DBS Marina Regatta 2013

This year, DBS is hosting the largest international dragon boat competition at Marina Bay on May 18 and 19. There will be 130 teams from all over the world taking part in this event. Besides dragon boat, there will be other family-oriented activities at the Bay. Do drop by at the bay with your camera on May 18.

 

 

Pulau Seringat – a getaway without getting away

There is an island known as Pulau Seringat situated 6 km south of the popular Sentosa Island. Pulau Seringat has been zoned for residential by URA under the New Land Use Plan. This tiny island is earmarked to house luxury homes in future. Until then, the island is currently opened to public for recreational use such as swimming and snorkelling. The island can be reached by taking a ferry service at Marina South Pier for $15 per adult. Go and check this out this long weekend.

Spring Celebrations @ The Gardens by the bay

Touted as one of the must see attraction, The Gardens by the bay feature the world largest climate controlled greenhouse. I have bought an annual pass to visit the Gardens unlimitedly. The Gardens is a very educational place with 2,000 species of plants on display. It’s also a perfect place to view the city skyline. I am planning visit the place on a monthly basis now that I have an annual pass.

 

Here (in the link below) are some photos of the Gardens to share with you.

 

The Gardens

 

I have also tested my Canon S95 on its macro capability. It’s really fun to get up close and personal with flowers. Check out the macro shots in the link below.

 

Macro

 

heaven on earth

 

up close and personal

 

 

Marina Bay in 2013

Some of the new developments scheduled for completion this year include the opening of Downtown MRT Station (not to be confused with Downtown Line) right by The Sail. The MRT station will make the Marina Bay around the MBFC more connected. Asia Square Tower 2 which will house Westin Hotel is also scheduled to be opened this year. This will add vibrancy to the new CBD area in Marina Bay. Besides the New Downtown MRT Station and Westin Hotel, one of the mega project scheduled for completion is the Marina Coastal Expressway. It will be first underground sea tunnel built of its kind in Singapore. MCE will enable part of the current ECP to be downgraded from Expressway to secondary roads. This will improve the connectivity between the current Marina Bay and Marina South.

More on MCE at LTA website.

MCE Map - Sceduled for completion in 2013

A pedestrian friendly Civic District

The Civic District is earmarked for rejuvenation by URA, scheduled to be completed by 2015. When that happen, the areas encompassing Empress Place, Fort Canning and the Esplanade park; will see a more pedestrian friendly park. More art performances are expected within the Civic District.

 Full article

A place to live, work and play

The map is extracted from an article, the remaking of the CBD, Straits Times Nov 10, 2012.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/26457663/the%20remaking%20of%20the%20cbd.jpg

 

The Central Business District (CBD) is divided into Shenton Way, Raffles Place and Marina Bay. Shenton Way was traditionally the financial district developed in the 70’s while Raffles Place was developed in the 80’s. Today, however the heart of the CBD is at Marina Bay also known as the new downtown. A new concept is coined at Marina Bay – a place to live, work and play. Aside from the usual work place, the new downtown is also a place to live.  More residential are added to the new downtown over the last 5 years. To make the new downtown a place to play, Gardens by the bay was opened early this year in addition to the Integrated Resort at Marina Bay Sands. Quality night life and top notch eateries are common sights at the new downtown.

The CBD is now a place to live, work and play.

The next waterfront city

News is just in that there is a consolidation of all existing ports to Tuas mega port. Currently, there are 5 container ports - Brani, Keppel, Tanjong Pagar, Pasir Panjang T1 and T2. The consolidation will pave the way for the development of the next waterfront city at Tanjong Pagar that rivals the current Marina Bay. Potentially, land at Keppel and Tanjong Pagar could be very valuable due to the proximity to the city. The news on the ports consolidation coupled with the relocation of the former Railway Station will further enhance the value of Tanjong Pagar.

 

News Article from Today