A virtual cache on an iconic rooftop, looking down on the city of Singapore. Come see for yourself, beyond the glamour and the lights, what this tiny nation of Singapore is built upon.
The infinity pool on top of the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Hotel offers an unparalleled view of Singapore City.
To get up to the roof, you will need to be a hotel guest to access the infinity pool, or visit one of the posh bars for a drink. Alternatively, take the lift up TOWER ONE to the 57th floor. There is a small smoking area and viewing platform outside the restaurant which you can visit for free. [note: Aug 2025- access is temporarily restricted as the restaurant “Lavo” is under renovation till Sep 2025. pls check for updates online]
Looking around, you will see Singapore’s shimmering skyscrapers, glitzy lights and hotels, and the Singapore river. On the seaward side lies the open sea, countless ships, and the magnificent Gardens by the Bay. And amongst all these, you will also see ever-constant signs of construction, for Singapore is constantly evolving.
Marina Bay
Begin by looking out on the seaward side. On your left stretches the beaches of East Coast Park, and before you the Supertree Grove and the Conservatories of the Gardens by the Bay. 50 years ago, the very land that you stand on did not exist, and all that you see before you had been reclaimed from the sea. Even now, at just 719 sq km (278 sq mi), the entire country of Singapore is tinier than Tonga or New York City. Singapore, in a sense, was literally built out of nothing at all.
View in 1977 of the whole Marina area freshly reclaimed from the sea. (Source: URA)
Ships on the sea
Looking out towards the sea, you will see ships of all sizes and shapes – oil tankers, container ships, ships with cranes, ships with cars, military ships, cruise ships, tugs and barges – of all manners and sorts stretching as far as the eye can see.
Founded on sea trade, Singapore is a critical mid-way point between Asia and Europe, and sees an average of 130,000 ships annually (350 a day!) which dock or harbour in its calm waters. Currently it is the world's busiest transshipment port where a fifth of the world's shipping containers, and half of the world's annual supply of crude oil comes through.
The sea and its passing ships are the lifeblood of Singapore.
Pasir Panjang Container Terminal
Look to your right and (as of 2018) you will see a vast plot of empty land with giraffe-like giant cranes, and beyond, the island of Sentosa. This port was once the busiest in the world, and those giant cranes used to lift containers off immense ships onto the backs of trucks queueing up below. Currently, the Pasir Panjang operations are being moved to the Tuas Megaport in the western end of Singapore, ending an era of port operations that started in 1819. This relocation will free up valuable waterfront land to be redeveloped for a new city area.
These are some examples of how Singapore keeps reinventing itself through constant change.
We hope that this cache helps you appreciate how Singapore – a tiny island – was built from the sea with sheer human endeavour to become the improbable nation that you see today.
Requirements
- To log this cache, you will need to visit the MBS rooftop and look out for something under construction - some hoardings or cranes or trucks building or tearing down some thing or other. Browsing the previous logs might help.
- Take and post a picture of the construction, giving a decription of what you see and what you think it is. Adding your feelings or thoughts being on the rooftop is most welcome.
- Posts which do not adequately show that you had indeed visited the rooftop will be deleted.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.