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Locals Take Note: There is an ongoing promotion (till 31st May 2006) for all locals, PRs, and EP holders of Singapore. Just print out the coupon here and use it at the ticketing counter during purchase. Official information about the DHL baloon can be found here.
Some people will probably consider taking the 10 minutes ride in the DHL Balloon a glorifed elevator ride. After all, it only limited to the vertical motion of going up and down, and all the while connected to a rope which is released to fly the balloon up and then retracted to land it. Even the elevators in most of the skyscrapers in Raffles Place goes higher than the maximum of 150m (or 40 storeys) the ballon can fly to.
Yup, this S$2M DHL Balloon is not your usual hot-air balloon, but the world's largest tethered helium balloon that is actually certified as an aircraft!
The ride or flight as they call it however, is anything but boring. All my pre-conceived notions were changed after I had taken the flight. Not only was the flight upwards kind of thrilling, the vantage view of the city from the ballon was spectacular. No other place in Singapore will offer you such a fantastic panoramic view of the city!
The price of the ride is S$23 per adult (age 13 and up), S$13 per child (age 3 - 12) and S$2 per toddler (age 2 and below). Why would anybody take infants up, I am not sure, but there is a S$1 discount for all Singaporean citizens so do remember to bring your NRIC.
Operating hours are from 11am to 10pm and each ride last between 7 ~ 10 minutes. Weather permiting, the departure frequency is 30 minutes and it can take 10 ~ 29 passengers each time.
I took the 6.45pm one which allowed me a fantastic view of the sunset. :-) Leave a Comment Address: At Tan Quee Lan StreetPhone: +65 63386877Directions: Tan Quee Lan Street is at the junction of Beach Road & Rochor Road, next to The New 7th Storey Hotel. Nearest famous landmark is Bugis Junction. Nearest MRT Station is Bugis MRT Station.Website: http://www.tourist.com.sg
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| | | | Bum boat ride. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Sir Stamford Raffles established Singapore with one thing in mind: trade.
Raffles, a former governor of Java, argued that a new tax free port at Singapore, then little more than a swamp and a base for pirates, would help secure trade for Britain throughout the region.
And so, with great sailing ships lying at anchor in the Straits, small vessels manned by coolies ferried their cargo through the shallower waters of the river to warehouses built along its banks.
Some of these, the so-called bumboats, have survived, and today still ply their trade on the Singapore River. We saw them, Chinese in shape and with eyes painted on the bows. You can purchase a ticket to ride where North Road and Hill Street cross the river.
The ride lasted for around 40 minutes and the recorded information provided of the cities main attractions was excellent. Leave a Comment
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