Saturday Night Skate 31 August 2013 - Orchard ION to Kallang Leisure Park

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Edmund Vong

Report by Jon Wong
Night Skate Captain

Our latest City Night Skate in August welcomed the biggest attendance thus far in 2013, with around 100 skating enthusiasts joining this parade through town, inline style!

Orchard ION Shopping Mall marked the start, as skaters poured in from all around Orchard Road. The hype grew as more skaters showed up, drawing the attention of the evening shoppers too as they snapped pictures of our entourage.

As always, the Night Skate welcomes new faces, and this was no exception. Visitors from France and Italy were present. A friend from Hong Kong named Carrie, who is an avid skater herself, planned her visit to Singapore to coincide with this Night Skate.

We started off amidst the buzz of the evening streets, passing by Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann city as we made our way towards Somerset, getting the occasional thumbs up from passer-bys and street buskers.

We continued pass 313@Somerset and Orchard Central, crossing Killiney Road and Oxley Road, before crossing over to the other side to the entrance to the Istana upon reaching Buyong Road. That brought us another famous landmark in town - Plaza Singapura and The Atrium @ Orchard.

The Cathay Cineplex and School of the Arts were up next, as we transited into Bras Basah Road. There was a buzz outside the Singapore Art Museum with laser projection show on the building, and they slowed us down significantly.

After Carlton and Raffles Hotel, we moved into the Civil War Memorial Park, where huge barricades and seats were seen erected in preparation for the upcoming formula one race in Singapore.

We took to the underground tunnel along Raffles Ave into Esplanade Park, towardsthe Cenotaph memorial where we had a longer break. As some participants visited the drink kiosks along the Esplanade to quench their thirst, others remained at the memorial for chats and socializing.

Carrie (far right) with Andrew and Chun Yang

After the break we conitinued on the pavement along Connaught Drive onto Fullerton Road. Decending down a flight of stairs beside the Anderson Bridge brought us into the Merlion Park where our National Mascot lays spewing water into Marina Bay.

Merlion Park

Diners from the array of restaurants looked on in delight as we skate past them into Clifford Pier. We turned towards the Youth Olympic Park, skirting around the water and headed towards Marina Bay Sands. The Waterfront Promenade has since become a popular area for commuters for exercise, with bikers and skate boarders sighted as we moved on.

Flight of stairs to the Helix Bridge

It did not take long for us to reach the lower boardwalk and move into Gardens by the Bay, where the iconic Flower Dome and Cloud Forest greeted us. Other features that stood guard along this stretch along the shoreline included the Tadpole Play Garden - a water feature, and Gardens by the Bay very own food centre, Satay by the Bay.

Marina Barrage was up next, and everyone grabbed the chance for a quick toilet break. Water fountains were available for hydration. Crossing the Marina Bridge brings into another part of the Gardens, this time at the eastern region.

The Marina Bridge at Marina Barrage

Skyline of Marina Bay Sands from the garden

This is a place of serenity, with dimly lit paths and allowed us to capture the splendid night scenery of Marina Bay and the Singapore Flyer. Everyone gave their all and sped along the Skyline Promenade until the open area under East Coast Parkway Expressway.

Having break under ECP

We continued to skirt along the water via Tanjong Rhu Promenade Park Connector until we arrived at the bridge at former Cosy Bay to cross over to the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The Indoor Stadium is closed at the moment for renovations, and it was challenging making our way around the area.

Our destination was clearly visible by then. We managed to complete the journey in less than 150 minutes, and there was plenty of time to rest and relax, while some grabbed drinks from the convenient store.

Reaching the end point

Carrie even had the chance to experience some freestyle slalom skating with one of our certified freestyle instructor, Faussi. 

It was a great skate, with great skaters, great scenery and great weather.

Credits

Safety Van
Xavier

Photography
Faussi
Mike

SAVs
Mike
Vincent

Posted in Event

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