Pre-Christmas Celebration

There is this place around the western area of the island called Mount Faber. It is a favourite haunt for couples and families, especially when the cable car was still functioning. From the hill, it overlooks Sentosa island and the harbour on one side, and the hilly trees on the other.

I have always wanted to go there but never had a chance. Without a car, it is a bit inconvenient to go up there. And with cable car, it is a bit pricey. Hence, I never had the opportunity. Until last night.

The group of restaurants on top of Mount Faber, The Jewel Box, is having its annual Christmas show, consisting of the lighting of the world's tallest Christmas tree (as claimed), and a snow and light show. Now that the cable cars are being upgraded, free shuttles are provided at the harbour front up to Mount Faber. So we reserved a table for dinner yesterday.

It took less than ten minutes to reach the top. The exterior of the Jewel Box looks like an underground bunk where the soldiers do battle. I almost thought I could see a cannon in front of it!

Entrance of the Jewel Box

The free shuttle - stopped outside the waterfall

Close-up of the entrance of the Jewel Box

However when we stepped in, the interior looked chic and classy. The ground floor consists of a small tea room called The Diamond Chateau, and a private dining room called The Diamond Palace. In between these two rooms is the iconic restroom, so-called because apparently the restroom became the world's best restroom according to one French magazine (as displayed on the walls).

The Diamond Chateau

The restaurant we were going was called Sapphire, the alfresco casual dining place of The Jewel Box, where we can dine in open air in candlelight. Next to Sapphire is the more formal glass-enclosed candlelight dining area called Black Opal.

Entrance to the Black Opal

Christmas tree outside the Black Opal

The view from the second floor is spectacular!

Some views of the harbour from the second floor of the Jewel Box

The Sapphire restaurant leads out to a lawn behind the dining area. There is a shed that is the washroom, a decorated tree with thrones and a bell during Christmas and an open area consisting of a pavement and koi pond.

The Sapphire restroom

Decorative tree

The bell and thrones

View of the harbour at sun set

The Sapphire restaurant

Table setting

The Sapphire menu

My Jewel Club Sandwich

His Prawn Aglio Olio

We were there at seven, and the food came around half-past seven. The show started at eight - the lighting up of the tree, thrones and bell, the fake snow falling down, and the lighting up of the world's tallest Christmas tree (which unfortunately we were not able to see it from where we were sitting as it is outside the Jewel Box).

The "snow" falling down

Playing with "snow"

The decorative tree after it was lit up

The thrones at night

The bell at night

The thrones and bell together

We left around half-past eight. Since it was very crowded, we decided to hitch a cab. The staff at the ground floor was very helpful, he helped us call for a cab by texting it, and the cab arrived within five minutes.

While waiting, I took the opportunity to go into the iconic restroom, and I must say, it really does not look like a restroom!

The Christmas tree at the second floor landing

The Jewel Box at night

The waterfall at night

Can you believe this is a restroom?!

Sinks of the restroom

The toilet cubicle in candlelight

The sinks flanked by the night view of the harbour

Corridor leading to the entrance of the restroom

Unfortunately I missed the lighting up of the tall Christmas tree, but my dear managed to snap a picture of it. The tree is actually a telecommunications tower, and Christmas lights were put all over it, lighting up every few minutes. However the cab arrived then so I could not see how it lit up. :-(

Maybe next year I may come back for the Christmas show again, and dine at another restaurant, perhaps Black Opal!

The world's tallest Christmas tree (as claimed)