Cable cars, Siloso beach, and Gardens by the Bay . . .

What a day! We left this morning (Saturday) for Sentosa Island. We took a cable car across from the main island.  It was really exciting - we were very high up.  When we arrived we took a very long beautiful walk all the way to Siloso Beach. It is hot and humid and it really was a tropical rain forest with many beautiful plants and flowers.  We also saw the Merlion. It is a 37 meter tall statue of a half lion half fish. It is the national personification of Singapore. The fish body represents Singapore's origin as a fishing village and the lion represents Singapore's original name - Singapura - that means "lion city." It was quite spectacular.  From there we went to the Gardens by the Bay. You might call it the largest greenhouse in the world. The building itself won the 2012 World Architectural Building. It opened about 6 months ago and any pictures really can not do it justice. There are plants, trees, and flowers from six continents. Really amazing!  I am giving you just a sampling of pictures below. I only wish you could see it in person. I really am feeling so blessed!

         

                                                                 The cable cars

       

                                    Looking down on the canopy. I told you we were high!

                                    Just a couple of the beautiful flowers we saw on our walk:

          

                                     

                                    

                                                   Here are a couple sights from the beach:

       

                                                                  Siloso Beach

           

       

                 Look what came out when we went near the restroom - a Komodo Dragon. Yikes!

                                        

                                                                    The Merlion

                                              PICTURES FROM THE GARDEN BY THE BAY:

        

                         This is the greenhouse. It is seven stories high.  Notice the architecture!

                                   

                                                         The indoor waterfall.

        

                                   Beautiful orchids and other flowers growing in a bird shape.

        

           Very old olive trees.  Made me think of the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.