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Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

If you are heading to Singapore for a family vacation, Sentosa Island has it all for a fun-filled weekend. From luge to cable car rides, panoramic views, cafés and museums—there is something for everyone.

Sentosa Island in Singapore is way ahead of other theme parks in South-East Asia with its latest luge ride attraction.

Riders hurtle down a 650m track past trees and round sharp bends to the beach within one or five minutes, depending on how much of a daredevil you are.

Originally created in New Zealand, the luge is a fun-filled gravity ride on a three-wheel cart using a unique braking and steering system that gives the rider full control. The non-motorised cart operates on the principle of gravity and provides a fun ride on a downward gradient. Riders are in control of how laid-back or thrilling they want their ride to be. Go fast, go slow, stop – you decide.

Situated on a hilltop opposite the Carlsberg Sky Tower at Imbiah Lookout’s cluster of attractions, the Sentosa Luge tracks wind down through greenery to finish at Siloso beach, Singapore’s hippest beach. The four-seater chairlift then takes riders and luge carts back to the top to do it all again.

All luge riders receive a full safety briefing from trained staff prior to their ride. Each rider is made to wear a safety helmet before the activity commences. Riders must be at least 110cm tall to ride the luge on their own, otherwise double up with an adult. To ride the chairlift, children must be over 90cm tall.

Although safe for all ages, common restrictions apply. To ride the luge, riders must be in good health and free of heart conditions, motion sickness, epilepsy, back and neck problems and other physical limitations. Expectant mothers cannot ride.

This new attraction can host 800 rides while the chairlift can move up to 1,600 people in an hour. The chairlift ride lasts about five minutes in one direction.

Created in Rotorua, New Zealand, the luge has hosted over 13 million rides in its country of origin. The attraction has also proven popular in Canada and Japan.

A single ride on the luge costs S$8 (RM18). Two rides cost S$15 with the third ride free. A family pass of four rides costs S$20 while a family package of eight rides costs S$35.

All rides include a ride on the chairlift. Guests can also buy a one-way ride on the chairlift to Siloso Beach from Imbiah Lookout or vice versa for S$2.

Sentosa, Singapore’s premier island resort getaway is just 15 minutes from the city. It offers a unique blend of leisure and recreational facilities including family attractions, sea sports, golf fairways and hotel accommodation.

By 2009, a family-themed resort including a theme park, casino, hotel and many other facilities will also be part of the island’s charms. A canopy of secondary rainforest covers 70% of the 500ha island – home to monitor lizards, monkeys, peacocks, parrots and other native fauna and flora.

The island is currently in the last few phases of a multi-billion dollar rejuvenation project. By 2010, Sentosa aims to attract eight million visitors annually.
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