The Cloud Forest is higher but slightly smaller at 0.8 hectares (2.0 acres). It replicates the cool moist conditions found in tropical mountain regions between 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) above sea level, found in South-East Asia, Middle- and South America. It features a 42-metre (138 ft) "Cloud Mountain", accessible by an elevator, about 7 floors and visitors will be able to descend the mountain via a circular path where a 35-metre (115 ft) waterfall provides visitors with refreshing cool air.

The construction of the glasshouses is special in two ways. First of all by being able to have such large a glass-roof without additional interior support (such as columns). Secondly because the constructions aims strongly at minimizing the environmental footprint. Rainwater is collected from the surface and circulated in the cooling system which is connected to the Supertrees. The Supertrees are used both to vent hot air and to cool circulated water.

The "cloud mountain" itself is an intricate structure completely clad in epiphytes such as orchids, ferns, peacock ferns, spike- and clubmosses, bromeliads and anthuriums. It consists of a number of levels, each with a different theme.

So travelling has been made easy since the establishment of Air Asia and now with many other low cost carrier companies, it will not be a reason why everyone can't afford to travel.

Backpacking has been increasingly becoming a trend and I'm one of those 'daredevils' who thinks that she can travel without bringing her anti-ageing face cream *blow nails*. We'll see about that.

So what is backpacking? In my terms, backpacking means no-night-cream kind of travelling. It also means travel light and sometimes you have to wear your stinking shirt for 2 days. I think I can live with that *walk away while crying looking at the night cream on the table*.

So what do you exactly need to pack?

1. T-shirts

2. Trousers

3. Underwear

4. Footwear

5. Medical kit

For more comprehensive things that you need for your backpacking trip, visit here.

We visited Gardens by the Bay(it was my first time as well) during our stay there. Awarded as one of the Top 10 Indoor Gardens of the World, arguably the nation’s most beautiful masterpiece. Moreover, it was recently awarded the 2014 International Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement - Botanical Garden, by the Themed Entertainment Association.

Featuring the best of horticultural, sustainability and architectural design, Gardens by the Bay is filled with wonders from every continent except Antarctica. Explore diverse plant life from around the world displayed in its spectacular Cooled Conservatories or marvel at the Supertrees - towering vertical gardens that extend into the sky. Be inspired by nature and let your wonder bloom and experiences flourish.

This award-winning horticultural attraction houses over 500,000 plants. The two cooled conservatories - Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, feature rare and unique plants from around the world. I advise you to bring along a jacket because the temperature in the domes are super cold.

If you plan to visit interesting places in Singapore during the Christmas period (Singapore has school holidays as well in December). I suggest that you purchase your tickets online before you depart. This will save you time and hassle due to long queues. Some attractions offer you discount if you were to purchase through their website while some could also be sold out by the time you reach their ticket booth. Prices differ for visitors and local residents. Therefore, check out their website in order to see the price. During peak season like in December, be prepared to wait in long queues for some of the attractions.

It's best to start your day in the morning as the crowd is less but the numbers will gradually increase in the evening. Make use of the time you have. There are so many interesting places that you don't want to miss.

Because we stay in Boon Lay, we took the MRT from Jurong East Interchange and head towards Bayfront station. If you drop off in Marina Bay train station, you can take the shuttle(15 mins intervals) from there to Gardens by the Bay or you can choose to walk to the garden.

It will take half a day in Gardens by the Bay as the place is really big. Remember to also wear comfortable clothes and shoes. They also have water park for children where they can play and learn. Suggest that you bring a change of clothes for the kids too.

The best time to go is in the evening. There'll be light performance at night. Lights from the supertrees will dance according to the music. It was such a beautiful sight.

Lavender Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula Toner and Vitamin E revitalizes the skin with a gentle, soothing formula. The benefit of Thayer Lavender Non Alcohol Toner are:

-Rich in vitamin E

-Hydrating

-Able to fade acne scar

-After sun soothing 

It has been 2 weeks since I started using Thayers. I just love the smell and the freshness on my skin. It doesn't leave that sticky residue on my face. The price is also affordable and it comes in a big bottle that could last you months. 

Merlion is the symbolic of Singapore. A must go place when you visit Singapore.

Merlion Park, a landmark of Singapore, is a major tourist attraction at One Fullerton, Singapore, near the Central Business District (CBD). Two structures of the Merlion are located at the park. The original merlion structure measures 8.6 metres tall, whilst a Merlion cub located near the original statue measures 2 metres tall.

On 28 February 2009, between 4 pm and 5 pm, the Merlion statue was struck by lightning. Staff in the vicinity said they heard an explosion followed by a loud thud when broken pieces fell to the ground. Repairs were completed in March that year, although the Merlion itself resumed spouting water on 18 March 2009.

The Merlion statue has undergone restoration in 2006 and 2012 to repair cracks and clean stains.

You can go to Merlion's park via MRT and drop off at Raffles Place MRT station. From there, there'll be signage directing you to the park.

You'll pass by Fullerton Hotel when walking to the Merlion's park. The hotel is situated along the river overseeing Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.

A destination of historical significance, the beautiful architecture and international reputation for service excellence allow The Fullerton Hotel Singapore to offer guests a genuine window into a genteel and elegant past. 

A historic post office building transformed into a luxurious five-star hotel, The Fullerton Hotel is the embodiment of elegance and comfort. Each of the 400 rooms and suites has been exquisitely designed by world-renowned architects Hirsch Bedner & Associates and furnished to provide guests the ultimate in opulence. The Fullerton Hotel is proud of its established reputation as a historic landmark offering contemporary luxury that speaks of ageless history while offering the latest in modern comfort to business and leisure travelers.

Interesting facts about Marina Bay Sands:

1. Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las Vegas Sands (LVS), it is the world's second most expensive building, at US$ 5.5 billion, including the cost of the prime land.

2. Las Vegas Sands declared the undertaking as "one of the world's most challenging construction projects and certainly the most expensive stand-alone integrated resort property ever built".

3. Moshe Safdie was approached to lead the design on this massive project, ultimately taking inspiration from the form of card decks for the unique appearance of the three hotel towers. Other key structures of the property include the 200,000-square-foot (19,000 m2) ArtScience Museum, The Shoppes, Expo and Convention center and the casino. During the resort's planning and construction phases, feng shui consultants, the late Master Chong Swan Lek and Master Louisa Ong-Lee were consulted in regards to divination.

4. On 27 April 2010, Marina Bay Sands had the first of a planned 3 to 4 phase openings. The casino, parts of the conference hall, a segment of the Shoppes, 963 hotel rooms, and the event plaza were opened at the auspicious time of 3:18 p.m as part of the "preview opening".

5.  The hotel towers are also subject to settlement in the earth over time, hence custom jack legs were built and installed to allow for future adjustment at more than 500 points beneath the pool system. This jacking system is important primarily to ensure the infinity edge of the pool continues to function properly.

6. To help the Skypark withstand the natural motion of the towers caused by wind, engineers designed and constructed four movement joints beneath the main pools, each possessing a unique range of motion. The total range of motion is 500 millimetres (19.68 inches). 

7. With close to 800,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is Singapore's first large-scale luxury shopping mall in the Central Business District with boutiques such as Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Cartier and Prada. Other luxury stores include Salon by Surrender, Gucci, Hermès, Emporio Armani, Chopard, REDValentino, Dior, Dunhill, Vertu, Miu Miu, Saint Laurent Paris, Salvatore Ferragamo, Montblanc, Blancpain, and an Hermès Watch Boutique. Also housed within the Shoppes are the five of the six Celebrity Chef Restaurants – Cut (by Wolfgang Puck), Waku Ghin (by Tetsuya Wakuda), Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza (by Mario Batali), Guy Savoy (by Guy Savoy), and DB Bistro Moderne (by Daniel Boulud).

No, I don't really understand some of the technical terms but basically it can withstand strong wind and the building moves or adapt according to the earth movement? Cool? Wait till you see the building yourself. You'll go aaahhh, oohhhh, wowwww.

These are the options to go to Marina:

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT): Marina Bay MRT Station, Promenade MRT Station, and Bayfront MRT Station.

Public bus: Services 97/97e, 106, 133, 502/502A, 518/518A, NR1 (Available on Fridays, Saturdays and eve of Public Holidays), and NR6 (Available on Fridays, Saturdays and eve of Public Holidays).

Water taxi: They can be taken from Grand Copthorne Water Front, Raffles Landing Side, Boat Quay, River Side Point and Robertson Quay to Marina Bay Sands. Ticket ranges from S$4 to S$16.

Marina Bay Sands is actually a walking distance from Merlion Park. It's situated just across the park. So you can actually stop at Raffles Place (you will see Merlion park before Marina Bay) or choose to stop right at Marina Bay underground MRT station. The place is free to enter by anyone. Those who has soft heart for luxury brands, please be careful.

The ArtScience Museum is also situated at Marina Bay. I do not know how to appreciate art, so me and Juan skipped the visit. But the architecture of the museum is super cool.




This is the view opposite of Merlion Park. Just walk across this bridge and you'll see Esplanade and Marina Bay Sands.