RESORT WORLD SENTOSA

There is no flower show at Sentosa this year but these are some of the floral displays at RWS.

SENTOSA FLOWER SHOW 2013

We went to the Sentosa Flower Show and it was quite a letdown because of the rain and the less impressive design and maintenance, compared to yester years. The last show I attended had the CNY annuals flowing into the landscape in many areas of different terrain and I was bowled over then.

This time round, although there were some beautifully landscaped areas, it is a pity that it was kind of lacklustre and less than appealing in general and they also charged an admission fee of $5/adult too compared to the free admission in the past.

SENTOSA - PART 1

This was the Sentosa day and I cannot remember the last time I was there. This is the first of a series of posts on the plants that I saw at Sentosa.

This is a shrub (scientific name: Pithecellobium dulce 'Variegated'; synonym: Mimosa dulcis, Inga dulcis; common name: Variegated Madras Thorn, Manila Tamarind; Family: Fabaceae) that I love for a long time too and that was why I planted it in the terraced beds outside Marina Square years ago. I am glad to know that the shrub is still there till this day. A link is shown here:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9546409

Under full sun and with ample fertilizers, the shrub becomes so brilliantly attractive with its pinkish snowy white blotchy new flushes. How can anyone not love this variegated relative of its wild and unattractive cousin? I think it would make an attractive bonsai plant if trained and pruned properly. A few links on this interesting ornamental shrub are shown below:

1. http://www.jaycjayc.com/pithecellobium-dulce-variegated/
2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayjayc/368914059/
3. http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/pithecellobium_guatemalensis.htm
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pithecellobium_dulce

LABRADOR NATURE RESERVE

Labrador Nature Reserve or Labrador Park, as it was once known, is one of the few coastal parks with an interesting and rich history. Anyway, so there I was, checking out the park on one of those days.

There are quite a few stunted trees in the area. Amongst them are these few Barringtonia acutangula trees, with a low branching habit and pale yellowish leaves, next to a very beautiful cliff face. However, I would not dare to stand near this area on a rainy day for safety reasons.

At this location, I could see the ongoing development of the Reflections at Keppel Bay from a different angle. Below it was a standaone black and white colonial bungalow. The owner of it must be very, very rich to afford such an exclusive location.

Sentosa island was just across the side of the sea. Legend has it that there was an underground bunker, right where I was standing, that led from this part of Labrador Nature Reserve to the exotic island. However, according to a source who went into the bunker, it was bombed and the tunnel was already sealed. The place I was standing on is identified by the red obelisk.

After a turn and a short stretch of walk, there was a ComChest Garden planted with lots of plants, that somehow didn't quite seem to fit in with the coastal landscape and the environment. It sort of transported one to an urban garden landscape.

I would be back soon for another recce of the site. This time round, I would try to take more photos.