Posted by: Jenn
After saying goodbye to Ms. Williams (thank you so much for the awesome, relaxing week on Tioman) we planned out our few days in Singapore. Our first two times in Singapore we laid low because we really didn't think it had much to offer and the cost of everything is ridiculous. However, after using a crowbar to pry Jonathan's wallet open a little we had an amazing time. Our first day we made our way to Sentosa. Sentosa is a small island off the coast of Singapore that has a Universal Studios, tons of shops and restaurants, some small sections of beach and several other attractions. The main reason we wanted to hit up Sentosa was for the Wave House. Better than trying to explain to you what the Wave House is, I will just show you some pics and vids.
After saying goodbye to Ms. Williams (thank you so much for the awesome, relaxing week on Tioman) we planned out our few days in Singapore. Our first two times in Singapore we laid low because we really didn't think it had much to offer and the cost of everything is ridiculous. However, after using a crowbar to pry Jonathan's wallet open a little we had an amazing time. Our first day we made our way to Sentosa. Sentosa is a small island off the coast of Singapore that has a Universal Studios, tons of shops and restaurants, some small sections of beach and several other attractions. The main reason we wanted to hit up Sentosa was for the Wave House. Better than trying to explain to you what the Wave House is, I will just show you some pics and vids.
We had watched a couple of people try and thought it looked really easy; and because we both surf and snowboard we thought it would be a cinch. But one try on the board proved us wrong. Learning how to balance our bodies so the board didn't get washed out from under us was quite a challenge and we both loved trying to master it in the hour slot that we had.
After the Wave House we made our way to the world's largest indoor wind tunnel to watch some people simulate skydiving. We have both been sky diving before so we didn't have the urge to try, but it was fun watching others get flung around in the wind tunnel.
After the Wave House we made our way to the world's largest indoor wind tunnel to watch some people simulate skydiving. We have both been sky diving before so we didn't have the urge to try, but it was fun watching others get flung around in the wind tunnel.
The last notable thing we did on Sentosa was experience a "close encounter" with a pig tailed macaque. What in the h - e - double hockey sticks is that? We weren't sure. We just knew that the close encounter was free and was taking place at the time we were walking by so we stopped to check it out. Turns out, the animal handler came out of a gate with a cute little monkey! Perfect timing on our part.
After a long day of spending money (Sentosa is a very upscale, touristy place. Even lunch at McDonald's was overpriced.) we headed back to the hostel for a shower and to change. Once dressed and ready we made our way to Bar Asia to get a good view of the city at night. Yes, we wore the same thing we wore out in KL. We are not exactly equipped with 'going out' clothes. After spending an outrageous amount on the cover charge ($25) we took full advantage of the welcome drink and chips by making them last way longer than they should have. They were really good chips though so that was good. I think the view and atmosphere was totally worth it.
I anxiously awoke the next morning because on our agenda for this day was the Singapore Zoo. I know, a zoo is a zoo but seriously this was like the best zoo ever. I had read online that there are several interactive feeding sessions at certain times and so we marked our zoo map to plan out what we wanted to see and when.
First on our list was the Orangutans. It was by far awesome. A group of five furry apes climbed down from a tree and sat on a limb right in front of us where they were given juice and veggies.
Then we got to sit in front of them and get our photo taken. I was this close (holding my index finger and thumb really close together) to grabbing one of them and running. They were soooooo freaking cute.
After the feeding session they were led away by the zoo keepers. In the video below the last one is holding a baby. It was amazing to watch them walk right in front of me.
The orangutans were the highlight of the zoo visit for me. Especially since they had free range over a certain area of the zoo. They were not kept in cages. Every now and then you would look up from the sidewalk and see what crossing a rope above your head.
We made our way through the rest of the zoo trying to catch as many feeding sessions as we could. The giraffes were fun to watch with their long tongues reaching for the food.
We made our way through the rest of the zoo trying to catch as many feeding sessions as we could. The giraffes were fun to watch with their long tongues reaching for the food.
We also visited an area where lemurs were roaming free.
Another favorite was cruising through the primates section. We saw so many different types of monkeys and apes (monkeys have tails, apes don't), none of which were in cages. They were separated from us by a moat.
We enjoyed watching the kangaroos too. Once again they were not in cages. We walked through a door to a fenced in area and the kangaroos were roaming free within. Nothing separated us from them. Watching them hop around made me laugh.
Some other animals we saw are pictured below.
When we had seen enough we stopped by the oragutangs one last time to say goodbye.
We were thoroughly exhausted after our long day at the zoo but we didn't let that slow us down. We showered and changed again (this time in other clothes than the night before) and we hit the town. We made our way to an area on the waterfront that has a spectacular view of Singapore and of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. We lucked out and arrived just in time to watch a light show.
We were thoroughly exhausted after our long day at the zoo but we didn't let that slow us down. We showered and changed again (this time in other clothes than the night before) and we hit the town. We made our way to an area on the waterfront that has a spectacular view of Singapore and of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. We lucked out and arrived just in time to watch a light show.
We then grabbed dinner at a local food court, a rarity in my book. But my meal was actually really good and for once I ate something semi-cheap. Go me.
So what was next you may ask? Well the next day we headed to the airport to fly to Bali, Indonesia where Mom and Dad are going to meet us!!! Oh my goodness, I might be more excited than I was when I got to watch the orangutans! I cannot wait to see them!