Waterfall at the Gate, Tears on the Tarmac
Learning from yesterday that I was more comfortable surrounded by natural landscape, I decided to explore Singapore Botanic Gardens before my late afternoon flight back to China. As for breakfast, I again stopped at Bugis before transfer to MRT and grabbed a cup of Iced Rice Milk Latte at Cotti Coffe and some pastries at Tosuta Master inside metro station. Because eating and drinking is prohibited in metro premises, I went out from the exit and sat on the rocks, surrounded by a group of playful pigeons eager to feed.
The botanic garden is indeed the haven for nature lovers and I had a very good time simply taking a walk along the well-maintained trails, enjoying the lush greenery and crystal-clear water. I saw many local families took their kids to relax and taught them to recognize different insects and plants. Though it’s not as thrilling as amusement park, I did feel more peaceful and happier in the nature. From time to time, I saw a hen foraging for food to feed its little chicks. Squirrels, monitor lizards and caterpillars went out and about searching for food.
I was surprised to see a few NUS building when I was strolling around and happened to see a canteen in NUS, where I spent only 4.8 dollars for Roasted Chicken Rice Set Meal and it was good, as usual. After replenishing energy, I continued towards the other end of the garden and saw a very beautiful white swan swimming in Swan Lake. I came out of the garden and took a bus back to my hotel, enjoying the “city in the garden” one last time on the upper decker of the bus. I saw a lot of familiar streets and buildings along the way, like Orchard Road and Bugis, which I still didn’t have enough time to explore every bit of them. I also found mosques, churches and temples by the street. Singapore is really an inclusive country embracing different cultures and religions.
With all my luggage, I set off to Changi Airport on the green line and it’s required to transfer to the other green line at Tanah Merah MRT Stationto get to Changi Airport MRT Station. Changi Airport is an attraction itself with tons of world-class shopping malls, playgrounds, greenery and the biggest indoor waterfall in the world. There are in total 4 terminals in the airport and the Changi Airport MRT Station is located at the basement of Terminals 2 and 3, so I needed to get to Terminal 1 to board my airplane. However, when I was following the signs to Terminal 1, I accidentally walked to Jewel and saw the magnificent waterfall dropping from a rain oculus similar but much bigger to the one on Marina Bay Sands. Lush vertical gardens surround the waterfall, and I was really amazed by Singaporean’s love for gardens, even in the airport! I enjoy the scenery so much that I was concerned that I was going to miss my plane because of this! I really wondered if this airport has the most number of people who miss their flights because the airport has so much to see and do! While walking towards the waiting zone in Terminal 1, I came across some interesting design elements and more gardens, and even saw some pot plants near security check belt!
When the plane was taxing out, I watched the iconic tower of Changi Airport and tears burst out, reflecting on the special adventure and all the amazing people that help me along the way and made this journey so colorful. To make the most of the trip, I nearly spent every second enjoying it so I left the diary work after the trip. I had so much that I wanted to write down that, 13 days after the trip, on June 9th, I finally complete all the diaries.
It’s an adventure that I want to keep in my memory trove forever, and can look back and smile while reliving it 10 years later.
