Entire
project of 'Gardens by the Bay' is one of the largest garden projects
of its kind in the world. When finished, the total site area would
occupy a staggering area of 101 hectares mainly of reclaimed land
beside Marina bay in downtown Singapore, and would comprise of three
distinct gardens – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central. Bay South
is the first and largest of these three landscaped gardens of this
project, that is now completed. However the two conservatories,
called as “Cloud Forest” and “Flower dome,” that I have just
described, are not the only attractions of the bay south gardens.
A
bird's eye view of the Bay south Gardens, from the nearby Ferris
Wheel called “Singapore Flyer,” actually makes a visitor aware of
the enormity of this project. Besides the two caterpillar like glass
dome conservatories, what catches attention of every visitor, are
eighteen huge steel structures called supertrees, erected in groups
at three spots in the gardens. The groups have been named as “
Supertree Grove,” “Golden Garden” and “Silver Garden.”
These so called super trees are actually giant steel towers varying
between 20 meters to 50 meters in height and are shaped to look like
trees. Each of this supertree is designed to have thousands of plant
species growing up their vein-like cladding. The super trees also
serve the purpose of rainwater harvesting for the gardens below and
are embedded with sustainable energy and water technologies integral
to the cooling of the Cooled Conservatories. The tallest supertrees
have restaurants and bars in true Singapore style, where you can dine
with a magnificent view.
There
is an area called “canopy” in between the two conservatories.
From here a path leads to the southwest. I start walking along the
path. The Supergrove cluster of supertrees is located here. At the
center of the grove are the two tallest supertrees. Clustered around
them are 10 other superthrees, which would mean that this cluster has
12 supertrees in all. The other two clusters of supertrees are much
smaller, each having just 3 supertrees. The management calls the
supertrees as vertical gardens with each of them studded with
vertical display on walls of of tropical flowering climbers,
epiphytes and ferns making them appear almost spectacular. I reach
the tallest supertree in the center. There is a lift available for
going to the top. In few seconds, I reach the top balcony. The view
from here is just breathtaking to say the least. Off course, towards
west, only thing that I can see are the giant triplets of the “Marina
Bay sands” hotel and casino. To the north is the Marina Barage and
in other directions magnificent view of the bay and tall buildings of
the downtown dominate the view. I have a closer look at the steel
tower made from welded steel pipes. The surfaces are entirely covered
with creeper plants and orchids. Some of them displaying brightly
coloured beautiful flowers.
Between
two tallest towers a walk way in the sky is suspended with help of
steel cables. The path, about 3 or 4 feet wide and at a height of 22
meter, shakes slightly and has some horizontal movement too, making
a walk on ,it a thrilling and exciting experience. This is perhaps as
nearest as we humans can go nearest to walking in sky and I love it.
On the other side, the skywalk reaches the other tall supertree. The
view below shows a well manicured chain of small gardens linked by
pathways and the whole thing look like an emerald necklace, around
the supertree grove. I reach the other tower and swiftly come down by
another lift. Ahead of me is a beautiful manicured lawn and beyond
that a chain of restaurants with exotic names like Hill Street coffee
shop and Peach garden noodle house. No place in Singapore can survive
without eating places nearby. Even with so many restaurants here,
locals have been complaining about lack of food courts here. I decide
to make around of the emerald necklace of gardens that surroud the
grove.
These
gardens, in all 10 in number are all themed gardens, each having its
own theme like Indian Garden, Chinese Garden, Malay Garden,
California garden, Colonial Garden and World of Palms. On the west
boundary of the park a beautiful small lake has been created with a
strip like shape (parhaps as an after thought) but with good
landscaping. It has been named as Dragonfly lake. The Landscaping is
superb and I decide to linger there for few minutes, as I find it
quite relaxing.
The
time is around 7 pm and I decide to visit one of the restaurants on
the other side. I order Nonya vegetable curry with rice. However
instead of the rice being served separately, it has been added in the
curry itself in the form of cheese or tofu alike cubes, cooked from
finely ground rice flour. Nevertheless, the curry is very tasty and I
am satisfied with the food.
After
my food, I come out on the lawn outside. The view has changed
completely. In front me there is a backdrop of tens of thousands of
lights sparkling from the rooms of “Marina Bay sands” triplets.
In front of them stand the supertrees now lighted with sparkling and
soft glowing lights of different hues and colours. The spectacle of
colour, texture and fragrance is a mesmerizing experience for me. I
relax a bit on the lawns. Exactly at 7.45 pm, there is an
announcement on the public address system and the light and show
starts with pleasing music that can be heard clearly. The group of 6
or 8 supertrees ahead of me suddenly light up with thousands of
lights of different colours and start dancing in tune and rhythm of
the music. I find the spectacle fascinating and quite pleasing for
the senses.
The
show ends in 15 minutes and all the supertrees now glow up making the
view grand and superlative. With a heavy heart, I get up and start
walking towards to underground car park. My visit to the Bay south
gardens finally over. It was no doubt an unforgettable experience.
(Concluded)
7th
June 2013
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