The Supertrees, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

For sure you have heard of Superman, Supergirl and krypto the superdog? How about the Supertrees? Yap you've read that right, Supertrees! They may look like trees from the movie Avatar or a sci Fi film but these trees do have super powers, well they generate solar power, they act as air venting ducts for the conservatories of Gardens by the Bay and, they also collect rainwater! Supertrees indeed!

The Supertrees are best visited at night, their height is around 16 storeys  and they come alive with amazing display of light and sound at night. So for this post let me share my night shots of the Supertrees.

 

The Supertree on the right side of the picture above is their 50-metre Supertree-top bistro. A good place to have a sumptuous dinner amidst the panoramic views of the Gardens and Marina bay.

Can you see the thing that connects the Supertrees? That's the OCBC Skyway, for just $5 you can access the 128-metre long walkway with a height of 22-metres that connects two Supertrees at the Supertree Grove, and take in a different view of the Gardens.

The Supertrees are not 100%  man-made, they are made of four parts: reinforcement concrete core, trunk, planting panels of the living skin, and canopy. The trunk has over 162,900 plants comprising more than 200 species and varieties of bromeliads, ferns, orchids and other tropical plants.

From the background you will see the Marina Bay Sands. The Supertree Grove is accessible to the public for free. You only need to pay $5 if you want to access the skyway.

Here's us, setting up the camera for my night shots, we arrived just in time! I hope you enjoyed the photos! Till next time! Ciao!


Camera used: Lumix DMC-FZ35
Photographer: Vivi

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The Dark Side of Tourism: Animal Abuse

Animal abuse is a by product of Tourism.  But would you clap and cheer at an elephant who can paint, play football, do tricks or take a one hour ride at their back, if  you knew the horrifying cruelty the elephants are being subjected to?  I only mentioned elephants but how about "swim with the dolphins" programme and other animal circus shows? They are also animal cruelty in the name of entertainment.

The saddest part is that, as tourists, we are fueling these abuses. The animals may appear "cute" but what's the real story and history behind their training? After doing my research my first elephant encounter in Bali, Indonesia made me want to puke (my fist  and  last elephant ride).. I feel so sorry for contributing to the cruelty, and through my blog I want to partake in my small little way in supporting responsible tourism.

Here's an excerpt from the website of Elephant Rescue and Asia Survival Foundation regarding the phenomenon behind elephant painting:

It’s a myth that elephants are clever because they can paint. Please don’t think they are gifted or that it’s cute to watch this form of tourist ‘entertainment’. Here’s a few facts you need to know:

❖Elephants endure months of physical abuse to learn how to hold a paint brush, draw a straight line and paint flowers and leaves on trees
❖For years they then paint the same repetitive painting over and over again, every single day, sometimes twice or three times a day
❖When training an elephant to paint, a sharp metal bull hook or nail is used to guide the paintbrush
❖When the elephant paints incorrectly they are beaten as punishment, often the hook is rammed into the elephants ear or they are hit on their head or trunk
❖Look for scars or beatings on the top of an elephants head or trunk from metal bull hooks used to train elephants for human ‘entertainment’

Elephant paintings are a learned trick, a result of vigorous training by their handlers. As what I have read, the handlers will tap, hold the elephants ear or trunk to create a "correct" picture. Can you see the handlers holding their sticks? Now we know for what those are. Some websites have even more disgusting pictures of hooks being used to control these elephants. 

Below are the end product of their painting work, being sold for 2,000baht:

All of these photos are taken during my recent trip to Chiang Mai. I'd rather not name the camp for based on my readings,  the practice in the whole of Thailand is the same. 

   

Finally, at the end of the show is a realization that what we only want is just be "near' these beautiful creatures.  To watch them in their natural habitat, playing in the mud, running in the wild,  bathing in the river, to have their photo taken.  The reason why these animals are being mistreated is for our entertainment  but the truth is that it's the intimate experience that we want and seek. 

So as tourists, how can we help?  DON'T BUY Elephant paintings! And choose destinations that supports responsible Tourism. I do believe that we have the power to influence change, we are the reason for these cruelty anyway, so be a part of the change we want to see. Support CRUELTY-FREE encounter with the animals.

“Wild animals belong in the wild.”

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Gardens by the Bay - Cloud Forest

Singapore is undoubtedly one of the greenest city in the world. In line with the government's vision to improve the quality of life in Singapore amidst the harsh urban jungle, they created Gardens by The Bay.  The park is in integral  part of their Singapore's transformation from being the "Garden City"  to a "City in a Garden".

Gardens by the Bay from the viewing deck of Marina Bay Sands

Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s new icon, a 101-hectare horticultural attraction located in central Singapore which is adjacent to Marina Reservoir. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden.

For this post let me share one of the park's key attraction, the Cloud Forest which is a part of Bay South Garden.

Cloud Forest is an experience beyond compare,   it will let you explore the highlands that seems to be floating in the clouds.  It is as close as it gets to being up a mountain in a rainforest type environment, the cool-moist dome will definitely uplift your spirit.

For those architecture enthusiast, this dome is worth seeing. The conservatories including the Flower Dome, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects are constructed out of steel and metal. The Cloud Forest  is 58 meters high and made of metal frames with 2,577 glass panels of 690 varying shapes and sizes.  Volume is 153,000 m³ (approx. 60 Olympic swimming pools) with  temperature of 23°C to 25°C.

Let me tour you to the dome step by step:

1)  Upon entering the dome, you will be refreshed by the world's tallest indoor waterfall!

world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 35 metre tall

2) on the other side of the Cloud Mountain  take the lift to the 6th floor

3)  A flight of stairs takes you to the top, known as The Lost World which replicates the cloud forest vegetation at around 2,000m above sea level.

at the Lost World

4) then take the stairs down to the Cloud Walk, a walkway around the upper portion of the mountain.

The Cloud Mountain

The Cloud Mountain is  35-metre tall mountain covered in lush vegetation showcasing plant life from tropical highlands up to 2,000-metres above sea level. The mountain has been densely planted with a mixture of fascinating orchids, ferns and  pitcher plants.

for my hubby who is scared of heights, the walkway in itself is already an adventure!

5) then down to the Cavern and Crystal Mountain. Since caves are a common feature of mountains, they included this part,  it contains exhibitions of real stalactites and stalagmites.

6) You then go to the Treetop Walk, a walkway around the lower part, an eye level to the canopy of trees. 

7) Earth Check and +5 degrees    - At the end of Treetop Walk is a small museum named the Earth Check.  It is an educational programme for everyone, to reflect on our attitudes towards the earth, how are we destroying our environment and what we can do to preserve it.

+5 degrees is a very interesting room explaining the self sustainability concept of Gardens by the Bay. You will also virtually experience here the effect of temperature increase around the planet and what will happen if the temperate of the planet rises with an average of 5 degrees Celsius due to global warming.


9) The Secret Garden - Also a 'Misty' Garden, you’ll see  moisture-loving plants covering the ground, it also contains plants from ravines and tree ferns from New Zealand.

Sharing here some of the beautiful  and colorful flowers and pitcher plants you will see inside the dome:

Hours:

• Opens 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
• Last ticket sale at 8:00 PM daily
• Last admission at 8:30 PM daily

Local Resident Admission:       

Adult                             $12
Senior Citizen*               $ 8
Child**                          $ 8


Local Resident Admission
(includes entry to Flower Dome):

Adult                             $20
Senior Citizen*              $15
Child**                         $12


Standard Admission
(includes entry to Flower Dome):

Adult                             $28
Senior Citizen*              $28
Child**                         $15


* Senior Citizen (≥ 60 years old)
** Child (3 – 12 years old)

The most important thing of all of course is the quality time spent with your loveone. So what are you waiting for? Include this place in your itinerary for your next visit to Singapore!

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Exploring Morong Beach, Bataan

Looking for the nearest great beach destination north of Manila? For sure you will mention 2 hours drive to Subic, well how about Morong?

Morong has been put on the tourist map by the beautiful beaches along its coastline. It is located in the western part of  Bataan Province, on the west is South China Sea, Bagac in the south, Abucay, Samal, and Orani in the east, Hermosa and Dinalupihan in the northwest and Zambales in the north. 

If you are looking for an unpolluted and quiet beach  to unwind and bond with family then this is a great place for you. There are still undeveloped areas also of Morong, a portion are at the beach front are residential areas too and private vacation houses.

Please don't get me wrong, I am a resident of Olongapo for 37 years and I love my hometown, unfortunately our beaches are getting too crowded and we don't offer enough good resorts. 

 off-white powdery sand of Morong beach

Day tours are welcome here in Morong, the beach is open to the public. You can just bring your car, picnic basket and enjoy the beach at your own pace and time.

How to get here:

1) from Manila via public transport: take the bus going to Balanga, then from Balanga bus station they have a lot of mini buses and jeepnies going to Morong  

2) from Manila via private car: Take SCTEX and exit at Dinalupihan, Bataan or  exit at Subic

3) from Subic if you have a car,  use the Morong exit (before you reach Ocean  Adventure / Camayan Beach Resort) then follow the road straight to Morong town.

4) from Subic using public transport: take the buses going straight to Morong at SBMA's second gate beside Harbor Point Mall.

Accommodations: There are a lot of great resorts in Morong and most of them are beach front. I have stayed at Pamarta Bali and White Corals (blog to follow). I have visited the other resorts too  for an ocular inspection and most of them are offering good accommodation at reasonable rates. Just to give you an idea, the price of a villa room at Pamarta Bali is P4,000 good for 4 (2 queen size beds). Their nipa hut ( good for 5) is  P3,000. 

I am a beach bum and the beach has always been my happy place. I really appreciate it that my husband shares the same passion. For me, being together and simply enjoying the moment with nature  is the best experience of all and Morong offers a great venue. So is Morong for you?

Well with this sunset, how can you say No to Morong??

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Our 5 days Honeymoon Escapade Part 7 - Honda Bay : Cowrie Island

Cowrie Island is the 3rd stop of our Honda Bay island  hopping tour. The island got its name from a sea snail. Cowrie is a common name applied to marine gastropods belonging to the family Cypraeidae, a well-developed family of marine snails found in the tropics.  

This island is larger than Lu-li which is the 2nd stop of our tour and it has more to offer. Check out their amenities:

• Free Use of Cabanas
• Free use of Pavilion
• Free Use of Volleyball Court
• Free Use of frisbee
• Swimming Area
• Snorkeling Area
• Lifeguard on duty
• Clean Restrooms
• Clean shower areas
• Restaurant
•  Bar

We are done swimming at Pambato Reef and Lu Li Island so for this last stop at Honda Bay we opt to just chill out, roam around the island and enjoy whatever it offers, from the beauty of nature to its food!

And of course what else, a special time for the honeymooners!!

 

There's a lot to explore here than the first island and we of course enjoyed their halo-halo!!

 And check out these photos taken by our tour guide kuya Bodjie!! Great shots right?

 

Thank you Cowrie for the memories!! Till next time! Ciao!!

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