MANILA, Philippines - Change is a constant in our ever-evolving world. But things also have a way of coming full circle. Yes, I went back to Sentosa Island in Singapore, but I encountered a different Sentosa.
The first time I visited Sentosa, I had a medley of chili crabs with buns, Hainanese chicken, and spicy, chest-pumping Indian food. I was told that when you get a hankering for curry, it is best to head for Bugis Street, Queensway, Chinatown and, for some people, Sentosa.
But when The STAR recently received an invitation to feature Sentosa, the highlights weren’t about foodtripping or ordinary sightseeing. The itinerary for the trip sponsored by Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) had an entry that caught my eye: “dueling rollercoaster.”
Well, I’ve been on extreme rides before such as white-water rafting, but never on a dueling rollercoaster. Maybe put that in the bucket list, perhaps?
In Sentosa, we were informed as to what Resorts World has added to the island.
When Deputy Prime Minister Prof S Jayakumar and the rest of the bidding committee chose Genting International & Star Cruises’ proposal to build an integrated resort in Sentosa in December 2006, they were on the lookout for the most compelling proposal overall. The one that best meets Singapore’s economic and tourism objectives.
They wanted a proposal that reflected their vision for the Sentosa Integrated Resort as a large-scale, family resort with its host of world-class family leisure attractions and other strong offerings. They believe that the attractions will position Sentosa as a premier island resort for families and draw significant numbers of both new and repeat visitors to Singapore.
The S$7 billion (P233.94 billion)-Resorts World Sentosa started to change Sentosa’s landscape when they built hotels and attractions within the 49 hectares in the island. Can we say — pardon the pun — that it is a gamble that paid off? Since Resorts World Sentosa’s soft opening in 2010, Singapore’s tourist arrival has increased by 20 percent.
A lot of things have happened in the last five years. It is time to revisit the place. It is now a globe-leading family destination. The key attractions include the following: one of two casinos in the Lion City, a Universal Studios theme park, Adventure Cove Water Park, and a Marine Life Park, which includes the world’s largest oceanarium.
Carrying my arsenal of one mirrorless camera, one DSLR, and a sturdy tripod, I went around Resorts World Sentosa and contemplated on whether I had what it takes to ride the dueling rollercoaster and stare fear in its face.
Let me tell you that I chickened out of the ride and had myself some Hainanese chicken instead.
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For information, visit www.rwsentosa.com. Photos by REY RIVERA