Wednesday, February 5, 2014

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!

Cloud Forest
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.

Cloud Forest Gardens by the Bay
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.


Gardens by the bay


Gardens by the Bay


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


Cloud Forest Dome

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.

Gardens by the Bay

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


Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay


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:

Gardens by the Bay





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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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Sands SkyPark Observation Deck

Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Marina bay sands

Have you stayed at Marina Bay Sands  iconic 5-star hotel? If yes, then good for you! Well, I can't afford this hotel, it is way beyond my budget! For sure most of you can relate but  hey don't be disheartened, we can still enjoy the best city-skyline view of Singapore without checking in at their hotel or trying out their expensive restaurants.  How? Sands SkyPark Observation Deck.


Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Marina bay sands
The observation deck takes up one side of the rooftop area of Marina Bay Sands. For only $23 you can enjoy the best view of Singapore with no time limit.


Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Marina bay sands

From the observation deck, visitors can have an unforgettable 360-degree view of Singapore skyline with nothing but a sheet of glass and a few wires to obstruct the panorama.  A feast for the eye indeed! Great for photo opt so don't  forget your camera!

Here's a picture of the observation deck from down below:

Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Marina bay sands




marina bay infinity pool,Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Marina bay sands

Sands Skypark Observation Deck is located at Level 56 which is the same floor of their infinity pool. Unfortunately the pool is only for their hotel guests but it is visible from the Observation Deck so I was able to snap some photos.

marina bay infinity pool,Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Marina bay sands

From the wooden viewing deck you can climb the stairs to level 57  (highest floor) for some of Marina Bay Sands bars and restaurants.

Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Marina bay sands

sharing some of my photos of the view:

Singapore Strait, view from Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Marina bay sands
Singapore Strait

 helix bridge, bayfront bridge, bemjamin sheares bridge from Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, Marina Bay Sands
 Here's a shot of Helix Bridge, Bayfront Bridge and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge along the East Coast Park Expressway.

marina centre area  from Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, Marina Bay Sands
Marina Centre Area

Singapore Flyer, Kallang River view from Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, Marina Bay Sands
Singapore Flyer, Kallang River

gardens by the bay, from Sands SkyPark Observation Deck
Southern view shows Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Strait.



supertrees gardens by the bay, from the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, Marina Bay Sands
The Supertrees of the Gardens by the Bay.



Souvenir Shop at Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, Marina Bay Sands
They also have an affordable souvenir shop/ snack store


Tickets are valid for a single admittance between 9:30am and 10pm (11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday). There is no limit to the time guests may stay.

Ticket Prices:
S$23 for adults
S$17 for children (aged between 2 - 12 years*)
S$20 for senior citizens (aged 65 years and above)
Children under 2 years may enter for free.

Where to buy: 

online via Marina Bay website
Marina Bay Sands Box Offices 
  • ArtScience Museum Lobby
  • Concierge Desk, Hotel Lobby Tower 1
  • Retail Concierge, The Shoppes L1
  • SkyPark Ticketing Counter, Tower 3 B1
  • Theatres, The Shoppes B1


 and behind my traveling feet is a dead tired husband slash photographer slash personal assistant! haha. Smiley  





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