Wednesday, March 28, 2018

NEVADA: A WORLD WITHIN. A STATE APART.

Go home with more stories than souvenirs!



The spirit of discovery runs deep in Nevada. Whether it is the famed cowboy culture or the wide-open country side, the state offers endless opportunities for adventures that lets your spirits soar high …literally!


The cowboy is symbolic to the state's image, a distinctive social subculture, a unique style of dress and a lifetime's worth of acquired riding skills – on both horse and cattle. When we talk about cowboys in Nevada, it’s about the men and women who ride horses and rope cows. Constantly ranked as one of the Best True Western Towns in the United States, Elko is complete with true cowboy charm. This town is where Nevada’s real cowboys work and play, and the Wild West spirit is catching.


With an exciting past stretching back more than 150 years, it's no wonder that Virginia City, Nevada is one of the country’s largest historical district. Even to this day, Virginia City hasn't changed much from its rough-and-tumble beginnings. The mostly original wooden boardwalk and historic structures like 19th century homes, churches, museums, saloons and cemeteries still remain, allowing visitors to feel like they’ve teleported to another time. Virginia City hosts more than a few special events and parades each year, including the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks, The Virginia City Grand Prix and Christmas on the Comstock.


A great way to explore the scenic charms of Nevada is to drive through the transcontinental highway, famously known as the Loneliest Road in America on the US route 50. Along the way you can make pit stops for burger-eating challenges, dip into natural hot springs and try your luck to mine garnets along the way. You could make a game of it, grab a copy of the official Highway 50 Survival Guide and get it stamped as you sway through the old mining towns on this highway.


When you trace US route 50 a little more closely, you will find that the highway is the best way to reach one of the most iconic landmarks of Nevada, the scenic Lake Tahoe. It is the nation’s largest alpine lake, 22 by 12 miles of sparkling water surrounded by 72 miles of pristine shoreline. Life moves a little slower on Tahoe’s north shore, where the focus is on celebrating a quiet mountain life. The old Tahoe charm is even reflected in major hotels with modern amenities, like a private beach and a pier equipped with wireless Internet access.


The trip will be incomplete without a visit to the Great Basin National Park, where you can tour the Lehman Caves or hike up 13,063-foot to Wheeler Peak. Nevada’s largest national park is filled with fabulous natural treasures, from spectacular alpine lakes to limestone caverns and even imposing glaciers.

Lace up, strap in and soak in the heart and soul of the American wild west countryside. Experience authentic America, as the silver state of Nevada welcomes you to an unconventional journey like never-before.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Discover a world of perpetual Spring at Gardens by the Bay


The Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is home to almost 30,000 plants of over 150 species in 9 different gardens. Stop and smell the flowers in the colourful changing displays of the Flower Field, which reflects different seasons, festivals and themes.


The beauty of pretty pink cherry blossoms returns to Singapore with Flower Dome’s annual cherry blossom floral display ‘Sakura Matsuri’ from 16 March to 8 April 2018. Stroll along cherry blossom tree-lined pathways and discover picturesque Japanese-themed elements like a tea house, rickshaw and tori gates. Lifelike resin dolls are dressed in elegant kimonoxs and pose in meticulously-created miniature scenes of life amidst sakura.


Be amazed by colourful tulips in a garden of magical burrows, multi-coloured eggs and bunnies during the ‘Tulipmania’ floral display from 13 April to 13 May 2018. Pop by and explore an imaginary world filled with whimsical possibilities! The ‘Begonia Brilliance’ which follows from 25 May to 1 July 2018 is an innovative display of begonias, inspired by a brilliant vision of architecture shaped by sustainability.

Explore the rest of the Flower Dome, the World’s Largest Glass Greenhouse, home to 9 different gardens with unique plants from across Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Take in the cool and dry Mediterranean climate as you wander amongst thousand-year-old olive trees and unusual African Baobabs.

Cloud Forest



New wonders await you at the Cloud Forest - a mysterious world veiled in mist, surrounded by over 60,000 plants. Embark on the coolest indoor hiking adventure amidst orchids, pitcher plants and ferns in the cool-moist Tropical Montane regions.

Be amazed as you come face-to-face with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 35 metres! Go on a trek behind the waterfall and enjoy the refreshing cool air and majestic views of the waterfall below. Descend through the surreal mist-filled Cloud Walk and Treetop Walk.

Be inspired by the films ‘Green World’ and ‘+5 Degrees’ to learn more about climate change at the Cloud Forest Theatre. View striking graphics, diagrams, artefacts and videos at the Cloud Forest Gallery to learn more about the five mass extinctions in history and our role in preventing the sixth. Explore the diverse habitats of limestone forest and caves at the Secret Garden to admire rare begonias and exquisite miniature orchids.

Supertrees & OCBC Skyway



Stand in awe of the towering Supertrees – vertical gardens that are home to over 150,000 plants from more than 200 species.

Take in panoramic views of the Gardens and the surrounding Marina Bay skyline. At a height of 22 metres, the OCBC Skyway which is a 128-metre long aerial walkway is an experience not to be missed. During the day, a stroll along the OCBC Skyway presents glorious photo-taking opportunities to capture the scenic beauty of the surrounding flora.


As dusk falls, the captivating Marina Bay skyline emerges and the entire area comes alive nightly with the Garden Rhapsody – a free light and sound show at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.

Heritage Gardens



Experience the diverse history and culture of Singapore’s main ethnic groups during the Colonial period at the outdoor Chinese Garden, Indian Garden, Malay Garden and Colonial Garden.

Rediscover your sense of wonder at Gardens by the Bay.