07 August, 2013

Overseas trip 2013 - Part 2: Singapore

 
ION Orchard shopping mall after dark

Hello again!
 
Before I get into my Singapore vacation post I have to say there's so much more to Singapore than I'm showing here - and if you're wondering why there aren't any pictures from places like the Singapore Flyer, Universal Studios, Chinatown, or Little India just to name a few it's because we've visited and snapped those on previous trips to Singapore. The photos I've posted just represent our newest experiences in this wonderful place.  After several trips over the years I've developed a genuine love for Singapore so I'd return again in a heartbeat - the climate, the food, the greenery, the shopping, the ever evolving nature of the place, and of course the people - I have a growing circle of Singaporean friends (in Australia too!) so that gives me another reason to love the place...

 
Singapore Zoo
 
 
 

The Singapore Zoo has the most impressive, lush setting so I was just as interested in taking pictures of the vast gardens as the animals.  Seeing the white tigers was a highlight, as was seeing the hippo mama and baby snuggling!
 
 
Marina Bay Sands

The last time I was in Singapore, Marina Bay Sands resort was still under construction and I was incredulous at the design, apparently inspired by a deck of cards (fun fact from Wikipedia).  This time around we did the obvious touristy thing and visited the rooftop Sands SkyPark to take in the view - and maybe check out the iconic infinity pool too.  Well, the rooftop pool can only be accessed by those staying at Marina Bay Sands or a limited number of visitors with special passes so that was out but we did get the view on a relatively clear day.

The cityscape view...

...the two conservatories at Gardens by the Bay...

...and the Singapore Flyer as seen from across the Marina Bay.

My men were checking out the National Day rehearsals down below on the water while I played stealthy paparazzo!  

 
Art Science Museum

Another amazing new building - this one's modelled on the lotus flower and the clever design also captures rainwater which is then recycled for use inside the building.  This was damn difficult to photograph and in retrospect I should have tried to stitch together a panorama to get the whole structure in!  We spent some time inside viewing the current 'Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb' exhibition.
 
One of the many waterlilies in the pond outside. 
 
 
S.E.A. Aquarium

We unluckily chose the very day the local kids were off from school to visit the aquarium so it seemed all of Singapore was in attendance! 

 
Gardens by the Bay - Supertree Grove
 
 
 

I've heard several people refer to the Supertree Grove as being very Avatar-like.  I truly envy the imagination of the person who envisioned this because it seems so prehistoric and other-worldly.  There's a walkway suspended in the air connecting the 16 storey high trees and we paid a measly sum of $5SGD for the privilege.  The trees are also illuminated at night and seeing them all lit up is on my return visit wishlist!

 
Flowerdome


 

 
The Flowerdome is one of the two massive air conditioned conservatories in Gardens by the Bay and was an interesting mix of floral whimsy and other unusual foliage displays including the cactus garden just above.   I've spared you here but for some reason I took a disproportionate (read 'ridiculous') number of pictures of cacti and succulents - probably because they were actually the first things greeting me when I entered the dome!
 
 
Cloud Forest





The Cloud Forest dome was dominated by the cooling 35-metre waterfall spraying fine mist everywhere and the manmade mountain blanketed in rainforest plants. You take an elevator to the top of the mountain then make your way down via the wire walkway encircling it. 


Equinox

To finish I'm sharing the wonderful view of Marina Bay my husband and I enjoyed during our dinner for two at Equinox restaurant, some 70 floors up.


Next post:  The great Singapore beauty haul!


14 comments:

  1. awesome pics Vita, looking forward for the beauty haul

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    1. I'm looking forward to posting it! It's virtually like shopping again :)

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  2. This looks absolutely stunning. Oh my goodness! :)
    x

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    1. Singapore is such a wonderful place - definitely a holiday destination in its own right :)

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  3. Amazing photography Vita! I really want to go to Singapore now, it looks amazing!

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    1. Put it on your list - it's one of our favourite overseas destinations :)

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  4. Ahh, so many beautiful photographs! I love travel posts. I feel like I'm seeing a little more of the world, even if I can't get out there myself right now!

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    1. I'm sure you'll get out and about traveling soon - in the meantime I'm happy to share and remember!

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  5. Ahhh, I miss Singapore! The only place I went to from your trip was Marina Bay Sands. Next time I'll have to visit the zoo for sure!

    I'm so glad you had a lovely trip. Maybe we can meet in Singapore some day, since it's a good halfway destination and we both have friends there. :D

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    1. The zoo's great, although there are a lot of sleepy animals! We like to visit the night safari too but we missed it this time around.

      It would be wonderful to meet in Singapore!! I think our 2014 vacation may actually be in Hawaii though so I'll keep you posted about that - I remember a Twitter chat about you, Tracy, Larie and I meeting up in Hawaii so you never know!

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  6. Wow!!! Great pics!! The zoo looks amazing! I love a good zoo.

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    1. It's such a pretty tropical zoo setting! The animals are a bit lazy but there's also the night zoo to see animals in action :)

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  7. What gorgeous photos, Vita, you make me feel like hopping on a plane to Singapore!

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    1. Why thank you! As a matter of fact I feel that way myself!

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