Au Revoir … Sweet Life in Singapore

Writing to close this blog and update our friends.  In a few hours, we say good-bye to Singapore and retrace our lives back to Manila.  We made SG our home for almost 8 years.   Like any place, life here has its ups and downs.  We are grateful for the great opportunity to live and work  in this beautiful island, a tiny but powerful red dot in the map.

Initially, my husband came here by himself for work.   He was sad being alone.  Even if he flew back every other month, or when there were 3day weekend or holidays.

Juggling a career and raising kids on my own was also not easy.  Life was comfortable with good family support and his income from abroad came in handy.

But emotionally, I needed help.  “I don’t want a husband who comes, once in awhile. and showers the kids with toys and gifts, then leaves. I want someone who’s gonna be here, to change diapers, calm tantrums, soothe nerves at the pediatrician’s.  You cannot miss these growing years of your children’s lives!”

So, we packed bags and became OFWs.

Initially I was a SAHM, still working part time, enjoying the flexibility while settling the kids.

Once they’ve all settled, it was me who needed to settle myself.  Needless to say, I miss work. I was privileged to be given the opportunity to work for my previous company but based here in SG.

So the 8 years or so came and went… in a blink of an eye!

Looking back, I am forever grateful for –

• the wonderful friends and colleagues who’ve become family
• the rewarding work opportunities (2 companies for each of us, in 8 years!)
• the kids are in a good school, with great foundation of learning and behaving, with many kind friends
• our family has become closer and prayerful
• the plenty of travel opportunities both work and play
• our awesome and honest helpers who have helped us get through everything
• the vibrant experiences of living in a foreign country, being with people of different cultures and learning their ways
• the friends and family from home & abroad who visited us here
• the clean SG environment, efficient systems and honest people that make living so convenient and comfortable

It’s a wonderful, beautiful experience and our lives are more enriched, vibrant and colorful having lived and worked here.

Never, we shall forget.  

However, we knew that there will always be a time that we have to go back to the Philippines.

We had made 2 attempts to  apply for Permanent Residents but got denied.

It’s ok.  We were disappointed but not dejected.  Singapore has the right to determine who it wants to grant the PR status. They say it’s timing.  We call it, Divine Providence.

We can only plan, but the Lord has His own plans for our lives.

Deep in our hearts, we know that Philippines is still home.   This temporary.  The idea of  venturing further like  Australia, New Zealand or Canada, did not hold any appeal.   No. It’s time to go back.   We are at the juncture of our lives, when the concept of …. (gasp!)      R E T I R E M E N T  is not an alien word.

That R word, the need to be closer to our families, to ease off a little bit from corporate rat race, high cost of living, and explore what else we can do – are the main reasons why we are leaving the efficient SG system to face EDSA traffic, 20x a year typhoons, seasonal flooding, smoke-belching jeepneys, and Du30 regime head-on.

My husband is excited.  I’m anxious.  The kids are scared — but those are what adventures are made of.   When you go out of your little comfort zones –  when you allow yourself to struggle, be fearful, confused,  — that’s when we grow and discover new paths, and new things about ourselves.

I was seeking solace through quotes and here’s what I found online:

• Trust the wait.  Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible.
• A ship in a harbor is safe.  But that is not what ships are built for.
• In the end, we will only regret the chances we didn’t take.

I pray for strength and courage to face everything that lies ahead.   I pray for opportunities to grow and for good people to help us navigate these familiar yet new waters ahead.

I thank you all for being with me on this journey.

Join me in the next ?

xoxo,

Ripemango

 

Lukbanins Conquer Singapore

We have been extremely busy this week because we have families come over from the Philippines and the US. Ted and I always enjoy playing hosts to our loved-ones. It’s a blessing to have found a job here in Singapore, and we always tell our family, “samantalahin na while andito pa kami.” The best way to see a new country is having a local with you.  Needless to say, they have place to stay.  The cheapest hotel here can easily set you back to 120sgd a night. Our recent visitors are nephews and nieces, from my husband’s side,  all grown-up, with jobs and families of their own. Thet, and husband Russell, and child Nathan, from Sacramento, CA, USA. Jayzel and Jay-arr are my inaanak from their wedding, two years ago. Jhem, a niece who’s also close and sweet to me. Jay-arr and Marvin, their brothers who tagged-along. This is our nth time at the Universal  Studios.    But the kids are still excited kahit paulit-ulit na yang Transformers, etc. etc. Splashy time at the Jurassic Park ride.  Some of us were soaked but it’s all part of the fun Fireworks and explosions at the Waterworld. Singapore is an expensive city to visit.  A starbucks coffee will set you back for 5.50 SGD.  But the nice thing about Singapore, there are many places you can enjoy for Free.  Of course, the attractions can be pricey like the Universal Studios, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Flyer, Skypark at Marina Bay Sands, guided tours, etc.   But you can actually opt not get in these places and just enjoy the city.   The city itself is an attraction already. Walking around Sentosa… Shopping along Orchard and Chinatown. Eating local food and shopping like locals at Bugis.  Night Life at clarke quay… Marina Bay Sands and Merlion Park… Singapore Zoo is not to be missed … Jurong Bird Park is amazing too.  I took a two day leave to show them around. As soon as they knew how the transport system goes, they can actually do it themselves.  SG is very easy to navigate.  Part of the fun in travelling is getting lost and finding  your way back. These group are so lucky because they stayed for a week. They even crossed the border to JB, Malaysia. They also had a moment to just laze around the pool and jacuzzi, steam bath,  to rest their tired feet with all the lakwatsa. Best of all, i introduced the girls to my Indian Brow Stylist.  🙂  I think the girls will kill me for posting this.  🙂

xoxo,

Snow City in a Hot Singapore

Singapore is scorching hot these days. The average daily temperature is 31-30 degrees Celsius. It’s punishing to go outdoors like the zoos or parks, even swimming pools.  Unless one’s destination is air-conditioned places like malls, or museums.

Today is Vesak Day, a Buddhist celebration and a public holiday.  I thought of bringing the kids somewhere cooler.   Incidentally, my friend Juli from Jakarta is here with us.  So,  we decided to visit, a nearby place called  Snow City!

Snow City, is an indoor snow centre.  It’s not really new.  Located at Jurong East, the Snow City  is actually a part of the Science Centre. It’s been in Singapore since 2000.  Nothing spectacular. It’s just a place for locals to experience sub-zero temperatures, that is so strange here on this island of perennial summer.

Admission is 15 SGD for one hour of snow play, including the jackets and boots.  The  Water-proof pants, and gloves can be rented but optional. They don’t allow cameras inside, so all of these photos were done by their in-house photographers.  I didn’t get all the photos because of the cost 😦  20 SGD each but if you buy 5pcs. up, 11 SGD each.  Still pricey  😛

There’s an Ice Sculpture exhibit of Dinosaurs, which is nice,  because the kids love these pre-historic creatures.

It’s really a very small place.  Nothing much to do.  The kids love the 3-storey high and 60-meters long snow slope where they can  slide down using a rubber tube.   It’s fun but climbing back up again is an effort 🙂  They have yet to have the elevators going up.

I’m not really a fan of cold snowy weather.  After a few minutes, my fingers felt numb.  The kids are having a good time, going around the nooks and crannies.

Snow City is not really something that I would recommend for tourists.  There are so many bigger and better places to see if you have a limited stay here in Singapore.  However, for long-term residents who’s feeling the heat. It’s a good add-on visit, after going thru the Science Centre, anyway.  It’s on the same block.

’til next adventure!

xoxo,

 

 

 

 

 

My Ultimate Quest: Mandarin in 6 Months

And so again – I am embarking on my life-long quest to learn the Mandarin Language.  One of my greatest frustrations in life.  🙂

I studied Chinese from grade 1 to grade 5 in Binondo, Manila.  I kept flunking my Chinese subjects. So, I gave it all up and studied in Aroroy, Masbate, where I lived in peace away from the Hokkien and Hopia atmosphere of Ongpin.

Another time, after I first traveled to China, I again had the urge to learn Mandarin! China will be the next super power! I have to be part of Chinese world domination! So, I enrolled in a pricey language school in Makati called Languages Internationale.

My teacher was a young good-looking guy from Shanghai, whose accent debunked everything I learned in grade school. I was so confused! Besides, there’s no one to talk to at home. My husband is Pinoy, all my relatives speak Hokkien. So, I quit again.

Real photographs of the people in Amoy, Fujien province, China.

Real photographs of old Amoy, Fujien, China. My ancestors probably lived like them.

As a side note, Hokkien is the dialect of  Fujien province,  old name, “Amoy,” a very poor Chinese province nearest to the Philippines.

Chinese-Filipinos come from Amoy, and so WE speak Hokkien.  My ancestors were so poor in China that they migrated to the Philippines to seek the greener grass.

Now, it’s the other way around.

My brother Edward is in China, to help build  their buildings, bridges and  sub-terranean pipelines. 😛

My brother Edward speaks Hokkien, Cantonese and Mandarin. If he can, so can I.

Going back to the Chinese language– If you encounter any arrogant and loud Hokkien-Speaking Chinese-Filipinos in Manila or anywhere, don’t be impressed.

We all look stupid and helpless when we are Beijing, Shanghai or even Hong Kong.  (Hong Kees speak  another dialect called Cantonese). But it’s another story.

So, Here are my reasons for learning Mandarin… again.

You are never “too late or too old” to learn a new Skill.  OK.  I’m nearing 40; women are kinda sensitive about this milestone.  Some want to run a Marathon, Write a Book.  Me, I want to speak Mandarin fluently.

I want to prove to myself that I can, and I will.   Who says only young children can learn like a sponge?  If something really interests you, it’s not as hard! For one, there is no resistance in our brain.  There’s Excitement and Thrill of every new absorption.

It’s Practical.  Although one can survive SG without knowing a single Chinese word because English is spoken by everyone.  The Chinese Singaporeans, who is the majority, speak Mandarin.  There are so many opportunities to practice. From taxi drivers, the sales ladies, the uncles and aunties — they bear the brunt of my elementary Mandarin.  😛  My colleagues are also Mandarin-speaking. They are my target practice, and my impromptu teachers.

4 out of 5 in our company speaks Mandarin. (You know, who the remaining 1 is.)

It’s a good investment.  As the cliche goes, “An Investment in Knowledge always pays the best Interest.”  Let’s face it.  It’s not expensive to learn a new skill.  The cost of  enrolling in a Lesson or a Course is way, way lesser than a new bag, jewelry or vacation. But the impact a new skill on one’s life, is more permanent and lasting.

The only drawback, Learning is soo much harder than going to the mall  😛

The lady in pink, Chia Huey (Chinese-Malaysian) Lawyer and the lady in white, Lilis (Chinese-Indonesian), Accountant and Myself (Chinese-Filipino). Both of them speak fluent Mandarin, and of course, Malay and Bahasa respectively.

Learning a new language takes enormous Discipline, Courage and Humility. (You can’t be shy to make stupid mistakes!)  I have long swallowed my pride.  Now, I relish making mistakes because I get to be corrected and I learn a new way of pronouncing words.

My Singaporean friend Ivy (Admin Exec), a fellow Traveler, speaks many Chinese dialects.

Now that I am older and more mature, I realize that we need to “take charge of how we want to learn.

With all my failed Language lessons (yep, i also took Chinese, Spanish and French at the University)  I realize, I can’t learn a new language  in a classroom setting. I hated the structure and the embarrassing recitations.  I hated conjugating verbs.

Let me share with you the way I am learning Mandarin now.

• Private Tutor is more effective. I don’t need a Nanyang University – grad teacher.  Besides, they are very expensive!  I only need someone who can speak and write the language, and who has the patience to teach me.

So then, I called my kids’ Chinese tutor to set aside an extra time for me weekly.  But surprise!  She has no time to teach professionals like me.

(She probably has no patience for correcting old gnarled tongues and ears that cannot differentiate the 4  tones;  who only want to learn Chinese enough to order correctly at restaurants)  ha ha ha

So she referred her niece Jingjing, a 20-year old student at the Polytechnic. She can spend her free time teaching me Mandarin, for extra allowance.

Indeed it was allowance, because I pay her way less than what I pay my kids’ tutor.  😛

Should i be insulted?  🙂  My kids are being taught by a former Chinese professor while I am taught by a 20 year old  🙂

The flashcards are just props. They are my children’s. My lesson is more Talking than Reading.

• I set the pace.   My time, patience and budget only allow me 1 Hr. once-a-week.  Unlike my old classroom lessons; Now, I take my time.  I don’t flood my brains with too much info.  I learn a few phrases and put them into practice for the week.  The retention is better!

• I learn only the necessary.  We have a book, but I told her not to follow the module.   I want practical lessons.  So, I made my own module. 🙂  I evaluated all my daily interactions; and tailored my lessons around them.  Like, Small talks at the Office.  How to Order in Restaurants. Conversations with my children.  Talking to Taxi Drivers. Daily conversations.

• Put it to use.  What the hell am I learning everything for?  To use it, right?  So, I Speak. speak..speak at every opportunity, or even make the opportunity. I speak with the Chinese cleaners, janitors, couriers, sales ladies, grand fathers, grand mothers, waitresses, taxi drivers.  Sometimes, I even mistakenly greet Filipino waiters in Mandarin.  🙂  Eh, Mukha kang Chinese, Kuya! 

Why gave myself a 6 months deadline?  Well, it’s a goal.  Goals must have a deadline right?  Actually, I read a study somewhere that it’s really possible to learn a new language in 6 months, even less.  So, I’m banking on that study; although I bet, they must be intensive lessons, like being married to a pure Chinese.  🙂

That’s all for now… Leave you with this beautiful Chinese proverb.

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere…  学习是永远跟随主人的宝物 [學習是永遠跟隨主人的寶物] Xuéxí shì yǒngyuǎn gēnsuí zhǔrén de bǎowù]

Afternoon tea with my lovely Singaporean friend Carol, (Trainer).

xoxo,

Splashy Weekend at Resorts World, Sentosa

Over the Christmas holidays, we went to Adventure Cove in Sentosa, Island.  Adventure Cove is a big water park just beside Universal Studios.  This is our second time there, and the kids totally love the experience.  It’s been raining in the afternoons and quite cold, but that did not stop us.

The boys enjoyed the thrilling water slides, those the huge hydro-magnetic coasters.  The names are fascinating –  Pipeline Plunge, Riptide Rocket, Tidal Wash-out, Tidal Twister, Whirlpool Wash-out, Dueling Racers.  The names sounds scary but not really!   They are so much fun!

I myself had a wonderful time, because I normally don’t like boring swimming pools. I don’t know how to swim.  It’s extremely boring doing laps. But these water slides makes you want to go back again and again. It’s quick and fun!  Your adrenaline gets going!

Too bad we were not able to take great photos in the water because we left the waterproof camera at home (battery drain, as usual).   🙂

We also enjoyed just being lazy as we drift on the current, floating on a tube, in a ride called Adventure River.  The slow current will take you to 14 “themed” habitats such as a lush jungle, a cave,  and a tunnel, and around you, are the aquarium of manta rays, and dolphins.

The BlueWater Bay is the huge wave pool.  I feel so much safer for the kids because there are many safety vests available for use.

Aside from the Water Slides, they have Rainbow Reef, an artificial coral reef, (sea water) where you can go snorkeling.  They have an amazing collection of fishes.  It beats the real thing in Boracay’s Coral Island.  🙂

If you have extra cash to burn, the meet-and-greet the Manta Rays are  one-of-a-kind experience.

Entrance to the park costs 36 SGD for adults, 26 SGD for children and seniors.   Opens 10am-6pm.  Quite a fun place for those lazy Sundays.

The tickets we bought was packaged with two other attractions, the  Maritime Experiential Museum, and the S.E.A  Aquarium.   All of these 3 attractions are located at the at the Resorts World, Sentosa.

The Maritime Experiential Museum is an interesting modern museum – multi-sensory, hi-tech, and interactive.  It traces the journey of silks, and other goods from Asia to all parts of the world.

This huge Chinese galleon, is amazing; the fierce lion face moves and the eyes lit-up.  Then, it becomes an audio-visual presenter.

The galleon is slashed in the middle part — to exhibit the contents of the ships.  These are the  goods that are traded during those olden days, from jars of spices, to porcelain ceramics,  even huge animals!

It is indeed experiential and educational.  A  fun way to learn about history.  The kids can touch the exhibit, except of course the artefacts, unearthed in many parts of Singapore.  Very Life-like wax figures in colourful national costumes are also a fun way to learn about other cultures.

We missed a portion of the museum called Typhon Theatre.  It’s a 360degrees, multi-media theatre, where you board an Arabian Ship, and experience all the dangerous twists and turns, in a storm. It’s a scheduled showing and we missed a  slot (150pax capacity).  We have a reason to come back.  It sounds really exciting.

 

The final attraction for the day was the S.E.A Aquarium (SEA for Southeast Asia), the collection of marine life were the habitants of the seas in this region.  The exhibits were classified into sections called Strait of Karimata & Java Sea, Strait of Malacca and Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal and Laccadive Sea, Persian Gulf and Arabia Sea ….. and so on.

Call me jaded, but I think all these collections are found in any Ocean Park or Sea World. As a matter of fact — the other side of Sentosa has an old aquarium called Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon.  I often mistake the two.  This SEA Aquarium is part of Resorts World owned by the Genting Group, casino chain.

The biggest draw of this attraction, is the fact it holds the Guinness Book of World Record for the Biggest Aquarium Panel in the World.

My camera lens couldn’t quite capture the massive frame, but suffice to say,  there was a coffee shop and a restaurant on the second level, that houses the whole gargantuan panel.  That’s how massive it is.

Taking-photo inside is quite challenging .  We didn’t bother taking so much photos. We just feasted our eyes on those amazing creatures.

Hans’ favourite, the Hammerhead Sharks

Rania’s favourite, the Jellyfishes

Ivan’s favourite, the tiny and rare, Dragon Fish

It was a fun-filled and educational Sunday.  Going on all these trips with my children and their father is something I really treasure.  Actually, these attractions are also part of their field trip in school.  But I normally decline for the kids to join because I’d rather Ted and I bring them there, and enjoy it as a family.  The kids are growing-up fast, and with both of us working, these quality time is more necessary, so we can build lots of memories together.

’til next adventure!

With my animal print dress, I could almost pass as one of the goods during the Galleon Trade.

xoxo,

Credits for the images:

1. floraiyeo.com/marine_life_park/
2. mysingapore.com
3. thethemeparkguy.com
4. sentosa.com
5. viaggi.virgilio.it
6. rwsentosa.com/

Little Guillin

There is a small spot of oasis in my neighborhood.

One MRT-stop away is Little Gullin, behind Bukit Gombak Stadium.

It’s named after Guillin Nature Reserve in China.

It’s really just an old abandoned quarry site which was tranformed into a tiny park.

Little oasis on this concrete jungle.

Xoxo,
Ripemango

A Quick Hike at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

It’s a long weekend here due to the Hari Raya Puasa Celebration, on the 8th and the 48th National Day on the 9th, then weekend.   Today we took the chance to go hiking at Singapore’s highest point, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

It’s just a hill, really.  🙂  There are different color-coded trails to make the hike a bit challenging.

The easiest trail on “paved road”  can be climbed in less than an hour.   Even my little girl climbed it with no effort at all.

We come across a komodo dragon and several monkeys who trailed after us, probably picked-up the scent of food on our backpack.

The variety of flora allowed me to teach a few lessons on science along the trail for my curious explorers.  Aerial and Terrestrial plants, Fungi, Diptherocarp forests, Reforestration, Saving our Environment 🙂  All in one afternoon.

We reached the summit after 30minutes, and the funny thing is,  instead of a view, they have government telecommunication station 🙂

View of summit from afar, just a telecom relay station

A small landmark  marks the summit point.

A resting area is the center of the rotunda, that circles back to the trail going down.  There is no spectacular view 😦 as it is covered by thick forest.

Going down, we come across many more monkeys and their underlings.

It’s a fun leisurely hike for the family.  Plenty of learning opportunities for the children.

There is another park beside Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which will probably our agenda next time.  An old quarrying site now turned into a a nature reserve called Hindehide Nature Park.

’til next adventure!

xoxo,

Daily Life … an Adventure!

It’s been awhile since I sat down and made some entries here.

The problem with me, I always like Monumental write-ups!  And lately, there hasn’t been anything monumental happening in Sweet Life in Singapore.   🙂

Life has settled into a routine.  Not that I’m complaining.  I love the structure and predictability of everyday routines.  If I desire some daily sizzle, the volatility of Philippine Stock Index gives enough jolt.

Work-Kids Homework-Sunday Church-Movie.   My daily grind makes me better appreciate the occasional visit from friends abroad and get-togethers and anticipate long overdue vacations.

Holiday planning  is a thrill in itself!  Lately, my mind has been drifting-off near and far places to tick-off my bucket list.  As of this writing, I’m planning a small party for my husband and his Pinoy colleagues.

My former teacher Madam Y visited Sg with her husband, and I organized a get together among former schoolmates.

afternoon tea at home with my good friend Shel

What I’m saying here is,  and probably convincing myself, too… Daily Life is an Adventure in itself!  Memories from a trip to Europe VS. memories of our children baking cookies  gives an equal high.

We just moved house, and that in itself, is another worthwhile entry, that I wanted to write about soon.  Housing is very, very expensive here in Singapore. People move-in and move-out a lot.  Rental of flats eats about 25% of one’s monthly take-home pay.   😦

We moved to a flat closer to the kids’ school and cheaper than the old one.  There is no shame in downgrading!  I’m proud of the fact that we can live for less yet enjoy life more.  Happiness, after all, is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have.

Work is nothing monumental, as well.  I’m very thankful that I have a part-time job doing my favorite thing– writing.  I’d like very much to pursue a full-blown career, but at this point, I cannot afford the stress and time-away from the growing children.  So, that part of career-driven mode of my personality, is on stand-by.  Soon!

Finally, the question my friends probably wants to know — deactivating my  Facebook account.   With  my flair for words and drama, my reasons for my FB Sabbatical can take 5 scroll-down long…. but for now, let me put it in One sentence …  I just need a Break from it all.

Sometimes, I  peek  and check friends’ updates through my husband’s account, but lately he threatened to change his password, so I’ve stayed out.

Definitely, I plan to be back on Facebook.  Of course, I  hope my friends haven’t Unfriended me.  But then again, if they had, perhaps we weren’t even Friends to begin with.  😉   Reals Friends can sustain the relationship even without Facebook.  Thank you for those friends who understands.

I’m just here, doing the same things, just on a more private-mode.

’til next adventure!

xoxo,

Ripemango

Caught in the Haze

As of this writing, the PSI is at 290; the unhealthy range starts at 110. The Psi is the

A Stroll at the Gardens by the Bay

I finally had a chance to  explore (more intensively) the new attraction in town, Gardens by the Bay.   It opened June of last year.   My kids, with my sister-in-law,  visited the place earlier than I did.  My hub and I attempted to go with the kids, but we got tired walking from the huge Marina Bay Sands Shoppes.  We just manage a few sections pass the entrance.  Nakakapagod! Next time na lang, kaya? 🙂  Ok. Let’s go home!

Behind the massive ship-on-stilts Marina Bay Sands lies the seemingly dragon-like conservatories of Gardens by the Bay

Massive structures called Super Trees gives the gardens an out-of-this world feel.

If you live here, you tend to be complacent on seeing the new sights.   You always wait for the time, when the tourists and local crowd are done with.  But each time I have a visitor, I am compelled or shall I say,  the visiting friends give me an excuse to see these places,  now na!  Otherwise, I procrastinate 🙂

My lovely companion for this afternoon stroll was my former boss and friend Carmela.  She’s been to Singapore several times but hasn’t seen the gardens yet.  So, the experience was new for both us!  Chilling out in the outdoor gardens is Free, but if you want to visit the conservatories, the fee is 28 SGD; and if you want to try the canopy walk from one super tree to another, it’s an additional 5 SGD.

Let me share some of our photos in the outdoor garden last time we attempted to go.

Unlike Melbourne or Sydney with their cool weather and gorgeous outdoor gardens,  Singapore has an extremely hot weather.  Most flowers do not grow well.   Thus, the outdoor attractions here are mostly rare trees and man-made installations.  It’s hot to go around!  Load up on sunblock and bring  a hat!  Better to go in the late afternoons like 4PM.  Anyway, sunset comes late, around 730PM.

On our visit, Carmela and I focused on the two conservatories.  The beautiful structures are actually climate-controlled glasshouses containing various plant species all over the world.  It also showcases the best in sustainable building technologies.

Bottom line for us ladies, the cool environment is a welcome respite from the hot weather outside.

The taller dome on the left is called The Cloud Forest; while the lower dome on the right is called the Flower Dome.

The Flower Dome claims to be  the World’s Largest Column-less Glasshouse.

The temperature inside replicates a mild, dry climate and features plants found in the Mediterranean and other semi-arid tropical regions.

We are not floral-enthusiasts so I will not even attempt to name drop different species. 🙂  They have flowers from Australia, South Africa, South America, California and Mediterranean regions.

If you’ve been to countries like The Netherlands, Switzerland or Australia; these flowers and trees might not be outstanding to your standards.  But I guess, the biggest feat here, is Growing them here on this equatorial country whose daily temperate runs from 34-37 degrees Celsius.  Plus, it’s sustainable and they use solar power and renewable sources of energy!

The other dome is called the Cloud Forest.  The ambience replicates the cool moist conditions found in tropical mountain regions. Being in the Cloud Forest, feels like being in the mountains of South-East Asia, Middle- and South America.  It’s cold, and moist.

They even have a man-made waterfall !!

Climbing the elevated pathway,  you feel like you are literally climbing a rainforest, with slight cold mist,  and the view outside is quite spectacular, as well..  like you’re in the clouds!

 

The plant varieties gets weirder and weirder.  Pity, I didn’t bring my DSLR, thus,  my photos aren’t that high resolution.  😦   In any case, just visit!  It’s better to see them for yourselves!

No visit to the Gardens by the Bay would be complete without marveling at the enormous Supertrees. They are ginormous and dominates the skyline.  There are 12 of them with heights from 82- 160 feet.  They are actually Vertical Gardens.

Unique and exotic ferns, vines, orchids, including a vast collection of exotic bromeliads, grow on the sides of the SuperTrees.   These structures are fitted with environmental technologies that mimic the ecological function of trees.  They use solar power  and collects water to irrigate the plants.  How cool is that?!

For the brave souls, there is a Canopy Walk, to experience walking among the clouds, and darting in-between the huge trees with.  Needless to say, the view is simply amazing.  Definitely not for the acrophobics!

Personally,  I prefer to bring my guest,   at the top of the Tallest SuperTree and toasts to a great visit, with a chilled glass of  white Wine !!   Or if it’s too early for alcohol,  Bubbly Juices will do!

 

xoxo,

Ripemango