Operation Clean-up at Esplanade Waterfront begins
By Teo Xuanwei and Ansley Ng, TODAY | Posted: 16 November 2009 0709 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Hours earlier, it was the stage for troupes of performers putting on their best for leaders of 21 economies. On Sunday, the Esplanade Waterfront was the scene of a major clean-up, although the armies of cleaners, workers and technicians still had time for a spot of fun.

As they carted away hundreds of plants and dismantled tonnes of temporary fittings used for the Singapore Evening held on Saturday, some hammed it up in front of APEC panels or the city skyline for their mobile phone cameras.

Logistics worker Hashim snapped a few pictures of the Marina Bay Sands resort being constructed and the Merlion.

The Indian national, 29, said: "I want to send the pictures to my family so they can also see the beautiful sights of Singapore."

When MediaCorp visited at 3pm, technicians were bundling together reams of electrical cables and packing away hundreds of lights and speakers; cleaners were sweeping up dead leaves and rubbish from the sidewalk; and workers were carrying bubble-wrapped cushioned chairs away from the dining tent.

The only structures that still stood were the bigger ones, such as the stages and massive white tents stretching from under Esplanade Drive to the Marina Bay Floating Platform.

It may have been nothing like Saturday's setting, but sales executive Ronald Tan, who was at the Esplanade on Sunday, believed that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders must have left with a good impression.

"From the set-up, it looks like it was quite grand and elegant. The surrounding scenery, such as the Fullerton Hotel and the Merlion, are also quite awesome when everything is lit up," said the 31-year-old.

Commercial life returns to Suntec

Over at Suntec Singapore, commercial life is beginning to blossom again.

Members of the public returned to patronise the Republic Foodcourt on the ground floor of the convention centre, where access in the past week was allowed only for APEC delegates and media covering the summit.

"We're very busy today," said fruit seller Cathy Ngan. "Business is back to normal."

But outside of the popular food court, merchants say business has yet to pick up.

"It makes no difference that they've removed the security checkpoint. Many people think it hasn't been removed," said Mr Chris Tan, who works at a stall selling fengshui items just outside the food court.

Fashion store assistant manager June Kue hopes business will pick up from Monday.

Extra staff in her shop had been on standby to deal with delegates-turned-shoppers, but they were not recalled. "Maybe (delegates) had no time to shop," said Ms Kue.


- TODAY/so