executed wax sculptures fully correspond to their originals, subtly convey their characteristic postures, gestures, habits. Here are copies of all world celebrities in the fields of politics, art, cinema, literature, business, sports. A visit to the museum is associated with live communication with these people.
A visit to an island of extraordinary beauty – the Orchid Garden, which contains a picturesque collection of decorative flowers from all over the world, leaves a wonderful impression. You can endlessly admire the iridescent colors and shapes of amazing creatures of nature, pleasing to the eye.
Oceanarium “Underwater World”
The Underwater World Aquarium is a fascinating journey through the colorful world of the ocean, which is home to almost 350 species of marine animals and fish living in natural conditions under water. To create this environment, an underwater tunnel was dug, fenced with transparent walls, where 6,000 deep-sea representatives frolic in clear waters. At the top of the atrium are pools of turtles and other amphibians.
How much joy and delight visitors to the Dolphin Lagoon experience when they meet there with its amazing pink inhabitants, demonstrating their extraordinary abilities!
The whole island of Sentosa is a real tropical paradise that embodies the wonders of nature and the fantastic creations of human hands!