French Faire at Flower Dome Gardens by the Bay

One thing I love about Singapore is that in this small island, we get to see plants and flowers from all continents except the Antarctica at Gardens by the Bay. I am also delighted that the flower field display is frequently changed every two to three months at the Flower Dome so that for nature lovers, we always have something to look forward to. I always want to travel to Europe Paris, maybe I'll go next year. 

For Singaporeans and permanent residents, the price is lower at $20 for two conservatories at Flower Dome and Cloud forest. I also enjoyed 10% discount for showing my passion card  thus I paid $18 for two conservatories. For foreigners, it cost $28 for two conservatories. 

Gardens' Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive
                                Singapore 018953

Cooled Conservatories Timing: 9am to 9pm

How to get there: Alight at Bayfront MRT station

For more information, click the Gardens by the Bay webpage here

Flower of Lily in front of the world most popular structures, the Eiffel Tower, which is a 6-metres tall replica

 The 6-metre tall Eiffel Tower dressed in greenery replica is on display from now till 22nd June this year at the Flower Dome. It is surrounded by the most popular flowers in France like lavender,begonias and lilacs.

Another view of the Eiffel Tower

 French sculptures surrounded by pretty flowers.

Are these roses?

 Lovely  Calla lily

Painting of the Effliel Tower.

 Begonias 

 Pretty Peonies. Did you know peonies were known as the "poor man rose" as people would buy peonies because they couldn't afford roses.

 The "flower of the lily" is a symbol that is traditionally used to represent French royalty. It signifies "perfection, light and life" and was used in historical times on the shields of French kings.

In 1690, Charles Plumier named the 'begonia' in honour of Michel Begon (1638-1710), an amateur French botanist who collected begonias from Santo Domingo while stationed there with the French navy. Begonia cv.

Another beautiful Begonia cv.

Sunny sunflowers outside the cafe

Any idea what is the name of this flower?

The flower dome is behind the Super trees.

Waterspout in Singapore ( 水龙卷）

It is really rare to see waterspout in Singapore. Yesterday Lianhe Zaobao （联合早报）photographer witnessed this rare waterspout and captured it. Lately western parts of Singapore has been experiencing strong wind of up to 100km/hour. 

Image from zaobao.com

Pioneer Generation Package - Crosstalk (Teochew with Eng Subtitles)

I really like this video on Pioneer Generation Package in Teochew which aims to educate the elderly on the healthcare benefits in Singapore for the pioneer generation. Most pioneer generation only understand their dialects. As a Teochew, I think Teochew language is a beautiful language and sounds much gentle compare to Hokkian though most of the words sound similar to Teochew. Sadly many of our youths don't understand their own dialects.

When I was younger, I wanted to marry fellow Teochew so that he can speaks the language and reminds me of my home as my parents mostly converse in Teochew. 

I love Teochew language. 

Duanwu Festival 端午節

This year Duanwu or Chinese Dumpling festival is on 2 June, 5th day of the 5th lunar month to commemorate the death of the poet and patriot minister Qu Yuan (340-278Bc) during the Warring states of the Zhou Dynasty.This event is celebrated by Chinese In 

China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries with dragon boat competition 

and the eating of dumpling.


To read more on the festival, you can click here.

 A figurine of Qu Yuan at Waterloo street near Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

 Delicious dumpling prepared by my mum.

Yummy dumpling by my mum! 

High Tea at Canele @ Raffles City

Currently Canele@Raffles City (Cityhall MRT) is offering High tea promotion price of about $12++ for one. It comes with 6 different desserts and a cup of coffee/tea. I thought the high tea set desserts looked really pretty. Alas, except for the rose macaron, I think I can skip the rest. Good to try for the first time though. 

Arts in Chinatown MRT: The Phoenix's Eye Domain

At Chinatown MRT, you can't miss the eye-catching bright mural near entrance to MRT. This piece of art is created by local award-winning artist Tan Swie Hian and is titled The Phoenix's Eye Domain. This painting conveys the indomitable spirit of the early settlers in Chinatown and is inspired by the ancient Chinese legend written during the Warring-states period (475 B.C to 221 B.C).

Singapore Unique Architecture: Star Vista

I went to watch Chong Feng 重逢12 (Reunion12), a Chinese concert by Singaporeans and Taiwanese who sang 60s to 90s songs in a unique architecture at Star Vista Performing Arts centre that can seat 5000 people. The design is really impressive and I think it looks like a big spacecraft. What do you think?

 Star Vista, the latest shopping mall with huge performing arts centre. 

 The Star Performing Arts Centre

Inside the performing arts centre which can seat 5000 people.

Singapore National Day Song: Home

One of the most popular National Day Parade song in Singapore is Home composed by Dick Lee. This is one of my favourite too by sang by Kit Chan.

Singapore National Day Parade 2014

Singapore will be celebrating 49 years of independence on 9 August this year. If you want to apply for national day and preview tickets, you can apply via the NDP website http://www.ndp.org.sg/ from 17 May this year. 

Honeymoon Dessert at Ion Orchard

If you are looking for traditional Chinese dessert and fusion dessert, Honeymoon Dessert (originated from Hong Kong) is the place to go to. They serve both hot and cold dessert. With about 100 desserts from their menu, there is something for everyone from the young to seniors. 

There are a few branches in Singapore. The shop I went is located at Ion Orchard Basement 3. 

 Healthy Mixed Fruits Grass Jelly ($6.50)

 Durian in Vanilla Sauce with Green Tea Ice-Cream ($8.00)

 Mango Pomelo Sago ($5.90)

My favourite dessert is Double Boiled Milk with Baked Walnut and Almond ($5.00)

Stop and Smell the Roses

After attending a seminar at Singapore Management University (SMU), I was so happy to see tall trees blooming with yellow flowers just outside SMU and walking further down, I saw these beautiful pinkish flowers.

These flowers known as Ixora sp are so pretty right? Instead of rushing to the next destination, stop and smell or admire the pretty flowers.  

An escalator near Singapore National Museum

 Anyone know the name of this tree outside Singapore Management University?

 After the rain, the flowers were dripping wet.

Singapore Wrapped Candy Sculpture

I was on my way to Paradise Dynasty at Ion Orchard for dinner when I spotted this cute wrapped candy with the Singapore flag on it. Looks like a crushed wrapped candy. What is your opinion?  

 Wrapped Candy sculpture by Laurence Jenkell

Unique Architecture in Singapore near Bugis Junction

Anyone have any idea what is the name of this unique looking building that is near Bugis MRT station? It looks like a flat sheet of paper until you walk to the other side to see the rest of the view. 

 This building looks like a sheet of paper. 

 Walk to another side and you see it looks triangular.

Singapore Urban Sketches

The following are Singapore Sketches  by Singaporean artists James Leong. Really impressive and I wanna sketch like him too. To view more of his artworks, click here to his facebook page.

Fort Canning by James Leong

 North Bridge Road by James Leong

Breakfast at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Coffee Bean & Tea leaf is well-known for their great coffee. However, I like their All Day Breakfast and I tried it once at Ngee Ann City. However I don't really like the bacon and mushroom. They are generous with the scrambled egg. I read great review of their breakfast. Maybe I should try other breakfast dishes. 

 Hearty breakfast at Coffee Bean 

View of Sentosa from VivoCity

In the past whenever my family and I travelled to the Sentosa, we had to drive to the small island. Today, we can walk from Vivocity to Sentosa via the Sentosa Broadwalk. Visitors can also travel via the monorail from Vivocity to Sentosa. It is indeed more convenient to go to Sentosa island for a day of fun. 

View of Sentosa island from Vivocity

The other Merlion at Sentosa

The monorail

Visitors walking towards Sentosa via Sentosa Broadwalk where there are travellators.

Admire the scenery with the beautiful skyscrapers calming sea.