The constant patter of rain on the bus window finally abated. A Ferris wheel of enormous proportions flanked our view as we alighted from the vehicle. The sun peeked through the distant horizon, beaming its last rays through Singapore. Welcome to the world’s tallest Ferris Wheel, it seemingly said.

The Singapore Flyer is 16 feet taller than its Chinese counterpart, the Star of Nanchang. It is 98 feet higher than England’s pride, the London Eye. It is the biggest Ferris wheel ever built on Earth and we’re gonna be riding around its rims tonight.

The group was introduced to the history, conception and construction of the Singapore Flyer through an interactive table before passing through a light tunnel. It led us to the loading platform for the wheel and the fun started.

The Flyer has a total of 28 capsules, but these are not your regular cramped Ferris wheel types. These pods are actually huge and can hold a capacity of 28 persons, perfect for big families and groups. Some of these even have tables set for lunch and dinner dates. We actually saw a few waiters rushing through to serve food since everything is time-dependent; a few seconds late and the capsule they’re serving would be up in the air.

Our capsule arrived and the ground departed. We were slowly soaring upwards and the city lights twinkled into view. The beautifully illuminated egg-shaped conservatories of the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest were soon visible to everyone’s oohs and aahs.

Tripods were set and cameras were mounted. Everyone took to their own corners; photographing the grand scene rising into view. But there was no shortage of windows; the Singapore Flyer’s capsule is designed in maximizing the vista for its passengers with its curving glass walls.

The Flyer got higher and the view turned from beautiful to awesome. Singapore’s full skyline was slowly revealing itself. I am a nature person and I usually abhor the city with its noise, cramped surroundings and concrete byways; but the scene opening up before my eyes was simply breathtaking.

A network of snaking highways lit by rushing vehicles provided a dramatic foreground to the avalanche of massive sparkling buildings above. We were so lucky to have timed our trip during twilight where Singapore is at its most spectacular.

I love the fact that Singapore Flyer’s pods are designed in such a way that everything is visible even if it is way up on the wheel. The capsules are mounted on the outer rim of the structure, unlike traditional Ferris wheel pods where it simply hangs on the rims, giving an obstructed view once it reaches the higher parts of the structure.

Our capsule reached the apex of the Singapore Flyer and the Marina Bay brilliantly gleamed with its early evening lights. Cars rushing through the maze of road networks. The Helix Bridge spiraling its lights to the Waterfront Promenade. The ArtScience Museum in frozen blossom. The towers of the the district illuminating the bay waters. The Marina Bay Sands slender and tall. But above everything, the circular eye of Singapore Flyer spins and spins, taking mere mortals like us with its constant and vigilant watch over the city.

The Singapore Flyer
Address: 30 Raffles Avenue, Singapore
Telephone: (+65) 6333-3311 | (+65) 6734-8829
Email: sfsales@adval.com.sg
Open Hours: 8:30 AM - 10:30 PM Daily
Rates: Click Here

GPS Coordinates: 1.289444,103.863105
View Location on Google Maps: Click Here

THIS SINGAPORE TRIP IS MADE POSSIBLE BY:
AIRASIA PHILIPPINES – NOW FLYING DIRECTLY TO SINGAPORE
HOTEL AND TRAVEL PACKAGE BY AIRASIAGO
SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD

       THREE DAYS IN SINGAPORE TRIP ITINERARY & SUMMARY
       MANILA – CLARK – SINGAPORE | PERANAKAN LUNCH AT BLUE GINGER RESTAURANT | THE FLOWER DOME AT GARDENS BY THE BAY
       ABOVE AND BELOW GARDENS BY THE BAY’S CLOUD FOREST | FLYING HIGH AT THE SINGAPORE FLYER
       A NOCTURNAL RIDE AT THE NIGHT SAFARI | NIGHTS AT THE ROYAL PLAZA ON SCOTTS HOTEL
       AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE RIVER SAFARI’S GIANT PANDAS | LUNCH AT SENTOSA’S TASTES OF ASIA
       AN EVENING WALK AT THE ORCHARD ROAD | ELECTRIC NIGHTS AT THE MARINA BAY | HAWKERS HUNT FOR A FREEZING BOWL OF CHENDOL
       STARBUCKS GLOBAL ICON CITY MUG PLUS A FEW MORE | SINGAPORE – CLARK