Mid-Autumn @ The Gardens

Have a rwarrING good time with colourful lanterns at Mid-Autumn @ The Gardens on 13-22 Sep 2013!

I love Mid-Autumn. It’s a time when I can be a child again, and carry brightly-lit traditional cellophane lanterns around with good friends without raising any eyebrows. This year, I had a visual feast of colourful lanterns at Gardens by the Bay which is hosting the Mid-Autumn Festival for the first time. And it’s FREE! :D

Majestic Temple of Confucius in the middle of the Dragonfly Lake. How cool is that – premium waterfront living!

The dragon in this lantern display is made up of 80,000 test tubes filled with coloured water. All the lanterns are made locally by master craftsmen from China.

I must say the cooled conservatories make a pretty nice backdrop for the lantern display

Sky Lanterns

A series of charity events is organised in conjunction with Mid-Autumn Festival @ the Gardens to raise funds for President’s Challenge 2013. Visitors can purchase a sky lanterns or Loy Krathong (Floating Lantern) for $10 and all proceeds will be donated to President’s Challenge 2013.

The cutest 12 Zodiac Signs I’ve ever seen

Leo looks so cute, he can rival Hello Kitty!

The Dragonfly Bridge decorated with colourful arches

They look pretty good in the daytime as well

For visitors coming in the daytime, the Flower Dome houses a Mid-Autumn themed floral display featuring three dragonfly lanterns perched amidst a field of vibrant flora such as begonias, chrysanthemums, astilbes and celosias. For me – this would be the easiest insect macro I’ve ever done! lol

Magnificent scenery at night. I stood still for 5 minutes just to admire this.

It’s packed at the 101-hectare Gardens – amazing feat!

Giant face masks

My fave lantern piece – Jurassic Park featuring 8 dinosaurs with movable parts. They scream too, haha.

Jurassic Park with a suggestive-looking plant

This evil-looking thing looks like it’s saying “I’m coming to get you!”

Pandora 3D Exhibition
What’s more apt than an Avatar experience in the midst of mystical SuperTrees at Supertree Grove? Presented by Keppel Club, this unique exhibition offers visitors a 3D experience as they admire hand-made exhibits built from recycling materials by the staff of Keppel Club.

Inside the Pandora 3D exhibition

Birds & Insects Paradise

More lantern set pieces at The Meadow

Cute monks. I never thought I would ever say that.

3 little pigs and a goofy-looking wolf

Dong dong dong CHIANG! Let’s celebrate!

Oh-so-cute wedding couple

I was quite amused with the ‘multi-racial’ lanterns. This piece pays homage to our Muslim friends.

And our Indian representation

Arabian Nights?

I got a bit hungry from all the walking and was quite pleased to find my fave snacks at the food stalls – smelly tofu and sour plum drink. Satisfaction. Heehee.

It was nice to see families enjoying themselves and keeping the traditional of Mid-Autumn reunion & harmony alive.

Who says lanterns are only for the Chinese culture?
Our Malay friends came by as well, and everyone bonded together over a candlelight. These people didn’t know each other, and were just happy to lend a light. Awwww….I’m feeling warm & fuzzy again.

Winning Entries from the Creative Lantern-Making Competition
This piece won first prize. I must say I am quite impressed with the lanterns, all the twinkling LED lights and movable parts . I felt so archaic thinking of the lanterns I used to make in school.