Singapore Earth Hour: Observing Marina Bay Sands

Earth Day Singapore

The latest Earth Hour was observed last March 26, 2011. It so happened that I was in Singapore. It was something interesting because it’s my first Earth Hour outside of the Philippines.

Sago @ Singapore

Moreover, together with three friends, we were going to observe it from the top of Fullerton Bay Hotel with a panoramic view of the Marina Bay Sands (MBS).

Earlier in that afternoon, we were at Orchard Road and passed by this group setting up a mini-stage on the side street. It was in preparation for the 830 pm to 930 pm Earth Hour observation.

Earth Day @ Singapore March 26, 2011

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They also had this interesting poster entitled “Light of Hour Station” which encouraged simple ways on how to lower power consumption in observation of the then upcoming Earth Hour.

By 8pm++ we were already on the road on the way to Fullerton Bay Hotel. We missed the start at 830pm so the lights at the hotel were already dimmed.

First, we checked out the ground level deck and got some shot of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel from the ground angle.

Dimmed Marina Bay Sands view from Fullerton Bay Hotel Ground floor; Singapore Flyer on left

Then off we went to the topmost floor at the hotel’s pool bar called “Lantern” which was also observing the Earth Hour so the lights were minimal.  Read more about how we chilled out at Lantern pool bar here.

The view from the top was magnificent highlighted by the Marina Bay Sands. I took some more shots of MBS so as to later on compare with my shots from the level ground. We spent the rest of the time in a light chat with our tour guide. I asked how Singaporeans observe Earth Hour in general and it turned out to be somehow similar to that in the Philippines. We can logically expect though that some hotel guests may not turn off their lights for some reason or another.

Marina Bay Sands Lights Up! (Lantern View post Earth Hour); The Lotus (left); Singapore Flyer extreme left

I observed however (as you can see in the photos as well), that the Singapore Flyer lights were on, aside from the fact that it is not in operation (under maintenance) for the past few days. I guess it was protocol for cityscape aesthetics purposes, but I hoped they did turn off the lights at least for the Earth Hour.

Back here in the Philippines, a National Geographic’s Earth Day Run 2011 was belatedly held just last weekend at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig where more than 10,000 participants run for health and advocacy.

MBS (foreground: Lantern Pool Bar @ Fullerton Bay Hotel)

When 930 pm struck as Earth Hour came to conclusion, Lantern, standing by its name, lit up! Marina Bay Sands started to slowly light up as well together with the rest of the Lion City.