In Darmstadt, Germany, I spotted a house that seemed like the perfect place for Dr. Seuss to live in. The asymmetrical apartment building seemed like a Seuss painting come to life.
In Singapore, I found the park to match the house, with Dr. Seuss-ish trees taking center stage.
This is Gardens by the Bay, and the spectacle before you are Supertrees. A whole forest of them, if you will.
The Supertrees are designed to harvest solar energy and replicate the structure of a tree. They stand 25- to 50-metres high and are formed with concrete reinforced trunks, plant panels that host more than 200 species of plants, and a canopy. Twelve of the Supertrees stand together forming Supertree Grove. Another six Supertrees are spread out among the garden paths, but I spent almost all my time in this area. It was magical, serene, and yet energizing. Such a nice space away from the hectic pace of the city, though the skyscrapers and Marina Bay Hotel were still in view.
I walked along the OCBC Skyway, a 128-metre long walkway with a height of 22-metres that connects two Supertrees at the Supertree Grove. It was here that I spied something so unusual that I had to go explore once I descended the Skyway.
A gigantic floating baby?
It was even weirder from the ground and seemed so out of place in the environmental gardens. I read the plaque and was amazed to learn that it weighs 7 tons! I walked around and studied it from all angles, but it never made any more sense to me. A Seussical baby in a Seussical world, I suppose.
I’d intended to just drop by Gardens by the Bay since so many Singaporeans had recommended it. I figured plants are plants, right? But I ended up spending more than 3 hours there and would have stayed longer to walk along the trails of the indoor Cloud Forest and Flower Dome if I hadn’t run out of time.
I did so like the Supertrees.
I did see many plant species.
I did not like the Skyway heights,
But did so like the treetop sights.
I would go back there by the Bay,
I would go back! I would, I say.
Have you seen any sights worthy of Dr. Seuss?
Browsing The Atlas 
Great find. Definitely put this on my travel list. (And, nope. Never been to a Seuss World.)
The great thing is, you can walk around for free. There are some exhibits that cost money, but except for the $5 I spent for the Skyway Bridge (worth it!), I walked around for hours for free.
Wow! This place is like one architectural and creative wonderland. Happy New Year to you and your family. Wishing you everything big and amazing for 2014.
Happy New Year to you, too. “Wonderland” is a perfect word to describe Gardens by the Bay.
That floating baby is one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m not sure if it’s absolutely creepy or just plain odd. Or perhaps there’s a certain beauty to it??
I love that you come across Dr. Seuss-like architecture everywhere you go.
It was so odd. I walked around it from every angle and it never ceased to confuse me. I read the plaque, but still don’t understand why it was there. Very unusual. I’m not sure what Seuss would make of it.
Love this! Definitely on my list for next time I’m in Singapore. That baby is amazing. How does it “float”?
I don’t know! The only part that touches the ground is the hand. Check it out when you’re there.
Dr. Seuss trees… yeah, I agree! At night they look like the forest in the movie Avatar I think….
They do! Great comparison.
You’re like Dr Seuss reincarnated!
We’ve made a couple of trips down there – it’s worth going back – and although we love the baby, we can’t explain in to you, either.
I’ve been wondering what you’d say about this! 🙂 I knew you’d been there before. I loved wandering around. It was all so odd, yet invigorating and relaxing. If I lived in Singapore, I’d make it a habit.
Beautiful shots Juliann, especially the last one. I have seen pictures of the super trees before, but have never heard of the giant floating baby!
I know. It’s not even on their website. I might have missed it if I hadn’t spotted it from the Skyway bridge.
This is awesome, Julie! Definitely adding this to the list next time we’re in Singapore! 🙂
You’ll love! I can only imagine all the pictures Hai will take. 🙂
Creepy baby alert! Those trees are truly incredible though.
The whole place was dazzling. Everywhere you looked, there was something to investigate and explore.
I continue to be impressed with the amount of locations, like the trees, that I never knew existed. Thanks for introducing them to me.
That baby is one interesting piece of art (to say the least) and thanks for the entertaining description of the trees.
I also live in Cincinnati and I’m a full-time freelance writer. I’m heading to Costa Rica for three weeks in February to continue my travel writing efforts.
Thanks for the fun article!
I feel the same way. There are so many new places that I’ve never heard about. Every time I read of a new one, I get a terrible case of wanderlust.
Hope you have a wonderful time in Costa Rica, but then– how could you not? 🙂
Awesome place! Your post and photos are wonderul – I’m enchanted! Lol and I loved your dr. Seuss poem, too! Did you ever visit Parque Guell in Barcelona? It’s definitely Cool in a similarly Seussian way: http://www.parkguell.org/
No, I’ve never been to Spain. Sounds like this needs to be added to my itinerary so that I’m inspired to write another (bad) Seuss poem. 🙂
Weird. Very weird. Especially the floating baby. There were some trees in San Francisco that made me think of Dr. Seuss but these are much stranger. That’s great that they harvest solar energy. Maybe trees like this will start popping up everywhere.
Yes, the concept and the gardens were inspirational. I loved the environmental aspect of it. Almost as much as I love real trees. 🙂
There’s a house in Hyde Park (Cincinnati) that is definitely Seuss-ian to me. Maybe you know it? It’s around the corner from the police station on Erie Ave.
Anyway, Andy has been to this place in Singapore too, and he thought it was really cool. (Your pictures are better than this though. Shh! ;P)
I’ve seen enough of Andy’s pictures to know that this is high praise, indeed. 🙂
Are you talking about the cone-shaped/pointed house that looks like it’s wearing sunglasses?
Ummm… it’s this one? http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristan/2487599319/in/set-72157605005292764
Yep, that’s the one I was talking about. The windows on the cone-shaped part look like sunglasses to me. Excellent Dr. Seuss choice– and right here in Cincinnati!