SUPERTREE GROVE: THE AVATAR WORLD

Posted on 01 March 2018 at 04:17

The last stop of our Gardens by the Bay adventure is at the Supertree Grove in the Avatar World. We arrived at around 7:00 in the evening and still the sky is still blue as you can see the photo below. So most of my photos were taken during the night. The only photo of the Supertrees taken during the day is at the Dragonfly Bridge which I took the time we arrived at the Gardens by the Bay. But I guess the time of the photo taken serves me well today as the title of my blog speaks for itself -- Supertree Grove: The Avatar World because of its Avatar inspired lights. So let me begin my writing with dazzlement.

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Supertree Grove: The Avatar World / Photo Credit: Dimpsy

I was dazzled by the magnificent sight as I stood still facing the Avatar-inspired setting of the 12 Supertrees at Supertree Grove in Gardens by the Bay. First time to see such humongous artificial trees and feels like I was transported into a different world -- The Avatar World.

Lies in the Gardens by the Bay are three large gardens: Bay Central Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay South Garden. The three gardens have been put into writing in my previous blog: A Day in Gardens by the Bay. The largest among the gardens is the Bay South Garden where the Supertree Grove: The Avatar World is situated together with the two conservatories -- Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.

Supertree Grove Garden / Photo Credit: Dimpsy

Each tree has its length of 25 and 50 meters tall. Twelve Supertrees can be found at the Supertree Grove and other six are equally distributed at the Silver and Golden Gardens. The highest Supertree is nestled at the center of Supertree Grove. Measuring a height of up to 16-storey. Awarded as the 2017 Travelers' Choice TripAdvisor award as Top 5 Landmarks in Singapore.

Supertree Grove: The Avatar World / Video Credit: DesignStudio5555 via Youtube

To give you an idea of how the Supertree Grove Garden looks during the day, here is a video from DesignStudio5555 that will walk you through to the garden from the ground up to the OCBC Skyway. Personally, I prefer to be here during nighttime. Aside the air is so refreshing, the view is spectacularly awesome.

WHAT COMPRISES THE SUPERTREES?

As I have stated in my previous blog: A Day in Gardens by the Bay, the Supertrees comprises of the following:

1. REINFORCEMENT CONCRETE CORE

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Reinforcement Concrete Core / Photo Credit: Dimpsy

The Reinforcement Concrete Core is the inner structure situated on the ground that has an in-site concrete core, a pre-cast concrete core that is lined up vertically as the foundation that upholds the Supertree. Aforementioned above, each Supertrees has its length of 25 and 50 meters tall.

2. TRUNK CORE

Trunk Core / Photo Credit: Munshi Ahmed via Inhabitat

Each Trunk Core is consists of inner trunk core, an outer trunk core, circumferential trunk cables, and trunk branches. These are big and small steels that enveloped the main trunk core of the Supertrees. The fuchsia pink steels that you can see around the trunk are the outer trunk core and the inner trunk core that reinforced the Concrete Trunk.

3. PLANTING PANELS

Planting Panels of the Supertree / Photo Credit: Dimpsy

These are panels installed on the trunks that serve as the base for the plantation of the living skin. Fist it is covered with Mesh panels followed by the Planting Panels, the Completed Panels and the final touch is the Planting. Over 200 species of various types of orchids, ferns, bromeliads and some tropical flowering climber plants are planted in different planting schemes ranging from various colors such as reds, oranges, browns, yellows and hues like pink and silver to make it more like a real tree. All in all, there are 162,900 plants that wrapped around the sixteen Supertrees.

Plant choices are considered accordingly to not commonly found in Singapore. It is soil-less, lightweight and hardy. It can adapts Singapore's climate and sustainable for vertical planting. And most of all it is easy to maintain and has a high visual interest to capture one's attention.

EXAMPLES OF PLANT SPECIES IN THE SUPERTREE

Tillandsia stricta from Brasil

Tillandsia fasciculate from Panama

Cattleya maxima from Ecuador

Pseudorhipsalis from Costa Rica

Source: www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

4. CANOPY

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Canopy (inverted umbrella) / Photo Credit: Dimpsy

The one that looked like an inverted umbrella in the photo above us (fuchsia pink in color) is the Canopy Skin panel assembled and hoisted by a hydraulic jack system together with a core head radial ribs (green color) that is responsible in gathering solar energy to supply the lighting and sounds of the Rhapsody Show at night. The main function of the Canopy is for environmental sustainability where it provides shade during the day.

WHAT IS AN OCBC SKYWAY?

OCBC Skyway / Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

An aerial elevated OCBC Skyway that connects the two Supertrees at the Supertree Grove. If you take a closer look at the photo above you will see a ring that is connected from one Supertree from the right of the photo and broadened by a walkway connected to the other Supertree at the left. It will let you have a panoramic view of the 12 vertical gardens in Gardens by the Bay. Its walkway measures 128 meters long and 22 meters high from the ground. A lift is available if you opt to do a stroll in the OCBC Skyway.

15 minutes walk on the OCBC Skyway / Photo Credit: travelsort

Once you have the access to the OCBC Skyway, there are certain rules in the walkway such as no running, no kite flying and no wearing of heels -- take note ladies. Guests are allowed for 15 minutes walk on the skyway to accommodate all other guests in the queue.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Take an MRT ride going to Bayfront Station. Once alighted, go to Exit B and from there you will see an underground linkway that requires following and it will lead you to another exit. You can see a bridge which is the Dragonfly Bridge. Simply cross the bridge to reach Gardens by the Bay. Look for the direction to the Bay South Garden.

Dragonfly Bridge / Photo Credit: Dimpsy

Just by crossing the Dragonfly Bridge you can see by then the Supertrees stood out from where it's located. Other views that you enjoy while at the Dragonfly Bridge are the other clusters of 3 Supertrees, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and the two conservatories - the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.

Or you can take North-South Line and down to Marina Bay MRT Station or the sign NS27/CE2. Go to Exit A and hop on a bus number 400 and alight along Marina Bay Gardens Drive.

SUPERTREE GROVE OPERATING HOURS

The attraction is open daily from 9:00 in the morning up until 9:00 in the evening. The last sale of tickets for the OCBC Skyway is at 8:00 in the evening and last admission is at 8:00 pm.
Take note of the block out dates for OCBC Skyway's maintenance closure for all purchased admission tickets.

ADMISSION FEES

Entry to the Supertree Grove is absolutely free. But for the OCBC Skyway, there is an admission fee of 8 Singaporean dollars for adults and senior citizens aging greater than or equal to 60 years old, 5 Singaporean dollars for children aging from 3-12 years of age.

WHERE TO DINE AND CHILL OUT?

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Supertree Rooftop Resto Bar - IndoChine / Photo Credit: Kevin Sikora

Looking at the photo you can see the tallest Supertree at the center. On top of the tallest Supertree is a rooftop resto bar that is called an IndoChine. If you feel famished before or after the 15 minutes skywalk and you'd like to wait for the Rhapsody Show, you can drop by at the tallest Supertree to chill out. You only need to pay 18 Singaporean dollars to gain access to the bar. For that $18 there is an inclusion of a complimentary drink. Such a waste not to experience it on top.

IndoChine

A rooftop restaurant bar at the top of the tallest Supertree in Supertree Grove that serves a wide range of beverages, beers, wines and cocktails aside from the lavish banquet blend of Western and Indochinese cuisines.

RHAPSODY SHOW

Rhapsody Show / Video Credit: M.C.m.c. via Youtube

A signature light and sound show at the Gardens by the Bay created and visioned by Singapore's award-winning Lighting Designer Adrian Tan, and sound arrangement and composition by one of Singapore's most sought-after music composer and arranger, Bang Wenfu. The show will start at 7:45 - 8:45 in the evening on a daily basis. Make sure to be there as early as possible for you to have a good spot. It's the best place to spend and end your day with your family, friends or yourself. Surely, you will leave this place with a painted smile on your face.

PERSONAL VERDICT

Supertree Grove is one of the best highlights in the Gardens by the Bay definitely not because of its free access to the garden, but because of its one of a kind garden structure and its amazing Rhapsody Show. Spending a little on the OCBC Skyway would be a great opportunity for me but I regret that I didn't. I never realized that it would be that great when you're on the walkway and on the rooftop resto bar after reading related blogs on the net. Anyways, there's a lot of regrets during my first travel in Singapore but definitely, on my 3rd visit I will tick it all off on my list. It was indeed an awesome day and night for me together with my family.

Thank you for reading and 'til my next travel blog in Singapore.

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