Singapore River Safari

I recently went to relatively new River Safari, a river-themed zoo and aquarium with my parents, as we hadn't explore the place since it was opened to the public in 2012. 

At the 12 hectares big River Safari, you get to see 7 different rivers from around the world. They are Mississippi,Congo, Murray, River Nile, Yangtze, Mekong and Ganges river. You also get to explore the wild Amazon flooded forest. 

However the stars at Singapore River Safari are the two adorable pandas on loan from China, Kai Kai and Jia Jia for ten years. They will return to China in 8 years time.

If you want to enjoy the visit, plan for about two to three hours to really explore the place. There is also the Amazon River Quest boat ride and the first boat departs at 10am.

Currently the ticket cost about $25.00 per adult, $16.00 for children (3 to 12 years old) and senior citizens ticket costs $12.00. 

I really enjoyed the visit. Remember to bring umbrella as it can be really hot as there is no shelter for some attractions.  

For more information, visit Singapore River Safari site here.
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826.

How to get there, the fastest way is to take taxi to River Safari. 
But the cheapest way is to take MRT to the nearest station at Woodlands MRT and take taxi to Mandai Lake Road. For me, I took bus 969 from Tampines station to Woodlands Interchange.

Kai Kai, the star at Singapore River Safari relaxing and eating in his cooling air-conditioned home. 

The start of Singapore River Safari journey

 The first river you see, is the Mississippi River. It is the largest river in North America and the fourth longest in the world. 

 Turtle and alligator gar. 

You can enjoy the tranquil scenery

 Crocodiles

 At the Mekong River (about 4300 km), this Southeast Asian river is the tenth largest in the world. You can see Mekong giant catfish.

Yangtze River flows about 6,300km long and is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world.

 Into the Giant Panda Forest. Please do not use flash camera on the lovely pandas.

 Daily diet for the panda, Jia Jia and Kai Kai. 

 The two red pandas relax on the tree branches.

Kai Kai loves to eat bamboo. Some animals are just born lucky. The two pandas received VVIP welcome to Singapore. They are on loan from China for ten years. 

 Kai Kai, nicknamed 'Onion Head' for his small pointy fur on his head. His favorite pastime is taking a nap after eating.Its really rare to see Jia Jia, the female panda. 

 Outside the Panda home

 Singapore River Safari

 Enchanting manatees, also known as sea cows at the Amazon Flooded Forest. 

 Manatees are very big and the biggest look like 3.6 metres long

You can visit Singapore Zoo after River Safari as it is just opposite it.

ChinaPoint Shopping Mall at Chinatown

Chinatown Point is a relatively new shopping mall and there are many established travel agencies like CTC Travel. You can also buy the famous Tau Sa Piah (Chinese traditional pastries), Thye Moh Chan near the Toastbox.  Thye Moh Chan is a established brand with about 70-year history. However, at $1.60 per pastry, it is twice the price of similar product. After trying the flaky pastries with different fillings like yam, green bean, I'm quite happy with the quality. 

 Beautiful ceiling at Chinatown Point

There are many established travel agencies in this shopping mall

Long queue at Din Tai Fung restaurant 

Famous Tau Sa Piah, Thye Moh Chan, Chinese Teochew traditional pastry with sweet filling like yam, green bean, red bean paste and salty version. Cost $1.60 each which is twice the price of others brand.

Arts Installation in Singapore Changi Airport

At Singapore Changi airport, there are several arts installation for photo opportunities. You can pose with Russian dolls and the Kinetic Rain.

Spongbob, Russian church and dolls.

Russian dolls

Kinetic Rain art installation

九把刀 Giddens Ko was in Singapore

I was so delighted and excited to attend 柯景騰 Giddens Ko's book sharing and signing session at Singapore Popular bookfair held at Suntec City last December 14. He is popularly known by his pseudonym of "Jiubadao"九把刀 (nine blades) and is Taiwanese popular author and director of the movie "You are the Apple of my Eyes" or 那些年，我們一起追的女孩. He came to Singapore to promote his latest documentary movie, <十二夜> Twelve Nights on the plight of stray dogs in Taiwan. 

This talented author and director is really funny and made us laugh during his one hour sharing. Though he is not so handsome, I am attracted by his talent and his sense of humor. But then he is attached already.

I hope there be more book signing and sharing event by authors. Popular Bookshop please continue to invite these popular authors. 

http://www.giddens.tw/blog

He looked so dashing when he sat like that. 

Box office hit,  "You are the Apple of my Eyes" or 那些年，我們一起追的女孩

九把刀 Giddens Ko 

He looks so different now compared to the past! The author and his beloved dog.

Book signing and sharing event at BookFest Singapore 2013

Think carefully before you buy a pet. Remember to take care, love and be committed to your pet once you brought it.

Snapshots of Waterloo Street

 People love to touch the Laughing Buddha stomach for good luck and prosperity.

The street is lined with Chinese New Year greeting, gearing for CNY festive.

Sculpture Square at Middle Road Singapore

The free art exhibition by Singaporeans ended last week at Sculpture Square,formerly known as Middle Road Church. I saw this unique building sprayed with graffiti after praying at Kuan Yin temple at Waterloo street. This place is about 8 minutes walk from Bugis MRT.  

Posters, newspapers articles relating to arts on the wall.

Service to the nation can be via defence and economy contribution. Singapore soldier and Singapore Airline stewardess uniform being combined.

In this small dressing room, lady can remove their bottom and take a snap shot of their naked butt in Amanda Heng art project. No, I didn't participate in this project.

A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s - 1970s at National Museum of Singapore

I really enjoyed the arts at National Museum of Singapore which features the exhibition, A Changed World : Singapore Art 1950s-1970s. I think the arts displayed here are comparable to those I saw at New York Museum of Modern Arts. If I have money, I guess I want to buy Liu Kang's painting. I really find his paintings very charismatic and with soul. 

From National Gallery
A Changed World explores the development of Singapore art in light of the rapid changes that took place in Singapore after World War II. It charts the artists’ own engagement with changes in Singapore’s political, economic, social and urban landscape, and how they expressed their responses through their art. The exhibition spans Singapore’s immediate post-war period, from which both an artistic and national consciousness began to emerge, to the 1970s, when a Singaporean identity came to be solidified while artists adopted a new pictorial language that was more international. The exhibition will feature over 120 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures from the National Collection. 

Exhibition Gallery 2, Basement 
Date: 25 Oct 2013 - 16 Mar 2014 
Time: 10am - 7pm (last entry at 6.30pm) 
Admission: Free Admission

National Day 1967 by Liu Kang depicts the scene of National Day celebration with commemorative banners adorning the Supreme Court and City Hall buildings.

Negotiating a Nanyang Identity

Sharing by See Hiang To 

 From left to clockwise: Painting Class 1956, Old NAFA-St Thomas Walk 1954 by Lim Yew Kuan

Embracing Modernism section

Singapore River

Music, 1979, Mixed media on canvas by Tan Ping Chiang

By Liu Kang

Modern Art

A Clear Day by Yeo Hoe Koon. Looking at this painting reminds me of the arts at New York Museum of Modern Arts. I wanna buy this to display at my home.  He listened to opera while painting. It kinda look like dancing strokes or people running or dancing.

One of my favorite arts by Liu Kang, Artist and Model, 1954. It looks so cheery bright with white outline of the Bali scene.

Happy New Year & A Blessed Year to All!

May all your dreams and aspirations come true in 2014!