May 20, 2026

Right next to the Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay is the Cloud Forest Dome.They sell the entry tickets as a joint package. The Cloud Forest currently has a special exhibit, Jurassic World The Experience incorporated into the forest.

The forest is set up so smartly to keep visitors comfortable and moving. You enter at the ground level and go around the outer base of the mountain and then take an elevator up thru the interior, to the top and wind your way down via ramps and escalators. The space is so lush and tropical but comfortably cool for visitors. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was, despite the commercialism of Jurassic exhibit.

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There were tons of beautiful orchids and other unique flowers along with lnteresting scultures and dinosaurs.

Again the views outside the Dome were as interesting to me, as what was inside the dome. Got a great view of the tree top walkway between the Supertrees ,out in the Gardens by the Bay park.

Mid way down the walkway there is a Team Labs Exhibit of flower projecting in the interior space. I love their creativity and the immersive experience. We first saw them in Japan.

Farewell for now, Lion City!

I loved our time in Singapore, there is so much more left to explore! I am excited that we are coming back several more times this summer & fall since this our best Port to get fuel in, during this global shortage, due to the war with Iran.

HAPPY 4th of JULY from SE ASIA SEA!

By Pat Patrick • July 4, 2026
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July! Here on the Odyssey we celebrated in the SE Asia Sea on our way to Tioman Island, Malaysia . We have such a talented and dedicated group of residents here, they put together a fun hour of things to celebrate and embrace a lot of what we collectively love about the USA. Even our residents from other countries - Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany , etc. joined in the fun! ( I lent my flag below for decorations)

BINTAN, INDONESIA - BUDDHIST TEMPLE

By Pat Patrick • July 2, 2026
Vihara Avalokiteshvara Graha or Guan Yin Temple is near 500 Lohan, so we also toured the grounds of this large Temple complex. It's dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and is one the tallest brass statues of her in SE Asia. She is just over 55' tall, coated in 22 carat gold and is surrounded by scenic dragon fruit plantations. The tile work is intricate and textured with great details. The whole place is very tranquil and calming for meditation and prayer.

BINTAN, INDONESIA - Buddhist Culture

By PAT PATRICK • July 1, 2026
500 Lohan Temple or Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was the most interesting place we visited on Bintan Island . It features 500 hand sculpted, life sized, distinctively expressive statues of Buddhist disciplines (Lohans) surrounding a tranquil courtyard. They are arranged symetrical, in an arc and it's interesting how some pop out, as you look down the rows. The statues were crafted by artist in China from 2010 to 2017 when the temple was inaugurated; no two are alike.