What are the key attractions of Gardens by the bay?

• Flower dome

Wander amongst thousand year olda olive trees and unusual Baobabs of the cool – dry Mediterranean and subtropical regions as you take insights of the changing floral display!

• Cloud forest

Explore the highlands amidst orchids, pitcher plants and ferns the cool moist Tropical Montane region complete with a 35 metre man made mountain and waterfall.

• OCBC Skyway and Supertree Grove

Look up in awe at dramatic vertical plant displays or enjoy a birds eye view from the 22 metre high skyway. When night falls, the Supertrees come to life with a spectacular light and sound show at 19.45 and 20.45 pm!

• Heritage Gardens

Discover how plants play a part in the culture οf Singapores main ethnic groups as well as their historical significance in the city states colonial heritage.

• World of plants

Learn more about the floral relationships in the rainforest and the functions of plant life!

• Dragonfly lake

Find out the role of dragonflies in supporting the ecosystem of ardens by the bay, it is the first attraction you see when visiting Gardens!

• Sun pavilion

For a unique desert experience visit Mexican cacti and the Brazilian Turks Cap.

• Silver leaf

This 600 sq. meter outdoor space offers an intimate setting by Dragonfly lake, suitable for cocktails, dinners, sports, childrens garden breakfast and of course the famous satay by the bay the local delight you must try when in Singapore!

Entrance info

Main entrance to most of the outdoor sights is free!!!

Check out the opening hours through the official site of Gardens by the bay!

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We sent almost 2 weeks wondering in Vietnam, Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), frstly we ll present to you the capital of Vitetnam! Meet Hanoi!

Hanoi is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world, at least we believe so, Its ancient pagodas, sprawling public parks, colonial buildings and boulevards make what we call the city’s history. Long ruled by China, more than six decades of French colonisation and of course struggled for the unified Vietnam.

Life in Hanoi moves at a slower pace than in Ho Chi Minh City HCMC which is located southest. The city still owns its charming old streets, and retains its age old charisma! Everywhere you can find those street peddlers in non la, the conical hats we all know, navigate the city on bicycles carrying oversized cargos of fresh flowers and fruits, food vendorssell steaming hot oho, rice noodle broth on every street corner.

80% of vehicles in Hanoi are motorbikes, and it will certainly overwhelm you at first. Crossing the street is like…we cant really describe it guys! and it doesn’t help that there are no street lanes!!  My best piece of advice is to always walk the same pace when crossing the road, and the drivers will go around you. If you slow down or speed up, then you might be in trouble…

Hanoi may be an old settlement but it ofeers new experiences as underground acts and jazz bars.  Also you can find museums of history, art and culture of Vietnam! Some of the main attractions are, the Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the lake, the Turtle tower, the town of Sapa and of course Ha Long Bay!

Ha Long Bay... is a UNESCO world heritage listed site and one of the 7 wonders, you can just take a full day trip to explore this amazing and spectacular vew! Towering limestone pillars and tiny islets topped by forest rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1994, Halong Bay’s scatter of islands, dotted with wind- and wave-eroded grottoes, is a vision of ethereal beauty and, unsurprisingly, northern Vietnam’s number one-tourism hub. Dont forget to check out the symbol of Ha Long Bay, Kissing Rocks!

Street Food is available everywhere and we recommend eating as much as possible! However, some tourists get food poisoning because of the water, so always make sure to drink bottled water and only eat fruit that you peel yourself. Avoid the women on the street trying to sell you doughnuts or pre-cut pineapples, because they probably used a dirty knife and/or they have been sitting there for days.

To do: Watch Thang Long Water Puppet Show, its an age old artform that originated in the flooded paddy fields of North Vietnam! Accompanied by a traditional orchestra, master pupeteers in waist deep water manoeuvre colourful puppets to tel  enchanting Vietnamese folk tales!

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Of course many of you already have seen or visited Petronas Twin Towers! As impressive as this sight is, it is not the only draw in Kuala Lumbur! There are more things to do in Kuala Lumbur  even if you are only for 24 hours!

We suggest you the itinerary we prepared for our selves and which was the perfect combination for us in order to unreveal this great city! The itinerary consists of three parts!

Part 1 – Batu Caves (cost 15 USD for 2 persons)

Batu Caves in short also referred as 10th Caves or Hill for Lord Muruga as there are six important holy shrines in India and four more in Malaysia. The three others in Malaysia are Kallumalai Temple in Ipoh, Tanneermalai Temple in Penang and Sannasimalai Temple in Malacca. There is a direct train straight to the Batu Caves and the cost is ridiculously cheap! After about 45 mins you arrive at Batu station, you need to just walk ahead for about 200m. Escape the bustle of the city centre visit the Hindu shrine at Batu Caves, home to the renowned Lord Murugan (Hindu God of Victory) golden statue! Witness the production of Malaysian crafts and a batik production centre!

Part 2  – Half day Kuala lumbur City Highlights Tour (cost 30 usd for 2 persons)

Enjoy the best of Kuala Lumbur tourist spots on a tour which lasts for about 4 hours! This is a city sightseeing tour perfect for first time visitors like us! Explore the modern and traditional city, visit the most popular attractions like the stunning Petronas Twin Towers the twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)’s official definition and ranking, they were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 and remain the tallest twin towers in the world. The buildings are a landmark of Kuala Lumpur, along with nearby Kuala Lumpur Tower. Also visit Istana Negara (Royal Palace) and historical Sultan Abdul Samad Building! We chose Devine Holiday as a tour company. The tour was great! We didn’t have a tour guide but our English speaking driver Shasi was more than great! He drove safely and keep explaining the whole time! We visited all main sites of Kuala lumbur and definetely recommend this company for your tours in this awesome city! Here are the main highlights of Kuala Lumbur:

• King Palace (National Palace)
• House of Parliament
• Lake Garden (Perdana Botanical Gardens)
• National Mosque
• National Monument
• Old Railway Station
• Independence Square
• Moorish Building, Cricket Club, Cricket fields and St. Mary Anglican
  Church
• Petronas Twin Tower

Part 3 – Street food (costs deends of course but the prices are really low, maybe 20 usd for 2 persons is a good budget to enjoy some of the tastes!)

This is the one place you can’t miss out, and we can’t avoid mentioning . Jalan Alor, on the line up to Bukit Bintang is one of the most-visited places of urban Malaysia, offering a good easing in to the atmosphere of roadside dining. Although this stretch of road is littered with coffee shops, making it more of an extended outdoor restaurant, the entire road forms an unbroken river of delicacies that is something special in itself. We really tried so many things we cant even remember!  The variety of food available is amazing and in Jalan Alor the barbecued meats, noodles and desserts are some of the best (and cheapest) in the city.

About accommodation… there is a great variety beginning from 5 usd for a shared room at a hostel to the most expensive hotels! We chose to stay close to Jalan Alor in a room, for about 15 usd! It was quite small but fair enough considering  the price!

Total cost for 2 persons: 65 – 70 usd for a day!

This was our 24 hours itinerary in Kuala Lumbur! Waiting to get your feedback!

Click for the Kuala Lumbur City Highlights map!!

Kuala Lumbur Malaysia places to see – nonstoptravellers

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