Whilst the British clocks back and the chill bites with each shortening day and wintry nights, an early migration east, brought me to one of the most delightful places in Asia.

The Botanical Gardens of Singapore remain at the very peak of any passionate gardeners lifetime ambitions, to visit and pay homage to.

Such opportunities come rarely.

The passionate horticulturalist can only dream of that lifetime opportunity of this far flung place. It remains the Shangri La with its wide collection of tropical plants and fauna set amidst lush green plantations and colourful Palm trees.

The gardens also boast an outdoor orchestral concert hall facing an elevated, steep, pristinely mowed, open area where large crowds gather nightly under the stars, serenaded by live performances of classical music. Approval is standard from the metal statue perched on the top of the hill of the great pianist and composer Chopin and his amanthuensis.

The Orchid collection is the very best ever as varieties such as the worlds largest ever Tiger orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum) and Lady Dancing orchids or Dancing shower (Oncidium Goldiana) lavish amongst a massive myriad of other colourful varieties collected through the passage of time, from Asia and beyond.

At the entrance, the cascading fountain with its crane sculpture houses a bedazzling array of delightful shrubs, orchids and magnificent flowers mesmerising any visitor in this three hectare piece of heaven.

There are waterfalls and set design features in a finely designed intricate landscape as one walks through the ‘Jurassic Park’ immediately into a contrasting typical VIP English orchid garden. Leading next is an African jungle as giraffes and elephant statues make the experience surreal.

Floating turtles and black swans swim purposely on the mile long lake, whilst Singaporeans picnic in the summer sun, which sadly fades back home.

As one dreams of hot sultry nights on distant shores, I for one cannot highly recommend this once in a lifetime escape. A must see venue without doubt enabling one to decipher that passionate gardeners dream from reality.