All Aboard at Port of Lost Wonder!

We were delighted to receive a free Preview Pass by the kind marketing folks of Sentosa Island to enjoy its latest attraction – Port of Lost Wonder (POLW) on its Grand Opening Day on 14 April 2012. The opening of POLW is part of Sentosa’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations. POLW boasts the status as Singapore’s 1st Kids’ Club by the Beach and its accessible location on Palawan Beach meant a short 3mins’ leisurely stroll from the Beach Carpark.

The kids were eagerly looking forward to this excursion and we were blessed with glorious sunshine this morning! Upon arrival at the Registration Counter, we were given a wrist band each and a bag of Curios coins which supposedly can be used to pay for any activity at the Port. The kids were then instructed by the ‘Wonder Crew’ to give each accompanying parent a big hug so we can enjoy free entry 🙂 The moment you stepped into POLW, you’ll be greeted by a very relaxed, festive, carnival feel. I love these aesthetically pleasing windmills, kites and creative scribbled chalk-boards.

The main attraction at POLW is its Pirate Ship Waterplay area. The kids went wild when they saw the gigiantic pirate ship complete with tall water slides, water jets, water troughs and a giant bucket which will tip over gallons of water every half-hourly! As there was a huge crowd today, I was relieved to see the ‘Wonder Crew’ stationed at various strategic points to ensure the safety of all children. Parents would be pleased to know that the ‘Wonder Crew’ are all first-aid trained. That being said, it’s still good to keep a close watch on our own children.

Dana and Caleb signed up for 20mins of play inside the big foam pool at 30 Curios coins each and had a bubbly fun time. No more waiting till Christmas season to play with foam at Tanglin Mall!

In my opinion, what sets POLW apart from the other water themed parks is its lush landscaping, colourful themes and its spacious, ergonomic layout. Families can enjoy yummy picnic on the little green islands fringing the wooden deck while kids expend their boundless energy at the waterplay area. The outdoor large cushioned mattresses (similar to those found at Beach Clubs) are popular with parents who wish to lounge around to catch their breath from running after their little pirates! There’s also a mini sand pit and direct access to Palawan Beach should you feel like a dip in the sea.

After 2 hours of waterplay, we brought the kids to participate in their hands-on gardening programme – ‘Pots & Planks’ where each child potted their own sapling into a cute rain-boot! It’s an ingenious and fun way to introduce the little ones to stick out their green thumb for the Earth (albeit a tad pricey at S$20 per child). Many parents were puzzled why Curios coins could not be utilised for this activity. Hmm….

The waterplay concept of POLW is somewhat similar to the Rainforest Kidzworld at the Singapore Zoo but it offers so much more. Almost all the kids today had such a splashing good time that they were reluctant to leave! You may not find any treasure chest of gold here but you will be richly rewarded with precious happy memories of a perfect day out with your family.

P.S. These are the ‘green souvenirs’ the kids brought back from POLW – baby Petunia plants in kiddy rain-boots. We love the personalised touch!

Apart from the Luge, we’ve now got an added incentive to visit Sentosa more regularly! My family rates POLW 2 Thumbs-Up and we are looking forward to the next opportunity to bring the kids back for another Ship Ahoy adventure!