Singapore Flyer: Not your regular Ferris wheel ride

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net

SINGAPORE–No, it’s not your regular Ferris wheel ride. You won’t be able to feel the wind blowing at your face. Instead of gondolas suspended from the rim, it comes with capsules that could carry more people. It says one capsule could carry as much as 28 people.

The Singapore Flyer is currently the world’s highest observation wheel. It is 165 meters high from the ground — about 30 meters higher than the London Eye, with a diameter of 150 meters.

The first time I saw the Singapore Flyer, it looked much like the London Eye from afar. I almost had my chance to ride the London Eye several years ago.

After an afternoon session with a key executive here, Oracle Corp. decided to take the visiting Southeast Asian journalists for a ride — a unique one. Most of us were first-timers. So everyone brought their digital still or video camera to document this 30-minute ride.

The capsules were air-conditioned, making the ride very comfortable. At some point, you might think the capsule is not moving.

The funny part during our ride was that we realized that we were too busy taking photos and video clips, we forgot to enjoy the view.

It is best to ride the Singapore Flyer during sunset when you can witness Singapore transform from a concrete jungle with areas of green to a colorful and bustling metropolis that reminds me of Hong Kong at night. The observation wheel itself starts showing different colors at night. The view from up there is magnificent. In fact, you can see some parts of Malaysia and Indonesia from the top. Of course, you’ll be seeing most of Singapore.

You can find more facts and figures here.

Just like the Taipei 101 experience, this is one Asian icon that you should not miss. Now, you can add this to your list of places to visit when you’re in Singapore.

Editor’s note: Photo and video taken by INQUIRER.net reporter Erwin Oliva.

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