Tag Archives: R. Doug Wicker

Singapore — Gardens by the Bay 1


Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Yeah, I know. I’ve done Singapore to death. For instance, I did a ten-week photo series that began with Singapore in Pictures 1. But today I present something I’ve not shown you, as up until Armistice Day/Remembrance Day (a.k.a., Poppy Day)/Veterans Day 2025, neither Ursula nor I had seen it. I am referring to Gardens by the Bay, which Ursula has wanted to tour for many, many years. Well, this was the year and this was the trip for us to fulfill her wish. So, we took the Singapore MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) near our hotel, Holiday Inn Express at Clarke Quay, to TE22 (Gardens by the Bay MRT Station).

Leaving the TE22 MRT station on foot for Gardens by the Bay

From TE22, on the east side of Gardens by the Bay, it’s an easy, fairly quick stroll. Entering the Gardens from this area puts you right on the shores of Marina Bay with wonderful views of the bay, the Singapore Flyer, and the Singapore skyline:

Marina Bay, Singapore Flyer (left), and the Singapore skyline

And in the distance to the west, poking above the garden trees, is the world-famous Marina Bay Sands (MBS):

Marina Bay Sands (MBS)

I found a lot of photo subjects at Gardens by the Bay, which is why I’ll be presenting images both this week and next. After that, it’s off aboard our cruise ship with a stop in Malaysia. But until then, let’s tour Gardens by the Bay:

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

One of the sights you will see at the gardens is the world’s largest greenhouse — an immense structure called the Flower Dome that encloses three acres/1.2 hectares!

Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

You’ll find art here at the gardens as well:

Mother and Child bronze by Dr. Ng Eng Teng

We’ll continue the tour on Wednesday. Until then, here’s a little photo gallery/slide show to hold you over:

For More Information on Gardens by the Bay:

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Fun Photo Friday — Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Video


As promised last week, today’s Fun Photo Friday will actually be a Fun Video Friday! This short 1:44 video will take you via long-tail boat along the Khlong Damneon Saduak (Damneon Suduak Canal) to the Damneon Saduak Floating Market, which I’ve been showing you since Wednesday last week. The Damneon Suduak Canal was completed way back in 1868 by order of King Mongkut. King Mongkut ruled Thailand from 2 April 1851 until his death, at age 63, on 1 October 1868. The 22-mile/35-kilometer canal connects the Mae Klong and Tha Chin rivers. Next week I take you to Singapore (I know… yet again!), but this time for something I’ve not yet shown you. After that, Ursula and I boarded a cruise shipt that would take us… well, you’ll just have to wait for that adventure over the weeks and months ahead.

Now for today’s Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Video:

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Thailand — Damnoen Saduak Floating Market; Part 3


The approach to the main Damnoen Saduak Floating Market area

This week finishes up Thailand… but only for now. We’ll be returning to Thailand in a few weeks because on this Southwest Asia trip we “landed” here three times, once by air (this Bangkok excursion) and twice by ship. As for today I promised to show you how to know when you’re approaching the main portion of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. And this place is huge! The longtail- and oared-boat traffic spikes here. The vendors thrive in areas beneath corrugated galvanized/aluminum “tin roofs.” You’ll know you’re about to reach this fascinating place when you see this gateway stretching across the Damnoen Saduak Canal:

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market entry gate

To show you how immense this area is, here are my photos taken over just a four-minute interval:

As you can see in the photo gallery/slide show above, if your longtail boat pulls up here, the shopping market extends far back. Restaurants are all along the canal. And all this isn’t just on one side; the shopping and dining possibilities are line sides of the canal.

This week’s Fun Photo Friday bids farewell to Thailand… for a short period of time. We’ll return in a few weeks as Ursula and I came back a short time later via a cruise ship. Next week I’ll show you Singapore. But before you say “What… again?” I’ll be showing you something new. Until then, have a great weekend!

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