National Orchid Garden - Definitely for Orchid Fans @ Singapore Botanic Gardens

I love flowers but like many others, it's their physical beauty that attracts me rather than genealogy, anatomy etc. Therefore, i have never been keen in visiting the unsheltered National Orchid Garden and this reluctance was reinforced when i heard there is an admission fee!

Dad is different; he has the gift of a green thumb and was a proficient gardener when my family was living in the kampong where we had a huge backyard. As such, it seemed appropriate to bring him and mom to check out the orchid garden, especially when they had never been there before too!

It was a surprise to have mom joining us as she has always hated the sun and would usually decline such invitation. On second thought, maybe she was under the impression this garden is similar to the two air-conditioned domes in Gardens by the Bay!

Whatever the case, it was a fine (and sunny) day and mom did come prepared with a brolly, a pair of sunglasses and likely a few bottles of sunblock.

A customary shot of the parents in the midst of orchids!

Given my lack of knowledge about Orchidaceae, i shall refrain from posting any scientific information lest i make a laughing stock out of myself. You shall see plentiful of "this is so beautiful" statement in this post instead.

For a Sunday, it sure wasn't crowded and as expected, i am seeing more foreigners than locals. It's really funny whenever i hear of some friends who always complain that Singapore is boring; by and large, their definition of fun usually doesn't include the sun, the heat and the humidity.

I don't really quite understand the need to install a "photo spot" sign, especially when the entire place is filled with flowers! The backdrop is nice? Take a picture lah! 

Among the three of us, dad was definitely the most delighted!

Mom didn't perform too bad either and gamely accommodated to my frequent requests for photo taking despite the incredible heat that i personally could not 'tahan' as well!

The garden was teeming with life, other than those of homo sapiens and plants. We spotted the active squirrels, elusive changeable lizards and of course, the well hidden garden snails.

Open daily from 8.30 am till 7.00 pm, this garden with the 'largest display of tropical orchids in the world' has in total nine designated highlights.

I can only remember going through six which means for the other three, i could have likely walked past without knowing their existence! Haha, a likely scenario since i can get quite carried away when it comes to taking pictures.

Just like dad (many relatives commented i have inherited his love for photography) although he has an eye for nicer photo spots. In my case, i rely heavily on technology (photoshop etc) to crop and frame the pictures.

An ex-colleague of mine commented that Singapore has one of the worst weather in the world; the high humidity is a major turnout and a sunny day could give way suddenly to stormy weather! This lack of predictability translates into scheduled showers on the plants to ensure they remain in their tip-top condition!

Tan Hoon Siang Mist House - named in honour of a descendant of Tan Tock Seng, this displayed rare orchid hybrids originated from the Garden.

I couldn't find much explanation although i read from a brochure (after my visit) that there was a fragrant orchids corner with a species which emits a chocolate-like fragrance! Whatever the case, the orchids in this house were indeed unique and very pretty,

Like the above which could have been mistaken as white orchids splattered with blood in a murder scene!

Instead of a 'lip' typical of most orchids, this has a shoe!

There were numerous moss-covered cultural artifacts said to be from countries that have distribution centres for orchids. Blame my lack of knowledge; i could not recognise most of them!

The above is from... Philippines? No?

Professional photograph slowly composing the shot! I have a tripod yet i am seldom patient enough to bring the tripod whenever i go. Furthermore, it's very tiring to lug the tripod along!

Glare from the morning sun! Lighting is an incredibly important element when it comes to photography and using natural light shining on the spot is always the best!

Yuen-Peng McNeice Bromeliad Collection - sponsored by the late Lady Yuen-Peng McNeice, the bromeliad is not in the same family as orchid! An example of a bromeliad would be the commonly seen pineapple. 

Nothing of interest to us actually; guess we would be more excited to see pineapples. Come to think about it, biting into a slice of sweet pineapple on a hot weather would be so damn shiok! 

Arches with overhanging ferns in between Tan Hoon Siang Mist House and Yuen-Peng McNeice Bromeliad Collection; this area should be quite mystical at night. 

We were halfway through the Garden and what we severely needed then was a cool temporary respite from the sun! The Cool House to the rescue! 

To get there, walk through the elevated boardwalk! It was a pity there wasn't much to see beneath the boardwalk except for trees and foliage. 

Anyway, it was only a short walk and you can so imagine our exhilaration when this building, covered in condensation, loomed in front of us! 

Dad was happy; mom was glad; i was thrilled to have air-conditioning! By the way, the cool house was meant to simulate a tropical mountain forest and have you noticed this is a similarity with another attraction in Singapore? 

The amazing Cloud Forest Conservatory at Gardens by the Bay! I think it is obvious my affection is with the one at Gardens by the Bay; bigger in scale, taller in height and a much better replica for a mountain forest. Click here to check out "Cloud Forest"!

Random pictures; guess you can recognise a sun dial when you see one. 

Climbing the stairs to check out another highlight; one that i really was looking forward to seeing! Do note that the National Orchid Garden is wheelchair accessible; so please do not hesitate to bring along your grandparents who might be having difficulties in walking! 

The flower plot next to the left of the lady was my aim for the visit that day.

Vanda Miss Joaquim - the national flower of Singapore! This is my first time seeing it in its natural form, complete with stems and leaves. 

Honestly, i never found it to be exceptionally beautiful but looking at a whole bunch of them that day, my opinion has changed! Appearance aside, Vanda Miss Joaquim was also chosen as the national flower due to its resilience and year-round blooms. 

There were also very charming and befitted the name of White Fairy! 

A group of Thai tourists was hogging this spot for like more than ten minutes! Tourists (including Singaporeans) are the same everywhere, regardless of whether they are in Taiwan or in Singapore! 

Mom finally got her chance. 

For my separate post on Burkill House and the VIP Orchid Garden, click here! 

Flowering banana tree! My colleagues laughed at me recently when i told them it was only in the last year or so that i am aware bananas are grown within the flower! Apparently, i should have failed my science.

Once again, mom in the photo and this time surrounded by loads of orchids. Orchids have a special place in Singapore; those who collect currencies would know the first currency note series to be circulated in independent Singapore is the Orchid series. For more information, click here. 

Entering a "bird cage" enclosure.

Last photo for the day! 

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Location

Within Singapore Botanic Gardens

[Enter from Tyersall Avenue]

Garden Map

As above.

Admission Fee

S$5 for adults

S$1 for seniors & students

Free for children below 12

Mama Panda Kitchen (熊猫妈妈小吃) - The Expensive Panda Themed Fast Food Restaurant @ River Safari [Singapore]

Unlike Taiwan, food establishments located in Singapore's tourist attractions are known for their exorbitant pricing. As a consumer, you do have the right not to patronise the restaurants / eateries although i still find it leaving a bad taste in my mouth when the food turned out to be less than satisfactory; which is often the case. 

Today, i am going to write about the panda themed eatery at River Safari, the latest attraction in Singapore that houses the incredibly popular (not to mention, very cute) giant pandas! 

Mama Panda Kitchen features a typical fast food restaurant concept with bamboo framed photos of adorable pandas in numerous poses adorning the walls.

There were a few red lanterns hanging from the ceiling to portray that Oriental feel; i personally thought it was just a feeble attempt to justify the higher pricing for the food.

The major selling point, in my opinion, was more the reservoir view you can get from either dining in the air-conditioned restaurant or at its alfresco section. Anyway, without further ado, let's start on food. 

Giant Panda Cappuccino

Serving largely Chinese dishes, this was one of the few non-Chinese items on the menu. No comment on the coffee (remember, i am more a nanyang coffee lover). Most people would buy it simply for uploading to Instagram / Facebook.

Chicken & Mushroom Bamboo Rice Set

This came to our table a few moments after we plonked ourselves onto the seats. The supposedly spicy soup was more salty than spicy while the hardly filling bamboo rice tasted like it was microwaveable food. Just to clarify, the latter wasn't horrid and it was more the disappointment of paying close to S$17 for the set. 

Even the mango pudding failed to perk me up. Alex liked it although i found the texture to be overly mushy and the flavour a bit too artificial for my liking.

Fried Wanton

These were in fact the best thing i had at Mama Panda; the four of them came straight from the frying pot and were a pleasure to bite into given their crispiness! Filling was seasoned a tad peppery for me and could have been better if prawns are added. 

Shanghai Wanton Ramen Set

Thank god this looked substantial enough for us! The lotus chips were quite nice even though i got the feeling it came from a value pack rather than freshly fried like the delicious, unforgettable ones from Wan He Lou.

Broth was bland and the noodles contained no surprises for me to write anything further on it. The wantons were huge and similar tasting to the fried wantons except for a heavier concentration of chives in the filling. 

Panda Chocolate Custard Bao

No matter how expensive the food / drinks are, it's just too hard to resist the panda-headed buns! At S$2.90 each, the panda baos (with options of red bean or chocolate custard) are one of the cheapest food available in Mama Panda. 

Oozing chocolate sauce which tasted like a less sweet version of nutella, i was quite impressed with the softness of the bun! 'Quite' because it was relatively tasteless and too thick for my liking. Hm.. I should have ordered the red bean one since it would be in line with the oriental theme. 

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Location

Within River Safari (next to Giant Panda section). 

Admission fees to River Safari are still applicable.

Pricing

Giant Panda Cappuccino - S$5.90

Chicken & Mushroom Bamboo Rice Set - S$16.90

Fried Wanton -  S$5.90

Shanghai Wanton Ramen Set -  S$16.90

Panda Chocolate Custard Bao -  S$2.90

Menu

As above


To read my condensed post on River Safari, 

please click here!

VIP Orchid Garden (besides Burkill Hall) @ National Orchid Garden [Singapore]

I was so obsessed with completing my travel posts on Taiwan that i totally overlooked my visit to the National Orchid Garden in Singapore in May! As there are quite a number of photographs, i have made the decision to break it up into numerous entries for this blog! 

Although i have lived in Singapore for well over thirty years, this was my first time to National Orchid Garden! My memory of it came from the television when the newscaster would announce a new orchid hybrid named after a dignitary.

These VIP orchids are housed in the VIP Orchid Garden but given the number of hybrids, i guess only a couple were showcased in the gardens. Either the former or that i was too overwhelmed by the hot sun to do a proper check.

This one was named after former Thailand prime minister; Yingluck Shinawatra during her visit to the little red dot in 2011 - blame it on my ignorance, i could hardly recognise half of the so called VIPs who were accorded the special treatment of having a flower named after them! 

Ascocenda Yingluck Shinawatra - i realised after going through the pictures in this National Orchid Garden album that most orchids seem to have a 'tongue' protruding out. This was exceptionally obvious in Ascocenda Yingluck Shinawatra as the tongue was red.

A pity i could no longer enjoy the heat (like the stone statue above) and prefer to seek refuge in the colonial bungalow next to the VIP Orchid Garden.

Named after the 'two former directors of Singapore Botanic Gardens', Burkill Hall was actually built in 1868 and served as the home to the "garden's superintendents and directors till 1969". 

Many couples seeking wedding venues might have chanced upon this black and white bungalow in their search as it was said to be popular for weddings and special events. For me, it was merely a sheltered premise where i could take a comfortable look at the hybrids created for the VIPs. 

On posters that is. Well, it sure wasn't as nice as seeing the real flowers but it would do for the sake of escaping the heat! The above hybrid was known as Kagawara Megawati Soekarnoputri (she was the former president of Indonesia)! 

Paravanda Nelson Mandela - in honour of the great man who passed away last year. The flower was presented to him when he last visited Singapore in 1997.

Vanda William Catherine - the most famous royal couple in the world who dropped by Singapore in 2012 (a visit noted for the wayang show staged for them in Queenstown)! I am going to stop publishing more pictures as it would be so much better for you to pop by for a physical visit! 

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Location

Within National Orchid Garden 

@ Singapore Botanic Gardens

Price

Free for the VIP Orchid Garden and Burkill Hall but there is an admission fee of S$5 per adult (free for children 12 years and below) to the National Orchid Garden

Additional Information

Those interested to hold an event at Burkill Hall can check out the rates here.