HYPEBy Verena Lin
When one’s nightlife is mentioned, partying the night away at the latest club in town immediately comes to mind. Such decadent lifestyles are novel at first, but eventually leaves you bored and tired, with a big hole burnt in your pockets for splurging unnecessarily on cocktails and Martinis.
With a shoestring budget in mind, some young people are redefining their night activities by kicking it old school with simple yet quaint picnics at some of the most scenic sites around. The night breeze, affordability and quality time with loved ones make picnics at night the better alternative to loud trance music at the clubs.
9 steel crest gates, each 30 m long, are built over the 350 m wide Marina Channel. The barrage includes a green roof, which doubles up as a recreational space and is open to public access. The roof overlooks the city and serves up a magnificent view comparable to that of the Singapore Flyer.
Full-time National Service man Justin Kong, 20, says, “My girlfriend will bring the food and we will lay out a mat and just chill out. It is a nice place to relax and appreciate the city lights.”
Besides the picturesque view of Singapore’s skyline at night, the Marina Barrage is extremely breezy and surprisingly quiet, providing that much sought-after privacy in the concrete jungle of Singapore.
Singapore Management University student Ashwin Tiwari, 21, says, “I had a wine picnic with my friends there. People don’t disturb each other and everyone is practically doing their own thing. It’s surprising how much privacy you get.”
Moreover, the barrage chalks up extra points for its high standards of cleanliness, appealing to students like Vanessa Lim, 23, who prefers Marina Barrage over other picnic sites like East Coast Park due to its hygiene.
How to get there:
1. Public Transport: There is a free shuttle bus every 30 minutes from the Marina Bay MRT station. The last bus is at 6:30pm on weekdays and 8:30pm on weekends and public holidays.
2. Drive: Drive along ECP and exit at Marina Bay. Follow the signs to the barrage. The two car parks are located at the entrance and beside the barrage-viewing pad.
Found at the southern ridges, the bridge connects a 9 km stretch of gardens and parks from Mount Faber Hill to Telok Blangah Hill.
The charm of the bridge is hard to ignore; it’s made from Balau wood slats that are intricately cut and arranged, while undulating shells litter the snaking deck that serve as sheltered seating areas. Colourful LED lights light up the place from 7pm to 2am daily, dressing the bridge in a ravishing and illuminating glow.
Rachel Lynn, 20, a Mass Communication student at MDIS says, “I find the bridge a work of art. It’s even better than eating at some restaurants because the ambience is wonderful.”
As the highest pedestrian bridge in the country, it is erected 36 m above Henderson Road, providing a bird’s eye view of the traffic activity below and a sense of detachment from urbanisation as you sit at the apex of the bridge.
Dannel George, 20, a student from Singapore Polytechnic, regularly has picnics with his friends at the Henderson Wave Bridge for “its breathtaking night scenery,” adding that they “always end up having a good time”.
To spice up your picnic, bring along board games such as Monopoly, Twister or Taboo. Useful picnic equipment includes a battery-operated light, a packet of wet wipes, and a picnic mat big enough for everyone to sit on.
How to get there
1. Public Transport: Take bus service number 131, 145, 176 or 648 and alight at the bus stop along Henderson Road. Take the staircase up to Mount Faber Park.
2. Drive: Parking is available at Mount Faber Car park D, and Telok Blangah Hill Park Car park 1 and 2.