We recently visited the Singapore Botanical Gardens which is in walking distance from our condominium. It opens at 5:00am and closes at midnight everyday with free admission. There is a large pond near the entrance with a magnificent statue of geese in flight. We noticed koi and other large fish swimming in the pond. It was a little mucky, but we could easily see the fish in there.
Since the gardens are so large, we chose to walk through part of it one day and will return another day to see the rest. There are many varieties of tropical trees, plants and flowers. I know the plants thrive in this hot and sticky, humid weather, but it takes a little getting used to for Kevin and I. Even though we moved here from Greenville during the summer, Singapore's heat and humidity is just more intense.
We decided to go through the Orchid Gardens, which a separate fee is paid to get in. It is part of the Botanical Gardens. Just before entering, we watched two Asian women doing Tai Chi with swords under a large tree providing dense shade. The shade was definitely needed since they were wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts. Completely opposite, was of a group of nearby women doing Yoga wearing tank tops and shorts in the outdoor amphitheatre.All five senses are tantalized while strolling through the orchid gardens. The scent of sweet Jasmine, orchids and other plants are purely intoxicating. You can even catch drifting aromas from nearby restaurants in the gardens. Depending on the time of year, different flowering plants show off their magnificent glory. We looked at many colorful plants, such as heliconia and phalaenopsis, that were dotted throughout the meticulously landscaped garden.
We were quickly lured to the heavenly sounds of the waterfalls and fountains. I wanted to linger around them all day because they made me feel like I was on a secluded island. Well, Singapore is an island, but definitely not secluded.
Just before we were about to pass out from heat stroke, we spotted the cool house. This large, glass enclosed greenhouse was filled with trees and rocks covered in spectacular orchids and carnivorous plants. The cool air and drifting mist provides a very realistic representation of high elevation sites in the tropics. We were walking near a small tour group and the tour guide was cautioning everyone to stay away from an overhang where a poisonous snake was lurking. Of course everyone walked up to it get a closer look. One guy decided to shake the branch that the snake was on to antagonize it or drop it on someone maybe. Who knows. Not real smart.
This mossy guy is the unofficial gatekeeper of the gardens. I liked him because he looks like he came out of an Indiana Jones movie. (I'm talking about the stone statue, not my hubby sitting on the stone).
