by Marc Sim
As moonlight cast a reflective glow on the Singapore river, I embarked upon a journey across the Helix Bridge, a vantage point that encompasses thecity skyline. The concrete floors illuminate colors of white, its steel beamsentwine overhead, emitting neon blue lights. On a cool evening, the bridge ishome to photography enthusiasts and tourists alike. Viewing “pods” extend out horizontallytowards the river, providing a bird’s eye view of a structure shaped in theform of a lotus flower. Curiosity struck me as I descended the bridge to seek acloser look. Taking large strides, the backdrop of three massive separatetowers began to materialize. A large horizontal plane, akin to a surfboard,sits squarely atop the three towers. Laser beams and flashing lights cut acrossthe night sky in various directions. The bright lights coming from the tower seemed to be calling out to me,a silent invitation that my presence was required within. Temporarily withholding the temptation, I decided to enter the ArtScience Museum instead and explore the spaces within its unique lotus shaped exterior. A magnificent blend of engineering and architecture, convex floor to ceiling glass panels resembled futuristic themes. Its bowl shaped roof serves as a storage point for rainwater that cascades down into a reflecting pool. The museum’s lighting is well adjusted, its spaces wide and unrestrained as I made feeble attempts to appreciate the exhibitions on display. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, the ArtScience Museum currently hosts internationally acclaimed exhibitions such as The Harry Potter Exhibition and one on the pop artist Andy Warhol. Entering the Marina Bay Sands tower, rows of shops are stocked withinternational designer labels, their storefront mannequins decked out in the latesttrends and styles. Two floors above, theater goers, dressed for the evening,eagerly await the premiere of an award winning Broadway musical. A slew of Feng Shui shops are located withinthe vicinity of the casino. As the whirring sounds of slot machines drawnearer, aspiring gamblers peruse the ornaments on display, while others engagein consultations with faint hopes that lady luck is standing by. As I break fordinner, I am simply spoilt for choice with a vast plethora of dining options. TWG Tea Company, a local establishment, sets itself apart from the restof the pack. Located in the atrium, it stocks a vast collection of tea harvestsand blends, collected exclusively from source gardens around the globe.Chocolate lovers can indulge in tea-infused chocolates, entirely made by handusing the finest ingredients. My main course consisted of a Rack of Lamb withzucchini ratatouille. The lamb was cooked medium rare, its meat tender andlight pink in color and contained hints of rosemary and thyme. The gravy, whichhad a red African tea infusion, was a perfect complement in every bite.Rounding off my meal was a classic TWG earl grey tea. It’s clean crisp aroma atreat to the olfactory senses. The taste did not disappoint either, with hintsof citrus and bergamot, it was the perfect way to end off a hearty dinner. At$40 Singapore Dollars it was a fair price, considering the efficient service,great food, and unique décor. Despite having no knowledge about botany, I headed for the back exit andmade my way across an overhead bridge to begin my brief dandle with MotherNature. Flowerbeds which were meticulously manicured, basked under the bright moonlight.Their variety of colors exuded a sense of calm that created an innate desire toreach out and touch them. But I decided to trudge on. Tall trees stood amongstthe flowerbeds. Their height imposed themselves on the flowerbeds that grewaround them. Taking a closer look, however, I saw that their bark bore noswirling grains nor was were they smooth in texture. To my surprise, it was anartificially made “Supertree” with a concrete core, embedded with plantingpanels that serve as camouflage. Despite their somewhat ghastly appearance, lookinglike whittled trees stripped bare in winter, the Supertrees serve a practicalpurpose by being able to harvest solar energy. I saved the best for last. Strolling leisurely along, I approached aspherical shaped dome made entirely of glass. A key highlight, the Flower Domestands as a crown jewel of the entire Gardens by the Bay. A cool breeze sweptacross my skin as I entered. The dome re-creates a Mediterranean sub climate toaccommodate plant species such as corals and cactuses, a rarity in this part ofthe world. I stood, deeply amazed by the greenery, enthralled by thearchitecture. As I leaned against the glass panel to take in the dome’s sights,scents, and sounds, fireworks lit up the sky nearby. A perfect ending to aperfect evening. a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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