Cloud Forest @ Gardens at the Bay

After exploring the Flower Dome, visitor who holds a combo ticket can then proceed to the Cloud Forest conservatory, a mysterious world veiled in mist. 

A 35m man made mountain and waterfall greets visitor once passing through its main entrance. The man made mountain is covered in lush vegetation and home to the world's tallest indoor waterfall.

 

 

The man made mountain is best explore from the top before descending via the two walkways (cloud and treetop walk) in the clouds for an aerial view of the canopy and mountainside below.

Within the man made mountain is a crystal display which depicts the formation which could be found inside the mountain.

Within the conservatory, there is a train model which illustrates the key mode of transport in areas of high elevation around the world. In such remote areas, locomotive services give life to many towns, transporting not only people but also food, fuel and other daily necessities. An example of this is the Patagonian Express, which traverses the high plains of Argentina.

 

 

 

 

 

There are more than meets the eyes here other than just the eye catching man made mountain. It is a relaxing stroll around the cool surrounding inside the conservatory amidst the nature within it.

 

Before signing out of the conservatory, head to the +5 Degrees center where visitor can learn about the self sustainability at the Gardens by the Bay and numerous ecological functions of the Supertrees such as capturing solar energy and double as an exhaust while supporting a green living skin. It is also an interactive learning center to create awareness for the younger generation.

Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay

The Flower Dome is one of the two cooled conservatories (Flower Dome & Cloud Forest) at the edge of the Marina Reservoir.

The admission fee is SGD 28 for two conservatories. Local resident enjoy a special rate of SGD 20 for two conservatories and SGD 12 for one conservatory.

Both of the conservatories glass sit on a steel grid which acts like an eggshell and hence do away with the column as the support. It is the world's largest columnless glasshouse

Another interesting fact is the conservatory consists of 3,332 panels of 42 varying shapes and size which made the Flower Dome a virtually giant puzzle.

 

With the air temperature maintained at 23 to 25 degree Celsius, it is a leisure just to stroll around here. The air here is cooled at the lower occupied zone through chilled water pipes in ground slabs while warm air is vented out at the top.

 

 

The Flower Dome replicates the cool dry climate of the Mediterranean regions like South Africa, California and parts of Spain and Italy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is interesting to see all sort of seasonal vegetables and flowers which were grown here.

 

 

 

While walking around, visitors will be fascinated with the variety of amazing plants and flowers from different corners of the world and how different parts of the trees are used in daily lives across different cultures.

Supertrees Grove @ Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay's landscape is pretty much dominated by the Supertrees structure which reminiscence of a giant tree.

 

 

The Supertrees are actually a vertical gardens which also incorporate a few functions for the garden itself. They are also equipped with photovoltaic cells to harness the solar energy.

 

 

 

Admission to go get a bird's eye view from the 22m high Supertrees is SGD5 where one can walk from one tree to another via the walkway.

 

When night falls, the Supertrees come to life with a spectacular light and sound show at 7.45pm and 8.45pm every night.

Singapore X'mas Decoration 2013

X'mas decoration has began to be set up around Singapore as early as mid November and I am fortunate to experience it again for the second consecutive year.

  

Changi Airport also did their part with a giant Trojan horse and Spongebob characters at its Terminal 1 departure hall.

 

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore set up a X'mas tree which mainly made up of small teddy bears.

At VivoCity, a giant X'mas tree was erected near the Sentosa station. I reckon it will be a sight to behold at night.

My first time to Bugis also did not disappoint me with a few big structures been set up around Bugis Junction and its surrounding areas.

The highlight will definitely centred around Orchard Road. This is definitely the place to be to see the best X'mas decoration the country got to offer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I usually made my journey from Plaza Singapore and walk my way down the shopping district. This year, I made it as far as Wisma Atria.

I notice some familiar decoration concept such as the Ferrero Rocher tree and the giant X'mas Tree at Ngee Ann City. Overall, they are beautiful, more so at night with all the lighting on.

This would be a perfect time to do X'mas shopping with the many offers and discount at most outlets which also entitle foreigners to claim the GST back when bringing those purchases home.