the ideal place to have questions answered about native plants and see them thriving in their natural habitat. Take a guided tour, and be sure to bring your camera to capture the beautiful blooms. Gardening enthusiasts will also want to carve out time for the stunning Singapore Botanic Gardens. A horticulture society founded it in 1859. It has been delighting visitors ever since. Of particular note is the National Orchid Garden, which is composed of seven and a half acres of breathtaking and colorful blooms. Visitors looking for a unique souvenir might want to pick up a hydroponic orchid packaged in a test tube to take home. While the perfectly manicured gardens are beautiful, itâs worthwhile to visit the rainforest as well. This pristine preserve is within the city limits. A brief, 15 minute taxi ride is all thatâs required for visitors to find themselves surrounded by a landscape that feels primordial. Singapore places a high value on respect-
ing nature. Accordingly, visitors will find diligent recycling and conservation practices in placeâpartly why the rainforest is so perfectly preserved. The best rainforest access is within the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The reserve includes numerous wellmarked trails that allow visitors to feel that they are surrounded by nature but never lost. Playful monkeys and lizards curiously peer out at people from leafy abodes, and several pavilions make for lovely spots to relax and enjoy the scenery. This is a remarkable forest that is believed to have existed for one million years. Itâs also one of the only spots in Singapore that went virtually untouched during the entire British occupation. The performing arts are also a main attraction in Singapore. Plenty of special performances and festivals are planned for the Golden Jubilee. The best place to catch a theatrical performance is at Esplanade Park. A total of 50 original Singapore plays will be presented throughout the year. To add to the celebration, a full length Chinese opera will also be performed. The Esplanade Theatres on the Bay opened in 2002. The unusual architecture is reminiscent of the famed opera house in Sydney. Symphonic orchestras, jazz ensembles and dance troupes of every description perform here as well. After the sun goes down the park that surrounds the theater is nothing short of fascinating. In the band shell, listeners are treated to free performances by local music acts. Itâs an experience thatâs not to be missed since the beautifully lit up Singapore skyline can be enjoyed over the top of the shell. 2015 fabric vine 97