The Secret Garden Of 1 Utama

The Secret Garden of 1 Utama
Cacti, succulents and dry-climate plants.

Nature and I have an affinity. Greenery gives me serenity. I like to watch plants grow and bloom. All my life, until I moved into an apartment, I have lived in houses with big gardens. In those gardens, there were herbs, flowering plants, edible plants and even poisonous plants. I also like to watch the insects that the plants attract.

The Secret Garden of 1 Utama
My favourite subject – macro shot of eugenia sp.

Our house has a little garden here in Kuala Lumpur but the limited space is barely sufficient for us to cultivate all the plants we want. Therefore, we were happy beyond words when we discovered that there is a rooftop garden at the new wing of 1 Utama Shopping Centre. There were shrubs and trees there that we would love to have in our garden.

The Secret Garden of 1 Utama
Crown of Thorns – pretty but deadly.

The Secret Garden of 1 Utama, as it is aptly named, is a treasure trove of plants from different regions and altitudes. The printed guide, that is given out free, claims that the garden has “500 species of interesting, rare and unusual plants”. Indeed, there are more plants than I bothered to count. What I like about the Secret Garden is that the landscaping is contiguous and look natural. Many of the plants are also labeled.

The Secret Garden of 1 Utama
Star Calathea – pretty pink flowers.

I would not have believed that there is such an oasis of green just above the hustle and bustle of a busy shopping mall had I not seen it with my own eyes. We have been there three times to photograph the plants and flowers and generally to soak in the natural atmosphere. This is the testament to how much we like this place.

The Secret Garden of 1 Utama
In the pergola looking out to cannas, palms and crotons.

The Secret Garden of 1 Utama is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm. It can be accessed via the two elevators opposite the Rainforest. While photography is allowed, visitors have to adhere to several simple house rules stated at the entrance. This paradise in the city is a must visit for shoppers to 1 Utama. We plan to go there regularly because of its convenient location.

The Secret Garden of 1 Utama
Passion fruit.

Christmas At The Gardens Mall 2009

The Christmas decor at The Gardens Mall is up. Wuan and I spent some time at the concourse area taking photographs and basking in the festive atmosphere yesterday. The pine trees were gaily decorated with baubles, butterfly cutouts, snow flakes, garlands of ice drops and fairy lights. The colour theme was generally white with the exception of the trees and poinsettias that added splashes of red to break the monotony.

Christmas trees at The Gardens Mall
Christmas trees at The Gardens Mall.

Christmas trees at The Gardens Mall
Christmas trees at The Gardens Mall.

Poinsettia at The Gardens Mall
Poinsettias to brighten up the atmosphere.

Close-up of the Christmas tree decor
Close-up of the Christmas tree decor – butterfly cutouts, baubles and fairy lights.

Sentul Park Ducks

Sentul Park duck
Friendly Sentul Park duck.

These ducks are an attraction at the Sentul Park. They would casually swim around the pond to put on a show for the audience standing by the banks. Whenever we are at KLPac, Wuan would make it a point to photograph these ducks. She brought along some bread when we went there last Sunday. We waved the bread at the ducks resting at the far end of the bank beside the Koi Centre. One responded and waddled across the dam to us.

There used to be five when we first step foot in Sentul Park in February 2008 for Victor Chin’s photo exhibition at KLPac. When we went again in November the same year, Wuan only saw three ducks. Last weekend, we only saw two. I wonder what happened to the rest. We may go again this weekend, and perhaps bring some corn kernels and oat groats for them.