This small island state, known since the III century, has a rich history, full of military, natural and reform shocks, which sometimes huge countries never even dreamed of. But Singaporeans bravely endured all the cataclysms, and now Singapore is a prosperous land with a highly developed industry, a strong economy and a rich tourism industry. Sentosa Island is a vivid illustration of the authorities' attention to the development of tourism.
History
This amazing piece of blessed land among the ocean waves was not always a "peace of peace" (as it sounds in translation from the Malay "sentosa"). The island received this name only in 1972, and before that it was called Pulau Belakang Mati, which literally meant "land after death." Such a gloomy name was given to the island, according to some, because for a long time sea pirates buried the people they had killed on it; according to others, half of its population fell victim to a terrible epidemic here in the 19th century. Now, looking at the fountain-like modern life of the island, filled with a sea of electric advertising lights, stunning skyscrapers and other fantastic structures, it is hard to believe it. The island today is a joyful, serene, uniquely wonderful stay for thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Modern tropical paradise
If we paraphrase the words of the famous song about the island of bad luck from the brilliant Gaidaev comedy "The Diamond Hand", then about Sentosa you can sing: "There is an island of entertainment in the ocean," and this will be fair. Its entire territory is a grandiose amusement park - an analogue of European Disneylands. Even the path to it is a kind of entertainment: from the center of Singapore you can get here by a high cable car, which offers a delightful panorama of the picturesque harbor, surrounded by skyscrapers of amazing architecture and other outlandish buildings. Various sea vessels decorate the water surface with a colorful kaleidoscope, through which runs the colorful ribbon of the bridge connecting the island with the capital. Just on it you can come by any type of ground transport: by car, bus or walk, enjoying the surrounding ocean landscapes and the magnificence of the openwork fences of the bridge.
Even the arch through which you enter the "paradise" of Sentosa delights: a sea of fresh flowers on both sides, garlands of lanterns, slender columns with beautiful turrets at the top - everything sets you up for positive emotions.
What to see
Those who want to get acquainted with all the local attractions in detail, it is better to walk along the paths and alleys among exotic palm trees, beautiful flower beds and lawns.
Merlion Tower
From afar, you can see the 37-meter tower of the Merlion - a statue of a mythical creature with a lion's head and a mermaid's tail. Such an unusual combination symbolizes the power, fearlessness of the king of beasts and the eternal connection of Singapore with the sea element. For a nominal fee, everyone is allowed to climb up to the observation deck and take pictures.
For Singaporeans, the Merlion is a shrine that they reverently worship: there is a legend that ancient Singapore was guarded by such a monster that burns the eyes of any enemies approaching the island with fire. The Garden of Fountains leads to the statue, embodying another legend about the Merlion, who saved the inhabitants from flooding. Inside the extraordinary tower, there are aquariums with exotic fish of extraordinary beauty.
Chests filled with pirate treasures amaze the imagination with the scale of robberies.
Butterfly Park, Pitz Museum
Butterfly Park is an amazing show of thousands of living jewels - tropical butterflies of bright colors. There is no limit to children's delight when they are allowed to hold the newly born crumbs. The Butterfly Museum is full of glimpse of beauty.
The Bird Museum attracts with a huge variety of feathered inhabitants, many of which can be seen here for the first time. Among the lush greenery of the garden suddenly appears a "pink cloud" of long-legged flamingos; giant parrots of incredible color and many other exotic birds flutter among the foliage.
Wax Museum and Orchid Garden
The Wax Museum, opened here in 2014, occupies 8 thematic halls. Perfectly executed wax sculptures fully correspond to their originals, subtly convey their characteristic postures, gestures and habits. Here are copies of all world celebrities in the fields of politics, art, cinema, literature, business, sports. A visit to the museum is associated with live communication with these people.
A visit to the island of extraordinary beauty - the Orchid Garden, which contains a picturesque collection of decorative flowers from all over the world, leaves a wonderful impression. You can endlessly admire the rainbow colors and shapes of amazing creatures of nature, pleasing to the eye.
Oceanarium "Underwater World"
The voluminous underwater world oceanarium is a fascinating journey through the colorful ocean world, which is home to almost 350 species of marine animals and fish that live in natural conditions under water. To create this environment, an underwater tunnel was dug, enclosed by transparent walls, where 6,000 deep-sea representatives frolic in the clear waters. In the upper part of the atrium are the pools of turtles and other amphibians.
How much joy and delight the visitors of the Dolphin Lagoon feel when they meet its amazing pink inhabitants, demonstrating their extraordinary abilities!
The entire Sentosa Island is a real tropical paradise, embodying the wonders of nature and the fantastic creations of human hands!
