The second year of Tulipmania at Gardens by the Bay attracted hordes of visitors--from infants in arms to kindergarten kids to teens, friends, families, retirees, the handicapped, the able-bodied, locals, foreigners, single visitors (especially photographers) to tour groups and people of all races.

On our second visit (with only three days left before the end of the exhibition) we stayed from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. There was an endless stream of visitors. Being in an airconditioned dome, it was truly therapeutic to view and photograph the flowers and their admirers without feeling the heat and humidity outside the dome.

I have shot tulips in seven countries and over 15 locations. Although tulips do not exude any fragrance unlike roses, their colourful buds and slender stems have mesmerised people all over the world for centuries.