Spread Some Awesome

Singapore has went over and above when it comes to creating a futuristic garden at the center of Marina Bay. The Gardens by the Bay is an iconic 101-hectare garden composed of different plants and flowers in controlled conservatories and amazing supertrees that are all aimed to make Singapore literally a “City in a Garden”.

Gardens by the Bay

The Gardens by the Bay is divided into the Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. On June 29, 2012, the Bay South Garden was opened to the public which made my trip in Singapore this July a perfect time to pay it a visit. After seeing lots of awesome photos of Gardens by the Bay, I made sure that it was part of my itinerary. With awesome friends that I have, they made my plan come true because I was able to go to Gardens by the Bay two nights in a row.

The Bay South Garden is where the conservatories and supertrees are located. This part of the Gardens by the Bay is easily accessible from the Bayfront MRT. Take Exit B and walk through the underground link way. The wall of the underground link way is filled with many giant mirrors, and large prints of colorful plants and flowers alternating each other. It is probably trying to achieve a forest-like appearance when you face one mirror.

Alternating Prints and Mirrors

Awesomeness at the Gardens by the Bay Underground Link Way

When walking at the underground link way, there are lots of sign boards leading to the Bay South Garden so it is relatively easy to find.

Sign to the Bay South Garden

On the first time I went at Gardens by the Bay, the weather was good. (On the second time, it was quite drizzling.) Went there late in the afternoon, walked around the place, and before we noticed it, it was already nighttime.

The Supertrees are the number reason why I wanted to go to the Gardens by the Bay. I bet I share the same reason with almost everyone who wants to drop a visit in this place. These giant trees give a futuristic environment, as if it was taken from a snapshot in the movie Avatar.

There are 11 Supertrees constructed at the Bay South Garden and each is built with environmentally sustainable  system such as photovoltaic cells that catch solar energy. Each supertree has four major parts — the reinforcement concrete core, trunk, planting panels of the living skin, and canopy. Over 162,900 flora from more than 200 species and varieties are planted on these supertrees.

Supertrees Near the Singapore Flyer

Supertree Grove and OCBC Skyway

We walked around the Bay Garden South to see what’s out there. Aside from the Supertree Grove and the OCBC Skyway, there is a lot of nature housed in this side of the garden. The area is so vast that you can get tired walking around it but still haven’t seen the entirety of it.

Buddha with the Supertrees

There are also a lot of stuff that you can learn while walking around Gardens by the Bay. There are several shaded areas that contain information that you can read while exploring the garden.

Elephant Statue

I wanted to see the supertrees light up so we waited a bit until it was dark. The view of the supertrees at daytime is already great but the view is way awesome at nightime. Luckily, there was a short light show by the supertrees at around 8PM and we were able to catch it.

Supertrees at Night

Supertrees and the Singapore Flyer Light Up at Night

The Gardens by the Bay is still a work-in-progress. Some parts of it are complete and available for the public to see while other parts are still under construction. For an instance, the supertrees are already built but I think it will take time for all the plants to grow and add more beauty to these massive trees. Yet at the end of it, I think Gardens by the Bay is not only great for the aesthetics but its aim for an Eco-friendly and sustainable garden is huge step in making a difference for the environment. I sure hope it is thoroughly achieved.

There is still a lot to see at the Gardens by the Bay that I haven’t checked out. I wasn’t able to go to the plant conservatories but I heard they are must-see when you’re around the area. I will definitely go there when I visit Singapore again. If you have been to the plant conservatories like the Flower Dome or the Cloud Forest, are they really a must-see?

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GARDENS BY THE BAY
18 Marina Gardens Drive Singapore 018953
Tel: (+65) 6420 6848

FB Page: Gardens by the Bay

Directions (How to go there):

For me, the most used route is at the Bayfront MRT Station thru the Circle Line:

- Alight at Bayfront MRT Station (CE1)

- Take exit B

- Follow the underground link way (there are signs leading to it)

- Exit the underground link way and take the lift or stairs to see the Gardens by the Bay

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Spread some awesome..ness..

Tags: Bayfront, conservatory, environment, flowers, garden, Gardens by the Bay, lights, Marina Bay, mirrors, Singapore, Singapore Flyer, supertrees, trees