We do zoos. Lots of Zoos. Zoos all over the world. And though all zoos have their distinct merrits, we have yet to find one that tops The Singapore Zoo. It is by far the very best zoo to which we have ever been. I can't really explain all the reasons why. I can just say you'd have to experience it for yourself. The experience of the zoo is so well thought out--even down to the rainforest atmospheric bathrooms. It's clean. Really clean--after all this IS Singapore (you get fined for spitting gum on the ground). It's just plain beautiful. Their range of animals is immense. And the animal exhibits are so well conceived that in many cases only plants or a thin rope separate you from, say, a wallaby or kangaroo. Overhead are free-ranging Orang Utans. Of course the not-so-human-friendly animals are separated by hidden electric fences--usually tucked behind foliage where it is hidden from unsightly view. The zoo also has more entertaining educational shows than any zoo to which I've been. They have opportunities to ride Asian elephants and you can feed all sorts of animals, including elephants Really fun! But I think I already highlighted the Singapore Zoo's merits the last trip we came--back on '09. You can read more about our first experience here In earlier entries on this blog.
So we've chosen to spend this day here--mainly because the forecast called for 10 degree cooler temperatures than yesterday. And tomorrow calls for rain. So we seized the opportunity to not swelter in unbearable heat. After all, this place sits on the Equator. How much hotter in summer can you get???
Did I mention the boys got to feed giraffes? Hilarious! The giraffe kept reaching his tongue for food while Dashel slowly moved his arm back. He was afraid giraffes bite. Really hysterical to watch!
In the evening Econ Man had to shoot some promos and so we headed down to the esplanade on the water where he was meeting camera crews. The rest of us did our very tired best to keep the--also very tired--children entertained. But at some point you are just too tired to care if your child is playing too loudly. Or if they are a little too frenzied for their own good. As long as they don't name themselves or hurt others--it's all good. At least that's how you feel when you have jetlag and your kids do too, and everyone is just trying to survive.
The city views from here are really stunning. Singapore is such a beautiful and clean city. You don't see homeless. You don't see trash. Everything is well taken care of. Education is taken seriously here. And so is shopping. There's a million (well maybe not THAT many, but close) malls here. It's a regular past time to shop here. And the city bears the architectural and cultural influences of its once colonizer, Britain. Quite pretty. Yet it also holds new amusements, like the Sands hotel with a sky park on top--in the shape of a long curved ship. I think it's the highest sky park in the world. At least for now.
Food is always great here. Singapore is a crossroads of so many Asian cultures, and they all collide in a happy fusion. It's magical food. Tonight we had Spicy Crab and enough crustacean to make even my father-in-law--who greatly loves shrimp--want to obtain from such a delicacy until 2013. It was ALOT of shrimp.
Heading to bed now. Exhausted.
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Location:Singapore Zoo
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