"Never work with animals and children" but be prepared to find both, in unruly vigour, when visiting the zoo.
As we live right in the centre of Singapore the concrete jungle can become a little claustraphobic at times, great when you have a weekend trip planned, but if not you have to improvise. You can quickly start to miss the rolling British countryside, fresh air and pointless strolls, it has also dawned on me recently that I have not seen one animal whilst here- not one. There is no real solution to this, as its par for the course, except perhaps watching re runs of 'escape to the country' online, but we all have our limits. So time to think outside the box, where could we go in Singapore thats Green, spacious and smells a bit like manure... Singapore Zoo, obviously.
The History Bit
Singapore Zoo was opened in 1973, there are approx 315 species of animals 16% of which are considered to be threatened. It attracts 1.6 million visitors each year, at least half of these seemed to choose the same day as us to visit for 2012.
From the beginning, Singapore Zoo followed the modern trend of displaying animals in naturalistic, 'open' exhibits with hidden barriers, moats, and glass between the animals and visitors. It houses the largest captive colony of orangutans in the world (apparently). In 1977, primatologist Dr Francine Neagolived inside a cage with eighteen orangutans for six months to study their behavior and communication, what a nutter.
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| excited/ apprehensive zoo goers |
Like excited children, well, going to a zoo! We hopped in a taxi late morning to cram in a good day of animal viewing, they did after all close at 6. To Brads excitement lunch was available in only zoo themed varieties, I must be honest though they peaked with 'Pizzafari" it then got lazy and they were just throwing in token animal references, a RhinoShake, despite their best efforts, was sadly still just a milkshake.
Fed and watered we purchased tickets- we went for the Ticket and Tram option which was $25 each not exactly a big stretch but my advice would be don't bother with the Tram as its easily walkable, and means you don't miss anything- even in the heat it wasn't too bad, although the trams were decorated to look like different animals, I liked this. A lot.
Once through the gates it was apparent that we had chosen the same day to visit the zoo as the majority of Singapore's school children, it was a little stressful as all several thousand of them insisted on stopping to take pictures of everything (normally my trick) but seriously, trees, fences, signs... EVERYTHING.
Entering the zoo was initially like that chaotic moment on a toll road when there are no lanes, you are just spat into a messy, every man for himself, free for all. some children may have been elbowed, but in my defence I took a few hits too. Brad had made it out front, he was winning all round.
Panic soon subsided as once you are through the funnel you are spat into the expanse of 'Zooness', and the options are endless about which worldly region you want to get lost in first- we went African.
I must be honest, I was sightly daunted by how touristy the day may be, but it seems that local Singaporeans genuinely seem to enjoy a day at the zoo too which was refreshing. There were lots of families around and everyone in generally seemed in good spirits. The variety of animals and activities from Marine shows to elephant rides was impressive and true to Singapore it was all very clean, tidy and well presented. My favourite part of the day was seeing what animals get up to when, they're just chilling out, being animals.
Here are some snaps I took from the day, there are much better pictures online, but I don't have a steady hand or a long lens so mine are more "real"...
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| I thought this was a joke... |
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| This was some kind of tusked pig (name clearly forgotten) looks suspiciously like the rat that was washed up in NY. urgh. |
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| thats them on the move. |
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| White Tiger, he was the celeb of the Zoo, his poster was everywhere. |
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| He wouldn't do autographs. Diva. |
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| I swear this thing was mechanical. definite robotic eye |
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| He got my leg. |
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| This is what too much sun does to your skin |
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| Panic face. I could have sworn there were lizards in the footwell. urrrrrrgh. |
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| just resting a bolder on my head |
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| chilling with ma' boys |
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| Wants to be one of the boys |
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| Elefumps |
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| spot the monkey |
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| Classic embarrassing Dad |
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| quite a entrance |
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| Loose Cannon |
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| if you eat your greens... |
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| you'll be this big |
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| you want my picture? find me. |
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| you're an idiot mate |
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| handbag? |
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| odd sponsorship |
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| unfortunate nasal proportions |
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| more sensible sponsorship |
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| that one off TV |
After the gym we decided to go to the Hard Rock cafe for to round off a proper tourist day. Cheap oversized western food was just what we needed after a day on foot in the sun.
I have never actually been to a zoo before, but I had it on good authority that this was 'a good one'. So if you're out of ideas in Singapore, and willing to embrace the crowds, my advice would be take a trip to the zoo.
Speak soon.
XXX
