Not raining so off we head to the the Malay Quarter, stopping to look at the magnificent Art Deco inspired Parkview Square building based on New York's 1929 Chanin building but only built approx 17 years ago.
Then onto Malay and by now starting to rain. Looked at some lovely old traditional buildings and shops while looking for a brolly as I left mine behind at the hotel. Then the deluge started and it was torrential.
We finally settled in a coffee shop for best coffee we had so far in Singapore and then kept walking when the rain eased and we finally found a place to buy a brolly. Then on to the Malay Heritage Centre. We ha the lovely knowlegable Rita as our personal guide (free as we were the only ones there) and had an excellent 1 hour history lesson and tour of the museum.
By now the rain had finally ceased and it was close to one so we went looking for lunch. Found a place near Bugis on the way back to the hotel and had some fried noodles, Chive steamed dumplings and a delicious 5 spices meat spring roll, with a Tiger of course.
Jane a bit tired so a little nanna nap for her at the hotel for an hour while I did a little blogging. As the weather had cleared up considerably we decided to head to the Gardens by the Bay and give it a go.
Took the MTR two stops to Bayfront station and alighted, then walked across to the gardens. Entry to the gardens is free but you have to pay for the 2 conservatories (Domes) $28 each plus hang the expense add another $3 for the all day shuttle bus.(electric of course, take note Australia).
We proceeded to the first dome (Flower Dome) along with every school child in Singapore ;-) and what a delight, Tulips in bloom and such a diverse botanical selection from around the globe, just superb. Also the sculptures that are strategically placed are just fantastic and are worth the entry alone. Watching the kids look for the hidden ones was delightful. Couldn't stop taking photos but will only attach a few. However may God/Allah strike down the person that invented the "selfie" as that is all a hell of a lot of people seemed to be interested in, certainly not the exhibits?
Then outside for a rehydration ( no eating or drinking allowed inside) and then onto the Cloud Forest Dome, WOW, wow, wow. Just amazing from the moment you enter and see the 35m high man made mountain and waterfall with all the vegetation growing off it. You walk around then a 3 story lift to the top to walk around and then slowly descend. Masses of orchids, fuschias and other flowering plants along with a diverse range of ferns etc. Just amazing.
We had spent nearly 3 hours in these 2 domes and then caught the shuttle back to the Floral Fantasy garden and "experience" This was quite different and just a mass of flowers in a fake setup, but quite pleasant followed by a "4D" 15 minute theatre experience as a dragonfly flying over the gardens, good fun and nice to just sit for a moment.
It was now 7pm and the OCBC Skyway and Supertree Grove light show was at 7.45 so we grabbed a quick bite in the cafe before walking to a vantage point where I could use the bloody tripod I'd carried around all day to get some "nice" shots. We were not disappointed at all, a great display and guess what, all done in sync to 80's music, fantastic.
Well after nearly 6 hours at the Gardens it was a quick shuttle ride ( best $3 spent so far) to the exit and on to the MTR back to Bugis station. A little deviation walk back to the hotel and then settled in the bar with a G&T and beer before retiring for the night. An eventful and entirely pleasurable day.
Oh and another 20,000 steps. ;-)
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