Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is set on 74 hectares and is the only botanic garden in the world that opens from 5am to 12 midnight every day of the year.  
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is one fifth of the size of Central Park in New York. I was so delighted to see Turtles in Swan Lake.  People were feeding the ducks and the fish and turtles were certainly interested in what was being thrown into the lake.  I loved the Gardens and there were heaps of people picnicing on the lawns under the shade of trees.  What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Gate Entrance

'Swing Me Mama' Sculpture

'Flight of Swans' Sculpture

Turtles in Swan Lake

Larger Turtle in Swan Lake

Mute swans imported from Amsterdam

Swan Lake

Waterfall

Waterfalls

One of the many paths

Bandstand

Sun Garden

Bonsai display

Sundial Garden

'Passing of Knowledge' Sculpture

'Joy' Sculpture

Palm Valley

With love from Singa,

Sue.

Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park has 5,000 birds across 380 species.  The Park has the world's largest collection of southeast asian hornbills, the world's tallest man-made waterfall in an aviary and the world's largest walk-in aviary.  A Panorail operates at the Park and is well worth the ride as many sections of the track are elavated and offers a birds eye view of the different exhibits.  I was most amused by this safety tip on the map - Just as you hate your hair being pulled, please refrain from plucking their feathers.

King Penguin

Superb Starling

White faced tree duck

Tallest man made waterfall

Black swan

Pelican Cove

Shoebill

Marabou Stork

Macaw Island

Caribbean Flamingo

Penguins in love

With love from Singa,

Sue.

Raffles Hotel

When you mention Singapore, the first thing most people think of is 'Raffles Hotel'. 
Raffles Hotel is a colonial style hotel and is one of the world's most famous hotels.  The Hotel opened in 1899 and was named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles.  
Here are some interesting history facts:
- Asians were not permitted as Hotel guests until 1930
- During the Great Depression in 1931, the Hotel went into Receivership
- During World War 11, the use of the Hotel was a transit camp for prisioners of war
- In 1987, the government declared the Hotel a National Monument
- In 1989, the hotel closed for extensive renovations costing S$160 million
- The Hotel re-opened on 16 Sept 1991 restored to the grand style of its heyday in 1915
- The Singapore Sling was invented at The Long Bar
- Hugh Jackson is on the list of famous visitors and guests of the Hotel

The Raffles Hotel is famous for it's luxurious accommodation, superb restaurants and Afternoon High Tea.  The Hotel is surrounded by tropical garden courtyards, a boutique shopping arcade including the wonderfully exclusive gift shop where I snuck in a few photo's before being politely 'told'.    

With love from Singa,

Sue.

Resorts World Sentosa

Resorts World Sentosa is an integrated resort on the island of Sentosa, off the southern coast of Singapore.  The attractions include Casinos, Universal Studios theme park, 6 hotels, luxury retail stores and I've read on the web that Marine Life Park is opening in the summer which will include the world's largest oceanarium.  I stayed at Hotel Michael, which was quite nice, but a little too noisy.  Some of these photo's were taken on my way to Universal Studios and others on my way back from Imbiah Lookout. 

With love from Singa,

Sue.

Sentosa Island - Imbiah Lookout

Imbiah Lookout is definetly worth a visit if you're heading to Sentosa Island.  This is where the Butterfly Park is, Nature Walk, The Merlion, Tiger Sky Tower and lots of indoor and outdoor rides and adventures.  Unfortunately when I was there, bus loads of tourists arrived and filled the queues to the rides.  Damn tourists!  I'll head back for the rides another time once the school holidays are over.
The Merlion is a 37 metre tall half-lion and half-fish and is a Singapore icon.
The aerial photo's were taken behind glass in the Tiger Sky Tower, so the quality is not the best.

Resorts World Sentosa in the foreground



Man made beaches at Sentosa Island

With love from Singa,

Sue.