A Visit To Singapore National Orchid Garden
In June and July this year, my son Karl shouted a holiday for Suzanne, himself and myself to the UK for a tour, with a 3 day stopover in Singapore on the way home.
After a very busy, on the go, 22 days in the UK, we flew to Singapore. Being mid summer in the northern hemisphere and wet season in Singapore, it was quite hot and humid. Coming from Queensland, the heat and humidity wasn’t too bad, but after 22 days of touring and flights, we were feeling quite tired, and the heat made it even more noticeable.
One of the key places I wanted to visit in Singapore was the National Orchid Garden, (naturally).
On the second day, we hopped on the train, and went 3 stops over to the entrance to the Botanic Gardens, where the sign showed a 1.3 kilometre walk to the Orchid Gardens. A very hot and humid walk.
I had previously visited the Botanic Gardens and orchid display some 35 years earlier in 1987, and was very excited (although tired and hot) to be visiting the gardens again.
Entry into the National Orchid Garden is quite inexpensive, S$15 for foreign adults and S$3.00 for foreign seniors.
Upon entry to the gardens, orchids are everywhere, some obviously grown elsewhere and placed into situation, whilst other are growing in situ. The sight is amazing, orchid flowers everywhere.
Looking at the map, you are able to locate the various display areas and plan which way you will go around the gardens.
I chose to go to the top of the gardens first, and then walk around the pathways heading down to the Sembcorp Cool house. The array of orchids is enormous and you are constantly spinning your head around and up and down, looking at the different species and flowers.
Whilst there are plenty of orchids in natural shaded locations, it is amazing how many are out in the open with full sun.
After an hour or more walking the paths, I finally made it to the Senbcorp cool house. This orchid house has two levels and it was surprising as to how cool it is. It is air conditioned, (a very welcome experience on such a hot day) and as your walk around the two levels, it is amazing how many orchids are in there and blooming, even in the areas where the light levels are quite low.
The orchid display in cool house is simply amazing. A real experience, that everyone should have.
After spending quite some time in the cool house, it was time to head back to the exit and catchup with my wife and son who were waiting for me. Then it was time for the walk back to the train station. (Did I mention it was hot and humid? 🤣🤣)
One thing I noticed at the gardens, was that there were no Cattleya orchids.
Below is a collage of photos from my visit.
Have a great week
Peter Johnson
