Picture at the Entrance
Hi everybody at home! Today was a great start to our botanical journey throughout Southeast Asia. We began the morning at CUGE(Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology) where we discussed the many aspects of horticulture in Singapore’s society with an overview by Dr. Teva Raj. We then ventured to the Singapore Botanic Garden (SBG) where we received a delightful tour from Dr. See Chung Chin, the Director of SBG.
At the Botanic Garden, Dr. See Chung Chin gave us a personalized tour of the grounds aboard a stretch golf cart. We spent an extended period in the Evolution Garden, a collection organized chronologically beginning with primitive plants and ending with flowering plants. Dr. Chin also took our group through an economic collection, entrance plaza, and the National Orchid Garden while speaking about their development and maintenance. After the tour, we dined at a local shopping center on authentic Thai cuisine. At the restaurant we were joined by Mr. Felix Loh, Director of Resource Management at the National Parks Board, Ms. Juliana Ho, and Mr. Yong Fook Chyi. The food was spicy, yet delicious, and we all enjoyed getting to know each professional and their role in making Singapore a true city in a garden.
Following lunch, we returned to SBG where we engaged in a discussion regarding the management and organization of the botanic gardens with its General Manager, Dr. Wei-Har Wong, and Director, Dr. Chin. During the networking tea following the discussion, business cards were exchanged and we were pleased to present a copy of Longwood’s plant exploration book to Drs. Wong and Chin as representatives of the Singapore Botanic Garden.
Group shot after tea
As our time with Dr. Chin and Dr. Wong came to a close, they showed us around the newly renovated Library of Botany and Horticulture. After seeing both the public and reference collections with scientific and trade journals from around the world, Dr. Chin took us to the rare book collection housing many fascinating books, some dating back to the 17th century. Dr. Wong graciously presented us with 1001 Garden Plants in Singapore, a book published by the National Parks Board of Singapore. We said goodbye to our hosts for the day and look forward to learning more about the many great programs of Singapore.
Barnabas, Bob, Dan, Jackie, Matt Q., Yoko
4 comments:
Hi All,
Looks like you are off to a great start for IE. Take full advantage of all of those networking teas we can send you more business cards if need be. As much as I enjoy all the group pictures, some with the exotic plants and scenery would be nice too.
Have Fun!
James
I love reading about your daily excursions, as well as seeing the pictures. It's great to see your smiling faces and know you arrived safely. Sorry, Dan but you will always be my baby! ;)
Hi to each and every one from Jackie's dad, Don B. Hope all are healthy and have gotten your feet under you after such a long flight.
As i write it is 6pm in the Bay Area on Wed the 9th of Jan. Could the Blog writer tell me what the time and day is in Singapore, as i send this?
Everyone take care and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Don B.
Mr. Bergquist,
If you posted at 6pm on the 9th, it was 10am on Thursday, 10th Jan here in Singapore (i.e. 13hrs ahead of EST, 16hrs ahead of PST).
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