I'm back home in Sweden after my trip to Singapore. Phone full of pictures, suitcase full of presents and head full of impressions. The family were happy to see me. The dog laid himself in my suitcase as I unpacked. Next trip will be a family trip.
I have many stories to share and pictures to show also here on Thoughtful Dane. They will drip out over the coming weeks as I get them curated. I shared Signs, Skyline, and Temples while I was in Singapore. Plus a post on what to know when travelling to Singapore. Today I share pictures on the theme of Trees.
Trees helped create modern Singapore
Singapore is both the name of a nation, a city and an island. The island of Singapore was once covered with tropical rain forest. Today only about 0.5% indigenous forest remains. The hunt for profit in the spice trade led to rapid deforestation in the 19th century with plantations of nutmeg and later rubber spreading like wildfire. After World War II when Singapore rebuilt itself as an independent nation, its visionary early leaders called upon the people to plant trees. To provide shadow, to lower the temperature, but also as a tangible act for the population to do to show that they believe in the future of Singapore.
Today Singapore reaps the reward from this vision. Lush green trees line major roads. A group of trees on a hilltop in between high rise residential towers hides a hornbill nest. Beautiful flowers in all colours and shapes grow next to sidewalks and footpaths. Railroads that once led from factories and plantations to the harbour now form green corridors that connect the remaining wilderness.
Throughout Singapore designated Heritage Trees stand as tall monuments to the past, present, and future. Once you start looking, the variety of forms and shape seem endless. Not least in the Singapore Botanic Garden, a truly must see for any traveller to Singapore.
