Singapore, Gardens by the Bay

Situated in the Marina Bay Area on totally reclaimed land is one of Singapore’s most visited areas both by locals and tourists.  The Gardens by the Bay is 225 acres of gardens from around the world.  The center piece is the super tree grove where twelve super trees built of a concrete core and reinforced with steel and planting panels tower 25 to 50 meters into the air.  They are covered with over 160,000 plants and at night are the site of two nightly music and light shows which are quite stunning.  Along the waters edge are two vast biodomes. One is the flower dome and is home to displays from different areas of the world as well the main floor hosts special shows. While we were there it was a tulip show which was very colourful but not near as spectacular as Amsterdam.  The Cloud Forest Biospere was amazing.  Home to the highest indoor waterfall in the world the plant displays were spectacular and the cloud walkway led you up to the top of the building where the view down was incredible.  Throughout around every corner one was met with eye catching displays of plants and flowers. It was an orchid lovers heaven.  

There is a charge to visit the biospheres but the rest of the gardens are free for all.  I definitely feel credit needs to be given to the city planners for providing such an oasis for their citizens and visitors alike.

The succulent gardens were so colourful they almost made me want to experiment 

Whimsical figures added to the enjoyment in the spheres

Viewing the tulip show from above. Once we were amongst the flowers it became a bit of an annoyance at times as it seemed that every Asian wanted their picture taken with every flower

Unusual displays for sure. Her eyes even blinked which was a bit startling at first

Unusual gnarly tree inside the flower dome

Highest indoor waterfall

Beautiful carved dragons set amongst the greenery 

Even a few Venus fly traps made from Lego in a display at the top of the cloud dome

It was a very long way down

The variety of plants covering the center dome was incredible 

Peep holes through the rocks revealed garden treasures

Some crystals found in natural formation added to the beauty

Another secret peek

Man made waterways with fountains and whimsical sculptures have walkways all around them so one can spend hours just wandering 

Where a tree has not grown just make one.  These were just two of the interesting ones dotted around

A view of the super grove of trees

I took this photo from the top of the Marina Sands Hotel. The center tree has a restaurant on top

Also from up top this shows the sheer size of these wonderful gardens

Trees lit at night

As well as the lights one can see how the planting’s are progressing up the trees

The lights at night were spectacular with the Singapore wheel in the background 

A great way to finish the evening in the garden before heading off to dinner and an evening martini