Gardens By The Bay - Rhododendron Radiance

For the first time in Singapore, experience the lush blooms of more than 80 varieties of rhododendrons, which have been brought in for the inaugural Rhododendron Radiance floral display.

Rhododendrons are flowering bushes well-loved by gardeners around the world for their showy flowers that bloom in clusters from red and pink, to yellow and white. Some of the varieties of rhododendrons to look out for include: Rhododendron "Meadow Lemon", whose red-hued buds eventually become pale yellow flowers....

Rhododendron "Mount Loma Prieta" has pink flowers with apricot-yellow centres...

Rhododendron "Sierra Sunset" has bold blooms that combine orange, yellow and cream tones...

The smallest Rhododendron species - Rhododendron lapponicum and Rhododendron drumonium, range between 10-100 cm, while the tallest is reported to be over 30 metres in height! Rhodeodendrum arboretum, also known as Tree Rhododendron, discovered on Mt Japfu in India, holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest Rhododendron at 32.91 metres at the point of its discovery, and it's still growing!

The floral display also features more than 10 varieties of azaleas, a close cousin of the rhododendron. These rhododendrons and azaleas were brought in from New Zealand. Due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand’s four seasons run counter to countries in the Northern Hemisphere, such as those in Europe and East Asia, as well as North America. Spring in New Zealand begins in September, which is when the rhododendrons in the country’s renowned parks and gardens bloom.

Azaleas usually have hairy leaves that are smaller and thinner, while Rhododendrons bloom in larger clusters...

See Gardens by the Bay’s bear mascots enjoying outdoor activities amidst the masses of brightly-coloured flowers with the eight bears trying their paws at camping, fishing, zip-lining and even hot air ballooning - activities reminiscent of the outdoor life in the national parks of New Zealand.

Flowering blooms alongside adorable bear mascots...

Bear mascots indulging in adventures reminiscent of the outdoor activities in national parks in New Zealand...

Rhododendron Radiance will run from today until 28 October 2019. For more details, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/rhododendron.

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Sarawak - More To Discover

Recently Merlion Wayfarer attended a uniquely Sarawakian evening, which saw the Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Honourable Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah launch the Visit Sarawak logo which preceded its tourism campaign. 

The "Visit Sarawak" Logo

The overall style of the logo is simple, friendly and approachable while keeping its impactful nature. The brush strokes of the logo font portrays a fun and friendliness, representing the unparalleled hospitality found in Sarawak. The different and vibrant colours represent the diversity and multitude of elements that make Sarawak unique.

• Red and yellow indicate the colours in the Sarawak flag, hence their use in the letters “S” and “R”.
    
• Orange represents the strong spirit and vibrant energy of the different ethnic communities within Sarawak.
    
• Green represents the luscious rainforests teeming with life.
    
• Blue reflects the calmness of the ocean along Sarawak’s long coastline.
    
• The stylised “S” in the logo features a curling pattern, imitating a traditional design that is often used in the artwork of the Dayak and Orang Ulu people.
    
• The ‘hornbill head’ in the centre replacing the ‘A’ alphabet represents the “Bumi Kenyalang” that the State has been labelled for many years as well as the cultural significance the hornbill has to the indigenous people of Sarawak. It also adds another natural element to the logo, as one of Sarawak’s main attractions is its nature.

"More To Discover"

The “More to Discover” phrase ensures that a person needs to set foot in Sarawak personally to truly discover all the attractions Sarawak holds. It also promises that once a person has been to Sarawak, there is always more for them to experience and discover, as there is far more within the State than can be experienced by a traveller within one trip.

Discover Culture

As the largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak is home to 27 ethnic groups, speaking 45 languages and dialects, and each with their own stories, colorful cultures, traditions, and beliefs that makes Sarawak a cultural extravaganza just waiting to be explored.

What's a launch event without a bit of excitement?

Here, a tribal performer holds up a wand of balloons while invited members of the audience attempt a tryout with a blowpipe...

Discover Adventures

On land, visitors have a plethora of adventures to choose from – from jungle trekking, adventure caving, to mountain climbing, rock climbing and jungle expeditions. In water, visitors can choose from river activities, diving, water sports, fishing, jet skiing and yachting.

Urban explorers can visit Kuching, which has one of the most interesting architecture mix in Malaysia, with colonial buildings amongst modern architecture.

Discover Nature

Sarawak has a 56 totally protected areas, 37 gazetted national parks, five wildlife sanctuaries and 14 nature reserves, with rainforests the size of Austria. Its rainforests house the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystem - Home to the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia (that can grow to the size of a coffee table), squirrels and snakes that fly, deer the size of cats, plants that eat insects (and small animals), the orang utan, the proboscis monkey, the hornbill, the Rajah Brooke butterfly and the silverleaf monkey...

The launch of the campaign showed the floral and fauna of Sarawak as a backdrop,
fronted by the graceful movements of a dancer...

For more information on Sarawak Tourism, visit sarawaktourism.com

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