Page 10 - RCI EV Asia October 2015

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
LANDMARKS THE WORLD
Gardens of eden
THESE 10 SPECTACULAR HAVENS NOT ONLY REFLECT THEIR COUNTRIES’ CULTURES, BUT ALSO EXUDE
A RARE TRANQUILITY. TAKE SOME TIME TO STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES.
BY BREE SPOSATO
Singapore Botanical Garden
Singapore
Nestled in the heart of Singapore, these are the only English-style gardens in the tropics and are the only tropical botanic garden now on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Spaning 74-hectares and including the National Orchid Garden which has over 1,000 orchard species and 2,000 hybrids on display. On weekends, friends and families enjoy a stroll at the Gardens, or watch musical performances at the Symphony Lake - a long-standing tradition that dates back to 1861. sbg.org.sg
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
Tokyo, Japan
Amid the chaos and color of Tokyo city you will find this elegant expanse of serenity and greenery - laid out in 1629 by a feudal lord - it is surprisingly quiet. Today, the garden is home to
a grove of ginkgo trees, three ponds, crumbling ruins, the Tokujin-do temple and small rice fields. Plum and weeping cherry trees make spring, the blossom season an especially lovely time to visit this living work of art. tokyo-park.or.jp
Na ’Aina Kai Botanical Garden
Kauai, Hawaii
Abundant sunshine and warm showers make this 240-acre manicured garden on Kauai’s north shore a lush paradise. You’ll find nutmeg trees, hibiscus and the neon pointed blooms of birds-of-paradise. Wander through the on-site sculpture park (containing 160 pieces by 60 artists, it’s one of the largest bronze- sculpture collections in the country), and explore the plantation of 60,000 hardwoods. There’s also a great children’s play area. naainakai.org
8 OCTOBER 2015