Gardens By The Bay: Mid-Autumn Festival

I had given up all hopes in celebrating this year's Mid-Autumn Festival with that horrid haze in our backyard. Our government announced the closure of all MOE Kindergartens, Special Schools, Primary and Secondary schools on 25th September 2015 following the National Environment Agency's forecast that the 24-hour PSI for that day was expected to be in the "Very Unhealthy" range. There was also a possibility that the air quality might go into the "Hazardous" range. I received live updates from friends on my Facebook feed about the surging PSI that went beyond the 300-mark for the first time this year. We were all anticipating only the worst for the weekend. 

We woke up this morning to find clear skies and a PSI reading below 100! It was as if our neighbours in Indonesia took a day-off in forest-burning! Seriously, I will never take fresh air for granted ever again. It was a beautiful respite. 

We took this golden opportunity to usher in mid-autumn at Gardens By The Bay this evening. Everyone must have felt the need to be out and about because we were greeted with a full carpark when we arrived at 1730 hours. There was even a need for traffic wardens to manage jams this evening! The daddy dropped us off at the Main Entrance and parked easily at the Meadow carpark. It is the furthest carpark away from the domes but I would recommend that over the main carpark because by the time you are done touring the lantern trails at the Supertree Grove and Dragonfly Lake, you'd see yourself ending your walkabout at the Meadow carpark. If your husband drops you off at the main entrance, do not forget to thank him because he'd have to walk the whole garden twice just to get to you at the domes and back to the carpark again *gasps*

The flower field in the Flower Dome is transformed into a rich tapestry of red, gold and pink. The air-condtitioned dome made the visit very pleasant with the husband and son going, "Yay! Air-con!" and I went, "Phew!" That last thing I want from this outing was cranky company. 

We walked into a traditional Chinese garden where more than 10,000 Chrysanthemums are in full bloom. Enjoying chrysanthemums and eating mooncakes on Mid-Autumn Festival have been the age-old tradition of Chinese people. I had my fair share of mooncakes and so glad that I got to enjoy more than 40 varieties of Chrysanthemums with my children this evening! Ewan and Faye were eager beavers running everywhere and plucking smelling the flowers. The little girl does not like crowds and would stick to me like a Koala when it gets too overwhelming. This evening, however, she struggled off our arms as soon as we arrived in the Flower Dome. She was unstoppable! We were taken by surprise that she scooted forward towards the floral displays without turning back. 

While you are in the Flower Dome, open a keen eye for the Spider Chrysanthemums that have been specially brought into Singapore for the first time and the Pompon Chrysanthemums,. There are also 100 year old bonsai trees that may intrigue the older generations. Celebration of Chrysanthemums is the fifth of six chapters in Gardens By The Bay's storytelling journey in 2015 and will run from 24th September to 10th November. 

With the Mid-Autumn Festival Children's Promotion, kids aged 12 years and below who show up with a lantern (no candles allowed) at the ticketing counter between 1700 and 2100 hours, can redeem a free ticket to enter the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest on the same day. Ends 4th October 2015. 

Under the SG50 Seniors Special, local senior citizens aged 60 and above can enter the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest for free, while accompanying caregivers enjoy 50% off tickets. Ends 31st December 2015.

There are 17 different lantern displays, comprising 300 hand-made lanterns crafted by master craftsmen from Zigong province in Sichuan, China. They will be on display around the gardens including the Supertree Grove and Dragonfly Lake from 24th September to 4th October 2015. The children were really happy to meet animals along the way and got so excited meeting dinosaurs, elephants and zebras! 

Celebrating 50 Mid-Autumns is the theme of this year's cultural performances. There are free nightly shows at the Supertree Grove put up by local music and cultural art groups and a food street where visitors can enjoy a variety of food choices from more than 30 stalls. We snacked on tutu kueh, muah chee, tea egg, lap cheong and churros! However, they weren't regularly priced. 5 tu tu kuehs cost $4 and a stick of lap cheong was $2!

If you are planning to pop by, put 3rd October 2015 on your calendar because your family will get to enjoy a night of fireworks display at the Supertree Grove [8pm]! Keep your fingers crossed for hazeless skies like today. Be warned though, the crowd will surely be massive.

To avoid the crowds, do consider visiting on a weekday! Traffic control was still needed to get cars into Gardens By The Bay at 2030 hours when we left.

Read:

Chapter Third of Six

4 June 2015

Flowery Fun Times

Chapter Six of Six

Christmas Toyland

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A stay at home mum, blogging to widen her social life. We want to echo the sound of love through our lives to inspire other mothers alike.