Because of Trump's stupid war in Iran, our ship's itinerary has undergone major changes due to the global fuel crisis.  For Kathie and I its been a good news, bad news situation.  The good news is that the changed itinerary has us in Singapore on four different occasions over the next 6 months, which is a great port.  Bad news: because of the fuel crisis, it has led to only visiting, and in many cases revisiting, many ports in greater Southeast Asia, which are not the best in many cases.  Fortunately for us, the bad news is largely mitigated because we are coming home for two months beginning June 7th.  All that being said, I wanted to post this addition to the blog on our visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. 

 We got up early on a Sunday morning and, with our friend Diane, hopped on a double-decker bus to the gardens.  If you've been following our travels, you know we've visited many botanical gardens along the way.  Singapore's garden is in a class by itself...its just WOW!!!  So first, let me start with a little overview of the garden, and then without any commentary from me, I'll just share the many pictures I took during our four-hour visit.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is one of Singapore’s most important cultural and natural landmarks. Established in 1859, it is a sprawling 82-hectare tropical garden located just north of Orchard Road and is the first and only tropical botanic garden recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  In 2015, the Gardens became Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO recognized it not only for its beauty, but also for its historical role in tropical botany and agriculture. The Gardens played a major part in developing the rubber industry throughout Southeast Asia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  It is often described as a blend of a tropical rainforest, landscape architecture, an outdoor museum, a scientific research center, and a cultural heritage site.

The National Orchid Garden is the crown jewel of the Botanic Gardens and the only major section that charges admission ($3 USD PP).  The orchid collection is regarded as one of the finest in the world.  Highlights include:

• More than 1,000 orchid species
• Over 2,000 orchid hybrids
• VIP Orchid Garden featuring orchids named after visiting world leaders and celebrities
• Cool house zones replicating tropical highland climates
• Burkill Hall, a preserved colonial building

Next stop the world famous Orchid Garden for all of my Orchid loving friends and you know who are :-)

And now into the "Cool House" where they showcased high altitude orchids.

And now a little of this and that....maybe you can tell me what they are :-)

I have more but I think you've gotten a good idea of this incredible botanic garden.  I'll finish this with my favorite celebrity orchid...just read the sign to know who it was named after.