The Beach

Right now I'm at a "beach" on Sentosa island. Sentosa used to be an washed out amusement park that all of Singapore thought was something of a sideshow. Slowly the park gained popularity and built up it's amusement selection. As a child, my parents would still take me to Sentosa because it was a tourist attraction  Now, as an adult, its somewhat shocking how much has changed...

I sit on imported white sandy beaches, shores that's no wider than a two lane highway and waves that can barely graze your ankles when you stand next to the water. Back at home I would think this place is pitiful but over here it's very popular. If you visit an island you probably want to see the beach, so here we are!

The range of activities here are endless, but its for the people who don't mind spending money. Its like every other theme park that I've been to but on a tropical island. I paid to go to a show tonight but the system is "down" so I don't know if I'll be able to go to it now. We'll see. I also paid to visit the aquarium but to be honest I just want to stay on this small bit of sand. Maybe dip in the water...? I only reconsider that decision because I see the cargo ships in the near distance. I would DEFINITELY need to take a shower after stepping out into that water!

Careful of wind, my aunt said to me when I told her I would be visiting the beach today. She means, when it starts to blow, a storm might be coming... Its windy now, I see a heavy cloud. Guess it's time to go in...

... My aunt was right! As soon as I got into the bus to go to the Underwater World, the sky opened up and it poured. I managed to get inside the building fairly dry while it rained cats and dogs outside, but I later ventured back outside to see the dolphin show. Don't get me wrong! I think the aquarium part is interesting, and the fish are so beautiful, but I really, really, really wanted to see the PINK DOLPHINS! At first there was only a light drizzle, so little that I didn't need an umbrella for, but once I took my seat in the outdoor stadium (only a tarp-like roof to keep the audience dry) mother-nature said "No pink dolphins for you!" Right now, after a half an hour of waiting, I'm still in the stands, and the stands are still full of people. The show won't start until the rain calms down. I decide to finish off my Subways sandwich (yes, they have Subways in Singapore and yes, I broke down and bought American food!). I watched the pink dolphins bob up and down in the large pool for the show. They seem to enjoy the rain and they seem to say to me "Haha! Silly non-aquatic mammals! We LUV this weather!" (Dolphins say "luv" instead of "love" because they are adorable that way.) And as I write this, one of them decides to beach himself on the platform and show off. Yep, we're silly humans.

...

After leaving the Underwater World building, I decided to get a cup of coffee since the day was really starting to ware me out. I found a cute little chain-café (I forget the name, but is everywhere here in Singapore) and I decided to get a tropical fruit tea (hot - cause the rain made me feel cold). It was delicious! I can't believe I had been going to silly places like Starbucks for my coffee and tea in the past! Note to travelers: If you ever come to Singapore, do your best to eat and drink local fair - 9 times out of 10 its worth it!

I had tickets to see this light and water show at 8:40pm so I needed to kill at least 3 hours... Since I didn't want to spend more money I wondered and apparently 3 hours is not enough to explore the new Sentosa. I will go back to check out more stuff... Like tomorrow because I'm going to see FUN.!!! Got my ticket and now all I have to do is put together an outfit. :-) The light and water show was amazing by the way, but for the younger crowd (and for Singaporeans because the actors in the show sang popular songs in Chinese, Malay, and Hindi). The only down side to going back is that its going to burn a hole in my pocket book. My poor bank account!!!

What a beach!