Exploring Singapore's gardens: A green journey through the city in a garden

Travelling from the airport to the hotel, I pass by the gigantic trees that until now, I've only seen in photos. These trees, that I've admired from afar, are now in my sights. The Gardens by the Bay, a symbol of Singapore, exude elements of a true Wonderland.

"In Singapore, there are over 7 million trees. That's more than our population," says our guide Toon Hee, proudly adding that the local initiative aims to plant another million trees by 2030.

With each passing day of my visit, I am constantly reminded of how green this city-state is. Every corner displays beautiful, vibrant flowers, which in Poland, we can only grow indoors and in specific conditions.

Colours thrive in the city center, but it is in the parks, gardens, and reserves where the true magic unfolds. The abundant greenery in the McRitchie Reserve is a sight for sore eyes, boasting a refreshing palette of greens. A stroll through this reserve is a genuine pleasure, as Toon Hee reveals this is where he had his first date with his wife. Despite being startled by the sight of a large iguana, locals pay no mind, and it merely validates that this is no ordinary park.

Visitors from Europe are in awe of everything found here. Like children fascinated with every pebble or twig, European guests halt at every plant and even turtles swimming in the lake capture their attentions for a photo shoot. We are informed by Toon Hee that monkeys also inhabit the reserve.

"It swiped my breakfast," a woman sitting on a park bench suddenly revealed about a monkey that ran up, took the fruit she was eating, and ran off. We look around hoping to catch a glimpse of the fugitive, with no luck.

We spend the rest of the day in a similar surrounding - the Botanical Garden. As soon as we enter the gates, I am almost overwhelmed by the incredible sight. Beautifully dressed Asian women with perfect makeup pose for photos, standing tall amid the colossal plants, while Europeans look awestruck.

Between the trees, some people are practicing yoga and tai chi. Signposts abound, warning visitors against feeding monkeys or taking flash photography of them. Yet, we see no monkeys here as well.

The onsite National Orchid Garden is an orchid lover's paradise, spanning roughly 7.4 acres. It showcases about 1000 species and 2000 hybrid varieties of these extraordinary plants. More often than not, I find myself captivated by these flowers, some towering tall and bearing dozens of blooms. "You can't get such flowers in Lidl," a European tourist remarked humorously.

The garden also houses a greenhouse where scientists study the behavior and propagation of tropical plants under special conditions.

No tour of Singapore's nature trails can be considered complete without a visit to the Gardens by the Bay. This 247-acre park embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. Featuring three expansive gardens, a thorough exploration could take several days.

The Gardens by the Bay is the fruition of Singapore's national plan to transform the "Garden City" into a "City within a Garden". It is intended to improve the quality of life using the therapeutic values of flora and serves as the most important urban outdoor recreational space in Singapore. It is indeed a national icon, attracting tens of thousands of tourists worldwide every year.

The largest among the three, the Bay South Garden specializes in tropical vegetation, housing the world's largest glass greenhouse, the Flower Dome, and the spectacular Cloud Forest that recreates the cool and humid conditions prevalent in tropical mountainous regions at altitudes of 3280 to 9840 feet above sea level.

Yet, the true stars of Gardens by the Bay are the towering supertrees that define the park. "There were supposed to be 22, but there are 18, and every one of them is impressive," explains Toon Hee. "They have heights ranging from 82 to 164 feet and serve as vertical gardens performing numerous purposes."

Supertrees are aptly named. They house unique and exotic ferns, vines, orchids, and a vast collection of bromeliads. They are equipped with technology that mimics the ecological functions of real trees. "They have photovoltaic cells, use solar energy for their illumination, collect rainwater for plant irrigation," the guide explains, adding that they also provide shade in the park.

Tourists love to view the supertrees from below, but the real thrill lies in walking along the treetop paths, offering panoramic views of the gardens and the Marina Bay. Up close, one can truly perceive the superpowers of these treetops. From here, people appear like ants adventuring through a magical forest.

Remember, the treetop walks are only permissible when the weather is clear. But it's a fitting culmination of the green journey through Singapore, creating unforgettable experiences.