Birding Around at Jurong Bird Park

The last time I was at Singapore Jurong Bird Park, I was about 10 years old and that is a whopping 23 years ago! I thought that I could complete the sightseeing at Jurong Bird Park within two hours since the birds are much smaller than the gigantic elephant or lion at Singapore Zoo. I was so wrong. Instead it took us about five hours to really explore the place and see the different bird species via walking and not the trams. There are so many bird species at Jurong Bird Park be it the pinky flamingo, hornbills and toucans, the cute penguins, the smart parrot and the largest man-made waterfall! 

Most of the birds are kept in the huge cages. However there are some birds that have access to much bigger area like the Lory in Lori Loft Paradise, swans and pelicans. I also explored the Breeding and Research Centre when we saw the nursery where babies birds are kept in the intensive care unit.

How to get to Jurong Bird Park?
Alight at Boon Lay MRT and take bus 194.

 Rainbow Lory

 There are two performances namely High Flyers Show and King of the Skies Show.

 Near to the entrance is the penguin home.

 This penguin stood still for some time. Was it sleeping?

 Different types of Penguins.

 The photo taking area with colorful parrots.

 Stage for the High Flyer Show which start at about 3pm. 

 Scarlet Ibis look really colorful but the place kinda stink. 

 Hornbills & Toucans section. Birds are kept in rather rusty old cage. 

 Two lovely birds inside a bigger cage and we could get into the cage to be up close and personal with them.

 I love the Lory Loft where it is like a bird paradise where bright rainbow colour little parrots flew above our heads and they looked so happy and beautiful.

 This is actually Lory Loft where little parrots live in a big greenery home but high above is a wide net.

 It was fun to cross over this dangling bridge.

 As you cross over the bridge, be prepared that the loft might fly near you. 

 See the gigantic cage at the left? It is the home of the eagles and vultures. 

 Ostrich is dinosaur descendant. 

 BaoBao, or baby in Chinese sang Happy Birthday song during the High Flyers Show.

 Sassy the parrot is super cute. She can pass things around.

 Flamingo joined in the fun at the High Flyer Show

 This shoebill can really stand still for so long that my friend thought it was a statue. 

During mediaval times, the rich used falcon for hunting purpose.

 The alert and charismatic owl.

 Pelicans cove.

 Saw the Black swan for the first time!

 White swan 

 The largest man-made waterfall in Singapore. You can spot unique bird species in the Waterfall Aviary. 

 This cute parrot could follow what I said like "Hello" in a sweet sweet voice.

 Flamingo

Honey Creme is in Singapore!

Honey Creme was on a marketing blitz in Singapore and I found out about this popular Korean style soft serve in both local magazines and newspapers. I visited Honey Creme located at 313@Somerset on a weekday as I read that there'll be long queue.

I tried their signature Honey Comb ($5.50) as I never eat honey comb before. I like the milky rich and creamy smooth soft serve with the sweet natural honey comb. Besides Honey Comb , they also have different topping like pop corn, cotton candy, coffee. It is definitely one of the best soft serve I have. It taste of quality compared to others soft serve I had. 

I had a hard time searching for Honey Creme so I asked the kind shop assistant in the shopping mall. It is located next to the taxi stand outside 313@Somerset mall.

How to get there?
Alight at Somerset MRT station and walk about 5 minutes to 313@Somerset Taxi stand.

ADDRESS 313@Somerset #01-37 313 Orchard Road Singapore 238895
OPENING HOURS (SEE ALL DAYS +) Today: 11:00am - 09:30pm

Honey Comb $5.50

A few tables for about 6 to 8 people inside the shop. You can have free plain water.

Menu for different soft serves.

Library@Orchard Road Focuses on Design

I'm elated with the opening of library at Orchard Road, Singapore shopping prime district. I can read books or magazines when waiting for my friend. This is the first and only library in a shopping mall and it spans two storeys in Orchard Gateway shopping mall. When I resign from my job, I can just go to this library to focus on blogging and to read free books. 

This library focuses on design books. Of course besides design books, there are also romance, fiction, non-fiction and literature books. Besides English books, you can also find other languages like Chinese, Indian and Malay books in the library. 

How to get there?

Just alight at Somerset MRT station and walk for about 5 minutes to Orchard Gateway shopping mall.

Operating hours: 11am to 9 pm daily.

 Orchard Road Library with the Theme" Design is for Everyone". At the background is an array of magazines. 

 History of Orchard Road

 Entrance 

 Magazines cover on the storage

 Just pull out the shelve to get the magazine. There are literally hundreds of international and local magazines!

 You can also read eNewspapers. Can save money on newspaper.

 You can also sit and read books.

 View of 1st storey of the library from 2nd storey.

Look like sea waves. 

Really spacious library.

Views from Bus Ride

I enjoy taking public bus for travel during non-peak period. Buses in Singapore have air-conditioner and the seats are comfortable. Also I can admire the views outside or sleep when I feel tired. The following are photos I took while travelling in a public bus.

Unique building under construction.

Traffic jam

Kinetic Rain Art Dancing Sculpture at Singapore Changi Airport

Located at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 near the Departure hall is the shimmering Kinetic Rain Sculpture that danced and formed beautiful fluid forms. The 1,216 shimmering polished copper raindrops are controlled by 1,216 motors and programmed to swirl and dance which symbolises the joy of travel.

Does this look like a light bulb?

 An octopus ?

Family Day at Singapore Zoo

Last weekend, I went to Singapore Zoo with my parents. The last time I visited the zoo was about ten years ago and so much has changed. 

Now there are more than 2800 animals in the lush forest, restaurants, animal performances and rides. The zoo is really big and I'm glad there is unlimited tram rides where you can hop on or hop off. The tram rides is inclusive with the ticket but not for corporate pass. 

I think the highlight of the trip is the performance by Asian elephants who gave a rousing performance. I didn't know elephants could perform and listen to instructions. Also they look so cute when they smile.

Ticket for adult is priced at $28 and $18.00 for child. 

For more information, click the Singapore Zoo website here. 

How to get there?

Address: 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826

Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT and take bus 138 to the zoo.

The adorable asian small-clawed otter

 Red River Hog which is from Africa looks like a pig. 

 Now they have kangaroos from Australia. They look like a family of three.

 You can also experience elephant ride now at $8.00.

 There is only one polar bear in this air-conditioned room. Must be lonely for him. 

 Home of the polar bear.

 Rhino 

 Kids can also have fun at the Kidzworld 

 Orang Utan posing for photo.

 Elephants welcomed us by splashing water at us.

 Look at the giant elephant walking and balancing on the log. 

 See how cute this elephant is! It posed and smiled. Oh it greeted us by swinging its long trunk. I didn't know elephant can do that. So cute! 

 Mischievous elephant taking the hat away from its mahout. 

 And putting on the hat.

 Elephant kissed her mahout.

 Another great performance by the elephants.

 The mahout trying to tempt Jati with banana to make her lie down.

 Jati who is like a matriarch loves banana. See she took the whole branch of bananas.

Elephant feeding by visitors. Need to pay $5.00 for a basket of fruits and vegetable like carrot. 

 After exploring the zoo, we felt hungry so we had Kaya toast, coffee and half-boiled eggs.

Europe Christmas Market at Singapore Gardens by the Bay

For the first time in Singapore, I'll get to experience Europe Christmas market in Gardens by the Bay. I can't wait to see beautiful light sculptures specially constructed and flown in from Italy and European-style christmas festive market which always look so beautiful in Europe travel brochures. 

Christmas Wonderland will start on 29 November 2014 and end on 1 January 2015. Light-up will start from 7pm and end at midnight daily. 

Click here to read more.

Image from Gardens by the Bay website.