GARDENS BY THE BAY - PART 2 - SINGAPORE 2013

 Still remnants of the Christmas display. The gardens create a different display each season.

 Many gorgeous varieties and colours of roses are grown in the glasshouse.

More of the gardens next post.



GARDENS BY THE BAY - SINGAPORE 2013

 On a dark and rainy afternoon, we took the MRT to the newly opened Gardens By The Bay. It's situated not far from Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer.
http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html

 This is Supertree Grove. They are massive artificial trees with real plants entwined amongst the structure. They are fitted with lights for the night show. Apparently, they look impressive at night, but we didn't have enough time to see them. There is the OCBC Skyway, which is an elevated boardwalk that connects two of the trees. We were unable to take this walk due to the heavy rain.

I adore the gardens in Singapore, but this garden is in a league of it's own. There is no way to adequately describe how beautiful this massive garden is. You really have to experience for yourself. I really want one of these heliconias in my garden!

                                              Dragonfly Lake is at the entrance to the gardens.

 You can get a good view of the Singapore Flyer.

 Super tree Grove

 We stopped under this hut whilst we waited for the tropical downpour to subside. It was styled on a traditional Malaysian house. I think it would look good in my backyard by my swimming pool.

 

 The major attractions are two massive dome shaped greenhouses, and I do mean massive. The first one we explored was "Flower Dome".

A variety of different enviroments from around the world are replicated in this dome. This is the Mediteranean section, which features a large selection of cacti and plants from arid regions.



 

 This was a massive kaleidoscope in the floor - not sure why.

 

More on Gardens By the Bay next post. 

 

LOW CARB BANANA BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

I have concocted a recipe for low carb, wheat free banana blueberry muffins. Obviously, nothing is as delicious as a muffin made from wheat and sugar, but I think this is an acceptable alternative for when I am craving something cakey to eat with a cup of tea. We eat low carb/wheat free in our family due to my son's diabetes and weight maintainance.

INGREDIENTS

125g unsalted butter at room temperature
5 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla bean extract
1 tablespoon artificial sweetener (I used Stevia)
100g almond meal
30g coconut flour - from healthfood store
200g ripe mashed bananas
100g blueberries
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum powder - from healthfood store

METHOD

Whip butter with sweetener until pale and fluffy
Whip in eggs one at a time
Add vanilla extract, almond meal, xanthum gum and coconut flour and mix well
Add mashed bananas
Lastly, mix in blueberries - add last to prevent the blue juice from discolouring the mixture.
Divide mixture between 8 large muffin paper cases
Bake in preheated oven fro about 30 mins, or until golden.

CARBOHYDRATE PER MUFFIN = 11.27g
CARBOHYDRATE PER REGULAR LARGE MUFFIN = 69.2g

These muffins are denser than regular muffins due to the large quantites of eggs and lack of wheat flour. Xanthan gum powder is optional, but I use it to compensate for the absence of gluten. The gum seems to make the mixture more elastic and gives it a lighter texture than without it.

I use this basic recipe to make other variations of muffins and cakes. Try apple and raspberry, chocolate, orange and lemon.

Singapore 2013 - Orchard Road and Singapore Flyer

I love waking up in Singapore, and smelling all the food cooking and hearing the hustle of everyone on their way out to start the day. This was the view from our balcony; the Goodwood Park hotel.

 



This was the garden on the rooftop of the apartment. There was also a swimming pool.

 

 

Breakfast was at Ya Kun, a kaya toast cafe in the basement of the Far East Plaza mall below our apartment. I looove kaya toast and coffee for breakfast

 

Orchard Road still had some of the Christmas decorations up.

First stop was the enormous ION shopping mall. This place has all the major brands and a nice big open feel to it, even though it is underground. There are also some fab food outlets. Everything you could possibly need is here.

These shops are for window shopping only.

Lucky Plaza is an old original shopping centre. I remember going there as a child and thinking it was so exciting compared to shops back in Australia. Unfortunately, it isn;t in the ranks of the glitzy malls currently in operation, but it has a nice retro nostaligic feel to it.

next stop was Ngee Ann City, which is another massive mall on Orchard Road, home to my favourite store, Kinokuniya.

Lunch was in the food basement in Takashimaya. Roti prata is another of my Singaporean favourites. I highly recommend Takashimaya for its food stalls. There are all the Singapoean varieties as well as lots of Japanese goodies, Harrods, as supermarket and a lovely tea shop.

 

a quick swim back at the apartment.

Then it was off to the Singapore Flyer.

It's located not far from the Marina Bay Sands complex.

It's slightly terrifying riding in the flyer, especially when you reach the top, but worth the fear for the fantastic views.

 

 

 

 

 

This retro poster brings back memories. Do you know that when I was a little girl my dad would take me to Bruce Lee movies, which were extremely violent by anyone's standard. During the fight scenes I would close my eyes and cover my ears and pretend the punching sounds were  a tennis ball hitting a racket in a tennis match instead! I can't imagine taking my children to a violent kung fu movie, but I am proud/disturbed to say I have seen all of Bruce Lee's movies.

 

The day ended with pizza and pasta near our accommodation - a nice end to a busy, happy day.