Thoughts on Air

A Walk to Remember – Gardens By The Bay July 11, 2012

The very idea to start the Gardens By The Bay is not only a novel one, but also a very noble one.  This very idea of having a garden is so that both the rich or poor can share a common space.  Thus, it created a “sense of equalness” in the society.  I was particularly touched to learn of this because our leaders in the past is able to create such a great vision such that generations after him will benefit from his years of interests in plant.  Do you know that Mr Lee has sent many botanical research teams to around the world in search of more than 8000 varieties of plants, of which 2000 were successfully transplanted here which adds to the diversity of the parks in Singapore.  I wish our leaders of today have such vision as our leaders in the past, who not only built great infrastructure, affordable public housing and good medical care system in the country that is nothing short of what a first world nation is.

The Gardens By The Bay carries a very diverse range of plant life from every continent except Antartica.  It also promotes a balanced ecosystem through the astounding lake system.  Its iconic domes houses extraordinary plant life in air-conditioned environment in its conservatories.

Because of its strategic location at the tip of Marina South, visitors can marvel at the recent economic success of Singapore with the newly invented skyline of Singapore.  From the conservatories, you can see the stretch of Sheares Bridge, the Singapore Flyer, and one of my favourite residential condominum Pebbel Bay.

The Marina Bay Sands view also form an integral part of the walk.  One of the things I want to do is to get on the Sky Park which sits just above the Marina Bay Sands building.  Do you think the Marina Bay Sands building looks a little like the Stonehenge rocks formation of the Salisbury Plains in England?  Sometimes I wonder if it is inspired by that.  It will be very appropriate beside the park in this instance.

Do you recognise this animal?  You can’t miss this sculpture near the park’s Visitor Centre.  This is the same Merrill Lynch bull, generously donated by BoA Merrill Lynch.  I remember how it was actually a dream of mine to work in Merrill Lynch when I was still in colleague, or any top investment or private bank for that matter… so I love this bull.  Adds a special touch for me of my liking of the park.

While standing on the bridge towards the lake, I was totally captivated by the sight of the boardwalk along the lake.  Instantly it reminded me of Cheonggyecheon, a very beautiful stream in Seoul that cuts across the city.  I have never been to the Seoul but my impression of the city was form by this 2009 news article writeup about Cheonggeycheon in New York Times news articles, linked here. What we get here is a serenity and athestically pleasing asset that comes alongside our nation’s development.

There are many soft touches of the Gardens that breaks the monotony from the various plant species such as a water-jetting lion.  You will see many excited vistors and tourists taking pictures with it.  The effect of the jetting water seems to also cooled the environment in a psychological way, making the afternoon heat a little more bearable.

While there are many pavilions and benches in the gardens, but nothing beats an air-conditioned cafe that you can spend some leisure time sipping coffee and tea and still treat your eyes to the lush greeneries outside through its tall drop-down glass window.  Cafe Crema is one such place I have intention to visit.

Above map from Gardens By The Bay site.

There are just too many things to do at the Gardens.  You can simply take a walk around the garden, visit the Conservatories (fees applies), have a picnic or practise photography!  This is such a great brand new outdoor haunt to hangout and really good reason to get some good sunshine.  Its time to get that SPF 50 sunblock to good use now.