Gardens by the Bay - Singapore
What is It - Singapore embarked on a comprehensive plan over dozen years ago to transform itself into a safe and friendly entertainment destination for visitors from around the world. The country committed billions of dollars in government funding and private capital to build just about every kind of attraction you can think of along the principal waterways using distinctive, modern architecture. The 6 mile stretch around Marina Bay to Sentosa Island now features five-star resorts, gaming facilities, museums, sports facilities, amusement parks, artistic creations, performing arts venues, luxury malls, historic monuments, water transportation. Many people believe that the crown jewel of the City’s waterfront is the special gardens known as the Gardens by the Bay.
Gardens by the Bay is a great place to see nature. These 250 acres are within walking distance of the downtown area. If you look out towards the Straits of Singapore from the observation deck of Marina Bay Sands Resort or from the downtown business district, you will see below two huge, futuristic domes, a series of connected lakes, tree-lined walkways and some 16-story vertical leafy structures known as Supertrees. The gardens beneath look like someone combined the movie set used from Avatar with the movie set from the 1970’s science fiction movie Logan's Run.
These huge dome structures are environmental conservatories. One structure known as the flower dome, contains flowers and plants from Mediterranean climates and is kept at a cool 72°, while the other structure known as the cloud forest creates the mist-filled environment of a tropical rainforest. It even contains an indoor waterfall.
The 15 Supertrees are probably the most popular attraction in the garden. Constructed of both steel and natural foliage, the Supertrees serve the environment since they have been designed to connect rainwater, produce solar power, and act as vents for the nearby domed gardens. These towering structures rise 500 ft into the air and are connected by a walkway which you can reach by an elevator for small feet. You can then use the walkways to view the entire garden complex and get a cool breeze.
The final section of the gardens includes other unique pavilions for outdoor observation. There is a sun pavilion with desert plants and species from all over the world, and an area known as the canyon which is a large collection of sculptured rocks created by a renowned Chinese landscape architect and displayed along a walking trail.
Interesting Facts - Many of the modern marvels built on Marina Bay were constructed on land reclaimed from the sea or on filled in portions of the colonial waterfront. While finance and entertainment have emerged as major features of the Singapore economy, the location of the city at a critical juncture between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea means that Singapore's traditional role as a shipping port and trading center remains important too. At most times, dozens or even hundreds of freighters and tankers are visible offshore waiting their turn to load, unload, or hang around for better shipping opportunities.
How to Get Here - Singapore has emerged as a key hub for business and for travel and is expected to supplant Hong Kong in coming years as the Asian headquarters for many companies. The Changi airport continues to expand and serves as the home base of respected Singapore Air. This airport has interesting features such as a movie theater, swimming pool and hotels within the concourses that place it at the top of the list on many airport surveys. Since the city is located approximately 19 flying hours from the United States whether you head west across the Pacific or east through Europe, getting there requires some planning. Singapore Air sometimes runs a direct flight from the West Coast, but most people transit through Hong Kong or Dubai or other European hubs. Once in town, it is easy to get a shuttle or taxi to the hotels surrounding Marina Bay and walk to the gardens.
When to Go - Singapore is known for its humidity so it is often useful to give yourself a day to decompress from travel and the draining weather. The old expression “it is not the heat it's the humidity” comes true at this destination. With a tropical climate, rain showers come and go all year long but rarely interfere with outings and adventures. Downpours are most likely to occur during the months of January and February.