Mount Faber – Singapore’S Mini- Version of the Peak in Hong Kong and One of the Island’S Oldest Parks – with the Take-Off Point for the Cable- Car Ride to Sentosa
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Most people commonly associate Mount Faber – Singapore’s mini- version of The Peak in Hong Kong and one of the island’s oldest parks – with the take-off point for the cable- car ride to Sentosa. It is, however, a destination in itself with great views of the island and lovely little-known spots hidden amid its leafy canopy. § ¢ ¡ ¦ mount faber ¡ ¢ £ ¤ ¥ ¤ ¦ ¡ § ¦ ¢ ¨ ¤ © ¥ © ¥ west 2 7 If you’re feeling particularly On weekends, Altivo the energetic, the climb up Mount nightclub pumps the air with disco Faber along the winding road is beats, while the open-air bar is an worth the effort especially in the ideal spot to kick back and relax. early morning when the air is Meanwhile, the ride across to cool and filled with the rhythmic Sentosa on the cable car offers a jaw- call of cicadas. At the top, the dropping view of the entire island. view is special, showcasing the Wander off the main road huge container ships and (Pender Road is a good place to tugboats plying their trade in the start) and explore the environs. busy port that is Keppel Harbour. The charming black-and-white At the cable car station, the bungalows are especially viewing decks are great for chilling interesting. Set in deep foliage out, especially in the evenings. and cocooned from the outside world by nature and birdsong, (10 Pender Lane). Reminiscent of they recall an era when England Alkaff Mansion on Telok Blangah was still considered home and the Green, the white-and-red-bricked drink of choice was gin and tonic. building was once a stopover for While you’re in the area, drop by Sun Yat Sen, and Anna Leonowen the Danish Seamen’s Church of The King and I fame . MOUNT FABER The best way is by car or taxi or cable car from World Trade Centre. There are proposals to convert several of the black-and-white bungalows into Bed & Did you know that Mount Faber Breakfasts and restaurants as is 105m high? It was formerly well as possibly the construction known as Telok Blangah Hill of chair lifts to the top of until Captain Faber cut a Mount Faber. Also in the road up to the top to pipeline is the World Trade establish a signal station Centre MRT Station at the in 1845. foot of the hill. The vast tracts of greenery and cool air at the crest of Telok Blangah Hill were major draws for the wealthy Alkaff family when they built their massive dwelling, Alkaff Mansion , in the ’20s. Lavish parties were held on the grounds, wowing guests as they wandered through the nearby lake and Singapore’s first ¡ § ¡ ¢ ¤ £ ¢ Japanese garden. ¡ Today, the mansion has been fully restored The surrounding popular site on the hill and granite staircase and, besides being a embrace of tropical is the Terrace Garden sweeping downwards in popular venue for green gardens provides (follow the signs to the semi-circled terraces wedding receptions, it relief from the heat and top of the hill) with bordered by houses a superb is a nice spot for a their view of downtown outrageously-coloured restaurant serving an picnic or romantic Singapore. The steps are, bougainvilleas. excellent rijstafel. evening stroll. Another in fact, an ornate slate TELOK BLANGAH mount faber 2 9 The best way to go is by car. Enter from Henderson Road. Did you know that in Malay, telok means bay, while blangah means a stopping place? TERRACE GARDEN.