Huney'Z World: Halimah Yacob

Hi Huneybees,

Dendrobium Lineale at Singapore garden festival Orchid Show. Photo by Huney'Z World

Do you know that Orchid - Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim (commonly known as Vanda Miss Joaquim) - is Singapore's national flower since 1893 and is part of one of two largest flowering families (the other is Asteraceae) that has more than twice the number of all bird species?!

To catch this diverse plant family that has an unique ability to grow in different environments, including on trees, you may wish to head down to Singapore Garden Festival (SGF)'s inaugural Orchid Show at National Orchid Garden in Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Mdm Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, together with Mr Lawrence Wong opens the Singapore Garden festival Orchid Show. Photo by Huney'Z World

Inaugurated on 21st April 2018 by Mdm Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, together with Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minster for Finance, SGF Orchid Show has been introduced as part of a new format to allow more visitors to partake at one of the world's best Garden Show.

Champion trophies on display at the Singapore Garden festival Orchid Show. Photo by Huney'Z World

Over the nine (9) days, from 21st to 29th April 2018, visitors will be wowed by more than 100 orchid varieties and over 500 of the region's best orchid plants. Amongst these winners of 38 heritage trophies, including the President's Challenge Cup , which is awarded to the best plant in the show at the Burkill Hall.

Orchid Landscape Display winner at Singapore Garden festival Orchid Show. Photo by Huney'Z World

There are 17 orchid landscape displays at the Orchid Plaza, of which 13 competitive displays are put together by local and regional growers.

A special non-competitive displays titled "Celebrations!" at Singapore Garden festival Orchid Show.
Photo by Huney'Z World

Huneybees, you may wish also to visit "Celebrations!", a special non-competitive display that marks Singapore's chairmanship of ASEAN this year, which presents some of the most beautiful and robust orchids native to ASEAN countries, as well as the commerative Renanthera ASEAN 2018 Orchid, a hybrid that symbolizes the unity and strength of ASEAN member states.

There is also a creation "Orchid Splendour" by staff of National Orchid Garden, next to Celebrations!, to mimic a freshwater swamp setting, where some of the species have been reintroduced to their natural habitat.

Dendrobium Spectabile at Singapore Garden Festival Orchid Show. Photo by Huney'Z World

Phalaenopsis Yaphon Sir at Singapore garden Festival orchid Show. Photo by Huney'Z World

All in all, there is something for everyone attending the inaugural SGF Orchid Show.
For the young ones, they can participate in orchid-related craft workshops, while both floral novice and orchid enthusiasts can look forward to having a better understanding on the topic through the scheduled tours, talks and demonstration.

Entry for Singapore residents to the SGF Orchid Show is Free (need to present your identity card) while international visitors can purchase tickets from the National Orchid Garden. Do note that the opening hours for SGF Orchid Show are from 8:30am - 7:00pm daily, with the last ticket sales and entry at 6:00pm.

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram for the latest updates!

Hi Huneybees,

Christmas on A Great Street Opening Ceremony, officiated by Her Excellency President Halimah Yacob

Christmas is just around the corner and the annual Christmas Light Up on Orchard Road - “Christmas on A Great Street” happened last week. Themed as "Endless Wonder" this year, Orchard Road (2.88 km stretching from Tanglin Mall shopping centre to Plaza Singapura) is transformed into an enthralling world of light-reflective tunnels, illusive galaxy and a magical forest of trees draped with myriads of lighting threads.

Everyone's invited and escape into this enchanting world of colours carefully curated for an immersive dreamlike experience, enhanced by a shimmering web of lights, interactive streetside installations and a dazzling array of festive ornaments.

1) Street Light Decor

For the first time, sub-arches are created, in addition to the Main Arch. The Main Arch standing at 16 metres tall, is also the highest arch in the history of Christmas street lights décor.

All the sub archs are designed to be snap-worthy, there are 5 of them to be spotted along Orchard Road - Walk of Wonder, a 20-metre long passage made of reflective fabric and fairy lights, which will be placed outside Forum the Shopping Mall, as well as The Tree of Time, a 4.5m-tall free-flowing "tree" with a Christmas countdown clock, inspired by a dancer.

2) UNIQLO Music In The Air

Period: Sat 11 Nov – Mon 25 Dec 2017

Where: From ION Orchard - Ngee Ann City

Time: 10am – 10pm daily

There will be 18 outdoor speakers piping Christmas carols daily and Music In The Air will have “Live” DJ giving real-time promotion updates and in addition, song dedications are available on weekends.

Artist's Impression of SK-II and Haagen Dazs 2 duplex pop-up stores

3) Pop-up Stores Along Orchard Road

Where: Located along Orchard Road between ION Orchard and Mandarin Gallery.

Period: Early November – 31 December 2017

Along the stretch of Orchard Road, there will be pop up stores for your shopping delights. In front of Mandarin Gallery, you will find the 2 duplex pop-up stores by SK-II and Haagen Dazs with interactive art installations at SK-II and Mochi Crunch Workshop at Haagen Dazs.

Artist's Impression of House of Shop

At Ngee Ann City and ION Orchard, you can also find other pop up brands like Casio, Tiffany & Co. Fragrances, 75cl, Supermama, The 1873 Clipper Tea Co., Volo Leather goods, Ripcurl, iJozz, and the debut of new future-ready retail pop-up called House of Shop!

Artist's Impression of Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City

4) Endless Wonder Christmas Village

Venue: Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza

Period: Sat 25 Nov – Mon 25 Dec 2017

The European-inspired Christmas village will feature a double-decker carousel, as well as Hitachi Santa House, with stores by more than 25 brands - including Starbucks, Toast Box and PAUL.

Come on by Christmas Eve and sing along to Christmas classics with an array of local bands performing at the village from 8pm, ahead of a pyrotechnics show at midnight.

5) Christmas Rewards with Mastercard®

Period: Sat 11 Nov 2017 – Mon 1 Jan 2018

Charge a minimum of S$300 nett to your Mastercard at the 10 participating malls on Orchard Road to redeem S$30 worth of shopping vouchers!

*Limited to the first 200 Mastercard cardholders per week per mall from Sat 11 Nov – Fri 24 Nov 2017.

*Vouchers will be issued on a while-stocks-last basis from Sat 25 Nov 2017 – Mon 1 Jan 2018.

10 Participating Malls:

1. 313@somerset

2. Forum The Shopping Mall

3. Mandarin Gallery

4. Orchard Central

5. orchardgateway

6. Paragon

7. Scotts Square

8. Takashimaya Shopping Centre/Ngee Ann City

9. The Centrepoint

10. Wisma Atria

Below is the map of where the attractions are. Click on pic to zoom in.

Have fun celebrating Christmas on Orchard Road and do vote for your favourite Best Dressed Building! Taking place from Nov 17 to Dec 3, buildings along Orchard Road will be competing for 10 awards and you can vote for your favourite building at this website.

All Image Credits: Orchard Road Business Association

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram for the latest updates!

The Orchid Wonderland Has Arrived In Singapore

5 Reasons To Check Out "Christmas On A Great Street" On Orchard Road