I Paid $28 to Feel Something Fake

The Cloud Forest waterfall crashes down seven stories, perfectly timed mist cycles every few minutes. Engineering marvel. Climate-controlled paradise. I stood there for twenty minutes, waiting to feel wonder. The sign said 'cool-dry climate of tropical mountain regions' but it felt like an expensive mall with better lighting. Two kids pressed their faces against the glass elevator, pointing at orchids suspended in mid-air. Their joy was real. Mine felt performative, like I was supposed to Instagram this manufactured awe. Singapore's Gardens by the Bay isn't about nature—it's about control. Every leaf calculated, every temperature monitored. Maybe that's what I needed to learn. Sometimes the most beautiful experiences are the ones designed to make you feel something, even when your heart isn't ready to cooperate. The exit gift shop sold miniature terrariums. I didn't buy one. #Travel #TravelTruth #ArtificialWonder