Views from the OCBC Skyway

Best time to board the OCBC Skyway might be 7:45pm or 8:30pm (last admission time) when the entire Supertree Grove lights up in a music and light program named the OCBC Garden Rhapsody. Then you'll be engulfed by the floods of enchanting lights as you stood in their midst!

But we were physically exhausted after just one round of touring the conservatories and couldn't wait for the later hours. Even our plans to re-enter the conservatories in the lighted dusk were scrapped.

Still, this early hour gave us a far view of the surroundings on this cloudy evening. 

Some feels that the OCBC Skyway, suspended at a limited height of just 22m above ground wouldn't provide any breathtaking scenery. True. But somehow, you just have to get up here when given the chance.

The 128m long walkway connects two 25m tall Supertrees, and gives you a different sense of the gardens against our skyscraping cityscape - The bustle of the city highways striking high contrast to the peaceable gardens.

Feel it and take this stroll.

Gardens by the Bay - Cloud Forest

Time your entrance into the Cloud Forest at designated timings (9am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm or 8pm) to be enshrouded in the thick white mist that was released!

We entered at 4pm and were immediately enveloped in the misty fog while still recovering from our excitement of watching the world's tallest indoor waterfall; raining loud and hard on us. It was fantastic.

And we wowed at the colorful vegetation that covers the 35m tall mountain; busy taking photos amidst the haze; trying to identify each and every flora that was densely planted on the vertical wall.

It was like a mysterious world that we had entered.

Ascending on the mountaintop by elevator, more exotic plants await. There is a good mix of unique orchids, ferns and colorful epiphytic plants that you wouldn't have in other gardens on this tropical island.

Descending the mountain via the majestic canopy walk while looking out to the aerial view of the outdoor gardens and mountainside below, you'll not fail to stop in your trail by extraordinary wild orchids and the unfamiliar flowering greens.

Enjoy your walk in the clouds.

Gardens by the Bay - Flower Dome

It's hard to decide which is worth the visit - the Flower Dome (cool-dry biomes) or Cloud Forest (cool-moist biomes), the 2 cooled conservatories of Gardens by the Bay. You have to visit them both for the contrasting experience.

The flower dome is the larger of the two at 1.2 hectares while the cloud forest stands tall on 0.8 hectares of land.

Since young, we read of greenhouses in story books and on TVs; the flower dome offers us a chance to be in a giant glasshouse where we 'enter a world of perpetual spring'. And in spring, flowers bloom wondrously! Even the rarely seen blossoming of many cacti!

More photos from their website here.

There are many exotic flowers which we know not their names; so do they have the more common English roses, some with variations - Try locating one that smell of both rose and lemongrass! It was a giant bloom planted in pot at an obscure corner! Such are the quiet working of our horticulturists.

With our group of devoted grower from National Parks Board, i am looking forward to seeing our garden further embellished as it matures over time. Can't wait.

Before we exit to visit the Cloud Forest, don't miss the Olive Grove that houses the batch of Olive trees from Spain; some are over 1,000 years old!

Peranakan Lady's Finger

Many years back, i used to watch this cooking series by a Perankan lady aired on Ch 5 during lunch time. She made all her cooking looked effortless and delicious that i was tempted to jot down her instructions after each episode; and had kept the little notes till today. Here's one, with fresh Okra from our garden. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Soak dried prawns in water to soften. Remove and set aside the water.

2. Pound dried prawns, 1 garlic, 1 red chili, 1 onion/ or shallots.

3. Fry pound in oil, followed by adding in the lady's finger.

4. Sprinkle water to create steam.

5. Add light soya sauce to taste.

Prawns may also be added to enrich this simple dish.

Himalaya Herbals Mud Pack

Himalaya Purifying Mud Pack, 150ml ($6.90)

Mud mask has always been marketed for oily skin. But i like the product for its cleansing and skin tightening properties and has been using it in moderation for my normal skin type. While applying, the skin tightens as the mask dries; it felt good, and after washing, the skin brightens up, imparting a natural glow! and felt really smooth without the dead cells. Pity it doesn't remove blackheads as claimed. 

But, i thought my face felt slimmer. And for the many days after, the skin felt smooth to touch. This modest product from Himalaya Drug Company, Bangalore (founded in 1930) seems to work well.

For my weekly cleansing, only a dollop of twenty-cent coin size was used with water dilution on my wet skin. After which, standard moisturizing must be followed to phase out the drying feel.

1 Market by Chef Wan

All photos courtesy of 1 Market.

Sorry for the lack of actual photos here, for the lunch was impromptu. Still i am excited to make a small review of this halal buffet at level 4 of Plaza Singapura new extension.

The entire dining experience was pleasant and inviting as we step into the airy and soothing lighted restaurant. The buffet hall was carnival-like as the many first-time guests hopped about the spacious food counters, comparing food, picking them up curiously and happily walked away to other sections. Most food counters were stationed with their smiley serving staffs, ready to offer assistance.

Hits and misses with the final product of cooked food, but it was an overall way above average if we are comparing with Sakura Buffet who sets the average standard. Meticulous food presentations help whets the appetite, and when you finally sat down with your plate for tasting, you ain't disappointed.

I see this place as the next up and coming buffet joint that is overtaking Sakura; everything here adds up to make the dinning experience a very enjoyable one.

Ingredients adopted by 1 Market are fresh and green; the vegetables are crisp, seafood sashimi beautifully sliced - supported by a group of diligent kitchen staffs who are constantly whipping up warm cooked food, baked desserts, grilled items and chilled seafood.

While the buffet tries to cover cuisine from Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and you are guaranteed to find many food that delights; there's 1 item everyone in our group have and have repeat servings of - their deep pocket Waffles topped with ice-cream! Freshly baked, of course. So remember not to leave the buffet without having it.

See their buffet price list here or check up their FB for updates.
Our weekday lunch was at 23.80++ per pax.