Another item which cannot possibly
be allowed to pass. If one may be able to save a single, solitary soul, the
effort must not under any circumstances be spared.
Yesterday an
opening for the media at the Supertree Grove here, the chief feature of the new
public garden development called "Gardens by the Bay", within the
premier Marina Bay precinct, which is crowned by the Marina Bay Sands iconic
tower formation designed by the world class architect, Moshe Safdie. (For an
earlier blog last month on these Gardens see "Super-nature in
Singapore". The MBS Integrated Resort has of course mesmerised this author
and his many readers a number of times previously.)
Media people can
be seen in the photograph accompanying the report in this morning's paper
taking pictures of themselves on the twenty-two metre high Skywalk bridge
linking two of the tallest Supertrees. The latter are now more or less revealed
as thin concrete towers— champagne flutes had been uppermost in the designers’
imagination—clad in vivid grape-coloured vine-type netting that gives the
impression even in the picture of branches, tendrils, vines of course,
spider-webs and nautical ropes. Perhaps the tone is more violet than grape, the
lighting naturally significant.
No sign of an
escalator as yet (as at the Fort Canning Gardens — see again "Super-nature
in SG" and the reference to the photograph on the web). Likely within the
stem of one or two of the Super-trees lifts have been fitted on this occasion;
and within more than one or two tree-towers given the projected five million
visitors expected in this nature reserve.
General garden
entry here will be without cost. The aerial walkway on the other hand is
scheduled to be $5 a pop—gantries at the lifts; or finally escalators again if
numbers entirely overwhelm.
Conservatories,
Children's garden, Heritage gardens—maintenance costs will not come cheap.
Light shows,
fireworks, a mini-waterfall, a lily pond and a spring water system for the
Kingfisher Lake (difficult not to drool), all cost. Sponsoring from a bank and
Kikkoman soya sauce manufacturer thus far. Responsible community-minded
corporations and businesses can be expected to follow the lead.
The chief exec. of
Gardens by the Bay, a Dr. Tan — as is the current President of the Republic (a
former Jesuit boy), together with all three other challengers that vied for the
position late last year (the Tans clearly the number two family-clan in the
country), Dr. Tan explained the need to off-set running costs.
Said the doctor (in
the common phraseology of the Straits Times), quoted in this morning’s
newspaper: "Our public demands colour and colour costs."
Never a truer word
spoken Doc. Colour never has come cheap. Painters have been known to kill for a
particular stone or soil giving inimitable colour. Factor in the digital age,
the last generation on screens here immediately after the bottle. A demanding,
discerning audience alert to fakery.
People of
Singapore, tourists, casino high-flyer visitors, lovers of the arts, lovers of
nature and colourful entertainment, perhaps you might try a lovely teh tarik
and nasi g. at Mr. Teh Tarik in Geylang Road opposite old, soon to be demolished
Malay Kampung possibly. Five star recommendation by this author. About the same
price, $5. Ambience, the people parade, families, the fashion show of
traditional Malay womenfolk, all free. Will satisfy more than your belly, I
guarantee. Open 24 X 7. (The colours of the women’s scarves alone worth the
price of admission.)
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