Singapore 2014 : Gardens by the Bay - Christmas Wonderland

I didn't do Singapore justice if I don't write about the beautiful Gardens by the Bay. The idea of this garden smacked in the center of Singapore was conceived as early as 2006 and was finally open to public in 2011. This is my third visit to the beautiful gardens and it has once again left me dumbfounded with awe.

Christmas Wonderland was the theme for last year's "winter" edition of the gardens. The flower exhibits change every quarter if I'm not wrong. I've visited during Halloween and Spring and to be back for Winter brings yet another wonderful experience. 

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... Teddy bears ready to rock this Christmas! 

What's a garden without the beautiful flowers? 

These are at the Flower Dome, one of the two gardens which require an entrance fee. 

 Beautiful exhibits from the Flower Field! Do you want to build a snowman?

Flower Dome houses plants from the Mediterranean, sub- and semi-tropical regions. You'll be greeted by Australian, South African, South American, Californian, Mediterranean plants, olives and baobabs in this beautiful dome.

Meters-high cactus will also be there to greet you.  

If you've purchased a two-domes entrance ticket, you can also visit the Cloud Forest and behold the great Falls. This 35-meter man-made waterfall will leave you in awe for sure! 

Then take a leisure walk around the forest and get to know some really beautiful plants from the Tropical Montane regions. 

There's also a side for Crystal Mountains to educate people about the various stones. In addition, there is an Earth Check lab for adults and young to learn more from the staggering figures and facts pertaining to the condition of our beloved planet today and the repercussion of climate change and habitat loss to our ecosystem. Continuing on the line of education, visitors will also get to visit the +5c lab to have a visual experience on the impact of rising temperature on planet Earth. I particularly enjoy this virtual experience which will leave imprint in our hearts to do our part for our planet. 

 

What's visiting a touristy place without a souvenir shop? Get some locally crafted gifts for family and friends if you're here for a visit. 

Apart from the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome, visitors could also visit the Heritage Gardens. This part of the gardens is free to visitors. It is divided into Indian, Chinese, Malay and Colonial gardens. 

Last but not least, the Supertree groves! In total, there are about 18 of them and some can be as tall as 16-storey high. Up to 11 of these trees are embedded with environmentally sustainable features, which you can learn more before you exit the +5c lab. At night, you will also be entertained with lights performance accompanied by music, similar to the ones you see in Hong Kong Harbour.

And what's Christmas if there's no snowman? Photo props were put up around the garden for all visitors to fully utilise.  

Finally, a photo from the lookout area to capture a part of this wonderful creation in Singapore. My photo does not do it justice so if you're in town, do go for a visit.

And just a tip, you could get a better deal if you purchase your entrance tickets via online shopping apps such as Qoo10. There are travel agents who sell their tickets on such platforms and the price differences can be up to 20%!