Singapore Garden Festival (2010) - Level 4 @ Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre

Part Two of the Singapore Garden Festival 2010, this level on the 4th floor is somewhat distinct from the 6th floor (to be viewed HERE).

It is much more diverse with highlights on the Singapore Orchid show, floral displays competitions, booths selling products and merchandise related to gardening and educational exhibitions for those keen learners!

Granted it may not be as alluring as the 6th floor, i did enjoy myself immensely with the varieties offered.

Pictures Slideshow!

The Taiwanese Orchid display! Seriously, i never liked orchids although a hybrid species is Singapore's very own national flower!

An orchid wall! One marvellous thing about orchid; it comes in many different colors!!

Something apart from orchids! Don't you love sunflowers?! They always have this chirpy sunniness surrounding them!

Everyone is talking about recycling and this is an example on what you can do with a used gallon sized mineral bottle!

In order to make Singapore more self-sustainable, AVA has improved the high rise farm system that can cut pesticide use and save much precious space.

I like this tabletop flower arrangement by a parent.

Looks like a dancing couple? No?

By an eleven year old kid!! I am thirty years old and i know nuts about flower arrangement!

Heck, a good car was sacrificed for the festival and adorned with plants and flowers! Don't they know how expensive cars are nowadays?!?!

Due to my upbringing, i have always found bonsai to have a calming effect on me.

Botak (or bald) bonsai are especially attractive. It seems to indicate the cruel harshness of life yet its steadfastness to survive in it.

This area is my personal favourite! Kids will love this for the educational lessons by the dedicated guides.

A real papaya tree was planted in the exhibition hall! And you can find banana trees, sugarcanes and even a coconut tree!

Pineapples! I used to think this comes from trees. To think about it, i used to think everything comes from trees! Haha. Even watermelons!

Delicious looking mushrooms!

Not everything has that positive, happy vibe! This one here is pretty morbid lor; looks like a funeral setting.

I am ending this cheerful post with a picture that looks plain scary!! Kids beware! 

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Another three more days before the event ends!

Hurry Hurry!

For location and ticketing, please refer to my previous post HERE.

Singapore Garden Festival (2010) - Level 6 @ Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre

My first visit since its inception in 2006, this biennial event has been attracting both locals (note: a lot of elderly) and foreigners! It's hard to know that this event can be popular even though there's a ticket charge for entry!

Well before i reached the 4th level of Suntec Convention Centre, my sensitive nose had already caught the flowery fragrance, with just the slight hint of the unmistakable musty smell of earthy soil.

Let's halt a most likely lengthy post on this fiesta and begin with pictures that everyone loves!

*note*

All flowers shown in the pictures are REAL!

The long corridor of yellow flowers greeted us on level 4! It's like a whole new world!

It was recommended to start from level 6, which had a more organised concept!

Nice landscaping hor? At that time, my feet had not stepped into the realm of plants and flowers!

Ever stayed in a kampong before for 6 years, this brought back a nostalgic feeling of what Singapore has lost. There's even a scarecrow nearby!

One gardening concept for the urban homes! If you look closely, you can see sand spewing from one corner.

Designs need not be too elaborate. Sometimes, a simplistic form is more than enough.

A Chinese-inspired garden design! I am always awed by Chinese gardens for its extensive use of wood, stone, bridges, bonsai and of course, flowers!

Maybe it's time for a trip to Singapore Chinese Garden! It's been like... twenty years i guess???

This is the centre of attraction for the festival! Let me present to you the humongous "The Man Who Planted Trees"!!

The MAN again with a change of suit.

Did you spot the pears? My arm, hand, fingers not long enough to attest its authenticity!! FML!

A concept from Australia using loads of recyclable materials.

The start of a LONG LONG row of beautiful, unique flowers!

Looks like the mermaid from Denmark!

Would love to have a summer house like this! Provided i win TOTO first prize at least 20 times!

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Location

Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, Level 4 and Level 6.

Price

Different price structure for adult, child, weekday and weekend. There's even a long term pass! Please visit HERE for more information.

  

-to be continued-

By the way, this event runs till this Thursday, a mere 4 days away (22 July 2010).

Get your butt going if you are interested!

The Ship Restaurant @ Shaw Centre

It was a bad work week (from 05 to 11 July) and i desperately needed a place to eat and share my frustrations!

For a normal week, i eat substantially.

For a bad, stressful week, i gorge indefinitely!!

About The Ship, it came heavily recommended by my friend as a place with pleasant ambience (obviously ship theme), good service and nice, economical food.

For the price paid at such a central location, i thought it's a not bad deal but i personally don't agree that the service was commendable. It was at most satisfactory.

So what did we have to lighten our mood?

Escargots

The escargots here were said to be the BEST in Singapore.

My comment was that they had too strong of a garlic taste and my preference stays with one that has the right balance of cheese, butter and garlic.

That said, I am not an expert on snails though i had a few tries before (can count using my five short and plump fingers).

Pork Loin Chops

One word: normal.

Imported from US, the two pieces of pork were not exceptional and definitely not horrid either!

Chicken Chop

The first time i realised chicken meat can taste so tender! And it's damn tasty can!?!

In my old days, i will never order chicken chop in a restaurant but this chop changed my mindset forever!

Ribeye Steak with Chicken Wings

A piece of steak with the right done-ness i requested: medium!

Usually i will get a piece of steak that's medium in the middle but medium rare at the sides. I don't have such problem with this steak; the medium done-ness was evenly spread out.

That big chunk of cheese (the smell affirmed that) was nowhere near to the blue cheese but it added a special flavouring to an otherwise common steak.

I had to add that the fried chicken wings were a delight to have; crispy skin, not oily and not overly meaty (not exactly an advantage but i was so full by then)!

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All three main courses came in a set with a bowl of soup (and bread), coffee/tea and a dessert.

We had mango pudding for dessert! The texture was more mousse than the jelly-texture pudding i know of and more sourish than sweet!

It was still nice lah!

Price

1/2 Dozen Escargots - S$13.90

Ribeye Steak with Chix Wings (Set) - S$28.90

Chicken Chop (Set) - S$15.90

Pork Loin (Set) - S$15.90

Subject to 7% GST and 10% Service Charge

Location

1, Scotts Road, #04-34,

Shaw Centre (Besides Lido, Shaw House)

Nearest MRT Station: Orchard

Tiles with an Impact

Someone sent me an email with the following set of pictures.

Nightspots selling alcoholic drinks should have these tiles placed to deter drunk drivers although i would prefer something more visually aggressive (like a half mashed up car with an arm hanging from the door etc)!

Hallo!! The target group is drivers who drink and drive lor! Do you think they can read the "fine" prints in that wobbly state?!

This is a really good one!

I can imagine parents writing to the Straits Times forum and complaining on the web that it is too realistic and traumatising!

It's puzzling to see some Singapore residents so uptight with creative notices and advertisements! 

If it captures your attention, it works!

(=^_^=)