Over the Deepavali weekend, I got my family signed up for the Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens membership.
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Family picture (short of my sister who was the one who took this picture)](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/10744956376_895fe01794_o.jpg)
The membership card we got was the Friends of the Gardens Family Plus which give unlimited free admission to 5 family members (no age restriction) for an entire year. Shared privileges include:
- Unlimited entries to the Cooled Conservatories and OCBC Skyway
- Free parking for first two hours per visit
- Special invitations to Gardens’ workshops and programmes
- Exclusive dining and retail privileges
All these for a price tag of S$238. That works out to S$47.60 per pax. For my family, all five of the passes were allocated to adults (my wife, my parents and my sister). Asher gets to visit for free because he is under three years old.
If each person were to visit one of the dome for a minimum of 4 times a year, this will cost S$12 x 4 = S$48, not including parking charges.
Worthwhile isn’t it?
There are always different themes at the Flower Dome during festive occasions. These are great opportunities for families to gather for photo-taking and bonding. Here are some photos I took with my family during the Deepavali weekend:
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Photo I took of my family](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/10744951216_595db8dd32_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Rangoli: indian rice art](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/10744871935_398ded56d4_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership At the Flower Dome](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/10744870915_9678223154_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Elephants in chrysanthemum flower bed](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/10744949956_07d354a403_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership This flower looks like a bird in flight](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/10744865145_b69dc43364_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Other purple flowers](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/10744952186_a6984434ea_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Cute little flower pod](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/10744866565_c854b982cc_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Deepavali display at the Flower Dome](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/10745174063_c6ef709e83_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Red elephants](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/10744862555_2a90454595_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership More deepavali decors](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/10744976024_431b7c3304_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership This train set is new. I did not see it during my previous visit.](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/10744944136_48153eb1fa_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Asher looks looking at the train and stood there and watched for a long time](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/10745170673_40dc4d56e1_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Then, he asked me if I can buy the train set for him...](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/10744967844_d2478efee3_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership The mist adds to the mystery of the garden at the top of Cloud Forest](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/10744943436_eab4723b6f_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Medinilla magnifica](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/10744965184_7a3a361d30_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Asher feeling really happy](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/10744857625_e819a81c57_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Can you name this plant?](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/10744856475_836215923f_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Pretty little red flower](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/10744939796_030a6e86ce_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Long red flowers](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/10744870025_c8087cfe5a_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Each time I visit Cloud Forest, the foliage gets thicker](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/10745165083_79132d673d_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership From another angle](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/10745167443_0bca36ce76_o.jpg)
![Gardens by the Bay Friends of the Gardens Membership Happy family of three](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/10745165613_7b54a50ee8_o.jpg)
For retirees like my parents, the family pass allows them to take regular long strolls in the cool conservatories. They can also enjoy free parking, dining discounts and bring their grandson along for some fresh air.
Gardens by the Bay currently offers five different membership types to cater to different group of visitors. Here is a quick glance on the prices for the various memberships:
If you are interested to apply for membership, simply download and complete this application form and email it to [email protected]. More details are available on the official website.