I do love Singapore. Really. I have said so before and I will say it again. I do. But, it is still a city, and even though it is a very green city and a wonderful place to walk in the shade of those large trees , it is still a city, and me? I don’t do well on asphalt.

Lucky for me, one of the reasons I like Singapore is that they think both of the population and the nature around them and there are a couple of amazing gardens around town.

The botanic garden is just one of them, and  for me it was a wonderful lazy afternoon spent listening to the birds and going very very slowly down small pathways among the beautiful greenery.

One of the nice things about the botanic garden is that it is also informative, with a well organized spices section and a whole array of medicinal herbs and plants. I actually enjoyed the explanations and texts. Ok ok, it was just an excuse so i would feel less guilty of spending a day at the botanic gardens and not in the studio, but it really was interesting.

One more lovely part of these botanic gardens are the closed orchid sections, with controlled climate environment (not a bad idea in a tropic climate, I hid there with delight) , small waterfalls and a general feel of a micro cosmos where beautiful strange colorful organisms live and prosper.

I wouldn’t think I would be so enthused about orchids, but the whole experience, the surroundings, the settings, the endless roads through the woods where every corner has a surprise for you, weather it is a carpet of flowers or a circle of ancient trees who have turned into stone a million years ago, a small journey into nature. And that is always a good idea.

When I got back to the hustle and bustle of the city I was refreshed. They don’t call them green lungs for nothing and more cities need to appreciate their effects. Parks are not a luxury, but a necessity, and a beautiful informative botanic garden? Even more so. Highly recommended.