Gardens by the Bay: SUPERduperTREES

It’s always nice to spend some time with nature when growing up in an urban jungle, and Gardens by the Bay is definitely a great place to be surrounded by flora and fauna. The SuperTrees intrigue me quite a bit because they look so sci-fi, and there’s just so many different ways you can photograph them – how can you ever get bored?

Postcard-worthy view

Ranging in height from 25 to 50 metres (16 storeys tall), the Gardens’ 18 Supertrees are basically vertical gardens covered in bromeliads, ferns and tropical flowering climbers. Twelve of these can be found at the Supertree Grove, and six at the Golden and Silver Gardens.

Laughing guardian at the entrance…ho ho ho

During construction in April 2012

This is one of my favourite photos of the SuperTree Groove. The colourful cranes look like they are feeding the tree. And it is also a sight that is not likely to be repeated since construction is already completed.

Sunset with rays of light peeking through Marina Bay Sands hotel’s towers

Real with man-made trees; blurring of lines between fiction and reality

The Supertrees have different planting schemes in various colours ranging from warm tones like reds, browns, orange and yellows, to cooler hues like silver and pink. The plants are chosen based on the following considerations:
– Suitable for vertical planting
– Lightweight and hardy
– Soil-less
– Easy to maintain
– Suitable for Singapore’s climate
– Not commonly found in Singapore
– Visually interesting

Take a stroll along the OCBC Skyway, a 128-metre long walkway that connects the two 25-metre Supertrees at the Supertree Grove, and take in a different view of the Gardens.

I like water a lot, so sitting by the wooden boardwalk at the Dragonfly Lake and watching the colours of the SuperTrees change feels relaxing. I would usually bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with a friend – and lots of insect repellent. This was taken during a sunrise shoot at a very sleepy 6am – a feat not to be repeated.

11 Supertrees are embedded with environmentally sustainable functions like photovoltaic cells to harvest solar energy. Some will be integrated with the cooled conservatories and serve as air exhaust receptacles.

Workers who keep the SuperTrees looking pristine
Over 162,900 plants comprising more than 200 species and varieties of bromeliads, orchids, ferns and tropical flowering climbers are planted on the Supertrees. Examples of some of the species that will be planted on the Supertrees include the Tillandsia stricta from Brazil, Tillandsia fasciculate from Panama, Cattleya maxima from Ecuador, and Pseudorhipsalis from Costa Rica.

The feeling on the Skyway is certainly refreshing. You can get a good bird’s eye view of the entire Gardens from here.

Same spot by night – how different it looks!

Watch as the Supertrees come alive with a dazzling myriad of light displays bursting across the sky. The OCBC Garden Rhapsody shows are on daily at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.

OCBC Skyway

See you soon! Moo…(I’m actually a very virile bull, you’ll know what I mean when you see the other half of me *wink*)

Read More about Gardens by the Bay
In Full Bloom: Cloud Forest @ Gardens by the Bay
Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay

About Gardens by the Bay
At 54 hectares, Bay South Garden is the largest of the three gardens which form Gardens by the Bay. When completed, the Gardens by the Bay will occupy a total of 101 hectares of land by the water around Marina Bay and the 32 hectare Bay East Garden will be linked to the Bay South Garden by Bay Central which will feature a 3 km promenade that offers stunning views of the city. It is masterplanned by UK-based landscape architecture firm Grant Associates. It is viewed as a bold step in enhancing the liveability/quality of life in the city as well as Singapore’s international appeal. Bay South Gardens consists of several signature parts such as the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest cooled conservatories, Supertrees vertical gardens, OCBC Skywalk, Heritage Gardens; The World of Plants and the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes.

Address
18 Marina Gardens Drive Singapore 018953
Website: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Getting There – Train/Car

Garden Admission
Access to the outdoor gardens in Bay South is free. The admission charges to the Cooled Conservatories and the OCBC Skyway are found here.

• Outdoor Gardens
Rates: Free Admission
Hours: Daily; 05:00 AM – 02:00 AM

• Conservatories (Flower Dome & Cloud Forest)
Rates: From $8 – $28
Hours: Daily; 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM

Last ticket sale at 08:00 PM; Last admission at 08:30 PM

• OCBC Skyway
Rates: From $3 – $5
Hours: Monday – Friday; 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Last ticket sale at 08:00 PM; Last admission at 08:30 PM
Weekends & PH
09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Last ticket sale at 07:00 PM; Last admission at 07:30 PM

In Full Bloom: Cloud Forest @ Gardens by the Bay

Look of the Day – Human Garden!
I blended pretty well into the flower wall, LOL. The other visitors were rather amused when I took this shot. Heh.

I attended the official opening of the highly-anticipated official opening of Gardens by the Bay – Bay South on 28 June 2012.  As I have been keeping track of the construction progress of this beautiful place, I was really excited to finally see the finished product, especially the Cloud Forest which features a 35-metre high man-made mountain with a waterfall.

Gardens by the Bay
At 54 hectares, Bay South Garden is the largest of the three gardens which form Gardens by the Bay. When completed, the Gardens by the Bay will occupy a total of 101 hectares of land by the water around Marina Bay and the 32 hectare Bay East Garden will be linked to the Bay South Garden by Bay Central which will feature a 3 km promenade that offers stunning views of the city. It is masterplanned by UK-based landscape architecture firm Grant Associates. It is viewed as a bold step in enhancing the liveability/quality of life in the city as well as Singapore’s international appeal. To me, nature and greenery is always welcome to induce a sense of tranquility to the crazy corporate world most of us face daily, and the Gardens definitely softens the ‘hard’ concrete landscape that has been building up at Marina Bay. Best of all – 80% of the Gardens are free admission – so yay! to another place  where I can spend a lazy evening with my friends for free under the stars.

Bay South Gardens consists of several signature parts such as the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest cooled conservatories, Supertrees vertical gardens, OCBC Skywalk, Heritage Gardens; The World of Plants and the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes. As each part is unique in its own way, I will be separating them into individual blog posts to preserve its own character. And also because the Gardens is so damn big – you will need more than an entire day to capture all the areas! Furthermore, it looks so different during the day and night, I would recommend coming here more than once to experience its full allure.

Official opening of Gardens by the Bay by the Guest of Honour, Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

Cloud Forest
Be greeted by rush of cool air as you step inside the 0.8 hectre Cloud Forest and take in the sight of a 35-metre tall Cloud Mountain covered in lush vegetation from Tropical Montane regions  which usually grows between 1,000 to 3,500 metres above sea level. There is a recommended visit route here: Ascend to the mountaintop where you can find the Lost World via the lift and descend through the Cloud Walk and Treetop Walk.

The highlight: a 7-storey high Cloud Mountain with a spectacular waterfall. It can get pretty wet though as water splashed onto the pavement. I enjoyed getting sprayed at, but was worried for my camera..so shutterbugs do take note – you may need some protection.
LEFT: Cloud Mountain fully completed. RIGHT: The ‘botak'(bare) Mountain in April 2012.

Cloud Forest at night – A totally different feel.
The Cloud Mountain reminds me of Sun Wukong‘s Water Curtain Cave (水帘洞); if only we could have some monkeys in here…and how about a few deers and singing birds? Then maybe I can do a Snow White. Heehee.

Experience and learn about unique biodiversity and geology of cloud forests, and the environmental threats that they face within the nine unique zones in this cool-moist Conservatory.

Looking up from the ground. Did they get that sculpture from the Survivor TV set? keke

Start your adventure from the top at The Lost World. The signage caught my eye cos’ “Lost World” and the directional “Way Out” seems such an oxymoron. If only we had a “Way Out” too when we get lost in life.

Gardens by the Bay Cloud Forest

The Lost World
The highest point of the mountain features cloud forest vegetation at around 2,000m above sea level. You can also enjoy spectacular views of the Marina Bay through its glass surface.

Temperature in the Cloud Forest is maintained at 23°C to 25°C – and I couldn’t resist doing a facial mist…afterall, the canned bottles of facial mist I use are from there too! Temperature can drop as low as 15 degrees in the evening, so do come with a light jacket or a loved one whom you can hug. No hanky panky encouraged though *wink*

Look out for carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and the Venus Fly-catcher, against a carpet of delicate ferns and moss. This particular pitcher plant looks like it has feelers, cute. The Cloud Forest looks pretty clean of insects to me though, it made me wonder what these pitcher plants feed on. Maybe they are vegetarian. Ha.

Awesome view of the surroundings from top, you can see Marina Bay Sands in the background in this shot

After you are done getting lost in The Lost World, make your way down via the 122-metre long Cloud Walk, which takes you outside the mountain for a closed-up view of the of epiphytes plant species that clad the side of the mountain.

Waterfall View
A viewing deck where you can appreciate the beauty of the greenery embracing the Cloud Mountain. Learn how cloud forests capture water droplets from mist and fog by means of their epiphyte-laden branches.

Being on the Cloud Walk was quite a refreshing (literally!) experience. You get the feeling of walking on clouds, and I imagined I was a flower fairy overlooking earthlings from my viewing deck…now where are the cute guys….

Beautiful bloom spotted along the way

These look so sweet I was tempted to add them onto my hair

If you ever wondered how the glass exterior of the cooled conservatories are cleaned, here’s our Spideys who keep the glass spanking clean.

Crystal Mountain
Caves are a common occurrence inside mountains. Step into the Crystal Mountain Cave where you will be surrounded by real stalactites and stalagmites. Learn about geology, how the continents formed, the age of earth, and the importance of fossils in understanding our planet’s past.

Tree Top Walk
As you approach the bottom of the mountain, the Tree Top Walk will take you close to the forest canopy for a spectacular bird’s eye view of the treetops.
TOP: Night View of the Walk; BOTTOM: the Walk back in April 2012

The Cloud Walk above and Treetop Walk below

Earth Check
After your walk around the mountain, do drop in on this special lab where you will find facts, figures and amazing statistics for a unique view of the state of the earth today and the problems we are likely to face due to climate change and habitat loss.

+5 Degrees
Experience the effect of temperature increase around the planet. This arresting interactive voyage allows you to see the world from a different perspective, unlocking a new dimension of visual experience.

A cool 3D model detailing the effort made to plan and design for sustainable cycles in energy and water throughout Bay South Gardens.

Secret Garden
End your journey at the Secret Garden located at the foot of the mountain. You’ll see plants such as the Wollemi Pine from Australia, gingers and heliconias,ferns and other moisture-loving plants.

Look of the Day
Flower Necklace & Ring: Forever 21
Charm Bracelet: Juicy Couture
Watch: Hermes
Flats: Miu Miu
Dress: Dolce & Gabbana

Couldn’t stop getting into some mischief at the Gardens with this alligator wooden bench…No animals or humans were hurt in the process. Well, except for a friend whose eyeballs may hurt from rolling them back too often from my crap.

Verdict: I had an amazing good time! The Cloud Forest is definitely a unique experience in summer-only Singapore, and great place to spend hot afternoons and with a hot date at night. I’ll definitely be back, just to experience walking in the clouds and feeling like a fairy again…hahaha
Photo: Aram Pan

Read More about Gardens by the Bay
Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay: SUPERduperTREES

Address
18 Marina Gardens Drive Singapore 018953
Website: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Getting There – Train/Car

Garden Admission
Access to the outdoor gardens in Bay South is free. The admission charges to the Cooled Conservatories and the OCBC Skyway are found here.

• Outdoor Gardens
Rates: Free Admission
Hours: Daily; 05:00 AM – 02:00 AM

• Conservatories
Rates: From $8 – $28
Hours: Daily; 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM

Last ticket sale at 08:00 PM; Last admission at 08:30 PM

• OCBC Skyway
Rates: From $3 – $5
Hours: Monday – Friday; 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Last ticket sale at 08:00 PM; Last admission at 08:30 PM
Weekends & PH
09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Last ticket sale at 07:00 PM; Last admission at 07:30 PM