Cakes from the Moon. Gardens from Mars.

This week in Singapore we celebrate the Mid-autumn Festival. A popular lunar harvest festival celebrated by the Chinese and Vietnamese people. It’s also called the Mooncake festival, and for good reason. Mooncakes are delicious pastries and probably the reason my shorts feel a little tight today. Let’s just say, I’ve had more than my fair share all week. But, on Friday night @ the Forest by Wangs (where I’m currently staying) there was a mooncake & Chinese tea tasting on the rooftop. It was a bit awkward at first. I was one of 2 residents that came up to participate. But, the people here are so friendly and so excited to share a part of their culture with me, I ended up having a good time. Here is a really shitty picture of a mooncake. I encourage you all to google them (or click the hyperlink I set up) Because my photo does not even come close to doing them justice.

They also had out a plate filled with these Chinese nuts that look just like fake mustaches. I couldn’t help myself.

Sorry it’s so dark.

I don’t know what these nuts are actually called. Neither did the hotel employees. But we all decided to call them Chinese Mustache Nuts from now on.

Earlier in the week, I decided to go down to Chinatown to pick up a few gifts for my nephew’s birthday. (Hi, Mason! I know you’re reading this because you are the smartest 1 year old on earth) As my devoted followers will know, this is my second time in Chinatown. But, the first time I didn’t realize what all these amazing paper latterns were for. Apparently, they were put up for the Mid-Autumn fest too. I’m kinda sad it won’t look like this all the time.

On Sat, I met up with a friend of a friend from Pennsylvania. She is super cool and gave me some really awesome advice on life in Singapore. (Thanks to Katrina for the e-intro) She also said I should come to her Thanksgiving feast and take the day off for the Superbowl. I plan on doing both. Merica!

Today, I spent about 3 1/2 hours at the Gardens by the Bay. It’s down by the Marina but it felt more like Mars. Honestly, looks like a scene straight out of Avatar. Right? So incredible.

They call this the Supertree Grove and at night they come alive with lights. I’ve seen this show from a distance but I absolutely plan on going back to see from that bridge. Yes, those are people. Brave people. Walking on a bridge between alien trees.

The trunks of these trees are covered with beautiful plants and flowers.

One more look through the “branches”.

At the Gardens, there are also 2 giant domes. The Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome. It cost 20 Sing bucks for entry into both. Totally worth it, for the aircon alone. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a decent picture of either one of them from the outside. But, I got some pretty sweet pictures of the inside.

This giant waterfall greeted us to the Cloud Forest. My favorite of the two domes.

Incredible. Right? Ok. Here’s fair warning. The reminder of this post is just going to be a lot of pictures like this. And flowers. So, my male followers may want to find a good college football game on tv…right…about…NOW.

You could walk in and out of this beautiful beast. Here’s a view from the other side of the waterfall.

Another angle. Sorry if it’s getting boring. I just couldn’t decide which one you’d like to see more.

Here’s me, just to prove that I’m actually at the garden and not just ripping photos of the internet.

And here are some close up shots of some of plants that are growing on this thing.

I like to believe that one is also a big supporter of gay rights.

And here are some pictures from Inside the Flower Dome. It smelled amazing and they had an incredible fall inspired garden in the middle. But, they also had scare crows and other things that just felt a bit tacky to me. In my opinion, the amazing flowers are enough. But, to each their own.

There was also a bunch of cacti. This one was my favorite.

Ok, I’m flowered out. As I’m sure you all are too. I’m missing fall pretty bad. I even miss watching college football ALL DAY LONG. But at least this trip to the gardens brought a little of those warm colors from home into my new new life.

Thanks to everyone who’s been checking in and leaving comments. So far I’ve had nearly 4,000 unique visitors from 8 different countries. It means so much to have the support of some many people. When I’m feeling down or homesick I’m motivated by the fact that many of you are looking forward to a new post and a peak into the other side of the world.

Happy birthday to my brother and to my new Singaporean friend Jen.