The island has gone through several name changes. Up to 1830, it was called Pulau Panjang ("long island"). In an 1828 sketch of Singapore Island, the island is referred to as Po. Panjang. According to Bennett (1834), the name Blakang Mati was only given to the hill on the island by the Malay villagers on the island. The Malay name for this island is literally translated as "dead back" or "behind the dead"; blakang means "at the back" or "behind" or "after"; mati means "dead". It is also called the "dead island" or the "island of the dead" or perhaps "island of after death".
There are actually three beaches in the Sentosa area of Singapore – Palawan, Siloso and Tanjong. While each one is comprised of the same sandy beached and palm trees, what they have to offer varies a little from beach to beach. Siloso Beach is the place to go if you’re into water sports and other sporting events, such as volleyball. Palawan Beach is the family oriented one and has a lot of amenities geared toward children. Tanjong beach is the most secluded of the three and is the ideal spot for someone looking for a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.
