miss b loves .......Singapore, a city of contrasts (Part 2)

What makes Singapore so interesting is the contrast between the old and the new .... the melting pot of cultures. Some might say that Singapore lacks soul and is too sanitised but I would disagree .....A traditional Singapore still flourishes and we headed to Chinatown on Day 2 of our recent visit....

In complete contrast to the mainly low-rise buildings of Chinatown, the three 55 storey towers of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel is an integrated resort complex topped by a SkyPark. Designed by Moshe Safdie, it's the world's most expensive building....

It's an eye-catching, iconic design which has transformed the city's skyline.

One of the many attractions of the resort is the stunning ArtScience Museum shaped like a lotus flower .....

...and the Louis Vuitton Island Maison store, housed in a striking glass pavillion with a distinctive nautical design to reflect Singapore's location. 

Our plan was to spend the rest of the day at Gardens by the Bay, a spectacular park. The approach to the gardens via the bridge from Marina Bay Sands Hotel left us speechless.

      

The Supertrees looked so futuristic.

We had booked lunch at Pollen before leaving England. It takes its name from chef Jason Atherton's flagship restaurant, Pollen Street Social, in London .......What a perfect name, as this restaurant is housed in the Flower Dome! Creative, innovative and beautifully presented food.The flavours were intense with some unusual combinations.

One of the most memorable meals we have eaten and most certainly worthy of its own post! Dining at Pollen gives guests free access to the huge Flower Dome .....

We were mesmerised by the diverse, rare and unique plants from around the world .....

We headed over to the Supertrees Grove and walked along the 22 metre-high Skyway which links the largest Supertrees .....

The Supertrees are tree-like structures, vertical gardens which dominate the landscape. They mimic the ecological function of real trees and are fitted with photovoltaic cells which harness solar energy.

Our next stop ....the second conservatory, Cloud Forest, which replicates the cool moist conditions of a tropical mountain. We descended the surreal 'mountain' via a mist-filled circular path.

The 'mountain' is covered in anthuriums, orchids, ferns and other exotic plants .......

One of the aims of the Gardens is to educate visitors about the effects of climate change through interactive displays and short videos.

It was impressive to see that horticultural waste is used to produce energy to chill the conservatories .....minimising reliance on the Singapore grid.

At night the Gardens come alive with the spectacular Rhapsody Light and Sound show. Spectators on the Skywalk were silhouetted against the night sky ....

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel
looks just as impressive at night

It had been a long day but we could not visit Singapore without sampling a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel...... Quite an experience! There's a never ending supply of peanuts served in mini sacks and a tradition of throwing peanut shells on the floor! 

Back at our hotel, The Fullerton, we couldn't resist a nightcap, one of their famous Lychee Martinis in the Post Bar. I mentioned here in Part 1 that the hotel was at one time the General Post Office and the bar was the original transaction hall.

Another truly memorable day!

Please join me for Part 3 .....Little India, shopping and amazing street food

If you missed Part 1, you can read it here