I have not been to this part of East Coast Park for a while now. I paid a visit there because the Marine Cove ceased their operations a few days ago and I was there prior to that to capture some photographic memories of this place before it was gone.
Who can forget the iconic McDonald's there which was opened around the 80s. It was a popular haunt for the regular park goers, who would never fail to eat there after a day of fun-filled activities such as cycling, skating, swimming and so on. I think this could be one of the first few, if not the first, McDonald's with a drive-in and which started the 24 hours operation. In fact, the Marine Cove should be the most visited and busiest commercial entity at the park because of the presence of McDonald's. All other activities and F&B outlets there drew on the walk-in crowds to McDonald's.
Other areas of the park around Marine Cove were light in visitor numbers when I was there. The McDonald's was one of the last few F&B tenants to shut their doors before the area is redeveloped to freshen up the place after about 30 years since it was built. Following the Seafood Centre, Big Splash, Golf Driving Range and many others, this was one of the latest facilities to be taken over by NParks as part of its redevelopment master plan.
So adios, the next time I take photos of this place, it would be of a different look but I am certain the nostalgic memories of this place would always remain in the minds of those who live in that area and love the place.
The year was 2006 and it has been 6 years since I last stepped foot here. The familiar red and white zebra crossing was still there to greet me but it was no longer shimmering under the sun light. The sparkle was gone.
Sunset Bay is still there but it was closed. Is the beach a popular spot for beach volleyball, as originally proposed, I wonder?
Most of the vertical structures are now covered with Bougainvilleas and one of the nine sundials (Neptune) around the island is still located at the far end of the garden. When I checked the time, it was quite accurate and differed from the actual time by about 10 minutes.
I actually wanted to go up the look-out tower to snap more photos of the garden and area but it was not meant to be. It started to drizzle and I disappointingly left the place in a haste.
I went for the seafood buffet at this Big Splash restaurant in East Coast Park in January and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and wide spread choices available.
Although each of the portions were small and could barely fill the stomach, it gave me the opportunity to order the dishes shown here, which was for two people. I ate till my heart's fill and left the place feeling like a pig.
