The Singapore Zoo is one of the world’s great zoos, set in lush rain forest it is one of this small island country’s biggest tourist attractions. The zoo has a huge array of animals from all over the world but by far the most popular is the beautiful orang utans. The Singapore Zoo has 24 of these amazing orange primates making it the largest display in any zoo around the world. The orang utans are part of a huge social group which have a huge been successfully bred in the zoo, to date they have bred 35 and many of them have been sent to zoos around the world to help grow the numbers of this highly endangered ape. The orang utans live in a huge free range enclosure complete with natural jungle with plenty of places to swing and play with others or and get some quiet time. The exhibit gives the visitor a chance to see them in a close to natural environment with some great platforms and viewing areas where you can really get up close to them without disturbing.
Since 1887 Raffles Hotel in the island country of Singapore has been known for its luxury and superb dining and service. Named after Singapore’s founder Sir Stamford Raffles the Victorian style hotel offers a charm like no other and has played a huge role in the history of Singapore. The hotel is noted as being the place where the last wild tiger in Singapore was shot although there is a lot of different versions of events and no one is quiet sure of the truth if any. The hotel also had a lot of traumatic events take place during the 2nd World War when Singapore was occupied by the Japanese , ending up a transit camp for prisoners of war at the conclusion of the occupation. Huge celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charlie Chaplin, George Bush snr. and even Queen Elizabeth II have visited this landmark hotel. The hotel is known for it’s Singapore Sling cocktail which is a must for any visitor to the city. This tropical blend of gin, brandy, pineapple, Marschino cherry amongst other things. The cocktail was invented by Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon nearly 100 years ago and became a signature drink of the hotel in the 1970’s.
If you are visiting Singapore and want something electrical- then Sim Lim Square is the place to head. Here floors and floors of every thing electrcial are available, with just about every conceivable and many non conceivable gadgets on sale. From computers, PDA’s, cameras, and MP3 players there are so many choises. There’s no need to walk the streets of Singapore to find the best deal they are all here in on convienent location. There are 6 levels the first three levels are cameras, music players, televisions and the like while the upper floors are dedicated to computers, but buisness and office needs as well as the gamers, which is huge buisness in this Island country. Sim Lim Square even have a code of ethics for the store holders and sales staff that include such things not selling products above the RRP, being honest, refraining from abusive language and conduct and issue clear and consise receipts. You just cant go wrong.
Ferris wheels have been making a come back of late and it seems many major cities around the world are trying to build the biggest and best. The Singapore Flyer is currently the largest in the world after overtaking the title from the London eye but when they built the wheel they never took into account that the direction of the wheel was taking away all the good energy from the city. Apparently the operators of the wheel have now reversed the direction of the wheel after being contacted by several Feng Shui masters who where concerned about the effects of the wheel on the city. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that is popular whit Singapore’s largely ethnic Chinese population. The Singapore Flyer will hold the title as the world’s largest ferris wheel until a new ferris wheel in Bejing is opened in 2009. Read the rest of this entry »
Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park is one of the island city’s most popular attractions. The park has recently completed a multi million dollar make over and offers so much for the visitor. Some highlights include The Waterfall aviary would have to be the parks most spectacular home to 60 species and over 1500 birds all living in a huge enclosure which includes a 30 metre high man made waterfall. The aviary is that huge it even has own monorail. Labelled the Panorail which travels through it. The Bird’s and buddies show is also a crowd favourite with parrot and cockatoo performances and an exciting birds of prey show. And there is nothing as cute as the penguin exhibit more than 200 of these artic black and white feathery friends call the exhibit home, the exhibit includes Humboldt, the Rockhopper, the Macaroni, the Fairy and the majestic King Penguin. The Darkness exhibit is also a great chance to see nocturnal birds including fish owls, snowy owls and herons all living happily in reverse light conditions.
Singapore’s entertainment island Sentosa is home to Dolphin Lagoon, here you get to get up close to some very special pink Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphins and see their amazing beauty and intelligence. The park also offers a swim with the dolphins package where you experience the dolphins first hand. The Dolphin Lagoon is part of Underwater World which showcases a many of the amazing underwater creatures, with over 250 species featured. Underwater World has hosted over 20 million visitors since opening in 1991 and is a very important learning and conservation centre. The dolphin adventure is quiet popular for weddings and if getting married is scary enough there is also a shark encounter for those extra brave.
Orang utangs are one of the most precious and endangered of all forest creatures and there is nothing quiet like coming face to face with them over breakfast. Singapore Zoo one of the worlds finest zoos offers one of the most unique experiences you will ever have. Imagine sitting down to a fresh banquet of tropical fruits and other breakfast fare with an orang utang. These beautiful animals are one of the zoo’s star attractions they are the first zoo to have free ranging area which is home to over 20 of these orange hairy creatures. The zoo is part of a very important breeding program which is helping to save these animals from extinction. With people able to get up close and personal with the orang utangs it is hoped that we better understand the needs for survival and conservation of their habitat.
The small island country of Singapore is one of the Jewels of Asia, with cutting edge technology, cleanliness like no where else, great food, friendly people and a balmy tropical climate- a perfect place for a holiday. The Singapore Tourist Board has just launched their latest campaign promoting their country titled Beyond Words, this week’s Tripandom YouTube video of the week… enjoy the Singapore experience.
