Pune, India, part 4

Reading the local newspapers gives you an idea of what the hot topics are in Pune and India at the moment.

I will share them with you:

1. the weather, in particular the monsoon.

In general, this year there is not enough rainfall, creating problems like agriculturally and for the water supply for households.
Having said that, on the other hand, locally the showers can be intense and long, causing other problems, like floodings.
And around Pune, in the hill stations, the monsoon brings water for the waterfalls, drawing big crowds who want to enjoy the sight and have family picknicks in these areas, causing a lot of drownings, when people slip and fall down the waterfall or swim and get caught in heavy water streams.

In the picture above and under we see the devastating effects of the rain in Jaipur, a city that we will visit in about a month from now.

Pune, India, part 3

The hotel where we are staying, the Westin pune, has some special features. At least in my eyes.

The first one is the Fly Guy. Actually it is not ONE guy, I saw at least two different men on different days. Their job is to walk around in the hotel restaurant, where the buffet is, with what looks like a badminton racket. In fact it is an electrocuting thing for flies.
The first time I saw the guy I wondered why he was walking around with a badminton racket all the time, until I heard the crispy sound of a fly being electrocuted. Then I got it;-). A very important job, to protect the health of the guests.

We see this man on the right.

Pune, India, part 2

As promised, today I will give you an impression of the location and environment of the hotel we are staying in: the Westin Hotel Pune.


We have access to the executive lounge on the 4th floor. Although the staff is very nice and helpful, we have to say that the food and drink facilities of this lounge are amongst the poorest that we have met in hotels so far.

The hours that there is something to eat and drink are very limited and the assortment is also very limited. Also the music is often very, very dull.

Again, no complaints about the staff at all and also the quality of the food and beverages THAT are available is fine.

Let's say that 'fortunately' we do not mind so much, since I have to limit myself anyways due to my diabetes and Frits is trying to loose weight;-). Always look at the bright side, he?! Hahaha!

The lounge gives access to a beautiful, giant terrace, overlooking the river, greenery and the city. Oh, how wonderful it would be to have a tango-evening here!!! Although the flooring is not good for the ladies heels...

Back in India, Westin Hotel Pune

After two weeks in Singapore, we are now in Pune, India, for two months.

We are staying in the Westin Hotel Pune, a nice 5-star hotel. It is the grey building on the left picture, overlooking the river.

On the other two pictures we see Frits, first in our small room, then in our XLroom.

Gardens by the Bay, part 6

Yesterday I left you sitting under one of the SuperTrees, waiting for the OCBC Garden Rhapsody to begin.

Official description: " ...a signature nightly display of magical lights and music amid the giant Supertrees."

Honestly speaking it is a bit bombastic and tacky here and there and not all that spectacular. But does that matter so much? Not for me, since it still looks nice and poetic. The lights, the changing colors, the music....it's a nice sight and sound.

Judge for yourself. Unfortunately I have only images, no sound, (but then again...you don't miss so much, sound wise that is ;-).)

Well, there is no denying that the SuperTrees become a poetic, enchanted forest at night, with all the lights and colors. Totally my cup of tea! Love it.

Did you too get captivated by the beautiful, poetic look of the magical SuperTrees? I know I did.

All in all I think that Singapore has added another interesting area to it's already existing hotspots, like Marina Bay Sands and the Helix Bridge.

I think the Gardens by the Bay are a spot that is nice both during daytime and during the evening, indoors (the conservatories) and outdoors, paid and free. 

It's nice for meeting friends and family, for picnics and dinners, for photoshoots, walking, relaxing, doing nothing....

And I do believe that the garden will improve in time. That it will (literally) grow, getting more shady spots, and adding more character to the whole place.

Having said all that, I think the creators and architects have already done a wonderful job; compliments and congrats to all of them.  

Gardens by the Bay, part 5

In my previous posts we had a look inside the two enormous conservatories.
Now it's time to admire the SuperTrees in the Super Tree Grove.

Official description: "Stand in awe of the amazing Supertrees. These uniquely designed vertical gardens of 25 to 50-metres tall have large canopies that provide shade in the day and come alive with a exhilarating display of light and sound at night." And: " These unique trees of up to 16 storeys in height can be found all around the Gardens - twelve at the Supertree Grove, while the remaining six are placed in clusters of threes at the Golden and Silver Gardens.

Providing scale and dimension to the Gardens while marrying the form and function of mature trees, the Supertrees also create height to balance the tall developments in the Marina Bay area. Take a stroll along the OCBC Skyway, a 128-metre long walkway that connects the two 25-metre Supertrees at the Supertree Grove, and take in a different view of the Gardens. Chill out at the 50-metre Supertree-top bistro and be captivated by the panoramic views of the Gardens as well as the surrounding Marina Bay area."

In the largest of the trees is a restaurant/bar being built and in one of the trees the chimney of the recycling oven is hidden.

Apparently the architect was inspired by a forest with giant trees with a skywalk in between them and wanted to recreate that image. 

I have to admit that the trees are very impressive and the architecture is phenomenal. Very photogenic. 
And the OCBC skywalk is fantastic as well, providing beautiful views over the garden and of the city skyline.

Let's have a closer look:

Standing on the ground, looking up, you want to go on that Skywalk yourself!

So you buy yourself a ticket and cue up (look at the people on the ground in the picture) for the elevator up. Once up there enjoy the views and the scenery.

We were up there around sunset, which was a gorgeous sight!

A little while after watching the sun set, we went back down and had dinner in one of the restaurants around the SuperTrees.

With our cappuccino's-to-go in our hands we went back out, sat under the SuperTrees and waited for the OCBC Garden Rhapsody to start.

More about that tomorrow...

Gardens by the Bay, part 4

After an overview of the Gardens by the Bay, and a look inside the Flower Dome in two parts (1 and 2), we now look at the second conservatory: the Cloud Forest.

Official description:
"Step out of the concrete jungle and visit a mysterious world high in the mountains, where you can learn about plants and our environment.
Take in the views from the top of the mountain, surrounded by unique plants shrouded in mysterious mist."

This glass house is XXXL as well, but has a totally different feel (literally: colder and more humid) and look then the Flower Dome.

The high, hanging walkways are spectacular. The variety in plants and flowers seems a bit limited and here too you feel it has to evolve and grow. Still a nice experience though.

An impression in pictures:

The rainforest mountain that has been created; very well done!

Spectacular and high skywalks.

A small, romantic mountain lake on top.

Lots of orchids.

OK, enough humidity and mountains for today.

My next post will be a tour of the SuperTree Grove; the highlight of the Gardens by the Bay, as far as I am concerned.

Gardens by the Bay, part 3

As promised, today I bring you to the cactae and succulents area in the Flower Dome at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.

I liked this area a lot!
Not only because I like these type of plants, but also because the display and area looked more 'natural', wild and organic. As opposed to very neat and manmade.

See for yourself:

This cactus reminds me of the famous 'gurkin'-building in London;-).

I love the grayish color of the leafs in the background.

The white one obviously is very unusual! Will check it out next time when I am there. I intend to buy me a year card.

This 'tree' was actually quite small, so that it looked like a Bonsai cactus tree;-).

So far for the Flower Dome. Next time I go there, I will take more time to read all the signs with info and also take an audio tour.

Tomorrow I bring you to the second conservatory; the Cloud Forest Conservatory.