#actually contain lush caverns which is actually really cool

[eats-the-stars]

i have upgraded my ability to navigate minecraft to “able to use compasses fixed to lodestones to go from lodestone A to lodestone B” and no, I cannot figure out how to use coordinates even tho every explanation seems to deceptively simple and intuitive. teleportation is a big no. somehow i just...always end up in the middle of an ocean. my previous method of navigation was placing small 4-6 block tall beacons with a torch on top, each within line of site and made of a block that contrasted with the landscape. as you can imagine, this is a pretty tedious way to travel. so i am very happy to figure out compasses. my sister keeps trying to explain coordinates and all the words she says make perfect sense but my attempt to follow them does not result in successful navigation.

[dawning-star]

Prompt #3: Adytum

(These tend to be mostly under the cut for length, as FYI)

The lush greenery was just like in her memories, ones she had long ago locked away. It had been a happier time then, before the then-nameless girl lost everything and fell to despair. Despair that lasted years.

The lands were vast, or at least she remembered them to be. It was full of life and freedom, or so Rin guessed. The only thing that she didn’t recall was there being so much fog. In fact it nearly obscured everything but her immediate surroundings. It was hard to take in the big picture when she couldn’t exactly see it.

‘Makes it a bit more eerie than I’d hoped.’  

She was alone from what she could tell, hearing only her own footfalls outside of a small pitter patter. No ally or enemy were present. Which was probably for the better. It was a private journey, this time. One that she hoped would pay off in its own way.

And so Rinalys continued on, the Xaela making slow progress in her homeland. She would forge her way forward through the fog, each step revealing just a little more until she had reached a mountainside, and caves that also seemed obscured.

Alright, that wasn’t really what she had expected. Maybe it was just a new area that she didn’t recall from her youth. Trailing a hand along the cavern wall the stone felt cold, smooth. Her every step echoed in the path. Thankfully no others had joined it, she doubted any tribes had made such a place their home.

After what felt like nearly a malm of navigating the fog gave way to a wall that contained something curious. A single, wooden door. There were words etched on it, but when looking closely she couldn’t make out the script no matter how hard she tried. It just seemed pure gibberish. Regardless, she suddenly felt a pressing need to enter, to explore it. As if this had been the goal of her journey, just behind that door.

Naturally she had to open the damn thing to take a peek. What Rinalys saw though, would confuse her more than anything. It was legitimately a room, a well-maintained one at that, with lamps lining the floor that looked to be of marble. It was weird...for something just inside a cave. The more she took it in though the more the dots seemed to connect in her mind. It looked like a sanctum, someplace of worship. Not an abandoned one, either.

Even if dots were connecting it just wasn’t making much sense for her. Why out in the middle of nowhere. And why a…

“Matanga?” The statue was illuminated, almost lit on its own at the head of this sanctum, piles of gold surrounding its feet. The word on her lips one she vaguely remembered from her youth though Rinalys didn’t actually recall ever seeing one of the marid-like beasts before. Let alone reputable enough to be revered.

To say that she was baffled was a bit of an understatement. Yet still her feet carried her forward, to the forefront. There were no worshippers which made the scene all the more curious. Reaching up she would feel the same cool of the stone, the sound of coins jingling under her feet. Glancing down, she debated for a bit to whether anyone would notice if they were gone. After all the place was far enough removed.

Before she could act on thoughts of looting a shrine the creaking of the door opening would catch her attention…

...Allowing the woman to stir from the sleep she had fallen into. Honestly awake she was even more confused than she had been in her own dream. As well as slightly disappointed there was no gold to come out of the deal. Sighing, she would reach an arm up to cover her face as she realized she was definitely not in some weird sanctum of her homeland.

“The fuck did I even drink last night to bring that on?”

[travelguideworldtour-blog]

Cuba Best Places Top 10

Havana

Lastbut not least, is that the city of Havana. As the funding of Cuba and the major shipping hub, the majority of visitors will spend some time researching Havana. This classy, retro and cosmopolitan city is known for its spectacular nightlife, but days offer as much enthusiasm. Start in La Habana Vieja, and also perhaps even the Old Town, where crumbling colonial buildings and vibrant midcentury structures stand alongside. Don’t leave Havana without watching cigars being wrapped by hand in a small factory, or tasting a few local rum fresh from the distillery. Mingle with the locals along Malecón, the sea wall directly along the shore that offers sea views and a good deal of fun.

Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is a city in Cuba that is unlike others on the staircase. Since it was set by the French, rather than the Spanish, it’s a special atmosphere. The city is called La Perla del Sur, and also the Pearl of the South. For anyone that appreciate mid-century modern structure, the peninsula of Punta Gorda is a must see. There continue to be many 1950s homes, many which are carefully maintained. The middle of Cienfuegos is Pueblo Nuevo, at which you can explore the real history ministry, dine in an outside cafe or choose a Spanish or French language lesson.

Santiago de Cuba

Located in southern Cuba, Santiago de Cuba is just a coastal city famous for its historic history. Santiago de Cuba was set in the 16th century by the Spanish, and it’s called the 2nd City of Cuba. The core of the metropolis could be your Parque Cespedes, a central plaza that’s surrounded by quite a few historic Spanish archaeological structures. In more modern report, the plaza was Fidel Castro famously announced the revolution a victory in 1959. You might even research the Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, also a 17th century fortress overlooking the bay.

Vinales 

While Cuba has many national parks, none is so amazing and reachable since the one located in the Viñales Valley. Viñales is popularly referred to as a magnificent destination, and history tells it had been Castro’s favourite place in the island. The valley is surrounded by mountains, tobacco still develops to produce legendary Cuban cigars and innumerable islands add an excess ounce of adventure for its intrepid traveler. One of the most popular temples is that the Cuevas del IndioIndian or Indian Caves, where it is possible to actually take a boat ride entirely inside the cavern system.

Baracoa

While Havana may be the current capital of Cuba, it was not necessarily the center of Cuban politics. Baracoa is occasionally referred to as the First City, which was the very first capital of this island. Baracoa was set up in early 16th century by famous explorer Diego Velazquez, and it preserves much of its historic architecture. The Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion is only one of these worth checking out. Baracoa is also a excellent base for seeing El Yunque, a hill over looking the city where visitors may hike and explore the green, lush rainforest environment just half an hour from the beach.

Santa Clara

This industrial university community will for ever be correlated with Ernesto’Che’ Guevara. It was here, four hours east of Havana, which at late December 1958 the radical protagonist directed out his troops of their Sierra Escambray and seized the town, inducing dictator Fulgencio Batista to flee. Even though it also features a lovely historical quarter, the majority of the websites of interest within this town relate solely with events that are revolutionary.The must-not-miss website in Santa Clara has been Complejo Monumental Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara, a Huge monument of Che dominating the Plaza de la Revolución. Beneath, research the museum and mausoleum at which Che’s remains are interred. You will find a few really cool places merely a fast drive from Santa Clara, for instance, Hawaiian town of Remedios (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Cayos de Villa Clara, with a number of the greatest beaches and hotel hotels in Cuba.

Varadero

Just a short drive from Havana is Varadero, a popular beach resort town found on Hicacos Peninsula. Many miles of coastline let you enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the white sandy beaches and blue warm waters really are stunning to behold. While the gorgeous beach is the reason why Varadero is among the best places to visit in Cuba, there is plenty more to do. Parque Josone is a gorgeous park filled with botanical gardens, lakes, wildlife and bridges, not to mention music, vendors and even camel rides for kids. Also worth exploring are the Bellamar Caves, an extensive cavern system that been available to visitors for more than 150 years.

Trinidad 

For those with a love of architecture or history, Trinidad can be just a superb place to visit in Cuba. Next door to the plaza is a Hawaiian convent that currently houses the Museum of the War Against the Bandits, and also even the Lucha Contra Bandidos. After investigating the museum, walk up hill far from the Plaza Mayor to go shopping for handicraft souvenirs. Popular items for sale comprise hand-sewn table cloths and napkin linens. One of these breathtaking structures in Trinidad is that the Palacio Brunet Mansion, which currently functions as the Museo Romantico. See to admire a fantastic collection of 19th century artworks and antiques.

Guama

Guama is just a really distinctive destination at which enchanting thatched roof huts take a seat on the border of several miniature islands at Laguna del Tesero (Treasure Lake). The Villa Guama hotel was constructed to resemble a Taino village, boasting a lush and green setting with different palm trees and impeccably kept grounds. From the surface that the area appears very pastoral, however, the huts’ insides are attractively designed, filled with ac. The region may only be retrieved by ship, also will not possess a thorough collection of attractions. The most important appeal of Guama could be that your crocodile farm, even at which more than 100,000 aquatic reptiles, for example sixteen jeopardized species, live.

Manzanillo

Manzanillo is located in the majestic Sierra Maestra Mountains in the southern region of Cuba. It’s where the revolution in Cuba has been established and where Fidel Castro and his rebels landed in 1956 after leaving exile in Mexico. To day, it keeps its revolutionary spirit and contains a wealth of historical monuments, monuments, and squares showcasing the fight for Cuban liberty. Manzanillo isn’t merely a historian’s dream locale, additionally, it has stunning beaches and plenty of attractions, such as the Criadero de Cocodrilos, certainly one of Cuba’s crocodile farms.

Cuba Best Places Top 10

[bradbdormanus]

A Singapore Icon – Gardens by the Bay (Pics, Tickets, Hours, & Tips)

Recently I wrote about the great fun that we had visiting Sentosa Island in Singapore, but that wasn’t the only amazing place we had the opportunity to visit while in this beautiful Asian city-state. Our visit to the Gardens by the Bay Singapore was breathtakingly beautiful, full of riotous color, and left us in awe with its festival of lights created by the metal supertrees.

I thought I’d tell you about this must-see green development that lies on the bay in Singapore.

About the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

What Is Gardens by the Bay?

Well, if you ask me Gardens by the Bay is a national treasure, but technically it’s a modern public garden space that represents plant species from most of the world’s countries and endeavors to “present the plant kingdom in a whole new way.” Which I can attest that it certainly does.

The gardens themselves are composed of three different venues along the waterfront. Bay South is by far the most popular, as it contains the two cooled conservatories and the Supertree Grove. Bay Central is a 3-kilometer waterfront promenade and green space, and Bay East is a green space open to the public with additional plans to develop it over the next few decades into a waterfront garden.

There are over 1,500,000 plants in the Gardens, representing over 20,000 species from around the world. And the number continues to climb in their efforts to enrich the permanent displays and their rotating attractions. This makes it a truly one-of-a-kind place in Asia, and probably the world. Almost 9 million people made their way through the gardens (FY 2016/17), and we were so happy to add to their count this year. I promise you will be too if you get the chance.

Where is Gardens by the Bay?

Gardens by the Bay is located in Marina South and fronts the Marina Bay, which is just off the Straits of Singapore. It’s actually just outside the downtown core and a few miles east of Sentosa Island. Here is a link to the map!

Tickets

While these are public gardens, there is a fee to enter the Cooled Conservatories (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest). Adults are charged $28 per person, while children can gain admission for $15. (Children under 3 years of age are free.) Tickets may be purchased in advance online here or in person at the Canopy Ticketing Counter or Bayfront Plaza Ticketing Counter. There is an additional fee of $8 ($5 for children) for the OCBC Skyway. Passes are good for both indoor venues and for one day only. The Outdoor Gardens and Far East Organization Children’s Garden are free.

Gardens by the Bay Hours

Hours vary based on the venue:

Cooled Conservatories are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Outdoor Gardens are open from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily

Far East organization Children’s Garden open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (Closed Monday)

OCBC Skyway is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

How to Get to Gardens by the Bay

Public transportation is the preferred method for tourists and citizens alike. Given the size of Singapore and its lack of garages, parking spaces, and highways, cars are a luxury item that is outrageously expensive, compounded by the high price of gas, road taxes, electronic road pricing, and pretty high daily parking fees—both inside and outside the central business district. Add in congestion on most every roadway as you’ll be a convert to public transit in no time.

That being said, your best bets are to take the bus, train or to walk to the Gardens by the Bay. There are three bus/train lines that will get you within proximity of the Gardens: The Circle Line and Downtown Line will deposit you at the Bayfront MRT Station and you walk across one of two bridges to the park, or take the East-West Line and get off at the Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, hop on the 400 bus and get off at bust top 03371 along Marina Gardens Drive. The Gardens are accessible by foot via the Helix Bridge or from the Marina Bay Sands Hotel across the Lions Bridge.

Alternately, you can take a taxi. Since we were staying downtown at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, we walked to the Gardens. Since downtown Singapore is relatively small you can usually get around by walking to your destinations.

Gardens by the Bay Attractions

Okay, this is where things get really good. I mean, just look at the pictures. Walls of green, towering metal trees, waterfalls, and the flowers (those tulips were unreal)! This really is a place of beauty, and each exhibit—both inside the cooled conservatories and out—is worthy of your time.

Cloud Forest

A soaring mountain of greenery lives within the glass dome that is the Cloud Forest Conservatory. Shrouded in mist, the plants that live here come from the tropical regions of the world. This cooled conservatory runs at about 80-90% humidity with a very comfortable temperature of about 75 degrees.

Within this venue is the Secret Garden, Crystal Mountain, Tree Top Walk, The Cavern, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and—at the very top of the mountain—the Lost World, which you can access via the Cloud Walk.

The Secret Forest replicates species that can be found in limestone forest and caves, primarily orchids, ferns, and other lush greenery. With the mist, I thought it looked almost ethereal, something out of a fairy tale. But my favorite part of this exhibit was the Tree Top Walk to the Lost World. You can walk inside the mountain of plants, under archways and make stops at various vista points, including one where you can enjoy the cool mist of the indoor waterfall as it rains down the mountain.

Flower Dome

It’s safe to say that the Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world, measuring in at 2.5 acres. You’ll find the humidity here is a bit less than that of the Cloud Forest, usually around 60-80%, with a similar temperature of 75 degrees. The plants here are from the Mediterranean and subtropical regions of the world.

The Flower Dome consists of the Olive Grove, California Garden, South America Garden, South African Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Australia Garden, The Baobobs, a Succulent Garden and the Flower Field.

The Flower Field is a rotating floral display that can last from a few weeks to a few months. While we visited it was based on tulips, while the current event is Orchid Extravaganza. As you can see from the photos, there were tulips everywhere, in every color imaginable. We saw single tulips, double tulips, fringed tulips, variegated tulips, lily tulips, and the list goes on….

The succulent garden looked like it came right out of the Arizona desert, and we really liked the Australian Garden, having visited that country earlier this year. Having lived in the Central Valley of California, we were curious about the California Garden, but the plants featured there were more tailored to the lower Sierras than the farmland we’re used to. Still, made us a bit homesick.

The most dramatic exhibit, after the Flower Field, of course, is the Baobabs and Bottle Trees. The baobabs, native to Africa, Arabia, and Australia, are huge and weigh as much as 32 tons. They’re gigantic umbrella-looking trees that flower only at night. There was also the unusual Palo Borracho, with its bulbous trunks and sparse greenery. Definitely worth a look.

Supertree Grove

The Supertree Grove is unlike anything we’ve seen anywhere in the world. It is composed of 12 trees, with the tallest among them reaching 16 stories into the sky. (Six more supertrees are located elsewhere in the outdoor gardens.) Eleven of these supertrees feature environmentally sustainable features like solar cells to harness energy for the gardens and nightly light show.

There are four parts to each of these supertrees: the concrete core, a trunk and canopy made of metal, and planting panels that allow plants to grow within the supertree. Within the 18 supertrees are over 160,000 plants, as well as huge series of colored lights.

Visitors are allowed to climb the trees, which provide a great vantage point (and photo op) to view much of the city. Alternately, you can pay to venture out onto the OCBC Skyway (see below), which spans two of these superstructures. You can even grab a bite to eat at the bistro located at the top of one of the supertrees!

These structures are certainly larger than life, providing brilliant color with their orchids, ferns and tropical flowers growing vertically up the trunk. But even more colorful is the evening Garden Rhapsody light show—with musical accompaniment—that enchants visitors. There are two showings each night (7:45 and 8:45 p.m.) with the show changing every few weeks, with topics like Opera in the Gardens, Garden Waltz, and Enchanted Woods (perfect for children with its magical beings and mythical beasts).

OCBC Skyway

This is a good a place as any for a photo op within Gardens by the Bay. The OCBC Skyway sits 72 feet in the air, spanning 400 feet between several of the towering supertrees. This aerial walkway allows you to get a bird’s eye view of the structure of the supertrees, as well as the Marina Bay skyline, the Bay itself, and the rest of the Gardens.

These four are the main attractions at Gardens by the Bay, however, there are additional sites available for visitation, including:

World of Plants

Sun Pavilion

Heritage Gardens

The Canyon

Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes

Far East Organization Children’s Garden

Sculpture Garden

Gardens by the Bay Travel Tips

Arrive around 7:15 p.m. to get a spot to watch the light show that starts at 7:45, as it can get very crowded, the photo above is from everyone lying on the ground to see the show. There is no designated seating so as you see people gathering around the main big tree find a spot!

Plan on spending 1-2 hours each in the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. Time will depend upon the crowds and how many photos you want to take. If you want to visit the OCBC Skyway, you can walk it in 5 minutes nonstop, but you’ll want about a half hour to really take in all the sites that are viewable from this high up. Allow another 30-45 for the Supertree Grove.

If you want to visit when there is the least amount of crowds arrive before they open on a weekday. We arrived about an hour before they opened to get an idea where everything was and to buy our tickets. We didn’t wait at all and we were able to get as many pictures as we wanted without the huge groups of people.

Deneding on how many days you are visiting Singapore, you could go to Gardens by the Bay conservatories in the morning and then come back another night for the light show or do them both on the same day. There is not enough to see to spend the entire day here so spend the morning here then come back at night.

There are a lot of dining options within the Gardens, from fine European cuisine and seafood to simple cafes, and even a McDonald’s. For a fun street food experience, head over to Satay by the Bay, with their 20 stalls, featuring all manner of satay, rice and noodle dishes, snacks, you name it. You can also satisfy a sweet tooth by popping into Bakerzin, featuring decadent European and Asian cakes, cookies and pastries.

Stylish Travels, -V

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