Indoor Orchids Garden @ Changi Airport ~ A Photographer's Paradise

Terminal 2, Departure/Transit Mall

Changi Airport, Singapore

Beautiful arrangement of Vanda varieties in Orchid garden inside Changi International Airport.

When I see orchids wherever I may be, first person that comes to mind is my Mom. You may wonder why incorporate such plant to her? Simply because she loves collecting it (hehehe!). I can still remember that every time we’re on a travel and she saw someone selling orchids or plants in the streets or nursery shops expects that she always have new variety to bring home (ahahaha!). She has lots of breeds in her garden, she basically accumulate it as she admire its beauty extremely. Every day if you can’t find her inside the house, just go to her garden and voila you’ll see her in there, that’s her weakness at some point (ahahaha!). Whew!!! I can still remember her fine pinch in the groin in a sweet way (aawtttsss ~ ahahaha!).

Fluppy and Brent

Balong waiting for our flight to Davao.

Well, enough of the great reminisced chou chou (ahahaha!). As the title suggest, this is about the Orchid Garden in Singapore Changi Airport and not about me (ahahaha!). My apology, I just can’t resist not to mention my mom though as she is the best mother ever and seeing these orchids makes me feel at home. Hmmmm ok I have to admit, am feeling homesick already (ahahaha!).

Assorted orchid plants in the hall ways.

Anyway, there is no doubt that Singapore Changi Airport is undeniably the world’s finest airport in the world and it continues to uphold its position as one of the best. The airport is huge and it boasts three superb Terminals easily accessible via free Sky Train. The airport services offered to its guest is over the top and feels like you are in a first class lounge complete with so many free amenities to indulge with while waiting for your flight somewhere else.

I love the place, the ambiance, and the systematic arrangements of facilities within and if you’re in doubts where to stop over on your next flights then don’t think twice to pick Changi Airport as they offer an excellent service to its transit passenger. There may be some areas in here that required few bucks to experience but I assure you it’s worth every penny. You’ll really not mind the time when you are here as there are lots of leisure and entertainment to indulge in. 

Orchids can be found in most areas in the airport.

One signature trademark of the airport that I love the most is the presence of Nature Trail. Well, Singapore is known internationally as a Garden City and you can witness it in firsthand in their world class airport. It’s a series of themed indoor and outdoor gardens located in various terminals which makes this showground distinct from anywhere else. There are 6 themed garden actually and I already featured the most notable one the ‘Butterfly Garden’ which is considered as the world’s first butterfly park in an airport. If you have time to catch the stunning beauty of such winged creature then just go to Terminal 3 near the Departure Lounge and Transit Mall and voila you’ll see the farm-breed butterfly habitat.

I supposed to compile all the gardens that the airport have but I decided to feature ‘orchid garden’ separately as there are so my distinct and conspicuous varieties in here that is worth sharing. Besides, we took a lot of shots during our stay and it’s quite hard not to post it though (hehehe!). It’s a haven for photographers as profusion of colors that is gratifying to the eyes can be viewed in here.

Orchid Garden is located in Terminal 2, Departure Hall in Level 2. This is the first garden we’ve seen right after clearing ourselves in immigration on our way back to Davao via Philippine Airlines. We pause here right away as there are available benches slash bridge for visitors to sit on. We were quite tired of the long travel from our hotel to here, but seeing such garden helps rejuvenates our lost energy.

Actually, orchids is the most widespread flower you’ll see wherever you are in the airport. In our first day here in Singapore, just right after we disembark in the plane from the Philippines, beautiful lined up of these lovely plants greeted us right away. When we went to the carousel area to get our baggage; as usual, wide array of orchids can be seen in here too. In fact, you’ll find it commonly in the hallway, stores, restaurants, pathways, prayer rooms, lounges and even inside the comfort room. And you know what? I’d rather called this as Changi Orchid Airport because of the extensive presence of such plant though (lav it ~ hehehe!).

Orchid garden was very nicely laid out in terms of display of the orchids. Each has its own corners with detailed information about each species. They have breeds like:

The dendrobiums:

The vandas:

The moth orchids

The oncidiums

They are good in replicating the habitat as you’ll see a number of them displayed in a natural setting of rocks and cascading from aged drift wood in a lush tropical landscape. What a stunning rainbow of colors, really. The timber bridge that passed through the pond is an attraction in itself as you can observe from here colorful groups of koi too, freely swimming to a semi-natural fishpond.

I guess the best way to enjoy the place is to buy some finger foods in the nearby restaurants and bring it in here. The ambiance is really inviting as you’re in the midst of beautiful landscape while savoring the taste of the food you bought.

I was searching for Vanda Miss Joaquim which is named as the national flower of Singapore but the staff said that it is seasonal and you can witness it if you have time in the National Orchid Garden inside of the Singapore’s Botanical Garden in Cluny Road which is as well considered as the largest display of tropical orchids in the world.

There is even a Dendrobium Changi Airport, a special orchid hybrid cross between Dendrobium Singa Mas and Dendrobium Sri Siam to commemorate the opening of Orchid Garden in Terminal 2.

Personally, it was one awesome place to enjoy while waiting for your flight. It’s a botanical garden within an airport, an intricate and stunning beauty to explore.

The border of free internet stations are made of pots full of orchids.

Preserved souvenir items made from orchids petals.

So there you go, have a great day and night everyone.

Cheerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrsss!!!

Enan signing off.

SMILE :)

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Changi Butterfly Garden ~ Tropical Oasis within World's Number 1 Airport

Terminal 3 

near Departure and Transit Mall 

Changi Airport, Singapore

Friendly butterflies freely sipping nectars from the fresh flowers.

There is no question that Singapore Changi Airport is the best airport in the world. This all-encompassing venue has a wide range of choices in terms of shopping options, dining, entertainment, and lifestyle as well as business centers ensuring that all guest that layover here makes their stay sensible while enjoying the first class service they offer. No need for you to get out of the airport as everything that you need is within your reach.

Me and Balong waiting for our flight to Davao.

The airport is huge, it's like an interlinked shopping mall with lots of free services to pamper you.

The airport has three main terminals, all connected via skytrain system. The skytrain operates both at the transit and public areas and this service is free. It only takes approximately 1 to 4 minutes to travel between terminals and the average waiting time is only between 1 to 3 minutes. It’s like the monorail express in Sentosa Island that can accommodate 30 to 50 passengers in standing position.

The three terminals is connected with Sky Train.

There are as well plenty of amenities that will keep you busy while waiting for your flight. You’ll not get bored once you’re here as they have over the top free services for everybody to enjoy like movie theaters, foot and calf massager, playgrounds for kids, internet stations and an excellent range of public and private transports options that connect the airport to Singapore’s city center.

One of the free amenities to enjoy once your in Changi Airport.

You'll not get lost once you're here as plenty of signage can be seen everywhere.

One notable feature that the airport  have is the world renowned nature trail which is considered as the signature trademark of Changi Airport. Long flights can be tiring but to sit back and relax in the midst of nature at any of the garden themes that the airport have is another story to tell. There are actually 6 themed gardens in here to enjoy. Cactus Garden, Sunflower Garden, Fern Garden, Orchids Garden, Bamboo Garden, and the most famous one the Butterfly Garden. I already featured a few bits of information with regards to it in my Changi Airport post recently but I guess better to highlight the popular garden because it is named as the world’s first butterfly garden within an airport.

View of  Changi Tower from the Sky Train on our way to Terminal 3.

If you have been to Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom located in Imbiah Lookout in Sentosa Island then this is just as great but the difference is: it’s free in here while in Sentosa you need to pay SGD 16 (PHP 525 or USD 12) for adults and SGD 10 ( PHP 340 or USD 8) for kids. 

Butterfly Park information board in the entrance of the enclosed garden.

The farm-breed butterfly habitat is located in a quiet corner of Terminal 3 Departure and Transit Mall very close to Harry’s Bar and opposite to FIFA store. There are only few signs leading here so better ask any airport ground staff where it is and they will gladly help you out.  When I reach the area, a huge signage of ‘Butterfly Garden’ in the entrance greeted me right away. There is an educational signboard in the corner that gives information to understand deeper such winged beauty. It explains in details the evolution of butterflies, the stunning transformation from pupae stage to a gorgeous creature, and the list of breeds worldwide. 

The entrance gate of the garden.

Entering the vicinity is like entering a mini forest as there are wide varieties of crawling plants that kiss my cheeks (whew! ~ ahahaha!). It’s really awesome to be with nature as I remember home when I think of it (sigh ~ hehehe!). Everytime that we tag Mama along in travelling expects that she always comeback with a handful of potted plants as she is fond collecting it (ahahaha!).

Lot's of information signage like this can be found in each corner of the park.

The size of the open-air territory is around 10 meters high designed as a tropical nature retreat. The vicinity is complete with landscaped tropical plants and timber walkway that allows visitors to walk freely within the garden. 

Birds eye view of the garden atop the waterfall.

Since Singapore Changi Airport is known for its tropical garden image. This park really complement the nature theme of the airport. You’ll witness hundreds of free roaming butterflies in here and be ready to be captivated by such beauty as they sometimes perch on you as they are very friendly to park’s visitors. As per information, most of tropical butterflies in here are native to Singapore and Malaysia but I’ve seen some of these breeds in Philippines too.

Tropical plants such as santan, ferns, palms, and daisies can be seen everywhere.

The 6-metre cascading waterfall in the corner of the garden is one feature that really add to that tropical feel. I love the charisma of it because it does not only exudes beauty but it also helps keep the garden cool by producing natural mist that engulfs the whole garden.

To add that rainforest ambiance, plenty of hanging ferns surrounding the waterfall.

There is a spiral staircase beside the grotto waterfall to walk in to the second level. From here, you have a bird’s eye view of the whole park and you witness butterflies flying freely within the open enclosure. They’re good in replicating the semi-natural habitat of such beauty as they seems happy in here (ahahaha!). It’s great because when I visit the garden, no other tourist where in there, that’s why no one is blocking the view (selfish mode ~ ahahaha!).

The presence of a 6-meter cascading waterfall adds that tropical feel.

One of the fascinating aspects of this garden is the opportunity for visitors to observe that life cycle of butterflies at close range. You can even see them while they are sipping nectar in plants and feeding on fresh pineapples . Better keep your distance in order not to disturb them but they seems not bothered to be surrounded by guest though as they simply keep on eating even you’re just a centimeter away (interesting ~ ahahaha!).

View of the left part of the garden.

The garden maybe enclosed with stainless steel, mesh wires, and glass panels but the natural air from the outside maintains the ventilation in the whole garden. I don’t know if there is an air controlled units here but from the top of the waterfall you’ll fell the natural breeze coming from the tarmac.

Aside from butterflies just in one corner of the park is a gallery of jungle: the carnivorous and insectivores plants. They exhibits unusually shaped but deadly species such as Hooker's Pitcher plants, Monkey Cups, ladder ferns and lot more. I even keep myself away from it and the least I can do is to take pictures of them (ahahaha!).

If you have ample time to spend while waiting for your flight in Changi Airport, better devote 15 minutes checking this beautiful haven offering a respite from the stresses of traveling. It showcases the stunning beauty of mother nature with a great variety of flattering butterflies and hungry plants set to delight you, it is one rewarding experience indeed. Just don’t forget to your bring your camera please as this is a good photo opportunity to get up-close with the butterflies.

So there you go, have a great day and night everyone.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrss!!!!!

Enan signing off.

SMILE

:)

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