We actually started the day with a concrete plan and destination today – to check out "Gardens by the Bay". We had heard and read some pretty interesting things and all pointed out to this being one of “the” attractions in Singapore.

One of the coolest things about seeing the sights using subways is when we “pop” out of the stations, we have been met by some pretty amazing sights! Today the subway line closest to our hotel took us almost right to the Bayfront/Marina area . When we “popped out” we saw the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel – the one with three towers and the almost 500 foot (152 metre) infinity pool spanning the top of all three towers – from the ground it looked a bit like a bullet train sitting on top of the hotel…..but maybe that's just because we had just seen the Bullet Train not that long ago! J The hotel, which has over 2500 rooms (and the world’s largest atrium casino) connects with the Gardens adding to the content of pictures by the many, many tourists today. (Yes, this resort hotel was built by Las Vegas Sands). We could also see the “Singapore Flyer”, one of the world’s largest ferris (observation) wheels, standing at 541 feet (165 m) high, in the adjacent Marina Bay.

Gardens by the Bay is 250 acres (101 hectares) of reclaimed land showcasing a diverse range of plants from all over the world – it does this in a pretty spectacular fashion! Opened only a couple of years ago, it was part of the plan for Singapore to not only be the “Garden City” but to be a city in a garden . Its landscape is covered in green with 3 things popping out – 2 conservatories, the “Flower Dome” and “Cloud Forest” dome and the “Supertrees”. We realized a small glitch in our day after arriving – we forgot to put the memory card back into the camera after downloading yesterday’s pictures so we were only working with Eve’s Blackberry for a camera – the capacity was not near what we would have liked, as every where we looked there was another very cool sight which should have a picture! Sadly we had to restrain ourselves with the picture taking today!

The entire outdoor Gardens is free admission, except there is a charge to view the two conservatories and to check out the OCBC Skyway (more on that in a bit). It was about $28 for each of us to see both conservatories and $5. for the Skyway – well worth the price. Today was again hot and very humid, but it was also a very hazy day. In Singapore they have “PSI” or Pollution Standards Index. Moderate air quality reading is 51 – 100 . When we left the hotel this morning, it was 75, when we returned this evening, it was 103. It wasn’t a great thing, but it did help to keep the sun off us today.

A few minutes after we arrived and were looking around in awe from the first “bridge” overlooking the Gardens, a gentleman commented on Greg’s “Canada” shirt. It turns out he lives in Edmonton. We had a short chat and gave him the latest CFL and Toronto Blue Jays news, which we checked on before leaving the hotel this morning. Small world!

We checked out the Flower Dome first. This year the Guinness World Records folks recognized the Flower Dome as the world’s largest glass greenhouse. It is 3 acres and 125 feet (38 m) high – There are no interior columns to support the structure. It features plants and flowers from cool-dry Mediterranean and subtropical regions. Coming out of the hot, humid outdoors, this place was surprisingly nice and cool! Though in one big open area, the displays were on several levels . Some items you couldn’t see or notice until you were on a different level looking over. The vegetation was very interesting – showcasing some unusual cacti, flowers, trees and plants. We saw some ferns and snake type plants we have at home, only they were now HUGE! Some ferns were over 5 feet high! We saw a variety of palm trees, including one variety that produced a flat fan.  In among the vegetation are some awesome intricate wood carvings and sculptures of various materials as well as lanterns.  Currently, the Flower Dome is featuring the “Celebration of Chrysanthemums”, showcasing numerous varieties of Chrysanthemums, which made the place smell fabulous! The colours looked incredible, especially against the background of green.  

Connected by the vast gift shop, we checked out the “smaller”, at a mere 2 acres, “Cloud Forest” dome next. When we waked in we were at the base of a man-made mountain top’s roaring 115 foot (35 m) waterfall, the world’s largest indoor waterfall . The “Cloud Forest” showcases vegetation and conditions found in tropical mountain regions, at cloud level or under vegetation canopies on the sides of the “mountain”. The mountain went up about 6 floors with several lookouts from inside the “mountain” and a walkway which swung outside the mountain, a bit freaky for Eve. The mountain is “misted” every two hours.  On the way out at the main level, there were a couple of informative presentations on ecology, protecting the planet and the changes on earth if the temperature goes up 5 more degrees. Very eye-opening. The Gardens incorporate many items in their design to lessen their environmental footprint – it collects rain water off its structures, collects solar power to use in the park and of course the effect of all the plants puts oxygen in the air.

Towering over all the trees and vegetation are the “Supertrees”. There is a grove of 12 Supertrees in the middle of the gardens which look very intriguing. There are an additional 6 trees in 2 other locations on the grounds . Easiest way to describe these is to say they are vertical man made “trees”. They range from 82 – 160 feet (25 – 49 metres) tall. They have vegetation installed up the sides of their trunks. We took a walk on the OCBC Skyway, which is a 420 ft (128 m) walkway 72 feet (22 m) connecting two of the Supertrees – hung off the ground on suspension cables, again, a little unnerving for Eve, as you could feel the walkway subtley sway and bounce with everyone’s steps. At night, the trees come to life with a spectacular light and sound show, not to be missed!

There were also other great attractions and sights throughout the park (afterall it is 250 acres!), such as the Children’s Garden – a place with a very cool waterpark with dancing waters and moving parts, which was thoroughly being enjoyed today, as well as other special sights and activities for the many children in attendance.   There was also various other garden showcases, such as the Chinese Gardens, Indian Garden and World of Plants . There was huge section called the meadow – commonly known as a “field” at home! They use this area for sports and concerts as well as other events.

When we visited today, the park had numerous “lanterns” in numerous locations all over their grounds and on the waterway. Especially notable were the decorations on the bridge leading into the Gardens, the walkway from the Children’s area, the 12 Chinese astrology figures celebrating Singapore’s 50^th anniversary, the Arabian street scene and the huge Chinese building and 3 dragon boats on the water. By day, they just look like very cool structures or displays or decorations, but at night, they all light up and look spectacular, lighting up the park with their brilliant colours. The park is huge and has many, many vantage points for the thousands of pictures taken by all the thousands of visitors today. We all looked like tourists with our cameras out! We also now realize why selfie sticks are banned in a lot of places!

The other highlight this evening was we got to see the “Super Moon”, also known as the “blood” or “red” moon – the closest full moon will be to earth this year . With all the haze today we thought we might not see it, but lucked out! Though it was hazy and still small in the sky, we did manage to get it into a few of our pictures.

After being at the Gardens by the Bay for about 8 hours – it was time to find supper and home. We walked through the entire Gardens, so we must have walked through most of the 250 acres!

Next to the subway station by our hotel, though surrounded by medical facilities, there is a large mall. One of the subway entrances is through “Novena Square” Mall. Shops open at about 1030 am and close at about 9 pm. The 3 times we have been in the mall so far is to catch the subway to and from our hotel. Tonight we thought we would try for supper there. We opted for supper at “Fish & Co”. Eve had the New York style fish and chips. Greg had the Swordfish. This restaurant serves its meals in stainless steel skillets. Eve’s came on an 8 in skillet, Greg’s on a very loaded 12 inch skillet!

Let us just take a moment to say we have checked out some of the fast food places we have seen while being in Asia . We ate at the McDonald’s in Japan (breakfast and snack another day – we were on a mission for someone at home). The menu was the same as the ones at home, except there are a few “local” specialty items, such as the Teriyaki burger. We noticed the prices were virtually the same or a little lower than home. Tonight, Greg peeked in at Burger King and noticed the same, and KFC was a little pricier than at home.

We did consider “Kenny Rogers Roasters” tonight but found it overpriced – now in fairness, we have never eaten at a “Kenny Rogers Roasters” before, but we thought $18 for the ¼ chicken dinner and $80 for the rotisserie chicken dinner, was a bit much.

Japan was much more economical for eating out and for most other items we have come across. Coffee is very expensive here and is served in much smaller cups than the variety of teas. Liquor is also much more expensive here. The beers Greg was buying from the “7-11s” in Japan were $1 - $2 less. Bottles of pop were also cheaper in Japan (about $1.10- $1.40), here over $2 each. Today in the 7-11, Coke was $2.50 but Coke Zero, Vanilla Coke and Diet or “Light” Coke ranged in price from $2.70 to $2.80 each. 7-up was $2.50 but Sprite was $2.70. All were the same size  – just thought that was so weird!

We did find a grocery store in the mall tonight – of course after our 7-11 stop. Though it was in a mall, we still think the prices were probably indicative of Singapore – 2L milk $5.95, Kraft Shredded Cheddar 250g $10.55, 250g butter $5.15 and Beef Striploin $5.09 per 100 grams – which translates to $50.90 per kilogram or about $24.00 per pound. Makes us appreciate home!

We caught the last hotel shuttle from the MRT/mall stop – time to gear up for day 3 in Singapore tomorrow!

You also may notice the block being written in first person, and third person by both of us, may be a little confusing, but Eve and I take turns, and seem to get the most information out there.