SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE

 

 FANCY BUS RIDE

We intend to “do” Singapore over a couple of day trips, as hotels there are very expensive so this blog will be about our experiences on the other side of the Causeway. This is the same causeway that was partially demolished during the 2^nd world war to prevent the Japanese from invading. As we all know that didn’t work, and the Japanese rebuilt it after they captured Singapore.

Singapore covers 710 sq. km with a population of 5 million. Surprisingly about 23% of Singapore consists of forest and nature reserves. They are committed to greening Singapore and have introduced several novel ways of doing this, including gardens linking high rise apartments at various floors. These incorporate playgrounds for the kids.

 MARINA BAY HOTEL

The big deterrent to visiting Singapore is running the gauntlet of immigration. First we take a bus to immigration then we line up to check out of Malaysia and hopefully this won’t take too long, then back on the bus and we are off to the Singaporean side where we have to check in. Now obviously they are not real keen on visitors from Malaysia as this process can take anything up to and longer than 2 hrs. A trip that takes perhaps 30 mins without immigration takes at least an hour and a half, so I guess we just got lucky when we went over. We got on the bus at 07.30 am and finally got to our destination, the Marina bay Hotel in Singapore at 11.30 am. That’s right, it took us nearly four hours to get through of which 2hrs were spent standing in line for Singapore!

 LUNCH WITH FRIENDS

We did some shopping, met up with friends for lunch, did a bit more shopping, more window than shopping as Singapore is very expensive compared to Malaysia. After an early dinner it was off to the Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo.

 TOUR GUIDE

 What a wonderful evening! It cost 32.00 SGD (about $26.00) each. For this you got a tram ride right around the zoo, which you could get on and off to do the walks, a night creature show, and a fire show.

 FIRE SHOW

The animals are fed at this time so that they are up and around for us to see. A lot of the animals on the night safari are normally nocturnal and those that aren’t are up for their feed. Being dark with a full moon gives off its own aura as you wander through the jungle listening to the roar of the lions; very different atmosphere to day time.

 A BIG CAT

The Creatures of the Night show was fantastic. They have trained certain animals to do various things, and they are not behind fences or on leashes or anything, just there right in front of us. The Indian girl who does the show is very personable and knows how to work a crowd, which certainly adds to the enjoyment.

 LITTLE OTTERS

  First there is an old wolf that comes out and tries to do a full howl but doesn’t quite make it, also a hyena picks up a very heavy branch to demonstrate the strength of his jaws, and a python wrapping itself around one of the audience. The Binturongs or bearcats walk along a vine strung above our heads. They have long, strong tails so they can hang upside down. They also secrete a musk that smells like buttered popcorn. Unfortunately I don’t have photos as there was no flash photography allowed.

 ZEBRAS ANYONE?

Suffice to say that if you are ever in Singapore then try and make it to the Night Safari. It is certainly well worth the effort.

 HOW ABOUT A PYTHON?

The night finished on a high note as we took the 11.30 pm bus back and arrived home at 12.45 am. Just an hour and thirty minutes to get through customs and immigration on both sides. Methinks we should always travel in the middle of the night!