When looking at a map on Sentosa for the first time, you would come to the conclusion that the island has been completely taken over by large resort hotels and theme parks. But there are also some pretty swanky residential areas and some nice little spots to spend some time relaxing on the beach.
On my first visit I hopped in a taxi from my apartment to Mount Faber where the cable car begins. Before I bought my cable car ticket, I took a walk to the viewing points high on Mount Faber to view Singapore from above. I always think there is something pretty special about viewing a foreign city from above and getting a sense of the size and the landscape.
The cable car across to Sentosa island is a great way to see the island from above. The cable cars are quite large and they are cool and comfortable. A welcome break from the August heat and humidity and on a weekday there were no queues and I was lucky enough to get a whole cable car to myself.
After an initial wander around Sentosa I headed for the beach. I started out strolling along Siloso beach passing by the many cafes and restaurants along the front, before settling down on Palawan beach which has a more secluded feel. I lay here for a couple hours reading my book and enjoying the warm weather and tranquility.
One thing that struck me about the beaches was the view out to sea. The clear flat view out to the horizon that you expect was instead littered with container ships and tankers. You can really see the impact of this city being one of the most important shipping destinations in the world. Yet I didn’t find it unattractive or disappointing as I found myself mildly fascinated by them. Wondering what each was carrying, where they were going to, why some looked different to others. In fact, the more I watched them the longer my list of questions became.
On the way back to my apartment late in the afternoon I took the Sentosa Express railway, back to the shopping mall where it links up to the MRT. The MRT system was very impressive, easy to navigate and clean and I took that all the way back to Clarke Quay where I was staying.
You can also get a taxi to Sentosa. Even though many guide books make it seem like a destination that is reasonably far away from mainland Singapore, it is actually only a fifteen to twenty minute taxi ride away. Sunday lunchtime I met with a friend at the Marina clubhouse on Sentosa island. This was a very calm and refined placed where local residents come on a Sunday, use the pool facilities and read the papers with a G&T. I learnt that you can order golf carts like taxis here, so we ordered a golf cart to take us along to Tanjong Beach club where many expats hang out at the weekends. This is a very fun place to chill out during the day and make interesting new friend s and once the sun goes down you can party the night away together.
She's Away Again! 
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