The breathtaking world of "Gardens by the Bay", Singapore

Last week I showed a little of our recent visit to Singapore - High Life at the Raffles. 
No I didn't stay at the Raffles - I wish! If you missed it click here - High Life at the Raffles

 This week I take you to Gardens on the Bay - only a few MRT stops from the Raffles.

I don’t think any words I conjure up can adequately describe the beauty and magic of “Gardens by the Bay” in Singapore.  Opened in June 2012 what they have achieved here is nothing short of Outstanding! Stunning! Amazing! Spectacular!

The gardens are a brilliant kaleidoscope of exotic plants from around the world that whisks you away from the hustle and bustle that is Singapore.  It is certainly a wonderful place to go if you need some time out from your busy holiday in Singapore.   

Located in the Marina Bay area (behind the Marina Bay Sands Hotel - the one with the boat on top!), the gardens can be enjoyed all day until 2am in the morning. Access to the Outdoor Gardens and the night light show is free. You could easily spend a whole day here.   The gardens can be experienced in several dfferent ways - 

The main gardens which include Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes and the Heritage Gardens can be strolled around at your leisue at no cost. The Heritage Gardens are a collection of four themed gardens that take you through the history and culture of Sinapore's three main ethnic groups and colonial past. You can see the Supertrees in this mosaic - more about them later.  

The two massive conservatories can be visited at a very reasonable coast as can the sky walk and a tour bus around the gardens with commentary.  The Cloud Forest Dome geatures an amazing 35-metre tall central "mountain covered in lush vegetation 

and the world's tallest indoor waterfall (10 stories high).  

The Cloud Forest Dome showecases plant life from tropical highlands up to 2,000-metres above sea level. You can go up to the top via a lift and then walk down along the aerial walkways. 

 The orchids were simply stunning!   

Can you see the bird? 

I love the elegant simplicity of these plants - I wish I had found out their name...though I don't suppose I would be able to grow them in Australia.  
ps - Noel from Hawaii and Travel Photo Mondays tells me they are - anthuriums. Thanks Noel! What a brilliant place blogging is! 

Gardens By the Bay tries to educate as well as enthrall. In Earth Check and +5 Degrees you are given a visual sobering insight into the radical changes that Climate Change is bringing about and the problems we are likely to face due to climate change and habitat loss and the effect of temperature increases around Earth. We desperately need everyone to do what they can to look after our planet before it is too late. If we don't the amazing life as we know it today, plants and animals, and even mankind, will be lost forever.    

The Flower Dome replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean regions like South Africa, Australia, California, Chile and parts of Spain and Italy. Home to a collection of plants from deserts all over the word, it showcases the adaptions of plants to arid environments. We even saw Australian boab trees. Colourful changing displays of flowers in the Flower Field reflect different seasons, festivals and themes.   There is even a restautrant. You can see it in the top left hand picture - the blue area under the bottle trees. Unfortunately we arrived at the Flower Dome in the early evening, so I wasn't able to take a lot of photos.   

Our boys were mesmerized by the floor kaleidoscopes. I thought they were pretty cool too.   

The unique trees" in the Supertree Grove soar up to 16-storeys hight. You can stroll freely amongst the trees or for a small price walk along the OCBC Skyway, a 128-metre long walkway 22-metres about the ground that connects two Supertrees, and take in the panoramic views of the Gardens and Marina Bay area.   Unfortunately we arrived too late to do everything....so it will be on my list for next time.   

Over 162,900 plants comprising more than 200 species and varieties of bromeliads, orchids, ferns and tropical flowering climbers are planted on the trunks of the Supertrees, which have panels that harvest solar energy.  In the evening the Supertrees come alive with a dazzling display of changing lights which left me completely in awe - I felt like I was walking through the gardens in the movie "Avatar".   

There are several dining options, but we chose Satay by the Bay for a typical SIngapore stay feast. The bottom right photo is acatually the open-air bathroom - I couldn't resist taking a photo.   

Located across the water from the Merlion, Gardens by the Bay is easy to get to via the MRT (alight at Bayfront MRT STation). Prices are very reasonable - check the website for how to get there and opening times and costs -
Plan your visit to Gardens by the Bay

I hope you enjoyed this little tour to Gardens By the Bay. I THOROUGHLY recommend you visit Gardens by the Bay if you ever go to Singapore. 
Click here to go to their website - Gardens by the Bay

Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to hearing from you.  Take care and have a wonderful week.

 I hope to be back again soon with some more pics.

Did I mention earlier there is a hotel with a "boat" on the top - you can see it in the background here - 

I am linking up to Mosaic Monday, Travel Photo Monday, Our World Tuesday, Travel Photo Thursday and Oh the Places I've Been. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Mosaic Monday
Travel Photo Mondays
Our World Tuesday
Travel Photo Thursday
 Oh The Places I've Been