One of the highlights of a quick trip to Singapore in May 2023, was a visit to the renowned National Orchid Garden located within the Singapore Botanic Gardens. What a wonderful experience—exquisite orchids of every size and colour imaginable for us to marvel over.

The 164-year-old tropical gardens themselves are splendid. Ranging over sixty acres at the fringe of Singapore’s shopping district, they are the only tropical gardens to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But my husband and I didn’t have long in Singapore, and decided to narrow our visit to a morning exploring the National Orchid Garden. It was a good choice. We were enthralled with the beautifully set-out garden and the thousands of exquisite orchids on display. The orchid is Singapore’s national flower.

The Orchid Garden is designed to replicate ideal conditions for orchids at the different elevations of a tropical mountain. The trail starts under the cover of tall trees, with orchids ranging in size from tiny to outsize for visitors to admire. The orchid-lined path then winds its way upwards to the Sembcorp Cool House, a huge glasshouse that emulates conditions of a high-altitude tropical forest, some 1000 to 2000 metres above sea level.

It was a very hot day, and we welcomed our time in the temperature-controlled glass house with its misty sprays of water refreshing the plants. The displays of orchids were breathtaking. Glorious blooms in all sizes and colours vied for our attention—some of them very unusual. Many of the species of orchids growing there are rare and some endangered. What a privilege to see them.

I don’t know a lot about orchids. But I recognised Cymbidiums, Cattelaya and Dendrobium, Slipper Orchids and Moth Orchids which are common in Sydney, Australia where I live. Others I had never seen before. Naturally, I felt inspired to grow more orchids when I got home, even if only in containers!

Afterwards, we cooled off with delicious fruit drinks at the nearby café. The lunch menu looked very good too.

If you are visiting Singapore, I can highly recommend a visit to National Orchid Garden.

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg/our-gardens/tyersall-entrance/national-orchid-garden

Kandy Shepherd is a best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. Her heartfelt, passionate stories are set in exciting locations around the world and are published in multiple languages. Kandy believes in love-at-first-sight and real-life romance—she and her husband of many years decided to spend their lives together after three days! She loves it when readers tell her that her books make them laugh and make them cry. Kandy lives near Sydney, Australia with her husband and numerous four-legged friends.

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Mistletoe Magic in Tahiti: Curl up with this magical Christmas romance! (The Christmas Pact Book 1)

Healed…

by a mistletoe kiss?

After a bitter divorce, Sienna is spending Christmas on a Tahitian beach! First stop on her "new me" journey? Surf lessons with blazing-hot water-sports magnate Kai—and quickly adding fling to her itinerary! But Sienna hadn’t factored in falling headfirst for the cautious single dad and his adorable daughter. She knows she can’t stay, but will she walk away from a magical future—together?

From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.

The Christmas Pact

Book 1: Mistletoe Magic in Tahiti by Kandy Shepherd
Book 2: Cinderella's Costa Rican Adventure by Scarlet Wilson
Book 3: Snowbound Reunion in Japan by Nina Milne

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