orchids – The Tragic Queen

For our fifth day in Singapore, my aunt and I decided to check out the Singapore Botanic Gardens, an orchid-filled crown jewel that was well-worth the visit.

The botanic garden is a massive-Central Park-like area, complete with pigeons and chickens wandering around. It is a maze of flowers and pergolas with flowers sprouting in the orchid garden in the center of the park.

After the excitement of my hike through a monkey-filled rainforest, the garden felt restful. It was still hot and humid, like walking through a sauna, but the experience was what I imagine it was to be in an oil painting.

Everywhere we looked, we saw something pretty.

We walked down stone pathways, passing alongside waterfalls and lily pad-filled ponds. Swans glided through the water along the appropriately named “swan lake.” I walked through the gardens, keeping my eyes peeled for komodo dragons, which apparently can be seen in some of the more wooded areas of the park (either that or my aunt was just messing with me).

Many of the plants are named after influential people, including several U.S. presidents, the Pope, and the late Princess Diana.

Our walk in the park made for a nice, chill day in Singapore.

And if you ever find yourself in Singapore, you should take a stroll through the Botanic Garden and take the time to stop and smell the orchids.

The Tragic Queen,

Raquel

P.S.: Check out my previous blog post about my day at Gardens by the Bay

A couple of weeks ago, the Botanical Garden in Queens was throwing their annual Orchid Party, which promised craft cocktails, live dancing, high fashion, and lots and lots of orchids. Florals in fashion was the theme, as they showcased designer dresses with nature in mind. I dressed for the part, wearing my flower petal jacket, and headed on over.

I had a hard time rustling up any enthusiasm amongst my friends since the last day of the event fell on 4/20. After exhausting everyone in my proverbial rolodex for my admittedly last minute plans, I went it alone.

The event started with drinks and live dance performances set to a mash-up of Prince and even more Prince. If dancing doesn’t work out for these dancers, they could always go into work as contortionists.

On stage with the dancers, there was a runway competition where audience members were asked to strut like they were on a runway and the rest of us had to choose a winner.

After that, I strolled through the conservatory where the rows and rows of orchids were intersected with elaborate floral-themed designer outfits, designed like sculptures in a sculpture garden, and lily pad-filled pools.

The fashion was designed by up-and-coming New York City designers Collina Strada by Hillary Taymour, Dauphinette by Olivia Cheng, and FLWR PSTL by Kristen Alpaugh.

Walking through the conservatory was like walking through a perfume ad. It was very romantic, so naturally I was there all by myself, lubed-up on a margarita and sniffing orchids. Beside the flowers were plaques, explaining the science of the different plant species, making the entire set-up like one part Natural History Museum, one part flower shop, and one part hip hop dance competition.

There was something for everyone to enjoy: fashion, science, dance, and alcohol. I can’t really think of a more blase way to kick off spring than to go to a fashion event and look at flowers while having a drink.