Basic HTML Version
57
{ }
S I N G A P O R E ’ S G R E A T O U T D O O R S
…reliving the childhood joys of
kite-flying, and sharing it with
the little ones. So buy a kite
(check out
www.kingofkites.
sg
) or — if you still remember
how — build one. You
,
ll find
kite-fliers of all ages here, from
kids just learning the ropes to
serious ones serenely tugging
at the strings of their high-flying
contraptions. On good days,
there
,
s enough wind to launch
even a 12ft bright-orange
giant squid kite that can make
little children out of grownups.
Picnics are also allowed on the
grounds, so bring enough food
and drinks to fuel an action-
packed afternoon.
THIS PLACE IS
BEST FOR…
TheMarina Barrage
On any given day — and especially
on weekends — the late afternoon
skyline of the marina becomes dotted
with colorful kites. We’re not talking
about your run-of-the-mill, homemade
kind — up here, massive shapes made
of sturdy material need some special
skills before they can take to the skies.
The launch pad for the kites is a large
lawn called the Green Roof because
it’s precisely that: the rooftop of a
seaside concrete structure known as
the Marina Barrage.
Conceived more than 20 years
ago, this park-cum-water facility is an
engineering standout that marries form
and function. Spanning the mouth of
the Marina Channel, it is Singapore’s
15th reservoir and its first within the
central area. Aside from creating a
freshwater lake to boost Singapore’s
water supply, it also acts as a barrier
that keeps floodwaters out of the city’s
low-lying areas. The elevated lawn also
makes for a nice viewing deck: sit on
the grass and watch the sun set behind
the urban skyline that includes Marina
Bay Sands.
Marina
Barrage
8Marina
Gardens Drive,
tel: +65 6514
5959
A leisurely stroll is
what you need after a
round of kite-flying
The Marina Barrage is a short
walk from Marina Bay Sands and
its shops; (below) can’t fly kites?
Watch others do it instead