Monorail Station @ Sentosa

Singapore is quite a small island. Sentosa is way, way smaller. And yet, there are always gems neatly tucked away in some corner, or just slightly off the beaten path. Recently, while on my way to visit Beaufort Hotel for a Southeast Asian History assignment, I spotted one such building – an abandoned monorail station.
The monorail system in Sentosa was opened in 1982 and subsequently ceased operations since 16 March 2005 to prepare for its successor, the Sentosa Express. Many old stations are undergoing renovations to be integrated into the new line, but some, like this particular one, were left out.
Its faded paint and discoloured walls stand out from the rest of the bright, clean facades on the island. The suburban feel is uncanny, like you've suddenly left the touristy island for Chinatown or the outskirts of Johore Bahru. Yet it is strangely peaceful. Memories of past journeys across Sentosa on the monorail, of the people around you at those times, and the slight tinge of regret at the termination of the monorail system.
I remember using the old monorail many times, but I don't ever remember using this particular station. Maybe it was its apparent lack of use that led to its abandonment; which unwittingly led to the creation of an architectural monument to our pragmatic and somewhat ruthless approach towards architecture, and with it, our history and heritage.

Jonathan Yue