A Saturday Stroll

Last Saturday morning, my husband and I took the train down to the Promenade Station and from there, made our way to the Helix Bridge and the floating platform. We could see the Youth Olympic Flame burning brightly and participants were taking part in a bicycle race then. We wandered through the Olympic Park and then across the Helix Bridge, pausing to admire the buildings and the view across the bay. From the Helix Bridge, we ambled past the grounds of the Marina Bay Sands, watching busy workers working at the remaining structures of that complex. Within the hotel, life was already stirring especially in the shopping mall, which was screaming out the names of well- known luxury brands. Outside, a wide deck leads one towards the waters of the bay where once again, the majestic buildings around the bay beckoned.

On we walked and we found ourselves in the Marina Bay Park where we stopped to admire the sculptural like tubes of the misting system designed to spray mists of water into the air to cool the park. That’s a good and necessary idea since the trees there are still young and there isn’t much shelter either. Then it was back along the road again as the rest of the bay front walk was cordoned off for some reason or other that Saturday. We stared up and into some of the fancy, glass enclosed condominium units and wondered about people who live in the middle of the financial district where everyone can look into their apartments. A frumpily dressed woman looked down at us while her active young child pressed his nose against the glass. We could also see stuff that people have tried to hide behind their curtains but are unfortunately completely visible to the outside world. We had some coffee and breakfast later in one of the many food courts in the financial district and then took the train back home after that. The Marina Bay Park is another place on our list of places to visit and to share with friends and visitors.

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I just got home from a play at the Arts House and while we were there, we had dinner at Boat Quay and took a stroll down the river side. Again, there was a nice buzz there although Boat Quay isn’t as happening as it used to be. When my husband first started Pacific Internet, their office was at Boat Quay and the first Internet café was also located there. Boat Quay was the hottest place in town then and all the beautiful people wanted to be seen there. That was more than a dozen years ago though. Nowadays, it’s full forlorn-looking restaurants and the street is lined with foreign waiters waving seafood menus at passers-by and promising them a good deal. From the other side of the river though, Boat Quay looks prettily lit up. We sat for a while on the benches outside Timbre, the restaurant, feeling the waves of heat rising from the concrete below our feet. If we had waited longer, there would have been free music and already a queue had formed, waiting to go in. I must confess we don’t often linger around after a play but this one ended early and we were so close to the river. I am glad we took that walk because I am reminded of how pleasant the river side can be despite the concrete.

A few days ago, my husband and I also acted as tour guides to my brother and sister in law who have never been to Geylang Serai market. After a good meal of nasi bryani, we showed them around the stalls and the market. My sister in law was so amazed at the range of goods sold that she swore to go back soon for a serious shopping trip. Then she shamefacedly confessed that she was a typical Singaporean who doesn’t visit other parts of Singapore much. Well, that’s a shame really and I was very glad to be able to show her another part of Singapore.

My fondness for Singapore is no secret. I think there are so many things I like about living here and being a part of the country. Sure, there are some not-so-good stuff but then there is no good without the bad. I like to count the good things. So on days when you aren’t too busy, take a walk around places you don’t go to very often. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll see. And you’ll see for yourself the beauty that is a part of our everyday life.