BACKGROUND OF SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDEN
Sick of having the air from the air-conditioner blowing onto your face ? Tired of having to squeeze with other people in shopping malls ? Then why not head down to Singapore Botanic Gardens to have a breath-taking experience with your family by taking a stroll in the shade of the forest giants some 50m high and accompanied by the screeching serenades of cicadas!
Located near the city centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens is easily accessible via Orchard Road making the visit relatively relaxing for both the casual strollers and the plants enthusiasts. The tour around The Gardens is about 1.5 hours. The central location of the place and easy trails make the rainforest walk ideal for families and senior citizens.
AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE
Although we planned to visit only the Singapore Botantic Gardens, we realised that there was such a thing as Orchid Gardens! I know that the title of the place do not sound remotely enticing but when my group went nearer to the signage, we saw "no charges for students", so of course, like any respecting Singaporeans, who never miss out on free opportunities, we went in!
Hmm, being "blown away" is definitely an understatement. It is nothing like we imagined. The flowers there are BREATH TAKING!!! Of course there are some flowers there that are pretty common like, purple orchids. In the pictures provided, you will see many, many more beautiful pictures and just to highlight, the pictures are authentic! All taken by us, so look away~!
When you stroll in the gardens, you will see beautiful flowers at the side of the paths. It is so alluring that you have to take pictures of them. In fact, at one point of time, we actually got a little tired and peeved because we can't walk smoothly without having to stop and take pictures constantly! A picture we clearly remembered are the different colours of orchids in the same bush and it looks like lovely gumballs perched on sticks!
There were about 4 greenhouses in the garden and the most memorable one that is imprinted clearly on our heads is the air-conditioned greenhouse. At first, we thought it was an insect cage because it did looked the same. However, we are glad we risked it and entered the greenhouse, because when we did, we were blown away. Some of the flowers were fine but we actually saw the fly-eating plant! Anyway, the focus point of the greenhouse for us was the waterfall! Even though the waterfall is not gigantic, its really pretty and it calms and soothes your souls. This is a must visit when you're in the Orchid Garden.
Other than the National Orchid Garden, there are also themed gardens like the Evolution Garden, Ginger Garden and Palm Valley.
Currently, the food court in Singapore Botanic Gardens is undergoing a renovation, therefore, it is important for visitors who decide to go there for a long stroll to bring their own snacks. BUT for visitors without their own food, NO WORRIES!, there's one kisok right outside the National Orchid Garden.
Other things to bring are drinking water, umbrella if you don't want to be a drenched chicken if it starts pouring or a baked chicken if the sun is too glaring, and most importantly INSECT REPELLANT to be mosquitoe-free throughout the whole journey.
So, come down now to Singapore Botanic Garden now to experience the educational and relaxing style of the place!
For more information on operating hours, admission fees and transportation, please visit : Singapore Botanic Gardens OR Ulusingapore
References: Ulusingapore, Singapore Botanic Gardens
