After Fairy Tales & Nursery Rhymes, comes Singapore Stories at Gardens by the Bay

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We've had story-telling with an Asian flavour, fairy tales coming alive, nursery rhymes linking up seamlessly and now, it is turn of Singapore to tell her stories.

The fourth of six chapters in Gardens by the Bay's storytelling journey in 2015, "From Tales to Legends: Discover Singapore Stories" Floral Display in the Flower Dome will see 10 colourful characters of local legends brought to life with the help of more than 8,000 orchids and plants in the floral display.

The journey begins right at the entrance of Flower Dome, with the depiction of a now-familiar story of Sang Nila Utama and how Singapura got her name.

Instead of heading down straight to the main Flower Field, I recommend taking a stroll through the Flower Dome, thanks to these wooden sculptures scattered throughout the Dome.

The display also pays tribute to the unsung heroes who had toiled to build Singapore to what it is today. People like the coolies, Samsui women, amahs, and night soil carriers. And do look out for the giant cardboard panels too, which depict nostalgic scenes of yesteryears.

These nostalgic elements are inspired by paper tale, the art of making 3-dimensional images from flat prints.

Oh, and make sure you find the kacang puteh seller too!

But the displays that truly intrigued the monkies, in particular the boys, were the many tales and legends of behind the various places in Singapore.

Information panels accompanied each Singapore story and this was actually one of the rare moments that the boys dutifully stopped at each panel to read the story behind each Singapore's location - places like Tanjong Pagar, Redhill, Sisters’ Island, Pulau Ubin, Kusu Island, Bukit Timah and Radin Mas – as told through the language of plants.

Along the way, soak in the floral display of amazing orchid and other plants that dot the Flower Field too. Let the kids have some fun in hunting, identifying and ticking off the various orchid species by picking up a free copy of the Garden Trail map (while stocks last) at the ticketing counter!

Of course, the centrepiece of the Singapore Stories display has got to be this.

The mythical and majestic Merlion, who battles a 10-metre-high “wave” clad in 1,000 orchids - a structure created from the intertwining roots of fig trees - and saves a fishing village from nature’s wrath in the process!

The stories may or may not be true but it did result in the monkies wanting to know more about Singapore and coming from displays of fairy tales and nursery rhymes, I thought it was an extremely refreshing change to focus on local folklore.

Oh, and if you are there during the Jubilee weekend between 6 and 10 August, you must NEVER miss the SG50 special of Garden Rhapsody light and sound show at the Supertree Grove!

Happening at 7.45pm, 8.30pm, 9.15pm and 10pm, laser imagery will be used on the Supertrees in the SG50 edition for the first time. The Supertrees will light up with accompanying music - all nostalgic favourites from yesteryear like Singapore Town, Count On Me Singapore, and of course the perennial favourite, Home. 

Here's a short video preview:

Goosebumps, just goosebumps. That's what the special #SG50 Garden Rhapsody at Supertree Grove, #GardensbytheBay gave me. It's all free, happens from 6 to 10 Aug, at 7.45pm, 8.30pm, 9.15pm & 10pm and there's no reason not to catch it!

A video posted by Kelvin Ang (@cheekiemonkies) on Jul 31, 2015 at 5:41am PDT

Yup, I sure did get goosebumps throughout the show. The 12-minute light and sound spectacular was that amazing and I highly recommend it. Best of all, it is FREE for everyone to enjoy!

Looks like our grand 50th birthday celebrations is shaping up nicely with loads of fun activities for one and all!


Useful Information

"From Tales to Legends: Discover Singapore Stories" Floral Display
Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Now until 13 September 2015
Opening Hours: 9am - 9pm
Admission Charges apply. For more information, visit HERE.
Website HERE.

Garden Rhapsody (SG50 Special)
Supertree Grove
6 - 10 Aug 2015 | 7.45pm, 8.30pm, 9.15pm and 10pm
FREE

Fireworks & Black Knights Aerial Display
1 & 9 Aug 2015
Aerial Display: 6.10pm - 7.05pm | Fireworks: 7.30pm - 8.20pm
FREE

Mass Dance
Supertree Grove
8 Aug 2015 | 6.30pm
Looking for something unique and fun to do this National Day eve? Head to Gardens by the Bay for a delightful dance performance set to your favourite Singapore tunes! FREE for all.

Promotions

Jubilee Weekend Promotion for Local Residents
Local residents enjoy 50% off tickets to Conservatories during the Jubilee Weekend from 7 to 10 August 2015.

SG50 Special - Free Admission for Seniors
In celebration of SG50, local seniors (aged 60 and above) can enjoy free entry into two conservatories. Accompanying caregivers of seniors can also enjoy 50% discount into two conservatories. Valid from 1 June to 31 August 2015.