Infinity pool, 55 Stories above - Singapore

55 storeys up,  infinity pool could glide you straight over the edge of Singapore, if not the world. It's part of the $6 billion Marina Bay Sands Skypark hotel, which just opened last week. The pool itself is three times the length of an Olympic-sized pool, and is the largest pool in the world at that height reportedly.


What is infinity pool???An infinity pool has an effect that the water of the pool can extend to the horizon. In reality, this water spills over the edge into a catchment, and then is pumped back to the pool again. The concept is said to have been inspired by the terraced rice paddies in Bali, Indonesia.

They are often seen in luxury resorts such as the Marina Bay Sands.

I don’t know about you, but I would be a little nooo so much scared to swim in this pool. I mean, it looks like the water just ends at the roof! I mean, you would be swimming, and then “Ahhhhhhhhhh”!There has got to be some sort of shield to protect the swimmers from that, right????








He'll definitely want to make sure he doesn't swim too close to the edge.This man is the first lap swimmer in the world to enjoy such a view - 55 stories over the city of Singapore.150-metre long  - three times the length of an Olympic swimming pool - was a highlight.
 
 

View of the 55 storey resort and CASINO beside the resort. The resort from across the bay. The three towers were based on a deck of cards, according to designer Moshe Safdie







The view over the side: An artist's impression shows the Skypark that tops the Marina Bay Sands hotel towers, including the infinity pool

a newly-wed couple enjoy a canal ride inside the resort's shopping centre:)

The enormous hotel, which dominates the Singapore skyline, has 2,560 rooms and suites, a fleet of celebrity chef restaurants, shopping areas, theatres, a museum, a casino and a crystal pavilion.

The resort is set to employ 10,000 people directly and generate up to £48million each year. Entrance to the casino alone is nearly £50 a day - but an average of 25,000 people have visited the casino daily since its initial phased opening two months ago.

The opening celebrations also featured a death-defying relay. Seven teams of three participants each scaled the three towers in succession before sprinting across the 340-metre long Sands SkyPark, where the infinity pool is located, to the finish line.
Finally .... My Grannies infront of the Resort. It was not yet opened at that time (April - 2010) .

First Anniversary .....

"Days are long BUT Years are short" - he ha .. I felt its so true when I realized Its been a year since I have married.. We both couldn't imagine we completed one year of our togetherness :). Time Just flies, and as I write this .. its been 1.5 year of our marriage and nearly 1 year that I have been here in Singapore..

We Planned a trip to Bintan Island - Indonesia for Anniversary celebrations :) 

Bintan is the largest island in the Riau province, area. It is truly an unique paradise. Simple life, beautiful beach, friendly people which bring us the leisure. The island gives refreshment to our mind. In Bintan island, most of the resorts accept Singapore Dollars (SGD) and  US Dollars (USD).The Bintan Currency is IDR (Indonesian Rupee).Its not equivalent to our Indian Rupee. 

1 SGD = 6000 IDR :) you can imagine the currency difference. Bintan is one of the costly Islands in Indonesia. Will explain  - We have ordered 2 coke Tins in our resort just before check - in. he simply gave 2 coke and bill which stated - 1,44,000 IDR which is equivalent to 24 SGD and 780 INR (Indian Rupee)Ha ha ha... Before going to Bintan , we heard its costly island but it was shock to hear 2 cokes cost around 24SGD :) (FYI - a coke tin in Singapore in just 0.60 SGD)

We boarded Ferry (ship/boat)- It's just 1 hr from Singapore to Indonesia Bintan Island on Ferry.  TanahMera Ferry terminal in Singapore is more or less similar to Mini Airport with Arrival - Departure and Gates as usual :) First time traveling through ferry on Sea.. We were fully exited and a bit nervous too. The Boarding pass is just a card they will give you, the door will open only on taping a genuine boarding pass. Why can't they implement such things in our places...(I have not been to much places , may be it's already there :) ) Finally we are on Board :) wooooo..... The initial 5-10 min were terrible for me... I felt nauseated as sea waves will be more .... after that we enjoyed the beautiful sea Journey, happily eating cashews :D We got down at Bintan Ferry terminal - Indonesia. Its on-Arrival Visa, so we need to take our VISA there in the Terminal. We got Mislead by some stupid terminal officer over there, he managed to gather some people for him (we were also part of them) and he gt our VISA stamped but took double amount that what it usually costs.. :( hmmm.. What can we do... got to be very very cautious and careful...

We booked a resort room already, it has a bus from terminal to the resort. We went out and boarded the bus to Resort...Its nearly one hour journey from terminal to resort... Finally reached the resort and checked Inn... We got refreshed and visited beach...Its awesome... I say awesome... white Sand Beach and Blue Sea...I have seen such beaches only in movies till that date.... but now... I have seen them directly , touched the white sand , played and enjoyed :)Evening we have plan to go for jet ski.. but as the waves are high they have canceled and asked us to come next day morning..We had a walk along the beach awwwwww.... A.B.K was eager to swim , as he got a chance after soo long time after marriage :) We went to swimming pool... Its not too deep, but I dint dare entering the pool as I do not know how to swim. He enjoyed swimming, and I enjoyed resting on swim chairs (:p I mean the chairs which they place all around the swimming pool... Who might have seen in many movies... :) ) After completing this task we went to a beach restaurant  for dinner.Its beautiful dining at sea shore:) seeing  waves.. enjoying  sea breeze... though the dinner doesn't taste much good... I can say we had a nice and pleasant dinner...

Next day morning as usual got up bit late...Entire resort is wifi enabled... All our people came online in skype and wished us for our anniversary(I have my PSP with me ) :) It's nice ... staying sooo long and without mobile access but still .. i am able to talk to my people.. :) We felt happy for that :) .Next we had a complimentary Breakfast from resort :) Its too good:) (For First Time I ate noodles with chopsticks :) not too difficulty but we need to get used for that :D) We went for water sports area and got jet ski tickets and jet bike too :) Initially I was soo afraid I didn't allow ABK to go far inside.. I asked him to just go all along the shore it self, We have got a trainer too .. he advised we can't do jet ski on shores as people can't swim there coz of the fuel from these bikes... Finally I agreed and we went into sea on jet bike......I can't imagine its sooo good... After 5 min of skiing, I don't want to come out of that :) We enjoyed long circles so long from shore that we cant see people on shore :) . We feel as if we are in middle of sea as we see just water all around us.. (chaaron tara paani hi paani :) )Its amazing and wonderful experience.. :) .Our times up after 30 min:( We got some still snaps on jet ski and got down... had some rest at shore and headed back to our main place. (Nirvana Restaurant has many hotels and restaurant along the coast, they provide shuttle buses for every 15 - 30 minutes from one place to others). Reached our room, packed everything, took some nice snaps and finally bus to ferry terminal and ferry to Singapore... 

Totally Totally we enjoyed our trip a lot and captured wonderful memorable moments :)

Araku - Borra Caves

As I mentioned  - here goes ARAKU TRIP

We can board early morning train from vizag to Araku. usually people prefer train journey for their first visit to Araku, It's good going through tunnels and shouting :D.I don't remember the exact count - but we came across nearly 20 tunnels and people in train never miss a single tunnel to shout. Who are fond of tunnels prefer standing at gate rather struggling to get a seat in train :) We got down at Borra caves station - its always better first to see borracaves and from there you can go to Araku by bus or many cabs are available. 

@ Borra cave Station , we managed to get a Van. 

We with another couple of  newly married couples :p

Had break fast just near the station - idly-saambar mmmmm Super :)

Next Borra caves  - The Caves are basically Karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 80 m ,considered the deepest cave in India. Unfortunately we couldn't take better photographs due to dim light inside the caves. the government has took measures to provide some lighting inside the caves. We heard those are not there previously. Though i have been to Ajantha - ellora in Maharashtra I haven't felt the real cave feeling over there - these are famous for their kotah architecture -  but Borra caves are at their best. 

From Borra Caves we went to water falls. Heard India's Highest water falls - don't curse me if it is not true, I don't remember exactly :)We  have to go trekking  long distance to go near water falls. One of the couple who came with us dropped in half route as the women said she can't go any further. Even our A.B.K tried to avoid going but main hoon naaa... to bug him :) Finally I made up his mind to go for some more distance and have a look. Finally we managed to reach water falls. They are tooooooo cold. We can't step our legs in those water. Finally finally we some how stepped forward and enjoyed the chill :)We headed back and had some vada  on the way back- but not at all gud it is full of oil :(

After returning we started our journey towards Araku in the same Van. On the way we came across many Tea and coffee plantations. We also came across the places where our super hit movie 'nuvvu vasthananate nenu voddantaana' was made:)  the journey was nice all through those ghat roads(luckily I din't vomit :p)

As we entered Araku Van driver stopped us near a museum. It is all about the traditions and cultures of people in and around Araku. Obviously Different and nice. Our Room is so near to the museum, we headed to Hotel Room and checked In. We got a Room though AP Tourism. the location of the Hotel was sooo sooo sooo nice. It's pretty much good for newly wedded couples ;)We ourselves felt it soo cool as in Munnar. As the dailouge says - kamare - kamare ke aage balcony - balocony ke aage very beautiful scenic beauty and pleasant atmosphere. Once we go there we never feel like coming back. We decided, if any small opportunity comes our way to stay in vizag we will not loose it as we can be to Araku quite often.:) it was aaahhaaaa :) It's almost evening we reached our destination. Had dinner in the restaurant - ok types :) , only problem over there is we will not have signal in mobile. I think only BSNL tower is there. We didn't talk to our people since morning that day, thought of calling from hotel but they don't have any such facility so went out to make call. It's dark by the time we came out. i was so much afraid by darkness i told we will go back but do you think will our A.B.K listen....hmmm he made me walk all through that darkness till main road. But it was nice walking lonely on dark roads with very very few people around :) thrilling experience...

We made calls to our parents, described how beautiful locations are and we ourselves felt very very happy :) 

next Day morning we had a complimentary breakfast @ our restaurant. Roamed all around till we got tired of roaming and then took bus to reach vizag. He took nearly 7 hrs to come back to vizag. very very tiresome journey. Had food in some local Restaurant, reached home and happily slept . We are tired... need lots n lots of rest ......

A Day @ Sentosa Island

Sentosa meaning - Peace and tranquility in Malay - chosen by Singapore public
The island was once a fishing village known as Pulau Blakang Mati. It later became a British military fortress until 1967 and was handed back to the newly independent Singapore Government. In 1968, the Government decided to develop the island into a holiday resort for local visitors and tourists.Today, Sentosa is Singapore's premier island resort gateway with multi-faceted appeal, teeming with events all year round. 


ha ha you can have more information from net even :) 
We went to Sentosa Island this weekend and I have to say its awesome.... It's definitely a must visit place in Singapore..We managed to cover the Imp events in a day- but its good to have a complete weekend to cover entire Island...

1. Merlion Statue - Singapore was founded by a Malay Prince by the name of Sang Nila Utama.He wanted to find place to build a new City and set out to have a look at some islands off the coast of Sumatra.While hunting deer on one of the islands he saw a strange creature with a red body, black head and white breast. It moved with great speed and grace. He was told that it was a Lion.He felt it was a very good omen and decided to build his city there. He called the city Singapura, (Singa means Lion and pura means City.) which he ruled over for close to 50 years.A gentleman by the name of Fraser Brunner came up with the design in 1964 for the Singapore Tourism Board. It looks like a Lion's head and a Mermaid's body (Fish).We can find the original Merlion at center of city in Singapore River. The Merlion in Sentosa island was almost 1M high and elegant. We can go top the Merlion through staircase  through inside the statue ...:)

2.Under Water World : The Underwater World oceanarium on Sentosa is home to more than 2,500 fishes from 250 different species.There is a touch pool for some hands on Experience with starfish, stingrays and if you dare, baby sharks - I didn't dare for any :) Then venture into the ocean depths via a moving travellator that ferries you through an 83-meter-long acrylic tunnel. All around you, sharks, stingrays, eels and schools of fish glide past – engrossed in their own world.

I don't know exactly but after seeing it I thought we have the same in many of our Telugu movies :)

3.Dolphin show - Included in the Under Water World is a Dolphin Lagoon .. Beautiful show it is  on Island. Dolphins are most intelligent creatures after Dogs. I heard this only at the show. The food for dolphins is small fish .. if you give them dummy rubber fish, though they look exactly the same as normal fish and nod head saying No for that dummy food :) They play with ball, they can roll a round string around it's head. jump through a ring and many ...

4. 4D - Show : ha ha . the ultimate show which every one has to go.. Its a 4D show. till now I have experienced only 3D but not 4D. You will experience every thing tats going on the screen. We have been to Pirates 4D show which is a hunt for treasure in a forest area.  We felt crabs at our feet, drenched in forest rain and even bats  flew at our faces... Its nice experience though its bit scary for some.

5. Songs Of The Sea - last but not the least is Songs of the Sea. Its a Musical Fountain combined with a laser show. There are no words for all who are seeing the show except woooooooooooowwww... The show was set at the sea shore creating typical village atmosphere... It's Awesome... the picture to the left is part of that show. They have shown the girls face with laser and fountain water...Show lasts fro about 30 min and I bet you couldn't keep your eyes away from the show... The theme they have selected, the way they exhibited on the sea shore.... awwww... its just toooo good.Can't say in words , you have to see and feel the awesome experience...

Totally Totally ...... We enjoyed a lot @ Sentosa Island......D-Day...
Still many many attractions are there in sentosa, these are just a few of them which we experienced...

Visakhapatnam - The Jewel Of The East Coast

The Place I love most - to work - to njoi :)
I have visited the place many times as my cousins stay there - but most memorable are just a couple of them - One I went with Nikki for paper presentation in AU, Other a a jolly trip around Visakhapatnam with Mr. A.B.K when I was on work in Vizag for 3 months.The City is so clean - and pleasant.
You can't get bored in such cities where you have beach. R.K beach in Vizag. we (my brother and me) are caught by traffic police for not having pollution check for vehicle (paid 100 and escaped :p)


Recent visit for vizag is about one year ago . But it's good...it happened like I gt to work in our Vizag ofc and my A.B.K in Chennai - So he came to vizag for new year long weekend... Actually I bugged him till he said OK for coming there :D

Booked a cab to roam all around vizag. It was January First - NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS - We both dressed in white & white Matching. So obviously want to capture that moment. searched for one nice Photographer Clicked the moment and saved:)Visited Simhachalam temple and from there Went to RishiKonda The untouched sandy stretches and warm waves of the ocean make this beach definitely worth-visiting. small and some big rocks at shore- water hitting those rocks and rising still high , I like it- used to think and dream of such beach view whenever I see movies ;) and I could see it live @ RishiKonda:) From there headed to Kailasagiri - haa I have seen this place so many times , but every time I go, there will be many changes and attractions to the place that I haven't seen previously. The statue of Lord Shiva and parvathi is awsome. the weather is so nice on that evening we enjoyed our time on Kailasagiri. On return we visited Submarine - INS Kurusura, our A.B.K has lot of interest in such things. he felt so much exited and happy to c Submarine. The guides over there explained everything clearly about the partitions , regarding their food, survival. Nice to know all that stuff. 

Had a nice dinner - parcel from Hyderabad House (Biryani) and slept happily after tiresome day.

Got to get up early - we have a train to ARAKU next day Morning @6:00.
catch you in my next blog with ARAKU site seeing ....

Kaula Lumpur

The Place I Visited Most Recently

People say one whole day is sufficient to visit KL - though it's correct, we can feel true beauty of a place if we see it both in day light as well in  night colors . So planned accordingly for KL trip during Chinese new year. Every Single shop (Big/Small) will be closed for Chinese New Year in Singapore. So we were bit worried whether the same will be the case in KL even(we called a known taxi driver for transport in KL - he said he is on leave for Chinese new year).But Luckily it was not the case.

Landed in KL Airport @ 6:30 PM  - donno where to go - How to go :D alwaz question marks when we go to any new place. Finally got introduced to one tamilian who is familiar to KL. she came with her ofc colleges in Singapore to KL. She guided us saying cab will be expensive in KL and took us to bus terminal - bus from  kl - LCCT Terminal to KL - Central is just 9 RM:) if its cab it will be not less than 90 RM.God Bless her she gave us a good thought. We decided to roam all over KL using only public transport :) Reached KL Central @ 8:30 . Our Hotel is Just 10 Min drive from Central. Reached hotel @ 8:45. checked in , refreshed ourselves and went out for dinner. We got one Tamil Hotel for Dinner. I am so hungry , I ate what ever Chaitanya ordered.Roamed all around our Hotel on KL roads. It's more or less similar to Indian Style. Roaming on those roads I just remembered  roaming in T.Nagar Chennai .Got some fruits (apples , oranges) and headed back to Room. Planned to get up early around 5:30 and go for petronas towers.(all plans are meant for Re-Plan ;)) .Couldn't sleep in new place , struggled till 1:00 Midnight and was finally was able to sleep. So couldn't make up for petronas towers in the morning :(

 got up @ 7:30 - 8:00 . Set Out for breakfast at 9 :00. same night's Tamil Restaurant. Got information as how to go for Batu Caves from Restaurant guy.Bus stop for Batu caves is just a walk away , so went and boarded bus to go for Batu caves- fare 5RM :p (succeeded in using public transport :)).It's one hr Journey to Batu Caves. Soon as we get down from Bus, we can see Sri Murugan Statue from even far distance.It's amazing - 140ft Statue and so lively. (చూడటానికి రెండు కళ్ళు చాలవు అన్నట్లు ఉంది స్వామి విగ్రహం )Can't take your eyes away from cing MURUGAN.

The steps behind the statue are way to enter the cave. cave is full of god / goddess. We have a main Temple of Sri Murugan inside the cave. we can see lot many tamilians coming for this temple.So many Tamil/Andhra restaurants around the temple. Have to be cautious choosing Restaurants, they serve chicken as veg saying it is "veg chicken"- donno why it is so :D but we experienced it there :) Finally headed back to our hotel room at around 2:30 - 3:00. There is a Central market-a mall kind of thing near our Room. Why to leave it :D Did some shopping over there. Mall was good with lots of variety shops :) Went to Room , Rest for about an hour and started to visit Petronas towers.Again inquiry on how to go to Petronas towers using public transport.It's quite easy. Our Hotel room is just opposite to pasir seni LRT. get an LRT there and its just 4 stops away :)Got down at LRT and came out.. Were worrying which way to go - Our Hotel Receptionist told it is very near, but we couldn't see any big towers in that area except the one which is just in front of the LRT. Roamed around for 5 - 10 min .Me and chaitu were stunned at the height of the building just in front of  us. we couldn't c the tip of the building even we raise our head totally.So we thought to go the other side to have a nice view - OMG - we are sooo stupid, that itself is Twin Tower alias Petronas Towers. Worlds tallest tower till 2004. Every body over there were struggling to take the full pic of that tower - it's bit tough :)we were there at 5PM but waited there till day light faded and then they switched on all the lights around tower.. ooooo, it's tooooo gud :)Worth seeing.We can go till that sky bridge. but it's restricted over specific timings in morning. We missed it as we couldn't woke up in the morning,but evening view was also quite good. Visited the malls inside the petronas towers building. I lost my scarf somewhere roaming in mall :( . We went to KL tower 15 - 20 min walk from petronas tower. It was also quite good but for me petronas was awesome. came back to Room, had dinner, Need to catch early morning 6'O clock flight. had a nice sleep as we were tired . Next day morning in Airport we had Paratha Roll as breakfast @ 6 :00 AM .It's Super. very Good taste :)Finally back in Singapore by 9 :00 AM. Nice trip . Worth going