GARDENS BY THE BAY, THE MERLION AND MARINA BAY SANDS: SINGAPORE
GARDENS BY THE BAY is the nature-park. When I planned my trip to Singapore, this place is shows as one of the highly visited place. And I also decided to takeout my time for this place. As, I was visiting all the attractions alone. When you visit alone you are more comfortable in terms of timings. You no need to wait and you plan things as per your comfort level. I woke-up at 7:00 am in morning, had my breakfast at hotel and then was standing in taxi queue out-side of the hotel. It was already 9:00 am. And it was clean and Sunny day, bit hot as-well. Today I decided to take taxi, as all the above (headline) attractions are at same place. And I was in mood of easy going. So decided to take taxi from my Hotel Square to Gardens by the Bay. I stood for 15 minutes in taxi line to get taxi. And finally, its my turn. I paid around 18 SG$ to taxi driver. Here, I find little odd some time. Some time some taxi driver charge as per meter and some time few charge more for same place. They add some surge charge of the place and stuff.
GETTING TO GARDENS BY THE BAY
Nearest MRT station is Bayfront, take EXIT B and follow the underground linkway. There is around 15–20 minute walk from MRT station till Gardens by Bay. Follow the sign board as it is very big area.
ADMISSION FEE
There are no admission fee for Garden by Bay. OCBC Skyway has SG$-8 for Adult and SG$-5 for Child. Then You can buy ticket for “Standard Flower Dome + Cloud Forest” SG$-28 for Adult and SG$-15 for Child.
I reached Gardens By the Bay at 10:00 am and welcomed by this beautiful floating baby
This place is full of flowers, tress, kitchen garden spices, herbs, bonsai tree and many more. There is endless collection of Bonsai Trees. This park is must visit destination for Nature lovers, as there are different kind of flowers, plants, tress and herbs. They even have selling stalls for herbs and they will teach you how to grow them at your house kitchen garden.
You will see here-Conservatory Flower Dome, Conservatory Cloud Forest (Here you can see the science behind rains and both have admission fee), OCBC Skyway, Supertree Grove, Far East organization children garden (this is theme water park and no admission fee), Heritage Garden, World of Plants, Sum Pavilion and Art Sculptures.
There are many eating hubs, I did not eat anything as I already had heavy breakfast in morning. And, I had finished seeing all the sightseeing by 2:00 pm. My Next stop was The Merlion, which is next to Garden by Bay. But, you have to walk for some time or hire a taxi.
THE MERLION
It is said, Merlion is Symbol that represent Singapore. If you have not visited this place then you have not visited all the top attractions in Singapore. It looks mystical creature which is half Lion and Half Mermaid. It is 8.6 meter tall stature stands at the Marina Bay waterfront looking towards the Sea. It is good place to take pictures and sit and relax, and spend some time.
MARINA BAY SANDS
Marina Bay sands is known for one of the expensive hotel in Singapore. The standard room starting from SG$-380 per night. But, you can visit this famous Hotel. I mean the Observation Deck of this hotel by taking admission ticket of SG$-23 for Adult and SG$-17 for child. Soar 57 levels above the heart of the city as you capture the moment of a lifetime at the stunning Sands Sky-park public observation deck.
It also has very famous world’s most expensive standalone casino property at SG$8 billion. The Casino is in basement. My husband was also coming to see most expensive Casino in world. It was first time in my life I have entered in Casino. Till the time I have seen Casino in Hollywood movies. And to my expectation. Whatever I have seen in movies, it was the same. I always wonder that whatever Director show in movies are manipulated. But, not case for Casino. It was full of People and everyone trying their luck in different areas. We decided to take a walk and understand how to play, then we will also try our luck. After observing of 30 to 40 minutes and I couldn’t understand any thing. Since, I am visiting Casino. And I had to play. So we reached to one table where this operator was swing the Ball in that wheel. It was not automated. There were 2 ladies playing and they were in their 50s. We saw them, and out of our expectation they were actually making. Without thinking anything, they were just putting coins on every possible number. So, I also add my coins on one number thinking my whole life that this is my lucky number. And, I lost. I lost all. Well, we watched some other counters and this time my husband did some calculation at automated machine and tried. And, top of your expectations we lost again. Even lost all. Then we decided not to put more money and head towards Clarke Quay for our Dinner.
Clarke Quay is one of the famous food joint in Singapore. This place is very live, actually people who come after finishing their office keep this place live. Great small outdoor place for seating. We had Pasta and and Rice in Mushroom sauce. Actually it was very yummy. The day ends here and I am tired, tomorrow I am planning to visit Local Market of Singapore.
This post originally appeared at wanderlust_renu
