Up Close and Personal

I was picked up from the hotel at 8am to go for breakfast with the orangutans at the zoo.  I'd read good and bad comments about this trip, so went with an open mind, but it certainly didn't disappoint!  The driver was bang on time to collect me, took me into China Town which is used as a central hub, and was transferred to the coach to the zoo.  Our guide was very informative, arranged our entrance passes and then took us to the restaurant where there was a huge buffet breakfast and we had time to get our food, before the orangutans came to join us.  

I was sat on a long table, with some very nice people - one couple were from Manchester and coincidentally her sister lives in Saltdean!   Isn’t it a small world? Our table was very close to where the orangutans came to sit, so great for taking pictures. We could have our photos taken with them (see my extras), and whilst there was an official photographer, they were happy to take photos of us using our own cameras.  They still tried to sell the official ones for $40, but it was no better than my own.

There were two mum's with youngsters, and one very tiny baby who was incredibly cute, and they stayed with us for about half an hour.  It was yet another amazing experience to be so close to these wonderful creatures.  

Our tour was only a morning excursion and the coach was due to leave at 11.45, but our guide said that if we wanted to stay longer, there was a shuttle bus which drops off at the main hotels in the city that runs at 2.30pm and 4.30pm at a cost of only $6, so I decided to stay otherwise it would have been rushed and I wouldn't have got to see everything.  It was a good decision as it's an amazing zoo, and the animals aren't kept in cages - you can walk amongst the trees with the orangutans sat on swings above your heads,  I came across the biggest lizard in front of me on a path, I don't know who was most suprised, him or me!  I got to feed the elephants, and watched a polar bear and a white tiger playing in the water -not together, of course!

Once back at the hotel I went for a swim, and then showered and changed so I was ready for when Alan got back from work as we planned to go out early, to the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel for a drink.  It's the biggest hotel in Singapore, the one that has three towers and the big boat shape at the top with bars, restaurants and the most amazing infinity pool overlooking the city.  You can't use the pool unless you're staying at the hotel and they have a lot of security and gates, so there's no chance of getting in there, but it was nice to see.  The bar area was very busy, but we eventually managed to get a table at the edge, so we could enjoy the view.  I've not added any photos of this to my extras, as I hope to go back on Friday during the afternoon, and if I do, I may well blip it.

For me, this trip is going too quickly as there's so much I want to see and do, although for Alan, his days are long and boring but he said he's happy to be able to hear about it all from me, and said it's much nicer me being here as he gets to do things at night that he wouldn't do if he was on his own.  

Singapore certainly hasn't let me down - it's 11 years since I was last here, when I came for just three days.  It made an impression on me and I always wanted to come back - the people are so friendly, everywhere's clean with no graffiti, the only thing that's difficult is the heat.  It's really hard to explain to anyone who hasn't been, but imagine being in a sauna?  It's great getting inside the air conditioned Malls, but once you step outside, you're back in the sauna lol!

My blip today had to be of the orangutans, but I’ve added lots to my extras, and believe it or not I took over 600 shots today!!