Singapore - the Jewel of the East

 Singapore - a City for All

The Iconic Marina Sands Hotel

Singapore is such a modern city with amazing architecture. There is much to do - choose what you like best and start exploring! We were unable to explore every corner of this city in the short space of time that we had - here are some snippets of this interesting city.

Singapore River Cruise:

Bum Boats Singapore

While Singapore is an island, transport is mainly land-based. The bus, rail, and taxi make up the three main public transport modes in Singapore. Before the development of land infrastructure in early Singapore, boats and river transport played a key role in the transportation of goods and passengers.

The Singapore River itself was the centre of trade since the founding of modern Singapore. Boat Quay was the commercial centre where barge lighters or bumboats would transport cargo and goods upstream to the warehouses at Clarke Quay.

Clarke Quay

Bumboats have been in use from the 1600s in Europe although the ones in Singapore have adapted design variations from the original European-style lighters. Commonly known as twakows and tongkangs in Singapore, they were once extensively used for transport purposes along the Singapore River, Rochor and Kallang Rivers, and also along the coast of the mainland and other nearby islands.

Today, these beautifully preserved boats take tourists on the Singapore River to see the sights both during the day and for the lights at night.


 Clarke Quay is a historical riverside quay in Singapore, located within the Singapore River Planning Area. The quay is situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River and Boat Quay.
The first quay was built in 1823 at Boat Quay, where major companies first set up in Singapore. ... The Singapore River was the heart of the town, and up to the 1840s, all shipping activities were concentrated at its mouth and along the crescent-shaped Boat Quay.

A trip on a Bum Boat is a must do! Doing this trip both day time and nighttime to get the different aspects is first prize. Starting at Clarke Quay and winding upriver towards Boat Quay, Merlin Park Jetty and the impressive Marina Sands. We went to the top of the Marina Sands for glorious views and expensive drinks! The entire roof is not open to the public - only guests are allowed in the swimming pool area.

Singapore Botanical Gardens:
 

Singapore Gardens - Orchids

The first botanical garden was set up by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore and a keen naturalist, in 1822 on Government Hill at Fort Canning, mainly to introduce into cultivation economic crops. It closed in 1829 and, in 1859, at the present Tanglin site a new garden was developed by an Agri-Horticultural Society, and later handed over to the government in 1874.

The Gardens has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The Gardens is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Today, the Gardens is an important botanical institute

Of special interest to us was this Giant Cola Tree. The Former South Africa President was received in March 1997 when a VIP Orchid was named in his honour. A wonderful tribute to an incredible man.

 The more than 150-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens is a star visitor attraction for the sophisticated traveller and the local resident. The Gardens possess an array of botanical and horticultural attractions with a rich history and a wonderful plant collection of worldwide significance.  

Sculpture of Chopin overlooking the Symphony Stage

Since 1859, orchids have been closely associated with the Gardens. The products of the Gardens' orchid breeding programme, which began in 1928, deserve a place where they can be displayed in their full splendour. The very design of these orchids is, one could say, 'hand-crafted' by the Gardens' horticultural staff, dedicated to bringing out the finest in any hybrid cross.
With over 1000 species and 2000 hybrids on display, the splendour of these gorgeous blooms is absolutely a sight to behold at the National Orchid Garden.


Little India: 

Little India Singapore

Originally settled by Indian labourers in the late 18^th century, Little India has transformed from a district of racehorse tracks and lime pits to a neighbourhood where traditional establishments and century-old temples merge seamlessly with boutique museums and budding art spaces.
Take a walk through this 200-year-old enclave, and be inspired by vibrant culture, traditional aesthetics and the myriad artistic activities on offer.


We were transported back to our visit in India - the smells, the bustle, the many Indians, the colourful shops - all add to an exciting visit to this area of Singapore..

Little India Singapore

The Sri Veeramakaliamman temple was built by Indian pioneers in the mid-19^th century, this place of worship is dedicated to the ferocious goddess Kali, and is one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples.








China Town:
Chinatown's maze of narrow roads includes Chinatown Food Street, with its restaurants serving traditional fare like Hainanese chicken rice, noodles and satay. Souvenir shops and indie boutiques dot the area, offering clothes, crafts and antiques, while Club Street is full of trendy wine bars. Cultural institutions here include the 1827 Sri Mariamman Temple and the ornate Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.

Such a fun place to visit!
Shopping, food, wall art and a great street vibe.








  
Gardens by the Bay: 

Floral Fantasy - Gardens by the Bay

Guided by its vision to be a world of gardens for all to own, enjoy and cherish, Gardens by the Bay has earned numerous awards and accolades including the World Building of the Year in 2012, the President’s Design Award (Singapore) in 2013, the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Themed Entertainment Association in 2014, the Largest Glass Greenhouse (Flower Dome) in the Guinness World Records for 2015, and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2016. These achievements are testament to the ongoing excellence of the Gardens and spur the team towards attaining greater success.

Floral Fantasy is the latest thematic attraction at Gardens by the Bay. Flowers, artistry and technology come together to create a dream-like, fantastical experience for visitors. It comprises four diverse garden landscapes, each showcasing a different concept, as well as a 4D ride.

   

Step into the Flower Dome and stand in awe of nature. Spectacular and innovative, it is the largest glass greenhouse in the world as listed in the 2015 Guinness World Records! Be amazed by changing display of flowers and plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions.

 






Cloud Forest:
Explore the tropical highlands amidst orchids, pitcher plants and ferns from the cool-moist Tropical Montane region. Be amazed as you encounter the world's tallest indoor waterfall at 30 metres and descend through the surreal mist-filled Cloud Walk and Treetop Walk.

 

Cloud Forest

Supertree Grove and OCBC Skyway
Of the 18 Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay, 12 of them can be found here at Supertree Grove, with the tallest one measuring up to 16 storeys in height.


Make a trip to the top of one of these towering Supertrees and be awed by splendid views of the Gardens and the surrounding Marina Bay area.

What's more, get an up-close look at the technical marvels of the Gardens' futuristic attraction by strolling along OCBC Skyway, which connects 2 of these towering Supertrees. This 128-metre long aerial walkway is an experience not to be missed, giving visitors glorious photo-taking opportunities to capture the scenic beauty of the surrounding flora.





 Singapore is a shoppers paradise if that's what rocks your boat
Chinatown, Little India, Central at Clarke Quay and the famous Orchard Road.
Go crazy .....

   

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