Daddy always thought squealing in delight was confined only to little girls. Well, apparently not then.
But as Daddy would most probably admit - the cool environment within the Dome was a welcome change indeed! No surprises then, that we monkies were quite content to stay - pardon the pun - rooted inside.
As you would have probably read in Daddy's previous post when he was down with Mummy at the Flower Dome last Saturday, this Cooled Conservatory replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean regions like South Africa, California and parts of Spain and Italy. So what this means is that it is the world of perpetual spring now, where unique plants bloom in an ever changing display of flowers!
Perhaps we are too young currently, so we couldn't truly appreciate the vast nature of the amount of plant species in the Flower Dome like how Mummy did. But what we did like was the giant iPad-like screens, which educated us about deforestation, over-farming and other harmful acts that we humans inflict on the Earth.
The next Cooled Conservatory, Cloud Forest, blew both di-di's and my minds away though.
It definitely felt much colder than when we were inside the Flower Dome. And we loved it!
In fact, we were so deeply enthralled in the towering 35-metre tall indoor waterfall that we wanted to scale it immediately.
We had to take a lift to Level 6, which was the Lost World at the top of the mountain. And from there, we would descend through 2 walkways - the Cloud Walk and Tree Top Walk.
Before we left the car in the morning, Daddy had asked if we thought we would need our windbreakers. Di-di & I valiantly said no. But Daddy reckoned he had better just bring along one windbreaker.
Just in case.
Erm, you know what they say... Daddy knows best.
If I can just defend myself, it was really cold right up at the mountain top! And it continued to be so as we started our descent via the Cloud Walk.
Midway through our journey, look who was the one who couldn't stand the cold as well and ripped the windbreaker from me.
So yes, the both of us took turns to share the windbreaker to the amusement of Daddy.
But don't fault us - we were 2000 metres above sea level!
But the cold became much more bearable as we made our way down the mountain. And by the time we reached the Tree Top Walk, we had no use for that solitary windbreaker anymore.
What else can we say about the Cloud Forest? We simply loved it! We say if you are bringing along kids and contemplating on whether to go for either the Flower Dome or Cloud Forest, choose the latter. All kids would love the misty cold mountain!
An added feature we liked was the +5 Degrees video show.
It's a film show which visualizes of what would happen if the global land surface temperature warmed up by 5 degrees. Very very sobering video.
And with that, we came to the end of our Gardens by the Bay tour. But not without declaring immediately that we would want to return again soon... with mei-mei the next time!
Now, all that is left for us is to catch the spectacular OCBC Light & Sound Show, happening at the Supertree Grove at 7.45pm & 8.45pm every night. This show is the signature nightly display of magical lights and music amid the giant Supertrees, and it's free for everyone!
And as part of the ongoing Opening Celebrations, there are still tons of activities for KIDS happening this weekend at Gardens by the Bay!
6 July: The Story Garden
6-6.30pm; Indian Gardens; Free Admission
Listen to a host of stories in the company of wise trees and be transported into another world!
6 July: The Analog Girl LIVE!
8-8.45pm & 9-9.45pm; Supertree Grove; Free Admission
Enjoy an evening of dreamy soundscapes by artists from Musicity Singapore including Analog Girl.
7 July: Singapore Garden Run (with Youth Concert)
5-7.30pm; The Meadow; Free Admission
Enjoy a full day of exciting activities that include a race, performances by youth bands and a flash mob.
7-8 July: Ring Around the Roses
10am - 5pm; Silver Garden; Free Admission
Kids, parents and the young at heart can revel in a day of carnival-like atmosphere, crafts and performances by Cake Theatrical Productions.
8 July: Swing! in the Gardens!
5-5.45pm; Supertree Grove; Free Admission
Come enjoy an evening of lively dances and join in the fun!
8 July: Symphony of Life
7.30-8pm & 9-9.30pm; Supertree Grove; Free Admission
With larger-than-life costumes and sound, this surround-sound sculpture-cum-musical display showcases the Gardens’ unique design and structure.
*All photos in this post were taken with a SONY Alpha a57 DSLR camera, courtesy of SONY SINGAPORE.*
Useful Information about Gardens by the Bay
Opening Hours:
Bay South Garden is open from 5AM to 2AM daily. Opening hours for the Cooled Conservatories and OCBC Skyway is from 9AM to 9PM daily.
Admission Charges:
Access to the outdoor gardens in Bay South is free.
Admission to the Cooled Conservatories (Flower Dome & Cloud Forest) and the OCBC Skyway are chargeable. For a full listing of the admission charges, please CLICK HERE.
*An additional 10% discount on admission rates to the cooled conservatories applies for holders of PAssion Card, NTUC Plus! Card, SAFRA Card and Home Team NS Card.
Getting there:
By MRT/Bus:
Via the Circle Line:
Alight at Bayfront MRT Station (CE1). Take exit B and follow the underground linkway. Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge into Gardens by the Bay.
Via the North-South Line:
Alight at Marina Bay MRT (NS27/CE2) station. Take exit A and hop onto bus service 400. Alight 4 stops later at the bus stop along Marina Gardens Drive.
Walking from Marina Bay:
From the Helix Bridge towards the Art Science Museum, follow the footpath which leads under the ECP, that will bring you directly into Bay South Garden along the waterfront.
From Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, walk across the Lions Bridge on Level 4 which connects to the Dragonfly Bridge into Bay South Garden.
Driving:
From ECP take exit 17 (towards Changi Airport) or 17A (towards City). Travel onto Marina Boulevard and turn left onto Marina Gardens Drive. There are 2 car parks available at the Gardens – a basement at the Visitor Centre and an outdoor one at The Meadows.
For more information, visit http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html
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