(CNN) — It was once often known as Pulau Blakang Mati. Some translate the identify politely as “the island of woe,” however probably the most cited translation is “the island behind which lies demise.”
Now, it is referred to as Sentosa, from the Malay phrase for “peace and tranquility.” Crammed with theme parks, seashores, luxurious resorts and different amusements, it is Singapore’s major island for staycations and is likely one of the metropolis’s hottest locations for worldwide vacationers.
However how did all of it start?
Fifty years in the past this September, the nascent nation of Singapore fashioned the Sentosa Growth Company (SDC), which — as its identify signifies — was designed to remodel a then rural, principally uninhabited island into an city playground.
A Malay island
The five hundred-hectare island is formed like the massive finish of a smoking pipe, curving across the southern aspect of what’s now Singapore. Its form and place made it an ideal spot for merchants touring to and from Malaysia — and an everyday hideout for the pirates who raided these ships.
There have been 4 major kampongs (villages). Residents of the island have been a mixture of Chinese language, Malay and Bugis (from Indonesia’s Sulawesi island).
Then, in 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in what would turn into the Lion Metropolis.
The British statesman left an indelible stamp not solely on Singapore however on a lot of East Asia, which he explored and wrote about throughout his diplomatic posts there.
Sentosa used to have its personal model of Singapore’s Merlion.
Sentosa Growth Company
In the course of the second half of the nineteenth century, the British started constructing fortifications round Singapore. On Sentosa, there have been 5 of those — Fort Serapong (close to the middle of the island), Fort Connaught, Berhala Reping, the Imbiah Battery and Fort Siloso (on the far northwest tip).
Whereas Singapore was managed by the British, troopers lived on Pulau Blakang Mati. Malay, Chinese language and Indian laborers did laundry, steered sampan boats and cleared land for the White navy members.
Though Sentosa’s moniker was modified in 1970, historical past buffs will nonetheless acknowledge the names of most of the locations dotted across the island. Fort Siloso — noa a Nationwide Monument — remains to be there, however a seaside, elevated walkway by means of the jungle and a tram station all bear the Siloso identify too.
The onetime Imbiah Battery is now a lookout spot for hikers, whereas the deserted buildings of Fort Serapong are standard for followers of city exploration and “wreck porn.”
In the meantime, the elegant The Barracks Lodge Sentosa was, as its identify signifies, as soon as the house to British artillerymen. Whereas the lodging are considerably extra cozy lately, visitors can nonetheless solar themselves on the previous parade grounds.
A Singaporean island
A lot of Sentosa’s historical past parallels the historical past of the nation of Singapore.
In 1965, Singapore formally declared independence from Malaysia and started to determine what sort of a nation it wished to be.
As commerce and trade grew on Singapore, Sentosa remained principally rural and uninhabited. A lot of the residents trickled away within the Nineteen Seventies and resettled on Singapore.
Modifications got here rapidly and dramatically. Within the Nineteen Seventies, guests to the island may take a cable automotive, however inside a decade there was additionally an above-ground tram that made it simple to get from place to put. Then, in 1992, the Sentosa Causeway, linking the 2 islands, was unveiled.
Vacationer sights got here and went as standard developments modified.
Underwater World, on the time the most important oceanarium in Asia, was because of open in 1989 however did not open till 1991. Customer numbers fluctuated through the years, and Underwater World ultimately closed in 2016.
One other relic of the previous was The Asian Village. This attraction was just like Disney World’s Epcot, with completely different “villages” representing Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and different Asian international locations, plus some rides. It shut down in 2000.
The Apollo Lodge was the primary vacationer lodging on the island. It opened in 1978 and closed in 1986.
In the meantime, the primary seaside resort on the island was Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, which welcomed its inaugural visitors in 1993. It took a decade, however ultimately different huge luxurious manufacturers catering to worldwide vacationers adopted — the Capella Singapore in 2009, the W Singapore — Sentosa Cove in 2012 and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa in 2015.
Nonetheless, not each attraction had endurance. Sentosa’s Merlion, a sibling to the well-known one throughout the water in Singapore, not holds court docket.
Lately, he says, vacationers are extra focused on experiences than in landmarks.
The town’s fixed warmth and humidity have additionally created a marketplace for nighttime actions. Digital creations and lightweight reveals are on the record of potential additions.
Ferries used to carry visitors to Sentosa, however lately most individuals come by automotive.
Sentosa Growth Company
A lot of what exists on Sentosa is new and glossy that it is comprehensible why the frequent “it was a artifical island” false impression retains going round.
Land reclamation would be the supply of the confusion. Pulau Blakang Mati was about 280 hectares in dimension, and since 1972 Sentosa has grown to about 500 hectares.
Regardless of all of the bustle, it is potential to seek out that peacefulness that Sentosa’s identify guarantees, particularly when staying at one of many island’s accommodations. The Capella Singapore is surrounded by greenery and is a well-liked spot for sundown cocktails.
One main change was bringing again full-time residents to the island. Nonetheless, the fashionable residents of Sentosa bear nearly zero resemblance to the communities who lived on Pulau Blakang Mati.
Sentosa Cove, on the island’s japanese coast, is the one gated luxurious group in Singapore. In a spot the place many individuals dwell in cramped quarters, this rapidly grew to become among the most sought-after actual property within the nation.
What comes subsequent
Singapore, at all times looking out for brand spanking new growth alternatives, is already considering past Sentosa.
The brand new Sentosa is more likely to be Palau Brani, a trapezoidal land mass and former Navy base between Singapore and Sentosa. Lately, most guests merely discover Brani out of the nook of their eye as they drive from one island to the opposite, however the formidable Sentosa-Brani Grasp Plan will develop each islands into one massive tourism providing.
Like practically each different huge infrastructure venture on the planet, this one was held up by the coronavirus pandemic however has restarted as Singapore has dropped restrictions and adopted a “dwelling with the virus” technique.
The plan sees the 2 islands divided into 5 sections — waterfront, island coronary heart, beachfront, vibrant cluster (assume thrill sights, occasion house, and the like) and ridgefront.
Except for new sights, the Sentosa-Brani Grasp Plan will even broaden nature and heritage trails and provides seashores a makeover.
The primary main initiative, a two-tiered “sensory walkway” by means of Sentosa that connects the northern and southern components of the island, is because of open subsequent yr.
