10 WAYS TO RELIVE THE GOOD OLD DAYS ON SENTOSA ISLAND
Remember those carefree childhood days, when the pace of life was slower, and there was tons of classic fun to be had? Here is how to enjoy a slice of that life on the island
Sentosa — Singapore's getaway island — as we know it has been around since the 1970s. While the island is constantly reinventing itself to provide more fun and leisure activities, pockets of island life still remind us of the good old days.Amid all that shimmering luxury and new-age fun, there is still classic fun to be had. From innocent games we played as children, to youthful exploration around the tropical island and its beaches. The island also boasts a few historic spots still around today — a reminder of the days gone by.
If you are feeling nostalgic, gather around your group of childhood friends and take a trip down memory lane. Or bring your family to the island and relive your childhood memories with them.
Do note that all guests must wear masks, check in and out via SafeEntry and have your temperature screened before entering the attractions and restaurants. There are plenty of signs and floor markers to guide you along. Find out more about our safe measurement measures here.
Hiking Sentosa’s Nature Trails and Wildlife encounters
While the attractions, hotels and restaurants are in varying stages of newness, Sentosa's natural surroundings have been around since forever. Chances are, you have been hiking Sentosa's nature trails for years, but in recent times they are more clearly marked on how to get in and around.
The Imbiah Trail and the Coastal Trail are carefully preserved trails that provide several kilometres of unspoiled nature immersion.
Stay on the trail, and it might also be a chance to get up close with several little creatures that call the island home. These are squirrels, monitor lizards, bats, snakes, macaques and a variety of birds. Bring along your cameras, and explore.
Read Sentosa's nature guidelines before you embark on your adventure.
Birdwatching
Remember a time when we looked up from our handphones and observed the world around us? Sentosa has been welcoming birdwatching enthusiasts for several years. It is home to over 80 different species of resident and migratory birds. While we may have all spotted the island's resident peacocks, there is much more to see.
The best bird watching locations are along Sentosa's Imbiah trail, which has a birdwatching tower at the summit. Fort Siloso's heritage trees are also known to attract rare migratory birds.
Cable Car Rides
The cable car has been one of Sentosa Island’s OG attractions, providing views and thrills since the 1970s. If you went on cable car rides as a kid, now is the time to bring your own kids for joy rides to and fro the island that promise harbour, city and vista views. The cabins have been spruced up, and the views are a bit different, but the thrill remains the same.
Explore the island via Cycling Routes
It was only in 2016 that the island boasted its network of cycling trails, and you can now seamlessly ride your bike in and out of the island and explore all that the island has to offer via designated cycling trails that stretch out to about 12km.
Reminiscent of a simpler time that we could explore without being dependent on buses, MRTs, or Grab and Taxis, you and your bike could go almost anywhere on the island. There are clearly demarcated paths and several spots to park your bike.
A shady spot to lepak
A classic activity that never gets old. Simply lazing the hours away in a comfy spot. Bring along a book to read, something to shield your eyes from the sun (if you fancy a snooze!) or simply stare into the distance and just, be. The island has a few choice lepak spots, and here are our favourites.
The viewing towers and timber viewing decks of The Southernmost Point of Continental Asia offer unobstructed views of the South China Sea, and a delightful sea breeze. The island's beaches offer several shaded canopies which you can settle under and while the day away.
Exploring Fort Siloso
An excellent way to look into a time long forgotten is to explore Fort Siloso — Singapore's only well-preserved coastal fort with an on-side military museum. The fort itself boasts an old-world charm, and the museum is packed with WWII memorabilia.
There are guided tours, or you could wander around the surrender chamber, tunnels and get up close with ancient coastal guns and the remains of fortified military structures on your own.
Old-school beach games
Remember when the beaches did not have beach clubs and restaurants galore, or carefully appointed courts to play volleyball and more?
When all we wanted was to have some fun in the sun with a group of friends, we played old school games such as dog-in-the-bone, blind man’s bluff and good ol’ catch.
This can easily be done once you find yourself a nice little spot. Blindfold and 'bone' are easily fashioned out of scarves and handkerchiefs, and hours of free fun are guaranteed.
Hunting down old relics
If you grew up here or visited Sentosa as a child, chances are you remember Sentosa at a time before Resorts World Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore and the like. The Sentosa of today still bears slight resemblances to days gone by.
You can still spot relics and structures from the old attractions 'Ruined City' and 'Dragon Trail' if you walk along the Coastal or Imbiah Trails. Hurtle down the Skyline Luge's Dragon Trail, and you could even spot a few yesteryear dragons along the way.
