Wildlife and more in Singapore

The Lion City roars with many surprises and activities that appeal to the senses.

Are you looking for a place where you can reflect sans the hustle and bustle?

Singapore has the answer lying in its many gardens. Are you in search of the pulsating nightlife?

On the streets of Sultan Muhammad or Clark Quay, you can find what you’re looking for.

Do you want to appreciate nature at its best? Then Sentosa or the Night Safari will satisfy you.

My friends and I recently rediscovered this city state. Here are some of what we found – again.

The Garden City

Singapore is a concrete jungle in its truest sense. Look carefully and most everywhere you turn, you’re very likely to find a tall shady tree with branches outstretched in every direction. In every street, big black birds are in constant communion with Singapore’s green.

One of the best places to enjoy the green in Singapore is the Botanic Gardens. Just a short walk from Orchard Road, Singapore’s most delightful street, will lead you to the Gardens. The Gardens accommodate the recreational needs both Singaporeans and tourists alike. It’s best for that picnic and early morning jog.

Singapore also houses the largest orchid showcase in the world – the National Orchid Garden. It’s rejuvenating to see butterflies hovering over red, white, yellow, tangerine, and even black orchid flowers. Perhaps it’s the balmy atmosphere of a secluded garden that makes the National Orchid garden a must-see place when one is in Singapore. Over 700 species and 2,100 hybrids of orchids are now found in the Garden’s collection. Every year, more vibrant and enduring hybrids are added.

Aside from orchids, the Garden also has a vast collection of bromeliads. Over 300 species and 500 hybrids of these highly exotic and most unusual plants from Central and South America are housed here.

Breakfast With The Birds

Jurong Bird Park is one of the Asia Pacific region’s largest and most impressive bird parks. It offers visitors educational, entertaining, and eye-opening experiences with a large collection of feathered beauties.

The Jungle Jewels exhibit is a must-see at Jurong. This attraction is a 2,300 square-meter complex that allows a rare peek at feathered gems from Central and South America. Viewing birds like tanagers, cotingas, honeycreepers, and pintails is like witnessing a parade of colors.

The Penguin Parade is a simulated sub-Antarctic enclosure that houses more than 200 penguins of five species such as the majestic King Penguin and the tiny Fairy Penguin. There are other sea birds inhabiting this enclosure as well. This was done specifically to simulate the bird’s natural habitat in the Antarctic. A special lighting system also recreates the four seasons during a year so that the birds maintain their biorhythm. Through a 30-meter wide clear panel, visitors get to see these stunning and voracious birds play, swim, and dive.

Also at the Bird Park is a hornbill and toucan exhibit which houses the world’s largest collection of colorful Southeast Asian hornbills and an array of South American toucans.

The Waterfall Aviary, the world’s largest man-made aviary, also with the world’s tallest man-made waterfall. This valley of lush vegetation and foliage is home to 1,500 free-flying birds.

When Dark Falls, Critters Come

Singapore’s latest surprise: the Night Safari. Of course, it is unfair to compare Singapore’s night safari to the game reserves of the African countries. But the city state should be commended for coming up with such a laudable project that both educates and entertains. The drama and mystery of the tropical jungle come alive after dusk, hence the name.

Some 1,000 nocturnal creatures – from fearsome cats to slimy reptiles and timid forest dwellers – greet visitors from their own enclosure, which simulate that of their own habitats. Not to miss, of course, are the awesome giraffes, the feisty fishing cats, the striped hyenas, among other beasts.

The Night Safari opened in 1994 with the aim of offering an alternative night activity among city dwellers and foreign visitors. The safari is situated on a 40-hectare land, mostly secondary jungle at Mandai, just a 30-minute drive from the city proper. The Night Safari is not just a repository of wild and tamed animals. It is also an advocate of wildlife conservation. In fact, visitors will be amazed how animals in the safari are "adopted" by different local organizations or other countries.

The Fun Never Ends

Of course, a visit to this city state is not complete without seeing Sentosa, Singapore’s favorite island resort. And a trip to Sentosa is not complete without riding the cable car. It’s best to start the trip to Sentosa in the morning for a visitor to fully enjoy the place for the rest of the day.

First stop: Underwater World. Here is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view marine life while stepping onto the moving walkway of the acrylic tunnel that carries visitors through an awesome journey to the deep, blue sea. Watching the fascinating stingrays, sharks, groupers among other marine animals come past you is just like being submerged in water without getting wet.

If it’s water adventure you like, it’s water adventure you’ll get at Fantasy Island.

The merlion, the half-fish, half-lion symbol of Singapore, is ready and willing to be explored by visitors at Sentosa. You want to feel what’s it like in the merlion’s mouth or on top of its crown 12-storeys high? Take the challenge. The merlion is waiting.

To regular visitors of Sentosa, the Dolphin Lagoon is aptly called the "meeting place of dolphins and people." Here, man’s "best friends" from the sea leaps out of the water, does some "tail-walking" and, yes, vocalizations.

Sunset at Sentosa is also much-awaited. Catch the spectacular light, sound, laser, and fountain extravaganza at the Musical Fountain, featuring the "Spirits of Sentosa" show.

When Night Drops Its Cloak

Clark Quay is the place to be when night falls. Singapore’s nightlife has become more interesting with pubs and restaurants that have mushroomed at Clark Quay. The rows of pubs here promise a different experience for tourists and expatriates who are in for a bottle of beer and a load of happiness. Music here is a brilliant mix of classic rock and blues. One of my favorites is Voodoo Shack. The name of the bar itself spells mystery. Find out for yourself what makes this place different from the other bars that you’ve been to.

Another street to visit to at night is the Sultan Muhammad. On this street lie many quaint and sophisticated bars to delight nightowls.

What are you waiting for? Singapore awaits.

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E-mail me at miladay@i-manila.com.ph.