Super Trees: Gardens by the Bay
I saw these spectacular beauties on my last night in Singapore, when I didn't have my real camera and the battery on my cell phone was at 18%. Here are better photos and a complete CNN write-up about the Supertrees. It's an "other worldly" experience to walk under the canopy of this man-made, solar-powered eco-garden. I felt like I was glimpsing the future of our planet. The trees generate electricity to power the surrounding business district, collect and use rainwater, preserve and shelter rare tropical plant species, clean and cool the air, act as ventilation ducts for the conservatories nearby, and awe visitors from around the world. Talk about multi-functional!!
The man-made urban forest is comprised of 18 trees ranging in size from 60 to 150 feet in height. Orchids, ferns, and vines climb the steel framework. The largest of the trees has an elevator transporting visitors to a cafe/bar with a fantastic panoramic view of the Marina Bay area and provides access to a walkway connecting the trees. We arrived very late at night, so the walkway was closed -- and I also missed the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome bio-domes nearby this park. Put a big red "To Do" on my life's bucket-list. There is a reason Singapore is the world's #1 place to do business and ranks among the top 25 "happiest" countries, according to the 2015 World Happiness Report. Singapore is pushing the envelope of innovation, urban planning, environmentalism, and eco-tourism. Visiting this dynamic country stimulates ideas and makes you want to do something new and incredible.
This beautiful video celebrates Singapore's 50th anniversary of independence in 2015 and is too good not to share! https://youtu.be/amHTq9_GW0I
