Bayfront MRT opens...

Another new train station opens!

The Bayfront MRT Station opened over the weekend. It's part of the Circle Line.  Or rather the incomplete Circle Line which you need to change trains two times if you want to go a full circle. ;-)

I took it today and found it super convenient for those who wants to go to Marina Bay Sands!
You literally walk out to the basement of the Hotel side.




Looking at the photo, I like the lamp posts!
Kind of artistic isn't it?

Botanic Gardens Bukit Timah Gate

A new gate opens!

The Singapore Botanic Gardens have a new gate called the "Bukit Timah Gate" that's ride beside the Botanic Gardens MRT.



I am wondering, why are all the "big gates" at all the different entrances / gates always closed?
Visitors all have to enter by the side gates to get in.

A closed gate is good for photography though. ;-)

I like the design of this gate. Big and small squares.
How many squares can you spot?

SMRT Carnival @ Holland Village Station

The Circle Line fully opens today and there's a carnival at the Holland Village station.
These two photos were taken in the evening.



Some time ago, when the authorities said that there's going to be a "Real" park instead of a "car" park, many people wondered how is it possible to have a park? Isn't the area too small?

By the looks of it yesterday, it seems it is a good idea to have a park there! It's not that big, but the greenery's a good change. Looking at trees and grass does makes the place more pleasing.



Earlier in the day, a group of "makan kakis" went for a Circle Line makan trail. It was fun to eat and also meet some 'twitter' friends in person!

Let's hope more lines and stations will be built. I am waiting for the station that's being constructed near by home to be ready. 5 more years of waiting!

Circle Line Open House.

Last Saturday evening, Momo and I went for the last two hours of the Circle Line Open House. It was a really last minute decision, since it's free and we could get to see the stations first before it officially opens.

This is probably the nearest Circle Line station from our home. We need to take around 30 minutes of bus ride to get to this station. Kind of far isn't it? To get to the nearest East West line, it takes around 5 minutes less.

One of the reason why we are 'bus people'.



Back to the Circle Line Open Day. Wow, it's unbelievable how many people are at all the different stations! It was so packed! Stations were not very ready, but they had 1 more week to spruce things up. It was a nice ride though. Circle Line trains seems to run faster too.

As a software engineer, so proud that software powers the train. The trains are driverless, all powered by software. Just wondering, how neat the codes are written!

Botanic Garden Wavy Design Overhead Bridge

Have been noticing the wavy design of the new Botanic Garden overhead bridge spans across 2 major roads, the Bukit Timah Road and Dunearn Road. It connects to the new Botanic Garden MRT Station that will open in October 2011.



The wavy design catches the eye. Probably the nicer one along Bukit Timah Road!

A notice on the bridge says it will open in a few days time. I think it's either the 3 or 11 September, I forgot to write it down or take a photo of it.

For old folks and parents with children on prams, who can't climb the stairs, this overhead bridge has a lift at both ends. (Finally, they are listening and installing new overhead bridges that will make people use it).

Stadium Station at night.

This is the Stadium MRT Station at night.

It is kind of unique don't you think?
It's like a huge hangar and it looks like an airplane can park in there!




The entrance to the station is so bright, it's as if the folks I was with was like fireflies attracted to the lights!

Some can't wait...

What can't they wait for?

For the Circle Line to open! Took a sneak peak at their Open House the other day. It's so convenient to get to Suntec City and Millenia Walk now. I walked out from the Promenade Station and it was at the entrance of Suntec City where Carrefour is!

I realise that the mall is giving out Coffee, Ice-Cream, Popcorn this weekend at the entrances of both Esplanade and Promenade Station from 11am - 7pm.



For me, I am waiting for the other unopened stations! I think they will only be open next year. I still got to wait!

CC2 Bras Basah Station

Many people do not know that this "pool of water" just opposite the Singapore Arts Museum is the 'roof' of the Bras Basah Station below!




It lets natural light in to the station below. It will definitely save on lighting cost for this station!
As the sun's ray passes through the water, it creates a rippling effect below.




Bras Basah translated into English means Wet Rice. Do you think the lines in the water feature resembles a 'modern look' paddy/rice field in the first photo above?




This station won the World Architecture Festival - World Transport Building of the Year under the Transport category in 2009.

CC6 on the Circle Line - Stadium Station

On the Circle Line MRT Line, most stations are BORING!
There are exceptions though. One of the nicer station is "CC6 - Stadium".

Doesn't it look really sleek from the outside?




The long curvy structure and the choice of materials used, don't you think it looks like some modern art gallery?




It's also one of the few stations with really high ceilings.

Does the prints on the tall glass looks familiar?
I thought they look similar to the ones on Nestle Milo tins, do you also think so?




View from the train platform to the entrance of the station.




The view from the top. I like the natural light that flows in.
Is it able to handle the crowd when there are events at the stadiums outside?At least with lots of people inside, you won't feel claustrophobic. :-)




I don't think I will use the Circle Line often. I am waiting for the Downtown Line to be ready.

Light at the end of the 'circle line' tunnel

Two days ago, there was a sneak peak of the 11 stations along the Circle Line that will be open on 17 April 2010. The event was called the Circle Line Discovery.

I was there with thousands of curious people, all wanting to see how the stations will look like. We also got to see how the tunnels looked as the tunnel lights were switched on.

This photo is taken inside the first/last carriage of the train.



We saw light at the end of the tunnel! (ya I hear you say that's so corny...)

This is at the Dhoby Ghaut station, which is the first station of the line, and it has the station code "CC1".

What's that thing all covered in Green?

What's that all covered in Green?
That's one of the exits for the up and coming Circle Line MRT - Holland Village station.



I can't wait for the 'great unveiling'. It would certainly cut traveling time because the road's always jammed!