What’s Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A Family Holiday Maker With Kids

What’s Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A Family Holiday Maker With Kids
by: Jaffa Matt

You chose to travel to Southeast Asia as your next holiday getaway. You decided Singapore as your next travel destination. However, you have few problems that bothering your mind. You are going there with your kids. In addition, you have not been in Singapore before. But, your friends or other relatives have told you how great Singapore is as holiday destination. You believed them and that you decided to go to Singapore no matter what.

Are you in that situation? Relax, that a deep breath. This article will tell you what is worth doing when you are in Singapore with your kids. Which attractions kids enjoy most? Which places kids would love going to? Below are my suggestions…

Singapore Zoological Garden ( Singapore Zoological Garden )

The Singapore Zoological Garden or simply the zoo adapts the “open zoo” concept. Which means, no oppressive cage are in sight. Instead, animals are separated from visitors by means of wet or dry moats concealed with vegetation. Landscaped glass-fronted enclosures are used for certain animals such as jaguars and leopards. You should not miss this one place when you visit Singapore with kids.

Do come in the morning and have breakfast with the most celebrated orang utan in Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife at Jungle Flavours. I am sure you will get your family amused to start the day. Take memorable photographs with the orang utan or snake to add more fun.

After that, catch the Wonders of The Wild Show at 10:30 AM. Let the spider monkeys, macaques, humongous pythons and splashing sea lions be the stars of that morning.

Then, you can roam around the zoo to visit other animal exhibits namely the Orang Utan, White Tiger, Wild Africa, Cat Country, Elephants of Asia, Primate Kingdom, Hamadryas Baboons, Polar Bear, Reptile Garden, Fragile Forest and Australian Outback. In addition, do not forget to go for the elephant or pony rides before you leave.

Night Safari ( Night Safari )

Night Safari is next to the Zoo but operated from 06:30PM onwards. It is the world’s first wildlife park built for visits at night. Yes, explore wildlife in the tropical jungle at night! Superb lighting technique create a moonlight effect and recreated the jungle atmosphere in this 40 hectares of lush secondary forest, which houses over 1000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in vast, naturalistic habitats.

The tram-stop-walk-tram like tour will bring you to various stops and trails where you can view animals that you sometimes do not think they exist.

Have you ever seen a screw goat? This is makhor, which is the largest goat in the world and considered “King of Wild Goats”. Why screw? Because, its horns twist into a spiral resembling a corkscrew. Look out for them at Himalayan Foothills. Other animal exhibits are Nepalese River Valley (Otter, Wolf, Greater Asian Rhino, Jackal and Sambar Deer), Indian Subcontinent (Striped Hyena, Gir Lion and the Sloth Bear), Equatorial Africa (Giraffe, Serval, Spotted Hyena, Bongo and the Hippo ), Indo-Malayan Region (Hog Deer, Bearded Pig and Tiger ), Asian Riverine Forest (Tapir, Red Dhole, Asian Elephant and Banteng), South American Pampas (Maned Wolf, Capybara and Giant Anteater) and Burmese Hillside (Guar and Thamin).

To add the thrills there are also animal trails namely Fishing Cat Trail, The Leopard Trail and Forest Giants Trail. And not forgetting, the Creatures of Night Show where the star casts includes otters, binturongs, raccoons, owls, wolves, hyenas and servals. Well, this place is a must for added kids’ excitements.

Jurong Bird Park ( Jurong Bird Park )

Jurong Bird Park is the next place you should not miss. Its 20.2-hectare open-concept park is the largest in the Asia Pacific and probably the best in the world. It has more than 9000 birds from 600 species in its collection. It specialises birds from Southeast Asia.

The African Wetlands:- Shoebill, Storks, Egyptian Goose, the Blue Crane, White-faced Tree Duck, White-breasted Cormorant, Crested Guinea Fowl, Great White Pelican.

Birds Of Paradise: - Red Bird of Paradise, Lesser Bird of Paradise, 12-Wired Bird of Paradise.

Hornbills and Toucans Exhibit: - Toco Toucan, Black Hornbill, Southern Pied Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill.

Parrot Paradise: - Dusky Lory, Hawk-Headed Parrot, Blue and Gold Macaw, Eclectus Parrot.

World of Darkness: - The Night Herons, Fish Owls, Snowy Owls, Barn Owls

And many more. Also, do not forget to experience the world’s largest walk-in aviary with the tallest man-made waterfall where you can enjoy a close-up view of free-flying birds from Africa and South America.Not forgetting the bird shows, Birds ‘n Buddies Show and Birds of Prey Show.

Sentosa Island ( Sentosa Island )

This 500-hectare island is where you and your family will experience a unique mixture of leisure and recreational events. It has loads of attractions, water sports, sandy beaches, golf courses and hotel resorts. In fact, you can spend the whole day here if you have the time. However, for family with kids, here are my suggestions…

Carlsberg Sky Tower: - Have a scenic and breathtaking experience as you go atop Singapore’s tallest observatory tower where you can enjoy panoramic views of Singapore, Sentosa, Southern Islands and Malaysia and Indonesian islands.

Underwater World: - This oceanarium housed more than 2500 fishes from 250 different species. Have a ‘hands on’ experience with starfish, stingrays and baby sharks. Then, venture into the ocean depths via a moving travellator, which spread through 83 metre long with fishes such as sharks, stingrays, eels all around you.

Dolphin Lagoon: - Included in your ticket price is the entrance to Dolphin Lagoon. Catch the “Meet the Dolphin” sessions at 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm & 5.30pm daily.

Sentosa 4D Magix: - Do not miss this spectacular and mind-blowing interactive experience. Enjoy the visual effects, surround sound, individually controlled motion seats and get wet with special “live” environmental effects water spray and many surprises.

The Flying Trapeze: - Fear of height? Try this. This fantastic entertainment let you experience as a flying trapeze. It helps develop one’s mind, body and coordination. For kids 4 years and above but not for pregnant women.

Sijori Wondergolf: - You do not need to have Tiger Woods talent to play this golf. Because, this is a miniature golf park. Fifty-four creative landscaped green set in three different 18-hole courses will put your kids’ fun and excitement to become the next Tiger Woods.

Escape Theme Park ( Escape Theme Park )

Keep your kids occupied in this amusement park. There are rides for kids, big kids and families. Lookout for the Daytona Go-Kart, it’s exciting. Other attractions you can find there are Bumper Boats, Central Pavilion, Coca Cola Pirate Ship, Family Coaster, Ferris Wheel, Inverter, Revolution and many more.

Wild Wild Wet ( Wild Wild Wet )

This waterpark located just next to the Escape Theme Park. You can even buy combo ticket for both entrances together. Here, you and your family can get wet with flumes, twisty slide, wave pool namely Ular-Lah, The Waterworks, Wall’s Tsunami and many others. In fact, you can spend the whole afternoon here.

Well, of course there are much more to explore with your kids in Singapore. These are my personal suggestions so that your mind is not blank once you step on our beautiful Changi International Airport (Changi Airport ).

Copyright © 2006 Jaffa Matt

About The Author
Jaffa Matt is an independent Freelance writer who was born and lives in Singapore. His website My Singapore provides ideas & informative articles about his country, Singapore.

Destination Singapore. A fine city for all the right reasons

Destination Singapore. A fine city for all the right reasons.
by: Matthew Lawson

You may have heard the saying “Singapore is a fine city.” You get fined for this, fined for that… you could even get fined for chewing gum (it caused a major door drama that stopped the MRT subway running). While there’s no doubt that Singapore takes a tough stand on fines for anti-social issues and basic public behaviour, Singapore is also fine city for a tourists on a stopover or vacation break.

In fact, Singapore is one of the world’s most popular destinations. A tiny island with mighty appeal, lying between Malaysia and Indonesia. Just 14 miles from north to south and 26 miles wide from east to west, it’s slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC. Singapore lies in the heart of exciting Southeast Asia, a bridge between east and west and a place that buzzes 24/7.

It offers visitors a world of fantastic possibilities. Its ultra-modern skyscrapers and towers of glass contrast with the colonial charm of historic buildings, secret laneways and Chinese shop houses.

It’s a confusion of culture with slick style and business energy. A melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian races. Safe, fun and friendly, the perfect place for a break. Singaporeans are super helpful to visitors and just about everybody speaks English as this is the main language of business and everyday life.

Singapore is also just a few degrees from the equator, so it’s always a hot and happening place literally. Tip: dress for the tropics with light comfortable clothing.

Seven great things to do and see.

Singapore Shopping. A buyer’s paradise.

The number one attraction is undoubtedly shopping. Stroll down the main boulevard of Orchard Road and you’ll find plenty to tempt you and your credit card, but window shopping costs nothing. Each side of the road is lined with glossy designer boutiques, big stores and fabulous malls, not to mention shops displaying the latest digital wizardy.

Don’t miss exploring the other side of Singapore either. It’s fun to spend a day wandering the different locales and historic backstreets of Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street.

Enjoy a Singapore Sling at Raffles.

“When in Singapore, feed at Raffles”, that was the advice of the renowned English author, Rudyard Kipling, and it still holds true today. The legendary Raffles Hotel is consistently voted as one of the top hotels in the world. It attracted a bevy of literary talent to its doors, from Joseph Conrad to Somerset Maugham to Noel Coward who were inspired by its unique atmosphere. First opened in 1887, Raffles has undergone extensive restoration over the years but today it’s still as stylish as ever.

Now film celebrities, royalty, sports stars and anyone who’s anyone, chooses to stay Raffles. Even if your budget doesn’t allow an overnight booking, you could probably stretch to a refreshing Gin Sling in the Long Bar – it was invented here. Bartender Ngiam Tong Boon created this deliciously different cocktail close to a century ago.

Food glorious food.

Making money is not the only things on people’s minds in Singapore. The subject of food is a national obsession. After breakfast has finished, where to have lunch and dinner are the big topics of the day. As a visitor, your taste buds are spoiled for choice with plenty of food halls, stalls, cafes and upmarket restaurants.

Nonya or Peranakan food is the closest Singapore has to a “national” cuisine. It combines Chinese, Malay and other influences into its own unique blend. The resulting dishes are imaginative, tasty and often extremely subtle.

Travel tip: If you’re heading this way in the month of July, the annual Singapore Food Festival is in full swing. A gastronomic feast of workshops, places to eat, amazing recipes and things to try are all on the menu.

Singapore Zoo Night Safari.

Forget a typical zoo experience, this is an “open” green environment where animals are allowed to roam in acres of lush jungle and parklands. Oppressive cages are absent.

The animals are actually kept in spacious, landscaped enclosures, separated from visitors by dry or wet moats. The moats are concealed with vegetation or dropped below the line of vision.

At night, Singapore zoo takes on a totally different feel with the famous Night Safari. A unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Through subtle lighting, you can view over 1,000 nocturnal animals from 100 species in their habitat. It’s well worth spending an evening out here. Show time starts at 7.30 as the sunset in this part of world is very reliable, thanks to the position, close to the equator.

Sentosa. Singapore’s premier island resort getaway.

Just 15 minutes from downtown Singapore, you’ll find the resort getaway that is Sentosa Island. A stunning blend of leisure and recreational facilities, sea sports, golf and peaceful retreats. Get there by cable car (fantastic views) or bus, taxi and car.

A canopy of secondary rainforest covers 70 per cent of the 500-hectare island and it’s home to monitor lizards, monkeys, peacocks, parrots as well as other native fauna and flora. With is long stretch of white sandy beach, this is the only place in Singapore with real beachfront accommodation, such as Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort. You’ll find this property (and many more choices all over Singapore) at sites like http://www.hotel.com.au/singapore

Clarke Quay. Night moves and grooves.

When the sun goes down, Clarke Quay, on the Singapore River, comes to life. During the 19th century, this was a commercial waterfront area, bustling with merchant vessels. The rich heritage is alive and kicking. The Quay been restored to create a colorful and stylish meeting place, filled with cosy cafes, bars, music and restaurants. Trendy night spots attract a big crowd, especially at the weekend.

Reflexology. Traditional Foot Massage.

Transport-wise, Singapore is easy to get around, by subway, bus or taxi, but you’ll probably pound the sidewalks taking in the sights and sounds of this great Asian destination. Make time for some pampering.

Reflexology or foot massage has long been part of Chinese tradition and culture - a superb way to relax after a tough day bargain hunting. You’ll find plenty of places to enjoy a massage, at exclusive Hotel spas, or the more reasonably priced specialty outlets all around Orchard Road, in shopping centres and Tanglin Road.

Singapore hotels to match every budget.

Singapore is one of the world’s top travel destinations, especially for stop overs. (U.S. citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa.) Accommodation-wise, you’ll find a wide range of hotels to suit your budget – from major 5 star international names to smaller hotels offering great value rates. Book online and see the deals you can find.

During holiday time, Chinese New Year and during special festivals, it pays to book ahead because Singapore is always a fine experience.

Web sites such as www.hotel.com.au/singapore have dozens of choices, in the shopping, business and nightlife districts.

About The Author
Matthew Lawson heads up www.hotel.com.au and is an avid traveler.