Singapore - Marina Bay Sands casino hotel and swimming pool

January 2011 - we have decided to take a couple of weeks off for a trip to Singapore. Of course all the new and old attractions were on the list and that includes China town, Marina Bay Sands the new casino hotel, Singapore flyer, a few shopping malls, Orchard road and a few more attractions that I don't really remember now.

This is the Singapore Flyer, picture taken at night on the way back from the Marina Bay Sands. Nice thingy, the lights along the wheel are changing color every few seconds giving a nice effect.

One of the most impressive attractions was the casino and hotel Marina Bay which was quite newly opened and for foreigners the entrance is free. Singapore citizens must pay a SG$100 for entering the casino. Since they won't allow us to take pictures in the casino, I have nothing to post about it, however the view is superb from upper floor near the swimming pool.

They say Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las-Vegas Sands, it is billed as the world's most expensive standalone casino property at S$8 billion, including cost of the prime land.

It was originally set to be open in 2009 but there were various delays and finally it was open in 2010 mid-year.


Check out below a few images from the Marina Bay taken from above - from the 57th floor, from the swimming pool and from below.

Singapore Flyer from the Sands observation deck - 57th floor.

 Esplanade and city from the Sands observation deck - 57th floor. 

Office buildings in Singapore

 

Famous swimming pool on the 57th (or so) floor at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

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Hong Kong - Po Lin Monastery

They say that no trip to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to the Giant Buddha which stays serenely at the Ngong Ping plateau in Lantau Island. The eyes, lips, incline of the head and even the right hand (raised to deliver a blessing to all), combine to lend great depth of character and dignity to this extraordinary statue. 

The majestic figure of the seated Buddha was cast in China and took 12 years to complete. It was unveiled in December 1993 amid deeply religious ceremonies.

You can climb a bit more than 200 steps to reach the platform where the Buddha is seated - for a entrance fee of course.  

Well, here I am visiting this nice monastery and the surroundings. I arrived around 6PM so I had only about 1 hour to enjoy the scenery and take some pictures. Last bus, number 23 is leaving around 7PM and I wouldn't want to miss it. 

Price for one way trip to the Po Lin monastery is 27 HK$, so a total of 54 HK$ I had to pay and I am not sorry since the ride is nice and scenery is great on Lantau.

As an alternative the cable car is available too - except the times when it is not available or "under maintenance" and this was one of those times. Funny as I didn't see any mention on the website but taking the bus instead is alright.

A couple of hundred of meters away is the cultural and themed village of Ngong Ping, where you can enjoy a variety of attractions as well as indulge in a bit of shopping and dining. Quite empty in this June afternoon :) giving me the opportunity to take some photos. 

Most of the shops were already closed but you can find souvenirs, gems, food, beverages as there is Starbucks, Subway and a few other restaurants.

How to go there from Hong Kong?

Giant Buddha / Po Lin Monastery
 

1.Ferry from Central Pier 6 (MTR Hong Kong Station Exit E1 through IFC mall) to Mui Wo, then take bus 2.
2.MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take bus 23 from Tung Chung Town Centre.
3.MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take Ngong Ping Cable Car.

Wisdom Path
 
MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, take bus no.23 to Po Lin Monastery, follow the directional sign to Tea Garden, walk through the hiking trail from the entrance of Tea Garden for 15 mins.

Check this out: Your deal gate - daily special offers on electronics

A few more pics from this nice monastery

On the way to monastery - in the bus on Lantau island

Po Lin monastery gate

Relaxing quiet place, walk towards the giant Buddha statue

Another gate of Po Lin monastery

Directions on Lantau island - Hong Kong

Po Lin Village showing a few cabins and stores