During my short-cut between New York and London, I was very fortunate to be able to spend nearly a week in Singapore where a fellow professional photographer, who is lucky enough to live in that exciting country, most generously gave up her time to show me around.
The building construction which has taken place around Singapore's Marina Bay in recent years, and which has replaced a previous slew of run-down warehouse and dock-side structures, is simply stunning visually and is also extraordinarily advanced technologically.
A heavy downpour had soaked the pavements on this particular evening and provided wonderful reflections of the colourfully lit buildings and of the people who were enjoying their evening in this vibrant and popular area.
A Park besides the river
The Jubillee Pedestrian Bridge crossing over to Fullerton Bay and the Business District:
This glazed dome is part of the magnificent Esplanade Concert Centre:
Across the Bay stand the hand-shaped Arts and Sciences Museum besides the triple-towered Marina Sands Bay Hotel with its giant Promenade Deck spanning the three supporting towers.
The Deck contains gardens and an infinity swimming pool. The Museum is lit internally (through the skylights in each finger), bears huge solar panels on its exterior surfaces, and also functions as a rainfall-collecting funnel.
Glass-roofed walkways connect the pavilions of the Conference Centres at the base of the towers.
A very dramatic Laser display from the viewing deck takes place for about 15 minutes every evening and the floodlighting on the surrounding buildings changes colour as well.
In the heart of the business district, stands the amusing Merlion Fountain. It depicts the legendary report of an Indian explorer who was sure that he had seen lions on the island of Singapore (Sing means "lion" in Sanskrit); coupled with legends of mermaids swimming in these waters.
Further along the waterfront, this field of little fountains play with continuously changing shapes and colours.
