Singapore: chilling out in the Gardens

As I have mentioned in my previous post this year's visit to Singapore was my fifth one. My very first one took place exactly 20 years ago and lasted for one month. And it was then that I fall in love with this city. I am not sure what charmed me more: its whole-year-round nice weather, or the city's mixture of modern and old ; the cleanness of its streets or the variety of cultural traditions; its beautiful parks or its impressive skyscrapers. Whatever it was, the fact is that I keep coming to this city again and again.

Twenty years ago in the Japanese Gardens

 During these twenty years Singapore has changed, and at the same time hasn't changed. Every time I come, there is something new to explore, something new to admire; there are many new buildings and sculptures and some streets are hardly recognizeable, so different they look from what I remember. But still the atmosphere is same and perhaps that was the atmosphere of this city that I fall in love with. 

Ten years ago, with my daughters

As our visit this time was a short one, we didn't want to visit places we'd already been to, like the Zoo, the Jurong Bird Park, the Chinese or Japanese Gardens. Those are really nice and beautiful places worth visiting, especially the Zoo - the best ever zoo I have been to, highly recommend. This time my main aim was the Gardens by the Bay, a new Singapore attraction that has already been nominated for "The Best Local Attraction" award in the SG Readers’ Choice Awards 2015.

Inside the Cloud Forest Conservatory

Inside the Cloud Forest Conservatory

This botanical garden features flora from many different climates - hundred thousands of plants, trees, flowers and bushes - as well as some fascinating architecture at the same time. The main attractions are two Conservatories (which won the World Building of the Year Award in 2012) - the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest.

Exotic trees inside the Flower Dome 

The Flower Dome replicates seven different gardens and features plants found in the Mediterranean and parts of Australia, South America and South Africa. During our visit there was additional floral display "Celebration of Chrisanthemums" at the pavilion. Honestly, I'd had no idea so many varieties of this flower exist.

My floral dress and sandals matched the surroundings perfectly. Several women expressed their admiration and even asked whether I bought the dress at the Gardens' souvenir shop. Dress - from Moscow, sandals and bag - Steve Madden

The Cloud Forest replicates the cool moist conditions found in tropical mountain regions  in South-East Asia, Middle- and South America. It’s like stepping into a different world altogether. As you enter the dome, you are greeted by a real waterfall. From there, you climb a circular path, making your way higher and higher, and closer to the top of the waterfall. 

There are hundreds of blooming flowers on the way, particularly orchids, and it is hard to resist photographing them all. 

This plant's name is Kangaroo Paw

Among all the plants and flowers of both Conservatories  there are numerous sculptures here and there made of stones or wood which add additional beauty and interest to the surroundings. 

Another main attraction is the "super-trees" - vertical tree-shaped structures, 25 to 50m in height, covered in green: orchids, ferns, tropical flowering climbers. They light up in the evening turning the surroundings into a fairy-tale sight. There is also a 22m high walkway, the OCBC Skyway, between two of the larger Super-trees where you can enjoy a panoramic aerial view of the Gardens as well as test yourself: though I have no fear of heights walking there was slightly uncomfortable.

We spent almost the whole day at the Gardens, I enjoyed it so much. Of course, if flowers and plants are not your idea of fun this place is not for you. Though still the architecture and the sculptures are worth visiting.

That's all for today

More posts to come